Ashbourne Shrovetide Football 2026

The origins of football?

With a weekend wash out of much of my local football I decided to venture to Ashbourne to see what is often quoted in football history books as one of the origins of the game. Shrovetide football has been traced back to the 12th century and in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, there is a version that has been played continuously since at least 1667 or earlier.

Earlier games in other locations were banned for raucous and violent actions that caused havoc to people, property and commerce. Queen Elizabeth 1st banned the game in London in her reign, and the master of ceremonies at the 2026 event reminded everyone to play within the rules or the game could be lost forever.

It was a beautiful clear day as I drove across scenic Derbyshire to park at an old airfield, free park and ride, for the day, about two miles out of town. Although the sun was out for the first time in ages it would need a week of dry weather to dry the thick mud I had to wade through to the bus. The bus dropped us off at the bus station and walking round the corner I could easily see what this game meant to the locals.

There were throngs of people outside the packed pubs and the shops were boarded up in case of damage when the game gets going. Luckily some food and drink establishments were open until one o’clock when a final board would be positioned over their doors. I searched for Derbyshire oatcakes, I thought a substitute for a pancake , on pancake day but had to settle for a lamb and mint pasty, a piece of ginger flapjack and a coffee. Having eaten I found a Sainsbury’s open and continued my search for the oatcakes, what disappointment in Derbyshire they only had Staffordshire oatcakes. Just as I pondered ab purchase I was ushered out of store as it was 1 o’clock.

People now were drifting towards Shawcroft car park where a permanent plinth stands for the officials to send the ball into the competitors on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. The game is played between 2 pm and 10 pm although if the ball is grounded any time after 6 the game ends earlier. The teams are made up of people born in opposite ends of town, the UP’Ards and the Down’Ards. The ball has been traditionally made of three panel of leather of varying thicknesses, stuffed to a weight decided by the maker. 2026 saw the Tuesday ball made by Terry Brown, the recent maker, but the Wednesday ball was to be made by newcomer Carl Spencer to bring fresh blood into the process for future continuity.

I was lucky enough to hold one of the ball that were used in a game when i attended a talk about a book called ‘The Derby Game – A history of local rivalries’.

The car park slowly filled from 1 pm onwards until a large group of players of all ages and sexes marched in at 1.45pm, followed by the ball protected by the marshalls. The expectation of the start increased the chatter and noise. The participants in the game can not be distinguished as both sides wear all colours of clothes. The officials now stepped up onto the rostrum and everyone was reminded of the rules, particularly what not to do and where not to go. One unsavoury touch was that the master of ceremonies decided to say ‘If your not from round here you’re not welcome’. I found this inhospitable attitude later when I asked a marshal if I had found the right place to get the bus back to the airfield and he chose not to answer and turned round and walked away. Luckily I was in the right place.

The ball was “Turned Up” into the crowd two minutes early, after a rendition of ‘Auld Lang Syne’, and it disappeared into a mass of bodies that swirled for some time around the starting plinth. It then headed off to near a wall to Henmore Brook where a heaving mass semed motionless as people sat or stood on the wall encouraged it to be thrown to them to most probably be moved along the brook as often has been the case in the past. One man fell backwards off the wall but he did reappear some minutes later. Then suddenly the ball was in the air and the play swept across the car park in the opposite direction and disappeared through some wire temporary fencing into a housing area. Players from both sides were now frantically trying to keep up with the movement as the ball disappeared. I took that as my time to leave but I later read that late into the evening the Up’Ards goaled the ball at Stursto Mill around 9.30 pm. All to play for on Wednesday.

Despite the disruption to Ashbourne for two days, there seems to be a warmth towards the event and a strong desire to keep the tradition alive that has bred great rivalry but also a sense of togetherness and community. This is Social History that binds communities that has been lost in too many places in the UK and the world in general. May it continue to flourish.

I’m glad that I finally made it to see this sceptical but find it difficult to link it to the birth of football. There is no kicking and is more akin to rugby than anything else.

Cobblers polish off Stevenage

Will it ever stop raining I thought as I journeyed south to watch one of my grandsons play under 8’s football. Yes it did, 10 minutes before I arrived at a school in Northampton with an all weather pitch. His side won 7.3 but all three matches I had identified to watch on the way home were postponed, due to the rain, after early pitch inspections.

Luckily the family have season tickets at Northampton and their game was on. I have been to Sixfields before but to see my son in the final of the Northamptonshire Sunday Cup and a semi-final of the FA Sunday Cup, but not to see Northampton Town.

