West Didsbury & Chorlton v Silsden

Main Club Sponsor:

2013/14 SEASON

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2

Premier Division 4 March 2014 – 7.45pm

Silsden

WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President

First Team

Brian Cripps

Glyn Meacher 07905 431526

Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Mgr: Steve Settle (coach) Asst Mgr: Steve Eckersley (admin) Kit Manager: Jon Barton

Club Secretary

Reserve Team

Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Manager: Robert Madden 07730 655446 Asst Manager: Jim Hines

Membership Secretary

Club Coaches

Chairman

Monica Creer 0161 881 1135

Treasurer

Kris Mahon – First Team Tony Holmes – Goalkeepers Joel Hudson – Reserves

Dave Cooper 07961 063195

Physio Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Community Development Davy Iredale

Publicity and Web John Churchman 07720 508082

Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397

Paddy Murphy

‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale 07939 392828

Youth Team Manager Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401

Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903

Vets Managers Chris Smith 07867 171815 Steve Fisher 07595 678937

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

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

Editorial

Silsden

WELCOME Tonight is another first, the first time we have played Silsden in a competitive first team fixture and we welcome the players, management and club officials to The Recreation Ground for tonight’s game, our first midweek home game since we played Glossop North End back in mid October.

We did well to get the Squires Gate game played 10 days ago despite the heavy overnight rain, but the pitch cut up badly as the game progressed and by the end of the game a couple of areas were very difficult, to say the least.

Then it was off to Winsford United last Tuesday evening which was also their first home game in some 6 weeks and this was a night to forget as a result of probably our worst first half display of the season.

We tried hard to get back in the game in the second period but lacked any incisive finish, missed another few half chances and were second best to a young team fighting for survival and playing with pace from start to finish.

Tonight is an opportunity for the team to put that display firmly behind them as we try to keep up our good recent home form and stay in the top half of the table. The pitch has dried out considerably in the past week so that we’ve at last been able to get the pitch cut and rolled for tonight’s game.

Like ourselves, Silsden have been having an inconsistent season with some impressive results against the top teams including a fine away win at neighbours Maine Road and a home victory over Norton United. Recently, like ourselves, they have had a long spell without a fixture due to the bad weather but they will be aiming to get something from tonight’s game before they return to West Yorkshire later this evening. There is no ‘current form’ guide of any meaning for either team given all the postponements so we are in for an interesting game this evening.

Off the field at Winsford it was interesting to see the new summary of their club history on a long illustrated panel inside their clubhouse – they readily admitted that they got the idea from their visit to WEST earlier this season and as the saying goes, ‘Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery’!

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS The first phase of our ground improvements will follow later this week when we take delivery of our new 50 seater stand on Thursday. This will be located alongside the existing seating at the clubhouse and will be fully operational in time for our next home game against Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday 18th March. Further details of our SPONSOR A SEAT initiative are in the leaflet inserted in the programme together with an illustration of what the new stand will look like. Our ‘SPONSOR A SEAT’ scheme is now underway and the first 5 or 6 of the 50 seats have been booked up at the last home game. Don’t forget if you sponsor a seat for £100 before Easter, in return we will give you a season ticket to all our NWCFL home games next season, FA Cup and FA Vase included. If you can help us in this way then please do so as soon as possible as the first new stand arrives later this week and will be in use for the next home game against Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday 18th March.

LANCASHIRE COUNTY FA YOUTH CUP FINAL Our new youth team take on AFC Fylde at The County Ground, Leyland on the evening of Sunday 16th March kick off at 6.30pm. Please come along and support the lads in this landmark occasion for the club – our first County Cup final in 105 years!

UPCOMING GAMES There is no game for the first team next Saturday and the reserves are away at Glossop North End. We are then back on the road again with the next 2 games away at Congleton Town next Tuesday 11th at 7.45pm before a trip to Bacup and Rossendale Borough on Saturday 15th.

Our next home games are Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday evening 18th at 7.45pm followed by Abbey Hey on Sat 22nd and Ashton Athletic on Sat 29th, both 3pm.

In the meantime ENJOY THIS EVENING’S GAME and a safe return journey to everyone travelling back to Silsden. Rob Turley Cover: Graham Kay in action.

Thanks to Mike Fryer for match pictures used in the programme & website.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

View from the Dugout Good evening and welcome to Brookburn Road. The recent weather conditions have meant that we are playing just our 5th game of 2014 and so far have been inconsistently consistent having won-lost-won-lost in our 4 games.

