West didsbury & chorlton v nelson

2015-16 SEASON

Official Programme

£ 2.00

NWCFL Premier Division

NELSON Tuesday 20 October 2015 WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC 3.00pm

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 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:

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Editorial & Welcome to…

NELSON

Tonight we end our mini series of midweek Tuesday evening home games by welcoming Mark Fell and everyone from Nelson to The Recreation Ground for this season’s return league fixture. Our away trip to Little Wembley was back in late August when some key decisions went against us resulting in a rather harsh 4-2 final score in Nelson’s favour. Nelson are enjoying their second season back in the Premier Division following their success as 1 st Division champions in 201314 and sit a few points above us in 9th place going into tonight’s game.

Last week they had mixed fortunes starting with a 3-1 home victory over AFC Blackpool only to slip up away at Silsden last Friday night when they went down 1-0 to a last minute header from a corner.

They will also have happy memories of their visit here last season when the ran out 5-2 winners scoring 3 second half goals to break West hearts when a very even game looked to be heading for a 2-2 draw.

We trust everyone from Nelson enjoys tonight’s game and has a safe journey back home afterwards.

ANOTHER AMAZING WEEK Last Tuesday evening as the shutters came down on the clubhouse window around 10.15pm, a small band of match officials were finishing their post match supper having been locked away with an assessor for an eternity following the game. This was probably not surprising given the 3 penalty decisions awarded against us, not to mention the one we weren’t given, and a short polite discussion followed including reference to the various mistakes made by players and match officials alike. This was when the match referee informed us that he only made one mistake in allowing the third Cammell Laird penalty to be taken when the dismissed West player was still on the pitch. That was an interesting take on the night’s proceedings to put it politely, but the end result of losing 3-2 when we were 2-1 up with an extra man with 10 minutes left was a really bitter pill to swallow.

The game and another 3 points looked to be in the bag when a rash of poor decision making by players and match officials alike saw things completely unravel and we suffered a ‘smash and grab raid’ to quote the Lairds keeper which really hurt. The question as we headed to Blackpool to take on Squires Gate was how the team would respond to contain a resurgent ‘Gate’ who had just thumped Silsden 3-1?

The answer was another emphatic away win and a 4-0 score which barely reflected the gulf between the two sides. This was West at their best, getting the ball down and playing sharp fast one touch football which bisected the Squires Gate defence time after time and the only surprise at half time was that it was only 2-0. The second half was a bit more even for half an hour but then West pushed on in the closing stages to add another 2 goals and lave the home side shell shocked. Both this performance and the previous weekend at Abbey Hey have showed just what this team is capable of when we keep our concentration, discipline and self control particularly when sometimes you don’t get what your play deserves.

The home fans at Abbey Hey and Squires Gate were very complimentary of the quality of our performance and, with home games tonight and again next Saturday against Eccleshall in the MEN United League Challenge Cup competition, we have the chance to put some more points on the board and keep our season alive in the first of 3 upcoming cup competitions, with the FA Vase and Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy to follow shortly.

AND FINALLY We want everyone to enjoy the game, your experience of our club and the clubhouse refreshments so if you have any suggestions on how we might improve things please speak to any of our helpers.

Please also drive slowly as you leave the ground and on the nearby residential roads and have a safe return journey home.

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Steve Settle’s Notes Good evening and welcome to Brookburn Road for this evenings NWCFL fixture against Nelson. We hope that their officials, players and fans enjoy our hospitality and, after today of course, we wish them well for the rest of the season.

Tonight’s game gives us the opportunity to extend our run of good form having won 4 of the last 5 games. And whilst writing this represents a much more positive picture than earlier in the season there is some regret that we haven’t won all 5. Last Tuesday’s game represented the latest lesson that individually and collectively we need to learn from. Irrelevant of the disappointment of conceding 3 penalties and the perceived injustice of the situation, I feel had we have kept our composure, we would have still gone on to win the game.

As it happened having a man sent off gave Cammell the impetus and they took the 3 points. Let’s hope that we can show during the remainder of the season that we can learn from these situations.

