2014/15 SEASON / MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2.00
Official Club Sponsor
NWCFL Premier Division
Silsden FC Saturday 4th 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
Silsden
We welcome Silsden to The Recreation Ground this afternoon for what was originally scheduled as the return fixture and second game between our two clubs in a week. However, last weekend saw torrential rain on Saturday morning result in the postponement of our away trip to Silsden so today is our first meeting this season. Last season it was honours even with WEST winning 2-0 here in early March and then Silsden also winning 2-0 in the last game of the season. Going into today’s game Silsden are firmly established in mid table with WEST about 10 points behind but having made sure of Premier division status with a valuable home 2-1 win against Bacup and Rossendale Borough a week last Tuesday. Last Saturday’s trip to Silsden was postponed and we did very well to get the Squires Gate game on here on Tuesday night. That produced an end to end game and some good football from both teams despite the occasional sleet showers and strong winds but our terrific second half performance was little consolation after a slow start when we were 2-0 down after 35 minutes. We pulled a goal back with 25 minutes left but despite creating a host of chances we again failed to finish clinically, unlike our opponents. With no pressure on either side we look forward to another good game between our two clubs today and a response to Tuesdays disappointment to hopefully narrow the points gap between us. Silsden will be equally keen to get the points to improve their own position and secure a top 10 finish. The players, management and club officials and supporters of Silsden are very welcome to the game today and we wish all our visitors a safe journey after today’s game. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Today we also welcome as our guests, many officials, players and parents of our partner club Oswald Road juniors. Our plans to merge are now well advanced having been given the backing in principle by the memberships of both clubs last summer and since then various working groups and meetings between club officials have progressed the details. We’ve also had a taster day for the kids to enjoy the new playing fields adjoining our ground and we are planning for the new junior section of the club to be in place for next season. Inside there is a piece from Richard Turner, Chair of Oswald Road, and we are looking forward together to providing football for all for boys and girls through age groups under 8’s to under 16’s, youth and senior adult football for a range of abilities up to the first team in the NWCFL premier Division. The junior and youth football will operate from the new facilities and pitches on Hardy Farm, accessed from the end of Hardy Lane, but adjoining our ground, and the enlarged merged club will have a playing membership in excess of 300 and hopefully at least the same number of social members. Our Vision is for a club firmly anchored in and supported by the surrounding local community and to be seen as the first choice and leading club in the South Manchester area. We welcome everyone from Oswald Road junior FC to today’s game and look forward to sharing our facilities together for the future. This is not a pipe dream and over the past decade we’ve already seen Oswald Road ‘graduates’ playing in all our adult teams, including in first team in the FA Cup and Vase, and in the FA Youth Cup, not to mention several volunteers who are key members of our club Committee. Long may that continue. AND FINALLY…our last home game of the season is against promotion contenders and current league leaders Runcorn Linnets back her on Sat 18th April. Linnets currently site top of the table in the head to head battle with Glossop North End for the single promotion place to the Northern Premier League for next season. This game is sure to attract a big attendance to secure your vantage point as we’ll also be saying a special thank you to Andy and the players for another enjoyable season of Counties football. As always, enjoy today’s game and we’ll hope to see you for the Linnets game on 18th April. Thank you to Graham Currey for providing the pictures and our regular contributors Rob Turley, and Rob McKay particularly with the amount of programmes produced in March … Editor
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
From the Dugout… Good Afternoon and welcome to the penultimate home match of the season. I’d like to welcome the players, supporters and officials who have made the journey from Yorkshire this afternoon. My programme notes have been somewhat hastily written in recent weeks as we’ve had six consecutive home games in March and it’s been difficult to keep up to date with so many deadlines. Against Bacup & Rossendale Borough we were under pressure from the first minute as Brent Peter’s side were desperate for points and former players Kyle & Tommy Hendley keen to impress on their return to Brookburn Road. The first half was played with a speed of two sides desperate for points and it’s fair to say the visitors probably just shaded it in possession and chances. In the second half though we came out and immediately took the lead through Tre Baldwin-Willis, Tre