Manager: Steve Settle Asst Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley
2015-16 SEASON
Official Programme
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NWCFL Premier Division
Abbey Hey WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Monday 14 March 2016 7.45pm
WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE CLUB CONTACTS
FOOTBALL CONTACTS
Club President Brian Cripps
Director of Football: Andy Nelson
Chairman Glyn Meacher
First Team Manager: Steve Settle Head Coach: Steve Brockley Assistant: Steve Eckersley (admin) Assistant: Rob Madden Goalkeeping: Dale Newbrook Match Secretary: Rob McKay
Club Secretary Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441 Membership Secretary Monica Creer Treasurer Dave Cooper Head of Fundraising Steve Eckersley Community Development Davy Iredale
Reserve Team Manager: Jim Hines Asst Manager: Ian Depeiaza Physio Winston Luke Paddy Murphy ‘A’ Team Manager Danny Iredale
Publicity Team Rob McKay 07706 320397 John Churchman 07720 508082
Youth Team Manager Ian Depeiaza
Programme contributors: John Churchman; Rob McKay, Rob Turley and Jonny Keen Match Photographer: Graham Currey 07768 763209
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.
To contact the club please use the club website: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Main Club Sponsor:
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Editorial & Welcome to… Abbey Hey FC This evening we welcome manager Luke Gibson and everyone from Abbey Hey who, like ourselves, are into the third consecutive season in the Premier Division since both our clubs were promoted at the end of the 2012-13 season. Abbey Hey are enjoying a successful season and have chalked up some notable results to date. They are just behind us in the table with a couple of games in hand and both Luke and Steve will impress on their squads the importance of the next couple of months for a successful end to the season. Both our clubs punch above our weight in this division and both approach the game in the right way trying to keep the ball on the ground and play attractive passing football. Tonight promises to be the latest in an intriguing series of contests in recent years starting when we joined the league in the 2012-13 season. During our first season in Division 1 honours were even in the league fixtures with West winning 2-1 here, through goals from Callum Schofield [now playing for Auckland City in New Zealand], and Mark Woodcock. Abbey Hey won their home game by the same margin despite a Lee Malkin strike, and then in the Division 1 Cup final another late Lee Malkin strike was enough to land our first silverware in the NWCFL. In 2013-14 it was the same story with each team winning their respective home league games in the Premier Division and, in our first ever FA Cup tie, goals from Tre Baldwin Willis and a thumping header from Anthony Potts saw WEST win 2-0 here at Brookburn Road early in the season. Last season we managed to win at Abbey Hey for the first time, 4-1 back in mid September, and then lost 1-0 at home when Abbey Hey came here in October 2014. This season we again won the away league fixture thanks to some clinical finishing and an incredible penalty save when the game was on a knife edge so everything is delicately poised for tonight’s contest with both clubs vying for a top 6 finish at the end of this season’s campaign. This is the last of our 3 home games in 7 days and we’re again grateful to the ground staff for their hard work in getting the pitch into good condition over the past couple of weeks. We produced two great results and home displays in the last week and last Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over an industrious Winsford United was then followed by a truly dominant second half display in Saturday’s 40 win over Bootle. Having a settled squad is paying rich dividends and some quality goals and near misses are ensuring the home fans are getting their money’s worth each game. We have the quality to continue our recent rich vein of form tonight, but Abbey Hey will have other ideas and want to get a result themselves. Whatever the outcome we trust you will enjoy tonight’s game, the refreshments on offer in the clubhouse and have a safe journey home afterwards. UPCOMING FIXTURES After tonight we have a few tough away games when we travel to each of the top 3, namely Runcorn Linnets, Atherton Collieries and Colne FC. The remaining two home league fixtures are: On Easter Monday, 28th March at 3pm we host our near neighbours and good friends from Maine Road. On Saturday 30th April at 3pm our final home game is against AFC Blackpool. We are planning incentives to ensure good attendances at both these games so keep an eye on the website for details in due course. We also await confirmation of dates for the previously postponed away games at Colne and Barnoldswick WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
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Steve Brockley’s Notes Good Evening and welcome to Brookburn Road for tonight’s fixture against Abbey Hey. Setts has given me the responsibility of writing tonight’s programme notes hence the name change! It’s a pleasure to be able to welcome their management team, players, officials, and fans for what will be a tough game at the top end of the NWCFL Premier Division. We will be looking to build on our excellent recent performances and cement our place in the league’s top 5. It was obviously very pleasing to look at the league table on Sunday evening and see us sitting in 4th position. An appropriate reward for the hard work and commitment that has gone into this season, particularly from the players! Saturdays game against Bootle was an excellent test and it was pleasing to hear their manager admit that we "won the battle". The 4-0 score line flattered them and we created enough chances to score more. The lads are working really hard both in and out of possession and the quality we have throughout the team, along with an excellent team spirit is a recipe for success.
