Looking back at 2023 made me realise how lucky I am and what a year. I ended up going to 50 games.
It started at Melbourne just off the flight plan of East Midlands Airport to see Derby Singh Brothers win in the cup. Both teams ended up being promoted but Singh Brothers had off field problems in looking for a new ground.
Seeing Aston Villa lose to Stevenage in the FA Cup was no surprise when you have watched many of their games in the last 35 years. Can you believe the turn round of 2023 which they ended second in the Premiership, the Unai Emerey effect, amazing.
Walking off with the car keys at Southwell caused me to miss the first goal, increase my heart rate and get a flea in my ear.
Bishop Aukland didn’t disappoint and nor did the Totty Cup. The Totty Cup final for youngsters was not just good football on a poor day but real family happiness.
Then in between some ex miners teams my first island hopping trip. The first to Guernsey to see a long term friend which gave me the chance to see the trend setting Guernsey FC. Jersey and the Isle of Man have followed them and our football is better for it. Perhaps in the future an island team may get to Wembley in the FA Vase final, let’s all hope.
The other islands I visited were Eriksay to stand on one of FIFA’s most iconic football grounds in the world. Harris to enjoy the Jock Stein Cup Final, Anglesey to see Llangefni prepare for a new season and sneaking away from the hotel on Madeira in the heat to the stadium where Ronaldo first played.
In July I finally made it to ‘The Stanks’ the Berwick Charities Cup and watched football by the ramparts of the first Elizabethan era with the sea as a further back drop. Where else in the world. It was all I had hoped for, I’ll be back some day.
Kings Lynn on the way back from holiday was disappointing both in the game and the cost, a bit of an illusion shattered, however positivity was restored when visiting Wombwell Town. This new club to the Northern Counties East League were table toppers to start the season, although drifting down a little since, with a developing set up that looks good for the future. It is also unusually a ground with a Go Kart track at one end.
I love some of the names in football and on a dry Saturday afternoon where else could you relax better than at Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club FC.
A Friday night at Dearne and District, where the Totty Cup final was played, saw the strides this club are making to not only to gain promotion through their football but their facilities too. Next season in the NECL will be an early season visit.
Breaking from Non League I attended a trilogy of game at Mansfield FC in the League Cup and EFL Trophy. I thoroughly enjoyed the games and found everyone welcoming which by reputation I didn’t expect.
The end of the year found me visiting the two teams in Newark and seeing Retford United score 4 on Boxing day. I saw United play on three occasions and in total they sored 13 goals, including the most exciting game of the season the 4-4 draw at Beverley.
As always I should thank all the players, officials, fans and helpers that made my year so enjoyable.
I also learnt in 2023 to let go of some of my fixed view on football grounds. I have never been sure of synthetic pitches always favouring grass. I now realise their true worth in that there are few postponements, the ball reacts consistently, players seem to try more skilful play, the facilities around the pitch are upgraded at the same time as the new surface is laid and mostly of all that they are a true resource for the community at large and the development of football for all ages. To counter this I have decided to re-visit Gresley Rovers one of those iconic patched together grounds with a real sense of history.
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