West Didsbury & Chorlton v Royton Town

EDITORIAL

12 November 2011- Royton Town

The past fortnight has seen a series of ups and downs with a couple of unfortunate reverses seeing us slipping back into 7th spot as our mini run of 4 games unbeaten came to an end against a very good Hindsford side who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. The least said about last weeks away game at Dukinfield Town the better when we opened brightly and gave the home side the run around for the opening 25 minutes. Alas this gave way to some defensive complacency and it was no surprise when another error was punished to give the opposition a half time lead which they went on to increase in the opening stages of the second half. The remainder of the match was a real credit to those who came on as substitutes and battled with the rest of the team to try to get something from the game but without much luck in front of goal.

Above all this game was a very timely and telling example that it is committed teams which are winners. It is important everyone at the club accepts that we are about teamwork on and off the field of play and not about the individual egos of any player, or players or indeed committee members. We have a clear and explicit Vision of where we want this club to be and we are well on the way to getting there.

The local support for the club is growing week on week but last Saturday night was quite fantastic as a crowd in excess of 600 turned up for the Community Bonfire Evening. Our thanks go to the many club volunteers who assisted on the gates, in the clubhouse and the outside sweet and beer stalls as well as those who helped steward a very happy and convivial crowd of all ages. It was a great success with a final special mention for Rob Madden and his firework display which lit up Chorlton all night!

Last weekend also saw the teams above us making further progress with AVRO, Hindsford and East Manchester all winning again and Old Alts leapfrog Stockport Georgians into 4 th place. Walshaw also jumped above us courtesy of an away win at Monton with little change at the other end of the table as Heywood and Prestwich continue to find life hard. More evidence of just how competitive this Premier Division has become and how important it is to stay focused for ninety minutes. What we are learning the hard way is that keeping it tight in the opening minutes of every half is crucial to overall success.

WELCOME TO ROYTON TOWN Our visitors today are Royton Town who are 2 points below us in the table but with a game in hand. They will be anxious to try and close the gap after a weekend off last Saturday and an entertaining 4-4 draw against Springhead last time out. After a couple of defeats in the opening week Royton then had a creditable 6 game unbeaten run in August/September lifting them into the top 5. Since then their results have been inconsistent with an overall record of 6 wins 2 draws and 5 defeats before today. This is the first ever competitive game between our two first teams and we look forward to an enjoyable game.

ENJOY TODAY’S GAME.

Rob Turley

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

FROM THE DUGOUT‌ As we reach the half way stage of the season today, it is a good opportunity to take stock of the things we need to improve for the second half of the season as we aim for a high Premier Division placing.

At the start of the season Rob and I talked about success as a top 6 finish as it became quickly apparent that the standard of the Premier Division was a significant step up from that of Division 1. Any early complacency was soon knocked out of us by a couple of heavy defeats against Walshaw and AVRO and even with our full complement of players available after holidays and injuries we had to fight hard in every game to secure points and good results. We have not been as prolific as last year as defences at this level are well organized, disciplined and hard to break down. We need to be the same and in crucial games and at crucial times in games we have been punished heavily for mistakes and complacency.

Against Hindsford we conceded right at the start and again at the start of the second half. Last weekend was the same story in the opening minutes of the second half as we tried to get back in the game. These lapses make it difficult to get back in the game and we need to quickly eradicate this from our play.

However, on the evidence of what we have seen so far this season we have every prospect of meeting our target of a top 6 finish and in a couple of weeks we have the cup to look forward to when we again travel to Walshaw determined to get a better result that the last visit there.

We will also see some new faces in the squad over the coming weeks and I know from Rob Madden that some of the reserve team players are pushing for a first team place and will have their opportunities. We have also been invited to play midweek friendlies against some NWCFL clubs in the next couple of months and these again are opportunities to test ourselves against another level of opposition and also give us the chance to try our different players and permutations.

When you look at the club infrastructure we have built over the last three years or so the degree of change is quite remarkable. This has included clubhouse extensions and improvements, new floodlights, additional coaching staff and fantastic training facilities, two great physios treating injuries and a new medical room. We have 100% backing from an experienced Committee running the club to budget and laying the foundations for a secure and viable future. The players and I appreciate all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes each week and particularly on match days when Monica is on hand before during and after matches with the cup that cheers and those great sandwiches and pies!