On Saturday we faced a trip to Squires Gate. On the face of things it would have been a game we would have been targeting to win but when a club gets a new manager and results improve teams become a bit of an unknown quantity. As it happened we were terrific in the 1st half!

We really should have been 5-0 up at half time and ‘Gate could not have complained had we taken them to the cleaners, such was our dominance.

As it was we were reliant on two great finishes from Ben Steer for a half-time lead. Ben’s second goal was a real collector’s item, lobbing the ‘keeper from

30 yards on the run! In the 2nd half we didn’t really get out of second gear and still managed to score another brace to add some gloss. It was pleasing to get our first clean sheet of the season! Credit has to go to Hayden and the defenders. After saving 2 penalties in a week it’s nothing short of what he deserved.

Nelson are currently in 9th position 4 points ahead of ourselves and tonight gives us the opportunity to close that gap on the top 10. I’m looking for the boys to continue to show improvements as we look to make progress up the league. We have some brilliant fixtures to look forward to in the coming weeks and if we can continue to progress, then there is no reason why we can’t achieve something special.

Enjoy the game and thanks for the support!

Setts

First Team October Fixtures…

On Saturday 24th October, we are at home again, in the MEN United Challenge Cup against Eccleshall. We end October with the home game against Morpeth Town from the Northern League in the next round of the FA Vase, on Saturday 31st October kick off 3pm.

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West 2 Cammell Laird 3 ‌match report The first ever meeting between West and Cammell Laird 1907 was overshadowed by three penalties, two red cards and truly horrific foul on Yahya Saeed.

West lined up with two changes from the weekend as Dan Russell and Jordan Poole replaced the injured Richmond Botchey and the absent Mark Rogers with Yahya reprising his impromptu role from the weekend at left back.

West started the brighter of the two teams and should have been ahead on 4 minutes when Anthony Potts headed over un-marked from a West corner. A minute later a Matty Kay free kick bounced wide of the post as West announced their early attacking intention.

West were the better of the two sides in the opening 20 minutes but lacked the fluidity that had seen them defeat Abbey Hey at the weekend and they fell behind on 21 minutes when Cammell Laird were awarded a penalty as a low shot struck the hand of Callum Jones. Despite both Callum's hands being by his side the referee deemed it a deliberate handball and pointed to the spot. The penalty was dispatched down the middle by Jamie Henders as West sort to regroup.

7 minutes later Cammell Laird were awarded their second penalty as a shot struck the hands of Matt Eckersley, despite him trying to move away from the path of the ball that was struck a yard in front of him, the referee again deemed it a deliberate handball and pointed to the spot.

Having already saved on at the weekend diving high to his left, Hayden Buckley-Smith added his second spot kick save of the week diving high to his right and palming the shot away. Justice done on this occasion.

On 32 minutes Cammell Laird were reduced to 10 men as Ferrigan was dismissed for a vile two footed lunch on Yahya, the teenager had done brilliantly to reach a through pass down the left but the Laird's central defender dived in maliciously, two footed and with intent with his left leg making contact around Yahya's kneecap and only the West teenager’s quick action which prevented him from being on the end of the full force of the challenge otherwise which the injury would have been severely worse. The referee had no choice but to show a red card for the sickening challenge and sadly, on his home debut in front of his family, Yahya was unable to take further part in the match with Steve Brockley replacing him.

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From the resulting free kick, at the very edge of the penalty area, Matty Kay's shot was tipped round the post by the Lairds goalkeeper and from the corner Ash Woods headed just wide but half time came too quickly for West and they were behind at the break.

Two minutes after the restart West were level as a brilliant cross from the right by Callum Jones was knocked down by Russell and Woods drilled his shot into the roof of the net; his tenth of the season. As for much of the game it continued to be all West and Nic Evangelinos might have made it 2-1 a minute later when a brilliant pass played him in but was denied by a late block.

