West Didsbury & Chorlton v Wigan Robin Park

Happy New Year Main Club Sponsor:

2013/14 SEASON

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2

Premier Division 4 January 2014 – 3.00pm

Wigan Robin Park

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

Editorial

Wigan Robin Park

WELCOME BACK AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL It’s back to league business again today after the Christmas fixtures and today we welcome Taffy Jones and everyone from Wigan Robin Park to The Recreation Ground. Taffy was one of the people who provided us with invaluable information on preparing to join the NWC as WRP had made the move from the Manchester League a couple of seasons before us. They also gained promotion to the Premier Division as first Division Champions in 2011-12, and finished 12th at the end of last season. This season life has been harder but in recent weeks their results have been encouraging as they fight to get away from the wrong end of the league table. The first game between the teams this season was a see-saw affair with West racing into a 3-0 interval lead, WRP fighting back to level terms before Lewis Schofield secured the 3 points for West with a last minute winner. Today promises to be an equally close encounter.

LOOKING BACK ON 2013 The festive season resulted in mixed fortunes for us with a hard earned win in our last home game of 2013 against a decent Barnoldswick team which tried to play good football from start to finish. Boxing Day was very unfortunate as we lost 2 key players to injury and then let four goals slip in the last 10 minutes to give Maine Road a victory which they acknowledged as extremely flattering.

However, on looking back on the last twelve months we have every reason to be delighted at how the club has progressed even further. This time last January we were waiting for an end to the bad weather over Christmas and New Year and didn’t actually get back to league action until 9th Feb when we went down at home to AFC Darwen to leave us 13 points off the top with 16 games left to play.

Little did we know then what excitement lay in store as we went on a fantastic run from mid February which saw us climb into 3rd place and gain that fantastic promotion to the Premier Division.

When the celebrations died down after the epic final 3-2 victory over Irlam there was little time to reflect on just how far the club has come or rest on the laurels of 3 successive promotions in 3 seasons. June saw the old concrete eyesore fence taken down with a smart new pitch rail and hard standing installed and then it was back to business with pre-season friendlies, almost 500 attending the FC United game in July and then two games a week from August through until late November, with a brief tour to the Isle of Man, our first wins in the FA Cup and FA Vase thrown in.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2014 The ground improvement works to meet the required FA grading standards are now in hand and over the next two months you will see a new stand installed alongside the clubhouse and new covered standing erected at the other end of the ground. This will result in covered seating for 100 and covered standing for another 100 so that we will fully comply with the Step 5 requirements in advance of 31st Match deadline. Our aims for the remainder of this season are to: - complete all the necessary ground improvements on time, - consolidate and secure a place in this very tough Premier Division, - continue to increase our numbers of regular local supporters, - complete the laying out of the new grass pitches adjoining the ground and - build on the introduction of the new youth team by adding junior teams for every age group from next season.

We will be dependent on all sorts of support and fundraising initiatives and we have also been successful in securing grant awards from the Football Foundation. However, we still need to raise several thousand pounds so that we can complete the various developments and remain financially viable. Over the coming weeks we will be launching a ‘sponsor a seat’ appeal for the new stand so keep your eyes out for an information leaflet and if you can help us or know of any local businesses who might consider ‘donating’ a seat then please let us know as soon as possible. There will be more in the match programmes in the coming weeks so please get behind the club as we have so many things to do in 2014 to complete our facilities and club development plan, and as they say in some places, every little helps. After 105 years we are still making history – we want everyone to be part of it!

WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2014 and as always ENJOY TODAY’S GAME Rob Turley WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

Welcome from the Chairman On behalf of the club I would like to offer a warm welcome to the officials and players of Wigan Robin Park and fans of both clubs to the Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road for our first home game of 2014 and wish you all a Happy New Year.

The start of every New Year gives all clubs the opportunity to look back over the previous year and consider how well you feel you have progressed.

In doing this, I think it would be fair to say that 2013 proved to be another momentous year in the overall history of the club, matching anything which has ever gone before it.

On the football side, it saw us exceeding my wildest dreams in our first ever season in the NWCFL as Andy’s 1st team achieved promotion and won the divisional cup and in the current season won matches in the FA Vase and FA Cup for the first time in the clubs history and have ended the year in a comfortable position in the NWCFL premier division.

The reserve team and our A team ended the year in significantly stronger positions than they found themselves in at the start of it and our veterans teams continue to hold their own in the Cheshire Veterans League.