Sixfields Stadium is built into a hill from the top of which you can get a good view of it. It has separate. covered stands on each side, 3 seated, and one standing. High up in the rafters of the stand I was in is a dummy owl to frighten off pigeons and the like.

Northampton Town were formed in 1897 and immediately their biggest rivals, the local rugby club objected to their name. A compromise was eventually reached when they added ‘Town’ to their name.A short stay in the local league was followed by time in the Southern League until they were elected to then Football League in 1920. Northampton Town have spent their life yo yoing up and down the 3rd and 4th leagues in England, apart from a purple patch in the mid sixties when they made it to the First division. By 1967 they were back in Division 3 (League1) to continue their ups and downs. An Administration in 1992 was followed from a move from the old County Ground, shared with the cricket club, to a new stadium at Sixfields.Despite good attendance at games they continue to struggle in the face of many financially richer clubs.

Stevenage Borough Football Club was only formed in 1976 after the demise of Stevenage Athletic, after some years in the Isthmian league they moved up to the Conference in 1994. Ground issues stopped them from progressing higher but after these were resolved and the club won the Conference in 2010 they made it to the English Football League Two. Promotion to League One was soon won but 3 years later in 2014 they were back in League Two. It took until being runners up in 2023 to regain the higher status where they sit today.

With the rain stopped, it had turned out sunny at 10 degrees but menacing clouds were still in the sky threatening yet more drenchings. Despite the weather the grass pitch remains in very good condition.

Northampton are having a poor season sitting second from bottom of League 1 whilst Stevenage, in mid table, still have the opportunity to press on and maybe make the play offs.

Northampton Town 3 Stevenage 1

Saturday 7th February 2026.  15.01 pm kick off.

English Football League Division 1

Sixfields Leisure, Northampton, NN5 5QJ

Northampton Town; Claret shirts with a white stripe down the sides, white shorts, goalkeeper in all green.

Stevenage Borough, All sky blue shirts and shorts with goalkeeper in all bright yellow.

23rd v 8th, Cobblers v The Boro

The game lacked any pattern or momentum in the early stages with the Stevenage defence towering over their opponents.

The deadlock was broken though when with 28 minutes gone, a teasing cross, from the left, was met by Michael Forbes who squeezed it over the away keeper into the far top corner of the net. The euphoria didn’t last long when a ball over the top of Cobblers defence was missed by a defender allowing Jamie Reid to run onto it and flash it past the keeper.

As half time beconned the home team were awarded a penalty when Cameron McGeehan, bearing down on goal, was clearly fouled and a penalty awarded. As the Stevenage players objected their number 19 scuffed up the penalty spot but was spotted by the linesman and the referee awarded him a yellow card.The penalty kick from Tom Eaves was aimed directly at the goalkeeper who parried it only for Eaves to run in and tap it into the net. Cobblers fans were delighted that their team went in ahead at half time.

Stevenage tried hard to stamp their authority on the new half and on 64 minutes the home keeper managed to force a shot onto the bpost and away. Stevenage again came close to equalising with ten minutes left but with numerous bodies in the Northampton goal mouth they twice managed to scoop the ball away off the goal line.

Northampton’s fans were in heaven and relieved on 89 minutes when they wrapped up the game with their third. Keeping the ball on the right side if the penalty area a sprint to the by line secured the ball to be accurately cut back onto the head of Sam Hoskins to score.

The third goal heralded the Cobblers first win of 2026 and moved them out of the relegation places although they have a though ask to remain in League One. Stevenage missed the opportunity to get closer to the play off places and on this showing will find a mid table finish the likely outcome for their season.

No chips here and I decided against any food. The program though was glossy, informative and full of pics.

Dinnington trying very hard to gain a step up to a higher league.

I returned to watch Dinnington Town, which was on my list to revisit for a while. I wanted to see how the club and ground was progressing in its steps towards promotion to either the Northern Counties East League  or the United Counties League.

The ground is part of a Community project and to get to the ground you have to go through the Dinnington Resource Centre which also houses the library, a cafe and the neighbourhood hub. It did house a post office counter at one time but this has moved to a new banking hub. It is also home to the local Bowls team.

The ground is a 4 G pitch with great hard standing, floodlights and a good covered seated stand. There is also some new wooden framework behind both goals that looks as if it will be clad to give covered standing. Dinnington’s program is also first class and puts many teams in higher leagues to shame. The push to go up a League is also on the pitch and Dinnington sit top of the league, but with, Kinsley Boys, Brodsworth Main and Harworth Colliery breathing down their necks. dinington’s away game at Harworth looks a 6 pointer for either side. Glapwell in the meantime are fighting a relegation battle.

