EDITORIAL
17 December 2011- Old Altrinchamians
Today it is our pleasure to welcome Old Altrichamians, [known as Old Alts as we have difficulty in both spelling and pronouncing their full name correctly] to Brookburn Road for our last home fixture of 2012, Over the past few seasons, since their return to the Manchester League, we have enjoyed several very close contests against our local neighbours based at Crossford Bridge [just across the Mersey] in Sale. Lee Bennett and his squad are having another impressive season and are placed a few places and points ahead of us in 4th place. The first game between us this season resulted in our first away victory when we led 1-0 for a long period only to be pegged back with a few minutes left. Our reaction was immediate and we secured all 3 points with a cracking direct free kick from Tom Waring in the dying seconds of the game. Everyone had a blank Saturday last weekend when the whole Premier Division programme was washed out apart from the all weather 3G pitch at Platt Lane where last year’s champions Manchester Gregorian crashed 1-5 at home to Walshaw. Note inside the programme there is an update on the North West Counties FL for next season 2012/2013. SEASONS GREETINGS We wish all our playing and non playing members, supporters and sponsors a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year. We are very grateful for the encouragement we have received from so many people and trust you enjoy the festive fare on offer today in this final flourish of 2011. ENJOY THE GAME PS – We are providing complementary hot food in the clubhouse today as a thank you to everyone who attends regularly so please step inside for some Christmas Fare.
Rob Turley
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
FROM THE CHAIRMAN Today is our last home game of 2011 which has been another quite eventful year in our long history. I’d like to use this opportunity to look back over the past 12 months and give my thanks to all those who have contributed so much to the club’s success and ongoing progress especially: The ‘back room’ staff who have given excellent service throughout the year – well done and thank you The Club Committee who give up their time to attend meetings and in fact carry out many other tasks including being a major part of the back room – well done and thank you The managers, coaches, physiotherapists and all the players who have been part of the successes of our teams on the field over the last year – well done and thank you The community bonfire team for yet another fantastic event and in raising much needed funds – well done and thank you Our sponsors and supporters who have helped to make it financially possible for us to continue the progress we have made – thank you for your ongoing support which is much appreciated at this time I’m also looking forward to 2012 and in particular to: Continued success and development both on and off the field A successful application for entry into the North West Counties League for 2012-2013 Further improvements to the club facilities with the use of new grass pitches at Hardy Farm and the use of our new floodlights at Brookburn Road Continuing growing support from our sponsors, supporters and the local Chorlton Community Finally my personal thanks again to all who have been involved in our journey so far. My hope is that this support will continue long into the future to enable us to fulfill our long held ambition and Vision of a fully integrated successful amateur football club with all our teams playing at the highest level possible, supported by a dedicated team of non playing members and our valued sponsors. I wish everyone a happy and enjoyable Christmas season and look forward to a successful New Year. Brian Cripps PS: Brian and Sandra are off to visit son and our former player Paul and his wife Nia for Christmas and New Year. We wish them a safe and happy trip and send our best wishes to Paul and Nia as they await the arrival of their first child any day now. www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
First Team - Fixtures and Results Since my last notes we have only played the home game with AFC Monton, a report on this is covered later in the programme. However, I would like to thank all involved with the club for their support during 2012 and wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year. Not forgetting that the extra pounds will have to be worked off in January… Andy Nelson Date AUGUST Sat 6 Sat 13 Wed 17 Sat 20 Tues 23 Sat 27 Wed 31 SEPTEMBER
Opponent
H/A
Comp
Result
