WE WELCOME to WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AFC The​ Recreation Ground, Brookburn Road, Chorltonville Manchester M21 8FE

Club Committee: Glyn Meacher; Rob Madden; Dave Cooper; Rob McKay; Monica Creer; Steve Eckersley; John Churchman; James Doxford; Davy Iredale; Dan Iredale; Tim Manley and Matthew Durrant

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.wdcfc.co.uk ​ ​

Main Club Sponsor:

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. ​

A welcome to Stockport Town

After the weekend’s FA Cup exploits, West return to the quest for league points when we welcome Stockport Town to Brookburn Road.

Following last Tuesday’s draw at home to Wythenshawe Town, this will be the second in a run of four consecutive league matches against rivals. Though we are at a stage of the season where the league table can barely be described as embryonic, teams have begun to step forward as potential promotion candidates – Shropshire pair Oswestry Town and St Martins each have 100% records after three games – so it is vital that West put cup dreams out of their minds for the next fortnight and continue to rack up league points. The season so far

While West were in cup action at Squires Gate, the Lions had a free weekend. They are still looking for their first win of the season after losing at home to Wythenshawe Amateurs on the opening day, then claiming a late draw against arch-rivals Cheadle Town last Monday. Connections

Lions winger Jesurun Uchegbulam played six times for West at the back end of the 2018-19 season, scoring in the 4-0 win at Litherland REMYCA. Last time we met

Saturday 23rd September 2017, West 4-3 Stockport Town: In our sole competitive meeting to date, ten-man West edged the Lions out of the FA Vase. Mark Rogers saw red just after the break, but Joe Shaw’s double, Nic Evangelinos and Matty Kay’s last-minute winner secured progression.

The West team that day: Ashley, Mason, Parr, Tinker, Rogers, Hagon, Steer, Shaw, Bailey, Rydings, Henderson. Subs: Evangelinos, Kay, Simcock, Mendes Gomes, Weston.

Saturday’s results

Barnton 2-1 Wythenshawe Town Att: 51 Cheadle Heath Nomads 3-0 Ellesmere Rangers Att: 53 Cheadle Town 0-1 St Martins Att: 63 FC Oswestry Town 5-1 Alsager Town Att: 68 Maine Road 1-2 Abbey Hulton United Att: 68 Sandbach United 1-2 Eccleshall Att: 85 Other fixtures

Tuesday 13th August Vauxhall Motors v New Mills Wythenshawe Amateurs v Abbey Hey

Thank you for visiting Brookburn Road and have a safe journey home

Match Report

Saturday 10th August

Squires Gate 1 (Egidi 90+2) West 4 (Middleton 78, Grimshaw 85))

Att: 79

Resilient West booked an appointment with Celtic with a superb win against familiar FA Cup foes Squires Gate.

Both sides struggled to acclimatise to filthy conditions on the Fylde coast in a frayed first period, but West were by far the better team after the break and made the vital breakthrough with two goals in the final 15 minutes. Gate jangled nerves as they pulled a goal back in stoppage time, but the visitors were not to be denied a first win in the FA Cup since 2017.

As well as exorcising ghosts of 2016 and 2018’s eliminations at the hands of Gate, this win over a side that finished eighth in the NWCFL top flight last season should send confidence coursing through the veins of Brad Cooke’s side, with tails already up after an unbeaten start to the league campaign.

There did, however, seem to be little FA Cup magic dust sprinkled over the Brian Addison Stadium in a windswept first period that ventured on unwatchable. Passes were regularly blown straight out of play in both halves and Ash Woods’ shot over from outside the area was the sum total of West’s efforts in the opening period. Gate had more luck in eking out opportunities but ran aground at the feet of West keeper Andrew Jones, who saved well with his legs on two occasions to keep the scores level at the break.

The teams emerged from the sanctuary of the dressing rooms to find the maelstrom had subsided slightly, and a football match emerged from the gloom – the home side threatened first, sending a low shot just past Jones’ near post. But West soon grew to their task and the majority of the action took place at the other end. Matty Boland turned a Kris Holt cross the wrong side of the far post before Woods narrowly failed to connect with a low ball from the same source.

Thoughts were drifting to a Tuesday night replay at Brookburn Road, but just as West historians were dusting off their record books to mark a first goalless draw in 152 games, Cooke shuffled his pack decisively – introducing Dylan Moloney and moving Lee Grimshaw into the centre of the attack. Ten minutes later, West were ahead, Matthew Cook winning a free kick on the right wing, Boland

delivering, and Chris Middleton powering a header into the net to cause pandemonium in the travelling support.