I have written about the history of both of these teams before so I will not repeat myself now.

It was six degrees as both teams made it onto the pitch but after a beautiful clear sunny morning it was changing fast as black clouds drifted over from the South.

Dinnington Town 4 Glapwell 0

Saturday 31st January 2026, 15.00 kick off, under floodlights.

Central Midlands League, Premier Division North.

Dinnington Town, 131 Laughton Road, Dinnington, Sheffield, S25 2PP

Dinnington Towns nickname is the Yellows but the fans chant ‘Dino, Glapwell appear not to have a nickname but are sometimes referred to as ‘The Hall Corner Outfit’.

1st v 15th, Attendance 92

Dinnington; Yellow shirts with some black on the bottom with black shorts, goalkeeper had an orange top and black shorts.

Glapwell; Blue shirts, black shorts, goalkeeper in all orange.

It took Dinnington only 3 minutes to get in front when their number 10 was put clean through and despite a challenge from an away defender was able to fire the ball past the goalkeeper into the right hand corner of the net. Glapwell playing with many youngsters held out for another 29 minutes, and occasionally looked menacing, when from a corner from the left the ball as headed on for their striker to tap in. The game continued with Dinnington on top with the young Glapwell team keeping it competitive.

Glapwell continued their stubborn defence but just after their left back had been substituted for a midfielder, Dinnington made it 3, on 72 minutes, when Glapwells’ goalkeeper had to go out to an unopposed right winger who played it along the ground for it to be clipped into the net.

The rain finally came along with Dinnington’s fourth again from the right, a hard cross was met by a strong volley to bulge the net. There were no more goal, Dinnington happy with the three points to keep up their title push and Glapwell could not have been unhappy considering the youthfulness of their side.

There were chips in the cafe at half time and these were welcomed to help keep warm. The chips were warm, not greasy, tasty but soggy, a score of 60.

Why were there only 2 goals!

I returned to Worksop Town after Saturdays match. Partly to see them play 6th place Darlington but also collect £25  winnings from their 50/50 draw from the weekend. We could not find where to collect it on Saturday, however it was all sorted on Tuesday night. I was amazed to win, having bought into all types of raffles at hundreds of grounds and never won anything. By now I must have contributed a lot towards club funds, almost enough to buy a club.

With 24 teams in the National League North,  fixtures come thick and fast with both these teams desperate for points, Darlington in 6th to maintain playoff. Hopes and Worksop in 18th trying not to fall into the relegation places.

It was lucky the game was on, with others being postponed because of the havoc left by storm Chandra, particularly in the South West of England. The torrential rain had cleared leaving a clear night with the temperature at 5 degrees and dropping. The alweather pitch had drained very well, but the centre looked to have some minor surface water.

Worksop Town 1 v Darlington 1

National League North,  Tuesday 27th January 2026, 19.45 pm kick off.

Sandy Lane, Worksop,  S80 1UJorksop, S80 1UJ.

18th v 6th,  Tigers v Quakers.   Attendance 708

Worksop; yellow and black vertical  stripes to the front of shirts, all yellow backs with some black patterns on the bottom, black shorts. Goalkeeper in all green.

Darlington; Black and blue horizontal stripes to the front of the shirts, all blue backs, blue shorts,  goalkeeper in all orange.

Darlington were fastest out of the blocks and went ahead after just 3 minutes when a long throw into the box was headed on and with Worksop defenders failing to clear the ball it was an easy tap in for Cedric Main at the back post..

Darlington continued to be the most aggressive team and should have gone further ahead with 27 minutes gone when Cedric Maun, again, took advantage of a missed pass and hit the ball from 25 yds over the keeper to hit the bar, rebound downwards but somehow stayed out.

Following this there were numerous chances for both sides to score but some fine goalkeeping by both sides kept the game at only one goal scored by half time to the disbelief of the fans.

Darlington continued to look the most impressive in the second half but after they had a goal disallowed for offside on 78 minutes they allowed the Tigers to get more into the game.

With just 8 minutes left Sean Tarima, who had come on as a substitute, found space on the right to clip a perfect cross for Jordon Burrows to make a glancing header go over the Darlington goalkeeper into the far corner of the net for an equaliser.

A point for both teams will have helped their respective causes. The fans walking away on a night with the temperature dropping fast were shaking their heads as to how they had only seen two goals.

Although chips were available I had scored them on Saturday, and decided on just a KitKat and a coffee.

