All of the latest news from the club
Cheadle Town 1-1 Whalley Range
Cheadle were held to a draw by a spirited Whalley Range side in their second pre-season friendly.
No sooner had the referee blown his whistle to start the match and we had finished our conversations about the rather clement weather and the starting line-up we were lamenting the fact that we had gone a goal down.
After 53 seconds to be precise. A free-kick from the right was parried by Arran Dixon but straight at the feet of an awaiting 'Range player who stroked it home from the edge of the box.
In a half where we had most of the possession we only created two more half-chances.
On the quarter-hour mark Thabiso Magida was threaded through on the left of the box and looked certain to bury an equaliser but was thwarted by an excellent last-gasp challenge. It wasn't until the 37th minute that Luke Pearson saw a goalbound cross-shot tipped over the bar.
'Range could have then gone into the break with a healthier lead but we were thankful that the stooping header that met a low cross from the right scuttled wide of the post.
The second half got off to a lively start.
A cross from the right was palmed conveniently into Richard Whyatt's path but he couldn't get himself into shape for the shot with Dean Nolan then heading narrowly over the bar shortly afterwards.
A dangerous 'Range corner was then hacked off the line at the far post with substitute goalkeeper Josh Clews called into action when he saved at his feet with a 'Range forward bearing down on his goal.
On 54 minutes we had the ball in the net; alas it was disallowed for handball.
On 71 minutes, the breakthrough. Daniel O'Donnell had forced the 'Range keeper to scramble away a long-range effort with the resulting corner seeing Luke Pearson whip in a teasing cross from the right for Dean Nolan to flick home from close range.
Dean Nolan's goal to level the scores at 1-1 in the 71st minute
Dean then had an excellent chance to nudge us into the lead with 80 minutes gone as he fashioned himself some space for a shot on goal but his effort was straight at the keeper with the 'Range custodian denying him again two minutes later by beating away Dean's shot at the near post.
As the adage goes, there's no such thing as an easy game. Given the difference in level that us and Whalley Range play at the neutral might have been expecting a landslide in our favour but that was never going to be the case against a well-organised and robust 'Range outfit.
STARTING XI: Dixon, McLaughlin, Pearson, Trucca, Rodrigues, Birch, Magida, O'Donnell, Kelly, Whyatt, Sherrington. SUBS: Clews (gk), Nolan, Ahmed, Rathburn, Lindon
Cheadle Town 2-0 Maine Road
Cheadle Town got their 2015-16 pre-season under way with a decent win over Premier Division opposition.
It may have taken 78 minutes to break the deadlock but there was very little sign of any ring-rustiness in what was an entertaining affair.
And what two well-taken goals they were and all.
The first was thanks to Richard Whyatt latching on to a well-measured through-ball before popping his effort over the goalkeeper's head and into the far corner. The victory was then sealed with seconds of the match remaining, with newcomer Liam Tongue receiving a short corner in acres of space before unleashing an absolute thunderbolt from a tight angle.
For large periods of the match it looked as though it would be one of those tales of "how did it not go in?"
Just after the half-hour mark both Trucca and Whyatt somehow failed to get onto a low skidding cross with the goal gaping with pure comedy cuts occurring some five minutes later, as a goal-bound header was expertly cleared off the line by Trucca with the resulting mayhem coming to nothing.
In and around that incident a powerful Michael Sachs header forced an excellent tip over the bar from the 'Road keeper and Tony kelly had a couple of half-decent chances, kneeing wide after some excellent work down the right from Chris Rathburn and heading inches wide following a Pearson cross from the left.
'Road's second half was much better than their first. They forced an excellent save from substitute keeper Arran Dixon with only four minutes of the half gone and then were denied by a last-ditch tackle as one of their substitutes was through on goal.
In between our two goals they had two chances to make it 1-1. A cross from the right was flashed over the bar from close range with a header then clipping the top of our crossbar.
So, we're up-and-running. It may "only" be a pre-season friendly but a winning habit is a good habit to get into....
STARTING XI: Piggott, McLaughlin, Pearson, Trucca, Sachs, Rodriges, Rathburn, Tongue, Kelly, Whyatt, Sherrington. SUBS: Dixon (gk), Magida, Birch, Tolley, Nsimbe.
Park Road Gets Parliamentary Visit
Park Road welcomed an esteemed guest this afternoon as Conservative MP for Cheadle Mary Robinson popped in to get the lowdown on the club's plans for the future
Guided by committee member Brian Lindon, Mary was given the full lowdown on the club's plans for the future.
Our very own Brian Lindon with Mary Robinson MP
As well as learning a thing or three about Cheadle Town FC, Mary returned a few tidbits of information that raised a smile.
First of all we found out that Cheadle Town FC were mentioned in the House of Commons Parliamentary Debates as part of Mary's maiden speech. In mentioning the unfortunate result to the Russia U19 side last October, Mary said that "our amateur football teams are important".
Cheadle Town's mention in recent parliamentary debates
Mary also said that our mention got a nod of approval from none other than Lord Mayor of London Boris Johnson! Perhaps we have a secret fan down there in our nation's capital....
Mary was also kind enough to give us a mention on Twitter, saying how much she enjoyed her visit to Park Road.
We would like to go on record to say many thanks to Mary for taking the time to come to Park Road in what must be a busy schedule.
Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available
We have a wide range of sponsorship opportunities available if you want to be part of the Cheadle Town family....
Here at Cheadle Town FC we have some exciting times ahead.
As we enter the new season in Division One of the North West Counties League we are developing into a real community club.
Our plans for a new clubhouse, a junior section, women's team and more involvement with the local community are well under way.
We are passionate about the future of Cheadle Town FC and would love you to 'Back Our Town' and join us on this journey.
The booklet (click on the image below to open it) shows ways in which you can sponsor as an individual or a business with a range of benefits to match any budget.
We look forward to welcoming you into the Cheadle Town FC family and at a fixture in the coming season.
Welcome to the New CTFC Official Website
You are looking at the new official Cheadle Town FC website. Here's a few pointers - and an introductory video - to get you started.
Sometimes a change is as good as a rest.
After the rather challenging season we had off-the-pitch in 2014-15 it seemed a good idea to start afresh with as many things related to the club as possible; I had earmarked a fresh lick of paint/complete redesign of the club website for a while now so it seemed a good chance to actually get that done in time for the start of 2015-16.
We have left the Pitchero platform and tried something new. Something cleaner. Something less cluttered. Something that (hopefully) gives you what you are looking for in a club website without having to hunt around too much.
Admittedly it's still a little bit of a "work in progress". The eagle-eyed amongst you will probably notice that a lot of the images being used are somewhat out-of-date but they will be replaced and updated as we go along.
To help you get started (we know how disorientating it can be when you've been used to one particular style for so long) here is a short video to point you in the right direction....
If there's something you feel that is missing then please let us know. I have either got it on my to-do list or it's something I have completely forgotten about! Simply use the new Contact Us form (link is at the bottom of the screen). Many thanks in advance.
First Handful of Fixtures Announced for 2015-16!
The new season must be upon us; we already know a handful of our first competitive fixtures for the forthcoming season.
The first batch of fixtures announced were the draws for the "domestic" NWCFL cup competitions: the League Cup and the First Division Trophy.
In the League Cup we have been paired with neighbours and NWCFL newcomers Stockport Town in a home tie, with the winners going on to a trip to Premier Division Alsager Town in the next round.
For the First Division Trophy we have been handed an away tie at Irlam - and their lovely new clubhouse - in the 2nd round.
Somewhere nice to go and warm our toes if it gets cold at Silver Street
Dates for the two domestic cup competitions will be announced by the NWCFL in due course.
On a wider scale the draws for the FA Cup and FA Vase were also announced.
Unfortunately our league position last season meant that we missed the cut for the FA Cup but we are most certainly in the Vase, with a trip to Northern Counties East Premier Division side Staveley Miners Welfare awaiting us in the 1st Qualifying Round on Saturday 5th September.
The first handful of NWCFL First Division League fixtures were sorted and all.
We will open our league account on Saturday 8th August with a trip to Bacup Borough who were relegated from the Premier Division last season.
The Brian Boys Stadium - first stop on the 2015-16 season roster
We then have two home matches: Wednesday 12th sees Chadderton make the visit to Park Road with Saturday 15th then welcoming newcomers Whitchurch Alport.
Further league fixtures will be released by the NWCFL in due course.
NWCFL AGM 2015: Round Up
The Imperial Hotel in Blackpool was the venue for the 2015 North West Counties Football League AGM on Saturday 13th June.
The Imperial Hotel in Blackpool
A 7.30am start and a 12.30am finish; the NWCFL AGM is certainly a long day.
But a rewarding one in many ways. There's plenty to take away from the day: this is the only opportunity where the entire NWCFL community of those who look after the clubs in one way or another can all get together, compare notes from the season past and have a good ol' natter about all things football.
At least we're guaranteed a seat!
The day starts with the AGM itself, chaired by the NWCFL Chairman David Tomlinson. Plenty was discussed on this occasion with the main points being as follows:
- It was sadly confirmed that fellow Division One stablemates Wigan Robin Park and Oldham Borough had tendered their resignations from the league. As I had tweeted during the AGM when you are a football club at this level you forge many strong friendships with those in the same position as you at other clubs; Wigan RP and Oldham Borough were no exception and it is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to them.
- We still don't know whether we will be in a 17 or 18-team division next season. Whitchurch Alport - initially denied entrance into the NWCFL - have appealed to the FA with it being heard towards the end of the month.
- To that end the NWCFL couldn't make any of the domestic cup draws so we will have to wait to see who we will play in the NWCFL League Cup and First Division Trophy.
The time that was vacated by the cup draw was ably filled by a discussion about a proposed amendment to the play-off system that was introduced for last season. To cut a long story short, a vote was cast and the vast majority of clubs - from both First and Premier Divisions - voted to keep the play-off system as it is
The AGM meeting finished at around 12.30pm with the usual time to proverbially kill before the dinner and presentation ceremonies in the evening. However, we took the opportunity to hold a small committee meeting and discuss a few small matters concerning the season ahead. More details of these matters will be published here in the near future.
The four club representatives at the dinner: Chris Davies (chairman), Karl Florczak (web and social media), Stuart Crawford (secretary) and Andrew Calvert (commercial manager)
Our thanks to the North West Counties management committee for organising another successful day.
Three Pre-Season Fixtures Announced
There are three new dates for your diary in July as three pre-season fixtures have been announced
The 2014-15 season has barely gone cold and preparations are already in place for 2015-16 in the shape of three pre-season fixtures.
We kick things off on Monday 13th July with a home match versus NWCFL Premier Division outfit Maine Road.
The following Saturday - 18th July - we are at home again, this time to Whalley Range, members of the Cheshire & Lancashire Amateur Football League.
The following Saturday 25th July sees us hit the road with a short trip to Poynton, members of the Cheshire League.
Full details re kick-off times etc. will be posted on here in the near future.
N-n-n-Nineteen for Next Season
The NWCFL have announced the League Constitution for 2015-16 ahead of the League AGM next Saturday
Yet to be fully ratified by the Football Association, the NWCFL have announced the league constitution for 2015-16.
From a Cheadle perspective we will be in a 19-team First Division again next season with the following slight changes to make a note of:
- Oldham Boro have undergone a slight name change and will now be known as Oldham Borough
- Northwich Flixton Villa have also undergone a name change and will be known as Northwich Manchester Villa for next season
- Stockport Town are effectively vacating the space left by the folding of Stockport Sports and will join us as a new club in the First Division next season
- We will also be joined by two clubs relegated from the Premier Division: St Helens Town and Bacup Borough
Keep an eye on our Twitter feed on Saturday 13th June for full coverage and updates from the AGM
Presentation Evening 2014-15
And so that's it - our 2014-15 season has been officially brought to an end with the Presentation Evening held at The Bungalow Club at Edgeley Park last night.
Here is the full list of awards given:
U21 Team
Manager's Player: Liam Brennan
Player's Player: Nathan MacAuley
Reserves Team
Manager's Player: Andy Street
Player's Player: Liam Warner
First XI
Manager's Player: Nathan Neequaye
Player's Player: Nathan Neequaye
This is the first time that both Players and Managers award has been won by the same person - well done Nathan!
Recognition for 10 Years' Service at the Club
Andrew Lindon
There were also parting gifts for Gary Billingham who will be leaving the club as Reserves Team Manager, but not before a rather rambunctious football quiz - hosted by the Chairman - and won in what some were claiming in controversial fashion by a team containing committee member Stuart Crawford.
A huge thank you to the players for turning out last night in what was an enjoyable evening. Hopefully this time next year we will be able to host it in our own clubhouse!
WANTED: First Team Coach & Kit Man
Terry Hincks - First Team Manager - is looking for a new coach and a kit man to assist him.
Cheadle Town FC are looking for a First Team Coach and a Kit Man to assist our team manager Terry Hincks.
If you think you can help with either role then please get in touch with Terry via e-mail on
terryhincks@yahoo.co.uk
or call him on
07976 725399
The 2014-15 Season: In Words
It has been an eventful season on and off the pitch with enough material to write a small novel. Here's a more digestible version of events....
It has been an eventful season on and off the pitch with enough material to write a small novel. Here's a more digestible version of events....
23 Goals - Not Bad For An Old Man
Where would we have been without Nathan Neequaye’s goals? For the record I’ve worked it out: 12 points worse off and in 16th spot. If that’s the effect that an “old man” (as he once referred to himself on social media) can have then I’m all for an ageing squad!
He’s had a rare season. 23 goals in all competitions and, at one point, managing to score in six consecutive matches with his final tally aided and abetted by 10 from James Horan, 7 from the midfield engine of Ashley Smallwood and a notable 6 from centre-back Joe Armstrong.
Last season we had 26 different goalscorers. This season - largely thanks to Nathan’s contribution - we’ve trimmed that down to 16!
Play-offs, on, then off again
Play-offs. Not for the faint-hearted. Always good to watch from a neutral point-of-view but always better to be actually part of them if there’s a chance of being promoted.
A new introduction for the NWCFL Division One 2014-15 term, those teams in third to sixth place would have their seasons extended. To the victor, the spoils of joining the top two in next season’s Premier Division.
In campaigns past the promotees from Division One have been pretty well done and dusted before the Easter eggs have been dished out, leaving a swathe of dead rubbers in the fixture list.
Not this time. It’s safe to say that the introduction of the play-offs has had the desired effect in giving an increased number of teams something to aim for towards the season’s end. The four play-off spots weren’t decided until the final whistle on the final day of the regular season; our best wishes go to AFC Darwen, Hanley Town, Holker Old Boys and Chadderton who will be preparing for the first part of the wringer by the time this went to press.
At one point it looked as though we had a chance of being in that list. A rotten start gave way to a fairly decent mid-season run in which we lost only 3 league matches out of 14.
Lurking with menace in 7th spot, strange twist in fixture fate then took hold as March turned into April.
Of the six games that remained, four of them were against fellow play-off hopefuls and the other two against champions-elect, we-never-do-well-against-them Atherton Collieries. Add to that fact the other teams around us had games in-hand and the run-in looked even more vital. We knew what we had to do.
The worst-timed return of bad form meant that we couldn’t. Home defeats to Barnton and Hanley Town dented the play-off hopes with Atherton Collieries finishing them altogether when they came to Park Road and collected the Division One title to boot.
I have absolutely no doubt that the play-offs will be our prime target next season. Our squad are more than capable of achieving it.
Cheadle Town FC - A Registered Charity
It would be inaccurate to blame those final six matches for our final position. With the greatest of respect to those teams I am about to mention, there has been some reckless acts of philanthropy from us this season.
Within that decent mid-season run were two home defeats to Ashton Town and Eccleshall, granting them both their first away victories of the season.
Hanley Town away - 2-0 up and coasting, only to lose 2-3 at the death. Another 2-0 lead was squandered at Irlam (which ended 2-2).
It is the opinion of the author that we have one of the best squads to have graced the Park Road baize for quite a while. We just need to iron out the “daft results” and the moments of “typical Cheadle”….
Home Discomforts
Our efforts to improve Park Road stadium certainly made their mark this season, but not necessarily in a positive way.
The first nine league matches were all away as the Main Stand work was finished. That said, we didn’t do too bad; despite the constant travelling the squad had the character to win four out of those nine games - it could have been a lot worse.
The knock-on effect of dismantling the clubhouse in December and repairing unfinished work on the Main Stand then played havoc with our fixtures and is mainly the reason why we ended up with the tough run-in that we had.
The stadium even did its best to sabotage a home win at one point. 4-1 up and cruising against Atherton LR, one of the floodlights failed resulting in the match being abandoned. It was comforting to see us give Sod’s Law a firm poke in the eye by winning the rescheduled match 2-1.
With the Main Stand now 99.9% done and a new clubhouse in the offing (before we all get too attached to that caravan serving as our refreshment hut and boardroom) the problems off the pitch will have been ironed out and we can enjoy a less stressful season off the pitch.
The Patience Of Saints Terry, Truc, Woodsy et al
With all that has been going on re the redevelopment of the ground and all the hassle it caused, the final word has to be one of thanks to all of the coaching and management staff - far too many to mention here - of all of our respective teams who have displayed an incredible level of patience and understanding.
Roll on 2015-16.....