West Didsbury & Chorlton v Runcorn Linnets

2014/15 SEASON / MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2.00

Official Club Sponsor

NWCFL Premier Division

Runcorn Linnets Saturday 18th April – 3.00pm

WELCOME WELCOME

to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President

First Team

Brian Cripps

Glyn Meacher 0161 794 5846

Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Mgr: Steve Settle (coach) Asst Mgr: Steve Eckersley (admin) Match Secretary: Rob McKay 07706 302397

Club Secretary

Reserve Team

Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Manager: James Plowright 07900 332825 Asst Manager: Jim Hines

Membership Secretary

Club Coaches

Chairman

Monica Creer 0161 881 1135

Treasurer

Rob Madden – First Team Tony Holmes – Goalkeepers Joel Hudson – Reserves

Dave Cooper 07961 063195

Physio Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Paddy Murphy Magdalena Maria

Community Development

‘A’ Team Manager

Head of Fundraising

Davy Iredale

Danny Iredale 07939 392828

Publicity and Web

Youth Team Manager

John Churchman 07720 508082

Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397

Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401

Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903

Vets Manager Chris Smith 07867 171815

Ownership: In accordance with THE Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 clubs in the Football Pyramid we hereby confirm that the legal status of WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB is as not for profit private members club. Any gain arising from the carrying on of the Club shall be applied for the benefit of the Club or for some charitable or benevolent purpose or purposes approved by resolution at a general meeting of the Club.

CLUB INFO… To contact the club please use the club website

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE

EDITORIAL

Runcorn Linnets

This is our final home fixture of an eventful 2014-15 season and we welcome our visitors are promotion contenders Runcorn Linnets, who now need to win all their remaining games and hope for Glossop to slip up in the final run in of this amazing season. Linnets have been on top of the pile for most of the season but are now 7 points behind Glossop with 3 games left, including today.

Glossop are top on 96 points and need one further win from their 4 remaining games to clinch the title. Linnets still have a lot to play for today and keep the pressure on Glossop who visit Runcorn for the final league game of the season.

At the other end of the table Bacup and St Helens Town are almost certainly relegated with both AFC Blackpool and Barnoldswick securing remarkable away wins to virtually secure their status for next season. Atherton Collieries and Cammell Laird 1907 are already promoted from Division One and a third club will follow via the play offs.

Earlier this season we were given a lesson when Linnets romped to an emphatic victory and a few West players had to learn the hard way about competing at this level. Last season we managed a hugely impressive 0-0 result at Runcorn but lost the return fixture here 0-2 in a game of few chances.

We have nothing at stake today but need to go all out to entertain everyone in this final home game of the season and of Andy’s 6 year term as club manager.

We also enjoy very friendly relationships between the management and officials of our two clubs and have been very grateful for advice from Linnets officials, sharing their experience of bringing together adult and junior football under the umbrella of a single club, firmly based in its local community. The Linnets supporters have also made us very welcome on our various visits to the Millbank stadium in recent years and we look forward to repaying their kind hospitality this afternoon.

SIX OF THE BEST - ANDY’S LAST HOME GAME Today is a significant milestone for Andy Nelson who is retiring after 20 years in club management.

Andy has spent the past 6 seasons steering WEST through Division I and the Premier Division of the Manchester League and NWCFL Division 1 to the position we now enjoy as a NWCFL Premier Division club. That is where we start next season and gives us a firm foundation on which to build for the future. It is also a position we would not have believed possible when we appointed Andy 6 years ago when our ambition was to get to NWCFL Division 1 and consolidate there for a few years.

We owe a huge debt to Andy, his management team and very supportive wife Linda, for their contributions and commitment during the past 6 years, which have arguably been the best years in our long history. Club Chairman Glyn will be making a brief presentation to Andy just before kick off today so please show your appreciation in the normal way.

At the start of this season Andy indicated to us that this would be his last campaign as club manager.

With that in mind and in planning succession to this demanding role, we felt it was important to maintain continuity and a similar ethos and approach. We are delighted that Steve Settle has accepted the invitation to succeed Andy and know that we will be going into next season with an enthusiastic manager and the continuity provided by the coaching and management team of Steve Eckersley, Rob Madden and Dale Newbrook.

There is more on both Andy and Steve inside today’s programme and we are delighted to have this smooth transition and look forward to the new era under Steve’s leadership.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT As we end our home games we are again grateful to our increasing numbers of regular supporters.

Our average attendance has increased again and we are pleased that so many of you have kept coming back despite our inconsistent results. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve your match day experience, apart from winning more often, then please speak to any of the Committee. Thank you for all your support and we’ll see you again for pre-season friendlies in July We warmly welcome all our visitors and as always, enjoy the game and have a safe journey home afterwards. Please see www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk for all the close season news.

Thank you to Graham Currey for providing the pictures and our regular contributors Rob Turley and Rob McKay… Editor

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Welcome to our Match Sponsors‌

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From the Dugout…

Today’s game is of great significance to myself as this will be my last game in charge of West Didsbury & Chorlton team. At the beginning of the season I made the decision that this would be my last season in charge bringing an end to 20 years in football management.

It has been a great privilege to have been a part of the development of West Didsbury & Chorlton, however part of good leadership is knowing when it’s time to move on and not become “the cork in the bottle!” Our club has enjoyed a successful period due to much hard work and commitment from my players and management team that is very much appreciated. We also have a dedicated committee improving our facilities and brining much expectation for the future.

I have specifically chosen this particular game as the management and support staff of Runcorn Linnets have been close friends to ourselves for many years, and we have previously all worked together in various roles with various clubs, therefore it is an obvious game to choose to finish my career with the people I respect so much and share so many fond memories with.