We’re coming up to half time for the season and looking forward to an exciting second half as we aim to deliver some entertaining football and get the club to where it deserves to be.

Andy Nelson KIT MANAGER WANTED We have a vacancy for a volunteer kit man to take overall charge of playing kit and equipment and be available to attend first team games home and away.

If you would like more information on what this involves then please contact Rob Turley 07891 298441

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

Fixtures and Results - First Team Date AUGUST Sat 6 Sat 13 Wed 17 Sat 20 Tues 23 Sat 27 Wed 31 SEPTEMBER

Opponent

H/A

Comp

Result

Rochdale Sacred Heart Prestwich Heys Walshaw Sports Manchester Gregorians AVRO Springhead Old Alts

H A A H H A A

Cup L L L L L L

7–2 3–0 0–5 2–1 0–5 1–3 2–1

Sat 3

Wyre Villa

A

Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24

Prestwich Heys Wythenshawe Amateurs Ashville FC

H H A

LFA Cup L L FA Vase

2–2 (4-5 pens) 3-0 0-1 0-2

A H H A H

L L L L L

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

A H A A

L L L Cup

0–2

H A H

L L L

A H H

L L L

A H

L L

A H H A H A

L L L L L L

OCTOBER Sat 1 Manchester Gregorians Sat 8 Stockport Georgians Sat 15 AFC Bury Sat 22 AFC Monton Sat 29 Hindsford NOVEMBER Sat 5 Dukinfield Town Sat 12 Royton Town Sat 19 AFC Bury Sat 26 Walshaw Sports DECEMBER Sat 3 AFC Monton Sat 10 Royton Town Sat 17 Springhead 2012 JANUARY Sat 7 AVRO Sat 14 Walshaw Sports Sat 21 East Manchester FEBRUARY Sat 4 Hindsford Sat 25 Dukinfield Town MARCH Sat 3 AFC Bury Cancelled Heywood St James Cancelled Old Alts Cancelled Stockport Georgians Cancelled Wythenshawe Amateurs Cancelled East Manchester

TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Reserve Team …

The Reserves continued their current run of good form with a hard fought 3 - 1 away win at Dukinfield Town.

Gary Lilley (pink gloves and all) scoring the only goal of a first half in which West dominated. Dukinfield came out in the second half with more determination and quickly equalised. They continued to put us under pressure but our back four held firm.

With twenty minutes to go Ruairi Quinn, making his second team debut came on and within five minutes scored our second goal , Bobby Ashcroft scored our third late on for West to come out deserved winners.

Leigh Athletic Reserves ended West’s six game unbeaten run in a game which had seven goals and could have gone either way. Leigh started quickly and were two goals up within the first fifteen minutes. The first being an own goal. West rallied and got into their stride, Gary Lilley scored twice to level the score. Leigh went ahead again just before half time with a second own goal.

West again came back after half time and Nathan Wakelam scoring a header to level the score again. Unfortunately some bad defending towards the end of the game saw Leigh score their forth and win the game 4-3.

Robert Madden

Action from a recent game…

Bobby Ashcroft (above) and Migel Garcia right

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

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.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

A Team Since the last programme report we have gathered four more points with a good win against Walshaw followed by a 1-1 draw at home against Leigh Athletic.

We completed a series of 7 home games against Atherton Town, with a resounding 6-2 victory before we entered a series of 8 away games, the first ending with a narrow defeat 2-1 against Hollinwood A. The league appears to be relatively wide open at this stage and it is hoped for positive progression towards the top end over the coming months.

Chris Argent

Date Opponent SEPTEMBER Sat 17 Prestwich Heys A Sat 24 Dukinfield Town A OCTOBER Sat 1 Springhead A Sat 8 Stockport Georgians A Sat 15 Walshaw SC A Sat 22 Leigh Athletic A Sat 29 Atherton Town A NOVEMBER Sat 5 Hollinwood A Sat 12 Dukinfield Town A Sat 19 Royton Town A Sat 26 Springhead A DECEMBER Sat 3 Prestwich Heys A Sat 10 Atherton Town A Sat 17 Leigh Athletic A 2012 JANUARY Sat 7 Stockport Georgians A Sat 14 Royton Town A Sat 21 Walshaw SC A Sat 28 Hollinwood A

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

H/A

Comp

Result

H H

L L

1-4 5-0

H H H H H

L L L L L

4-7 3-2 4-3 1-1 6-2

A A A A

L L L L

1-2

A A A

L L L

A H A H

L L L L

Youth Team ‌ The youth team started the season late but has got up to speed quickly.There have been some pleasing performances overall and even in the games West lost we ve been competitive in them and not been thrashed.