Silky Silkmen continue to impress.

After a short illness I decided to stay local and the intriguing visit of Macclesfield to Worksop caught my eye. Both these clubs have over recent years battled their way up the leagues to the National League North. Macclesfield in a more flamboyant manner. This season the high profile Robbie Savage has left the club to manage Forest Green but the Silkmen have continued to make big waves knocking out Crystal Palace the current FA Cup holders in the previous round even though there is a difference of 5 leagues between them. They now face another Premiership team, Brentford, at home in the next round. They are also still not out of the running for promotion from the National League North even though they are 11th. Winning their games in hand will be crucial.
Worksop by contrast are battling strongly to stay in this league and build a solid platform for the future. Macclesfield have also continued their high profile manager model appointing John Rooney, Wayne’s brother, for this season.

With the miserable grey wet winter continuing it was a pleasure to make my way into the stadium on a sunny clear day. It may have been only 6 degrees but the sun, bright blue skies with the odd whispy white cloud scuttling overhead was a cheerful interlude.

This ground, as always looked tidy and smart and not this game was segregated with the home fans having the seated stand side and the main facilities.

Worksop Town 2 Macclesfield 4

Saturday 24th January 2026,  15.00 pm kick off.

National Premier League North.

Tigers v Silkmen, 16th v 11th

Attendance 1110

Worksop; yellow and black vertical  stripes to the front of shirts, all yellow backs with some black patterns on the bottom, black shorts. Goalkeeper in all green.

Macclesfield; Royal Blue shirts with white sleeves and royal blue shorts. Goalkeeper in all red.

With both teams still trying to find their rhythm Worksop took the lead with just 6 minutes gone. Lewis Whitham received the ball to the left of the goal area and unleashed a dipping shot that deceived the defenders and the goalkeeper to nestle in the far corner of the net. He ran to celebrate in front of the away fans but unfortunately a pint of beer/lager was thrown over him and the game was stopped for several minutes.

Macclesfield responded and hit the post with 12 minutes gone and two minutes later Luke Duffy ran on to a through ball, took it under control and easily slotted it past the keeper. The away team started to stamp their authority on the game and went ahead on 30 minutes when luke Duffy added to his tally when unopposed he was able to swivel and watch his right foot shot slam into the left hand corner of the goal. Macclesfield left the pitch at half time on top and comfortable for their lead.

Worksop found a new lease of life after the break and started to put pressure on Macclesfield down the wings in particular on the left. These attack were fruitful after just 6 minutes of the restart when Sam Heathcote turned the ball into his own net after pressure from the left.

Worksop were now the dominant team and pressed forward but Macclesfield used their heads and slowed the game down at throw ins and goal kicks. Their Physio should at one time taken up residence on the pitch as she was continually called to away players complaining of injuries.

The away team had weathered the storm and with 10 minutes left D’Ani Mellor had a free header at the far post when a corner was headed on to him. worksop went full out attack leaving only one at the back and unfortunately paid for it when in injury time D’Ani Mellor again, ran on from the half way line, to a through ball, and calmly made it four.

Macclesfield were pleased to ease past Worksop and continue their rise in the league to 9th with games in hand and worksop couldn’t have been despondent in their performance which at one time looked as if they would have secured at least one point.

The chips were hot, golden, not greasy, looked good but somehow they never seem to hit the mark at Worksop. They lack taste and seem to be dry. A score of only 61. The Oxo, cubes made in Worksop, was good.

Mansfield Town deserve to win.

With storm Goretti and the cold snap that followed, having left snow and ice, the Non-League games in my area were mostly postponed.  Looking for an alternative I was lucky to find the FA Cup third round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town. The added bonus was that all prices were drastically reduced to encourage a crowd on a cold mid Sunday afternoon with other games competing on TV. Most people would also have presumed that it was a non attractive fixture with Mansfield sitting in mid table in a division below United. With a lot of games to pay for in the 24 team Championship, and this game not part of those who had already paid for a season ticket, the reduction was a great idea. back at the start of the season I had watched Sheffield FC play in the early extra preliminary round.

It was a miserable wet, drizzly, afternoon driving into Sheffield, and I was lucky to find an on road  parking space, in the slush, near Heeley City Farm. The drizzle and the warming temperature of 3.5 degrees were quickly clearing what was left of the snow and ice.

I have been to Bramall Lane a few times before but never written about Sheffield United on my blog. This stadium started life as a cricket ground circa 1850 and is reputed to be the venue of the first ever competitive football match in 1862 between Sheffield FC and Hallam. It is a great stadium fully seated and covered with a very flat grass pitch that was showing some wear in some areas.