I have always admired the professionalism of Joey Dunn, Stu Humphries and the management support of James Standing which has brought much success wherever they have been, and I wish themselves and the club every success in the future. Runcorn Linnets have been a credit to the North West Counties League and have the support and infrastructure to progress to much higher levels, and I sincerely hope that they do so.

Our first season in the Premier Division was one of consolidation and we were delighted with a 12th placed finish. However this season we set out with much hope and expectation and sadly this season has become a huge disappointment and when I decided at the beginning of the season to retire I would like to have given a bigger platform to build on next season.

However I am confident that the club has now put together a new management structure to begin next season that will greatly improve this marvellous football club and help us again move to newer heights.

In football terms we’ve continued to tell a familiar story in recent weeks as failed to reap the reward that our play deserved over the busy bank holiday play. At home to Silsden on the Saturday we dominated the entire first half, creating chance after chance and deservedly took the lead through David Short. We should have been out of sight at half time and comfortably in front instead we went into the break level when Silsden scored with virtually their first attack. In the second half both sides had chances but we were the side more likely to win it but we couldn’t break them down. Silsden proved once again that in this division if you switch off for a moment you will be punished.

On the Monday it was exactly the same story as we started superbly backed by our brilliant support and we thought we had taken the lead through Matt Eckersley after 15 minutes only for it to be ruled out. In the first half we played as well as we played all season and despite the heat credit must go to the lads for their effort. In the second half Scott Mason forced a wonder save from Maine Road goalkeeper Ryan Livesey and Gary Lilley should have had a penalty when he robbed the goalkeeper of the ball near the end but we conceded a sucker punch of a goal which has really summed up our season. However we must focus on the positives and work on our weaknesses for next season but it was humbling to see so many West scarves and colours at the match and the vocal support for the occasion showed me just how far we’ve come on this journey and I’d like to thank each of the supporters for getting behind us this season.

For the final time, may I welcome everyone here this afternoon and let’s hope that this will be a fitting occasion for all concerned. Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Andy Nelson Looking back over 6 years of progress‌ West Didsbury & Chorlton manager Andy Nelson has decided to call time on his 20 year management career bringing an end to his six year reign as the clubs most successful period in their history.

Andy Nelson joined the club in 2009 with the club in the First Division of the Manchester League.

The Andy Nelson era began with 3-0 away win to Heywood St James on the opening day of the season with goals from Ryan Stewart and a Chris McDonagh brace. A squad that included Scott Jones, Dave Kilbride-Radcliffe, Mike Aston, Chris McDonagh, Gary Lilley, Tommy Walsh, Danny Summers, Callum Jones, Luke Lundy, Alex Baird, Lee Shilito, Ben Simpson and Ian Taylor, all of whom would go on to represent West in the NWCFL, secured a second place finish in his first season as well as collecting the Murray Shield in a 3-1 win against AFC Monton at Ewen Fields.

In his second season West cantered to the 2010/11 First Division title winning 20 of their first 21 games, going unbeaten to the final day of the season. West would reach the Murray Shield Semi Final losing 0-2 away to rivals Heywood St James and only a 2-1 defeat away to them again on the last day of the season preventing Nelson’s side going through the entire season unbeaten.

The following season 2011/12, having been promoted to the Premier Division of the Manchester League, West completed in the FA Vase for the first time in their history. West kicked off the season with a 3-0 win at home to Prestwich Heys and won seven of their first 12 league games.

West finished 7th in the Premier Division and were elected to the NWCFL for the following season.

More success was to come for Andy Nelson in the clubs debut season in the NWCFL as they played at step 6 for the first time in their history. On the opening day of the season West were defeated to eventual champions Formby 3-2 but secured their first ever win four days later with a 3-0 win at Chadderton. The club advanced to the quarter final of the League Cup losing only to a late winner at Bootle having defeated Premier Division opposition in Norton United in the previous round. They would also face their highest placed opposition to date losing 3-1 to Bamber Bridge in the Lancashire Trophy. In the league after a positive start Nelson led the club to a third placed finish winning 13 of their last 15 games, including a thrilling 3-2 win at home to Irlam on the final day to gain promotion to the Premier Division. A superb season, with the core of the squad remaining from the Manchester League 1st Division Title winning season, was capped off by winning the First Division Trophy with a 1-0 win over Abbey Hey at the home of Runcorn Linnets with a fantastic late winner from top goalscorer Lee Malkin.

In the first season in the NWCFL Premier Division, West enjoyed early success in the FA Cup winning their first ever game with a 2-0 win over Abbey Hey at Brookburn Road before bowing out to Burscough in the Preliminary Round.

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West also progressed in the FA Vase reaching the 1st Round for the first time thanks to a dramatic last minute 2-1 win away to Rossington Main. In the league despite a tough start West rallied to go unbeaten in the months of September and November including famous 4-0 wins away to Colne and 4-3 at home to Bootle to bring lift them to mid-table. In the second half of the season West recorded several impressive wins to secure 12th place to register the highest place finish in the clubs history.

This season has had seen West struggle slightly with the loss of key players to injury and loss of form and despite early wins against Barnoldswick Town and Winsford Untied in August. However there was still cup success to be had as West progressed past the first round of the Lancashire Trophy for the first time as well as matching their best performances in the MEN United Cup (Quarter Finals) and FA Vase (1st Round proper going out to finalists Glossop). Although the 17th place finish was not befitting of the commitment to the cause that Andy Nelson has shown throughout his six year tenure his ability and determination to maximise the potential of his players which saw the bulk of his squad from his first season in the Manchester League including Ben Simpson, Scott Jones, Callum Jones, Danny Summers, Gary Lilley, Alex Baird, Tommy Walsh, Chris McDonagh and Luke Lundy all make appearances for the club in 2014/15 with many of that initial squad also playing in step 5 or higher.