West would have two penalty shouts of their own turned away as Evangelinos was clipped in the box before the Lairds goalkeeper Langley tried to wrestle Callum Jones to the ground which wasn't deemed to be a foul despite the linesman admitting afterwards the goalkeeper got nothing of the ball. On 59 minutes West lead through Matty Kay as a brilliant and deceiving cross by Woods was played into the corridor of uncertainty, the goalkeeper could only push it away and Kay was on hand to power home the rebound into the bottom right hand corner.

West continued to press for a third and went close again as another Kay free kick was deflected wide before Lee Gavin's shot from the edge of the area was deflected wide from the resulting corner. West continued to create and Laird had Langley in their goal to thank as he twice denied Kay and Woods making two world class saves to tip the ball away to prevent certain goals.

West continued to press but the game swung again with another controversial moment as Cammell Laird were awarded another penalty, this time for a debatable trip by Potts. After some delay the referee sent off Jordan Poole for dissent. Henders scored from the penalty but the referee had allowed the kick to be taken before Poole could leave the field. Despite protests from the West players the referee allowed the kick to stand.

Down to 10 West lost their shape as they looked to press for a winner but it was Cammell Laird who did in the 90th minute as a long ball down the field found Jamie Holt and he managed to cut inside and finish in the top corner to give Cammell Laird the three points with their only shot of the game from open play. West were left to rue missed chances and ill-discipline at key times that cost them a vital three points in a game in which they dominated.

West v Cammell Laird …match action

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Squires Gate 0 West 4 ‌match report It was a day on the coast to remember for Ben Steer as he bagged a brace to secure West's first ever win at the Royal British Legion Stadium.

West travelled to Blackpool with several changes from the side that lost at home to Cammell Laird in the week as Jamie Wolden, Sam Mitten, Jordan Poole and Gary Lilley were all given game time with the reserves. West manager Steve Settle was able to recall Richmond Botchey back from injury and into the starting line up in place of injured Yaya Saeed whilst he reshuffled the front four handing Ben Steer a start on the right wing with Nic Evangelinos moving to the left. Captain Mark Rogers replaced Poole in midfield whilst there were places in the squad for Scott Mason and Lewis Schofield.

If the manager was looking to ensure that the shake up would remove any hangover from Tuesday's game it had an immediate impact as West created the games first chance inside 60 seconds when Matty Kay fired just over the bar from 30 yards. It was a signal of intent for West who created another chance from the resulting goal kick, as the header won in midfield was played out left to Evangelinos who cut in from the left and fired his right footed shot just wide of the post.

West's dominance didn't relent throughout the entirety of the first half and should have made it 1-0 on 7 minutes when Woods burst down the right, raced into the box but with two men waiting in the middle he forced the Squires Gate keeper Fletcher into a block at his near post. Woods went close again on 10 minutes when Evangelinos and Lee Gavin combined in the final third to play in Woods but his goal bound shot was deflected wide for a corner. West would go close again with three more chances but failed to force the goalkeeper into a save.

On 18 minutes the Squires Gate goalkeeper was forced into another good save, this time from Gavin as he was played in with a wonderful lay off from Kay after an Evangelinos run when he cut inside again from the left. From the corner West threatened again as Matt Eckersley headed a difficult chance over.

After the initial onslaught Squires Gate brought themselves into the game and worked Hayden Buckley-Smith when a well worked free kick found Mark Buchan at the edge of the penalty are but the West goalkeeper saved comfortably.

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The respite for Squires Gate was brief as on 33 minutes West had a great chance cleared off the line from a Mark Rogers first time shot after a Woods pull back. Two minutes later Evangelinos, again cut inside from the left and fired a rising shot to the near post from the edge of the penalty area which the Squires Gate goalkeeper could only tip round the post.

From the corner, it was initially cleared but it fell back to the taker Matty Kay, he made no mistake with the cross, curling a wonderful ball into the middle and Ben Steer added the touch as the ball crept inside the far post to give West a deserved one-nil lead on 36 minutes.

