Alderley Athletic Junior Football Club and Alderley Edge Nomads Junior Football Club are to merge to form Alderley United Football Club (AUFC).
The planned merger is being worked on now for a formal registration process this summer and will result in one of the region’s largest junior football clubs. With, it is envisaged, up to 300 registered junior football players aged from 4 to 15 across multiple teams at each age group to suit all abilities.
After several years of operating as non-profit making separate teams, the new united club aims to pool its resources as well as bring about improvements in standards and facilities to the benefit of all the young footballers in the surrounding area.
While both clubs are healthy, the aim of the merger is to maximize volunteer power and become the best club in the Northwest while applying for a fresh set of funding to develop Chorley Hall Lane into an improved base for the new club.
They are planning to move from becoming a 100% junior club to setting up a senior section to keep players in the system longer and through links with professional clubs provide opportunities at all age groups.
Football days will be held in May 2010, for both boys and girls, as they launch this new Super-club for next season.
Head of Football for Alderley Athletic JFC and planned AUFC – Mike Nolan said “I can’t wait to help all the young players across the new club. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see what we’ve been building at Alderley Athletic JFC grow into something much more sustainable and benefit from our combined energy. I’m also keen to see that our motto of Pressure Free Junior Football is carried through.
As a United fan myself I’m looking forward to be encouraging our players at all levels and occasionally shouting that from the sidelines!”
Andy Anson – Chairman of Alderley Edge Nomads and planned President of AUFC said: “As Chief Executive of England 2018 (England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup) and the Chairman of Alderley Edge Nomads JFC, I am very excited by the proposed merger of the two clubs. I believe we can create an environment where young players can be challenged to participate and enjoy playing at a range of levels suitable to their ability. The merger will create a single Junior Football Club in Alderley Edge focused on getting the most out of every single player and creating an environment which will make everyone associated feel proud to be part of the club.
One of the main reasons we want to bring the World Cup to England in 2018 is to encourage a new generation to love football and to love playing football. Part of the England 2018 mission is to engage with communities across the country to use a potential World Cup in England to encourage young players, irrespective of their age, gender or ability to join in and realise the benefits that participating in football can bring.
This merger is perfectly aligned with that mission and our World Cup bid marketing line "England United the World Invited" seems highly appropriate as we create Alderley United – all young players are invited!!”
Alderley Athletic nickname “the Squirrels” was formed in 2007 from boys and girls at the Alderley Edge Community primary school and play their games on Chorley Hall Lane. They have quickly grown from 13 players to 60 players in ages ranging from 7 to 11.
Alderley Athletic achieved Charter Standard status in 2008 and applied for a lease on the then derelict Pavilion on Chorley Hall Lane. It’s motto to provide “Pressure Free Junior Football” based on four cornerstones Respect, Include, Develop and Enjoy has quickly created a vibrant community club.
Alderley Edge Nomads nickname “the Nomads” were formed in 1994 from boys at the Ryleys School and play their games at present primarily on Ryleys Field. They have since grown to some 200 players in ages ranging from 4 to 15. The Nomads have grown from strength to strength with each passing season.
One thing missing has been the lack of a Clubhouse and the sense of club unity that a home ground brings. The opportunity to merge with Athletic and take advantage of the facilities they have created is very exciting. Moving forward as one great club for the area is the logical way forward for the Nomads.
Jonathan Rowley – Nominated Chairman of the new Club Alderley United FC said: “This is a great opportunity to create something bigger than both clubs and any one team, for the benefit of the all the young people in and around the village of Alderley.
While we have many bridges yet to cross in bringing this all together I would ask for the support of the whole community, local council and businesses in order to help us deliver a very special club for boys and girls of all ages and put sport firmly in their lives as a regular activity.
We also need to get the youth engaged as we plan to train young coaches, refs and others going forward with support from the local Cheshire FA and Football Foundation.
With the economies of scale, more volunteer power and the backing of parents and players alike we are creating something which will become a legacy that can be sustained and handed down for many generations to come when our dreams and aspirations are allowed to flourish.”
The newly merged club will hold Open Days on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd, followed by trials and team selection days on May 15th, 16th and 22nd May 2010 at Chorley Hall Lane, Alderley Edge for registration in the Timperley League and will begin playing league matches in September 2010 for the 2010/11 season.
If you are interested in becoming either a Junior Footballer, A Team Manager, Assistant Manager, Referee or volunteer then please contact David Fleming or Mike Nolan.
For further information contact either Jonathan Rowley or visit the Alderley Athletic Junior Football Club and Alderley Edge Nomads Junior Football Club websites.