Our decision to run an Under 17’s team has been fully justified as they have won every game they have played in the Tameside Football League and we are looking forward to them playing Thornton Cleveleys Under 18’s in the Semi Final of the Lancashire Youth Cup at Brookburn Road on the 12th January. We have also progressed our discussions with Oswald Road Junior Football Club on a possible merger and plan to have a fully developed junior section of the club in place for the start of the 2014/15 season.

In terms of off the pitch development, we have continued to invest in the ground and would wish to thank the football foundation for providing grant funding to support the development of grass pitches next door on Hardy Farm and the improvements needed on Brookburn Road for us to meet the Step 5 ground requirements needed to compete in the NWCFL premier division.

Delivery of all this success has been made possible due to the dedication and hard work of all the players and management teams for all our sides supported by a strong Committee and an ever increasing number of volunteers, sponsors and fans of the club and I would like to offer my personal thanks to every one of you.

Let’s hope that when we look back over the coming year, on January 1st 2015, we can reflect again on a similar level of success that we achieved in the last one.

Glyn Meacher Chairman – West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC

Our next two home games in January. Both games kick off at 3pm Silsden on Saturday 18th January AND Runcorn Linnets Saturday 25th 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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

View from the Dugout I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year and I am delighted to be able to welcome you to the first home game of 2014. I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone who has travelled from Wigan Robin Park today.

December was a mixed month, with our fewest games so far, as we had two terrific results and two awful results.

The home win against Barnoldswick Town was a game of two halves dominated by the deteriorating conditions as the game progressed. Thanks to Steve Settle and Tommy Walsh we were 2-0 up in no time at all and although pulled one back Tom added a third and leading at half time 3-1 we felt that the scoreline could have been anything second half. Instead the conditions worsened preventing us from really passing the ball in the way that we can and all credit to Barnoldswick as they adapted to the conditions a lot quicker than we did, got one back and really gave us a nervy second 45 minutes.

It was terrific to see so many familiar faces at Maine Road on Boxing Day for the ‘South Manchester Derby’ and it was just such a shame that we couldn’t come away with the result.

I thought that we had been the better side up until half time but their leveller right before was a real sucker punch. There wasn’t much way in quality for either side in the second half but I thought we were the more likely to do something but another mistake cost us for the second and third goal. After that we stopped playing and Maine Road punished us to show us why they are near the top of the table.

As 2013 comes to a close we can look back at a successful 2013 on the field. Twelve months ago we were in the top half of the 1st division, at our first attempt, and went on a run that was quite remarkable for a side taking such a huge step. The resulting promotion and cup final I’ve previously mentioned but taking this club into the FA Cup for the first time is also a great achievement as is winning our first ever FA Vase tie. We’ve also been lucky enough to put together a special group of players who on their day are as good as everyone in the division.

When we met WRP at Robin Park in September we played out a thrilling game of football that saw us race into a three goal lead before Wigan chipped away at it to pull back to 3-3 before we took home the points, I’m hoping for a more straight forward game today. I am also hoping that in 2014 we can continue to give our supporters plenty to shout about and progress on the field and produce a high a finish in the league as possible.

Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson 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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton Or contact the secretary, Rob Turley on 07891 298441 or e-mail to: rob.turley@btinternet.com

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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton 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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

First Team Match Reports‌ Saturday 21 December: West 3 Barnoldswick Town 2

This was a welcome 3 points which lifted West several places into 11th place going into the Boxing Day derby at Maine Road. It was also a compelling game to watch as West raced into a 2 goal lead in the first 10 minutes only to be pegged back by a spirited young Barnoldswick team who kept playing football throughout and went all out to get level in the closing stages.

The visiting keeper handled just outside the left side of the area and when Scott Mason rolled the ball back to Steve Settle with everyone expecting a cross, Steve blasted home through a crowded area with the keeper unsighted. The advantage was increased a few minutes later when a Scott Jones shot was parried and Tommy Walsh followed up to finish from close range. On 13 minutes it could have been 3-0 when Potts headed on another free kick and Tommy fired home only to be given offside.

Barnoldswick were struggling to get into the game and it was 20 minutes before their first attempt on target with a snapshot just wide.

Scott Mason then went close for West and on the half hour mark Tommy Walsh turned his man to shoot narrowly wide. West had a let off soon after when a close range effort for the visitors was disallowed for offside but a minute later it was 2-1 with West caught on the break and out of position defensively as the impressive Joe Melia pulled a goal back. Then on the stroke of half time Steve Settle turned provider to play in Tommy Walsh who went past his man before beating the keeper from an acute angle to make it 3-1 off the inside of the post.