West almost doubled their lead from the kick off as West won the ball back, it found Evangelinos again on the left, who again cut inside, he played a deft one-two with Kay but he curled his shot over the bar. On 40 minutes it should have been 2-0 as Gavin was released one-on-one with the keeper who slipped racing out of his goal however it seemed to be enough as Gavin, in front of an empty net and the keeper on the floor, missed the target altogether shooting from the edge of the penalty area.

Luckily for West it didn't cost them as on the verge of half time a ball was played over the right full back to Steer, 30 yards out he saw the goalkeeper off his line and brilliantly lobbed him with a first time effort to give West a deserved 2-0 half time lead and for Steer, a real collectors item of a goal.

As West kicked off the second half the travelling support may have been forgiven for expecting an avalanche of goals but it was not the case as, to their credit, Squires Gate responded and had the half's first chance as a 30 yard over the shoulder volley was deflected wide for a corner. On 51 minutes Steer, in search of a hat-trick, volleyed just over from 20 yards out after a great first touch had lifted the ball over his markers head.

The two teams exchanged chances with Woods again forcing a good save from the home team goalkeeper after he cut inside from the left. On the hour mark Steer thought he might have had his hat-trick as his near post header from a corner landed on top of the crossbar, bounced, landed on the cross bar again and bounced away.

On 63 minutes Steer and Woods combined in the final third with some quick passing, they played in Kay who shot just over the bar.

Squires Gate Report continued A minute later West had another great chance as Woods did brilliantly down the right hand side, his low cross along the six yard box found Evangelinos in the middle but his flick flew inches past the far post. Squires Gate didn't give up and had their best chance on 71 minutes when a corner was headed just over at the far post.

However there would be no comeback for Squires Gate and Evangelinos secured the three points on 82 minutes when he cut inside from the

right hand side and fired a rocket of a shot into the bottom right hand corner and beating the keeper clipping the inside of the post on the way in. West weren't finished and added a fourth in the final minute was Mark Rogers broke past two, played a lovely one-two with Woods who pass released him into the box and Rogers casually finished with his left foot past the Squires Gate keeper to give him his first goal of the season.

It was an important win for West after their midweek defeat, it was a first clean sheet of the season and their fourth win in the last five that lifted Steve Settle's side to 13th place.

Squires Gate v West ‌match action

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Looking back our new feature on Football History No 11 We all know about the exploits of the giants that are Manchester United and Manchester City.

Across the country, and even the world, iconic places and people like Old Trafford, Maine Road, Bert Trautman and George Best are regularly spoken of with fondness and reverence.

But Manchester has seen a great many more interesting pieces of footballing history. Here, we explore some of the lesser known aspects of Manchester's rich tapestry of football history.

Droylsden Tea Ladies It may not be widely known, but in the year 2001, Manchester club Droylsden entered the record books when they became the first men's team in Britain to appoint a female manager.

The appointment, however, was only temporary and came about when the Bloods' chairman/manager Dave Pace, a man known for such mad plots as asking his pet dog for team selection advice, became incensed with the Manchester FA and the overly stringent rules of their Manchester Premier Cup. Declaring the competition a farce, Pace announced that during this competition's fixtures, he would take shelter in the Butcher's Arms' snack bar, serving refreshments to the Droylsden faithful. But what would become of the loyal old lady who normally volunteered in the snack bar? Why, she would be appointed first team manager of course!

Known only to the wider public as Stella, the new Droylsden supremo was rumoured to turn up on the touchline in her apron (and, as I like to imagine, with a rolling pin clenched firmly in hand) to berate the players for "not trying hard enough". Her reign of terror thankfully came to a swift end though, when her terrified charges were crushed 4-0 by Ashton United during her first game in charge. Perhaps the Droylsden players lost on purpose just to get out from under her thumb?

Although Stella's iron-fisted regime was short lived, Droylsden became something of a feminist icon having had the first female football manager in UK history.

Perhaps they will continue to make social headway by appointing Dave Pace's tactically minded hound as manager for their FA Trophy games? In fact, I propose that we adopt a similar approach here at West by appointing one of our most loyal spectators Maisie the dog as our new supremo. Perhaps I'm getting carried away!