There have been so many highlights throughout Andy’s six years in charge but there is no doubting the achievement of his legacy ensuring that West have maintained their highest level in non-league football as well as playing in both the FA Vase and Cup for the first time ever. Andy is pictured above with Steve Eckersley who has been with Andy throughout his time at the club.

Thank you Tony‌ Also leaving us this week, after four years at the club, is goalkeeping coach Tony Holmes. Tony has worked tirelessly with goalkeepers at the club over the last four years helping goalkeepers such as Ben Simpson (an outfield player until the age of 18) and Donncha Murphy (the clubs physio and gaelic football player) reach their potential. Outside the club Tony also works with Street Soccer Academy helping young offenders earn a second chance. Tony is one of the great un-sung hero's of the club and will be sorely missed as he enjoys his retirement. He will be replaced by another club stalwart Dale Newbrook next season.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 1 Silsden 1 match report‌ It was a familiar story for West as they drew 1-1 at home to Silsden in a game in which they dominated from start to finish but in which they failed to take their chances and had to settle for a point.

Andy Nelson made one change to the starting line-up from Tuesday’s defeat at home to Squires Gate with Scott Jones coming in for Dan Russell pushing Richmond Botchey onto the left wing.

West started strongly and had the ball in the net in the early stages of the game, having won a series of corners, the ball was whipped in and flicked on by David Short falling to Botchey who finished spectacularly into the top corner but was adjudged to have been offside. It was a warning of things to come as West took the lead on 20 minutes when the ball was played up to Short at the edge of the area. Short flicked the ball round his man in one direction and span round in the other before finishing low under the keeper to round off a superb move giving West a deserved lead.

Moments later it was almost 2-0 as Scott Mason was released down the right, he raced into the box before playing a low cross along the edge of the six yard box to Jordan Poole who was unable to apply the finishing touch. The controversial moment of the half came on 26 minutes when Scott Mason was violently fouled by Benjamin Lamb on the touch line which was deemed only a yellow card by the referee. From the resultant free kick, Lamb then appeared to have Alex Baird in a headlock as he wrestled him to the ground which the referee deemed only worth a talking to.

West continued to create all the chances as first Botchey volleyed over from the edge of the area hooking a shot over his shoulder and Mason forced a great finger tip save from the Silsden goalkeeper with a rocket of a shot from a tight angle. West went close again as the Silsden goalkeeper chased a through ball to the edge of his area clearing it but only as far as Poole, who tried to first time it into an open goal from 30 yards.

Despite having dominated the first half West went in level as on the stroke of half time, West surrendered possession in the midfield, Silsden broke and Dale Feather applied the final touch finishing below Donncha Murphy in the West goal who had been a virtual spectator until that point.

In the second half Silsden were quicker out of the blocks as first Murphy was called to make a superb point blank save before Dale Feather came even closer hitting the top of the post from close range. West continued to create chances themselves as Botchey fired just wide after racing onto a ball over the top and Short fired a ferocious volley just over the bar from range.

The impressive Poole fired wide after a good lay off from Gary Lilley before substitute Dan Russell fired into the side netting from another West corner. Moments later Russell and Matthew Moses both found themselves in the book for an altercation off the ball.

Silsden were content to knock the ball long for Feathers to chase as West lost the attacking impetus and fluidity of the first half. With the pitch becoming increasingly heavy after the midweek downpour West found the final stages heavy going and were forced to settle for a share of the points.

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West v Silsden match action…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Maine Road 1 West 0 match report…

West rounded off the bank holiday weekend with the familiar tale of Deja-vu as they left to rue missed chances as Maine Road recorded their second win in the South Manchester Derby with a smash and grab win.

Andy Nelson was able to re-call Nic Evangelinos, Mark Rogers and Paul Hughes back into the starting line-up, the latter bravely playing on despite two crack ribs suffered at the hands of Colne less than three weeks ago. However, West would be without David Short and Dan Russell with ‘Rusty’ pulling out through injury in the warm up.

West started the brighter of the two teams with Gary Lilley firing wide from long range almost from the kick off. Maine Road forced the game’s first save after five minutes when Paul Hughes brilliantly tipped over a close range effort. After that, despite making another smart save at his near post the West goalkeeper was a mere spectator as West set upon winning their first ever South Manchester derby.

From that point on West dominated proceedings cheered on by an excellent away following and Jordan Poole came close to breaking the deadlock on eight minutes when he forced Ryan Livesey into a smart save from long range after taking an advantage of a deflection off the back of the referee’s legs.

West had the ball in the net on 12 minutes but it was controversially ruled out for a foul. West attacked down the right with Scott Mason and Mark Rogers superbly combining, Mason played the ball inside to Brocklehurst who took an air kick allowing the ball to fall to Matt Eckersley who superbly finished first-time inside the bottom right hand corner from 20 yards. However the referee inexplicably blew his whistle adjudging Brocklehurst to have fouled someone. Matt Eckersley almost immediately made amends when he forced another save from Livesey after another superb West move.

West were in full flow and Maine Road were resorted to several lunging two footed challenges including three in one West move which were not deemed bookable by the referee, choosing only to play advantage, as they dominated the first half with some of the best football they’ve played all season. The chance of the half came on 20 minutes as Evangelinos was played in on the left hand side one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the bouncing ball wouldn’t come down but instead of lifting it over the stranded goalkeeper and into an empty net he could only lob it into his hands.