Grimshaw had a shot deflected wide shortly afterwards as West looked for a settler, but the former Prestwich man did get his first goal in black and white with five minutes remaining. Lee Gavin, irrepressible in midfield along with Holt and Josh Tinker, split the Gate defence with a through pass, Grimshaw rolled the ball into the bottom corner and now all roads led to Bower Fold.

West’s only disappointment will be that Gate breached their otherwise excellent defence in the second minute of stoppage time, Riccardo Edigi stooping to nod a cross inside the far post. There was time for one more scare as a lobbed effort dropped narrowly off target, but the afternoon belonged to West and the club can now look forward to what promises to be a memorable afternoon on Tameside.

West: A. Jones, Cook, Cooper, Tinker (C. Jones 61), Middleton, Eckersley, Grimshaw, Gavin, A. Woods (Moloney 68), Holt, Boland (Steer 88). Not used: Horner, B. Woods.

West media team man of the match: Lee Gavin.

Match Action - West 1 - 1 Wythenshawe Town

Images from our opening home game of the season, where West managed a draw against Wythenshawe Town. Images courtesy of Simon Cook.

Match sponsors Today’s match sponsor is David Cooper - a committee member who is among a select group of people who has, at some point or another, done almost every role at the club in the past. From goalscoring hero to treasurer, Dave is a West legend - and we’d like to thank him for sponsoring tonight’s game.

If you would like to sponsor any home fixture, please visit our sponsorship page on wdcfc.co.uk - we have packages suitable for all budgets, and they are a great way to connect to the local South Manchester community. Our next home fixture is Tuesday 20 August, when we welcome Cheadle Town to Brookburn Road.

FA Cup | West to face Stalybridge Celtic (A), Saturday 24 August

Following our victory over Squires Gate, West will play Stalybridge Celtic in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, with the tie scheduled to take place on Saturday 24 August at Bower Fold.

Stalybridge play in the Northern League Premier Division (3 leagues above West) and would represent a major scalp for West – if we were to get there, and pulled off a shock result. Last season, they finished 17th, two points clear of the relegation zone. In last season’s FA Cup, they were eliminated in their first tie, losing 1-0 away to Radcliffe Borough. In their long and storied history, Stalybridge have twice reached the Second Round Proper (1993-94, and 1999-00) when Carlisle United and Chester City eliminated them. In recent times, they reached the 1st round before being knocked out by Doncaster Rovers in 2015-16.

Celtic are yet to kick off their season, but begin with a trip to Mickleover Sports on Saturday 17th. Their pre-season has been hugely successful, however – they have defeated Burnley (3-1), Abbey Hey (1-0), Marine (2-1), Mossley (2-0), and, most recently, Glossop North End (5-0). They’ve also been defeated by Curzon Ashton (3-1) and Barnsley (5-0).

As a result of our progression, our game away at New Mills will now be rescheduled – this was previously due to be played on 24th August. News of the new date will be announced as and when we have it.

History of Stockport Town

Stockport Town ​ Football Club began Town competed in three competitions in their life back in February first ever league season including the NWCFL, 2014 and developed a League Challenge Cup and Senior first-team squad in Cup. The club progressed to the semi-finals of preparation for the the League Challenge Cup before suffering a 2014/15 season. Unfortunately the club failed 3-1 defeat to Barnton FC at SSV, meanwhile to secure a place in the North West Counties Hyde United knocked Town out of the Cheshire League division One so led by manager, Senior Cup in the Preliminary Round. Calum Sykes, proceeded through a campaign ​ of friendly fixtures. As the season came to a close, the Lions secured a playoff spot in the First Division with The club's first ever non-competitive match a match to spare in the NWCFL. Town came came against Stalybridge Celtic on 12th July up against Bacup Borough FC in the playoff 2014, and despite losing 5-0 at Stockport semi-final at SSV but were defeated 2-0 as Sports Village, the club had begun its journey. Bacup progressed into the 2015 First Division Playoff Final. ​ The club, nicknamed The Lions, spent the ​ season playing against first teams and reserve The second competitive season for the club teams from many different clubs including; FC didn't go quite so well. Full of optimism in United of Manchester, Ramsbottom United, August, and favoured by many to win the Fleetwood Town U21's and Norwegian outfit, league, the Lions got off to a slow start and Rolvsøy IF. were languishing in mid-table when Calum Sykes resigned as manager a week prior to The Lions endured a successful campaign Christmas 2016 moving on to manage New competing in 35 fixtures home and away Mills and taking 9 players with him. ending with statistics of Won: 17, Draw: 8, Lost: In the interim period before the board were 10. The club also completed a 13-match able to appoint a new manager, the team unbeaten run in the middle of the campaign suffered its biggest defeat, a 10-0 crushing at between 13th July - 13th October, including 9 the hands of City of Liverpool. The game did victories. set another record, a gate of 196, at the time club record for a league match. ​ In May 2015 the club was accepted into Step 6 ​ of the Non-League Pyramid and joined the In January 2017 Dave Wild was appointed North West Counties Football League - alongside assistant Phil Carratt. Under Dave Division One. The club's first ever competitive and Phil, the Lions went on a 12 match fixture came on Saturday 8th August 2015 unbeaten run which left the club excited about away at Hanley Town, a match in which what could happen in 2017/18. In addition the Stockport were victorious 3-2, and in doing so U18s lifted the North West Youth Alliance recorded their first win in a competitive match. Division 2 title. The U21s didn't fare so well finishing 6th in the North West Development On 15th August 2015 the club competed in League. Nathan Neequaye, who'd left the club their first League match at Stockport Sports mid-season to join New Mills ended the season Village, with their opponents on that day, as top scorer on 17 goals. Izzy Miranda, a Widnes FC securing a 2-2 draw in front of a January signing for Dave Wild, was awarded then record crowd of 78. Players Player of the Year with Daryll Grant