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First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Next up at Brookburn Road…

MEN United Cup Eccleshall Saturday, 24 October, 3.00pm FA VASE Morpeth Town Saturday 31st October, 3.00pm Lancs Trophy Atherton Collieries Tuesday, 11th November 7.45pm

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First Team Stats fixtures - results – appearances – goalscorer

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: S Madden £60 winner: D Cooper returned to club £40 winner: S Depeiaza

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Visiting Brookburn Road tonight … Nelson Think of a club that was the first English side to beat Real Madrid away from home. A side that also won away at Old Trafford in the same season. A side that has obtained positive results against six current Barclays Premiership clubs in league games (Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Hull City, Fulham, Southampton and Stoke City). A side that played in the Football League for ten seasons and has played competitive games against 34 current sides in the top four divisions.

A side that has played many FA Cup ties in the competition proper with a record home attendance of over 14,000. All this, and more, has been achieved by ‘The History Boys’ of Nelson FC, also known as ‘The Admirals’.

The origins of Nelson FC can be reputedly traced to a group of townspeople who in 1881, on witnessing a local football match between Burnley and Blackburn, were inspired to form their own team. However, it wasn’t until 1889-90 that they competed in a senior competition, joining the Lancashire League upon its formation.

The Blues started well, with a series of top six finishes, and claimed the title in great style in 1895/96, winning 22 of their 30 games and scoring 105 goals. However in 1898-99 the original club was disbanded.

Just a few months after their demise, Nelson were reformed and accepted into the North East Lancashire League, later joining the Central League. When football resumed after the First World War, Nelson embarked upon the most remarkable adventure of their history. In 1921 the thirteen non-reserve teams of the Central League were voted into the Football League`s newly formed Third Division North. The first league match, on August 27th 1921, brought a record attendance at Seedhill of 9,000.

The next season, 1922-23, saw the Blues lead a close race for much of the season, and five wins in a row during April saw them romp away to the title. One team was promoted from each of the Third Division North and South of the Football League at that time, and it meant Nelson were entering a nationwide league for the very first time.

On the back of their title triumph, and in preparation for life in Division Two, Nelson took the remarkable step of an overseas tour to Spain,

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in May 1923. They performed with some success, winning two of their four games - a 2-1 success against Real Oviedo and a 4-2 victory at Real Madrid.

Unfortunately Nelson`s time in Division Two was to be short-lived, lasting just the one season in which they finished second-bottom of the table. It was clear early on that they were struggling both on and off the pitch, but they achieved some remarkable feats on the way. They had a home victory over champions-elect Leeds United, one of only nine league defeats for the Yorkshire side.

And their first away victory came at Manchester United. Few non-league clubs can claim to have won away at both Real Madrid and Manchester United!

A return to Division Three North brought a drop in attendances, though big games saw new records established, such as 13,500 for the visit of tabletopping Darlington. That first season back in the third tier of the Football League saw a secondplace finish to the North-Eastern side, hence no promotion, and was to be the last time the Blues seriously threatened a return to the national stage.

The next season brought a new and never beaten record attendance at Seedhill of 14,143 for the visit of leaders Bradford Park Avenue. The home team went two goals down but came back to draw 2-2. Two seasons later Nelson became serious strugglers, finding themselves £6,500 in debt. A rock-bottom finish meant a re-election application. They had conceded 136 goals during the season, and all the problems seemed to be down to insufficient gate receipts during difficult times for the area. Re-election was granted in 1928, but three seasons later Nelson were back in the same situation, and 1930-31 was to be their final season as a League club. Nelson struggled on in the Lancashire Combination without winning any honours, and things became much bleaker in 1936. A big loss was incurred that season and the club disbanded on 7th August.