Rochdale Sacred Heart Prestwich Heys Walshaw Sports Manchester Gregorians AVRO Springhead Old Alts
H A A H H A A
Cup L L L L L L
7–2 3–0 0–5 2–1 0–5 1–3 2–1
Sat 3
Wyre Villa
A
Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24
Prestwich Heys Wythenshawe Amateurs Ashville FC
H H A
LFA Cup L L FA Vase
2–2 (4-5 pens) 3-0 0-1 0-2
A H H A H
L L L L L
2-1 2-2 1-0 2-0 0-3
A H A A
L L L Cup
0–2 1-4 1-4 1-3
H A H
L L L
1-1
A H H
L L L
H
L
A
L
OCTOBER Sat 1 Manchester Gregorians Sat 8 Stockport Georgians Sat 15 AFC Bury Sat 22 AFC Monton Sat 29 Hindsford NOVEMBER Sat 5 Dukinfield Town Sat 12 Royton Town Sat 19 AFC Bury Sat 26 Walshaw Sports DECEMBER Sat 3 AFC Monton Sat 10 Hindsford Sat 17 Old Alts 2012 JANUARY Sat 7 AVRO Sat 14 Walshaw Sports Sat 21 East Manchester FEBRUARY Sat 25 Dukinfield Town MARCH Sat 3
Postponed
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First team action…
MATCH REPORT: last time at home… WEST 1 AFC MONTON 1 At risk of becoming repetitive … ‘We started this game very brightly and played some great flowing football with good touch and possession as the visitors struggled to get near the ball. Unfortunately the Monton keeper decided to give a virtuoso performance and almost single handedly kept the visitors in the game as chance after chance went begging. Lee Shillito was unlucky with an early snap shot and a couple of further good efforts and Tommy Walsh and the Jones brothers also went close to breaking the deadlock. At the other end our defence was rarely troubled with Alex Baird commanding. Monton started the second half the brighter of the two sides as we struggled to maintain the control and tempo of the first half and the pitch began to cut up in the incessant rain. The visitors then went ahead when a decent run saw the ball crossed into the 6 yard box and although Ben Simpson made a great reaction stop to the first attempt the Monton playmaker was on hand to slam home the ball on the goal line. Having nicked a goal Monton then set about trying to defend their advantage and defend they did with some last ditch tackles and clearances and another string of fine stops and good positioning by their keeper. As the home fans grew impatient Andy Nelson made a double substitution bringing on Josh Ford and Dean Thurston and then adding Chris Pattison soon after. The chances kept coming and going and from a last minute corner Scott Jones was floored in front of the referee who had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Dean Thurston who calmly sent the Monton keeper the wrong way. Even then we nearly won it when Josh Ford hit a cracking volley only for the ball to rebound of the keeper and to safety as the referee blew for full time. This hard earned point was just reward for our persistence when things weren’t going our way.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Results & fixtures - Reserves Date AUGUST Sat 20 Thurs 25 Sat 27 SEPTEMBER Thurs 1 Sat 3 Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24 OCTOBER Sat 1 Sat 15 Sat 22 Sat 29 NOVEMBER Sat 5 Sat 19 Sat 26 DECEMBER Sat 3 Sat 17 JANUARY 2012 21 Jan 28 Jan FEBRUARY 04 Sat 11 Sat APRIL 07 Sat
Opponent
H/A
Comp
Result
Stockport Gregorians Res Wythenshawe Amateurs Res Rochdale Sacred Heart Res
A H H
L L L
3–4 2–3 4–0
Old Alts Res AVRO Res Walshaw Sports Res East Manchester Res Old Alts Res
H H A A A
L L L L L
2–3 0–1 0-7 2–2 3-0
Elton Vale Res Prestwich Heys Manchester Gregorians Res Dukinfield Town Res
A A H A
L L L L
3–3 6-2 2-0 3-1
Leigh Amateurs Res East Manchester Res Beechfield United Res
H H A
L L Cup
3-4 2–2 4-0
Wythenshawe Ams Res Manchester Gregorians Res
A A
L L
1-5
Leigh Athletic Res AFC Monton Res
A H
L L
Dukinfield Town Res AVRO Res
H A
L L
Rochdale Sacred Heart Res
A
L
As you’ll see from the fixtures above our only game so far in December was a 5-1 defeat at Wythenshawe Amateurs, this was a very disappointing result as we contributed to our own downfall with two own goals and a missed a number of chances. Prior to that, our results had been improving as we were able to field a more settled team. Before I sign off I would like to wish the players and all associated with the club a great Christmas and New Year, keep your eyes on the website as I am sure fixtures will be added before 21st January when we are next scheduled a game. Robert Madden
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