West didn’t let up as Eckersley went close again from long range, followed by Scott Jones shooting from a narrow angle with only one side wanting the half time whistle to come.

The second half started in similar fashion as West immediately won a free kick at the edge of the penalty area. Mason curled the free kick over the wall and Livesey could only parry it onto the bar.

The West pressure continued as Evangelinos out-jumped the Maine Road defence but couldn’t steer his header on target from yet another superb Mason cross.

The game slowed as both sides made changes in the bank holiday heat with Richmond Botchey and Tre Baldwin-Willis replacing the industrious Kieran Brocklehurst and Evangelions.

The subs, made by both sides disrupted the flow of the game but Maine Road took the lead very much against the run of play as they launched a ball long over the top of the defence, allowing Richard Williams to run free and finish in the bottom right hand corner on 75 minutes. The superb Lilley responded almost immediately robbing the Maine Road goalkeeper of the ball, but despite being hauled to the ground by Livesey, he couldn’t divert it towards goal.

As the final minutes ticked by with Maine Road increasingly attempting to waste time including the home physio refusing to throw a ball onto the field West were unable to find the goal their play had deserved and they slumped to a seventh consecutive away league defeat.

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Maine Road v West match action…

Photo’s from Maine Road website – thanks to Rick Williams

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Silsden 6 West 1 match report‌ A thread-bare West side travelled to West Yorkshire and were taught a ruthless lesson in finishing.

20-year-old Estonian defender Rasmus Varvik was handed his debut in the back four that saw Steve Settle come in at right back and Alex Baird move to left back with the only regular in the back line Anthony Potts making up the back four. In midfield 17-year-old Fraser Child was handed his full debut in place of the suspended Gary Lilley. Dan Russell also returned to the team after his recent hamstring injury.

It would be a nightmare start for West as after just two minutes Matt Eckersley took a free kick just inside the West half, squared it straight to Silsden’s Craig Nicholls who raced into the West penalty area and scored. West almost immediately levelled when Nic Evangelinos combined with Settle on the right, raced into the box, turned his man inside out and fired his shot just over.

It was 2-0 after 10 minutes as Potts and Varvik jumped for the same high ball, it deflected straight to Nicholls again who raced through unchallenged and finished past the stranded Paul Hughes in the West goal. West continued to create chances at the other end however as Scott Mason curled a free kick over from the edge of the area. Alex Baird came close again hooking a superb effort from 30 yards forcing the Silsden goalkeeper to tip his effort over the bar. From the resulting corner Varvik headed just wide at the far post.

West were back in the game on 22 minutes after a good West move saw Russell tripped in the penalty area. Mason stepped up and sent the Silsden goalkeeper the wrong way to give West a life line. The lifeline would last just six minutes as West gifted Silsden another goal as they raced down the left on the break, cut inside and Matthew Moses finished from close range with Silsden queuing up to finish. At the other end West spurned their best chance of the game when Evangelinos closed down a back pass to the keeper, blocked the clearance which fell to Russell.

However, despite time and space, Russell hit a tame shot straight at the keeper letting Silsden off the hook. Settle fired another effort from range, the keeper spilled, but no one was on hand to follow up and Silsden were let off again.

Silsden would punish West for their missed chances, and it was 4-1 on 34 minutes when, the otherwise impressive, Fraser Child conceded possession in midfield, the ball was launched over the top and Nicholls completed his hat-trick. West were aggrieved again just before half time as Benjamin Lamb deemed to elbow Kieran Brocklehurst in front of the linesman, the referee however deemed it only a yellow card with the West players unhappy about several heavy and late challenges going into the half.

West came out for second half and created the first chance with Settle again shooting from range with only a brilliant save preventing Child from tapping in the rebound. West forced several corners and it was one from which Silsden added their fifth when they cleared the corner and Silsden raced down the right with Nicholls adding his fourth just after the hour mark. The sixth came on 69 minutes when Varvik surrendered possession at the edge of the area; Aaron Hollindrake cut inside and rolled it under Hughes.

West continued to press forward to reduce the deficit and Evangelinos went close again curling over a good effort after a superb low cross from sub Tre Baldwin-Willis after he had broken down the right hand side. In the final minute Settle forced another superb save from the Silsden goalkeeper, having been played inside, he tried to lift it over the keeper but the goalkeeper made the block.

The defeat condemned West to seven straight defeats away from home in the league and drop to 17th place.

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History…

Runcorn Linnets

Runcorn Linnets Football Club was born on 28 April 2006, when the fans of Runcorn Football Club, dismayed at the club’s predicament, met at their spiritual home at the Quayside in Canal Street in Runcorn and voted to establish a new club which would continue the proud tradition of nonLeague football which had existed in the town since 1918. A large group of fans formed an interim committee to set the wheels in motion. A Supporters Trust already existed and this was the vehicle through which the new club would be run. At this early stage, the club existed in name only, and the choice of the name Runcorn Linnets was symbolic in representing where the fans had come from and in keeping those ties with our past, whilst at the same time recognising that a new club needed to be built to re-establish confidence in the local community.

To start a new club from scratch with only 4 months to the start of a new season was a mammoth task, and the newly formed committee drew up business and action plans to attempt to achieve their objectives. Negotiations were opened on many fronts, with the FA, the Cheshire FA, the North West Counties League, Supporters Direct and Witton Albion Football Club. We received a vast amount of advice and support from all of these bodies and were hugely grateful to them all for their help. The Chairman and Board of Directors at Witton Albion FC extended the hand of friendship and offered us a ground share for the season, as no suitable venue was immediately available back in Runcorn. This we were delighted to accept. A Roll of Honour was established on our website in recognition of the support offered to us by fans and friends in those early days. We were supported by our local council and MPs in our bid for a place in the league for the start of season 2006/07. The members of the committee worked tirelessly to achieve our objective and we were delighted when we were finally accepted into the league by the member clubs on Saturday 17 June 2006 at the AGM in Buxton. It was a proud day for all of us and we were grateful to be given the opportunity to re-build a nonLeague club representing Runcorn and with the firm aim of moving the club back to its roots at the earliest opportunity. Former manager and player for Runcorn FC Halton, Steve Carragher, agreed to join as manager. Steve had vast non-League experience and we were delighted for him to lead the team in this new venture. The old Runcorn FC started life back in the Cheshire League, so it was perhaps fitting that we had this chance to re-build in the League that was formed from an amalgamation of that league and the Lancashire Combination.

We enjoyed our first season immensely in 2006/07, visiting some new grounds and making new friends along the way and to achieve promotion in our first season was a just reward for the effort put in by so many fans. We finished second to Winsford on goal difference. Our supporters, as always, turned out in numbers to support the team and visit lots of new grounds.

In season 2007/08 we entered the FA Vase for the first time, but lost at the First round stage to a strong Salford City team, which ultimately gained promotion. We had success in the Cheshire Senior Cup, beating Unibond 1 side Warrington T on their own ground and narrowly losing to Altrincham. We averaged around the 180 mark at home and often had a following of up to 100 fans at away grounds.

Our desire to relocate back into Runcorn was always an integral part of our plans and we named our scheme R2R “Return to Runcorn”. At the beginning of 2008, the club decided to part with its management team by mutual consent and we appointed Steve Wilkes as our new manager, with goalkeeper Robbie Holcroft as his assistant. Steve used the second half of that season to look at players old and new. Overall season 2007/08 will be seen as one of consolidation in a higher league, with a better standard of football. Our mid-table finish was about right.

We entered the FA Cup for the first time in season 2008/09 with a home tie against Rossington Main winning 3-2. Unfortunately, we then came up against a strong Curzon Ashton team and bowed out of the competition at the next stage. Curzon ultimately progressed into the First Round proper. In the FA Vase, we had a good run up to the Third Round Proper. We then came up against Vase holders, AFC Fylde, where we lost 4-1 after a very tight first half. Good wins at Alsager and at home to AFC Fylde in the Vodkat Cup put The Linnets into the semi-finals against Silsden. A defeat in the home leg was followed up with a fighting performance at Cougar Park, which saw The Linnets through to the final at Tameside Stadium against a very strong New Mills side, where we ended as runners-up by 2 – 0

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Runcorn Linnets History continued.

Season 2009/10 saw The Linnets again finish in mid table with little real success in the cup competitions. The main target throughout this time had been to get the club back into the town In June 2009 we were able to release the news that our plans for a new ground had received the support of the Halton Borough Council Executive Board and just before Christmas we received the excellent news that we had received a grant of over ÂŁ93000 from the FSIF. Our original plans had been to play at the Riverside College, but now, with the help of the council and the FSIF grants, we have now developed a site at the Halton Sports complex within the town. Building on the new ground started at the beginning of February 2010 and was completed over the summer. The club also announced a new club sponsor, Millbank, a UK market leading resource management solution provider, who operate from headquarters in Runcorn, who have signed up to a three year deal with the club, commencing in 2010, with the option of a two year extension.The new ground will be known as The Millbank Linnets Stadium and the opening ceremony on July 17th 2010 when Witton Albion were our visitors, attracted a crowd of over 1000 fans and this was followed up on the opening day of the season with a new record league gate for The Linnets of 508 against Colne.

Season 2010/11 was the first back in Runcorn and saw The Linnets part company with the management team of Steve Wilkes and Ian McGarry towards the end of August 2010 and former Linnet Paul McNally was appointed as the new manager bringing in former Atherton LR manager, Dave Hughes, as his assistant and Chris Fitzsimmons as coach. A rebuilding process took place during the season and the Linnets finished the season strongly. The most encouraging feature of season 2010/11 was the tremendous support the Linnets received from their fans. The average attendance at the Millbank Linnets Stadium was 106% up on the previous season and almost 50% higher than the next best supported team. The summer has seen new drainage on the MLS pitch and a new irrigation system installed. A number of new signings have been added to the squad that finished last season strongly.

In 2011/12 the club achieved its highest ever finish in the NWCL when we came fifth. A great start to the season in the league was interspersed with cup success, but this brought us a large number of replays and no league games were played during September. The highlight of the cup runs was the 40 defeat of Evostick North opponents Mossley after a 0-0 draw at Seal Park. We finally exited the FA Vase up in the North East at Hebburn. Perhaps the most memorable game of the season came at Stone with an 8-5 victory and 3 hat tricks in the game. Those present will long remember it! During the season 7 player and manager awards came the way of The Linnets, but the weather conspired against us during the winter months and November saw us drop off the leading group when mental fatigue finally appeared to tell. From then on we were playing catch up in the league and despite best efforts we ended the season in fifth place, although our victory over our near neighbours on Easter Monday was to have a great bearing on the final outcome of the title as well as providing the league’s biggest gate of the season. The Linnets were once again the best supported team by some margin.

Season 2012/13 saw Paul McNally leave the club for personal reasons to be replaced by Joey Dunn, with Stu Humphreys as his assistant and they brought the club its first major trophy when the Linnets defeated Formby in the final of the league challenge cup in front of over 500 fans at Curzon Ashton.

The Linnets had made the final the hard way, with extra time in each round up to the final and a dramatic quarter final win over Bootle in extra time with 9 men. In the league, the change of manager brought instant success with a 3 month undefeated run from the start of the New Year with the Linnets eventually finishing sixth. The club is also delighted that club sponsor, Millbank has taken up its option to remain as our main sponsor for the next 2 seasons at least.

2013/14 saw the club enjoy its most successful season to date. Early season form was excellent and brought a run in the FA Cup that saw us defeat 2 Evostik teams in Ossett Albion and Cammell Laird on our way to the Third Qualifying round where we finally lost 2-0 away at Conference North side North Ferriby. Although league from dipped slightly after this, the team soon picked up again and was up amongst the leaders entering the New Year despite an horrendous run of injuries around October time with three players sustaining fractures and others sustaining injuries that would keep them out of the team for two months or more. As the season reached its climax the chase for the title narrowed to 3 teams and eventually, despite an impressive haul of 95 points, we just fell short finishing as runnersup to Norton Utd and 12 points clear of Glossop NE in third place. This was our third successive top six finish.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Can YOU Help?

Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please talk to a committee member or contact us at: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk.

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: Luke Lundy £60 winner: Daniel Walker £40 winner: S Cripps

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

WEST Youth Team Reach North West Youth Alliance PRESIDENTS CUP FINAL Congratulations to our under 18’s youth team who booked their place in the Presidents Cup Final by defeating league leaders Bootle FC, 4-3 on penalties after the scores finished 1-1.

They now face Vauxhall Motors in the Final which will be played at Daisy Hill FC, The New Sirs, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 2EB

Sunday 26th April at 2.00pm Please make a note of the date and come down to support the lads WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

New man at the helm… Steve Settle The club are delighted to confirm that current West player/assistant manager Steve Settle will take the helm following the retirement of Andy Nelson.

Club Chairman Glyn Meacher said “We are delighted with the appointment of Steve Settle as the new 1st team manager. We have known about Andy’s decision to retire for a full season and Steve Settle was our first choice to step in for him.”

“In the two and a half years since he joined the club Steve has shown a natural ability to lead, first as a player when joining the club and secondly as the assistant to Andy this season. When the club began to put together its succession plan it was with continuity in mind and we are sure that the smooth transition means that the first team running will carry on and continue to take us to new levels within pyramid football.”

Outgoing manager Andy Nelson added “Steve Settle is the perfect candidate for the role and has all the necessary attributes to succeed as a football manager.”

Steve Settle said “I’m delighted to have been appointed the manager of West Didsbury & Chorlton. This is my first role in senior management and for the club committee and Andy [Nelson] to have the trust and faith in me to succeed is a massive boost.”

Steve Settle has played throughout the football pyramid having played for Leigh RMI in the Conference, Witton Albion, Curzon Ashton, Mossley and Bamber Bridge in the Evo-Stik League as well as Atherton LR and West in the NWCFL. He will be joined at the club by former player Steve Brockley who will join as Head Coach.

'Brock', is an experienced coach and former player, having himself enjoyed a strong career throughout the Football Pyramid at clubs including Leigh RMI and Curzon Ashton.

Steve’s backroom staff will be boosted by current assistants Steve Eckersley and Rob Madden agreeing to stay on in their roles. Steve Eckersley joined the club with Andy Nelson having previous coached Leigh RMI’s youth team. Rob Madden was the clubs Reserve Team Manager before stepping up to first team duties this season.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL League Table’s… after games on Wednesday 15th April

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Cheshire League fixtures, results and tables - Reserves Reserves 27th Sept 4th Oct 11th Oct 18th Oct 25th Oct 1st Nov 15th Nov 22nd Nov 29th Nov 6th Dec 20th Dec 17th Jan 7th Feb 14th Feb 28th Feb 21st March 7th April 11th April 14thApril 18th April 25th April 27th April 4th May 7th May

Warrington Reserves - Cup Altrincham FC Reserves Ashton Town Reserves Pork’s Pantry - Cup Wythenshawe Town – Cup FC Woodford Moore United FC Cuddington FC Irlam FC Reserves Cheadle Town Reserves Wythenshawe Town Warrington Town Moore United Mersey Valley FC FC Woodford Golborne Sports Witton Albion Reserves Grappenhall Sports FC Altrincham FC Reserves Irlam FC Reserves Cuddington FC Irlam FC Reserves Mersey Valley FC Witton Albion Reserves

(A) (A) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A)

0-3 (L) 1-3 (L) 2-4 (L) 0-2 (L) 0-7 (L) 1-4 (L) 4-1 (W) 6-1 (W) 5-1 (W) 1-1(D) 0-8 (L) 6-1 (W) 4-2 (W) 0-3 (L) 0-0 (D) 2-6 (L) 1-1 (D) 1-6 (L) 3-3 (D)

The Hallmark Security Cheshire Football League – Division 2 Table after matches on 14th April

POS

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1

Wythenshawe Town

13

13

0

0

50

39

2

Altrincham FC Reserves

16

11

2

3

20

35

3

FC Woodford

17

8

5

4

10

29

4

Mersey Valley FC

15

7

3

5

8

24

5

Irlam FC

12

5

3

4

2

18

6

Cuddington FC

15

6

0

9

-13

18

7

WEST Res

14

4

5

5

-5

17

8

Moore United FC

16

3

3

10

-34

12

9

Cheadle Town FC Res

17

2

3

12

-28

9

10

Witton Albion FC Res

13

2

2

9

-16

8

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Appearances and Attendances‌ after Wednesday 15th April

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Statistics‌ after Wednesday 15th April

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Recent Results & Today’s Fixtures…

RESULTS

Saturday 11th April 2015

Wednesday 1st April 2015

Premier Division AFC Liverpool 2-0 Silsden Bacup & Rossendale Boro 1-1 Maine Road Barnoldswick Town 0-2 Glossop North End Colne 1-0 Abbey Hey Congleton Town 2-1 Nelson Runcorn Linnets 0-3 Ashton Athletic Runcorn Town 1-2 Bootle Squires Gate 0-1 1874 Northwich Winsford United 0-1 AFC Blackpool

Premier Division AFC Liverpool 0-1 Glossop North End Saturday 4th April 2015 The MEN United Cup – Semi Finals Glossop North End 2-1 Bootle Premier League 1874 Northwich 6-2 Bacup & Rossendale Boro Colne 0-0 Ashton Athletic Maine Road 1-0 Alsager Town Nelson 0-3 Abbey Hey Squires Gate 2-0 Runcorn Town WEST 1-1 Silsden First Division AFC Darwen p-p Holker Old Boys Ashton Town 1-2 Eccleshall Atherton Collieries 3-0 Northwich Flixton Villa Chadderton 3-2 Barnton Cheadle Town 0-2 Hanley Town Daisy Hill 0-2 Irlam Oldham Boro 0-5 Cammell Laird 1907 Widnes 1-4 Litherland REMYCA Wigan Robin Park 1-0 Atherton LR

First Division AFC Darwen 5-4 Northwich Flixton Atherton LR p-p Ashton Town Eccleshall 0-2 Rochdale Town Holker Old Boys 1-3 Atherton Collieries Irlam 1-0 Chadderton Litherland 2-0 Hanley Town Oldham Boro 1-0 Wigan Robin Park Monday 13th April 2015 Premier Division Maine Road 2-0 Colne Runcorn Town 0-0 Glossop North End Silsden 6-1 WEST

FIXTURES

Monday 6th April 2015

Saturday 18th April 2015

Premier Division Abbey Hey 2-3 Glossop North End AFC Blackpool 0-0 Squires Gate Alsager Town 0-3 Congleton Town Ashton Athletic 4-3 St Helens Town Bacup & Rossendale Boro p-p Colne Barnoldswick Town 1-0 Nelson Bootle 1-2 AFC Liverpool Maine Road 1-0 WEST Runcorn Town 1-1 Runcorn Linnets Winsford United 1-3 1874 Northwich

Premier League 1874 Northwich v AFC Blackpool Abbey Hey v Ashton Athletic Bacup & Rossendale Boro v Winsford United Colne v Alsager Town Glossop North End v v Nelson Runcorn Town v Barnoldswick Town Silsden v Bootle Squires Gate v Congleton Town St Helens Town v Maine Road WEST v Runcorn Linnets

First Division Atherton LR 0-3 Atherton Collieries Barnton 2-1 Eccleshall Chadderton 0-0 Oldham Boro Holker Old Boys 4-1 Northwich Flixton Villa Irlam 2-0 Litherland REMYCA Rochdale 1-3 AFC Darwen Widnes 0-5 Cammell Laird 1907

First Division Ashton Town v Atherton Collieries Atherton LR v Cammell Laird 1907 Cheadle Town v AFC Darwen Daisy Hill v Barnton Eccleshall v Holker Old Boys Hanley Town v Irlam Litherland REMYCA v Chadderton Widnes v Wigan Robin PArk Liverpool Senior Cup Final Skelmersdale United v AFC Liverpool

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

There are now more ways than ever to buy club merchandise as in addition to being able to purchase on match days our new online club shop is open. Simply log on to www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk today to purchase what you want and have it delivered straight to your front door!

Club crest scarves £7 (£6 to club or supporter club members) Wrist bands £1 Beanie hats £6 Mugs at £5 Key rings at £1 Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50 Programme Back Issues

Follow News Updates on West via Twitter and Facebook!

Can’t make it to the game and want live match updates? Wanting the very latest news from the club on the move? Make sure that you log onto our Facebook page for all the latest news, views and updates on all things West Didsbury & Chorlton by clicking on www.facebook.com/WestDidsburyChorlton Alternatively you can follow on the very latest goings on the club with exclusive content by logging onto Twitter and following us @WD_CFC (picture of club badge)

Ground Safety In the interest of spectator comfort and safety, the following conditions apply at the clubs Brookburn Road ground and must be observed at all times.        

In case of fire or other emergency that requires the clubhouse or ground to be evacuated instructions will be given over the public address system, and we ask that you comply with those instructions immediately.

The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.

Glasses, bottles, gas canisters, knives, darts, tools, flag poles or any other articles likely to cause injury are not permitted into the ground.

Alcohol may be purchased and consumed in the bar area only.

Children are not allowed in the Club House unless accompanied by an adult.

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.

Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.

All forms of transport on the clubs car park is at the owners’ risk.

The club reserves the right to remove any person from the ground who is in breach of these rules or whose presence is a source of danger or annoyance to others. We hope you understand the reasons for the above are in order for the game to be enjoyed in safe and pleasant conditions.

Thank you, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Committee

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Andy Nelson on Counties Podcast…

Following the announcement of his retirement West manager Andy Nelson spoke with Counties Podcast, the only podcast covering the North West Counties League.

In the interview he discussed what important attributes are needed to become a successful NWCFL manager, his experiences as a manager in the conference and West’s rise up through the football pyramid.

The podcast started six months ago and is hosted by West Didsbury & Chorlton Press Officer Rob McKay, Atherton Collieries Media Officer Zach Pierce and NWCFL Committee Member Martin Fallon.

Every Friday they cover the latest news and discuss the latest action across both North West Counties League.

To date they’ve had such guests on the show as Colne manager Steve Cunningham, Glossop North End captain Dave Young and St Helens Town secretary Jeff Voller.

You can listen to Andy Nelson’s interview and the show each week, with new episodes on a Friday, from countiespodcast.com or by searching on itunes.

The FA VASE final tickets are available from FA website: fa.com/tickets.

Adults £15 - OAPs £10 - Under 16s £5

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Reaction to Andy Nelson retirement from the Internet…

‘We are very grateful to Andy Nelson and the wider team for their contributions over the past 6 years steering the club to the NWCFL Premier Division and competing in the FA Cup and Vase. Andy has been instrumental in ensuring we have become established as a Premier Division outfit over the past 2 seasons. We look forward to welcoming many supporters and former players to the Runcorn game and sharing the final home game of Andy's tenure with us.’ Glyn Meacher Chairman WDC

From around the NWCFL…

Players – Past and Present…

From the Supporters…

Make a note of the date: Our Presentation Day will be on Saturday 2nd May. An inter-club match is planned for the afternoon followed by the Awards Ceremony starting at 5.30pm

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

OUR SPONSORS We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current pitch side board sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

A Brief History…

West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, have come a long way in their 105 year history which began back in 1908 when the club was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. by Mr R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury.

West played friendlies at first and then in the Manchester Alliance League until the First World War 1914. After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and had to change its name to West Didsbury AFC, as that League did not permit a name suggesting association with any other body. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A, staying in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first honours were double runners up in Div 1 and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23, and the club remained in the L+C League until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way.

The home ground from before 1914 until the mid 1980’s was Christie Playing Fields, and then the owners, Manchester and Salford Playing Fields Society, gave the club notice to quit having decided to sell off the land for commercial development – now ironically called ‘Christie Fields’ office park.

After several years’ nomadic existence searching for a new home, the club acquired the redundant and overgrown Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road in 1996, and began to restore this to active use and develop a vision for a community club. This was down to the hard work of a core of players and Committee who refused to let the club fold. Work was completed in time to start the 1997-98 season using excellent new changing rooms and clubhouse facilities aided by a Lottery grant, new sponsors and members’ fundraising, but without a penny from the Playing Fields Society sale proceeds.

Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect the new location in Chorlton and the club was then elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 West won its first Manchester League silverware lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of our centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season 2008/09 West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final. won their League.

With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, 2009/10 was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield (the third consecutive year in the final) and was league runners-up. The reserves won the Bridgewater League Cup and the U17 Youth team won their League.

In 2010/2011 the 1st team won the Manchester League First Division title in style with a fantastic 65 points out of 72 possible. This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in Manchester League history dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final.

The Youth team reached yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills. The Veterans were runners up in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans League and then started a second veterans team such was the interest in the club. Plans were also made to formally integrate junior football as the club Vision is to be a FA Charter Standard Community Club, playing at the highest possible level it can whilst remaining financially viable.

Further improved saw floodlights erected in 2011 to meet FA requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club.

Election to the NWCFL followed in June 2012 and the club had an incredible first season winning the Div1 Trophy, finishing in 3rd position after an amazing run in during March and April to secure promotion and also winning a guaranteed FA Cup place. The over 45’s team again chipped in with Cheshire Veterans league silverware.

2013-14 saw the club meet a number of challenges on and off the field by recovering from a series of early season setbacks and defeats in August to consolidate with a very creditable 12th place league finish. Two new stands were installed to improves the spectator facilities, new grass pitches and youth teams were added as part of the long term development plan, whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.

The other historic milestones achieved during the season were the 2-0 home victory over Abbey Hey in the club’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup followed by a 2-1 first ever FA Vase victory away at NCEL Rossington Main near Doncaster in mid September. This season the club hosts Brighouse Town from the Evo Stik league in the FA Cup at the end of August having been given a walk by the FA against NWCFL new club Cammell Laird 1907.

NWCFL Premier Division Saturday 18th April 2015 – Today’s Squads West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

G’keepers Ben SImpson Paul Hughes Defenders Callum Jones Scott Jones Anthony Potts Callum Schofield Alex Baird Mark Rogers (Capt) Richmond Botchey Midfield Steve Settle Jordan Poole Gary Lilley Scott Mason Matt Eckersley Danny Summers Forwards Jerome Bryson Kieran Brocklehurst Tre Baldwin-Willis Nic Evangelinos Lewis Schofield David Short Rick Gleave Manager: Andy Nelson Assistants: Steve Settle & Steve Eckersley

Runcorn Linnets Yellow/Green Shirts, Green Shorts & Yellow Socks

Richie Mottram (Gk) Michael Duffy Martin Crowder Michael Burke Michael White River Humphreys Matt Cross Mark Haughton Franny Smith Adam Wade Michael Ellison (Capt) Matty Atherton Kyle Hamid Lee Thompson Kyle Armstrong Kevin Towey Chris Lomax Freddie Potter Kurt Sherlock Adam Hilton John Ritchie (Gk) Manager: Joey Dunn Assistant: Stuart Humphreys

OFFICIALS

Referee: Paul Ince Assistant Referees: Abid Hussain and Michael Barlow