Behind The Greens I

Today is the start of a fortnightly series where we will be delving into the players' lives off the pitch, from the workplace to favourite pair of football boots. We will be kicking things off with Cheadle Town midfielder / defender, Liam Delaney.

Image by Si Cook

Firstly, we will always be starting off the series by finding out what each player does for work to get an understanding of their day to day life away from Cheadle Town.

Starting off with your job title, how long have you been doing it and what do you do in the job?

“Account Manager, two years. The job is mainly sales, but within its role there is an element of customer service too in making sure the customers are getting the answers from me that they require so requires an element of adaptability within the role to take on tasks as and when they come.”

What do you enjoy about the job / what are the challenges?

“The flexibility of the job itself is a big perk, as it allows the work life balance to be a real factor in it. Some of the main challenges consist with people, some people just don’t like the answers that they are given at times and that can be difficult to manage.”

Does the job ever make it a struggle to get to training / matches or is it all arranged to suit?

“Yes and no, it’s all dependant on the timing of these things, the hard parts are after being in work all day to get yourself motivated for the evening ahead, often leads to a case of over tired but it’s all good crack with the lads at the end of the day so it’s worthwhile.”

When you’re not working or playing football what do you like to get up to

“I’m quite active outside of football to be fair, I play some golf and padel mainly, but I enjoy going for some decent long walks with my dog, headphones in and a good podcast on.”

Now it’s time for some more random (maybe even more interesting) questions as we knew Del would supply us with some interesting answers.

It seems you’re the designated team coach DJ, how happy would you say people are with your ability on the aux?

“I’ll be honest it was kind of picked by the lads that I played with at West Didsbury. I was the DJ there and it kind of just carried on as I took initiative to get us a decent speaker but I like to ask the lads for good songs they’ve heard and bang them all together so that everyone has a song in the playlist when it is shuffled, Foley would disagree but he loves a whinge as his never make the cut.”

If you could be any footballer for a week who would you pick and why?

“Current Footballer, Scott Carson, what a life, third choice keeper getting paid good money at some of the best facilities in the world with some of the best players in the world! He’s got some life. Ex - Footballer, Ronaldinho, for people of my age he made you love the game with his intricacies and flair, alongside JJ Okocha, they just gave you pure entertainment and made you want to try and recreate the things they did on the pitch.”

Then if you could take one players certain speciality for life what would it be and why? (Messi dribbling, Beckham free kicks, pirlo passing etc)

“I think it would be Vidic, the man loves heading the ball, what a man.”

Image by Si cook

If football didn’t exist what would your main sport of choice be?

“It’s a close call between Golf and Padel really, both excellent sports that I like to think I’m goood at when I am actually bang average at best! But great sports that can be enjoyed alongside mates too.”

Favourite all time football boot and is there a reason why?

“It’s got to be the Total 90 laser in yellow and black, just reminds me of Rooney and the old school Nike ads were brilliant and they were just a solid boot, they did a remake of them but they were limited to 2000 pairs and cost an arm and a leg to buy, but what a boot they are, I hope they do bring them back.”

What’s the ultimate post big win meal?

“It honestly really depends, myself and Foley like to gain inspiration from post game by seeing what everyone is having, but if it was a case of being particular it would have to be a Curry for me, a nice lamb madras, pilau rice and loads of garlic coriander naan, really does hit the spot?

And lastly what is your favourite moment in the Cheadle top so far?

“I think it’s between Squires Gate away or Pilinkgton away for me, both games we looked great as a team going forward and defensively, we did concede in both of these games due to a lapse of concentration but overall I think they’re up there with our best performances so far this year.”

Hopefully Liam can continue to earn himself a post match Curry by scoring some Nemanja Vidic headers and keeping the team spirits up with his selection of music on the coach, thanks for reading!

Stingers Sophie John confirmed as a finalist at this year’s Armstrong Projects North West Football Awards

Congratulations to Cheadle Town Stingers midfielder Sophie John who has been confirmed as a finalist at this year’s Armstrong Projects North West Football Awards.

The event will take place at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday, 25th November, hosted by Eilidh Barbour and Dion Dublin. Sophie has been nominated under the Women’s Player of the Season - FA Women’s National League category.

Derby Day: Cheadle Town v Stockport Town - Match Preview

Cheadle Town will be hosting a Stockport Derby this Wednesday at ‘The Ground Up Solutions Stadium’ against Stockport Town.