It's easy too look at our league position and to think how are they there? People just think of our poor start or the previous league positions and assume we are over achieving. They don't spend the time to watch us play and look at the quality of players we have and realise we have a strong squad and are working hard to take the club forward to the next level. This is working as we have the players, management, the board and the fans all pulling in the same direction. My challenge to the lads is to remain at the top of the form tables and to influence the winners of the league in the 3 games we have against the top teams. I hope you enjoy today's game and the rest of the season. Thanks for your support.
We come into today's game with 11 games left to play in the league. The season does go quick especially when you are winning. I find there is a lot of jealousy in the NWCFL.
Brock
Thank you to our Match Sponsor for the Bootle game…
Pennant Following Saturday tremendous 4-0 win over Bootle, tonight’s match programme has had to be sent to print before the match report was completed. This will be included in the next programme. Our goals on Saturday were scored by Ash Woods (2) Nik Evangelinos and Lee Gavin. WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
West 2 Winsford United 0 …match report West, newly crowned as February’s NWCFL club of the month, made it four league wins in a row with a hard fought victory at home to a combative Winsford United side. Having sat out the weekends round of fixtures due to the weather West were boosted by the sides around them failure to make up significant ground and new a win would take them four points clear of Maine Road in 5th position. Manager Steve Settle was forced into just one change to his starting line up with Ben Steer replacing the absent Mark Rogers but was forced to call himself and his assistant Steve Brockley onto the bench for the second consecutive game. Winsford were looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats and it showed in the opening minutes as Hayden Buckley-Smith was called into action after eight minutes to parry away a hard shot from a narrow angle. West responded and almost took the lead when a long Ben Steer throw was headed into the hands of the grateful Winsford goalkeeper Dale Latham. The opening 20 minutes saw very few clear cut chances as both midfields battled for the upper hand; but it was Buckley-Smith in the West goal who was slightly the busier as he was called into action to make two comfortable saves after Winsford twice pulled back crosses from the by-line. However it was West who took the lead on 25 minutes when a wonderful quick passing move out of the defence found Matty Kay in the midfield. Kay lifted his pass perfectly over the full backs head into the path of Nic Evangelinos who burst into the penalty and fired an unstoppable shot passed the Winsford keeper at his near post to give Evangelinos his 14th goal of the season. The goal lifted West and they finished the half the brighter of the two teams when on 33 minutes Evangelinos jinxed his way past two Winsford defenders but could only fire his shot wide of the post. The danger signs were still there for West’s defence as two minutes later a low cross was deflected into the path of Ryan Mellor but he could only fire wide. On 36 minutes a West corner was knocked down into the path of Anthony Potts but the stand-in captain could only fire his shot over the bar. West continued their search for a second and a minute later Gary Lilley ran the length of the pitch having won the ball from a Winsford throw in but his shot could only sting the goalkeeper’s palms. West finished the half strongly; on 38 minutes another counter attack, which had started with Callum Jones winning possession back near his own corner flag, saw West race up the field with Ash Woods low cross being turned inches past the post by Kay.
