West Didsbury & Chorlton v Squires Gate

2014/15 SEASON / MATCH DAY PROGRAMME £2.00

Official Club Sponsor

NWCFL Premier Division

Squires Gate Tuesday 31st March – 7.45pm

WELCOME WELCOME

to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC CLUB CONTACTS

FOOTBALL CONTACTS

Club President

First Team

Brian Cripps

Glyn Meacher 0161 794 5846

Manager: Andy Nelson 07952 567240 Asst Mgr: Steve Settle (coach) Asst Mgr: Steve Eckersley (admin) Match Secretary: Rob McKay 07706 302397

Club Secretary

Reserve Team

Rob Turley 0161 448 1838 07891 298441

Manager: James Plowright 07900 332825 Asst Manager: Jim Hines

Membership Secretary

Club Coaches

Chairman

Monica Creer 0161 881 1135

Treasurer

Rob Madden – First Team Tony Holmes – Goalkeepers Joel Hudson – Reserves

Dave Cooper 07961 063195

Physio Steve Eckersley 07788 112909

Paddy Murphy Magdalena Maria

Community Development

‘A’ Team Manager

Head of Fundraising

Davy Iredale

Danny Iredale 07939 392828

Publicity and Web

Youth Team Manager

John Churchman 07720 508082

Press Officer, Social Media & Web Rob McKay 07706 320397

Ian Depeiaza 07838 232401

Junior Football Co-ordinator Mark Rogers 07841 112903

Vets Manager Chris Smith 07867 171815

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.

CLUB INFO… To contact the club please use the club website

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC The Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE

EDITORIAL

Squires Gate

Tonight Squires Gate are our visitors from Blackpool and we go into this evening’s game looking for another boost and a repeat of last season’s mid February home victory when we secured all 3 points with a 2-1 home win through goals from Graham Kay and Matty Kay. Our previous away encounters this season and last against ‘Gate’ have seen us struggle to get the ball in the net and we’ve had 2 pleasant trips but returned scoreless and empty handed in both games losing 1-0 last season and 2-0 back in mid January. There was little between the two sides during that game apart from defensive mistakes resulting in both goals for the home side as West failed to convert any of several decent chances. That encounter was a case of ‘déjà vu’ from last season when, on a wet and icy weekend when only a few games survived the weather, ‘Gate’ also came out on top winning 1-0.

The players, management, club officials and travelling supporters from Squires Gate are very welcome this evening and we wish them all a safe journey back to Blackpool after tonight’s game.

THE RUN IN On Saturday 21st Squires Gate’s neighbours AFC Blackpool saw their home game against Bootle attended by around 500 disgruntled Blackpool FC fans, protesting about the current state of affairs at the famous Football League club. The huge attendance by Counties standards certainly stimulated the home team who beat visitors Bootle 2-1 to boost their own prospects of staying up this season.

After the expulsion of Stockport Sports there are two remaining relegation places which look likely to be filled by any 2 from Bacup, Barnoldswick, AFC Blackpool or St Helens.

So we start tonight wanting another home win to keep honours even between the two clubs and add to our points tally having made our Premier Division status mathematically secure with last Tuesday’s 2-1 home win against Bacup and Rossendale Borough. That was a hard fought game against a side in the relegation places fighting for survival in this division but the attitude and commitment of our players was terrific in fighting for every ball and eventually getting the better of the visitors through two excellent second half moves and goals from Tre Baldwin Willis reminding us just how he can finish and a second from captain Mark Rogers. Even then we contrived to let the visitors back into the game 5 minutes from time through giving away possession too cheaply and going down to 10 men for the closing few minutes and seeing Paddy performing heroics to keep the visitors at bay and secure all 3 points.

At the time of going to press we didn’t have the result from the trip to Silsden but after tonight it’s just 4 games left with the return game against Silsden here on Saturday, a short trip to Brantingham Road to neighbours Maine Road at 3pm on Easter Monday and then the final home game here against Runcorn Linnets on Sat 18th and then it’s off to AFC Blackpool on 25th April to see if our pulling power attracts another 500 to their own final home game.

CONGRATULATIONS … to Andy, the management and coaching team and all the players for their huge commitment during the long season. The stirring performances in recent weeks have ensured that we can look forward to NWC Premier Division football, the FA Cup and FA Vase again next season.