This week Cheadle will be looking to win back-to-back games for the first team this season, or in the gaffer's words, ‘find some consistency’. So far this season, the league form has been win, loss, win, loss and then win. Which, of course is nine points out of fifteen and a great foundation to build on throughout the season. However, winning runs are needed to really push those promotion play offs, and what better way to start one of those runs than a local derby.

Last time out, Cheadle got their first clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 home win against Colne. Ryan Morton made a trademark run in behind and the Colne defender felt he had little option but to bring the winger down, eyes went towards the referee as he placed the whistle in his mouth and pointed towards the penalty spot. Darren McKnight stepped up and slotted the penalty down the middle to get his side the three points they ultimately deserved on the day. A week prior Jake’s side made the trip up to Squires Gate and left with three points thanks to a goal filled sixteen minutes where the game went from 0-0 to 3-2 to Cheadle just before half time, and in the end full time. Despite losing away at Chadderton in between those two games, positives were there to be taken from the performance against a side who currently sit second in the NWCFL Premier Division.

Stockport were playing in the First Division South last season and certainly earned their promotion, finishing the season in second on seventy-two points and with a seven point gap over third placed Sandbach United. They currently sit sixth in the league in their debut Premier Division season, three places and one point above Cheadle. Meaning, not only is this game a local derby but also a potential early season six pointer. Their three wins have come against Irlam, Litherland and most recently, Prestwich Heys. However, they are yet to come up against opposition who currently have more than one win in the first five games. Therefore, the side player-managed by ex Stockport County midfielder Paul Turnbull will also be out to put a marker down against a side who currently sit near them in the league table.

Despite Stockport being in the First Division South last season, the two sides met in the second round of the Cheshire Senior Cup for a dramatic encounter. Cheadle’s number nine Daniel McLaughlin was then playing for Stockport Town and opened the scoring in the seventy-first minute, however a ninety-fifth minute own goal leveled the game for Cheadle, before then going on to win the match in the subsequent penalty shootout.

The game will get underway at 19:45 and when comparing the sides this season there is little to split the two, meaning all will be revealed across ninety minutes which determine which of the two Stockport sides will take the bragging rights for now, come on Cheadle!

Written by Rob Mackenzie

FA Cup: Longridge Town v Cheadle Town - Match Preview

Cheadle Town will begin their FA Cup journey this weekend against fellow NWCFL Premier Division side, Longridge Town. The match will be Cheadle’s first away game of the season as they make the journey up to the ‘Recycling Lives Ground’ in Preston.

For Cheadle, the season is off to a steady start, opening their campaign with a 2-1 win against Prestwich Heys thanks to a brilliant first time finish from Danny McLaughlin in the 85th minute. Securing him the man of the match award and two goals on the opening day. However, four days later, last season's NWCFL Division one winners St Helens made the trip down to Cheadle and left with all three points. St Helens led 3-0 after sixty-six minutes, and despite Cheadle’s valiant efforts to fight back in the last half an hour, it was all too little too late. 

As for Longridge Town, they have also seen similar fortunes in the opening two games of the season. Kicking off their campaign with a 1-0 at home to Burscough, also stealing the points late on thanks to a ninetieth minute winner from Leighton Hewitt. But, just three days later, Longridge found themselves two goals down inside ten minutes at home against Charnock Richard. They managed to steady the ship and get into halftime just two down, however a goal six minutes into the second half may have done damage to any second half plans, before a late fourth goal went in to seal a 4-0 win on the road for Charnock Richard. 

In terms of previous results between the two sides, there was little to separate the two last season, but there was certainly drama. They met each other at the ‘Recycling Lives Ground’ in late September where the points were shared in a thrilling 1-1 draw, Longridge took the lead in the sixty-first minute through Dean Ing. However, in the ninety-second minute Jordan Lazenbury found the back of the net to ensure Cheadle did not leave empty handed. But, just two weeks later, Longridge got their revenge, making the forty-five-mile trip down to Cheadle and leaving with all three points thanks to late late drama, finding themselves 2-1 down before scoring in the eighty-eighth and ninety-first minute to steal all three points.

