Main Club Sponsor:
2013/14 SEASON
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2
Premier Division 22 February 2014 – 3.00pm
Squires Gate
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
Squires Gate
WELCOME Today we welcome our most recent opponents Squires Gate to The Recreation Ground for the first meeting here between our two clubs in the NWCFL Premier Division. A fortnight ago we made our way to wet and windy conditions at Blackpool where the game was an end to end contest in driving rain and swirling winds, one of the few games to survive that weekend. ‘Gate’ came out on top despite West having several decent chances to score and it was one of those days when it looked like whoever would get a break would secure all the points. Today is an immediate chance for the team to reverse that particular result and off the field for our Committee to return the hospitality we all enjoyed at Squires Gate then. We hope the weather and conditions will be better this afternoon and look forward to an open and entertaining game. Going into today’s game WEST are now firmly in a mid table group of several clubs with 35 points or more and with 14 league games left there are still 42 points to play for with 8 home fixtures in those remaining. The past 6 weeks has been very frustrating with so many postponements and the players will be keen to get going again today, aiming to add some further points to this seasons haul, and keep plugging away towards a finish in the top half of the table. Squires Gate will be aiming for more points to keep them away from the drop zone and from the evidence of the tidy football they played a couple of weeks back today promises to be yet another intriguing fixture. Whatever the result, we warmly welcome the players and management, club officials and travelling supporters from Squires Gate today and wish them all a safe journey back to Blackpool after today’s game. IMPROVING THE GROUND In the last programme we mentioned that improvements to meet FA ground grading standards are now in hand and the insert in today’s programme includes a plan showing where the new stands will be erected alongside the clubhouse and to the side of the goal at the other end of the ground. We have been awarded a 50% grant from the Football Foundation but still need to raise over £10,000 ourselves as match funding. Today we are launching a ‘sponsor a seat’ scheme for next season so that if you sponsor a seat for £100 before Easter, we will give you a season ticket to all our NWCFL home games next season, FA Cup and FA Vase included. We will also recognise your sponsorship on the stand and in club publicity when it is completed. If you can help us in this way then please speak to Rob McKay or Rob Turley – only 50 seats available!! We hope to have the new stands in place during the first two weeks in March. WEST YOUTH BOOK THEIR PLACE IN THE LFA u18s YOUTH CUP FINAL We will keep you informed about arrangements for the final to be played at the County Ground in Leyland. The afternoon/evening itinerary commences from 5pm (KO 6.30pm) on Sunday evening 16th March. This will be a showpiece game and an historic occasion for the club as it’s our first County FA final in 105 years! It would be good to take a decent level of support from Committee and parents, so make a note of the date and try to join us. AS ALWAYS ENJOY TODAY’S GAME and THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT Rob Turley Cover: Mark Woodcock 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 Afternoon and welcome to Brookburn Road for this afternoon’s game. We have started 2014 well with a difficult victory against Wigan Robin Park in conditions more suited to tobogganing than football. The surface conditions that suit our game were not there and it took a true moment of quality from Tommy Walsh and Rick Gleave to separate the sides. Naturally I don’t wish to discredit our opponents who applied themselves well despite the weather and certainly made us earn our three points. The fact that they defeated Abbey Hey in their next game shows that they’ve not given up their fight to stay in the division and just what a vital three points it is for us. Unfortunately our games at Bacup & Rossendale Borough and against Silsden fell victim to the weather which has somewhat stifled any momentum from the Wigan game but we have been able to secure a 3G pitch for training and use the time to good use and get a good session in. Ensuring that we maintain our fitness levels and concentration even when we aren’t playing is essential to our success and we have the players to do it. We are very fortunate that we are able to call on so many excellent coaches with Kris Mahon, Steve Eckersley and Steve Settle all on the coaching staff and we never stop looking for ways to improve. In addition we have Tony Holmes working with the goalkeepers and if you’ve seen any of the videos on Youtube he certainly pushes them to improve in every single session. We have 14 games remaining, including 8 at home, and we want to make sure that we take as many points as possible and secure a top half finish which would be a fantastic achievement for our club. However there are no easy games and we have to ensure that we play to our absolute best every