Welcome back to another edition of our 'Getting to Know' series, where we take a look at some of our lesser known non league clubs, and try to learn a bit more about them. This time it's the turn of Chadderton FC, fresh from their play-off success in the North West Counties Division One North, where they overcame FC St Helens on penalties to take their place in the Premier Division next season.
It was a memorable season for the Oldham based club, just missing out on automatic promotion, finishing two points behind Pilkington, and with a 14 point cushion over the third placed side, they would have certainly felt hard done by if they hadn't achieved their promotion. It could have been different however, as both their playoff semi final (Euxton Villa) and the final against St Helens, both went to penalties, with Chadderton winning them 9-8 and 6-5, respectively.
To learn a little more than that, I contacted the club, and was lucky enough to speak with the clubs first team assistant manager, Mark Cook (Cookie!), and I think you'll agree, it is a very insightful read in to the delights and struggles of a typical non league club. Here's what Mark had to say to some of the questions we put to him.....
Firstly, congratulations on your successful season, not only comfortably finishing in second place, but then coming through two tense penalty shootouts to gain promotion to the NWCFL Premier Division. Please sum up what this means to the club and the local community?
"It’s something that wasn’t expected when the season started, we set ourselves as a management team and a group of players a playoff finish which would of been 5th. We didn’t expect to finish any higher based on the fact we don’t have a player budget like all the other teams in our division, so to finish 14 points clear of 3rd place and take the league title to the last game of the season missing out by 2 points was unreal! I still don’t think we got the credit we deserved also, as we went an incredible 24 games unbeaten only losing one league game away from home all season , we only lost 4 in total !
It’s a great boost for the club and area, the season has seen a lot of big crowds at the Falcon Fire stadium which has been supported by our juniors sections, (Boys & Girls), having been mascots for around 10 first team home games this season, which brings a real togetherness at the club we are all very proud of."
For those who haven't heard of Chadderton FC, or know very little, please can you give us a brief history of the club? When and how they were formed, any successes along the way. "We were formed in 1947 (some argue 1946) but our club crest reads 1947! I have put a link to our club history below it will give you better detail.
Expanding on their history though, they were formed as Burnley Lane Estate Juniors but their first adult side came along a year later, changing their name to Millbrow FC. In the 50's they changed their name again, now going by North Chadderton Amateurs, whilst playing in the Oldham Amateur League. They moved to the Manchester Amateur League shortly after, and in 1955 they adopted their current name.
Chadderton were founder members of the newly formed North West Counties League in 1982, playing in Division Two, where they remained until 1989 until they were promoted into Division One. A few up and downs later and we're up to date with their promotion season of 2022/23.
Please can you tell us the biggest challenges a club the size of Chadderton face? "Our biggest challenge is keeping the club running. We are not funded by a backer, so match days are our main source of revenue, along with club functions, family fun days, and other ways we can use our club house. The next challenge is to keep the team in tier 5 with this group and a couple of new additions, it won’t be easy. The league has 24 teams, some very strong ones as well, but we are confident we will be ready for the challenge when the season starts on the 29th July." So, next season, with Chadderton competing at step 5, what are you and the club looking forward to the most for this upcoming year? The bigger games, bigger crowds and more challenges. The away day at Bury which should attract around 4,000 fans into Gigg Lane which will be great for the lads." What's the aim for next season? Is it just to find your feet at this level, or maybe make a push for the higher places in the league? "Think I have explained this a bit above but it’s survival it can’t be anything else, we need to stay in this division purely to help the club financially."
Please can you tell us a little of the ground that you play in? Are improvements needed due to the promotion? "We have the new club house extension which is the best in the league, you must come and visit us, we are very welcoming! Also we have plan for a 3G pitch, we have FA funding but need to raise £120k to trigger the start date, so hopefully the 2024/25 season it will be done. This will benefit the whole of Chadderton Football Club, open age and junior sections as we struggle to find training facilities in the winter months. We are also in the process of planning for a new extension on the side of the club which will have a grand entrance, disability facilities, and a lift up into the main club house. All of this can only happen with funding from various charities, FA support, and of course fund raising through the club."
Please tell us more about your role within the club. "So just a bit about myself. I am now the assistant manager for the first team but was first team manager around 6 years ago, having to step down due to work commitments. I have more then just one role, I do the keeper coaching, work with our media lads who are pure gold as they do it for free, and a committee member. I have been around the club for over 30 years, playing for the first team for 7 seasons, so you can tell that I enjoy it, so this season was personally special for me. I never thought I would see anything like this! Oh and everyone calls me Cookie nobody ever uses my first name Mark!"
I really must thank Mark, sorry, Cookie, for the time he has taken in answering my questions, we really appreciate it. I'm sure you'll agree that it gives you a good insight into the running of a non league football club at this level, and hopefully you've learnt a little bit about Chadderton FC as well.
Personally, I spend a fair few weekends up in the north west due to other commitments, so a trip to the Falcon Fire Stadium is high on my list of places to visit in the near future. Hopefully, I'll see you there...
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