So to put it simply, both last season and this season there is next to nothing to separate the two sides. This season they sit next to each other in the league table, Cheadle in thirteenth and Longridge in fourteenth, albeit being very early doors. However, a good result and run in the FA Cup is enough to get the confidence flowing at any level. The game will kick off at 15:00 and judging by the two fixtures last season, it’s set to be a thriller, come on Cheadle.

Written by Rob Mackenzie

Cheadle Town v Prestwich Heys match preview

Cheadle Town will be hosting their season opener this Saturday against Prestwich Heys at the newly named ‘The Ground Up Solutions Stadium’. The game promises to be a thriller as both teams will want to hit the ground running in the first of a forty-six-game league season. 

The Grounds Up Solutions Stadium will be seeing a lot of new faces this season, from players to staff. Jake Davies and John Phelan will be the management team in the dugout and they’ve not been shy in bringing new players through the door. Nineteen new signings have been made before the new season commenced. All of which will be out to impress on their competitive debuts this weekend.

Last season Cheadle Town finished fifteenth in the twenty-four team NWCFL Premier Division, following a play-off win the season before to gain themselves an impressive promotion. Leaving a great foundation to build on this season as they look to further work their way up the famous English football pyramid. And you could argue that there is no better manager for that challenge than Jake Davies. Jake was part of the coaching staff at Wythenshawe FC last season, achieving an incredibly impressive back-to-back league titles in the last two seasons. Meaning, his and John’s standards will be set high going into the new season.

As for Prestwich Heys, they are also coming off the back of a strong previous season in which they amounted 80 points and scored 95 goals across the forty-six games. Resulting in an eighth-place finish in a season where the bar was set incredibly high by Wythenshawe FC (95 points), Wythenshawe Town FC (95 points) and Bury FC (92 points). Fourth place being Charnock Richard FC on 81 points, further highlighting how impressive the top three teams were last season. Therefore, with both Wythenshawe sides out of the way, Prestwich Heys will certainly be setting their sights on promotion this season.

Last season Prestwich Heys got the better of Cheadle Town in both fixtures, winning 4-2 at Cheadle Town and winning 2-1 at their home stadium, Adie Moran Park. However, Cheadle go into the new season with only two players who were at the club last season, meaning last season’s results are little more than history.

The game kicks off at 15:00 and everyone at Cheadle Town will be hoping the current buzz around the club can transfer into an enthralling ninety minutes of football, and most importantly three points, come on Cheadle.

Written by Rob Mackenzie

Jake's first pre season interview for the club

Jake Davies sat down with Rob from our club media team to preview the season ahead, talking club expectations, recruitment of the first team, and many other initiatives he’s supporting behind the scenes.

Cheadle Town FC announce new men's 1st Team Manager

Statement from new Chairman Steve Taylor:

In one of my first tasks as the new Chairman of Cheadle Town FC I am delighted to announce that Jake Davies will join the club as our new First Team Manager.

Jake is a young and talented coach with bags of non-league experience under his belt and I’m delighted to give him the opportunity to take over as Manager of our club. Most recently he was part of the coaching team that helped Wythenshawe FC get promoted so Jake is fully aware of what is needed to build a successful team, and I look forward to supporting him and his coaches throughout the years ahead.

I am excited to see the team that Jake will build for next season and look forward to welcoming new players and coaches into our club.

New Chairman at Cheadle Town FC for the 2024/25 season

Statement from Craig Brennan:

When I acquired the club in 2018 I set out our long term plan of getting the club in to the national league, there were many steps in that plan that included:

- Multiple Promotions

- Ground redevelopments

- Introduction of junior section

- College programme

- Women’s teams

I’m massively proud of we have achieved so far:

- Revenues have increased 10 x from 2018

- Next season our junior section will have over 500 players

- Our college programme is thriving, the only club in the NWC to have one

- The facilities are now a community asset and used every day of the week

- We have a fantastic team of staff & volunteers

- Our women’s team will play their football in the National League next season

But there is still a hell of a long way to go in terms of promotions, club structure and ground developments.

One of the big things I’ve taken away from running businesses for nearly 20 years is that sometimes, fresh energy is needed.

So at the end of this season I will be stepping down as club Chairman. From season 2024/25, Steve Taylor will be the new Chairman of Cheadle Town FC.

It’s not a decision I have taken lightly, myself and Steve have been in discussions for months. I can assure you he is the right man for the job, a passion for football, his 2 boys have been through our junior section and he is a man who I have utmost trust and confidence to take the club to the next level.

