Gatley Afc were formed in 1948 by among others Brian Royle, Jack Stewart, Alan Nelson and Jimmy Chilton and Noel Baker.

At first the lads started playing football together in the street with a tennis ball on Belmont road and Beech Avenue. Soon they were joined by Baz Garret, Jim Burns, Barry Knowles. From futher a field Peter Birtles from Princess parkway, Dan Flannery from Springfield Rd, Stan Machin from Pendlebury Rd and John Stuart and Brian Chandley from Styal Rd or thereabouts.

They made up a group of friends That met up at Gatley Milk Bar ( primarilly to meet girls)!

formed a team about ‘46/47, including several other Milk Bar devotees. Alan Park and Ian Murdy, two excellent goal keepers. (Alan went to Bolton Wanderers). There was no available ground in Gatley, so we usually played ‘friendly’ away games.
Brian fondly remembers remember playing Manchester Maccabi on a cinder pitch and against RAF Wharton which involved a coach trip ending up at the Pleasure Beach, Blackpool.

Return matches were played occasionally on a Sunday on Cheadle's Broadway School pitch, without permission, using the old air raid shelters as changing rooms. Someone reported the team to the School and ultimately a letter arrived saying they were not welcome. Jim Burns wrote to the Cheadle and Gatley council explaining the predicament and pleading for help. The Council responded, providing a pitch on Gatley Flats (William Scholes fields, our current home pich) and changing accommodation at Ford Hall.It was about that time the team decided to join a league. They were all under eighteen so they recruited a few fathers to help and they joined the South Manchester league; Alan Nelson’s, Jimmy Chilton’s and Brian's dad became Groundsman, Chaiman and Treasurer respectively. Jim Burns who was seventeen at the time remained as Secretary. Steve Nelson marked the pitch and fixed the nets for many years; for which he deserved a medal!

Jim Burns won the best secretary award for two years running in the South Manchester league. Some of the lads, like Jim were still at school and most saturdays they played for school in the morning and for Gatley in the afternoon and even the odd Sunday match, on a good week-end!

Geoff Shaw of Delamere Rd had just left school and started a job for which he received a bonus. Geoff generously bought the team a new kit.(The team had played in ordinary white shirts until then. Geoff was an Arsenal fan hence the 'Gunners' nickname.

A few older players came along; Mike Rains an Estate Agent from Gatley, who was an ex-fighter pilot flew down the left wing sporting a huge handle bar moustache. Ernie, a chiropodist from Cheadle, dashed down the other. Keith Owen joined at the grand old age of nineteen. He had captained Manchester Boys’ team while at school. Cliff ,a painter and decorator was a very polished right half from Gatley Green, but never disclosed his considerable age.However these were the days of National Service and one by one His Majesty took the lads away for a couple of years.

Gatley AFC joined the Lancashire & Cheshire league in 1963

There are many notable members of the club and we still have two with us today Stan Towler who joined in 1956 remains our treasurer to date and Committee member Brian Ibberson who joined in 1967 and still attends all home games. Brian was captain of the Gatley side that gained successive promotions in 75/76 Div 2 and 76/77 Div 1.

Today, Reg Bahzuri is the player/manager of the first team and has an six year association with the club, two as manager.

Gareth Wheeler our Hon. secretary and general Mr fixit joined in 1986 and is still playing, managing the reserve team and organising.

In addition there are comittee members and players involved that have had long associations with the club. Most notably, Ifty Ahmed, Ian and Steve Mcgregor, Peter Mcloughlin and Steve Hall.

One of Gatley Afc's proudest moments was attaining promotion from Div 2 88/89 the team were undefeated managed by Peter Hazelhurst who also played for the club in the 70’s & 80’s.

A special mention goes to Stanley Farrington who joined the club in 1952 and was our longest serving chairman until he passed away. Stan was a great advocate of Fair play and tolerance and was greatly respected throughout the club.

In addition, a heartfelt thank you goes to Club founder Brian Royle for his wonderful and appreciated assistance in compiling this history.