It was good to bounce back with a win against Squires Gate after losing in the first meeting two weeks earlier. We were excellent for long spells of the game scored two goals and could have had a hatful more but we allowed them to get a goal back and create a nervy last 10 minutes.

We have had two blank Saturday's sandwiching a midweek trip to Winsford United. Winsford are one of the classically big names of non-league football who harboured title ambitions at the start of the season. Unfortunately after a bright start we conceded a foolish goal and then we were chasing the game it was all uphill...literally. The penalty decision rubbed salt into the wounds and capped off a generally poor first half.

The lads’ heads didn't drop at half time and we gave Winsford a real go in the second half and with a little bit more luck and composure in front of goal we meet have got a result.

Tonight we welcome Silsden who are the epitome of no easy games in this division with some incredible results to date.

We must ensure that we play to the best of our ability to get a result tonight and take this into our remaining games to ensure a high a league position as possible over the coming weeks.

Thanks you for your support and enjoy the game Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson

Our next first team home game kicking off at 7.45pm…

Runcorn Linnets Tuesday 18th March We are expecting a large contingent from Runcorn so make sure you are early enough to book a parking space!

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.

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Match Reports…

Saturday 22 February: West 2 Squires Gate 1

This was always going to be a tricky fixture as the teams had played each other in the previous game at Blackpool when West returned empty handed from a game they should have won. This time Squires Gate started the livelier of the two and after 8 minutes a thunderous drive from the edge of the area rebounded off the West bar. The warning sparked an immediate response and a Rogers header from a West corner was acrobatically turned over by the Gate keeper.

Then Matty Kay, making his home debut, cut in from the left only to find the keeper and after 16 minutes a good move down the right saw Steve Settle cut inside to lay the ball into the path of Callum Jones who shot narrowly wide. West were beginning to get the upper hand and went ahead after 22 minutes when another corner was partially cleared only to fall to Graham Kay, just inside the area, who crashed the ball home past the unsighted keeper.

The goal gave West the upper hand and further chances to increase the advantage came and went when after 33 minutes Rick Gleave was sent clear in and inside right position but his shot from some distance was gathered by the keeper with Tommy Walsh waiting in an unmarked position. In the last few minutes of the first half Squires Gate rallied and a fierce free kick was deflected for a corner and then on 42 minutes West escaped when a poor clearance was returned with interest but just over the bar. The final chance just before the break fell to Tommy Walsh but the keeper again saved well to keep it at 1-0 to West at the interval.

The start of the second half saw another early chance when some overplaying in the West defence let in ‘Gate’ danger man Jack Sowerby whose left foot shot went just wide. West replied with series of attacks only to be denied by some inspired goal keeping. First when Rick Gleave was played in by Matty Kay, then Tommy Walsh connected with a great low cross from Settle only to see the goal bound effort deflected for a corner, from which another goal bound header was stopped right on the goal line. A frantic 5 minute spell followed on the hour when West laid siege to the visitors goal with Gleave racing clear of the back line and missing the target by inches after beating the keeper, Tre Baldwin Willis then came on and his instant cross was nudged just over the bar by Tommy Walsh and a minute later Walsh was again denied by a spectacular save from the keeper. West were not to be denied and after 62 minutes it was 2-0 when Tre sent Settle clear down the right to cut in and tee up Matty Kay who made no mistake from 6 yards out.

It could have been 3-0 but for another goal bound Kay free kick being deflected over the bar after 67 minutes but a few minutes later and Squires Gate were unexpectedly back in the game. Again Sowerby was the thorn in West’s side when he was on the end of a breakaway down the left flank as West failed to track back and he made no mistake scoring with a clinical shot into the bottom corner.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 2 Squires Gate 1 continued…

This goal on 70 minutes sparked Gate into new life and on 72 minutes it could have been 2-2 but for a fantastic save by Ben Simpson low to his left to keep out a dangerous free kick.

The last 15 minutes saw both teams pushing for another goal but the defences’ regrouped and stood firm with the closest effort coming from Tre Baldwin Willis when a great first time effort was again tipped round the post by the visiting keeper.

In the end this was another hard earned 3 points in a very competitive game which left West back in the top 10, but again showed just how little there is between most teams in this division this season.

Tuesday 25 February: Winsford United 2 West 0

Two goals in the first half were enough is sink West at Winsford United. The visitors started brightly despite the absence of Mark Rogers, Scott Jones and Scott Mason with Rick Gleave and Steve Settle both having early chances to take the lead. Winsford were dangerous as well having a goal chalked off for offside but did take the lead on 21 minutes when Dominic Marie evaded was left un-marked in the area and his looping header managed to deceive goalkeeper Ben Simpson.

West pressed to level the game and continued to make chances as Rick Gleave rounded the Winsford keeper who came close to handling it outside of the area but were denied by a desperate challenge from the home keeper. The ref deemed it a goal kick and the double sucker punch came minutes later when the referee would a controversial penalty despite ‘suspicions’ of offside. Lee Constantine stepped up and sent Simpson the wrong way with an excellent penalty and giving West a mountain to climb in the second half.

The second half began with a great double saved from Ben Simpson after a free kick was brilliantly whipped in from the right hand side. The rebound found the net but the flag was up for offside. Sam Mitten and Mark Woodcock replaced Callum Schofield and Matty Kay in midfield and West looked the more likely to score. Tommy Walsh then replaced Tre BaldwinWillis and immediately imposed himself on the game. West immediately failed to put away a good chance before Walsh missed the best chance after a terrific move down the right from West produced a low cross into the box for Walsh to put over at close range. West had one final chance in the dying seconds but Winsford were able to hang on and secure the points.

Thanks to the Committee for sponsoring the Squires Gate game.

Our thanks to the Clubs Committee who as well as giving a considerable amount of their time covering all aspects of running and developing the club and its facilities to ensure the future is bright for the community also filled in a gap on our match sponsors list.

There are still a number of games left this season where a sponsor is needed, if you can help in anyway please discuss this with a committee member.

Remaining home games and sponsors list: March 18 Runcorn Linnets: Pennant March 22 Abbey Hey: Mrs Anne Cooper March 29 Ashton Athletic: available

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

April 5 Colne: Dave Cooper April 19 Norton United: available April 21: Maine Road: available

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

Support your local club and show your support with our latest official club merchandise!

New for this season at £6 (£5 for club members and supporters’ club members) we have beanie hats and a club crest scarf. 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!

Wrist bands £1, 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

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

History… Silsden Silsden AFC was formed in September 1904 and has seen many teams come and go playing Saturdays and Sundays.

The present Saturday senior team has been playing for only eight years starting life in the Craven & District football league Division Two, after the said team had progressed through the junior section within the club.

They spent 3 years in the Craven league moving up to the premier division and in the last year set a new record of going through the season unbeaten in all competitions. From there they joined the West Riding County Amateur League in Division Two and quickly gained promotion up into the Premier division where they enjoyed 3 seasons.

In season 2002/2003 Silsden set another record in going through the season unbeaten in all competitions. To add to this they also won the West Riding County Challenge Cup for the following 3 years.

In season 2004/2005 Silsden gained promotion to Division 1 in The North West Counties Football League in their inaugural season.

Silsden AFC have also a progressive junior set up with age groups running from U7’s right through to U17’s, some age groups run two teams making this one of the largest football clubs in the area. All teams play at Keighley Rd, Silsden, where we have 2 senior fields as well as a large set up for the junior section.

In 2005/2006 Silsden under 19’s entered for the first time the West Riding Academy League (Northern Section) Division West. In 2006/2007 Silsden under 19’s won the Northern Alliance West Division League.

In May 2009 the building of a new clubhouse & changing facilities was completed & in August 2010 saw the completion of the ground improvements which meant a return of Silsden AFC to its rightful place back in Silsden at The Angel Telecom Stadium.

February 200 Club Winners This month the three winners are: £100 winner: M.Priestley £60 winner: Camillo Chinamass £40 winner: Raife Copp-Barton The 200 Club is a key source of revenue for club, would you like the chance to be winner.

Why wait? For a monthly subscription of just £2 you will be in the next draw.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances - goalscorers

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Unused substitutes in the FA Cup:

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Be the last one to help the ground development‌ by sponsoring the last remaining shirt number for £20!

Please sign up on the poster in the clubhouse http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL Premier and Reserve Division Tables Table correct as of 28/02/2014

We are on the lookout for Club Helpers. CAN YOU HELP? Our club is dependent on the time and effort of volunteer helpers who act as club officials, manage and staff the bar and clubhouse on match days, produce the match day programme and undertake a host of other tasks around the clubhouse and grounds. Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please contact us at www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

From the Terrace…

Due to the lack of match reports thanks to the miserly weather I’ve managed to beat the editors snipping tool again. We’ve been fortunate with the weather this season as last year we didn’t play at all between November and February. In a sense, it is nice to be ahead of schedule and not worrying about the prospect of playing four games in the final four days of the season as Bacup Borough were forced to last year (For the record they valiantly secured four draws although I believe the groundsman was near breaking point as the final whistle went in the final game.)

However when the weather does hit the prospect of a blank Saturday thrills no-one. When away it’s usually a case of hoping the news comes through before it’s time to set off to whichever area of the North West the fixtures secretary demands of us.

At home games it’s slightly more complex with the catch 22 situation of ‘do you or don’t you’ when it comes to preparing the ground and the clubhouse. Do you order the pies for the match in the hope that the game will be on? Do you cancel the programme from the printers because the pond at the far end of the ground has reached the penalty area? There are tough decisions to be made and getting them wrong usually finds the club at a detriment financially.

As supporters it’s hard as weather in a regionalised league tends to affect most teams as people frantically scour club and league websites or take to twitter to see who has survived. Even then, once a game has survived there is no escape as most non-league grounds aren’t exactly designed like the Etihad Stadium and leave you at the mercy of torrential rain or a howling wind.

Standing in the horizontal rain with wind threatening to snap the floodlights like match sticks and only your non-league paper isn’t for everyone.

Sometimes even taking refuge in the stand doesn’t save you as one experience at Hilton Park back in the day when an unexpected hail storm had everyone cowering at the back of the covered stand but even there we weren’t safe as a wind whipped the hail stones into the back of the stand neutralising our protection. Fortunately Clattenberg wasn’t the referee and the game carried on as normal.

A recent stand out moment was our trip to AFC Liverpool this season, as we headed up to Prescot in the pouring rain, Coach Kris Mahon barely able to see the road in front of him in conditions not seen since Wayne Knight was eaten in Jurassic Park, with everyone in the car wondering how this game could possibly be on. Upon arrival we witnessed two of the groundsman empty a couple of bags of sand onto a particularly sodden part of the pitch near the halfway line only for the sand to sink into the pitch without trace.

However the game went ahead (and credit to those groundsmen) with West fighting back from two down thanks to a Tommy Walsh wonder strike and a late Gleave penalty. Such was the drama for manager Andy Nelson who, standing on the terrace, was so into the game that he hadn’t noticed that he’d been stood underneath an overflowing drain pipe from the top of the stand akin to Niagara Falls and soaked himself.

Still, it’s certainly better than the torture that is Jeff Stelling and his cronies on Soccer Saturday getting outrage by the most minor of incidents.

Rob McKay

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Reserve Team Match Report…

Saturday 25 January: Padiham 4 West 1 The match was played at a very wet and windy Padiham. The home side won the toss and elected to kick down hill with the wind in the first half, West were under pressure from the start, the wind was so strong that any ball in the air was just coming straight back at the West defence.

Padiham were constantly on the attack and Paddy Murphy making his debut in the West goal was certainly the busiest player on the pitch. West held out for 20 minutes before Padiham managed to slot a ball through the West defence allowing the striker to run onto it and slot the ball past the advancing keeper. It was not long after that a mistake in the West defence allowed Padiham to score their second.

West however continued to fight, Mark Woodcock winning the ball in midfield kept the ball down and played Mat Zajac though only to be thwarted by an excellent save by the Padiham keeper. With 5 minutes to go before half time West conceded two quick goals, the first being a strike from 25 yards which whilst well struck was helped on by the wind to fly into the top corner of the West net, the other was scored just before half time leaving West 4-0 down at half time.

West came out fighting in the second half and with the advantage of both the slop and the wind were camped in the Padiham half, Karl Dorney came close with two excellent shots again only to see the Padiham keeper pull off fine saves. Tyler Ferguson got West onto the team sheet mid way through the half with a shot from just outside the box which the Padiham keeper had no chance of saving. West continued to press with Paddy in the West goal a mere spectator and had a number of other attempts on the Padiham goal from Kyle Hendley, Shackeel DePeiaza and Mat Zajac, unfortunately none resulted in a goal.

West came away with the feeling disappointed but four goals in the first half made it near impossible to get anything out of the game. Rob Madden

‘A’ Team Match Report…

Broadheath Central Cup Saturday 1 February: West 4 Wendover 1 The A Team continued their impressive start to 2014 with a comfortable victory away to Wendover in the League Cup. The 4-1 win was welcome recompense for the two narrow defeats that Wendover have inflicted on West this season and furthered the team’s aims to finish the campaign with some silverware.

As the previous week, the high pressing game that had paid off so well was implemented again here and Wendover struggled to cope in the early stages of the game. The breakthrough goal owed much to a fine ball across goal from Bobby Ashcroft, Harkis couldn’t really miss from a few yards out.

Headed chances were dealt with impressively by the Wendover goalkeeper, denying Grimshaw on one of his sojourns forward and Morley as West were happy to work hard and graft all over the park and wait for an opportunity to extend the lead. That opportunity presented itself when a ball from Harkis released Lilley on the break and as he drove into the area and cut inside towards goal, he was cynically taken down by not one but two Wendover defenders. Lilley stepped up to convert the spot kick. The game was virtually won some ten minutes later with a simple route one goal. Connolly smashed the ball downfield and as the Wendover players got caught underneath the flight of the ball, Lilley broke free down the centre and waiting for the ball to bounce, expertly rolled the ball from knee to shin and into the net, 3-0 and West very much in the ascendancy.

The talk at half-time was of maintaining the pressure and not allowing the work rate or intensity to drop as it had done last week when the team were in a similarly unassailable position. A tactical switch by Wendover to a back three saw West switch to a 5 man midfield when not in possession of the ball, but in truth, further breakaway opportunities were spurned before the hosts pulled a goal back. Captain and inspiration Grimshaw collided with an advancing player on the edge of the box, only for the referee to judge the tackle to be inside the area. Connolly was sent the wrong way from the spot kick. 1-3 and game on or so it appeared. Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished for good as high pressing again resulted in the Wendover defence ceding possession and Morley was able to roll the ball in from the edge of the box with the opposition goalkeeper stranded, the result was in the bag. Jamie Harkis .

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Statistics…Correct as of 28/02/2014

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Youth Team Update…

West continued their brilliant unbeaten league form though February and sit comfortably at the top of the table with games in hand. However, West u17s did suffer their first defeat of the season in the semi-final of the League Challenge Cup against Littleborough JFC. February Results: 2 Feb 12 Feb 23 Feb

Brendens Bees 0 West 4 West 2 Stalybridge Celtic 0 West 0 Littleborough JFC 1

League Cup Cup

Tameside Football League u17’s Division sponsored by Paul Hetts Ltd.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

West Didsbury & Chorlton 17's Waterloo AFC 17's West End Boys 17's Brendon Bees 17's Stalybridge Celtic F.C.17's Heyside JFC 17's Radcliffe Juniors F.C. 17's Didsbury JFC 17's

P 11 15 14 16 8 11 12 13

W 10 9 8 6 5 3 2 1

D 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 1

L 0 4 4 8 2 6 9 11

GD 40 14 16 -23 13 9 -21 -48

PTS 31 29 26 20 16 11 7 4

THE LANCASHIRE FA U18 COUNTY CUP FINAL

AFC FYLDE u18 v WEST u17 The County Ground, Thurston Road, Leyland PR25 2 LF

SUNDAY 16th MARCH – Kick off 6.30pm Sponsored by…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WHAT’S OUR

STORY?

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 3 rd 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 promises to be another testing season as the club adjusts to life in the NWCFL Premier Division, improves its spectator facilities, adds new grass pitches and youth teams as part of its development plan, and aims for long term consolidation and stability at this level whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.

NWCFL Premier Division Tuesday 4th March 2014 – Today’s Squads

Silsden

West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC

Ben Simpson (GK)

Red Shirts, Black Shorts and Red Socks and Pale Blue Socks Edward Hall (GK)

Callum Jones

Matthew Moses

Scott Jones

Daniel Fagan

Anthony Potts

Michael Hall

Mark Rogers (Capt)

Elliott Holmes

Graham Kay

Chris Wademan

Callum Schofield

Anthony Lynch

Tre Baldwin Willis

Ben Crabtree

Rick Gleave

Dale Feather

Tommy Walsh

Lee McGowan

Steve Settle

Kristian Hargreaves

Richmond Botchey

Daniel Gleave

Sam Mitten

Will Storrie

Scott Mason

Nathan Priestley

Danny Summers

Tom Sowerbutts

Mark Woodcock

Andy Hill

Lee Malkin

Owen Deakin-Pickard

Matt Kay

Joshua McNulty

Paul Hughes (GK)

James Denman

White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks

Manager: Andy Nelson

Managers: Andy Geary

Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle

Coaches: Ryan Haigh, Kevin Knappy

OFFICIALS Referee: Bob Roberts

Assistants: Nigel Usher and Peter Simm

NEXT HOME GAME Tuesday 18th March 2014, KO 7.45pm WEST v Runcorn Linnets