The second half was a tight affair with Lilley and McDonagh coming on after 55 minutes, another let off for West on the hour when a great effort thundered back off the post and then it was 3-2 after 70 minutes when a smart free kick played in the substitute who crashed an unstoppable effort high into the roof of the net. The last 20 minutes saw some stubborn West defending as the pitch surface deteriorated and Barnoldswick fought hard for an equaliser. Woody came on the close up the gaps for the last 10 minutes and West saw this one out to secure all 3 points for a hard fought win.

Thursday 26 December: Maine Road 5 West 1 The last game of 2013 saw West slip to a very harsh final score when there was nothing to separate the teams with 10 minutes left.

The first half was a tight affair as both teams probed for weaknesses in the opening 15 minutes.

Maine Road had the first chance after 5 minutes when Henderson shot wide and on 10 it was West’s turn when Matty Kay also shot wide. The home side had another chance on 12 minutes when Ben Simpson saved low to his left and then it was West who threatened again when Kay was fouled just outside the area. Scott Mason stepped up to curl a great shot just inside the post to give West the lead. Five minutes later Maine Road had another half chance from a deep cross but the full back blazed the ball high over the bar. As the first half drew to a close Maine Road substitute Moran entered the fray to make an immediate impact with a low cross from the left which saw an extra man in attack and Simpson could only deflect the resulting low shot into the corner to leave it 1-1 at the interval.

The second half saw the hard working Walsh give way to Chris McDonagh [Macca], but the stalemate continued and the game became very scrappy with little incident of any note up to the hour mark.

Macca then headed over from a Scott Mason corner and shortly after a quick West counter attack saw a good effort deflected for another corner. Maine Road were beginning to gain more possession and press the West defence down the flanks and after 70 minutes the game was completely changed after a very poor challenge saw Potts on the receiving end of a head injury causing a delay to the game as he received treatment. Unfortunately for West he was unable to continue and the game resumed with 20 minutes left and the resultant reshuffle saw Rogers drop into the back four with debutant Camacho coming on in an attacking midfield role. The midfield composure and shape began to unravel and another change saw Gary Lilley on for the tiring Matty Kay. Some last ditch defending and a post kept the scores level with 10 minutes left but with little evidence of the avalanche which was to hit in the last 10 minutes. Maine Road then went ahead when the ball was chipped into the area and some hesitancy in defence saw Williams convert from close range to make it 2-1. West tried to respond by pushing Graham Kay forward but then it was 3-1 when a long ball forward was headed back toward Simpson only to fall well short and let Henderson in to make it 3-1. Williams added a 4th on 87 minutes and in the last minute another ball over the top put Henderson in to finish calmly and leave the final score a hugely flattering 5-1 and end the craziest 10 minutes of West’s season.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History‌ Wigan Robin Park Wigan Robin Park Football Club was founded in 2005 and started playing in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester Football League, which is a feeder league for the North West Counties. All the players were local lads and in our first season we made good progress in the Lancashire Shield and Wigan Cup. The team reached the Lancashire Shield Quarter Final upstaged by BAE Systems Barrow on penalties and was sitting 7th in the table. In addition the team was unlucky to lose in the semi-final of the Wigan Cup but their seasons efforts were rewarded with an appearance in the final of the Murray Shield. Unfortunately falling short on penalties to Walshaw Sports but the benchmark for things to come had been set.

The inaugural season’s achievements continued into the start of the 2006/07 season with a number of new players joining the club. The team moved into fourth in the table a position they maintained throughout the season. The Robins showed consistency in cup competitions as the team progressed to the semi-final stage losing narrowly to Winstanley St Aidens with a 1-0 scoreline. From that point the team then went on a remarkable league run which saw them go all the way to the end of the season undefeated. The aim of the club is to compete and the highest level and this was achieved with promotion to the Manchester Premier Division.

If we were going to prepare correctly we needed to strengthen the club with the introduction of a reserve team for 2007/08 to compete successfully in the Manchester Premier League. Any Premier division at any level will be hard and a poor start to the campaign did not help, however once the team had become accustomed to the level and speed of the premier division the team then turned the corner and went on an excellent run which saw them lose just once in 24 games in all competitions resulting in final appearances in the Gilgryst Cup and the Lancashire Shield. With the season coming to an end a big push was needed, following another good run the team lose just once in 13 games and Wigan Robin Park claimed the Premier league title in their first attempt which many teams have tried to achieve for years.

The next hurdle was to pass the high standards expected to compete at step 6 in the football league pyramid, this was confirmed by the North West Counties ground grading committee and Wigan Robin Park were accepted into the North West Counties First Division.