Our progress over recent years has been remarkable and was commented on by one of our visitors for the Bacup game, Keith Marsden, a good friend and former Chairman of the Lancashire and Cheshire League. He commented on the commitment of all concerned and the incredible journey we had taken at a time when many of the long standing amateur clubs in and around Manchester have unfortunately folded. We are extremely grateful to everyone who plays a part in discharging the many different volunteering roles which sustain the club at this level of football and also to the many new friends we’ve made in recent years who come and support us irrespective of results.

We are planning for next season already and will be explaining more about our joint venture for junior football in the next programme for the Silsden game on Easter Saturday when many of our friends and partners from Oswald Road juniors will also be joining us for the afternoon.

In the meantime enjoy the special ambience of our last midweek floodlit league game for this season and we’ll look forward to seeing you again on Saturday.

Thank you to Graham Currey for providing the pictures and our regular contributors Rob Turley, Rob McKay and Jonny Keen … Editor

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

From the Dugout…

Hello and welcome to this evening’s game. I would like to wish a warm welcome to the players, official and supporters of Squires Gate and I wish you all a safe journey home after the game.

We’ve had a busy couple of weeks at Brookburn Road as we had three home games in the space of 10 days. We had an excellent 40 win at home to Alsager that ended a very difficult run of seven defeats. I felt that we’d played well enough to win for an hour to win against AFC Liverpool and for 30 minutes against Bootle but against Alsager we managed to put it together for an entire 90. The first half was a close contest with neither side retaining possession but after Paul Hughes made a huge save which was a big turning point in the game. David Short created an excellent chance for Nic Evangelinos to give us the lead just before half time and after that we never looked back. In the second half we got a little of luck that’s escaped us all season as debutant Daniel Russell’s cross went straight in off the post. ‘Rusty’ has joined us from Colne and along with ‘Shorty’ have given us a boost at the right time. Scott Mason made it 3-0 and Kieran Brocklehurst rounded off a great performance with a superbly taken goal.

We then faced Colne who’d won 9 straight league games, including a 5-0 win over us, and we knew we had to be at our best to get a result against them. We were missing Evagenlinos and Short which made our task even harder but in the first half we were superb and didn’t give them an inch of space. In the second half we fell behind due in large part to a refereeing mistake but credit must go to the official for discussing it afterwards and admitting he made a mistake. Credit to Colne though as they were excellent and they didn’t allow us a real clear cut chance to get back into it but we showed that we can match teams at the top end of the table when we work hard. Sadly we added injuries to our insult as Callum Jones suffered knee ligament damage and Paul Hughes suffered a cracked rib from challenges in the game and they will be huge losses to any team.

Last Tuesday we rounded up the run of home games with an important 2-1 win at home to Bacup & Rossendale Borough. I was delighted to welcome back Rick Gleave into the starting line-up as well as Sam Mitten on the bench. Our physio Paddy Murphy stepped in between the posts in the absence of Paul and pulled off three superb saves including two at 0-0 and one at 2-1. Paddy’s first sport isn’t even football but he deserves great credit for having the confidence to step up and he deserved the win. I thought we played as well as we have all season at times and we took the lead through a Tre Baldwin-Willis strike. Tre, has been in and out of the side for much of the season but he was excellent and put in a real shift. Mark Rogers got the eventual winner and really lead by example in the middle of midfield. It was a real team display with players running themselves into the ground to get the result which ensures that we’ll be a Premier Division club next season.

Tonight we face a tough test in the form of Squires Gate. When we faced them in January we dominated the first half, failed to take our chances and then gifted them a goal on the stroke of half time. After that Squires Gate took full advantage and showed exactly why they’ve had the excellent season they’ve had and we will have to be at our best again tonight to get a result.

Enjoy the game…Andy Nelson

Thank you to tonight’s match sponsor…

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

West 0 Colne 1 match report‌ On a bright and warm spring day, West’s fourth consecutive home game saw them take on a third placed Colne side looking to make it 10 consecutive league wins. Manager Andy Nelson was forced to make three changes with Mark Rogers, Callum Jones and Kieran Brocklehurst replacing Nic Evangelinos, David Short and Jordan Poole, the former two of which were unavailable.