30-10-11 v Cleaveleys. Lost 4-0. A disappointing result which flattered Cleaveleys.It was played away in Salford. No changing facilities, long grass,terrible uneven pitch with dog excrement. You get the picture.

6-11-11 v Broadheath. At 1pm an hour before ko Broadheath coach rings me to say Broadheath cant get enough for a team to play.Such is life in amateur football.No worries we ll get the 3 points and the unbeaten run continues.

Mike Lewandowsk

Date SEPTEMBER Sun 25 OCTOBER Sun 2 Sun 9 Sun 16 Sun 30 NOVEMBER Sun 6 Sun 13 Sun 20 DECEMBER Sun 4 Sun 11 Sun 18 JANUARY Sun 15 Sun 22 Sun 29 FEBRUARY Sun 5 Sun 19 APRIL Sun 1

Opponent

H/A

Comp

Result

Medlock Rangers FC

H

L

1-1

Lostock Rangers FC Cheadle & Gatley Athletic Flixton Juniors Cleavleys JFC

A H H A

L L L L

2-4 1-3 5-3 0-4

Broadheath Central Leigh Genesis Medlock Rangers FC

H A A

L L L

1-0

Flixton Juniors Wythenshawe Amateurs N. J. Wythenshawe FC

A A H

L L L

Lostock Rangers FC Cheadle & Gatley Athletic Cleavleys JFC

H A H

L L L

Broadheath Central Leigh Genesis

A H

L L

N. J. Wythenshawe FC

A

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

How our teams stand…

Manchester League – Premier Division 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

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

P 16 15 15 14 14 14 14 13 15 14 14 13 15 13 15 14

W 11 11 10 8 7 7 7 6 6 5 4 4 2 3 3 1

D 2 1 3 2 3 2 1 2 0 1 4 3 7 3 1 3

L 3 3 2 4 4 5 6 5 9 8 6 6 6 7 11 10

GD 24 21 21 1 0 13 -6 2 0 -3 -5 -2 -8 -6 -23 -29

PTS 35 34 33 26 24 23 22 20 18 16 16 15 13 12 10 6

W 8 8 7 7 7 6 7 5 4 5 4 3 2 1

D 3 1 3 2 2 4 1 2 4 0 3 1 2 4

L 3 4 2 3 4 4 3 6 6 9 6 8 8 8

GD 15 9 9 13 6 7 4 3 1 -4 -17 -15 -13 -18

PTS 27 25 24 23 23 22 22 17 16 15 15 10 8 7

Manchester League – Division 2 (Reserves) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Wythenshawe Ams Res AVRO Res Stockport G Res Walshaw Res AFC Monton Res Manchester Gregorians Res Old Alts Reserves West Didsbury & Chorlton Res Prestwich Heys Res Dukinfied Town Res Leigh Ath Res E Manchester Res Rochdale SH Res Elton Vale Res

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

P 14 13 12 12 13 14 11 13 14 14 13 12 12 13

Manchester League – Division 4 (‘A’ Teams) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Springhead A Royton Town A Stockport Geo A West Didsbury & Chorlton A Hollinwood A Prestwich Heys A Walshaw SC A Leigh Ath A Atherton Town A Dukinfield Town A

P 9 10 10 8 6 8 9 9 10 9

W 9 7 6 4 4 3 2 1 1 1

D 0 2 2 1 0 3 1 2 1 0

L 0 1 2 3 2 2 6 6 8 8

GD 16 20 12 4 6 3 -9 -9 -24 -19

PTS 27 23 20 13 12 12 7 5 4 3

D 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0

L 1 0 3 2 2 3 3 4

GD 9 9 1 1 3 -3 -6 -14

PTS 13 13 7 7 6 6 3 3

Cheshire Veterans Football League – Premier Division 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Flint Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Cheadle Star Old Boys Sale Town Grappenhall Sports Bollington Bedians Hursts