A Team Since the last programme report we have not managed to play due to a blank Saturday and last week’s postponement. We sit mid table with games in hand so we look forward to positive progression towards the top end in 2012. Chris Argent Date Opponent SEPTEMBER Sat 17 Prestwich Heys A Sat 24 Dukinfield Town A OCTOBER Sat 1 Springhead A Sat 8 Stockport Georgians A Sat 15 Walshaw SC A Sat 22 Leigh Athletic A Sat 29 Atherton Town A NOVEMBER Sat 5 Hollinwood A Sat 12 Dukinfield Town A Sat 19 Royton Town A Sat 26 Springhead A DECEMBER Sat 10 Atherton Town A Sat 17 Leigh Athletic A 2012 JANUARY Sat 7 Stockport Georgians A Sat 14 Royton Town A Sat 21 Walshaw SC A Sat 28 Hollinwood A
H/A
Comp
Result
H H
L L
1-4 5-0
H H H H H
L L L L L
4-7 3-2 4-3 1-1 6-2
A A A A
L L L L
1-2 3–2 2-0 1-2
A A
L L
Postponed
A H A H
L L L L
KIT MANAGER WANTED… We have a vacancy for a volunteer kit man to take overall charge of playing kit and equipment and be available to attend first team games home and away. If you would like more information on what this involves then please contact: Rob Turley on 07891 298441
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
How our teams stand… Manchester League – Premier Division 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Hindsford East Manchester AVRO Walshaw Sports Old Alts Stockport Georgians Royton Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Wythenshawe Ams Manchester Gregorians Springhead AFC Monton Dukinfield Town AFC Bury Heywood St James Prestwich Heys
P 18 17 17 18 16 15 15 17 16 19 16 16 15 18 17 16
W 12 12 11 9 9 8 7 7 5 6 4 4 5 3 4 2
D 4 2 2 3 2 3 3 2 5 1 6 5 1 7 1 3
L 2 3 4 6 5 4 5 8 6 12 6 7 9 8 12 11
GD 26 22 23 17 1 1 5 -12 -1 -9 -5 -5 -4 -10 -23 -26
PTS 40 38 35 30 29 27 24 23 20 19 18 17 16 16 13 9
W 10 9 9 8 7 8 8 5 5 6 5 5 2 1
D 3 3 3 2 4 1 1 4 3 0 3 2 3 4
L 3 3 3 5 4 5 5 7 7 11 7 9 9 10
GD 24 18 12 5 9 7 0 7 -1 -9 -17 -9 -15 -28
PTS 33 30 30 26 25 25 25 19 18 18 18 17 9 7
Manchester League – Division 2 (Reserves) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Wythenshawe Ams Res Walshaw Res Stockport G Res AFC Monton Res Manchester Gregorians Res AVRO Res Old Alts Reserves Prestwich Heys Res West Didsbury & Chorlton Res Dukinfield Town Res Leigh Ath Res E Manchester Res Rochdale SH Res Elton Vale Res
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
P 16 15 15 15 15 14 14 16 15 17 15 16 14 15
Manchester League – Division 4 (‘A’ Teams) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Springhead A Royton Town A Stockport Geo A Hollinwood A West Didsbury & Chorlton A Prestwich Heys A Leigh Ath A Walshaw SC A Dukinfield Town A Atherton Town A
P 12 12 14 9 11 10 12 12 13 13
W 11 8 7 6 6 4 3 3 2 1
D 1 2 3 1 1 3 2 2 0 0
L 0 2 4 2 4 3 7 7 11 11
GD 21 24 12 13 6 2 -1 -13 -18 -46
PTS 34 26 24 19 19 15 11 11 6 4
D 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 0
L 1 1 3 2 2 4 3 6
GD 17 7 1 3 1 -5 -5 -19
PTS 19 13 10 8 7 7 7 3
L 1 1 2 4 2 2 6
GD 9 19 2 -4 4 -5 -25
PTS 13 12 12 10 9 2 0
Cheshire Veterans Football League – Premier Division 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Flint Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Bollington Grappenhall Sports Sale Town Cheadle Star Old Boys Bedians Hursts
P 8 6 7 6 5 7 6 7
W 6 4 3 2 2 2 2 1
Cheshire Veterans Football League – Division 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Barnstoneworth United Moore United Grappenhall Sports B MCYA West Didsbury & Chorlton B Burtonwood Albion Old Boys Stepping Hill Presidents XI
P 6 5 6 8 5 4 6
W 4 4 4 3 3 0 0
D 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
P 10 6 6 7 7 7 8 7 7 9
W 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 2 0
D 2 2 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Altrincham Youth Football League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Cheadle & Gatley Athletic Cleavleys JFC NJ Wythenshawe TC Wythenshawe Amts Medlock Rangers FC Leigh Genesis FC West Didsbury & Chorlton Flixton Juniors FC Lostock Rangers FC Broadheath Central
L 2 0 1 2 2 3 4 5 5 9
GD 18 16 35 18 6 -2 -8 -13 -43 -27
PTS 20 14 13 13 13 12 10 6 6 0
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Youth Team … The Youth team have not played since November 20th (and the last programme notes!) due to a combination of no fixtures and bad weather. Up to now the team has adapted well to playing in a higher standard of football with a 10 point return from 3 wins a draw and 4 defeats. We are looking forward to the rest of the season and moving up the table. Mike Lewandowski Date SEPTEMBER Sun 25 OCTOBER Sun 2 Sun 9 Sun 16 Sun 30 NOVEMBER Sun 6 Sun 13 Sun 20 DECEMBER Sun 4 Sun 11 Sun 18 JANUARY Sun 15 Sun 22 Sun 29 FEBRUARY Sun 5 Sun 19 APRIL Sun 1
Opponent
H/A
Comp
Result
Medlock Rangers FC
H
L
1-1
Lostock Rangers FC Cheadle & Gatley Athletic Flixton Juniors Cleavleys JFC