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Two minutes later West were in again as Lee Gavin’s low effort rolled just wide of the post. The final chance of the half came two minutes before half time and was arguably the best as West again countered, Evangelinos played in Steer who fired over from a narrow angle. The first chance of the second half came on 50 minutes as another long Ben Steer throw found the head of Kay but he headed over. The opening minutes of the second half very much matched the opening minutes of the first half as both teams struggled to create chances. Gary Lilley went in the book for a push off the ball before Hayden BuckleySmith collected a yellow on 62 minutes when he raced out his goal to claim a throughball and caught the Winsford forward after he had shot towards goal. The effort was wide but the referee brought it back for a free kick and booked the West goalkeeper. West responded immediately and a wonderful curling pass from Lee Gavin released Ben Steer but his shot from a tight angle only troubled the netting behind the goal. The chance from the free kick lifted Winsford however and he was called upon to make a save with his shins after the ball had passed along the edge of the West penalty area. The game became increasingly open as players dived into challenges with Winsford’s Andrew Hammond entering the book for a late challenge after Lilley had sped past him. The continual allowance of such challenges would cost West as Callum Jones night was ended prematurely on 67 minutes when he cleared the ball inside the West penalty area only to be kicked heavily after the ball had gone, forcing him from the game. The referee failed to award a free kick for the challenge and it almost cost West as the corner was worked short and the ball punted into the box from deep. Buckley-Smith came to collect under his crossbar but was adjudged to have been pushed off it in the process much to the dismay of the visiting dugout who continued their protests for several minutes afterwards. Set Pieces also became West’s weapon of choice as first a header at the far post was saved spectacularly by Latham before Potts headed wide from another. West continued to enjoy the counter attack as Lilley was again scythed down from behind two footed but the referee only chose to award a free kick was Lilley was forced to unfold himself from the challenge. The game was won five minutes from time as some quick passing through the middle from sub Jonny Poizer and Gavin found Kay in front of goal, his improvised pass was hooked into the path of Scott Mason, replacing Callum Jones, who was given the time and the space to drill his shot across the goalkeeper into the bottom left hand corner to give them one of their hardest fought victories of the season.
Our last meeting here… West 0 Abbey Hey 1 - 28-10-2014
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Meeting our Match Sponsor…Dave Cooper We are very grateful to Dave for sponsoring todays’s match against Barnoldswick Town. Dave is a West man through and through; he joined West Didsbury, as it was then called, in late 1979 just after his 29th birthday. Dave got his big chance as a substitute for the second team at Christie’s playing field. Fortunately the left back was injured and Dave took his place and made it his own. Later that season, he broke into the first team. The next season, West took on a new first team manager who had played with Dave in the past and as a consequence his games for the first team were few and far between. So for most of the next ten seasons, Dave played left back for the seconds. However, players were short one weekend and the second team manager pushed Dave into midfield, on his birthday no less, and he scored two magnificent goals. The second team manager was a certain R.Turley and apparently he doesn’t like people outscoring him so Dave was back to left back the next game. Dave won second team player of the year award. It was presented to him by a new Manchester Utd manager; A. Ferguson. One of the highlights of Dave’s career was winning the Clubman of the year and having it presented by Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford. Dave left the club in 1999 after it had relocated and established itself at Brookburn Road but after a few years watching Burnley, decided to return to the now called ‘West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC’ and help out on committee. However, Dave would like to thank all the friends he has made at West for all the enjoyable times he has had with them mainly on Saturday afternoon.
After today’s game we have 2 home games and 7 away games to the end of the season. Get your scarves ready to have a black and white wave behind Steve and the boys at… Runcorn (x2), Silsden, Blackpool, Atherton, Barnoldswick, Congleton and Colne.
Tel: 0161 428 5101 Unit 2, Ashurst Drive, Lawnhurst Trading Estate, Bird Hall Lane, Cheadle SK3 0SD www.printonuk.co.uk www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Tickets on-sale for Non-League Finals Day FA Vase and Trophy Finals to be played on the same day for the first time Under-16s tickets for just £1 The FA Non-League Finals Day will be supporting Sport Relief Festival of football which will showcase the best elements of the grassroots game BT Sport to broadcast both games Tickets to the first ever Non-League Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 22 May are on sale now - with child tickets available from just £1.
