North Ferriby was the destination for me to catch an intriguing FA cup derby between them and their close rivals from just over the Humber bridge, Barton Town. There is not just the Humber, between them but one level in the English pyramid system, North Ferriby playing in the Northern Premier League, East Division and Barton Town in the Northern Counties East League, Premier Division.
I had intended to approach the ground across the bridge but a serious accidents on the M1 North meant a detour amongst other strugglers, so it ended up being quicker dashing down the M62. North Ferriby is just west of Hull, a leafy suburb by the sea.
The large car park was full because of the cricket match taking place in the adjoining park. Along with many others I parked in a very pretty tree lined street and was surprised to see that the crowd was declared at only 558.
Once through the turnstile I was greeted with a lush green football pitch that sloped slightly from side to side It was one of the best playing surfaces I have seen for some time.
The facilities were also great, everything was clean, tidy and looked loved. The two ends are open with flat standing. One side is taken up with the turnstiles, shop, food kiosk, clubhouse and changing rooms which have standing in front of them. The other side is mainly covered seating apart from a small area of covered standing at each end. There is also an extra drinks hut in one corner.
The weather was friendly too, 24 degrees with a bright blue sky dotted with white fluffy clouds although in the distance there were some large grey ones.
Beyond the ground you could just see the Humber bridge and a new housing estate, all with solar panels that was creeping up on the stadium.
A previous North Ferriby United FC crashed and burned in 2019 after having risen from village football in 1934 to the National League. Along the way winning the FA Vase in 1997 and the FA Trophy against Wrexham in 2015. A reformed club were placed in the Northern Counties East League which after two promotions meant that they were back to their current level.
Barton Town can trace football history back to 1880. It was in 1995 though that the club merged with Barton Old Boys to ensure their local future.They initially had success in the Lincolnshire League, switching to the Humber Premier League and then immediately to the Central Midlands League. Quick promotion and winning the top division enabled the club to move up to the Northern Counties East League and the top division in 2011 where they sit now.
The kick off had been brought forward so that any traffic would be away before Hull City’s premier league game scheduled for 17.30 against Aston Villa.
North Ferriby 0 Barton Town FC 0
Saturday 5th September 2026, 14.00 pm kick off.
F.A. Cup first qualifying round.
North Ferriby 10th Northern Premier League East Division v
Barton Town 4th in Northern Counties East League Premier Division
The Villagers v The Swans
Battle of the Humber said the programme
North Ferriby; white shirts with some green edging and green shorts, goalkeeper in all gold.
Barton Town; grey shirts, dark blue shorts, goalkeeper in all pink with some black edging.
Both teams cancelled each other out for the first quarter of an hour, however the away team’s speedy breaks, often down the right drew two fine saves by the home keeper within 20 minutes.
Although North Ferriby had the most possession Barton were the bigger threat. Barton were also pressing higher up the field causing Ferribys midfield no chance to work any magic.
The same pattern just kept continuing and nil nil at half time was a fair score.
I had expected the home team to change their approach in the second half and perhaps impose themselves on their opponents considering they play at a higher level.
However it was Barton who although facing a stronger performance from The Villagers forced more great saves from the home keeper. On one occasion he made one close range save to recover to tip the ball over the bar from a header.
It was no surprise at the end that Johnathan Dash was given the man of the match award and the teams will have to replay on Tuesday. The game will be the first at Bartons home ground since February where they have been working to improve drainage.
It was still only the bridge that was between the two teams after the nil nil score.
There were chips, that were thick golden but soggy, only warm due to having been cooked batch ready. Unfortunately bland and chewy, a score of 45, if only they had been freshly cooked.
The freshly baked cookie choc chip, with something gooey in the middle was outstanding. I would come back for another one of them.
Continuing the great presentation at the club was the programme which at 40 pages long was full of stats, information and staff notes. This is how to present and help fund your club.
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