winning Player of the Year. Jack McConnell, scoring record held by the aforementioned who made his first team debut as a 16 year old, Neequaye. scooped the Young Player of the Year Award. The clubs fourth season once again saw a new The Lions third season in the NWCFL was managerial appointment as Alan Lord took the anticipated with much promise as the club reins. With his ongoing role at Stockport managerial duo of Wild and Carratt looked to County, Alan was able to bring a number of build upon the finish to the 2016 -17 season County youngsters on the fringe of first team with the signing of a number of established places to the club. Initially it took a little time players from around the North West counties for the lads to adapt to the pace and rigours of teams to add to a core of young U21 players. life in the NWCFL, losing a number of games in Despite occasional highs including the return to the last few minutes. The team bobbled along SSV of previous manager Sykes and his New the lower reaches of the division until a change Mills team who were subjected to a 6-1 of form around Christmas and a solid run-in mauling in front of a record league crowd of saw the team finish in a very respectable 10th 212, the watchword for the league position. Highlights included a record 8-0 performances was inconsistency. victory over Stone Old Aleynians and also 6 consecutive MOTM nominations for player This situation was not helped in March by the Calum Dolan before his inevitable move to a managerial duo moving into management roles higher league level. Kiarno Samms finished as at Evostik club Mossley and the subsequent top scorer with 20 goals. departure of a number of senior players.. They were replaced by Under 21s manager Jake Stockport Town approach the new 2019-20 Davies and his assistant Tom Upton who season with Alan Lord moving to a Director of valiantly saw the club through to the end of the Football role and 1st team management duties season as the club finished in 10th position – a being led once again by Jake Davies and long way of 9th and even further from the Bobby Lofthouse. play-offs.

Cup performances however were the highlight of the season with a string of eye catching results against higher league opposition including beating Maine Road, Runcorn Linnets and Abbey Hey on the way to the semi-finals of the Macron Cup and Hyde United and Winsford United on route to the final of the . By reaching the final, the Lions became the lowest ranked club ever to reach the final of this prestigious cup and the first NWCFL team since 1984 to do so. Sadly for the Lions, there would be no cup glory as they came up against a very strong Nantwich Town side who ran out 3-0 winners.

The season saw Ben Halfacre end the season as League 1 top scorer with 31 goals which added to his 10 goals from the previous season saw him eclipsing on the way the previous

Meet the players...

Matthew BOLAND - 0 appearances, 0 goals Creative midfielder and set-piece specialist who made the short move from Irlam in the summer of 2019. Previously played alongside Brad Cooke at Atherton Collieries.

Matthew COOK - 0 appearances, 0 goals A forward-thinking full-back who signed from Winsford United in the summer of 2019.

Zachary COOPER - 14 appearances, 1 goal Technical left-sided player who was one of the success stories of the 2018-19 season. Signed from Trafford in 2018 and also counts FC United and Abbey Hey among his former clubs.

James COTTEE - 0 appearances, 0 goals Forward player who has moved north after extensive experience of the Isthmian League, most recently in a goal-laden spell at Ashford Town (Middlesex).