single week to ensure that we continue to pick up points. As we’ve seen the gap between 9th and 21st is only 12 points and whilst three wins can propel a team up the side, three defeats can leave you looking over your shoulders. Naturally we don’t want to be looking over our shoulders and aim to give you, the supporters, plenty to cheer about between now and the end of the season. Today we welcome Squires Gate to Brookburn Road for the first time just two weeks after we faced them away when there was a strong wind down the length of the ground and the pitch was sodden with the heavy rain. Although we dealt playing into it in the first half well we couldn’t take advantage in the second half with the wind behind us. The Squires Gate goal came from a Mark Rogers slip and was there only chance in the second half but we couldn’t take our chances and left with nothing. I would like to welcome the players, officials and supporters of Squires Gate to today’s game. Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson
Our next first team home game kicking off at 7.45pm… Silsden Tuesday 4th March This is a rearranged game from 18th January. 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 4 January: West 1 Wigan Robin Park 0 West started 2014 with victory over a hard working Wigan Robin Park team in a game when we created several chances and dominated possession. The early stages were positive with Mark Rogers the first with an effort on target and then Rick Gleave shooting just wide from a Tre Baldwin Willis cross. Wigan replied with a break down the left flank when a cross hit Potts just on the edge of the area running back towards the West goal, prompting howls for a penalty from the visiting supporters. Thankfully common sense prevailed as there was no intent and the ref waved play on. Then Steve Settle played a neat one two to set up Gleave with the final effort just over the bar. It was 25 minutes before the visitors mustered a further serious attack when a first time effort went across the face of goal with no-one on hand to convert the chance. A minute later the Wigan keeper rode his luck when his attempted clearance from a short back pass cannoned against Tommy Walsh and looped just over the bar. This prompted a series of corner kicks as West pushed for an opener with Tommy unlucky with a powerful header cleared off the line with the keeper nowhere and then after the 4th consecutive corner Tre straying just offside when well placed. This stung Wigan to respond and after 30 minutes Paul Hughes had to be alert to pull off a sharp save and gather the ball as the Wigan forward looked to capitalize on any mistake. This prompted a series of corners from the visitors but both Kay and Potts were commanding in clearing any possible danger. West eventually got the break through their early play deserved after 35 minutes when Settle played the ball inside to Walsh who in turn held the ball well before releasing Gleave who beat the keeper decisively from 6 yards. Further chances to increase the advantage came when a rasping drive from Tre hit the corner of the goal frame two minutes later and then just before the break Gleave went clear and round the keeper but the effort from an acute angle was just wide of the mark with no-one on hand to apply a finish. The second period started with more one way traffic and a good save at the foot of the post to deny Settle on 50 minutes. Then a back header from Walsh went across the face of goal, quickly followed by a rushed shot from Baldwin Willis straight at the keeper. Richmond Botchey made a welcome return after 20 minutes if the second half but the next incident of note was a crunching challenge on Settle just outside the area giving West a good position from the free kick with 15 left. Scott Mason played a wicked ball over the wall but the Wigan keeper saved bravely on the line at the feet of the onrushing Walsh. The game was beginning to open up so Andy made further changes with Summers and Lilley replacing Settle and Gleave in an attempt to close the game out and secure the 3 points. The last action saw a decent effort from distance from the visitors in the dying minutes but it was too far out and skidded wide of the mark leaving Paul Hughes untroubled for most of the second half. Wigan had fought hard to get something from the game and add to their recent successes in trying to get away from the foot of the table, but overall West had too much quality for the visitors and were deserved winners with Wigan nominating Callum Jones man of the match. Saturday 8 February: Squires Gate 1 West 0 This was the first competitive game in a month and the combination of lack of match practice and atrocious conditions resulted in a scrappy affair in which West simply did not play well enough to win, despite having more of the game and the best chances. West started positively enough playing into the wind and rain and after 3 minutes a good Richmond Botchey run ended with a decent effort just wide of the target. Squires Gate responded with a fierce effort from 25 yards which Hughes did well to tip over for a corner. Then it was West’s turn to threaten when the home defender slipped on half way leaving Tommy Walsh to break clear down the left. His ball inside was collected by Mark Rogers who played in Rick Gleave who shot wide of the mark with the keeper beaten. WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Squires Gate 1 West 0 continued