United were formed in 1889 as a branch of the cricket club. Originally playing in the Midland Counties League they were elected to the football league second division in 1892. They managed to win the first level of English football as champions i 1897. They have mainly played in the top two leagues but have gone lower. Sheffield United have won the FA Cup on four occasions the last being over100 years ago in 1925.

Mansfield Town have never made it to the top league in England having been formed way back in 1897. Their Field Mill ground like Sheffield United’s was in use as early as 1861 and maybe even earlier.

Sheffield United 3 Mansfield Town 4

Sunday 11th January 2025, 14.30 kick off The Blades v The Stags

16th in the Championship v 12th in League One

Sheffield United; Red and White vertical striped shirts with black shorts, goalkeeper in all black.

Mansfield Town; Yellow shirts with some very thin blue vertical stripes with blue shorts, goalkeeper in all green.

The first 9 minutes were all Sheffield united but it was Mansfield who had the best chances when two shots were tipped over the bar by the home keeper. On 12 minutes Mansfield were ahead when a corner was headed out by United’s defence straight to ex Sheffield player Lewis Reed who hit it straight back, and the ball looped over everyone into the back of the net. But the Blades hit back quickly when with 19 minutes gone Gustavo Hamer received the ball on the edge of the goal area, he turned, made space and curled a beautiful shot into the top left hand corner of the goal.

The rest of the first half was a hotly contested game although Mansfield, the underdogs, regained the lead with minutes to go to the break. In a copy of their first goal, a defensive header out from a corner found Louis Reed again and his shot flew into the back of the net taking two deflections to get there.

The United fans around me discussed how it couldn’t get worse in the second half, yet it did, when five minutes after the interval after some scrapy play, Oates ran down half the pitch and sent in a perfect cross for Akins to slam the ball home. It was worse for United, only seven minutes later when Town made it four through Oates receiving a through ball on the left which he controlled and drove towards goal squeezing the ball between the keeper and the nearside upright.

Mansfield were in heaven, however the introduction of Patrick Bamford, newly signed from Leeds, brought some guile to Sheffield’s attack and he scored with 29 minutes left to play when he stretched out his leg to score after the ball was not cleared from a corner. There was more drama when under five minutes later Moriah-Welsh rifled the ball into his own net trying to clear a cross from the right.

You now expected an equaliser but Mansfield held on and even had two chances. When the whistle blew their near 5000 fans were joyous with the United fans streaming out quickly. This was a great win for the team one league below and for their Manager, Nigel Clough, who has been in charge for over 5 years, a long time in todays game.

No Chips but a very large sausage roll with very little pastry. It was tasty but had no hint of Hendersons Relish which it was advertised to have.

It’s cold in Staveley for the fans and Coalville.

With the freezing weather most local games were postponed. I drove very locally to Staveley Miners Welfare to see an intriguing United Counties Division One game between Staveley Miners Welfare, 7th and Coalville, 4th. The artificial playing surface meant this one was definitely on.

This is a very well run club with top class facilities for this level of football, and even arriving an hour early the main car park was full. Luckilly they have added a tarmacked overflow area. Cash only at the gate was a surprise with many clubs now going cashless. This had also caught a supporter out who followed me in who had no cash. He was obviously a fan, with his dog wearing a blue and white striped jacket. He was allowed in to pay at the bar where there was a minimum £5 purchase level for card purchases.

Even so early, the bar/clubhouse was packed with people drinking, eating, keeping warm and watching the early Premiership game on the TV’s with Villa 3.1 up on Forest.

It was certainly cold with the temperature hovering just above freezing as the wind made the wind chill even colder.

This stadium is spotless with plenty of covered seating  and standing, even a fully contained area for the disabled and elderly. It was however the warm clubhouse that everyone wanted to be in.

When the game started the fans were still spilling out of the warmth and it was only then that you could see how many people had been huddling there. From one side of the ground where the seated stand is it was hard to focus, with the bright sun, on the cold clear day, slowly disappearing below the horizon.

Staveley Miners Welfare FC  2 Coalville Town FC 0

Saturday 3rd January 2026. United Counties League Division One.  15.00 pm kickoff.

Attendance 523. 7th v 4th, Trojans v Ravens

Staveley; Blue and white vertical striped shirts to the front with an all blue back.  Blue shorts. Goalkeeper in all light green.
Coalville; Grey and white vertical stripes to the front of the shirt with white backs and black shorts. The goalkeeper in all light yellow.

