West Didsbury & Chorlton v Winsford United

2013/14 SEASON

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME ÂŁ2

Main Club Sponsor:

Premier Division 13 August 2013 - 7.45pm

v Winsford United

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: John 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

Physios Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Community Development Davy Iredale

‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale 07939 392828

Youth Team Manager

Publicity and Web John Churchman 07720 508082

Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397

THE

Rachel Wood and Paddy Murphy

200 CLUB

Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401

Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903

Vets Managers Chris Smith 07867 171815 Steve Fisher 07956 678937

The 200 club is a vital source of income and is open to anyone. A monthly standing order payment of £2 entitles one entry into the monthly £200 of prizes to be won.

If you are interested in joining please contact Brian, Rob or Monica or ask for a form in the club house.

The sooner you complete a form and enter the draw the sooner you could win.

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

13th August 2013 – Winsford United

WELCOME TO TONIGHT’S GAME This evening we welcome Winsford United to The Recreation Ground for our first evening game in the NWCFL Premier Division. The start of the season has seen the usual flurry of fixtures with mixed fortunes for both sides, which will be equally keen to gain points from this evening’s game.

Our start to life at this level has been difficult and the opening game against AFC Liverpool we rode our luck in the first half, came back to equalise and rock the visitors when we missed several great chances to go ahead, only to be punished by a wonder goal on the break and another late on leaving it 3-1 to AFC Liverpool.

The midweek trip to Alsager last Tuesday saw a terrific response from the team as we dominated possession throughout only to fall behind to a freak goal on the stroke of half time and then a last minute penalty eventually taken at 10.10pm made it 2-0 to the home side, after a long delay for injury to the unfortunate Alsager player. Match reports on both games are inside but last Saturday at Bootle report will be in the Abbey Hey programme.

OUR VISITORS – WINSFORD UNITED Our visitors tonight are another club who, like AFC Liverpool, agreed to play us in a midweek friendly fixture at Winsford when we were in the Manchester league and preparing to join the NWCFL. We had an enjoyable trip and a close game then with the home side running out narrow winners but encouraging us to take the step up to Counties level.

Winsford are a club with a long and distinguished non league pedigree and currently in a stage of transition having suffered from management and player difficulties in the close season. Despite this they started the season with a bang with a good 3-1 away win at Wigan Robin Park before losing 0-3 at home to Glossop North End last Tuesday. Last Saturday they entertained St Helens Town but the result was after our programme deadline.

It is very early days but tonight we will be aiming to get our first home points on the board in the Premier Division and give ourselves a boost before next Saturday’s FA Cup tie.

OUR FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE FA CUP Next Saturday we are at home again when we face ABBEY HEY here, kick off 3pm. This was an ambition and target we set during the course of last season as we needed a 4th place finish to guarantee a place in the FA Cup. It is credit to Andy and all the players who have been so committed to us over recent seasons that this has been achieved, as well as being exceeded by last year’s promotion, so next Saturday will be another milestone in our own long history dating back 105 years to 1908. We have certainly come a long way since then and we look forward to seeing everyone back here next Saturday for this very special occasion for our club.

GROWING OUR SUPPORT Our attendances have been encouraging and growing and last Saturday saw the 5 th highest attendance in the NWCFL Premier Division here at The Recreation Ground. This came hard on the heels of a new ground record of 430 set by the visit of FC United in pre-season.

We are keen to keep growing local support and have now established a Supporters Club for the first time. Details of how to join are inside, forms are available in the clubhouse and you can also speak direct to Rob McKay. We should have the new badges for the FA cup game.

Thanks again for your support and don’t forget you can keep in touch with all our news at: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/westdidsburychorlton/ .

ENJOY THIS EVENING’S GAME Rob Turley The front cover picture: Lee Shillito Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing photos again this season for the web and programme.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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

View from the Dugout There are four additional teams and 8 additional league fixtures in the Prem compared to last seasons 1st Division. On top of that we have the FA Cup, Vase and League Challenge Cups. At this early stage how confident are you that the players making the step up will cope with the demands of all the additional fixtures?

As a club we are probably punching well above our weight playing against sides with big budgets so we can only prepare for each game as well as we can and therefore we have to select players who really want to represent this club.