Squires Gate had the wind behind them and Potts did well to defend a vicious swerving cross and head behind for a corner. After 20 minutes West were forced to reshuffle as Kay departed with a hamstring injury and Mark Woodcock returned to action. Five minutes later West could have gone ahead when a Scott Jones corner was whipped in to the danger area only for the ball to rebound to the keeper after hitting another player on the back of the head 6 yards out. West had another great chance after 28 minutes when Walsh again held the ball up well to release Rick Gleave who played the ball into the path of the oncoming Woody whose first time effort thumped the top of the bar. The home side had one decent chance before the break when centre forward Sowerby broke through only to shoot wide. The conditions worsened as the second half started with gale force winds and driving rain making control of possession difficult. West didn’t learn the first half lessons from Squires Gate and repeatedly hit the ball far too long and too hard beyond the front men making it easier for the home side to defend up the pitch. Tre Baldwin Willis came of for Botchey after 55 minutes and injected some new pace into the attack and a minute later a fierce drive from Rick Gleave went just wide of the upright with the keeper a spectator. On the hour a great flowing move involving Tre, Rick Gleave and Tommy set up Scott Mason who blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy. West immediately paid the price for the series of squandered chances when Gate’s danger man Sowerby raced half the length of the pitch after a Rogers slip and finish confidently into the bottom corner. Lee Malkin made his return after 70 minutes as West tried to get back on terms but all too often the last pass forward was too strong and sailed harmlessly behind with the aid of the strong wind. On 75 minutes Tre cut inside past a couple of defenders and hit a rasping drive which the keeper parried before saving at the second attempt with no-one on hand to follow up and exploit the opportunity. Next up it was Scott Jones to cut in and fire before an 86th minute free kick on the edge of the area which Mason clipped inches over the bar. In the dying minutes Scott Jones cut in again and was caught by the full back only for the referee to waive away claims for a penalty before a final chance from a Gleave cross was tipped away by the home keeper. The end result was best summed up in the clubhouse afterwards when a ‘how did you not win that game’ comment was met with a stony silence from the West contingent after a very frustrating afternoon.
Today’s Match Sponsor:
The Committee
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 have 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 4 March 18 March 22 March 29
Silsden: available Runcorn Linnets: Pennant Abbey Hey: Mrs Anne Cooper 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… Squires Gate Blackpool & District Amateur League: 1958 to 1961 Squires Gate were formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion FC and competed in the Blackpool & District Amateur League. They won the leagues Rawling Shield in their first season. The name of the club was changed to Squires Gate FC in 1953. They won the leagues First Division in 1955–56 and 1956–57; also the Blackwell Cup in 1958–59 and 1959–60. They spent the 1960–61 in the Fylde District League, winning the Fylde Cup and losing finalists in the Bannister Cup. West Lancashire League: 1961 to 1991 The following season they moved up to the West Lancashire League where they spent the next thirty years. From 1961 until 1980 they were in Division Two and were promoted in 1981 as champions. In the 1986–87 season they won the Richardson Cup. North West Counties Leage: 1991 onward They were elected into the North West Counties Football League for the 1991–92 season, joining Division Two for the 1991–92 season. Squires Gate won the leagues Fair Play Award for the 1993–94 season and were losing finalists in the 1997–98 Division Two Trophy. They won the 2001–02 season Division Two Trophy and then the following season they missed the runner-up spot on goal difference but were still promoted to Division One following the demise of Stand Athletic who had originally been promoted as Division Two champions. They reached their highest league placing in the 2005–06 season also reaching the quarter finals of the FA Vase then last season, under the Management of Andy Clarkson, Gate improved still further on their best ever placing, finishing sixth in what is now the Premier Division. On 10 March 2007 Squires Gate played a home match against FC United of Manchester at Curzon Ashton F.C.s ground. The club had approached Blackpool F.C. about playing the game at Bloomfield Road but the ground was not available. And so they played the match in Ashton-under-Lyne, as it was felt that FCUM fans were more likely to attend with the match being staged in the Greater Manchester area. A crowd of 1,650 saw Squires Gate lose 0-1 and Squires Gate earned about £7,000. To cap a very impressive 