West Didsbury & Chorlton v Manchester Gregorians/Avro

FA CARLSBERG VASE 2011-2012 We are delighted to have been accepted into the FA Carlsberg Vase competition for the first time in the club’s 103 year history, we have not been drawn in the first round, but and have been drawn away against Ashville FC from Wallasey from the West Cheshire League in the FA Vase 2nd qualifying round to be played on Saturday 24th September.

This promises to be a challenging game as Ashville won Division 1 of the West Cheshire League last season to gain promotion and secured a very impressive 66 points out of a possible 78 points, losing only twice in the league last season.

They also won the Cheshire Amateur Cup defeating our friends at Old Alts from the Manchester League 2-1 in the final of that competition.

This is the first time we have competed in a national competition and is another sign of our progress. The full draw is on www.TheFA.com and the winners of our tie face a trip to Formby or Chadderton or Alsager in the First Round Proper.

The Carlsberg FA Vase replaced the former FA Amateur Cup competition some years ago and is open to clubs from Steps 5, 6 and 7 of the National League System with facilities of the appropriate standard.

Our predecessors and previous owners, East Chorlton FC, played in the FA Amateur Cup for several seasons over 30 years ago between 1974-75 and 1979-80 and during that period 3 home ties were played here against Prescott, Kidsgrove and Stork FC. East Chorlton FC’s full record in the FA Amateur Cup during that period was as follows: 1974-75 v Liversedge [A] 0-1 1975-76 v Northern Nomads [A] 3-2, v Little Lever [A] 3-5 1976-77 v Prescot [H] 1-5 1977-78 v Wooley Miners Welfare [A] 2-1, v Warrington Town [A] 0-2 1978-79 v Kidsgrove [H] 1-3

1979-80 v Stork [H] 0-3

EDITORIAL

20 August Manchester Gregorians 23 August AVRO

This is our first match day programme for the Premier Division and covers our first two home games.

Firstly we welcome Manchester League Champions GREGORIANS to Brookburn Road for our first ever home league fixture in the Manchester League Premier Division after 2 testing opening away fixtures at Prestwich Heys and Walshaw. Meanwhile the reserves start their league campaign today with a tricky away fixture at Stockport Georgians.

Last Saturday’s opener at Prestwich saw us finishing strongly and eventually run out 3-0 winners. This was a game we had dominated for long periods before getting the vital opening goal from the penalty spot after Tommy Walsh had been brought down. Yes, at last, we’ve converted a penalty so we hope the jinx of numerous consecutive missed penalties from last season has been finally laid to rest. The final quarter of the game saw the 3 points secured with 2 clinical finishes. (See the match report inside).

Today GREGORIANS are the visitors for the first ever competitive league game between our two clubs. The two clubs have been good friends and neighbours for many years dating back to the 1980’s when we both shared use of The Albert Club in West Didsbury for after the match socializing on Saturdays. Then in the last decade we’ve had several pre-season encounters at both Platt Lane and Brookburn Road. Initially this was when we were both outside the Manchester league and then more recently as we have been striving to join GREGS in the Premier Division. GREGS have an excellent record under manager Rob Brown since joining the Manchester League a few seasons before we did and a look at their recent record in the feature inside shows the hard act we have to follow. This will be another stern examination as we get used to life in the Premier Division.

Next Tuesday evening we host AVRO who were eventually placed as runners up last season when a late points deduction saw the Premier Division title awarded to GREGS. AVRO have responded already and opened this season with a thumping 4-1 home win against Royton last weekend.

We have played each other twice before in the 2007-08 season (our Centenary Year) when AVRO were promoted as runners up to Div 1 winners Chapel Town. AVRO won their home game emphatically 4-0 but WEST won 2-1 in the return league fixture at Brookburn Road. This was a real confidence booster and catalyst to our season as we went on to win the Murray Shield a few weeks later. Since gaining promotion AVRO have consolidated their position as one of the top Premier Division clubs. They won the title in 2009-2010 and almost repeated the feat last season.

GREGS and AVRO are most welcome visitors to Brookburn Road and we will need to be at our best to bring home the points in either fixture.