Following the war, Nelson returned to action and to the Lancashire Combination. They were involved in some terrific tussles for the title with Wigan Athletic over the next few seasons, winning it twice in 1949/50 and 1951/52. In those three seasons of 42 league games apiece, Nelson scored 125, 120 and 139 goals respectively. The first title season also saw Nelson clinch the Lancashire Combination Cup to seal an historic Double in what was at the time one of the premier leagues in the country outside of the Football League.

Nelson History continued The men at the forefront of this period of success were two young player-managers. Centre-half Bob Johnson moved from Burnley for the start of the 1949/50 season and, when his contract expired, the Blues landed a young man from Manchester City, 30-year-old Joe Fagan. The team built by ‘Uncle Joe’ romped to the title in his first season in 1951/52. Joe left to join Liverpool`s boot room team in 1958 and 25 years later he was the manager who took the Reds to a European Cup, League Championship and League Cup treble.

As Fagan was beginning his long association with the Merseysiders, Nelson’s fortunes were to move, quite markedly, in the opposite direction. A third Combination Cup arrived in 1959/60, but a second place finish in 1960/61 was to be the nearest they came to winning the Combination title again. A third place was collected in the final season of that League in 1981/82 - which by this time had lost much of its former quality and status - before the restructuring of the non-league pyramid.

Nelson joined the Third Division of the newly created North West Counties League - an amalgamation of the Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County League - in 1982. During that era, Nelson also moved out of their old Seedhill ground, and it was sadly demolished to make way for the M65 motorway, although subsequently the route was tweaked and most of the original site is still intact, minus of course the stands and buildings. The club were transferred into the Second Division of the North West Counties League when the Third Division was dropped six seasons later.

However, after one more season, the club`s new ground was deemed not to be up to league standard, and the team were forced to play in the Second Division of the West Lancashire League for four seasons. It was a tough period for the Blues, and they finished no higher than 15th in that time. After much hard work, the new ground at Victoria Park - known by the locals as ‘Little Wembley’• - was brought up to scratch, and the club were re-admitted to the North West Counties League. In the years that followed, Nelson usually finished in the top half of the lower Division.

A cruel end to the 2000/2001 season saw Nelson finish above Atherton LR in the third and final promotion place on the final day of the season, only to see the latter granted a replay of their final game as their opponents had fielded an ineligible player. Atherton won the replayed game to snatch away third spot from the Blues.

Former Blackburn Rovers coach David Hall took over the manager`s role at the start of the 2004/05 season, and set about rebuilding a fresh young team. Hall was to leave after a poor start

to the following season, but his assistant Graham Howarth took over and oversaw an incredible late run which propelled the Blues to a third place finish, bringing with it a first promotion for the club in 83 years.

The club fought off relegation threats and maintained a place in the Premier Division for four seasons before administrative troubles forced the club to resign from the NWCFL in the summer of 2010. After a year out to regroup, Nelson rejoined the First Division under new ownership. With a mixed board containing English and Asian board members that reflect the diversity within the town in the modern era, the club now aims to build a strong multi-cultural community club that acts as a bridge between diverse sections of the community uniting everyone under the common banner of football and providing a pathway into senior non-league football for any local players good enough, regardless of their race or religion or background.

Longer term the club want to re-establish themselves as the leading non-league club in the region and eventually regain the Football League place they lost in 1931.

The first season back was a transitional one as the new owners learnt about life running a senior football team and a 15th place finish was achieved. The 2012/13 season started with a new young management team of Robert Grimes and Michael Morrison and things started well with The Admirals racing to the top of the table.

However cracks soon started to appear and a couple of months in the management team departed along with most of the squad. Nelson limped along for a few weeks taking some heavy defeats due to fielding what was effectively the clubs reserve team before manager Mark Fell arrived. He immediately brought stability to the club and an upturn in fortunes along with a host of new signings. Through his contacts he also established a permanent training ground and base for the club at Accrington & Rossendale College meaning the club now boasts exactly the same training facilities as League Two neighbours Accrington Stanley. On the pitch the side recovered to a mid table 10th position.

