West Didsbury & Chorlton v Squires Gate

• Saturday 30th September 2023 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 16
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• £7 adults, £5 Students / 60+ / Under 16s, Free Under 12s
• Season tickets / pay on the gate / advance tickets available HERE
• Food and drink available 
• Dogs welcome

Live commentary is available for this match, via Westlive HERE

Preview

West look for their first double of the season as Squires Gate visit Brookburn Road just a month after the 5-1 win at the Brian Addison Stadium.

With all 24 NWCFL Premier Division teams in league action on the same day for the first time August 12th, both sides will be looking for a positive result and favourable outcomes elsewhere.

West could jump to 2nd with a win and favours from Glossop and FC Isle of Man, who face Bury and Wythenshawe respectively. Squires Gate's goal difference means moving up the table is unlikely even with a win, but three points would be valuable in closing up on the pack of teams above.

While West have a superb away record against Squires Gate, the reverse is also true. Indeed, 12 of the 18 meetings between the two clubs have resulted in an away win, though Gate haven't left M21 with the points since October 2017.

History

Squires Gate were formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion FC and competed in the Blackpool & District Amateur League. They won the league's Rawling Shield in their first season. The name of the club was changed to Squires Gate FC in 1953. They won the B&D First Division in 1955/56 and 1956/57 and the Blackwell Cup in 1958/59 and 1959/60. Moving to the Fylde District League for 1960/61, winning the Fylde Cup and losing in the final of the Bannister Cup.

The following season they moved up to the West Lancashire League where they spent the next thirty years. From 1961 until 1980 they were in Division Two, winning promotion in 1981 as champions. In the 1986/87 season they won the Richardson Cup.

They were elected into the North West Counties Football League for the 1991/92 season, joining Division Two. They won the 2001/02 season Division Two Trophy and the following season were still promoted to Division One following the demise of Stand Athletic, also reaching the quarter finals of the FA Vase.

The club has held permanent membership of the NWCFL since 1991 and has been in situ in the top division since promotion in 2002, achieving a highest placing of 6th in 2014/15.

Due to an indifferent start in the 2015/16 season, club captain Danny Penswick took over as player-manager and ensured survival with a memorable last day win at Ashton Athletic. Premier Division status was also secured in 2016/17 thanks to a late surge in form. Andy Clarkson took over in October 2017 and guided the club to a creditable 8th place finish and mirrored that achievemenet again in 2018/19.

After a difficult start to the 2019/20 season, Luke Evans was appointed manager, assisted by Shane Hudson. Evans led the club up the table, with Gate sat in 9th place before COVID-19 struck the nation, cutting the season short in March.

The time away allowed the committee to look at how to move the club forward off the pitch, with much needed improvements made across the board. New changing rooms were implemented and various other improvements made around the stadium.

A new media team was also appointed, with James Ashton, Dan Hayden and Jay Hayden heading up a new look social media, programme and graphic design, with Ian Moore coming in as the new Club Photographer, taking over from the irreplaceable legend Albert Cooper. 

The 2020/21 season only saw nine league matches take place for Gate, before COVID struck once again to cut the season short after December. This again allowed time for Luke Evans to keep moving the club forward, as partnerships with Talented Player Development and Global Football Network were made. Meanwhile, a new Under 23s team was formed, led by Liam Robinson of Talented Player Development.

Forward to the start of the 2021/22 season, a decent start in the league coincided with Gate putting together a good run in the FA Cup, reaching the 2nd Qualifying Round - matching their best run in the club’s history. The highlight of this run came in the Preliminary Round, as Gate hosted newly formed Macclesfield FC at The Brian Addison Stadium. A record crowd of 738 watched an incredible match, as Gate came away 6-4 winners to progress into the next round. After knocking out North Shields, Gate were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Pontefract Collieries to end their run. Gate kept ticking in the league too, finishing 17th with safety confirmed comfortably by the start of March.