2007-08 season, Squires Gate were delighted that no less than nine of their members were honoured with long service awards: Albert Hamer, George Diggle, Roy Westhead, Brian Hugill and Brian Addison all collected Football Association Order of Merit mementos for 50 years service; and Steve Bellamy, Mick Farrer, John Maguire and Tony Hornby received 30 years awards from the Lancashire FA. All these stalwarts are still active in the service of their Club. Groundsman Brian Addison was judged the best at our level in the Northern Region, and a magnificent third nationally at the FA Groundsman of the Year presentations in London last September, and his pitch is clear evidence of his commitment. As Chairman Stuart Hopwood said, " We believe in a sure and steady programme of improvement of our facilities, and we now feel that with an award winning pitch, dressing rooms which are amongst the best in the League, and a pleasant, air-conditioned Clubhouse, we have a lot to be proud of, and the future looks good for Squires Gate
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 17/02/2014
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
Supporters Club Update It has been a while since we last updated you on the supporters club as numbers have continued to gradually increase week by week. It’s been an exciting season on and off the field as the team have given us plenty to cheer about and we are seeing more and more familiar faces coming to watch with each passing week. Off the field we’ve had some notable achievements with two new stands due in February/March which should enhance the supporter experience (© Premier League) and improve the overall feel of the ground. In addition we’ve also ran two coaches in the FA Vase and a minibus to AFC Blackpool away in the league and invited supporters to join the players on their away day travels with plenty of laughs and hijinks along the way. Crossing half a dozen football fields trying to park up at Rossington Main brought new meaning to parking the bus. Breaking down on the way back must have been quite a sight for anyone who happened upon the petrol station where 50 players and supporters celebrated their historic win the in 2nd qualifying round. In addition was the sight of the first ever supporters club ‘meet’ away at AFC Blackpool in the brilliantly named Shovels Pub literally yards away from Blackpool Wren Rovers and Squires Gates grounds before beating AFC Blackpool 4-0. Another note has been the uploading of eProgrammes from the beginning of last season, these are now available online FREE OF CHARGE for supporters to enjoy read the latest player interviews, news, views and match reports. To view these simply go to the official club website and select eProgrammes 2013/14 under the more tab. There is still time to join the supporters club we provides the following benefits: Limited edition pin badge exclusive to members only Official West Didsbury & Chorlton wristband Membership card Periodically newsletter sent direct to your email £10 off half season ticket prices How to join: Membership forms are available behind the bar in the clubhouse with payment of £10 Purchase can be made via the club shop at www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk for £12.50 Alternately send £12.50 to westdidsburychorltonsc@gmail.com via PayPal
January 200 Club Winners This month the three winners are: £100 winner: Patrick Nsoatabe £60 winner: Carl Worthington £40 winner: Theo Warmington 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
Reserve Team Match Report… Saturday 18 January: Irlam 6 West 0 Due to the bad weather and the Christmas period the game away to Irlam in the League Trophy was the first official game for the reserves since the middle of December when West were deserved 3-1 winners when they played Irlam at home in the League. West started the better with a number of first team squad members in the starting eleven. For the first 15 minute West controlled the game and came close to opening the scoring on several occasions. Lee Malkin was very unlucky not to score when Karl Dorney played a through ball for Lee to run onto, he rounded the keeper but got the ball caught under his feet which gave the Irlam keeper time to recover and prevent Lee form taking a shot. Shortly after Irlam played a long ball down field which was picked up by their big and powerful centre forward who with his back to goal turned and struck the ball passed Ross Booth in the West net. This seemed to spur Irlam on, West unable to cope with the strength and power of the Irlam forward soon found themselves further behind when the Irlam no9 scored a second. Things went from bad to worse when Irlam scored a further two goals before half time. West improved in the second half playing with more intent and were unlucky not to pull one back following a shot from Karl Dorney. Both Gary Lilley and Mark Woodcock imposed themselves in midfield but the game had already been lost. With West pushing forward to try and score they left gaps at the back which Irlam exploited scoring a further two goals in the second half to make the final score 6-0. The score perhaps did not reflect how well West played in the second half with solid performances from Lee Malkin and Mark Woodcock, both coming back from long term injuries together with a Man of the Match performance from Josh Chisambo. Rob Madden