The Wembley showpiece will host both The FA Vase and FA Trophy, with tickets priced at £25 for adults, £10 for concessions and just £1 for children under-16s. There is also a group rate, perfect for schools and clubs, of £12.50 for adults, £5 for concessions and £1 for children. Tickets are available from TheFA.com/tickets or call 0844 826 2010.
Facility Improvement, Club Development, League Development, Respect, County Associations, Technology and Volunteer Recruitment.
The day will provide an opportunity to showcase the world-leading English nonleague system, recognise the 500 teams to have taken part in this season’s Vase and 276 in the Trophy, and celebrate the grassroots game, through activities and fan engagement during the day.
This year, The FA Non-League Finals Day will also be working closely with Sport Relief as charity partner for the day. For each booking (not ticket), the option will be given to donate £2.50 to Sport Relief.
Fans will be allowed to pass in and out of the stadium to see exhibitions, information and examples of The FA’s work in the wider game including, FA Education, Refereeing, Women’s Super League and grassroots women and girl’s football, Skills, Disability and Walking Football,
BT Sport will broadcast both fixtures with the FA Vase kicking off at 12.15pm and the FA Trophy at 4.15pm.
Last March in The FA Trophy, in front of the BT cameras, North Ferriby United triumphed 5-4 on penalties against Wrexham, following a dramatic 3-3 draw. It was the Villagers’ first ever triumph in the competition in their history. Then in May Glossop North End and North Shields battled out The FA Vase in front of over 10,000 fans, with the side from the northeast being victorious 2-1 after extra time.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
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Then I missed two penalties at Brookburn Road… As much as anything, the fact that I no longer dream about playing football at the highest level probably shows how I’m getting old. Not daydreaming about how I could probably do a job for a Championship team (ridiculously, that still happens), but actually, properly dreaming. The last one I remember was a particularly great example of my subconsciouses’ oeuvre - turning out for Manchester United, scoring two own goals before whipping off my top to reveal a Leeds shirt underneath to ovation from the away end. I presumed these dreams would last throughout my adult life, little fragments of joy to cherish in amongst the usual nonsensical stuff that floats through your mind most nights. Then I missed two penalties at Brookburn Road. Maybe there’s no correlation between the missed and my football dreams going AWOL. Like most men slowly marching towards middle aged, I’ve had my fair share of embarrassment on the football pitch - my own mental highlight reel of own goals & gaffs puts anything Danny Baker ever narrated to shame. For example, my first (and only) appearance for our school team ended with us getting beaten 7-0 by our local rivals. However, the match was most remembered by friend and foe alike for me, alone just outside our penalty area, attempting to diving header a free ball off the ground. Worse than that, I missed - ending with a face full of mud and our keeper having to calmly come out to loft the ball up field, opposition players nowhere in sight. But I’ve missed two penalties at Brookburn Road. In my defence, the penalty misses were put upon me out of the blue. The Valentine’s Day home game against Bootle, sponsored by celebrity West fans and indie royalty Dutch Uncles to launch their album O Shudder, was to feature a band vs fans shootout at half time. Gearing up to enjoy laughing at whichever saps they’d chosen to go up against, I’d already downed my second Kromsy when I was asked if I fancied a go. Filled with the spirit of Southgate ‘96, I couldn’t let my fellow ultras down by turning down the call. And then I missed two penalties at Brookburn Road. As painful as it may be, I’ll try to break them down one by one. I should’ve known that it was a bad
