‘Around the Grounds’ Edition 7: West Didsbury & Chorlton
Mon 16th September 2024 | West Didsbury & Chorlton | By Ben Wilkinson
This week's edition of 'Around the Grounds' is brought to you from West Didsbury & Chorlton and their Brookburn Road home. I visited for the fixture against South Liverpool on Tuesday 10th September.
During the game, I caught up with West vice-chair and secretary Rob Madden who talked me through a bit of the club's history... "The club used to play at Christie's before leaving in 1992 and spending the next five years playing on various pitches in the area. Brookburn Road was the home of East Chorlton FC at the time and we, led by Rob Turley, purchased the ground from their trustees after that club folded. We've gone from strength to strength since the move here, particularly since we joined the North West Counties. There's a real community club feel and we get really good crowds for this level."
I couldn't write an article about West Didsbury & Chorlton without mentioning Rob Turley. Rob was a prolific striker for the club in their Lancashire & Cheshire League days, but his dedication to the club didn't stop once he hung up his boots. In fact, he took it to another level. Rob was instrumental in the club's move to Brookburn Road and oversaw the club's progression through the Manchester League and into the NWCFL, with promotion finally being secured in 2012. At various points in time, he was the club's manager, chairman and secretary - he was 'Mr West Didsbury & Chorlton'. Rob sadly passed away in 2016 but a stand named after him at Brookburn Road will ensure his memory lives on.
As for the game, it took just two minutes for the opening goal to arrive as Jordan Lazenbury cut inside and bent a shot towards goal which made its way into the back of the net via a slight deflection off South's Christopher Bramell. Lazenbury very nearly got his and West's second of the game as his free kick from the left hand side was tipped onto the crossbar before being cleared upfield. South Liverpool levelled the scoring through a well taken Neil Weaver penalty; the ball coolly rifled into the bottom left corner, West keeper Oliver Martin being sent the wrong way.
The home side asserted their dominance after the interval however and restored their lead on the hour mark as a goalmouth scramble saw the ball cross the line having last bounced off a South Liverpool man. Just three minutes later and the advantage was doubled through a powerful strike from Billy Matthews that sailed past the outstretched arm of Lucas Allen and into the back of the net. West were comfortable enough with this two-goal lead but there was time for another in added time as Cameron Darkwah got himself on the scoresheet via a header in front of a vocal Shed End to leave the score 4-1 to the hosts as the referee blew his whistle.
I asked Rob Madden for his thoughts ahead of the big FA Cup clash against Darlington: "Tickets sold out earlier today [Tuesday]; it's up there with one of the biggest days in our history. It's already been a great cup run for the club; luckily our gaffer is quite laid back about the fixture congestion!". Rob also gave an insight into potential works on the ground... "We want to be ready for promotion off the pitch and we probably need more facilities to cope with the crowds that we get now. Top of our list is a new toilet block and an extension to the clubhouse but we've got additional planning considerations given our location near a conservation area and the local residents. We definitely need some more covered stands and some proper turnstiles too, particularly for the sell-out crowds like the Darlington game. We hope to get some stuff done within the next three years, funding-dependant."
I also spoke to club committee member Monica Carr, who has completed over 25 years service at the club - "I've had some great days with this club; promotions, semi-finals, and my favourite trip - Isle of Man away! It's a lovely community club with plenty of families here for a day out on a matchday. We've come a long way, when we first joined the league we had basic facilities, the Shed End and the club shop weren't here yet and we barely had any hospitality at half time. Our youth team section started off with 4 lads and we've now got over 30 teams playing under the club's name." and just a brief word on Rob Turley - "put simply, he is the reason we are where we are."
‘Around the Grounds’ Edition 7: West Didsbury & Chorlton
Mon 16th September 2024 | West Didsbury & Chorlton
By Ben Wilkinson
This week's edition of 'Around the Grounds' is brought to you from West Didsbury & Chorlton and their Brookburn Road home. I visited for the fixture against South Liverpool on Tuesday 10th September.
During the game, I caught up with West vice-chair and secretary Rob Madden who talked me through a bit of the club's history... "The club used to play at Christie's before leaving in 1992 and spending the next five years playing on various pitches in the area. Brookburn Road was the home of East Chorlton FC at the time and we, led by Rob Turley, purchased the ground from their trustees after that club folded. We've gone from strength to strength since the move here, particularly since we joined the North West Counties. There's a real community club feel and we get really good crowds for this level."
I couldn't write an article about West Didsbury & Chorlton without mentioning Rob Turley. Rob was a prolific striker for the club in their Lancashire & Cheshire League days, but his dedication to the club didn't stop once he hung up his boots. In fact, he took it to another level. Rob was instrumental in the club's move to Brookburn Road and oversaw the club's progression through the Manchester League and into the NWCFL, with promotion finally being secured in 2012. At various points in time, he was the club's manager, chairman and secretary - he was 'Mr West Didsbury & Chorlton'. Rob sadly passed away in 2016 but a stand named after him at Brookburn Road will ensure his memory lives on.
As for the game, it took just two minutes for the opening goal to arrive as Jordan Lazenbury cut inside and bent a shot towards goal which made its way into the back of the net via a slight deflection off South's Christopher Bramell. Lazenbury very nearly got his and West's second of the game as his free kick from the left hand side was tipped onto the crossbar before being cleared upfield. South Liverpool levelled the scoring through a well taken Neil Weaver penalty; the ball coolly rifled into the bottom left corner, West keeper Oliver Martin being sent the wrong way.
The home side asserted their dominance after the interval however and restored their lead on the hour mark as a goalmouth scramble saw the ball cross the line having last bounced off a South Liverpool man. Just three minutes later and the advantage was doubled through a powerful strike from Billy Matthews that sailed past the outstretched arm of Lucas Allen and into the back of the net. West were comfortable enough with this two-goal lead but there was time for another in added time as Cameron Darkwah got himself on the scoresheet via a header in front of a vocal Shed End to leave the score 4-1 to the hosts as the referee blew his whistle.
I asked Rob Madden for his thoughts ahead of the big FA Cup clash against Darlington: "Tickets sold out earlier today [Tuesday]; it's up there with one of the biggest days in our history. It's already been a great cup run for the club; luckily our gaffer is quite laid back about the fixture congestion!". Rob also gave an insight into potential works on the ground... "We want to be ready for promotion off the pitch and we probably need more facilities to cope with the crowds that we get now. Top of our list is a new toilet block and an extension to the clubhouse but we've got additional planning considerations given our location near a conservation area and the local residents. We definitely need some more covered stands and some proper turnstiles too, particularly for the sell-out crowds like the Darlington game. We hope to get some stuff done within the next three years, funding-dependant."
I also spoke to club committee member Monica Carr, who has completed over 25 years service at the club - "I've had some great days with this club; promotions, semi-finals, and my favourite trip - Isle of Man away! It's a lovely community club with plenty of families here for a day out on a matchday. We've come a long way, when we first joined the league we had basic facilities, the Shed End and the club shop weren't here yet and we barely had any hospitality at half time. Our youth team section started off with 4 lads and we've now got over 30 teams playing under the club's name." and just a brief word on Rob Turley - "put simply, he is the reason we are where we are."
