I drove to South Nottingham along Remembance Way past the now closed Ratcliffe-On-Soar Power Station. The power station, a coal fired one, was the last to be used in England as a back up should other power sources not be available. It was also known as a cloud machine and is still an iconic feature in the landscape. When the eight chimneys are demolished, it will be a must watch experience.

What I was really there for was to visit Clifton all Whites F.C. and watch them play Deeping Rangers in the first qualifying round of the F.A. Vase.

Clifton is an area directly South of Nottingham and the ground is on the edge off this large housing area.

Clifton All Whites started as Thistledown Rovers in 1963 and dominated local youth football.

The teams success in football and in developing talent to go on to play in the football leagues prompted Senior clubs to try to get them to affiliate to them. The club stuck to their independence and in 1973 joined the Midland League where they stayed for only 5 years

It wasn’t until the 1990’s that they rejoined Senior football in the local Nottingham League and in 2010 gained entry to the Central Midlands League Southern Division where success in 2015 didn’t lead to promotion because of ground grading issues. After strenuous efforts to improve the ground Clifton won promotion to the East Midlands Counties League from the Notts Alliance and were allocated to the United Counties in 2021.

They maintain a strong Junior presence and this year celebrate 25 years since starting a women’s team.

Deeping Rangers started life two years after Clifton All Whites and like them played Sunday football. Two years later they switched to Saturday’s in the local Peterborough Leagues. Winning the Premier Division they were promoted in 1999 to the United Counties League being further elevated to the UCL Premier Division in 2001. Although winning the League once in the intervening years they were not able to take up promotion though they are ready now.

The large car park greets you as you turn into the ground and one of their junior sides were training on an adjacent pitch. The 16 degrees and dark threatening skies meant a rain jacket was needed and I felt the chill as I walked to a brick built clubhouse outside the ground. The clubhouse was first class and was busy for food drink, programs and toilet facilities.

The pitch looked very flat but the recent dry spell and a short cut meant it looked yellow. There was a covered seated stand on one side with the rest open with a concrete path all round.

Clifton All Whites 1 Deeping Rangers 1

Deeping Rangers go through on penalties

F.A. Vase First Qualifying Round; Saturday 24th August 2024; kick Off 15.00 pm

Clifton All Whites, United Counties League 1 (10th in league) Deeping Rangers, United Counties Premier North (19th in league). All Whites v Rangers.

Clifton All Whites: All white strip; Deeping Rangers: Claret Shirts with light blue shoulders and light blue shorts.

The game immediately had a competitive edge and in the first 25 minutes Clifton had more endeavour but Deeping looked stronger. Deeping came more and more into the game and with a little over 5 minutes left before half time the ball was chested down to Paulius Falcao who didn’t hesitate to slam it in the back of the net.

Deeping’s lead looked to have been doubled after 10 minutes from the re-start when a long throw was taken down and hooked in. Celebrations were short lived as no one had seen the linesman’s flag for offside.

Clifton seemed to find some renewed energy and three chances went over the cross bar before they scored on 80 minutes when they hit the post with a shot that rebounded onto the Deeping defender, Luke Hunnings, and into the net.

The game became more intense and with the end of the game nearing the Deeping Manager, Johnny Alflatt was sent off for something he said following a penalty shout. Throughout the game there had been a lot of swearing which the referee should have cautioned someone earlier on to cut it out. It was now anyone’s to win with the home side showing the more endeavour, but the game ended 1.1 and the dreaded penalty shoot out.

With Deeping’s keeper making two saves to his right and Clifton only scoring once the away side went through 1.4.