idea when I took my first step upon the hallowed turf - or hallowed mud bath, as it was that day. Not to excuse my performance, but bomber jackets, skinny jeans and Dr Martens shoes weren’t made for sports at the best of times, and I admit to being spooked when I saw some of the opposition wearing football boots worth more than my entire outfit. I can’t remember if I stepped up first or second - the intoxicating mixture of adrenaline in my blood and two lagers in my stomach blocked that out - but I do remember the run up. Grass giving way beneath my feet, my thoughts weren’t focused on putting the ball past the keeper, but on staying upright. I’d missed a penalty at Brookburn Road. Fellow fans behind the goal said that they could see in my body language I was never going to score, but laughed regardless when their predictions came true. Sliced wide, I hadn’t even made their keeper work - in fact, he didn’t even bother to move, the miss pre-ordained from the moment I started my run-up. My teammates offered some consolation, but wouldn’t look me in the eye. They knew as well as I did that I’d fucked up. Yet, as the shootout tied and the we needed a taker to go again in sudden death, I put myself forward for a second round of humiliation. Despite the fact we all knew what was about to happen, no-one stopped me. And, of course, I missed a second penalty at Brookburn Road. Sliced in the same precise way that the first was (to the left of the goal, metres wide and with so little pace as it could aptly be described as trundling), I’ve chosen to see the twin misses as a blessing. Few people can really pinpoint the moment in which their childhood fantasies were killed off. West lost the game 3-0, I drank some more Krombacher and went back home, changed forever. 3.56pm, 14th February 2015 - the moment the dreaming stopped for good. Matt Britton
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers
Next visitors to Brookburn Road
Maine Road Monday 28th March, 3.00pm AFC Blackpool Saturday 30th April, 3.00pm
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First Team Stats fixtures - results – appearances – goalscorer
This Months 200
Club winners…
£100 winner: J Harkiss £60 winner: S Helliwell £40 winner: T Cooksey
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
History of Abbey Hey Early Years During the formative years and during the two World Wars the Club was disbanded and reformed on a number of occasions. The Club played in a number of leagues with some success during the intervening years but the Club really came into its own in the 1960s after it took in the players of the Admiralty Gunnery Engineering Department which had for years been based on Ashton Old Road in Openshaw and was at this time closing down. Alf Gentry was at this time was manager of Abbey but decided that with the influx of the new players he would step down in favour of the manager of AGED. Danny Danson who went on to have great success with the team. Alf who had been for years the prime mover of the Club stayed on in a senior position within the Club for many years to share in the success that the Club would have in coming years. The new players and manager made up the backbone the club during the 1960s with some of the players staying on for years after their playing careers had ended, notably Allan Vaughan who occupied the positions of treasurer, and secretary as well as running the Vets team for many years. Ken Brown also stayed on as manager after Danny retired with some great years winning numerous honours culminating in 1978 the Club decided to apply to apply for a position in the Manchester League. The application was successful and the following year the Club began playing in 2nd. Division of The Manchester League which they went on to achieve promotion in their first season. Reaching this position meant that the Club had to find an enclosed ground suitable for playing their home games. The nearest ground available at this time was in fact miles away in Chorlton on St. Werburghs Road. The ground was owned by a car dealership and was being used by a local school. It was agreed that if we carried out some work on the dressing rooms such as installing showers etc we could rent the ground. This we did which was to be the start of our many successful years in this League winning the Premiership title five time as well as coming runners up on numerous occasions together with winning many cups. After two years Lookers reneged on the deal and the club was once again compelled to move this time to a ground much nearer home named after a prominent Council luminary Godfrey Erman who donated the Ground to the local populous of Abbey Hey in perpetuity for their use as a recreational area. The next eighteen years were fairly successful with the Club winning the Gilgryst cup under manager Jim Whittaker and the League title and the Gilgryst cup under Dave Denby.
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After many years on Godfrey's Abbey were told that as from the start of the new season they would not be playing on the ground, this was despite the large amounts of money and hard work they had expended on drainage as well as the fact that when they had taken over the derelict ground they had been assured that as long as Abbey Hey had a football team this would be their ground.(so much for a Gentleman’s word). This decision was based mainly on greed as the Club was never asked if they wanted to pay more rent nor were they ever involved in any discussion whatsoever about the future of the ground. what had happened was that a very large local Company had come in and offered £10,000 to use the ground which the people who looked after the ground on behalf of the local residents jumped at. Once again the Club was forced to move or fold. By the way the ground was never used for serious Football from that date to this and now lies there empty and once again derelict. A new home at the old English Steel ground was arranged on a season to season basis with the owners who were at this time Clayton Analine. After only two years the ground was sold to a large local builder who required the land to build houses on. However during the two years the Club had been on the ground they were also in negotiations with Crossley Motors Ltd to buy a disused ground they owned in Goredale Avenue, Gorton. This ground was not in very good order and was becoming a bit of an eyesore with all the fences falling down and people using it for fly tipping in fact a contractor working for the Council had tipped a thousand Tons of hardcore onto the car park so preventing any one getting into the ground never mind parking on it. Matters had reached an impasse between the Club and Crossleys when Manchester City Council stepped in (no doubt fed up with the mess that the place was getting into) and told Crossley's that if they did not reach an agreement with the people that they were dealing with (which was AHAFC) the ground would be the subject of a compulsory purchase order. This seemed to tip the scales in favour of the Club who were asked to make an offer for the ground which they did and which was promptly accepted. Legal representation and a bank loan were quickly arranged and at last the Club had their own home, one of the very few clubs in the Manchester area to own their own ground. Jim Clark was to join the Club during these turbulent times as manager of the first team a position he was to occupy for the next eighteen years with fantastic success. Jim managed to win the Manchester League Premier League Championships Five times as well as numerous cups and honours for the Club.
Abbey Hey history continued
Over the next twenty years the bank loan was paid off and the ground was improved beyond all recognition this included having the previously mentioned fly tipped hardcore from the ground. These improvements to the ground could have only have been achieved by the very hard work and dedication of the committee who not only raised the money to carry out the improvements but also got their hands dirty and carried out ninety per cent of the actual physical works themselves. In 1997 the Club applied for membership of the North West Counties League which after a ground grading visit by the League Officials the Club was accepted to their second division. In the Clubs first season Jim Clark managed to clinch the runners up spot after a fantastic finishing day of the season when the Club had to win to earn promotion. This they did and were promoted to the first Division at their very first go. Promotion meant that the Club had to install floodlights to the ground and the Club true to form had them designed, ordered, erected and wired within a couple of months with all the forgoing work being carried out in house. The biggest job during the ground improvements was the building of the new clubhouse and dressing rooms which were required as the old ones were constantly being damaged by the local vandals a curse that still continues to this present date. Planning permission was obtained and the work was started once again the vast majority of it being carried out by our own club members. To finance this project low interest loans were taken out from the FA the remainder of the money being earned by the Club members through fund raising schemes etc. It is only recently that the job is at last nearing completion with a finish date of Christmas 2007. In 2004 Ten members of the committee were awarded long service awards for their 25 Years in the service of Grass Roots Football by Manchester County FA In 2009/10 Abbey Hey was half way through the season with only 4 points to their name and in the basement position in the league after 25 games. However, following the appointments of Barrie Walker as Manager and Andrew Harris as Assistant Manager in November 2009, Abbey Hey made several new signings with the likes of Jon-Paul Lewis, Gareth Wager, Daniel Cocks, John Hardy, Darren Evans, Lee Knowles and Nathan Finnigan joining the club. This signalled a turn in fortune for the club as they picked up 30 points in the 2nd half of the season however it wasn't enough and they were relegated from the North West Counties Premier Division The form in the second of the