In the inaugural season in the NWCFL good progress was made winning 7 drawing 3 and losing 2 in our opening 12 fixtures. The highlights being the first team to defeat title contenders AFC Liverpool in front of the highest home crowd of 603 at Valerie Park. The Vodkat Challenge Cup paired us against Premier division outfit Bacup Borough and would give us a taste and appetite for the Premier division having narrowly losing out after a reply. The team stayed in the top five most of the season including top spot on various occasion, eventually finishing in fifth position.

Season 2009/10 proved to be a learning curve as the Robins finished the season in twelfth place.

Although rocked by the departure of some senior players - to clubs further up the pyramid preseason the club managed to bring in some quality young players who started the season well. However a succession of injuries that decimated the squad saw the team slip to mid-table during the second half of the season.

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

In 2010/11 the team started the season like a house on fire and were rewarded with a place towards the top of the table in the run up to Christmas. Unfortunately they were unable to continue this form and finished the season in eighth place. The Robins however did reach the quarter-finals of the First Division Trophy and League Challenge Cup. Meanwhile the reserves had a fine season finishing sixth in the North West Counties Reserve Division.

Prior to the 2011/12 season Wigan Robin Park made important changes behind the scenes. Steve Halliwell the ex-chairman of Ashton Athletic took over the same role allowing manager John Neafcy to concentrate on the playing side of the club. Bearing this in mind the club has also strengthened this side of the club with stalwart Jay Foulds being promoted to assistant manager working alongside John, Craig Barton, Darren Mullen and Bob Howard.

With senior players returning to the club, others being recruited and a very strong reserve team management and players being put in place the Robins targeted a very successful season and at the end of that term all the excellent planning and hard work behind the scenes brought unprecedented success to the football club. The first team managed by John Neafcy won the First Division Championship while the reserve team won the Reserve Division. Meanwhile a combined side managed by Assistant First Team Manager Jay Foulds and Reserve Team boss Ian Granite lifted the prestigious Wigan Cup beating local rivals Ashton Athletic in the final.

In other cup competitions the club were runners up after an exciting final that went to extra time to league title rivals Norton United in the First Division Trophy while Evo Stick Northern Premier League giants Chorley defeated the Robins in the semi-final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy before a large crowd at the County Ground at Leyland.

The momentous 2011/12 season was rounded off when the club picked up the Division One programme of the year award at the NWCFL’s annual dinner.

During the close season Ian Granite’s success as Reserve Team Manager was duly noted and he moved onto St Helens Town as First Team Manager. This saw the club bringing in Jez Neild from Ashton Town as Reserve Team Manager with club stalwart Paul Vermiglio assisting.

The Club targeted the 2012/13 season as one of consolidation as they plied their trade for the first time in the NWCFL Premier Division the highest level at which the club has competed in during their short history and finished a creditable 12 position.

Meanwhile the committee continue to build the club on and off the pitch bringing in extra committee members, increasing attendances, developing the club’s profile in the town, introducing a youth development scheme whilst continuing to enjoy their football in the North West Counties League.

November 200 Club Winners This month the three winners are: £100 winner: D Cooper £60 winner: M Fowler £40 winner: A Farren 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

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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.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

NWCFL Premier Division Table Table correct as of 30/12/2013

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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From the Terrace Happy 2014 everyone! I have finally evaded the censor’s/editor’s pen and made it back onto these pages for the second time this season. Since then we’ve had an eventful season and we've witnessed 32 games, 107 goals, 2 floodlight failures, and the breakdown of the team coach.

We’ve had plenty to reflect on in 2013 with promotion, a shiny new trophy for the cabinet, entry and victory in the FA Cup as well as trips to Rossington Main and Staveley MW in the FA Vase. However once we got that all out of the way with there was the small matter of a new league to contend with every weekend. The best thing about a new league is the discovery and exploration of new grounds every other weekend and here are some of the highlights so far.

Wigan Robin Park – Our opponents today have the unique experience of ground sharing in an athletics stadium where we ventured on a fine summers day in September. After suddenly finding ourselves in both the away dressing room and in the tunnel we seemed to stumble upon a hospital waiting room where the orderlies had opened up a tuck shop selling beer through a small hatch where the pharmacist should have been. Far from the reputation of grounds with running tracks producing a poor atmosphere as the home support were passionately behind their team from beginning to end and their committee (the most welcoming in the Prem by far) took great delight in watching us squirming in our seats as the natural compulsion of West supporters to stand, jump up and down took over.

Rossington Main – According to the Damned United, Don Revie, who was famously superstitious, and his Leeds United side would walk the last 100 yards into the ground for any away Cup tie. On the way to Rossington with Mark Woodcock’s running commentary on the quality of Rossington homes the West team bus driver took the superstition the other way as upon entering the ground immediately drove over three football pitches on a near 45 degree angle before parking up right behind the goal.

