Darryl Hall & Jon Brogden have decided to step down after what has been a long and successful managerial partnership, a partnership that is surely unparalleled in the annals of local football.  Often batting way above its weight WBAFC under their guidance has scared the living daylights out of opposition supposedly of a much higher standard and on several occasions only just failed to get to the Derbyshire ‘Senior’ Cup semi-finals.

Repeatedly rebuilding the team with a strong local bias the duo have won everything there is to win at the current Step 7 level over the last 9 years and have even made history by winning 4 consecutive CFL Challenge Cups; previous to that WBAFC became the ‘standout’ club in the Hope Valley League and again under Darryl sustained an unparalleled series of success in all competitions. This has all put Whaley on the footballing map and made it the club anyone within a 10 mile radius wants to play for and only 5 years ago the FA Chairman David Bernstein came to visit one of the FA’s first and outstanding Community Charter Status clubs.

Chairman Steve Rampley, the WBAFC Committee and supporters alike would like to thank Darryl & Jon for their tireless dedication, we all thoroughly appreciate their efforts over the years and their attitude is an example to all. Having said that they both intend to add their ‘weight’ to the committee and get involved in none-team matters from now on increasing the ‘back-room’ contingent and with their experience that can only strengthen the club’s all-round viability.

WBAFC is now actively engaged and looking to hear from those wishing to express an interest in taking over a successful squad with lots of up and coming talent in a well-respected and well organised club.  If anyone simply wants an informal chat to see what’s what then that can be arranged confidentially through the Chairman’s contact email on this we site.

It might suggest otherwise but the score line certainly wasn’t a fair reflection of a game.

Darryl again took the opportunity to use this last game of season at the Billinge ‘outpost’ to introduce more Development Squad lads into 1^st team football with 4 starting and 3 more on the bench; Due to ‘cricket’ absentees, suspensions and injury all didn’t necessarily get to play in their preferred positions but all looked comfortable at this level and that can only bode well for the future.

The worst possible start saw Billinge take the lead after only a couple of minutes through a series of basic errors. To their credit heads didn’t drop and the visitors played some good football and throughout the game looked to be the far more positive and creative team. Unfortunately most of their attempts on goal came within the reach of the excellent if diminutive Billinge keeper but nevertheless he still had to make a string of outstanding reflex saves to keep the home side ahead until the last quarter.

Through necessity top scorer Sam Leadbetter started at left back; Jimmy Golphin, looking calm and assured, came in alongside Captain Sutton at the back with Jake Drayson on the right. The 2 wide men Dan Connell and Dillon Roberts both looked strong, confident and effective making determined breaks down the flanks linking well with the energetic Will Bailey and George Langford in centre mid. Dwyer always dangerous mesmerised the Billinge defence with shots flying just wide and young Jacob O’Donnell made some good skilful runs.

The visitors pretty much dominated the second half but again failed to find the killer touch eventually conceding late goals from what were probably Billinge’s only real two attacking moves of the half, both goals coming from close range following good work down the wings with sharp crosses into the 6 yard box.

So a spirited performance and a useful learning curve for the 6 impressive under 18s.

Tattersall; Drayson; Sutton; Golphin; Leadbetter; Roberts; Bailey; Langford; Connell; Dwyer; O’Donnell

Rumbelowe; Adderley; Meadows

27/04/2019

Not a day for 'classic' football!