Fell's first full season brought long awaited success back to the town, a first league title in 62 years. Fell's Nelson were outstanding, scoring a remarkable 157 goals in 45 games and winning the NWCFL division 1 by 5 clear points. Nelson's Peter Wright became the league’s top scorer with 38 goals. 2014/15 saw the Admirals return to the NWCFL Premier Division, after a stuttering start the Blues went on an 11 game unbeaten run to sit in the top 5 at Christmas. But the loss of several players as the club eyed consolidation for the 15/16 season saw the Blues form dip and them end the campaign in a comfortable midtable position.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Tonight’s 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 29 th 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.

Thank you to last Tuesday night’s match sponsor: James Duxford We are very grateful to James Duxford who is one of our keenest supporters for sponsoring the Cammell Laird game last Tuesday night.

THE FA VASE – Let’s get down to support Steve and the boys!

On Saturday 31st October at 3pm, we have another first with the FA Vase game against high flying Morpeth Town from the Northern League, the first time we have played a club from that league.

Morpeth are on a roll having only lost once so far this season and we are fully aware of the strength of the Northern League and the epic challenge this presents for us as a club.

As such we want to have a big crowd to support Steve and the team as Morpeth will be bringing a sizeable contingent with them from the North East. So please make a point of coming to that game if you can and why not bring a few friends to swell the home support and encourage the lads to get a result on the day. The other reason we want a result on the day is that it is impossible for us to get a full strength team from work to Morpeth in the

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event of a midweek replay, we face a journey time of over 3 hours and through evening rush hour traffic and would need to leave Manchester by 3pm to get to Morpeth in time to prepare properly for a game.

Consequently, we asked the FA to allow a Saturday replay rather than midweek but were told that it only takes 2 hours and 50 minutes from ground to ground [with no traffic] and so in their view midweek travel was perfectly feasible.

To quote the FA: ‘I understand the reason why you are disappointed by the decision but unfortunately, the journey time does not meet the criteria which is applied to determine whether a Saturday replay is warranted at this stage of the Competition. You cannot appeal this decision as it is final and binding.’

Enough said, but if ever we wanted an additional incentive to win a cup tie this is it!!

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

Don’t miss out: Friday 6th November 6.00pm.

Bring family and friends to an action packed night of fun, food and fireworks.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL League Tables after games on Saturday 17th October

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Appearances

NWCFL Attendances

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

NWCFL Results this season

NWCFL Games tonight Abbey Hey v Maine Road AFC Blackpool v AFC Liverpool Alsager Town v 1874 Northwich Ashton Athletic v Colne Runcorn Linnets v Congleton Town WEST v Nelson

Wednesday night games Congleton Town v Winsford United AFC Darwen v Barnoldswick Town Padiham v Silsden

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

Tuesday 20th October 2015 West Didsbury & Chorlton

NELSON

White Shirts, White Shorts & White Socks

Blue Shirts, Shorts and Socks

Ben Woodhead (G) Ashley Brierley Chris Anderson Mark Sharples Phil Doughty Jake Lloyd Adam Nuttall Warren Beattie Peter Wright Andy Bell Matty O’Neill Kevin Leadbetter Paul Fildes Nat Taylor Ed O’Neill Brad Wicks Sam Livesey Dave Sherlock Ricky Mercer Dean Smallridge Reece Malone Mark Jackson

Hayden Buckley-Smith (G) Saul Lomax-Newton (G) Sam Dee Callum Jones Scott Mason Mark Rodgers © Anthony Potts Lewis Schofield Richmond Botchey Michael Simcock Jordan Poole Rick Gleave Matty Kay Jonathan Poizer Lee Gavin Dan Russell Matt Eckersley Nic Evangelinos Jamie Waldon Ashley Woods Tommy Walsh Ben Steer Manager: Steve Settle Assts: Steve Brockley & Steve Eckersley

Manager: Mark Fell Assistant: Scott Redhead

OFFICIALS Referee: John Baines | Asst. Referees: Liam Corrigan and Alan Butler www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Ass

NEXT HOME FIXTURE: Saturday, 24th October v Eccleshall – 3.00pm