A H H A
L L L L
2-4 1-3 5-3 0-4
Broadheath Central Leigh Genesis Medlock Rangers FC
H A A
L L L
1-0 1-5 4-3
Flixton Juniors Wythenshawe Amateurs N. J. Wythenshawe FC
A A H
L L L
Postponed Postponed
Lostock Rangers FC Cheadle & Gatley Athletic Cleavleys JFC
H A H
L L L
Broadheath Central Leigh Genesis
A H
L L
N. J. Wythenshawe FC
A
This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 Ben Simpson £60 Josh Samuels £40 Noel Castree
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
Results and Fixtures - Vets and Vets B Cheshire Veterans League – Premier Division 4th Sept 11th Sept 25th Sept 9th Oct 30th Oct 13th Nov 27th Nov 11th Dec 18th Dec
Hursts (h) Grappenhall Sports (a) Bedians (h) Flint Town (h) Cheadle Star Old Boys (a) Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (h) CUP Flint Town (a) Bollington (h) Grappenhall Sports (h)
6-0 1-0 4-2 2-2 3-2 9-2 1–3
Cheshire Veterans League – Division 3 4th Sept 11th Sept 25th Sept 16th Oct 30th Oct 13th Nov 18th Dec
MCYA (a) 1-3 Stepping Hill President’s XI (h) 4-0 Barnstoneworth United (a) 1-2 Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (a) 4-2 Grappenhall Sports B (h) 2-1 Mossley Hill Athletic Wanderers (a) CUP 2 – 4 Grappenhall Sports B (a)
Our application to join North West Counties Football League… You may have seen that on 9th December the North West Counties League website www.nwcfl.com carried a reminder announcement to all Step 7 clubs that applications for membership for 2012-2013 season must be made before 31st December 2011. NW League Secretary John Deal said: ‘To date we have had one application and all necessary documentation from West Didsbury + Chorlton…’ He continued to refer to a number of other enquiries from other clubs about the possibility of joining the NWCFL and the ground improvements necessary to enable future applications. We are obviously pleased that our application has been confirmed and we have also advised the Manchester League and the FA of this. This is the first part of the process leading up to the NWCFL AGM Blackpool next June when elections of any new clubs will be decided by the existing member clubs. The next step will be a visit from the Counties ground grading representatives in the near future who will then advise us of any further improvements we may need to make. WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
Our Visitors – Old Alts Old Alts AFC fields five teams in open age football every Saturday. Players of all abilities are welcome and we are always looking for people to help out in supporting roles. We have excellent facilities at Crossford Bridge, where we work closely with our partners, Sale Harriers and Sale United, in the Crossford Bridge Management Association. The last two seasons have been amongst the most successful in the Club’s history. In fact in 2009/10 by finishing third the first XI achieved it’s highest ever position in the Manchester Premier League. By comparison the 2010/11 season has been somewhat disappointing. This seems strange to say when for only the second time in the Club’s history; the 1st XI reached the final of the Cheshire Amateur Cup. However, unlike in 1975 when Alts won this prestigious trophy, the team went down narrowly 2-1 to Ashville from the West Cheshire League. The final was played at Rochdale Linnets FC and we were tremendously encouraged by the large number of supporters who turned up on the night. They witnessed some good football from both teams and when Alts drew level at 1-1, it looked as though victory could be achieved. What was disappointing for the 1st XI was their inexplicable loss of league form, which occurred from mid season onwards. Nevertheless great credit goes to our manager, Lee Bennett and his assistant, Andy Maclean for their leadership and achieving such a successful cup run. The 2nd XI manager, Pat Kelly, in his second season with the Club, has continued to make steady improvements. The team has consolidated its position in the second division of the Manchester League finishing in 10th place, after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. They also managed to make further progress in the Stockport Senior Cup, this season by reaching the semi final, where they met local rivals, Stockport Georgians. After going 3-0 down, the Reserves battled back to 3-3 in the 2nd half only to go down to virtually the last kick of the match. Our other two ‘social’ teams continue to play in the East Cheshire League and both managed to improve on last year’s performances.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