Having been beaten by Colne 5-0 weeks ago West started the game much brighter than they did at the XLCR Stadium. It was a tight first half with little goal mouth action for either side as both sides cancelled each other in when in possession.

West created their first chance on 23 minutes when a good move down the left saw a cross from the left by Russell but Scott Mason could only shoulder it well wide. Two minutes later Colne came the closest in the first half when a corner was curled directly onto the top of the cross bar by the Colne corner taker. The only other notable moment in the first half was Kieran Brocklehurst being elbowed in front of the Colne dugout with the referee only choosing to speak to the offender.

Five minutes before half time Callum Jones the first casualty of the afternoon as he beat the Colne full back to a loose ball only for his left foot to be kicked so hard it twisted his knee.

Despite him being down in and in pain, Colne played on with the referee not awarding a free kick and the West full back was forced to limp back to try and defend a Colne attack. Callum Jones would be forced off at half time due to twisted ligaments in his knee.

The half ended with both sides hot under the collar as both sets of players enjoyed a brief scuffle by the corner flag.

Dan Russell created the first chance of the second half as he went on a superb run, cut inside and fired his shot just wide past the near post. Gary Lilley came close again, firing a long range effort wide of the post after collecting a lose rebound from a Mason free kick that hit the top of the wall from the edge of the area. The second was very much like the first with neither side allowing the other any space in possession with only the superb Richmond Botchey able to gain any joy on the right hand side. At the other end Colne were limited to shots directly at the goalkeeper which were saved comfortably.

However it would be Colne who took the lead on 66 minutes, however it would be in controversial circumstances. A Colne attack went out of play at the West far post, but as everyone turned for a goal kick, the referee awarded a corner much to the protest of the West back line. From the corner, it was knocked down and Garvin’s fired a rocket from the edge of the area. Hughes tipped it onto the inside of the post but he could do nothing about the rebound which was stabbed home from a yard out by Alex Coleman.

In the final minutes Paul Hughes became the second casualty of the day as Danny Boyle chased a long through ball but despite the offside flag and Hughes taking the ball cleanly followed through and badly injured the West goalkeeper. It was an unnecessary challenge which was lucky to have only been deemed a yellow card from the referee. However, despite being in severe pain, after a long delay Hughes was able to finish the game but he was later diagnosed in hospital with a cracked rib.

West tried to apply pressure late in the game but Colne held on to record their 10 th consecutive league win.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

West v Colne match action‌

Pictures with thanks from Colne FC website.

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Getting to know you…Focus on the Fans Our latest fan interview is with Pete Broadhead, of the Dutch Uncles, the local band which recently released their new album at West's game against Bootle.

Q: When did you start supporting West?

A: It was this season, in the summer, when I first moved to Chorlton. I'd heard a lot from friends about what a good club it was.

Q: Who did you support before West?

A: Ever since I was a kid, I always supported Manchester United. Also Sheffield Wednesday from a bit of a family connection.

Q: What do you like about West?

A: It's got a really good community feel to it. I love how you can go down and people recognise you from the week before, which you certainly don't get at the big clubs. It's local to me as well, so I can just walk down. I also like the fact that you can get a drink here and that it's a community club.

Q: Can you remember your first time watching West? What were your first impressions?

A: It was some time this summer, though I can't remember who the opposition were. I was impressed with all the facilities straight away.

Q: What made you decide to do your album launch at the club?

A: It was something different and unique that I don't think anyone else has done, a bit of a twist. It was good to launch our album and at the same time help the club. It was a great day, and we definitely want to do something similar again. Our next step as a band it to record a 70s style West Didsbury anthem with all the players singing. I'm not sure if we could get them onside for that, though!

Pete Broadhead is lead guitarist in The Dutch Uncles, a Manchester based indie band who are all supporters of West Didsbury & Chorlton,

Away travel to Blackpool We hired a coach for our away game to Silsden on Saturday and will also hire a coach for our final game of the season on April 25 at AFC Blackpool

We should have 20-25 spaces, interest is high so don’t miss out… talk to Rob McKay as soon as possible to reserve your seat. (Rob’s mobile: 07706 320397) We will leave from outside the Bowling Green at 12.15 on Saturday 25th April. The cost will be £10

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

History…

Squires Gate

Blackpool & District Amateur League: 1958 to 1961 Squires Gate were formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion FC and competed in the Blackpool & District Amateur League. They won the leagues Rawling Shield in their first season. The name of the club was changed to Squires Gate FC in 1953. They won the leagues First Division in 1955–56 and 1956–57; also the Blackwell Cup in 1958–59 and 1959–60.