Brian Cripps - Chairman Cover & some internal pictures thanks to Mike Fryer: www.mikefryer.com

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Results and Fixtures Please check the club website weekly at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com and www.manchester-league.co.uk as fixtures can change. th

Sat 13 Aug MFL Premier Division - Prestwich Heys [A] 3 - 0 th

Wed 17 Aug MFL Premier Division - Walshaw Sports [A] - 8.00pm th

Sat 20 Aug MFL Premier Division - Manchester Gregorians [H] – 2.00pm MFL Div 2 Reserves - Stockport Georgians [A] Tues 23rd Aug MFL Premier Division - AVRO [H] – 6.30pm th

Thurs 25 Aug MFL Div 2 Reserves – Wythenshawe Amateurs [H] – 6.30pm th

Sat 27 Aug MFL Premier Division - Springhead [A] – 2.00pm MFL Div 2 Reserves – Rochdale SH [H] – 2.00pm th

Tues 30 Aug MFL Premier Division - Old Alts [A] – 6.30pm st

Thurs 1 Sept MFL Div 2 Reserves – Old Alts [H] – 6.30pm rd

Sat 3 Sept LANCASHIRE AMATEUR SHIELD Wyre Villa [A] – 2.00pm MFL Div 2 Reserves – AVRO [H] 2.00pm th

Sat 10 Sept MFL Premier Division - Prestwich Heys [H] – 2.00pm MFL Div 2 Reserves – Walshaw Sports [A] – 2.00pm th

Sat 17 Sept MFL Premier Division - Wythenshawe Amateurs [H] – 2.00pm MFL Div 2 Reserves – East Manchester [A] – 2.00pm th

Sat 24 Sept nd CARLSBERG FA VASE - 2 Qual Rnd - Ashville FC [W. Cheshire] [A] – 3.00pm MFL Div 2 Reserves – Old Alts [A] – 2.00pm

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

WEST win Invitation Cup 7 - 2 West celebrated their promotion to the Manchester Premier League by winning the Terry Wood Memorial Invitational Cup in style last week.

The Invitation Cup was played between the League winners and the Murray Trophy winners Rochdale Sacred Heart. Both teams started well with a couple of chances at each end but it was West who went ahead on 5 minutes with a strike by Paul Lewis on 13 minutes. West doubled their lead with a spectacular strike from fully 35 yards as the ball bounced down, it was struck on the volley by Matt Eckersley and the shot rocketed into the top left hand corner.

West controlled the game up until half time with further goals from Man of the Match Lee Hendley (2), another from Paul Lewis, and Tommy Walsh to make the half score 6-0.

In the second half, West continued to press and retain the ball but Rochdale were more resilient and fared better; they got the next goal when Jack Holt scored from the spot.

West made three substitutions and it was one of them, Ashley Farlow, who scored the next goal to make it 7-1. But, to their credit, Rochdale kept going and were rewarded with another goal at the near post to make it 7-2.

WEST Captain Dave Conlon being presented with the Cup

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

CLUB NEWS, DEVELOPMENT and FORTHCOMING EVENTS

The Season gets underway…

This is the first of a regular feature to keep you up to date with what is happening off the field.

The first league table after the games on the opening Saturday 13 August.

FURTHER GROUND IMPROVEMENTS will continue through the autumn and into next spring as we have acquired additional land to extend the margins around the main pitch. In the autumn we also hope to start preliminary work on the former playing fields adjoining the club. This will provide NEW GRASS PITCHES which will be used by the A team, veterans and youth teams and our partner junior club at Oswald Road. This will reduce the usage and wear and tear of the main pitch at Brookburn Road which from next season will st be used for 1 team and reserves games only.

COMMUNITY CLUB discussions with Oswald Road resume in September with the intention of the new club being in place for the start of the 2012-13 season. We are making good progress on this through our sub group representatives Glyn Meacher, Rob Madden and Davy Iredale and will keep you posted with further news throughout the season.

AGM NEWS and new COMMITTEE MEMBERS – We mentioned the need for some new blood to strengthen the club Committee at the AGM in July and we are delighted to report that Steve Eckersley, Ben Simpson and Danny Summers have all offered to assist. The new trio was unanimously co-opted onto the Committee.

All this is part of a long term plan to ensure a sustainable future for the clubs but it means some energy has to be put into fundraising events during the next few months. th

There are 2 main events – the SPORTSMANS EVENING on Thurs 13 October and the COMMUNITY BONFIRE NIGHT on 5th November.

SPORTSMANS EVENING – The full page advertisement has all the details and make it a priority to attend. We want each team squad to take at least one table so put the date in your diary, take a few flyers from the clubhouse and invite your friends also. th

COMMUNITY BONFIRE NIGHT – This not surprisingly will be on Saturday 5 November commencing from 6.30pm when the bonfire is lit. We need volunteers to assist with stewarding as in the past few years this event has attracted crowds of about 500 adults and children which means the club needs 10-15 people in addition to the Committee helpers.

CLUBHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS – Following your suggestions a new flat screen TV was installed at the end of July and we will now be screening live Premiership games after our Saturday home games. This has involved considerable ‘investment’ in new equipment and subscriptions for ESPN and Sky Sports 1 and 2. With increased running costs and membership subscriptions at the same low level the additional funds we need must come through the clubhouse and other events…SO… PLEASE SUPPORT all these initiatives at your club as we all have a stake in its success!

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

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Manchester League – Premier Division

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Wythenshawe Ams AVRO West Didsbury & Chorlton Stockport Georgians Walshaw Sports AFC Monton Old Alts AFC Bury Hindsford Dukinfield Town Heywood St James East Manchester Manchester Gregorians Royton Town Prestwich Heys Springhead

P 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

W 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

GD 4 3 3 1 1 1 1 0 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -3 -3 -4

PTS 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Appearances (League and Cup) Ben Simpson 2 Ashley Farlow 2 (2 sub) Callum Jones 2 Danny Summers 2 Dave Conlon1 Gary Lilley 1 (sub) John Chrimes 1 (sub) Kyle Hendley 1 (sub)

Lee Hendley 2 Matt Eckersley 2 Mike Ashton 2 Neil Logan 2 Paul Lewis 2 Scott Jones 2 Tom Waring 2 (1 sub) Tommy Walsh 2

Goalscorers Lee Hendley 2, Paul Lewis 2, Matt Eckersley 2, Ashley Farlow 2, Tommy Walsh 1, Neil Logan 1 WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

OUR SPONSORS

OUR SPONSORS

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to our current sponsors for their support. Without you we wouldn’t be where we are today.

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Our Visitors – Saturday 20th August

WEST make Heys pay in opener…

Manchester Gregorians The present Manchester Gregorian’s FC was originally founded circa 1959 as the Old Gregorian’s AFC with 1 team playing in the Manchester Junior Catholic League. The Club then joined the Lancashire Amateur League in 1962 and after playing for many years in that League winning numerous trophies they moved to the Manchester League in Season 2005/06 entering 4 Teams in the League.

The Club’s First Team gained promotion from Division 1 in their first Season in the Manchester League. They then finished runners up in the Premier Division in Season 2007/08 and won the Division in Season 2008/09; also in that Season they won the Lancashire County FA Amateur Shield. In Season 2009/10 the Club’s First Team, representing the Lancashire County FA, won the Northern Counties FA Senior Cup Competition winning 1 – 0 against the Cheshire County FA (represented by West Kirby FC).

Last Season the Club were again Champions of the Premier Division of the Manchester Football League. The Club’s First Team Manager and Coach, Rob Brown and Martin White, are respectively the Manager and Assistant Manager of the Manchester Football League Inter League Team; this is a great honour for the Club. rd

The Club play and train on the 3 Generation surface pitch at Manchester City Academy’s Platt Lane Complex and all their teams train twice a week at the Complex. The Complex is a fabulous facility for an amateur Club to have as its base and its use has contributed greatly to the continued development of the Club.

The Club, which has recently been awarded FA Charter Adult Status, is very ambitious and is continually looking at ways to develop and improve. When the opportunity arises and they are satisfied that they have everything necessary in place the Club intends to apply to move up a Level in the National League System.

The Club’s President is Bernard Halford, an old boy of St Gregory’s. Bernard is the Life President of Manchester City FC and is also an FA Councillor.

Manchester Gregorian’s FC’s main sponsor is another old boy of St Gregory’s, John Wilson, of the Wilson’s Insurance Group.

Terry O’Neil

West expected a tough test and came out very strong from the whistle. Early exchanges in midfield resulted in Lee Hendley bursting down the left flank, past the fullback and crossing to the far post for Tommy Walsh to tap in - only for the linesman to flag the goal offside. Heys were very well organised, but it was West who dominated possession early on; Scott Jones & Lee Hendley in particular were getting a lot of joy down the left flank...

Scott came close on 11’ when a scuffed cross wrong-footed the keeper and smashed off the crossbar.

Buoyed by a strong pre-season, Heys gained control of the match midway through the first half and looked promising going forward. A brilliantly weighted pass from midfield split the West defence and sent the striker one on one with goalkeeper Ben Simpson. Mike Aston, skipper for the day with Dave Conlon absent – managed to make a brilliant challenge on the Heys number ten despite being the wrong side of the man.

Half time: Prestwich Heys 0-0 West.

Ten minutes into the second half Callum Jones slotted a lovely through ball to Lee Hendley – this time on the right flank – Lee left the fullback for dead but over hit his cross into the keepers arms.

On 58’ it was Tommy Walsh on the right side looking to attack the struggling left back.

With men at the far post waiting for the cross to come in, Tommy chose to take him on in the box only for the Heys number three to bring him down...Penalty! Neil Logan took the honour of placing the ball down, stepped back for a long run-up and crashed the penalty in off the upright – the keeper diving the wrong way. 1-0 West.