Coalville looked very lively down both wings, and Staveley were competing hard and launching long throws into the away team’s penalty area. From one of these on 20 minutes the ball was thrown in from the right and headed down for Will Wraith to run on to and ram it  into the net.



The sun finally dropped below the horizon and with a third of the game gone the floodlights were turned on. Staveley were on top but when Coalville’s Semachimbo burst into the penalty area 5 minutes before halftime, he was bundled over and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Ronnie Morley stepped up to take the penalty which hit the underside of the cross bar and rebounded out. Staveley were happy to go in for the break ahead.

The second half started with the Ravens applying more pressure, and were certainly on top. However a reckless tackle right in front of the two dugouts by Ryan Singh Sabota with 62 minutes gone initiated a few pushes and shoves, and when they calmed down the referee showed him a red card.

The game now changed and was really open with the away team trying to draw level, but with their one man disadvantage they were being stretched in midfield and at the back. With less than 10 minutes to go a fast through ball fell to Joel Ward, who steadied it and ran on to slide it under the goalkeeper, diving to his right.

Coalville did not look like coming back from that and the game made its way to a fine Staveley victory. The players and the fans were pleased to hear the final whistle. Staveley elated, Coalville dejected and the fans happy to get out of the cold.

On such a cold day, luckily the chips were hot, tasty, not greasy, golden, crispy on the outside but a bit squidgy on the inside. A good score of 72. I did think that the warm clubhouse on such a cold day did have some effect on this score.

2025, the year of the long throw.

It’s been coming for a while but in 2025 every lower league team seemed to have a long throw expert who could launch missiles into the heart of the defence. It seemed a throw back to twenty years ago when Rory De Lap terrorised Premier League teams.

What was also strange that in a year of a long hot summer with drought warnings and hose pipe bans, I came up against torrential rain. It started at Wimborne on New Years Day when arriving at the game with 30 minutes to kick off I was told that the game had just been called of because the all weather pitch was flooded. Into the spring and I was at Anstey Nomads, near Leicester, where the continuous down poor forced the game to be abandoned. Early Autumn and I visited Ottley where it just poured and poured from the time I got out of my car to the time I was sat back in it. It ruined the match and my view of the club, I’ll have to go back. Rain was not finished with me and a visit to FC Grace Dieu on 25th November was again greeted by rain, which I sheltered from in the car until just before kick off and then a match that actually benefited from it as each team battled to an exciting draw partly due to the pitch being unplayable on my mind but OK for the officials.

I managed to visit both the Harrogate teams, Harrogate Town and Harrogate Railway with the former having been a recent stella climber through the Non-League ranks. Keeping on the railway theme a trip to Lincoln Moorlands Railway revealed a club with great facilities from the past that is hanging on in there. On the flip side to this Barnard Castle FC have built a ground, at Tens Field, from nothing, and look to eventually go higher.

A couple of usual visits to Hallam FC, which I joined as a member which they encourage, to help give themselves the income to continue their journey as the oldest football ground in the world. I also joined Clapton FC after a visit to ‘The Old Spotted Dog’, London’s oldest ground and hope to be able to visit it again, this time for a match.

Having made several attempts to watch a game at Appleby Frodingham I finally beat the weather and made it. I also made a pilgrimage to Clarence Park to see St Albans City where I first saw my first match 70 years earlier. Unfortunately they were not good and eventually were relegated from the National League South. Talk has resurfaced about a move to the edge of Chiswell Green near an M25 junction. Great for away fans but the City base is in the City and I wonder if they did a transport to home games survey they would find that a large proportion travel by foot. I will follow this with interest and some trepidation.

I was lucky to get a ticket to the FA Cup Semi-final between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace but Villa didn’t turn up to play one of their bogey teams, the result was predictable. However Villa continue to surprise and ended 2025 in the top 3 of the Premiership, what a manager UNai Eery is.

Sad new in the summer with the demise of the Non-League Club Directory, I miss it but have been gifted subscriptions for ‘Nutmeg’ – The Scottish Football Quarterly and ‘Welsh Football’ – The National Football Magazine of Wales. How refreshing both of thee are in that they cover the complete breadth of their game, rather than a few traditional teams (but now not the most successful clubs) that an English Football Magazine would showcase.

A return to see two games, including the final, at the Berwick Charities Cup competition, was a highlight and I was also lucky to take in Berwick Rangers at the same time. A further trip to Scotland allowed me to see an early round of the Scottish FA Cup at Clachnacuddin (Inverness) and Partick Thistle on my return. Having seen some very attractive and skilful lower league matches in Scotland in the last few years I am not surprised to see, that despite a normal negative view of their national team, Scotland have qualified for the World Cup this year.