It is fair to say that Winsford United are a side historically we are used to seeing a lot higher up the pyramid; have you faced them before in your managerial career? Do you have a particular memory about playing them?

I have faced Winsford United many times during my career but my most vivid memories are as a player because they were always a formidable team to play against.

Pre-season has concluded, and personally the Isle of Man football wise was a fantastic experience and everyone I’ve spoken to who made the trip has only talked about how well the team played, how was it from the managers point of view?

The Isle of Man tour was an excellent experience for everyone who travelled and we have certainly taken a lot of value from it both off and on the field. We were excellent in both games, the Isle of Man National Team were a quality side, but I felt that we if we had a little more time to rest between games we would have come home with two victories such was the quality of our performance.

Thinking about pre-season as a whole, you’ve used a lot of players, but is there someone (or a number of players) whose performances who have stood out for you?

I feel that Danny Summers (pictured right) has had an excellent pre-season, he’s a local lad who has true passion for the club and has spent his summer getting himself fitter than ever and has shown a true determination to succeed.

Regards Andy Nelson

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/

CLUB NEWS… CLUB MERCHANDISE Available in the clubhouse…

Mugs at £5, Key rings at £1, Club badges at £3 Club Ties at £12.50 NEW for this season… Bennie hats and newly designed scarves

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

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook Our username is WD_CFC (picture of club badge) http://www.facebook.com/WestDidsburyChorlton

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

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



The chanting of racist or obscene chanting is strictly forbidden.



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



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

 

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

Encroachment onto the playing area is forbidden at all times.



Standing is not allowed in front of the seated areas.



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

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

Thank you, West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Committee

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Match Reports…

Saturday 3rd August - WEST 1 AFC Liverpool 3

West inaugural NWCFL Premier Division campaign began with a 3-1 defeat to AFC Liverpool in front of a large crowd at Brookburn Road. In an even first half in which West created few chances it was Liverpool who took the lead through debutant Paul Brown on 29 minutes racing onto John Lawless’ ball over the top of the West defence and rounding goalkeeper Benjamin Simpson to tap the ball into an empty net.

West got themselves back into the game 9 minutes into the second half with a goal from substitute Tre Baldwin-Willis after he capitalised on an under hit back-pass forcing the keeper to spill and despite being off-balance managed to cut the ball just inside the post. The momentum was now with West as Tre again came close with a first time shot forcing Reds goalkeeper Stephen Longrigg to make a good save. Callum Jones also forced a full stretch save from the Longrigg as the wingbacks header was bearing for the top corner.

However it was AFC Liverpool who took home the points with a superb goal from Paul Brown as he chipped Ben Simpson from the edge of the area after a ball down the left hand side.

The result was sealed on 82 minutes as substitute Stephen Williams finished off a good AFC Liverpool move.

Wednesday 7th August – Alsager Town 2 WEST 0

In a game that will ultimately be overshadowed by a serious head injury sustained by an Alsager player in the final minutes of the game West's performance deserved far better than the result suggested as they went down 2-0 at Alsager Town.

The better of the play in the first half had been with West with Gareth Thomas having their best chance when through clean on goal but he could only hit the keeper. Callum Jones also came close with a long range shot that was just a whisker over the crossbar. However it was Alsager who took the lead on 43 minutes through James Hampson after some neat work on the left hand side of the penalty area created enough space for a curling cross shot to settle inside the far post.

In the second half West through caution to the wind and laid siege to the Alsager goal but couldn't create a clear cut opening to level the game. The biggest talking point of the game came in the final minutes as Angelo Errico was fouled by Mark Rogers but as he landed his head collided with both Mark's knee and Callum Schofield foot accidently knocking the player unconscious.

After a lengthy delay in which the player was taken to hospital via ambulance, the referee made the decision to continue the game at the behest of the Alsager assistant manager and Leigh Skellern dispatched his penalty down the middle despite captain for the night Ben Simpson getting a hand to it before the referee finally blew his whistle to end the game.

