Whats our story?
10 May 2011

The story of West Didsbury began 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 then joined the Manchester Alliance League where they competed until the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918).

After the War the club joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the 1920/21 season and changed its name to West Didsbury AFC. The club was placed in Divisions 1 and A and stayed in the top flight for 25 seasons. The first team were double runners up in League and Rhodes Cup in 1922/23.

In 1927, West lifted the Rhodes Cup by beating Davenport 2-1 in the final, and by the early thirties the club had finished runners up in 1931/32 for the fourth time. It was third time unlucky for West Didsbury (West) as they were beaten in the final of the Rhodes Cup by South Salford, who then won the cup for six consecutive years - a feat unequalled by anyone since.

The first team succumbed to relegation for the first time in 1952, losing a play-off 3-1 to Rusholme, but bounced back as second division runners up the following season, remaining in the top division for another 5 years, before relegation again in 1959/60 meant a 6 year wait to regain top flight status. Indeed during that period, relegation to the third division was narrowly avoided in 1963/64.

West finished runners up in 1965/66 and were back in the top flight for another spell before relegation again in 1968/69. In 1969/70 West win the Rhodes Cup for only the second time. They faced a Monton Amateurs side that had dominated the league for a number of years, yet against the odds West equalised twice and scored the winner in extra-time for a famous 3-2 victory. Current Chairman Brian Cripps skippered the side that day and received the trophy in near darkness.

In 1970/71 West were promoted to Division 1 after securing runners up spot before relegation in 1972/73 and 1974/75 meant that the team were playing in the third division. In 1976/77 West beat Heywood GSOB from the first division 2-0 in the Whitehead Cup Final. Rob Turley scored both goals.
 
The club then had another hard period before promotion in successive seasons, from 1987-89, clinching both divisional championships andlosing only once in two seasons.

The second team were unbeaten champions of Division B in 1987/88 and the club won the Aggregate Trophy for thebest club in the Lancashire and Cheshire League for the  first time in 50 years.

After several years of uncertainty when our former ground at Christie Playing Fields was sold off. the club were boosted when, in 1997/98, they kicked off the new season at their splendid new home at Brookburn Road, and began to 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 and the new facilities secured without a penny of help from the Playing Fields Society who sold the land for commercial development.

Further name change followed in 2003 to reflect our new location in Chorlton and we were elected to the Manchester League in 2006.

In 2007/8 Season West won Manchester League silverware for the first time when they lifted the Murray Shield with the nucleus of our previously successful junior team. The following season West just missed promotion to the Premier Division and again reached the Murray Shield Final.

With a new management team, the 2009/10 season proved to be very successful, honours were spread right through the club with: The first team winning the Murray Shield, (the third consecutive year we have been in the final) and finishing runners-up in the league.

The second team winning Bridgewater Office Supplies League Cup and the U17 Youth team winning their League.

Last Season 2010/2011. The First team won the First Division title in style this season with a fantastic points total (65 points out of 72 possible). This must rank as one of the highest points totals per game ever in the history of the Manchester League dating back over a century.

It was also one of the best and proudest seasons in the club's history and CONGRATULATIONS to ANDY NELSON and ALL THE PLAYERS for their commitment to the club throughout the season.

Our thanks must also go to Dave Conlon, Steve Eckersley, Kris Mahon and physio Ronnie Cook, who have been integral to the management team, and to Rick Waring for his support week in week out as match day secretary for the 1st team.

Congratulations also to the Reserves for a terrific season under the guidance of Jim Hines and Paul Rowell, resulting in promotion  and for the second year they contested the Bridgewater Trophy Cup Final, this time finishing runners up in a game they really should have won.

The A team have also performed well this year finishing in 3^rd place and manager Chris Argent has done a great job in maintaining a squad this season resulting in a complete turnaround in results and league placing.

Rob Madden and Barry Isaacs have steered the Youth team to yet another final where they were just pipped to the trophy by New Mills.

Finally, the Veterans finished 2nd in the Cheshire Veterans League Premier Division and were runners up in the Cup Final. This is another great achievement as this league has expanded in recent years to 4 very competitive divisions comprising 30 clubs and finishing as one of the top teams is great credit to the efforts of Sam Hickey and Phil Bairstow.

So, in summary, 5 teams, 5 top 3 finishes and 3 cup finals to add to the League Championship.

So a great 2010/2011 Season – we look forward to what 2011-12 has in store.