has played well in recent weeks and took his chance against Bacup scoring a terrific goal as well. After that we dominated and added a second with a superbly crafted goal when Scott Mason whipped in a superb cross, Shorty knocked it down and Gleave forced a superb save from the Bacup keeper with a brave diving header. Fortunately Mark Rogers was on hand to score the rebound to cap off a terrific performance from our captain. After that we were comfortably in control and were seemingly looking to add to the goal tally but one mistake saw Bacup score and gave them a way back into the match. When Gary Lilley was sent off almost immediately after the goal we were in for a rocky final 6 minutes but we held firm and had Paddy in goal to thank for a fine save. I thought we demonstrated what we can do to sides when we work hard and fight for every ball but as often in this division you are punished for even the tiniest mistakes and we need to ensure that we fully concentrate for 90 minutes in every game. It was disappointing that the Silsden game was postponed as we were keen to play and we were buoyed in the knowledge of the number of supporters that were expected to travel with us on the coach. The support has been terrific this season and has really made playing at home such an enjoyable experience. Against Squires Gate we were forced to learn those aforementioned lessons again as despite a bright start we conceded two really soft goals just before half time. At half time we talked about going out and making a good start to the second half and we dominated the entire half from start to finish, scored a good goal and left ourselves for a grandstand finish. However despite creating half dozen good chances including a great one from Shorty at the death, we’d left ourselves too much to do once again. It was another busy night for Paddy in goal again as Squires Gate’s Alex McKendrick dislocated his shoulder after a fall in the opening minutes of the game, luckily Paddy was quick to respond and very quickly managed to put his shoulder back into place. We’ve been incredibly lucky to have Paddy at the club, as in addition to being the clubs physio and taking terrific care of our evolving present injured he has also stepped in between the posts when we’ve needed him to. Paddy made his debut against Glossop North End and although we were well beaten 6-0 he didn’t let us down and has continued to improve under the tutelage of Tony Holmes, he got his first win against Bacup and was ever so close to keeping a clean sheet. This is an even more impressive feat when you consider that his first sport is Gaelic Football. We’ve another tough game today as well as a huge game at Maine Road on Monday and we will be doing all we can to ensure that we collect six points from the weekend. Monday is a huge day for the club and we will be really keen to beat Maine Road for the first time ever. Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
West 2 Bacup & Rossendale Boro 1 match report… West officially secured their place in the Premier Division for next season with a narrow 2-1 win at home to bottom side Bacup & Rossendale Borough. After Saturday’s defeat at home to Colne West manager Andy Nelson was forced into changes with both Callum Jones and Paul Hughes suffering injuries, the latter cracking a rib in the final minutes of the game. In their place physio Donncha ‘Paddy’ Murphy was handed his fourth start of the season with Rick Gleave making his first appearance since November 11th taking Callum Jones place and moving Scott Mason into the right back position. Daniel Russell also failed a late fitness test as Tre Baldwin-Willis was handed a start with David Short coming in for Kieran Brocklehurst after being forced to miss out on Saturday also. For Bacup there were welcome returns for former players Tommy and Kyle Hendley who both moved to the club earlier in the season. The game started at a frantic pace and refused to let up for the entire game as two sides in desperate need of points both made determined efforts to secure them. The first chance of the game fell to West as they won a free kick at the edge of the penalty area. Mason curled his free kick brilliantly round the wall but Bacup goalkeeper Josh Harris made a comfortable save. At the other end Bacup Matthew Bryan forced Murphy into a save off his own as the Bacup forward ran through clear one-on-one but forced the West goalkeeper into a superb block at the edge of his area. West immediately had an effort at the other end as Mark Rogers, who had a superb game, won the ball in midfield, raced through the middle of the park but saw his long range effort fired just wide. On 20 minutes West thought they had the lead as David Short worked the ball down the left, played in Gary Lilley with a superb pass who finished narrowly passed the on-rushing goalkeeper into the bottom left hand corner only for it to be ruled out by an off-side flag. An entertaining first half continued as at the other end Murphy pulled off a superb save low and to his right to prevent a certain Bacup goal. West would not be outdone as they raced through the Bacup defence but a low shot was easily parried by Harris in the Bacup goal. The sides went into the half 0-0 with the visitors arguably having the better of the play but both sides having good chances. It