They spent the 1960–61 in the Fylde District League, winning the Fylde Cup and losing finalists in the Bannister Cup. West Lancashire League: 1961 to 1991 The following season they moved up to the West Lancashire League where they spent the next thirty years. From 1961 until 1980 they were in Division Two and were promoted in 1981 as champions. In the 1986–87 season they won the Richardson Cup. North West Counties Leage: 1991 onward They were elected into the North West Counties Football League for the 1991–92 season, joining Division Two for the 1991–92 season. Squires Gate won the leagues Fair Play Award for the 1993–94 season and were losing finalists in the 1997–98 Division Two Trophy.

They won the 2001–02 season Division Two Trophy and then the following season they missed the runner-up spot on goal difference but were still promoted to Division One following the demise of Stand Athletic who had originally been promoted as Division Two champions.

They reached their highest league placing in the 2005–06 season also reaching the quarter finals of the FA Vase then last season, under the Management of Andy Clarkson, Gate improved still further on their best ever placing, finishing sixth in what is now the Premier Division.

On 10 March 2007 Squires Gate played a home match against FC United of Manchester at Curzon Ashton F.C.s ground. The club had approached Blackpool F.C. about playing the game at Bloomfield Road but the ground was not available. And so they played the match in Ashton-under-Lyne, as it was felt that FCUM fans were more likely to attend with the match being staged in the Greater Manchester area. A crowd of 1,650 saw Squires Gate lose 0-1 and Squires Gate earned about £7,000. To cap a very impressive 2007-08 season, Squires Gate were delighted that no less than nine of their members were honoured with long service awards: Albert Hamer, George Diggle, Roy Westhead, Brian Hugill and Brian Addison all collected Football Association Order of Merit mementos for 50 years service; and Steve Bellamy, Mick Farrer, John Maguire and Tony Hornby received 30 years awards from the Lancashire FA. All these stalwarts are still active in the service of their Club.

Groundsman Brian Addison was judged the best at our level in the Northern Region, and a magnificent third nationally at the FA Groundsman of the Year presentations in London last September, and his pitch is clear evidence of his commitment. As Chairman Stuart Hopwood said, " We believe in a sure and steady programme of improvement of our facilities, and we now feel that with an award winning pitch, dressing rooms which are amongst the best in the League, and a pleasant, air-conditioned Clubhouse, we have a lot to be proud of, and the future looks good for Squires Gate FC. Dave McCann was appointed manager towards the end of the 2012/13 season and has endured premier survival since taking charge. He is assisted by Richard Thomas and Mark Shaw.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Can YOU Help?

Every little helps so if you are interested in getting involved please talk to a committee member or contact us at: www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk.

This Months 200

Club winners…

£100 winner: Tom Webb £60 winner: Damien Molloy £40 winner: Maurice Thompson

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

First Team Stats fixtures – results – appearances – goalscorers

Next up at Brookburn Road…

Saturday 4th April 3.00pm – West v Silsden Saturday 18th April 3.00pm – West v Runcorn Linnets

Come down and support the team!

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

NWCFL League Table’s… after games on Tuesday 24th March

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Cheshire League fixtures, results and tables - Reserves Reserves 27th Sept Warrington Reserves - Cup 4th Oct Altrincham FC Reserves 11th Oct Ashton Town Reserves 18th Oct Pork’s Pantry - Cup 25th Oct Wythenshawe Town – Cup 1st Nov FC Woodford 15th Nov Moore United FC 22nd Nov Cuddington FC 29th Nov Irlam FC Reserves 6th Dec Cheadle Town Reserves 20th Dec Wythenshawe Town 17th Jan Warrington Town 7th Feb Moore United 14th Feb Mersey Valley FC 28th Feb FC Woodford 21st March Golborne Sports 28th March Mersey Valley FC 7th April Witton Albion Reserves 11th April Grappenhall Sports FC 14thApril Altrincham FC Reserves 25th April Cuddington FC 27th April Irlam FC Reserves 7th May Witton Albion Reserves