A foray into Wales found me on a sunny evening at Llangollen where I watched a competitive local derby in amongst a friendly, happy, family atmosphere with a great countryside backdrop, shame they lost. The hills as a backdrop were rivalled at Keswick and Ilkley.

In the Autumn a weekend feast of FA Cup games played in towns on the river Trent resulted in the underdogs St Albans and Gainsborough both being beaten by EFL teams. An FA Sunday Cup game on the Trent did not lift the gloom either in that it was another miserable weather game. But the best game of the year was on a very sunny day in Bradford where Bradford City won in added time against Fleetwood to gain automatic promotion to EFL league one. The tears and joy of the fans was infectious and will stay with me for many a day.

It was the River Erewash derby between Stapleford and Sandiacre that saw out the year and a 4.2 victory for the home side didn’t reflect how close the game was.

Here’s looking forward to a great 2026.

Local Erewash Derby was 90 minutes of excitement.

The Christmas period always used to bring up local derbies in the higher leagues, that seems to have fallen by the wayside, but is still very present in the Non-League scene. I decided  to go to see Stapleford  play Sandiacre in what is locally known as the Ereeash Clasico. These two teams are based only a few miles apart but the Erewash River, the Erewash Canal and a railway line are in between them. I was charged a pound more than usual but this included a program which I thought was a great idea.

I tried to visit Stapleford Town before but found that they were not playing their games at home because their ground was being upgraded, so luckily found that Sandiacre were at home, so I went there instead.

The redeveloped facilities at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground are first class. Entering the turnstiles you see an immaculate all weather pitch and to the right is a two storie club house at one end of the pitch. The ground floor is made up of changing rooms. with the upstairs being a well furbished bar/lounge and other social rooms. The Notts Forest v Man City game It was possible to view the match from two picture windows.

It was a  grey day, just a slight drizzle in the air, and it felt cold at 6 degrees as the wind blew from end to end.

The new artificial pitch had a  small covered seated stand on one side almost adjacent a small covered standing area. The ‘Club house’, changing rooms one end, and open on the other side and end Parking , main road around 2 ends other playing pitches.

Stapleford have only been running for 12 years but have come a long way and now with their new facilities have 34 teams of all ages, abilities and sexes.

Sandiacre Town were inaugural members of the Central Midlands League in 1983 but ground grading saw them drop back. They were back in the Central Midlands League in 1992 after they merged with Lace Web United. They joined the United Counties League Division  One in 2023.

Stapleford Town 4 Sandiacre Town 2

Saturday 27th Decenber 2025

United Counties League Division One.

3rd v 11th.   Saxons v  The Saints

Stapleford;  Red and black vertical stripes to the fronto of the shirts with all red backs and black shorts,  the goalkeeper in all pink.

Sandiacre; All pale blue shirts with some black edging and pale blue shorts, goalkeeper in all pale yellow.

The floodlights were on from the start on such a grey day.

Sandiacre were at transformed team from the one I saw over a year ago and after a hectic 15 minutes they took the lead when a throw in from the right was not cleared and was eventually noded down for Jamie John McKenzie Williamson to hook the ball into the top left hand corner of the net despite the home team keeper getting his fingertips to the ball.

This woke up Stapleford who had been second best up to that point and they drew level 7 minutes later when after clever dribbling near the left of the goal away goal the ball was delivered along the ground for Max Taylor to tap home in the middle of the goal.

Sandiacre wouldn’t give in and on the half hour the Stapleford defence had to block 3 goal bound shots.

With 36 minutes on the clock, and against the run of play the ball was whisked out to the right and a pin point cross was headed on for Max Taylor again, standing all alone to make it 2.1.
An outstanding save by the Stapleford goalkeeper with just 5 minutes to half time enabled them to go in with a one goal lead.

The second half was only one minute old when a long throw that was not cleared bounced in the goal area and David Ayodeji Olatomide performed a spectacular overhead kick that found the net.


Although the game was not over physical, by the 70th minute, 6 Stapleford players were in the referees book.

Sandiacre tried hard to get back into the game but with only 5 minutes left it was made harder when Stapleford’s Alan Vosrkresenskis headed the ball down towards goal and the unfortunate Sandiacre goalkeeper, who had well, let the ball slip out of his hands and drift into the net.

41 corner from right headed down gk let ball slip out of hands for 4.1.