I’m not going anywhere, I am stepping out of the Chairman role, Steve is stepping in. I will assume the role of club president.

Club Statement

We can today confirm that manager Paul Marshall and assistant manager Steven Yarwood have departed the club.

It has been a history making two seasons at the club for the pair, all starting from July 2022 to now, over 100 games later.

In that time, the club has won four club of the month awards under their management, a club equalling furthest run in the FA vase and of course being promoted via the play offs for the first time in the clubs history last season.

We wish Paul and Steven all the best in their future endeavours.

They will always be remembered as legends at the club, thank you.

The club are not taking applications as a new management team will be announced in the coming weeks

Bury FC - Important Information

To allow Bury FC supporters a safe arrival and departure at Park Road Stadium on Tuesday evening, we ask that you note the following guidance:

• Parking is limited inside the ground and will be restricted to players and officials ONLY.

• The approach road to Park Road Stadium (past the cemetery) will be manned by stewards and parking will be limited to players, officials and supporters holding a Blue Badge.

• Please respect the residents on Park Road and only park on the opposite side of the houses. There are double yellow lines on the residents side and you will more than likely receive a parking ticket if you do park on that side of the road.

• We are expecting Park Road parking to be used up quite quickly, so to avoid congestion please turnaround by the cemetery and return to the top of Park Road to find alternative parking.

• Alternative parking is available nearby…

  • Cuthbert Road

  • Chorlton Drive

  • Frances Street

  • Brookfield Road

• Please give yourself ample time to get to the ground due to the expected car parking issues.

• We kindly ask supporters to respect our neighbours that live on Park Road and return to their vehicles quietly after the game.

Finally we hope all Bury supporters enjoy their visit to Park Road Stadium, but we do ask for patience when entering the ground and queuing up for food or drinks. We have made every effort ahead of Tuesday’s fixture to prepare and accommodate for the expected large crowd.

Park Road Stadium offers a safe resting place for former Cheadle Rovers player

Harold Drinkwater who sadly died in March 2021 finally had his ashes scattered across the hallowed turf of Park Road Stadium on a cold and damp Monday afternoon in February.

Whilst Harold had no direct links with Cheadle Town, he did play for Cheadle Rovers who occupied Park Road Stadium in the 1950’s and 1960’s before Manchester City acquired the ground as their training facility. It wasn’t until 1984 that the current Cheadle Town side moved into the vacated Park Road Stadium and began making their own history.

97-year-old Harold was passionate about football and played throughout the Second World War whilst on duty with the Army, but despite not being picked up by a professional football club when the War finished, he still played at a very high standard for Cheadle Rovers.

Unfortunately there is not much history available about Cheadle Rovers, but they do appear to have been a very successful Amateur side during the 1950’s and 1960’. Records indicate that Cheadle Rovers played in the Manchester Amateur League before joining the Manchester League in 1955. Cheadle Rovers were then crowned champions of the Manchester League in 1957-58, 1958-59, 1960-61 and 1961-62. Following finishing a respectable 8th position in 1965-66 it appears that Cheadle Rovers left the Manchester League and presumably folded ahead of Manchester City moving into their new training facility at Park Road Stadium.

It was Harold’s daughter Judy who contacted the Football Club a few weeks ago. Judy told us about her father’s love of football and how he played during the war when he was stationed in Algiers and Italy. On his return back to the UK after the war, Harold played semi-professional football for many years. He even had a trial with Manchester United after he was spotted playing by Harry Gregg. Harold often spoke fondly of his time playing for Cheadle Rovers at Park Road Stadium and Judy thought it was befitting to lay his ashes at the ground in his memory.

Cheadle Town Retained List 2022/2023

Cheadle Town can confirm the retained list following the conclusion of the 2022/2023 season.

• Jordan Latham

• Adam Jones

• Jack McConnell

• Liam Moran

• Kyle McGonigle

• Tom Murray

• Jordan Lazenbury

• Lee Gregory

• Ryan Usher

• Pat Davin

• Juwon Hamzat

• Martin Pilkington

• Will Unsworth

• Kaleb Parkinson

• Ryan Barrow

• Charlie Mulgrew

• Desi Flanagan

• Callum McGlynn

  *ALL PLAYERS SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION APPROVAL*

  We can also confirm that Danny Hewitt has retired from football. We wish Danny all the best in his retirement.