P 6 5 6 5 4 5 4 5

W 4 4 2 2 2 2 1 1

Cheshire Veterans Football League – Division 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Moore United Barnstoneworth United West Didsbury & Chorlton B Grappenhall Sports B MCYA Burtonwood Albion Old Boys Stepping Hill Presidents XI

P 4 4 5 5 6 3 5

W 4 3 3 3 2 0 0

D 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

L 0 1 2 2 3 2 5

GD 22 6 4 0 -6 -5 -21

PTS 12 9 9 9 7 1 0

P 5 5 4 5 6 5 6 7 5 6

W 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 0

D 1 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 0

L 0 1 0 2 2 2 3 5 3 6

GD 16 35 8 -2 -1 9 -5 -13 -33 -14

PTS 13 12 10 9 8 7 7 6 6 0

Altrincham Youth Football League 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Cleavleys JFC NJ Wythenshawe TC Medlock Rangers FC Leigh Genesis FC Cheadle & Gatley Athletic Wythenshawe Amts West Didsbury & Chorlton Flixton Juniors FC Lostock Rangers FC Broadheath Central

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Results & fixtures - Reserves Date AUGUST Sat 20 Thurs 25 Sat 27 SEPTEMBER Thurs 1 Sat 3 Sat 10 Sat 17 Sat 24 OCTOBER Sat 1 Sat 15 Sat 22 Sat 29 NOVEMBER Sat 5 Sat 19 Sat 26 DECEMBER Sat 3 Sat 10 Sat 17 JANUARY 2012 21 Jan 28 Jan FEBRUARY 04 Sat 11 Sat APRIL 07 Sat

Opponent

H/A

Comp

Result

Stockport Gregorians Res Wythenshawe Amateurs Res Rochdale Sacred Heart Res

A H H

L L L

3–4 2–3 4–0

Old Alts Res AVRO Res Walshaw Sports Res East Manchester Res Old Alts Res

H H A A A

L L L L L

2–3 0–1 0-7 2–2 3-0

Elton Vale Res Prestwich Heys Manchester Gregorians Res Dukinfield Town Res

A A H A

L L L L

3–3 6-2 2-0 3-1

Leigh Amateurs Res East Manchester Res AFC Monton Res

H H A

L L L

3-4

No game Beechfield United Res Manchester Gregorians Res

A A A

L Cup L

Leigh Athletic Res AFC Monton Res

A H

L L

Dukinfield Town Res AVRO Res

H A

L L

Rochdale Sacred Heart Res

A

L

Results and Fixtures - Vets and Vets B Cheshire Veterans League – Premier Division 4th Sept Hursts (h) 6-0 th 11 Sept Grappenhall Sports (a) 1-0 25th Sept Bedians (h) 4-2 9th Oct Flint Town (h) 2–2 th 30 Oct Cheadle Star Old Boys (a) 3- 2 13th Nov Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (h) CUP 27th Nov Flint Town (a) Cheshire Veterans League – Division 3 4th Sept MCYA (a) 1-3 11th Sept Stepping Hill President’s XI (a) 4-0 th 25 Sept Barnstoneworth United (a) 1-2 16th Oct Burtonwood Albion Old Boys (a) 4–2 30th Oct Grappenhall Sports B (h) 13th Nov Mossley Hill Athletic Wanderers (a) CUP www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

Thank you Chorlton!

Last Saturday saw the club putting on its annual Community Bonfire and Firework celebration.

This event has now become established as a real flagship Community Event as well as a principal fundraising event for the club.

This year again saw several hundred people attend a well managed and hugely enjoyable evening.

These included many families who are now regularly attendees as well as a number of people visiting Brookburn Road for the first time.

Whilst we have been running the bonfire for a number of years now, the growth in the numbers of people attending the event and the positive feedback we receive has increased significantly over the past three years, with everyone agreeing that this was the best yet.

Organisation of the event involved a significant number of club members taking responsibility for:      

Collecting admission monies Running the bar and beer table Selling sweets Setting off the firework display Stewarding the event Clearing up on Sunday

and the Club Committee offers its thanks to everyone of you.