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

NWCFL 2013-2014 Premier League Mid Week Fixtures Monday 12th August Runcorn Town v Ashton Athletic Tuesday 13th August Bootle v Congleton Town Glossop North End v Maine Road Norton United v Alsager Town St Helens Town v Wigan Robin Park Stockport Sports v Abbey Hey West Didsbury & Chorlton v Winsford United Wednesday 14th August AFC Liverpool v Runcorn Linnets Bacup & Rossendale Borough v AFC Blackpool

OUR FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE FA CUP [after 105 years!]

We play our first ever game in the FA Cup when we face ABBEY HEY here at Brookburn Road on Saturday 17th August, kick off 3pm. This will be a very special occasion for the club, so DON’T FORGET the date, come to the game and encourage as many others as possible to boost our attendance and support Andy and the team.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Pre Season tour Isle of Man St John’s United 1 West 3 Isle of Man National Team 2 West 0 West concluded their pre-season preparations with plenty to show from their trip to the Isle of Man. Despite flying in on the morning of the game with their three new faces and two regulars missing, as well as last season’s top goalscorer Lee Malkin carrying an ankle injury, they put in an impressive performance defeating St John’s United at Mullen-e-Cloie. West took the lead after 12 minutes when Scott Jones broke through down the left and shot past the keeper before Tre Baldwin-Willis added a second on 60 minutes when West cleared a corner out to Tre who skipped past his man on the half way line and raced through and slotted home past the St John’s keeper to round off an explosive move. St John’s got one back with a superb finish from Krasimir Stoev before Steve Settle made the game safe on 85 minutes.

Less than 16 hours later West made their way to the national stadium in Douglas to take on the national team. A side that fielded just one change gave as good as they got for the first 40 minutes in a pulsating game in which West had chances to take the lead through Steve Settle who forced the keeper into his save at the near post, the impressive Danny Summers who volleyed just over and the irrepressible Tre Baldwin-Willis who broke through one and one but could only hit the keeper and followed up minutes later with a deceiving lob from distance that landed on the roof of the net. At the other end West goalkeeper Ben Simpson also did his part pulling off two top saves from a shot low down to his right and then tipped a low dipping shot around his near post moments later. However it was the Manx who broke the deadlock on 42 minutes when a Josh Thomas corner was headed home unmarked by Louis Thornton.

The second half didn’t let up as immediately after the break substitute Tommy Walsh raced through from a magnificent chip from Josh Chrisambo but his lob cleared the cross bar.

Full back Mike Kennedy then came close with a volley at the far post.

West continued to make chances but they couldn’t find the break through as 2 games in less than a day finally caught up with them when the Manx Andrew Crennell scored from an almost identical header from another corner with 8 minutes remaining.

West mount another attack. Picture courtesy of Isle of Man today website

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

Our visitors… Winsford United Winsford United have a long and proud history, having been formed way back in 1883. In those early days, the club was called Over Wanderers and competed in the Welsh Combination Football League. After a few seasons, the club changed to its present name and its present ground - Barton Stadium - although it was called Great Western Playing Field at the outset.

The club brought on many good players during this period and after losing several players to Football League clubs, they experienced a somewhat unsuccessful spell that resulted in the club folding. United reformed in 1913, thanks in the main to the then secretary, Mr W H Burning, but it was short lived as World War One broke out.

After the cessation of hostilities, United regrouped with a new committee headed by Mr R G Barton (hence Barton Stadium) and the club became a founder member of the Cheshire League, winning the Championship in its second season. That was to be one of the few successes as the Blues struggled to survive both on and off the field. During the War, Barton Stadium was almost stripped bare to aid the war effort. After the war, United became a Limited company and the 1950’s saw the Blues win the Cheshire League Cup three times and a Cheshire Senior Cup victory. In the 60’s and early 70’s the Blues returned to struggling ways with only a rare FA Cup First Round appearance at Peterborough to shout about. United lost the game 4-1. That match acted as a springboard and, under John Williams, Winsford United hit the glory trail. Between 1976 and 1980, the Blues won the Cheshire League title in 1976/77, were runners-up in 1979/80 and set a new record (which still stands) by winning the League Cup four seasons out of five, including a hat-trick of wins (1977/79/80/81). They won the Cheshire Senior Cup in 1980 and made an appearance in the quarterfinals of the FA Trophy in 1978. It was in John Williams’ final season that the former Everton and Welsh International goalkeeper, Neville Southall, was sold to Bury for £6,000. A sell on clause later netted United a club record figure of around £30,000 when he moved to Goodison Park.

After that halcyon period, United’s fortunes again nose-dived. The Cheshire League changed its name to the North West Counties and the Northern Premier League formed a first division in 1987/8. The Blues were invited to join but they never really set the place on fire, seventh place being the best achieved. In January 1991, Winsford were bottom of the NPL First Division and facing a drop back down to the NWCFL. The club then pulled a masterstroke by appointing Mike McKenzie as team manager. The Blues lost only four more games and avoided the drop. A piece of silverware was added when they beat Northwich Vics in the local cup final. The following season, 1991/92, they gained promotion to the Premier Division, finishing as runners up and reaching the First Round of the FA Cup for only the third time in the club’s history. Season 1992/93 will go down in United’s folklore as ‘Macca’s’ men won an astonishing five trophies - the NPL Challenge Cup, NPL President’s Cup, Cheshire Senior Cup, Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup and NPL Runners Up Cup. The Blues finished second to Southport and their points total is a record for the most points accrued without winning the title. Sadly the team then broke up in the summer of 1993 when Mike McKenzie was lured into Conference football. Three of the side joined pro clubs - Darren Sheridan (Barnsley), Wayne Collins (Crewe) and Jon Whitney (Huddersfield).

The club was given a boost during the summer of 1996 when they received nearly £90,000 from the sale of Wayne Collins to Sheffield Wednesday from Crewe Alexandra. Three seasons later under the management of Dalton Steele, (in only his first season at the club) United finished seventh in the league and lifted the MidCheshire Senior Cup. Season 1998/1999 saw Dalton Steele leave for Chorley half way through the campaign, taking nearly all the team with him; Mark Came took over as stand-in Manager and finished the season off with a makeshift side. The club received another tremendous boost early in 1999 when goalkeeper Andy Oakes who had signed for Hull City for a modest fee but with a 25% sell-on clause was signed by Derby County for £480,000 giving Winsford a record amount for a Non-League sell-on clause. The board of directors were determined that this money was to be spent sensibly on improving the infrastructure of the club, the first move being to install Football League standard floodlights. Mark Came was then appointed as manager for the 1999/2000 campaign but a run of poor results saw Kevin Tully put in the hot seat. What followed was the worst run of results in the club’s history and relegation for the first time.

At the start of the 2000/2001 season in UniBond Division One Mr Tully left, and Steve Shaughnessy was appointed Player/Manager. The team performed well throughout the season but administrative errors resulted in 6 points being deducted and instead of finishing in a mid-table spot they were relegated to The First Division of the North West Counties League. They had a successful season in the North West Counties Football League, finishing seventh. But Steve Shaughnessy left at the end of the season and Alan Walker and Nick Davis were appointed as joint managers.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Winsford United – History continued…

They brought together a squad of players that was a combination of youth and experience. After a good start that saw them rise to 7th in the table the team had a disastrous run and as a result Alan Walker left to be replaced by the management team of Gary Thomas and Gus Wilson in January 2003. Relegation could not be avoided and Winsford found themselves in Division Two. It was decided a change of policy was needed and The Blues concentrated on recruiting and developing local talent. To this end Dave Twite was brought in as Manager with Roy Sweeney as his assistant and together they sorted out the best young players in the area and concentrated on a policy of fitness and skill. The partnership gave Winsford three successful seasons; however, promotion was missed each season by just a single point.

It was time for a fresh start and Chris Willcock and John Flanagan took over the team and the Blues led the table from early season right up to the end when they were promoted to Division One as champions.

Surprisingly Chris and John left at the end of the season and moved to Woodley Sports, taking the best players with them. Once again Winsford were on the lookout for a new Manager and this time they turned to the Liverpool area for Joe Gibiliru who had managed St Helens Town in the First Division. Joe was faced with rebuilding the team and in spite of this he guided the team to a respectable 12th place.

Experienced players were brought in for the 2008-2009 season and this has had an immediate effect with several good performances but it was not to last and the team fought a desperate battle against relegation at the end of the season.

A fresh start was made for the 2009-2010 season and once again Winsford turned to local talent with Terry Murphy as Manager and Mike Alcock and Tony Ledwards as Assistant Managers. Unfortunately both Terry and Mike finished with health problems and Tony was handed the Manager’s job.

Even though Tony strengthened the squad league points were hard to come by and relegation was a distinct possibility. A run of poor results saw Tony resign and Dave Twite and Mike Alcock volunteered to take over until the end of the season. They had an immediate impact with a run of seven games without conceding a goal; this run also took them to two Cup Finals, The Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup and the Vodkat League Challenge Cup. However a further run of poor results saw them plunge into the bottom four and safety was only ensured in the last two matches of the season.

There was no success in the cup finals with defeat by Northwich Victoria in the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup Final and a disappointing loss to Abbey Hey in the prestigious Vodkat League Challenge Cup final.

It was felt it was time for a change and so the club advertised for a new management team.

After interviewing several very good applicants the club was approached by former Manager Chris Willcock and after an interview he was handed the reins with Ian Street appointed his Assistant. He immediately set about concentrating on the player’s fitness and also made some very important signings. Once again there was an air of optimism at the Barton Stadium. The optimism was justified as the club spent most of the early part of the season at the top of the table and, playing attractive football, the crowds began to return. There was a shock at the beginning of February however and more than a little touch of déjà vu when Willcock announced he was once again leaving to take charge at Woodley Sports, leaving Ian Street in charge.

The club finished the season in a creditable third place and were victorious in the Challenge Cup Final defeating New Mills 1-0. Ian Street remained in charge for the 2011-2012 season and Kevin Bircumshaw was appointed as his Assistant. The team made a great start to the season, spending several weeks at or near the top of the table and promotion looked a distinct possibility. However a series of suspensions and injuries saw the team have a bad run in the weeks leading up to Christmas gaining just two points from a possible twenty-four.

The form was recovered in the New Year but the gap had become too great and Winsford ended the season in seventh place. There was a massive boost for the club when the local council not only became the club’s main sponsor but they revealed their “Neighbourhood Plan” which centred on developing the centre of the town next to the river with a purpose-built Conference Standard stadium for the Blues with the Barton Stadium being used for housing. Although it is early days it has given the club and its supporters a great deal of optimism.

The summer break saw Ian Street decide to take a post closer to home and he accepted the job of Manager at Ashton Athletic. The Manager’s position was advertised and although there were many creditable applicants the board had no hesitation in appointing former Flixton Manager Lloyd Morrison with Kevin Bircumshaw remaining as his Assistant.

The 2012-2013 season was one of the most successful for years with the club finishing 5 th in the league and defeating Northwich Victoria in the final of the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup. However, with everything in place for a serious assault on the league title and over £20,000 spent on improving the facilities and pitch, the club was rocked when two weeks before the start of the season Lloyd Morrison announced he was going to Mossley AFC as Joint Manager and not only that, he expected to take sixteen registered players with him. This led to an acrimonious situation between the two clubs that at the time of writing is still not yet resolved with Mossley unable to register the players and Winsford refusing to allow their dual registration.

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

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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

Supporters Club The future of West Didsbury & Chorlton is changing as the club sets to embark on a historic debut season in the NWCFL Premier Division and will compete in the FA Cup for the first time in its history. We want people who wish to join together to support West and to help the club in any way possible, big or small, and therefore have decided now is the time to form a supporters club.

Records were made last season as West registered their highest placed finish in the clubs history and were rewarded with promotion to the Premier Division. In addition they also collected the 1st Division Trophy thanks to a 1-0 victory of new rivals Abbey Hey. Our aim is to increase the number of regular followers on a match day home or away, get behind the team and have fun doing so.

The 2013/14 season is sure be memorable with visits of FC United, Runcorn Linnets, Prescot Cables and Curzon Ashton in pre-season alone as well two derbies against neighbours Maine Road. The supporters club is open to all who love non-league and wish to come down on a Saturday to a welcoming club and be part of something special.

How to join: Simply fill out the membership form in the club house with £10 pound or send £12.50 to: westdidsburychorltonsc@gmail.com via paypal What are the benefits of joining the supporters club:      

Limited edition pin badge exclusive to members Official West Didsbury & Chorlton wristband Membership card and fixture list Monthly newsletter sent direct to your email Support a volunteer led, community club and their vision of offering youth football and being a community club for Chorlton and South Manchester Plus much more throughout the season.

For more details contact Rob McKay. Pre match warm up being watched by the physios, kit manager and injured player Lee Malkin…

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

First Team fixtures Date

KO

H/A

Opposition

Score

Scorers

Sat Aug 3 Tues Aug 6 Sat Aug 10 Tues Aug 13 Sat Aug 17 Tues Aug 20 Sat Aug 24 Tues Aug 27 Sat Sept 7 Sat Sept 14 Tues Sept 17 Sat Sept 21

3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00

H A A H H A H A H A H A

1-3 0-2

Baldwin Willis

H A A H H A A A H H H A A H A H H A A H A

AFC Liverpool Alsager Town Bootle Winsford United Abbey Hey FA Cup Glossop North End Congleton Town Ashton Athletic AFC Blackpool Wigan Robin Park Stockport Sports Pennistone Church/Rossington Main – FA Vase Abbey Hey Runcorn Town Norton United Bacup & Rossendale Borough Alsager Town St Helens Town Winsford United Runcorn Linnets Glossop North End AFC Liverpool LCC 2nd Rd Ashton Athletic Colne AFC Liverpool Bootle AFC Blackpool Runcorn Town St Helens Town Abbey Hey Congleton Town Barnoldswick Town Maine Road

Tues Sept 24 Sat Sept 28 Tues 1 Oct Sat 5 Oct Tues 8 Oct Sat 12 Oct Tues 15 Oct Sat 19 Oct Tues 22 Oct Sat 26 Oct Tues 29 Oct Sat 2 Nov Wed 6 Nov Sat 9 Nov Sat 16 Nov Sat 23 Nov Sat 30 Nov Sat 7 Dec Sat 14 Dec Sat 21 Dec Thur 26 Dec

7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00

H A H H H A H H A H H A

Wigan Robin Park Bacup & Rossendale Borough Silsden Runcorn Linnets Barnoldswick Town Squires Gate Colne Squires Gate Stockport Sports Norton United Maine Road Silsden

2013

2014 Sat 4 Jan Sat 11 Jan Sat 18 Jan Sat 25 Jan Sat 1 Feb Sat 8 Feb Weds 5 Mar Sat 22 Mar Sat 12 Apr Sat 19 Apr Mon 21 Apr Sat 26 Apr

FA V = FA Vase FA C = FA Cup LCC = League Challenge Cup LCT = Lancashire Challenge Trophy

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 Tuesday 13th August 2013 – Today’s Squads West Didsbury & Chorlton FC United

Winsford United

White Shirts, Black Shorts and Socks

Royal Blue Shirts, Shorts and Shorts

Ben Simpson (GK)

Andrew Jones (GK)

Ross Booth (GK)

Davison Banda

Callum Jones

Joseph Ingham

Scott Jones

Danny Smith

Callum Schofield

Bradley Yearwood

Anthony Potts

James Rothwell

Steve Brockley

Dale Jennings

Danny Summers

Osebi Abadaki

Mark Woodcock

Andrew Crompton

Alex Baird

Lee Constantine

Gareth Thomas

Jermaine Queeley

Steve Settle Lee Malkin

Mathew Zajac

Lee Shillito

Jay Walcott

Lewis Schofield

Justice Botwe

Tommy Walsh

Matthew Herd

Tre Baldwin Willis

Joseph Clark

Mark Rogers Ian Taylor

Joshua Chisambo Manager: Andy Nelson

Manager: Eddy Haslam

Assistants: Steve Eckersley & Steve Settle

Assistant: Rob Byrne

OFFICIALS Referee: M Cunliffe

Assistants: D Jones and G Kearney

NEXT HOME GAME Saturday 17th August 2013 KO 3.00pm

WEST v Abbey Hey – FA Cup