That should have been it, but with just a few minutes left Sandiacre scored again when Wayde Hines followed on the meet a parried ball from the home keeper. Sandiacre picked the ball up and rushed to restart the game . It was all over though and Stapleford maintained their slot in the play off places but both teams could be proud of serving up a pulsating game that was appreciated by the 235 spectators.

No chips here, probably a good thing after overeating at Christmas.

Hallam Rarely Disappoints.

I journeyed into Sheffield and avoided the Christmas shoppers and Sheffield United fans, at home to Birmingham, to meet my daughter to visit Hallam.

She completed the ’92’, seeing a match at all Football League grounds in 2022 and has been on a few European ones as well. But she had never been to the FIFA recognised oldest football ground, Hallam FC.

This is a ground visited by people from all over the world and even on this grey day you recognise the history as you approach it. You first see the cricket pitch adjacent to the Football and the reason for Hallam FC’s existence, like many of the other first football clubs.

As well as visiting for the football, and my daughters experience, I was collecting my membership of  the ‘1860 Members Club’ which I had joined earlier in the season. The £12 for a years membership helps to maintain this historic ground and club.  https://hallamfc.co.uk/product/club-membership-2025-26/

We bought our food from the outside kiosk and then took it inside to the warm and comfortable clubhouse.  Unfortunately there was no programme to study or a team sheet to view.

Hallam we’re playing North Ferriby FC who were only formed in 2019 after a previous club, North Ferriby United were wound up .

North Ferriby FC have come a long way in a short time and the game was quite poignant in that they last played against each other just before ‘[Covid Lockdown’ scrubbed out all Football. Both teams were then in the Northern Counties East League Division One and both gained promotion to the NCE League, Premier Division and then to the Northern Premier League East, where they both play today.

The Grey skies over hung the pitch that was also shrouded with some mist despite a cold breeze that made the temperature of 7 degrees feel colder. The pitch has a big slope, within FA rules, which does not always drain well, and the teams  warming up were already cutting up the turf.

Hallam FC 2 North Ferriby FC 2

Saturday 20th December 2025, 15.00 pm kick off.

Hallam FC, Sandygate Road, S10 5SE

The Countrymen v The Villagers

13th v 9th

Hallam; all royal  kit with some white edging.  The Goalkeeper in  all orange.
North Ferriby FC; White shirts with green shorts. The goalkeeper in all gold.

Hallam kicked off down hill and immediately you knew that the game wasn’t going to be dull. Both teams played at a quick pace and the pitch looked heavy fro the start. A no holds barred tackle by two opposing players popped the ball after 9 minutes.

Only two minutes later Hallam we’re Infront when a throw in from the right was headed on into the centre of the goal where Brandon Bradbury, making his 200th appearance for the Countrymen, hooked the ball into the opponents net with an overhead kick.

The Hallam team stopped/hesitated when their Central Defender seemed to have recieved a finger in the eye. The referee allowed play to continue and Lewis Dennison curled the ball, from outside the goal area, into the top right hand corner of the goal hitting the underside of the cross bar on the way in. Hallam’s protests were waved away and it stayed 1.1 on 16 minute.

The game was end to end entertainment but was disrupted around 32 minutes after a collision and injury to Hugo Warhurst in Hallam’s goal.

With the first 45 minutes up of the first halt a Hallam corner from right was  headed on and on again to far post where it was Brandon Bradley again, nodded it past the away keeper for the lead at half time.

Hallams goalkeeper could not resume in the second half and their number 9 South substituted for him.

Within one minute of the restart the referee booked Hallam’s 5th player, this time for simulation after a tc#ackle in the opposing box. This didn’t endear the home fans with no North Ferriby players having been booked.
The second half had slowly turned into a rear guard action by Hallam who in theory with the slope should have had a slight advantage. Hallam did go forward and the North Ferriby keeper made a great save with 10 minutes left. At the other end, South in goal, was dealing competently with the Villagers attacks until with just 6 minutes to go a visitors throw in from the right was flicked into the centre and bundled in by Joshua Martin Thacker.

The last few minutes were a nervy time with either team trying not to make a mistake. The 2.2 draw was fair on the day with both teams showing a lot of fight and skill in poor conditions. Both of these teams look unlikely to be drawn into a relegation battle as they look to consolidate themselves at this level.

Considering the weather, and it being the last weekend for shopping before Christmas, the crowd of 622 was excellent.

The other bonus of the game was that there were chips, and these turned out to be hot, golden, tasty, crispy with firm but fluffy centres. Having not eaten any lunch a large portion was called for. A great score of 74.

Thank You Hallam.