Keiron DALE - 0 appearances, 0 goals Forward who arrived at West in 2019 after spells at Northwich Victoria and Abbey Hey.

Matthew ECKERSLEY - 127 appearances, 14 goals Long-serving centre-back whose West career has only been interrupted by time in Wales playing for Cefn Druids. Picked up both players’ and manager’s player of the season awards in both 2016 and 2019.

Jamie FORBES - 0 appearances, 0 goals Defender who arrived in M21 in July 2019 via Atherton Collieries, Radcliffe Borough and Atherton LR.

Lee GAVIN - 67 appearances, 4 goals Box-to-box midfielder who has made himself a shed end favourite since his West debut in 2015. Returned to regular action in 2018-19 after a period away from the side.

Lee GRIMSHAW - 0 appearances, 0 goals Wide player who signed for West in 2019 after two successful seasons at Prestwich Heys, where he scored 32 goals.

Jordan HENRY - 0 appearances, 0 goals Young winger who signed for West at the back end of the 2018-19 season after learning the ropes in 1874 Northwich’s youth team.

Kristian HOLT - 0 appearances, 0 goals Another player with experience of playing alongside Brad Cooke at Atherton Collieries, midfielder Holt won promotion with both Colls and Runcorn Linnets before swapping Halton for Chorlton in the summer of 2019.

Thomas HORNER - 9 appearances, 1 goal Defender who moved across the Pennines from East Yorkshire Carnegie halfway through the 2018-19 season and made an immediate impact with a fine debut goal against Silsden.

Michael ITELA - 0 appearances, 0 goals Attacker who started his career at Salford City, scoring twice on his full Ammies debut in 2016, and most recently spent part of 2018-19 at Prestwich Heys before signing for West.

Andrew JONES - 0 appearances, 0 goals Goalkeeper who signed for West after a lengthy period at Altrincham, interspersed with spells at Maine Road, Stafford Rangers and Mossley.

Callum JONES - 0 appearances, 0 goals Defensive-minded player who came through the ranks at Altrincham before heading up the A56, appearing for the Robins’ youth, reserve and first teams.

Daniel McLAUGHLIN - 18 appearances, 3 goals Forward who has appeared on the wing and through the middle since signing from Mossley, initially on dual-registration, in 2018.

Christopher MIDDLETON - 18 appearances, 2 goals Centre-back who returned to West in 2019 after a one-season stop at Wythenshawe Town. Previously made over 100 appearances for Congleton Town.

Dylan MALONEY - 0 appearances, 0 goals Attacking player who arrived at West in 2019 after a successful spell at Droylsden.

Ben STEER - 126 appearances, 26 goals Forward whose direct running and eye for a spectacular goal made him a crowd favourite before spending the 2018-19 season at Wythenshawe Town.

Josh TINKER - 87 appearances, 3 goals Versatile player who has been a popular presence, mostly at full-back, since crossing Wilbraham Road to sign from Maine Road in March 2017.

Ash WOODS - 100 appearances, 52 goals Tireless centre-forward with an outstanding goalscoring record. Has extensive experience of the Northern , with Trafford, Atherton Collieries and most recently Colwyn Bay. Winner of the inaugural West supporters’ player of the season award in 2016.

Ben WOODS - 47 appearances, 7 goals Left-sided player who alternated between West and 1874 Northwich before returning to M21 for the start of the 2019-20 season. ​

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 Stockport Town

Andrew Jones Adam Simpson Ashley Woods Alex Gorst Ben Woods Andrei Stinca Benjamin Steer Andrew Toner Bradley Cooke Connor Bass Callum Jones Connor Hancock Christopher Middleton Gavin Salmon Daniel McLaughlin Jack McConnell Dylan Moloney Jack Taylor James Cottee Jesurun Uchegbulam Jamie Forbes Joshua Robinson Jordan Henry Kenna Ngoma Joshua Tinker Kiarno Samms Keiron Dale Kieran O’Connell Kristian Holt Kyle Foley Lee Gavin Luke Newsham Lee Grimshaw Matthew Widdowson Matthew Boland Max Norman Matthew Cook Nicolae Stinca Matthew Eckersley Reece Skelton Michael Itela Robert Black Thomas Horner Robert Lofthouse Zachary Cooper Thomas Whitty Tom Greenfield Will Smith-Cunnington

Staff Staff

Brad Cooke Jake Davies Robert Sadler Robert Lofthouse Warren Jones Connor Logue Callum Davies

Match Officials Referee - Danny Sims Assistants - Ian Battersby, Alex Beeley

Come on, West!