The reward was a 2-1 win and our coach driver donning the West no.1 shirt on the way home after having to bodge a plumbing job underneath the coach in a petrol station on the way home.

Staveley MW – Our second trip to the NCEL to take on a miner’s welfare saw us travel to Inkersall Road near Chesterfield. Whilst supporters who travelled that day are still debating why they had a shrine to the 1966 World Cup winning team on their wall there was no doubt that it was easily the best ground we have been to at this level. The ground housed a large club house behind the goal, a covered stand in front of the dugout with one of those posh tunnels not seen this side of Atherton Collieries, a covered seated stand down one side and a marquee down another. Most impressively of all were the club badges on all the wheelie bins around the ground. Class.

AFC Liverpool (Prescot Cables) - In a couple of years when the Football League have knocked down the last ‘old ground’ and filmmakers look around for places to film Damned United 2 the first people they'll be on the phone to is the home of Prescot Cables with its brilliant main stand that sits on top of the club bar, boardroom and dressing room. The view from on top of the seated and covered stand is as good as any you'll see in football let alone non-league.

Runcorn Linnets – Two visits in 2013 and still unbeaten! Get in!

Hopefully 2014 will provide more new grounds between West securing their place in the Premier Division, the 1st Division title race providing new grounds as well as the excitement of chartering the coach for trips in the FA Cup, FA Vase and Lancashire Challenge Cup. Bala Town away in preseason anyone?

Rob McKay

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Some of the action from our last home game…

Thank you to our Match Sponsor against Barnoldswick…

We are an independent planning and development consultancy providing specialist advice on how to obtain planning permission for various forms of new development, including facilities for sport and recreation and football clubs.

For initial advice without any obligation please call: 0161 448 1838 or Rob Turley on 07891 298441

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

Statistics…Correct as of 30/12/2013

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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Youth Team Update…

West Didsbury & Chorlton Under 17s 8-1 Duckinfield Town Under 17s Coach Ian Depeiaza’s Under 17s extended their incredible winning run to 20 with an 8-1 dismantling of Duckinfield Town U17s to reach the Semi Final of the Paul Hett U17s Challenge Cup. There were goals from Ebai Sam, Fraser Child, Jardel Depeiaza, Marcus Johnby, Miles Jones, Oliver Schofield and Taffarel Levy as they reached their second semi-final in the space of a month.

Coach Peza added "We dominated this game from start to finish. It's very important to be an entertaining team but I would prefer we won 8-0 rather than 8-1. Every manager is entitled to think the way they want to think, maybe some managers prefer to score one and sit back but me and my team will continue to keep trying to score goals because that’s how we want to win.”

“It’s possible to win in attacking fashion without conceding, we have proven that before, but the whole team must know how to defend every moment in the game equally as good. Players have to also admit there were plenty of moments where our concentration was not at its highest and our passing wasn’t as accurate or considered.”

NEXT UP – LANCASHIRE FA YOUTH CUP West Didsbury + Chorlton u-17 Youth v Thornton Cleveleys u-18 Sunday 12th Jan 2014 – here at Brookburn Road - 12 noon kick off

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/

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 4th January 2014 – Today’s Squads

Wigan Robin Park

West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC

Ben Simpson (GK)

Red and White Shirts, Black Shorts and Red and Black Socks and Pale Blue Socks Danny Lever (GK)

Callum Jones

Kyle Hynes

Scott Jones

Lee Green

Anthony Potts

Brian Hatton

Mark Rogers (Capt)

Curtis Bowes-Broadfoot

Graham Kay

Stephen Young

Tre Baldwin Willis

Joseph Newbold

Rick Gleave

James Edgar

Tommy Walsh

Philip Howard

Steve Settle

Thomas Scott

Matty Greenwood

Craig Haynes (Capt)

Richmond Botchey

Connor Gately

Sam Mitten

Alex Neil

Scott Mason

Dean Midgely

Danny Summers

Daniel Curran

Mark Woodcock

Scott Robinson

Lee Malkin

Gavin O’Keefe

Dave Conlon

Christopher Hopwood

Paul Hughes (GK)

Christopher Morris

White Shirts, Black Shorts and Black Socks

Ryan Eislet Manager: Andy Nelson

Managers: John Neafcy

Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle

Assistant & Physio: Jordan Benbow

OFFICIALS Referee: Mark Cunliffe

Assistants: Daniel Bruce and Darren Rogers

NEXT HOME GAME Saturday 18th Jan 2014, KO 3.00pm WEST v Silsden