In addition, it would like to give a special Thankyou to a number of people who are friends of the club who also helped us on the night.

These include: Margaret Scott, Anne Cooper, Isabel Turley, Laura Turley, Megan Meacher, Anna Morrison, Joe Traynor… and last but by no means least Paul Kierman for yet again building a stunning bonfire, and Mike Brough for helping on the night and in the clear up afterwards.

A great effort all round and testimony to ourreputation and community offer when so many people again stayed local and loyal despite competing events elsewhere.

Glyn Meacher WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

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.

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

Our Visitors – Royton Town FC Royton Town Football Club started out life as the Stotts Benham works side in the Rochdale Alliance League, before changing their name to Royton Town in 1985.

In winning the Rochdale Alliance Premier Division treble they remained unbeaten for two and a half seasons, before progressing to the Lancashire Amateur League in 1994.

Within three seasons, Royton went from the Second Division into the Premier Division of the LAL, however ground problems at their Monarch Mill home in Royton led to them demoted back to the First Division by the LAL, and saw them looking around for a new home.

Fortunately, they were given the opportunity to set up home at neighbouring Crompton Cricket Club, from where they embarked on a successful era.

The end of 2000-2001 season saw Royton Town resign from the Lancashire Amateur League to join the Manchester League, where they entered two teams, playing in the First and Third Divisions.

Royton's debut season in the Manchester League proved to be one of the best in the Club's history, the First Division Championship being claimed after a freescoring campaign, and with it, elevation to the Premier Division.

One season spent consolidating, where a position of fourth was no mean feat, was followed by the record breaking exploits of season 2003/2004 where Town completed the double of Manchester League Premier Division Champions and also Gilgryst Cup Winners.

The next two seasons were an anti-climax with continued battles against relegation. Town's Second Team started season 2007 / 2008 in the Third Division of the Manchester League after finishing Runners-up in the Fourth Division and gaining promotion.

Town's First Team finished a creditable third in the Premier Division in 2007 / 2008 after being in the frame for Champions until the last three or four games. Season 2009 / 2010 opened with Town embarking on a Youth policy which involved Under 12's, 15's and 18's and hopefully many of these players will be with the club in years to come.

The Under 18's were very successful in bringing home the League Championship and hopefully many of these players will remain at the club by progressing to the Senior Teams.

Season 2010 / 2011 opens with Town running their two Senior Teams plus an Under 17's and an Under 16's team. The Senior Teams look, on paper, to be the strongest squads we have had at the club for a few years and all looks well for the future. Season 2011 / 2012 saw Town embark on expansion with a Third Open age team to allow for the rise of the previous year’s very successful under 17's team.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com

CLUB NEWS This month the 200 Club winners are: £100 James Harris £60 Scott Jones £40 Kiefer Tallow

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 these initiatives at your club as we all have a stake in its success!

Our thanks to Mike Fryer for providing photographs to the club: www.mikefryer.com

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Manchester Football League – Premier Division Saturday 29th October 2011

Today’s Teams West Didsbury & Chorlton Ben Simpson Mike Kennedy Lewis Childs Scott Jones Dave Conlon (Capt) Callum Jones Joe Warmington Andy Levendis Gavin Lee Ellison Danny Summers Tom Waring Tommy Walsh Dean Thurston Lee Shilito Matt Eckersley Ashley Farlow

Royton Town FC Lee Mullen Michael Cheetham Gareth Brooks Luke Blackman Jamie Peers Christian Fraser Carl Dean Ste McCall Fraser Hatton Ryan Hulme Ryan Cobain Wayne Dean Donnie Greenidge Andrew Wade Danny Taylor Ian Hulme Michael Moss Carl Beamish

Manager: Andy Nelson

Manager: Phil Haigh

Assistant: Dave Conlon

Assistant: Andy Fitzsimons

OFFICIALS: Referee: Steve Cundall Assistant Referees: Ben Wyatt, Jonny Wyatt

NEXT HOME GAME:

WEST Res v East Manchester Res Saturday, 19th November 2011 – Kick-off: 2.00pm Please check the club website weekly at www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com and www.manchester-league.co.uk as fixtures will change.

www.westdidsburychorltonfc.com