would take just two minutes of the second half for the deadlock to be broken as Tre Baldwin-Willis added his fourth goal of the season when he picked up a loose ball on the right, raced into the box, turned his man, twice, and fired an unstoppable shot inside the far post. West stepped up the tempo immediately and Gary Lilley forced a wonderful save from the Bacup goalkeeper saving a brilliant volley hit from the edge of the penalty area. West continued to press and would not be denied a second when on 71 minutes Mason curled in a superb first time cross which found Short at the far post, his knock down found Gleave whose header was parried by the goalkeeper but only as far as Mark Rogers for his first goal of the season. Andy Nelson replaced Baldwin-Willis and Matt Eckersley, who both ran themselves into the ground in a great effort, and were replaced by Lewis Schofield and Jordan Poole. Schofield was almost immediately involved as he beat three men, raced through the middle but his shot was weak and straight at the keeper. Lewis would be involved again, this time though hitting a wayward pass towards his own goal and conceding possession. Unfortunately Bacup capitalised, raced down the left wing, a low cross took multiple deflections but was slammed home at the far post emphatically by Bryan to give the visitors hope with 5 minutes remaining. Scott Jones replaced the impressive Ricky Gleave but West were immediately reduced to 10 men with Gary Lilley was shown a straight red card for leaving his foot when on the receiving end of a late challenge. A scuffle involving both teams ensued and Lilley was shown his marching orders for the second time this season. Having gone 87 minutes without a card the referee quickly racked them up as Bacup’s Birtles was booked for the challenge on Lilley and Short was booked for a challenge on the half way line minutes later. However credit to the referee as he got the big decisions correct, including the sending off, and allowed both teams to play football. There was still five minutes plus stoppage remaining and with West now a man light Bacup stepped up their pressure in the final third but despite a great last minute save from Murphy and a couple of goal mouth scrambles West held on to secure three valuable points.
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
West v Bacup & Rossendale Boro match action…
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
West 1 Squires Gate 2 match report‌ In wet and windy conditions, despite a late comeback, West slumped to their 11th home league defeat of the season against Squires Gate. West were able to re-call Dan Russell back into the starting line up from the side that won at home to Bacup replacing Rick Gleave, Jordan Poole replaced Mark Rogers in midfield and Scott Jones was a late replacement for Richmond Botchey at left back. The game started off brightly, despite West kicking into a strong wind and both sides had early chances. The first moment of incident came in the game when physio Donncha Murphy, standing in goal for the injured Paul Hughes, was required to reset the dislocated shoulder of Squires Gate midfielder Alex McKendrick after a tumble. The opening goal came on 31 minutes as Harry Dunn crossed from the left and it was diverted past Murphy at the near post by a West defender. It was two 6 minutes later after a Squires player turned in the box played in Buchan who finished at the near post to give West a mountain to climb. West had several chances before the break but none of them could force the keeper into making a save. As the second half began the heaven's opened and a combination of heavy rain and hail poured down with a strong wind down the middle of the field. It seemed to jolt West into action as they dominated the second half from start to finish. David Short created the first chance of the half turning from a narrow angle and seeing his shot well saved by the Squires Gate goalkeeper at the near post. Jordan Poole came close just after firing narrowly over after a superb Scott Jones run down the left before playing Poole in with a pass inside. Squires Gate, under pressure, were content to play for time but West were not to be denied a goal as they pulled one back on 71 minutes when Dan Russell fired in from close range after Gary Lilley ran into the box, was brought down, the initial shot was blocked but fell to Russell who made no mistake at the second attempt. It was almost 2-2 immediately after Russell knocked down a cross into the path of Short, who turned and shot from the edge of the area forcing a good save. The controversial moment of the game came minutes later as a bouncing through ball was collected by the Squires Gate goalkeeper outside the area only for it to be waved away by the referee despite the appeals of the entire crowd. West continued to press and the two best chances fell to the excellent David Short, the first fired well over from 7 yards with the goal at his mercy after a superb pull back from Stsve Settle. From the goal kick Short won the ball back, and his goal bound effort was only deflected by the back of a Squires Gate centre half. In the dying seconds West through caution to the wind, winning a series of corners and sending up Murphy, but despite a couple of goal mouth scrambles Squires Gate clung on to secure three points.
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
West 1 Squires Gate 2 match action…
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Update from Oswald Road‌ The first couple of weeks of the New Year can often be a bit gloomy: the Christmas holidays are over, the skies are grey, and the list of postponed matches grows ever longer as we trudge back to work or school. But this year saw a significant milestone for Oswald Rd Junior Football Club. Sunday 11 January was not only the date for our New Year party, it was also the day we first got to play on the newly-prepared pitches alongside West's home ground. Seeing up to 50 boys and girls aged five to 13 playing football at Hardy Farm was a heartwarming sight. The finale of our football festival was a dads v lads free-for-all and a disco in the clubhouse with food, drink and a goodie bag for the stars of the day - the kids. It was, of course, lots of fun and I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. But the day also fulfilled an important function in introducing our youngsters and their parents to Oswald Road's new home and to our friends at West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC. For that, I'd like to say another big thank you to our hosts, in helping to shine a light on our shared future as a newly-merged club. By the start of next season, we hope to be playing as the new junior division of West Didsbury with new pitches, new facilities and a new home for the 100 or so footballmad youngsters on our books. Now that is something to look forward to. Richard Turner (Chairman ORJFC)
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Pictures of the days fun above!
WEST YOUTH TEAM REACH NORTH WEST YOUTH ALLIANCE PRESDENTS 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
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 since the 1996/97 season, 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 third successive season. In season 2004/2005 Silsden joined the North West Counties League and gained promotion to the top division in their inaugural season, finishing as runners up to winners Cammell Laird. Silsden AFC have also a progressive junior set up with age groups running from U7s right through to U19s. Some age groups run two teams making this one of the largest football clubs in the area. All teams now play at Angel Telecom Stadium, Keighley Road, Silsden, where we have two senior teams as well as an Under 19 team and a large set up for the junior section. In 2005/2006 Silsden under 19s entered for the first time the West Riding Academy League (Northern Section) Division West and the following season 2006/2007 Silsden under 19s won the Northern Alliance West Division League and followed this up by a league and cup double in 201213. 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! Silsden first team continue to play in the Premier Division of the NWCFL and despite very limited funding have performed very well and kept well away from relegation!! The first team manager was Andy Geary who returned in 2012 to takeover once again until March 2014 when he stepped down to work and family commitments. His assistant Ryan Haigh took over and brought in Danny Bolton and coach Chris Price to help. The Reserves manager is Paul Evans who is currently in his second season with the club and as well as steering the team to the Keighley FA Cup final, reached the Quarter Final of the West Riding County Challenge Cup. The club is built on the ethos of running a strong junior set-up and encouraging these youngsters, with top class coaching staff, to make the transition into senior football smoother than might otherwise be.
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: Tom Webb £60 winner: Damien Molloy £40 winner: Maurice Thompson
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers
Next up at Brookburn Road… Saturday 18th April 3.00pm – West v Runcorn Linnets
Come down and support the team for the last home game this season. WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
NWCFL League Table’s… after games on Tuesday 31st March
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Cheshire League fixtures, results and tables - Reserves Reserves 27th Sept Warrington Reserves - Cup 4th Oct Altrincham FC Reserves 11th Oct Ashton Town Reserves 18th Oct Pork’s Pantry - Cup 25th Oct Wythenshawe Town – Cup 1st Nov FC Woodford 15th Nov Moore United FC 22nd Nov Cuddington FC 29th Nov Irlam FC Reserves 6th Dec Cheadle Town Reserves 20th Dec Wythenshawe Town 17th Jan Warrington Town 7th Feb Moore United 14th Feb Mersey Valley FC 28th Feb FC Woodford 21st March Golborne Sports 28th March Mersey Valley FC 7th April Witton Albion Reserves 11th April Grappenhall Sports FC 14thApril Altrincham FC Reserves 25th April Cuddington FC 27th April Irlam FC Reserves 7th May Witton Albion Reserves