After spending much of the second half chasing the ball, Heys made changes, opting to bring height on in central areas. West continued to press and kept possession very well, especially in midfield with Waring, Eckersley and Lewis playing some fancy intricate football.

Fresh faces came on for both sides and with fifteen minutes this seemed to liven up West’s attack... a sequence of passes right from the back involving almost every single West player resulted in a lovely through ball from Summers to put Lee Hendley goal side of the fullback. Hendley put a low cross towardsthe back post which the centre half poked away; unfortunately for him it fell to the oncoming Matt Eckersley who slotted home comfortably – 2-0 West and surely three points secured.

Prestwich’ heads dropped and as the game was coming to a close West added another. A lovely one-two sent Scott Jones clear. With only a defender in his way and the help of Ashley Farlow to his right, Jones went past the defender and squared the ball to young Farlow, and with his first touch since coming off the bench he curled a sublime shot in to the top left corner. 3-0 West.

Credit has to be given to Prestwich as they continued to attack; a good chance fell on 90’ when a powerful strike was punched away by Ben Simpson but it was all too late as the referee blew the whistle to bring an end to an excellent opening day for West.

Full time: Prestwich Heys 0-3 West

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Manchester Football League – Premier Division Saturday 20th August 2011

Today’s Teams

Pictures from the Invitation Cup, above Tom Waring starting an attack and below players collect their medals.

West Didsbury & Chorlton

Manchester Gregorians

Ben Simpson Neil Logan Scott Jones Dave Conlon Dave Kilbride Callum Jones Danny Summers Paul Lewis Tommy Walsh Callum Jones Lee Hendley Tom Waring John Chrimes Mike Aston Gary Lilley Tom Waring Ashley Farlow Michael Kennedy Matt Eckersley Stephen Madden

Alan Johnson Ben Jackson Bob Semehen Ric Gunby Michael Robertson Tony Lynch Mark Fairclough Chris Marsden Martin Love Bevan Burey Eniola Oluwa John Hallard Danny Forrester Liam Kennedy Michael Gray Paul Uwugiaren Michael Evans Ryan Wilkinson

Manager: Andy Nelson

Manager: Rob Brown

Assistant: Dave Conlon

Coach: Martin White

NEXT HOME GAME

WEST v AVRO rd

Tuesday 23 August 2011 – Kick-off: 6.30pm

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Our Visitors – Tuesday 23rd August

Manchester Football League – Premier Division

AVRO

Tuesday 23

rd

August 2011

Today’s Teams

Brief history One of the oldest football clubs in the area formed in 1938 and named after A V REO one of the worlds first aircraft builders based in the Failsworth area.

AVRO joined the Manchester League and then moved to the Manchester Industrial League where we stayed till 1988, until they returned back to the Manchester League.

This is where the club has had its most successful period, winning numerous County competitions and successfuly winning the Manchester Football League Premier Division.

In their history the Carr family must be mentioned as they started the junior section in 1989 and are making AVRO’s one of the most sucsessful clubs in the area.

Club Officials include: Chairman- Robert Fuller Secretary- David Moxon th

Premier League Results 13 August AFC Bury AVRO Dukinfield Town East Manchester Manchester Gregorians Prestwich Heys Springhead Stockport Georgians

2-2 4-1 1-2 0-1 0-1 0-3 0-4 2-1

Hindsford Royton Town Walshaw Sports Old Alts AFC Monton West Didsbury & Chorlton Wythenshawe Amateurs Heywood St James

West Didsbury & Chorlton

AVRO

Ben Simpson Neil Logan Scott Jones Dave Conlon Dave Kilbride Callum Jones Danny Summers Paul Lewis Tommy Walsh Callum Jones Lee Hendley Tom Waring John Chrimes Mike Aston Gary Lilley Tom Waring Ashley Farlow Michael Kennedy Matt Eckersley Stephen Madden

Jake Edwards Matthew Edge Paul Armstrong Callum Jackson Anthony Cook Steven Hall Ryan Cook Steve Morris Mike Barnes-Gott Patrick Garmary Anthony Connors Lee O’Brien Gary Chadderton James Hampson Martin Barnes-Gott Anthony Robinson Vincent Howells Ged Grimshaw Daniel Cunningham

Manager: Andy Nelson

Manager: Phil Brown

Assistant: Dave Conlon

Assistant: Lee Berry

NEXT HOME GAME

WEST Reserves v Wythenshawe Amateurs Reserves th

Thursday 25 August 2011 – Kick-off: 6.30pm

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WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC