Colls are back in action on Tuesday evening when our pre-season campaign continues at Brad Cooke’s West Didsbury & Chorlton. Please note the 7.15PM KO.
West and Colls first clashed in 2013 in the North-West Counties Division One, following our hosts' rise out of the Manchester League. A key encounter at the tail end of that season saw West leave Alder House with 3 points, all but securing the final promotion position and consigning Steve Pilling’s side to another season in Division One.
Our paths crossed again when under Micheal Clegg, we joined West in the Premier Division. And in a twist of fate, our opening day fixture was away at Brookburn Road. In the stuff of fairytales, Colls recovered from falling behind to an Ash Woods goal as Nathan Battersby wrote himself (further) into Colls history, firstly with a late equaliser then with a last gasp winner. Since then, Colls have become a bit of a bogey side for West, rattling up a succession of victories both in the league and cup.
Following their relegation from the NWCFL Premier League last season, West now find themselves in the Division One South. With Colls legend Brad Cooke now at the helm, ably assisted by the equally familiar faces of Warren Jones and Rob Saddler, they must be looking to bounce back immediately.
Manager Cooke wasted no time in bringing in players he knew from his playing career, Matty Bolland from Irlam and the shock signing of Kris Holt who joined from Runcorn Linnets in a move that caused eyebrows to be raised. Also popping up on the teamsheet has been Jamie Forbes, to add to the reunions.
For Colls, the start of our first ever game in the Northern Premier League away at Ashton United is now on the horizon, with the club gearing itself up to a challenging opening to the season, games coming thick and fast! Pleasantries and friendships may be out of the window, for 90 minutes at least.
Date: Tuesday 30 July
Time: 7.15 pm
Address: Brookburn Road, Chorlton, M21 8FE
Admission: £5 / £3 concessions / U12s free
Match Preview: Morpeth (A)
December 1, 2023
Atherton Collieries head to Morpeth on Saturday 2nd December, aiming to break a duck which has led to the Colls so far never recording a