FA Visit West Didsbury & Chorlton Training The last few training sessions have been a little different at Chorlton High School. The sessions have been recorded and analysed as part of my UEFA ‘A’ Licence coaching course. The FA Coach Education manager for the North West has visited and observed the coaching sessions and provided feedback to the coaches. Two other candidates (1 from Macclesfield Town and 1 from Manchester City) from the course have also been involved coaching different topics including: Attacking from the flanks in 11 v 11 Playing out from the Goal-Keeper in 11 v11 Defending effectively in a phase of play Playing out as a back three in a phase of play Overcoming a deep lying defence in a phase of play. The FA were very impressed with the facilities and organisation of the club and the experience is massively important in preparation for Part 2 of the course next summer. I would like to thank the committee, Andy Nelson, and Rob Madden who have been fantastic in supporting the sessions and allowing flexibility on training nights and the players from all the teams for taking part. Thank you very much…Dave Conlon ENTRANCE IMPROVEMENTS For some time we have wanted to improve the club entrance and make this more transparent. New see through exempla style metal fencing has been erected at the club gates this past week and the old concrete post and panel fencing which has been there since the 1960’s has been removed. This has greatly improved the appearance of the area by getting rid of the graffiti and improving visibility for anyone driving in and out of the club. Wishing West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC a successful season Parrs Wood High School and 6th Form Proud printers of the Match Programme
Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing photographs to the club: www.mikefryer.com
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Manchester Football League – Premier Division Saturday 29th October 2011
Today’s Teams West Didsbury & Chorlton Ben Simpson Mike Kennedy Callum Jones Scott Jones Dave Conlon (Capt) Alex Baird Joe Warmington Andy Levendis Gavin Lee Ellison Danny Summers Tom Waring Tommy Walsh Dean Thurston Lee Shilito Matt Eckersley Ashley Farlow Josh Ford Chris Patison Lewis Childs
Old Alts S Nahill S Goldrick D Cook J Bennett D Brown (Capt) A Maclean D Queeley A McGrath M Payne M Hughes C Howard A Dolan R King J Mitten M Salmon R Stewart A Walker M Warburton K Whitehead T B Willis J Yarwood
Manager: Andy Nelson
Manager: Lee Bennent
Assistant: Dave Conlon
Assistant: Andy Maclean
OFFICIALS: Referee: John Walton Assistant Referees: John Jackson and Paul Roberts NEXT HOME GAME:
WEST v Walshaw Sports Saturday, 14th January 2012 – Kick-off: 2.00pm Please check the club website weekly at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com and www.manchester-league.co.uk as fixtures will change. www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com
Next Committee Meeting… Monday, 9th January, in the clubhouse starting at 6.30pm.
Results and Fixtures - Vets and Vets B Cheshire Veterans League – Premier Division 4th Sept 11th Sept 25th Sept 9th Oct 30th Oct 13th Nov 27th Nov 11th Dec 18th Dec 9th Jan 22nd Jan 5th Feb 26th Feb 11th Mar 1st Apr
Hursts (h) Grappenhall Sports (a) Bedians (h) Flint Town (h) Cheadle Star Old Boys (a) Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (h) CUP Flint Town (a) Bollington (h) Grappenhall Sports (h) Mobberley (h) CUP Bollington (a) Sale Town (h) Hursts (a) Bedians (a) Cheadle Star Old Boys (a)
6-0 1-0 4-2 2-2 3-2 9-2 1–3
Cheshire Veterans League – Division 3 4th Sept 11th Sept 25th Sept 16th Oct 30th Oct 13th Nov 18th Dec 15th Jan 22nd Jan 26th Feb 11th March 15th April 29th April
MCYA (a) 1-3 Stepping Hill President’s XI (h) 4-0 Barnstoneworth United (a) 1-2 Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (a) 4-2 Grappenhall Sports B (h) 2-1 Mossley Hill Athletic Wanderers (a) CUP 2 – 4 Grappenhall Sports B (a) Stepping Hill President’s XI (a) Moore United (h) MCYA (h) Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (h) Barnstoneworth United (h) Moore United (a
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
BOUNDARY IMPROVEMENTS The club has completed purchase of some additional land to enable us to improve the southern boundary with the playing fields and eventually to remove the remaining lengths of concrete fencing as part of the ground improvements and landscaping proposals to be implemented next spring. The picture shows this work being undertaken.
www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com