(A) (A) (H) (H) (H) (A) (A) (H) (A) (A) (A) (A) (H) (A) (H) (A) (H) (H) (H) (H) (A) (H) (A)

0-3 (L) 1-3 (L) 2-4 (L) 0-2 (L) 0-7 (L) 1-4 (L) 4-1 (W) 6-1 (W) 5-1 (W) 1-1(D) 0-8 (L) 6-1 (W) 4-2 (W) 0-3 (L) 0-0 (D) 2-6 (L)

The Hallmark Security Cheshire Football League – Division 2 Table after matches on 21st March

POS

P

W

D

L

GD

PTS

1

Wythenshawe Town

12

12

0

0

45

36

2

Altrincham FC Reserves

14

10

1

3

20

31

3

FC Woodford

15

6

5

4

10

23

4

Mersey Valley FC

13

6

3

4

7

21

5

Irlam FC

12

5

3

4

2

18

6

WEST Res

12

4

3

5

-5

15

7

Cuddington FC

12

5

0

7

-7

15

8

Moore United FC

14

3

2

9

-33

11

9

Witton Albion FC Res

8

2

0

6

-12

6

10

Cheadle Town FC Res

16

1

3

12

-29

6

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Appearances and Attendances‌ after Tuesday 24th March

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

Statistics… after Tuesday 24th March

WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC

Recent Results & upcoming Fixtures…

RESULTS Saturday 21st March 2015

FA Carlsberg Vase Semi Final 1st Leg AFC St Austell 0-2 Glossop North End Premier League 1874 Northwich 1-1 Squires Gate AFC Blackpool 2-1 Bootle Bacup & Rossendale Boro 0-2 Abbey Hey Barnoldswick Town 1-1 Maine Road Nelson 1-0 Congleton Town Silsden 1-0 AFC Liverpool St Helens Town 1-1 Winsford United WEST 0-1 Colne First Division Ashton Town 3-3 Litherland REMYCA Chadderton 1-0 Cammell Laird 1907 Holker Old Boys 0-0 Barnton Irlam 0-3 Atherton LR Oldham Boro 2-0 Eccleshall Widnes 0-4 AFC Darwen Wigan Robin Park 1-2 Hanley Town Tuesday 24th March Premier League 1874 Northwich 3-0 Runcorn Town AFC Blackpool 1-5 Glossop North End Ashton Athletic 3-2 Colne Bootle 3-1 Winsford United WEST 2-1 Bacup & Rossendale Boro

Wednesday 25th March 2015 First Division AFC Darwen 0-1 Chadderton Barnton 1-6 Hanley Town Cheadle Town 3-1 Oldham Boro Litherland REMYCA 1-4 Eccleshall Northwich Flixton Villa 4-1 Rochdale Town

FIXTURES Saturday 28th March 2015 FA Carlsberg Vase Semi Final 1st Leg Glossop North End v AFC St Austell Premier League Ashton Athletic v AFC Liverpool Bacup & Rossendale Boro v Bootle Congleton Town v Alsager Town Runcorn Linnets v Squires Gate Silsden v WEST Winsford United v Barnoldswick Town First Division Chadderton v Hanley Town Cheadle Town v Barnton Eccleshall v Daisy Hill Irlam v Oldham Boro Northwich Flixton Villa v Atherton LR Wigan Robin Park v Rochdale Town Please Note: Programme printed before games on 28th March

Thank you to our Match Sponsor against Bacup & Rossendale Boro last Tuesday…

We are very grateful to Dave for sponsoring our match against Bacup & Rossendale. 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 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.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

CLUB MERCHANDISE…NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!!!

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!

Club crest scarves £7 (£6 to club or supporter club members) Wrist bands £1 Beanie hats £6 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

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.

www.westdidsburychorlton.co.uk

A Brief History…

West Didsbury and Chorlton FC, have come a long way in their 105 year history which began back in 1908 when the club was founded as Christ Church A.F.C. by Mr R F Hartley, a Sunday School Superintendent at the church on Princess Parkway, West Didsbury.

West played friendlies at first and then in the Manchester Alliance League until the First World War 1914. After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and had to change its name to West Didsbury AFC, as that League did not permit a name suggesting association with any other body. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A, staying in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first honours were double runners up in Div 1 and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23, and the club remained in the L+C League until 2006, winning many honours and providing 4 League Presidents along the way.