(A) (A) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H)` (H) (H) (H) (A) (H) (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) p-p
The Hallmark Security Cheshire Football League – Division 2 Table after matches on 28th March
POS
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Wythenshawe Town
12
12
0
0
45
36
2
Altrincham FC Reserves
14
10
1
3
20
31
3
FC Woodford
15
6
5
4
10
23
4
Mersey Valley FC
13
6
3
4
7
21
5
Irlam FC
12
5
3
4
2
18
6
WEST Res
12
4
3
5
-5
15
7
Cuddington FC
12
5
0
7
-7
15
8
Moore United FC
15
3
3
9
-33
12
9
Witton Albion FC Res
9
2
1
6
-12
7
10
Cheadle Town FC Res
16
1
3
12
-29
6
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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Appearances and Attendances‌ after Tuesday 31st March
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Statistics… after Tuesday 31st March
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Recent Results & upcoming Fixtures… RESULTS
FIXTURES
Saturday 28th March 2015
Wednesday 1st April 2015
FA Carlsberg Vase Semi Final 1st Leg Glossop North End 0-1 AFC St Austell (2-1 agg)
Premier Division AFC Liverpool v Glossop North End Bacup & Rossendale Boro v Alsager Town
The Reusch First Division Cup Semi Finals AFC Darwen 5-4 (AET) Ashton Town Atherton Collieries 4-0 Litherland REMYCA
First Division AFC Darwen v Atherton Collieries Oldham v Daisy Hill
Premier League Ashton Athletic 0-1 AFC Liverpool Bacup & Rossendale Boro p-p Bootle Congleton Town 0-2 Alsager Town Runcorn Linnets 2-0 Squires Gate Silsden p-p WEST Winsford United p-p Barnoldswick Town
Saturday 4th April 2015
First Division Chadderton p-p Hanley Town Cheadle Town 0-3 Barnton Eccleshall 2-3 Daisy Hill Irlam p-p Oldham Boro Northwich Flixton Villa p-p Atherton LR Wigan Robin Park 2-3 Rochdale Town
The MEN United Cup – Semi Finals Glossop North End v Bootle Premier League 1874 Northwich v Bacup & Rossendale Boro Colne v Ashton Athletic Maine Road v Alsager Town Nelson v Abbey Hey Squires Gate v Runcorn Town WEST V Silsden
Premier League Glossop North End p-p St Helens Town Runcorn Town p-p Bootle
First Division AFC Darwen v Holker Old Boys Ashton Town v Eccleshall Atherton Collieries v Northwich Flixton Villa Chadderton v Barnton Cheadle Town v Hanley Town Daisy Hill v Irlam Oldham Boro v Cammell Laird 1907
First Division Daisy Hill p-p Atherton Collieries
Please Note: Programme printed before games on 1st April.
Monday 30th March
Tuesday 31st March 2015 Premier League 1874 Northwich p-p Ashton Athletic Colne p-p Winsford United Nelson p-p Maine Road WEST 1-2 Squires Gate First Division Chadderton p-p Widnes Hanley Town p-p Litherland REMYCA Holker Old Boys p-p Ashton Town Wigan Robin Park p-p AFC Darwen
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Thank you to our Match Sponsor against Squires Gate last Tuesday…
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
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
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Join the action next season
And support your local team‌ There will be a number of ways to get involved as a volunteer and support us both on and off the pitch as we strive to see West’s development programme continue. If you or your company can help financially packages include:
Match Day Sponsorship - Programme Advertising - Pitch boards Match Ball Sponsors - Sponsoring a Seat - Sponsoring a shirt
For any information please talk to anyone on the committee, details are inside the front cover or ask behind the bar to be pointed in the right direction. 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 4th 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
Silsden All red
Danny Thorpe (Gk) Phil Rishton (Gk) Matthew Moses Daniel Fagan Benjamin Greary Michael Morrison Robert Grimes Matthew Moore Aaron Hollingdrake Kevin Ryan Ben Crabtree Joseph Mitchell Owen Deakin-Pickard Joshua Brown Daniel Gleave Daniel Riley Andy Hill Chris Wademan Craig Nicholls Dale Feather Joshua McNulty Manager: Andy Greary Assistant: Ryan Haigh/Kevin Knappy
OFFICIALS
Referee: Sam Mulhall Assistant Referees: Christopher Clarke & Jon Paul Kenny