West Didsbury & Chorlton v Kendal Town

• Saturday 7th October 2023 
• 3:00pm kickoff - gates open at 1:30pm and we advise arriving early to avoid queuing or delays
• NWCFL Premier Division, Matchday 17
• The Step Places Stadium, Brookburn Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8FE
• Cash or card - £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

Preview

West welcome Kendal Town to Brookburn Road, only the clubs' third ever meeting.

The Mintcakes started the season ablaze, dropping only two points in their first eight games - and they had been leading 4-1 in the only blemish - but a recent downturn of four defeats in six has allowed the chasing pack to catch up. 

As a result they're preparing to play a fixture whilst not top of the league for the first time in five weeks - Bury's midweek win over Litherland saw the lead change hands after 43 days - although games in hand mean Town's destiny is still in their own hands.

West will be aiming for a repeat of either of last season's meetings, having done the double over the Mintcakes with wins in February and April.

The February victory at Brookburn Road wasn't dissimilar to the recent triumph over Longridge Town - two goals down but in front by half-time - though the goalscoring stopped there to enable West to take the points. 

The Fools Day trip to Parkside was a memorable one - a comfortable West win in the crisp, spring sunshine.

Lewis Billingsley and Ben Elliott are in sight of double figures for the season, on nine and eight respectively at kickoff, while Town's James Bailey is already on 19 and partner Steven Yawson another potential dangerman with seven POTMs from only 12 appearances.

Goals are expected - both teams are averaging over four in their games so far and this fixture produced five last season. 

History

The present club was formed as Netherfield AFC in 1919 when employees at K Shoes' Netherfield factory were encouraged to form a football team. They were provided with land near to the factory at Parkside and began to compete in local leagues. In 1925 the team achieved its first notable success winning the Westmorland County Cup.

The club then played in the North Lancashire and West Lancashire league before the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 1945 the club joined the semi-professional ranks by becoming a member of the Lancashire Combination League. Two Championship titles were won, in 1949 and 1965.

FA Cup success was quickly becoming a tradition, appearing in the 1st Round five times in eight years. The club’s best run came in 1963/64, reaching the 2nd Round before bowing out to Chesterfield.

In 1968 the club accepted the challenge of becoming a founder member of the Northern Premier League. However, the 1970s were not kind to Netherfield as they languished around the bottom of the table for most of the decade.

The club moved in the North West Counties for four seasons before returning to the NPL in 1987.

The club changed its name to Netherfield Kendal in 1998 and again to Kendal Town in 2000.

2005/06 was one of the most successful in the club’s history, beating Gresley Rovers in the playoff final and a first-ever promotion to the NPL Premier.

The club's time at step 3 peaked with two play-off finishes, unfortunately losing both semi-finals..

In 2012/13, the club was relegated back to the NPL Division 1. Sitting around mid-table for the better part of the next decade, the Mintcakes' best finish during this spell was 10th.

The 2021/22 season was one of the worst in the club’s history. Finishing on 12 points ensured relegation back to the North West Counties Premier for the first time in over 30 years.

2022/23 saw the club to stabilize and finish 12th, the highlights taking over 100 fans to FC Isle of Man and reaching the Macron Cup semi-final.

Form Guide

West
Position: 4th
Form position: 4th
Last six overall: DWDWDW
Last six home: DWWLWL

Kendal Town
Position: 2nd
Form position: 16th
Last six overall: LLWLWL
Last six away: LLWWDW

Head to Head

Overall:
P2 W2 D0 L0 F5 A2

At The Step Places Stadium:
P1 W D0 L0 F3 A2

Last Meeting

Saturday 1st April 2023, NWCFL Premier
Kendal Town 0 West 2
West goals: Own Goal 30, Ben Elliot 60
Attendance: 351

Quick Info

Travelling distance: 76 miles
Last season's position: 12th, NWCFL Premier Division
Last season's average attendance: 226
Home colours: Black & white stripes / black / black
Change colours: Pink / purple / purple

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 7th October 2023
Premier Division
Barnoldswick Town v Bury
Burscough v FC Isle of Man
Charnock Richard v Wythenshawe Town
Cheadle Town v Longridge Town
Litherland REMYCA v Irlam
Padiham v AFC Liverpool
Pilkington v Glossop North End
Prestwich Heys v Skelmersdale United
Ramsbottom United v Chadderton
Squires Gate v Colne
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Kendal Town
Wythenshawe v Lower Breck

Pictures by Nathan Ashmall