We are pleased to announce details of our third annual Christmas Miracle game, which will be taking place on Saturday 9th December as we welcome Hanley Town to Brookburn Road - with free beer from The Beagle, charity donations to local charity reach Out To The Community, Christmas Carols, and a bumper raffle accompanying the footballing feast.
Now in it's third year, the Christmas Miracle acts as a way for the club to thank fans for their ongoing support, as well as acting as the perfect excuse to bring friends, family and loved ones down to Brookburn Road for their first taste of Brookburn Road - all while doing good for the wider community.
As another year of incredible feats both on and off the pitch comes to a close, we will be welcoming Chorlton's favourite craft beer bar The Beagle down to Brookburn Road as they give out a free beer to anyone who makes any donation to Chorlton charity, Reach Out To The Community. Reach Out to the Community is a new initiative set up to offer support to people struggling with the most basic of needs: food and shelter. Focusing on two groups: rough sleepers in and around the Chorlton area of Greater Manchester, and local individuals and families who are in food poverty, we're proud to be able to offer support for this vital local service, and overjoyed that The Beagle have become involved to help boost donations.
There will also be Christmas carols sung by the A Capella Ultras - led by choirmaster and Brookburn Road regular Richard Stewart - sung at half time, collecting money for Reach Out… - all while putting a West twist on some festive classics. The support of our enthusiastic fanbase has been one of the most exciting things to carry on throughout 2017, and the club is once again humbled that they have offered their support for such a vital issue on one of West's most important fixtures. In addition, we'll also be putting on a bumper raffle, with a vintage West shirt up for grabs and other money-can't-buy prizes in among what can be won for the price of a raffle ticket (£1).
At a difficult time for those struggling to make ends meet or sleeping rough, the following donations would be hugely appreciated:
FOOD
Non-perishable food (items with a long shelf life) including, but not limited to:
Tinned food.
Pasta.
Rice.
Noodles.
Instant noodles.
Biscuits.
Cereals.
Snack bars.
Packet soups.
Jam/marmalade/peanut butter etc.
Cooking sauces, such as pasta sauces, curry etc.
Long-life fruit juices.
Squash and cordials.
SURVIVAL SUPPLIES
Small pop-up tents.
Sleeping bags.
CLOTHING
Men's jogging/tracksuit bottoms.
Thermal clothing layers.
Underwear.
Socks.
Speaking on the Christmas Miracle, supporter spokesman Peter Jones said, “The Christmas Miracle is a key date in the West calendar. It mixes my favourite things about the club; community, kindness and delicious beer. Last year we were blown away by donations and I know the Brookburn Road faithful will be more generous than ever. This is also a great time to encourage friends to give West a go so get inviting people via the Facebook event.”
A Capella Ultras choirmaster Richard Stewart said, “West started as something different to do on a Saturday with mates, beyond just watching Soccer Saturday and hoping my bets come in. Now I get to sing whimsical original football chants and have a pint with a community of like minded people, and all the while my bets still aren't coming in”
If you are unable to bring anything down to the club, we will also be accepting cash donations in exchange for a drink from The Beagle. All contributions will go to Reach Out To The Community, was founded in 2016 by South Manchester business owners Becky Elliott and Stephanie Moore, building upon the foundation of two years’ work in a related initiative which they had been heavily involved with from its inception. As that initial project grew and diversified, they felt increasingly drawn in a particular direction. Consequently, in May 2016 they chose to both specialise and localise and so founded a new community venture which had a more specific focus, whilst at the same time expanding to take in people other than the homeless. Their secular remit is simple: to provide practical help for people in need, with kindness, compassion, and without judgement. Visit their shop on Chorlton high street at , or find out more on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/OutReachtotheCommunity/
Opened back in 2012, The Beagle has long been established as one of Chorlton's favourite bars. With a superb food selection to supplement their first class craft beer selection, it has been a post-match favourite of West fans for a number of years. Having West stickers up behind the bar, their WDCFC pedigree is well established, and we're honoured to have them involved in this year's Christmas Miracle. As well as dispensing free drinks for attendees, they will also be giving out membership cards for the bar that will entitle the holder to 10% off orders at The Beagle. Visit them at 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, or take a look at their website for more information here: https://www.beaglesabout.com
Our poster was created by the excellent Sarah Bray. Visit her website here: http://sarahbray.net
Admission is £5 for adults, £3 concessions and FREE for under12s accompanied by an adult. For the latest information about the game, click attending on the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1859588090721951/