The home ground from before 1914 until the mid 1980’s was Christie Playing Fields, and then the owners, Manchester and Salford Playing Fields Society, gave the club notice to quit having decided to sell off the land for commercial development – now ironically called ‘Christie Fields’ office park.

After several years’ nomadic existence searching for a new home, the club acquired the redundant and overgrown Recreation Ground at Brookburn Road in 1996, and began to restore this to active use and develop a vision for a community club. This was down to the hard work of a core of players and Committee who refused to let the club fold. Work was completed in time to start the 1997-98 season using excellent new changing rooms and clubhouse facilities aided by a Lottery grant, new sponsors and members’ fundraising, but without a penny from the Playing Fields Society sale proceeds.

Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect the new location in Chorlton and the club was then elected to the Manchester League in 2006. In 2007/8 West won its first Manchester League silverware lifting the Murray Shield in the last game of our centenary year. That team was the nucleus of the previously successful junior team and the following season 2008/09 West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final. won their League.

With a new management team led by Andy Nelson, 2009/10 was very successful and honours spread throughout the club. The 1st team won the Murray Shield (the third consecutive year in the final) and was league runners-up. The reserves won the Bridgewater League Cup and the U17 Youth team won their League.

In 2010/2011 the 1st team won the Manchester League First Division title in style with a fantastic 65 points out of 72 possible. This ranks as one of the highest points totals per game in Manchester League history dating back over a century. The clubs reserve team and youth teams also had terrific seasons, resulting in promotion and for the second year reaching the Bridgewater Cup Final.

The Youth team reached yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills. The Veterans were runners up in the Premier Division of the Cheshire Veterans League and then started a second veterans team such was the interest in the club. Plans were also made to formally integrate junior football as the club Vision is to be a FA Charter Standard Community Club, playing at the highest possible level it can whilst remaining financially viable.

Further improved saw floodlights erected in 2011 to meet FA requirements and West competed in the FA Vase for the first time in 2011-2012 as a Step 7 club.

Election to the NWCFL followed in June 2012 and the club had an incredible first season winning the Div1 Trophy, finishing in 3rd position after an amazing run in during March and April to secure promotion and also winning a guaranteed FA Cup place. The over 45’s team again chipped in with Cheshire Veterans league silverware.

2013-14 saw the club meet a number of challenges on and off the field by recovering from a series of early season setbacks and defeats in August to consolidate with a very creditable 12th place league finish. Two new stands were installed to improves the spectator facilities, new grass pitches and youth teams were added as part of the long term development plan, whilst remaining as a volunteer run, ‘not for profit’ club.

The other historic milestones achieved during the season were the 2-0 home victory over Abbey Hey in the club’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup followed by a 2-1 first ever FA Vase victory away at NCEL Rossington Main near Doncaster in mid September. This season the club hosts Brighouse Town from the Evo Stik league in the FA Cup at the end of August having been given a walk by the FA against NWCFL new club Cammell Laird 1907.

NWCFL Premier Division Tuesday 31st March 2015 – Today’s Squads West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC White Shirts, Black Shorts & Black Socks

G’keepers Ben SImpson Paul Hughes Defenders Callum Jones Scott Jones Anthony Potts Callum Schofield Alex Baird Mark Rogers (Capt) Richmond Botchey Midfield Steve Settle Jordan Poole Gary Lilley Scott Mason Matt Eckersley Danny Summers Forwards Jerome Bryson Kieran Brocklehurst Tre Baldwin-Willis Nic Evangelinos Lewis Schofield David Short Rick Gleave Manager: Andy Nelson Assistants: Steve Settle & Steve Eckersley

Squires Gate All blue

Ben Fletcher (Gk) Andy Richards Danny Penswick Joshua Westwood Chris Anderson Brett Ferguson Jake Forshaw Harry Dunn Billy McKenna Alex Murphy Mike Hall Jack Cook Alex McKendrick Sean Holmes Ryan Riley Mark Buchan Robbie Bromley Dave Rodgerson

Manager: Dave McCann Assistant: Richard Thomas

OFFICIALS

Referee: Michael Crusham Assistant Referees: Anthony Ball & Keiron Jones