‘A’ Team Match Report… Saturday 25 January: West 6 Moorlands 1 Saturday 25th January saw the visit of top of the league Moorlands FC for what was the A team’s first game in six weeks. It appears that the enforced continental style winter break has done West the world of good as they comfortably beat the runaway league leaders 6-1 at Chorlton High to secure all three points as they had also done in the away tie on the first weekend of the season. West began brilliantly, seemingly better coming to terms with the driving wind and hail and showing their intent to press high and give the visiting team no time to settle. This pressure was perfectly illustrated early in the game by Jamie Harkis effectively pushing the entire right side of the Moorlands team back towards their own goal before pinching the ball off the by now edgy right back and setting the tone by scoring the first. This proved to be the theme for the day as all over the pitch West players won their individual battles despite the by now increasingly desperate attempts at provocation (special mention for Amarni Coleman for again responding to the attempts to rile him by simply smiling and upping his game) and took a 3-0 lead into the interval thanks to further goals by strikers Luke Morley and Andrew Farren. West, perhaps inevitably relaxed slightly at the beginning of the second half, despite the theme of the half time team talk being to do the opposite. This ultimately resulted in a berated Moorlands attempting to get into the game and they did when a slide rule pass isolated centre half Nick Grimshaw at the back with the forward finishing smartly. Unfortunately for Moorlands the hoped for comeback was thwarted within a minute when Bobby Ashcroft finished coolly from the right of midfield after some good work down the flank. The home team sensed victory, the back four including an ever improving Gavin Leahy retook control and the whole team upped their effort to match that of the first half and quickly added another two goals courtesy of Farren from swift and decisive counter attacks. Nick Grimshaw
PLEASE NOTE: Match reports from outstanding Reserves and ‘A’ Team games will be included the next few programmes.
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Statistics…Correct as of 15/02/2014
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
http://www. westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Youth Team Match Report…
LANCASHIRE FA YOUTH CUP
Sunday 12 January: West u17s 3 Thornton Cleveleys u18s 1 WEST YOUTH TAKE THEIR CHANCES… and have booked their place in the showpiece LANCASHIRE COUNTY FA YOUTH CUP FINAL, after a disciplined and controlled display in defeating Thornton and Cleveleys 3-1 at The Recreation Ground last weekend. The team adapted well to the conditions and were 3-0 up after 30 minutes through goals from Jardel Depeiaza, Ebai Nsoatabe ye and Joe Shaw. They also went close to adding to the lead when two further efforts came back off the bar and post early in the second half before Thornton Cleveleys pulled one back with 25 minutes left. This impressive and exciting u-17’s squad has already exceeded expectations in defeating several other u-18’s team on their way to the County FA Final. They also top the Tameside Junior League u17’s division where they 2 points clear of the second placed team with WEST having 4 games in hand and need only one further win from their remaining 5 league games to win the title. They are also still in both the Tameside League Challenge Cup and the Divisional Cup, having beaten Stalybridge Celtic 2-0 last weekend and have a great chance of bringing some new silverware to the club by the end of the season. The LFA FINAL will be played at The County Ground, Leyland on the evening of Sunday 16th March at 6.30pm and we’ll let you know more about arrangements nearer the time. PLEASE NOTE: Match reports from outstanding Youth Team games will be included the next few programmes.
League Table 15/02/2014
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 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 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 Saturday 22nd February 2014 – Today’s Squads
Squires Gate
West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC
Ben Simpson (GK)
Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts and Blue Socks and Pale Blue Socks Ben Fletcher (GK)
Callum Jones
Callum Cooke
Scott Jones
Jack Hindle
Anthony Potts
Neil Unsworth
Mark Rogers (Capt)
Scott Hughes
Graham Kay
Dave McCann
Tre Baldwin Willis
Andy Collins
Rick Gleave
Andy Richards
Tommy Walsh
Jack Cook
Steve Settle
Jamie Gibson
Richmond Botchey
Danny Penswick
Sam Mitten
Craig Carney
Scott Mason
Charlie Russell
Danny Summers
Seydou Bamba
Mark Woodcock
Jamie McQuillan
Lee Malkin
Joseph Noblett
Dave Conlon
Dave Rodgerson
White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks
Paul Hughes (GK)
Manager: Andy Nelson
Manager: Dave McCann
Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle
Assistant: Richard Thomas
OFFICIALS Referee: Martin Wood
Assistants: Daniel Sims & Michael Sutcliffe
NEXT HOME GAME Tuesday 4th March 2014, KO 7.45pm WEST v Silsden