Unfortunately during the 21/22 season, the club had the devastating passing of beloved chairman Tony Jo. Luke Evans and the rest of the club committee now had the club in their hands. It made for a difficult summer in 2022, with the club only just surviving, but the committee and its volunteers pulled together to keep the club afloat and put together a new young and hungry squad for the 2022/23 season. While the previous season’s FA Cup achievement couldn’t be matched, an excellent run was put together in the FA Vase, with Gate reaching the Third Round.

The summer of 2023 saw more off the field changes, with club legend John Maguire stepping down from his role as Secretary, ending 48 years of stellar service. James Ashton and Alan Davis were elected onto the club committee, as well as Ian Moore who became the new secretary. Hayden Moore was appointed Head of Recruitment, while a new chairman was also appointed - head of Global Football Network, John Pladas.

Form Guide

West
Position: 4th
Form position: 7th
Last six overall: WDWDWL
Last six home: WWLWLW

Squires Gate
Position: 23rd
Form position: 20th
Last six overall: LLLWLW
Last six away: LLWLLL

Head to Head

Overall:
P18 W10 D1 L7 F38 A25

At The Step Places Stadium:
P9 W3 D1 L5 F18 A17

Last Meeting

Saturday 26th August 2023, NWCFL Premier
Squires Gate 1 West 5
West goals: Darren McKnight 6(p), Lewis Billingsley 49, Ben Elliot 72, Dontai Gabidon 90, 90+6
Attendance: 135

Quick Info

Travelling distance: 52 miles
Last season's position: 20th, NWCFL Premier Division
Last season's average attendance: 101
Home colours: All blue
Change colours: All red

Directions

We encourage supporters to use public transport, cycle or walk if possible. 

By car:

There is no parking available at the ground for supporters, except for pre-booked disability spaces.

Please instead use Hardy Farm, M21 8DP.

Disability spaces must be accessed no later than one hour before kickoff and all vehicles will be unable to exit until 15 minutes after the final whistle to ensure the safety of all supporters leaving the stadium.

There is additional public car parking on Chorlton Ees opposite The Bowling Green pub, who are also allowing supporters to use the pub car park, but there is little other on-street parking.

Please also note that there is no parking available on Brookburn Road itself, nor the surrounding Chorltonville area, as they are privately maintained, exclusively for the use of residents.

By public transport:

The Step Places Stadium is one mile from Chorlton Metrolink station, on the East Didsbury and Manchester Airport lines. Follow Google Maps directions to find your way to the ground.

If you are travelling from outside the Greater Manchester area, the Metrolink network can be accessed from any of Manchester’s central train stations. Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for tram times and more information.

By cycle:

The Step Places Stadium is a perfect location for those who cycle, being located next to the River Mersey, Sale Ees and only a few minutes away from the Fallowfield Cycle Loop. We have secure bicycle racks inside the ground to lock up your bike throughout the game. Please ask a volunteer if you need assistance.

Prohibited items

Bringing pyrotechnics and/or alcohol into the ground is prohibited. It is a criminal offence to bring pyrotechnics into any stadium. Stewards may conduct bag searches for prohibited items upon entrance to the stadium. Bag searches are a condition of entry and your co-operation is greatly appreciated. Spectators who break these rules may be banned from the ground and any pyrotechnics and/or alcohol will be confiscated.

Weekend fixtures
Saturday 30th September 2023
Premier Division
Burscough v Pilkington
Cheadle Town v Skelmersdale United
Colne v Chadderton
FC Isle of Man v Wythenshawe (6pm)
Glossop North End v Bury
Litherland REMYCA v Barnoldswick Town
Longridge Town v AFC Liverpool
Lower Breck v Prestwich Heys
Padiham v Irlam
Ramsbottom United v Charnock Richard
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Squires Gate
Wythenshawe Town v Kendal Town

Pictures by Nathan Ashmall