season saw Abbey Hey going all the way to the final of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup beating the likes of Ashton Athletic FC and Bootle FC along the way. Abbey Hey beat Winsford Utd 3-0 in the final and lifted the trophy. Walker and Harris made the decision to blood young local talent, realising that this would serve the club well in the future but that it would take time to reap its rewards. Abbey made a slow start to life in the NWCFL First Division 2010/2011 and departed all cup competitions at the initial stages. However, October signalled a change in fortunes and wins at Atherton Collieries, Daisy Hill and Wigan Robin Park pointed to a brighter 2011. The introduction of quality players such as Antal Tompos, Luke Gibson and Martin Pilkington started to pay dividends though the results did not always reflect this. Unfortunately, the team's home form was to be their downfall as far as progressing up the league table although the team were usually beaten only by the odd goal. For the 2011/12 season, Walker's youth policy started to pay quick dividends as the team has made an excellent start to the league season, remaining in the top four of Division One from day one. Though a run of poor results saw them exit the NWCFL Challenge Cup, FA Vase and 1st Division Trophy they did take the notable scalp of Evo Stik North team Radcliffe Borough in the first round of the Manchester Cup. The season really stepped up a gear as they moved into 2012 with Abbey at one point pushing Wigan Robin Park and Norton United for one of the two promotion places. Though they were to ultimately finish in 3rd place, the season had been an undoubted success as Walker had built a promotion challenging team in just 2 seasons. The 2012/13 campaign started better than anyone at the club could have imagined as the team went unbeaten in the league for the first 3 months. Although unsuccessful in the FA vase, they would eventually reach the latter stages of the FA Cup qualifiers and a plum tie at FC Halifax via fantastic wins at St Helens Town and Sheffield. Rarely stepping out of the top two in Division One, Abbey continued to rack up league wins whilst also moving thru the Challenge Cup, Div One Trophy and Manchester Premier Cup rounds. The first team success was also matched by the newly introduced youth team set up. Both Under 17s and 18s topped their respective Youth Alliance Divisions during the year and impressed many with their style of play and application. As the months progressed a few of the older youth players started to appear in the first team, boding well for the future. Come April and a win at Northwich Villa eventually sealed promotion back into the top flight of the NWCFL ladder.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
Join the action‌and support your local team
There will be a number of ways to get involved as a volunteer and support us both on and off the pitch as we strive to see West’s development programme continue. If you or your company can help financially packages include:
Match Day Sponsorship - Programme Advertising - Pitch boards Match Ball Sponsors - Sponsoring a Seat - Sponsoring a shirt
For any information please talk to anyone on the committee. Details are inside the front cover or ask behind the bar to be pointed in the right direction.
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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
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
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NWCFL League Tables after games on Saturday 12th March
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
First Team Appearances and League attendance
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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Premier Division Results this season
NWCFL Premier Division – Midweek games w/c 13th March Monday
Atherton Collieries v Runcorn Linnets WEST v Abbey Hey Tuesday 1874 Northwich v Cammell Laird 1907 AFC Blackpool v Padiham Ashton Athletic v Runcorn Town Barnoldswick Town v Sildsden Nelson v Colne Wednesday AFC Darwen v Congleton Town
www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
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.
WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC
NWCFL Premier Division
Monday 14 March 2016 West Didsbury & Chorlton
Abbey Hey
White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks
Blue Shirts, White Shorts & Blue Socks
Hayden Buckley-Smith (G) Paul Hughes (G) Sam Dee Callum Jones Scott Mason Mark Rodgers © Anthony Potts Lewis Schofield Richmond Botchey Gary Lilley Jordan Poole Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Matt Eckersley Nic Evangelinos Ashley Woods Joe Shaw Ben Steer Adam Hilton Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley
Jon McILwaine Darren Talbot James Moss Desmond Flanaghan © Andrew Smith Sam Freakes Justin Pickering Kane Hickman Sam Hind Bradley Robinson Jonathan Hardy Christopher Hallows Michael Itela George Noon Curtis Jones Callam Gardner Ashford Blake Samuel Hare Liam Murray
Manager: Luke Gibson Assistant: Andrew Harris
OFFICIALS Referee: Alex Kirkley | Assistant Referees: Christopher Bega & Jordan Bulmer www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk
Ass March v Maine Road – 3.00pm NEXT HOME FIXTURE: Easter Monday, 28th