Dramatic Year Comes to An End for Manchester Central

A whirlwind 2022 full of twists and turns, ups and downs and dramatic moments will finally come to an end for Manchester Central.

In a year that began with Central in Division Two ends with Central firmly placed in Division One including a moment that will go down in the club’s history when they clinched promotion to Division One of the Manchester Football League in April.

2022 took off for Central midway through the 2021/22 campaign, where they found a struggle to build momentum to make a legitimate push for the promotion places and hoped heading into the new year their fortunes would change.

Central sat in eighth place in the standings, holding a poor home record with just one win in their five played, but boasting an excellent away record with six victories in their nine away fixtures.

But as the season restarted after the winter break, Central had recharged batteries and came out looking like a completely rejuvenated side. Central boss Chris Tomkinson looked for a drastic change in performance in the second half of the season, and he got just that.

Restarting the season with a win and a loss, on the surface it seemed like just more of the same for Central. Surprisingly it was a 2-1 home win over Daisy H ill that changed Central’s fortunes drastically for the good.

It was a win that sparked a 10-game stretch which saw Central win eight, and matched scintillating football with a new-found consistency which propelled them forward up the standings in Division Two.

This run included convincing wins over AFC Burnley, Astley & Tyldesley and Cavaliers, but also included a vital 1-0 win in the penultimate game of the season at Daisy Hill which set them up for a win or go home final day of the season against promotion rivals Avro Reserves.

Heading into the second half, the sides were evenly matched at 1-1, but the second period included even more joy, despair and drama that the beautiful game brings. Central quickly gained the lead but were cancelled out by Avro late in the game, but what came next was historic to say the least.

The ball bobbled through to top scorer Fuad Kasali who like for much of the season, delivered when it mattered most and struck the ball across the keeper setting off dramatic celebrations that will be remembered long in the memory of Manchester Central football club.

This goal sent Central into Division One, and on a new challenge for the club who remain firmly focused on reaching the North West Counties, and this result put them on the next step towards that goal.

Fast forward to the beginning of the 2022/23 season saw Manchester Central embark on a new obstacle, Division One football, facing new opposition and a sure rise in quality that would require that extra ten percent needed to make a genuine challenge for the title.

It marked the start of a period of change for the club, beginning with a change of scenery for where home games would be played in Division One, Seashell’s Trust, whilst some personnel changes were made ahead of the new campaign.

It also saw a wave of sponsors join Central, which included Workspace Design, Jens Nails, The Potting Shead Cheadle, Dura, Koala Coffee and Central’s very own Ruben Abreu’s Ink King.

Notable additions that have been heavily involved this season include Nell Noupoue and Damani Hall, whilst most Central regulars such as Daniel Whiting, Dan Dolling and Junior Silva remained crucial to Chris Tomkinson’s side.

Talisman Fuad Kasali went onto pastures new after 12 games played in the season, making the move to North West Counties First Division side Atherton Laburnum Rovers to seek further progress and development in his promising career.

Kasali had begun the season in superb fashion, netting 13 times in his 11 appearances. His departure would no doubt leave a bittersweet taste in the mouth of Tomkinson, but Kasali’s potential was transparent, and his performances merited a move up the football pyramid.

Before his departure Central carried their hot run of form from Division Two into Division One, beginning the season with four wins from five games, leaving them top of the table and with sights set on a potential title charge.

However, consecutive defeats to Bolton Borough and Govan & Uni of Manchester stopped Central in their tracks and initiated a run of form that saw Central drop down the standings to where they currently sit in eighth place.

Perhaps a break was necessary for Central, a reset and recharge may enable Tomkinson to get his side firing once again. And although a title triumph seems highly unlikely at this stage, consecutive promotions may not be out of the question if Central can find their early season form.

Central however went on an inspired cup run, and a remarkable performance at Heyside set them up for a cup final against Chadderton Reserves, where Central will seek to continue their excellent record in cup competitions.

A cup final with everything to play for, Manchester Central may not have the league success they had expected to, but a cup triumph will no doubt be special.

Much like the promotion clinching drama in 2022, lifting the Manchester Challenge Trophy may even top that, and provide a glorious moment in 2023 which Central could continue to look back on for years to come.