A football blog for the curious.
A human touch in a digital world, living at the speed of life.
Watching Non-League and other football since 1955 when as a 5 year old I was bitten by the bug at St Albans City.
Going to the Match (The passion for football). Written by Duncan Hamilton.
Published in 2018 by Hodder and Staughton
I noticed this book on the shelves leaving a local library. It took me a while getting into the book and I nearly gave up but persistence was rewarded with an insight into the authors football journey. Duncan Hamilton explains where the game came from, where it sits today and where it is going. Each chapter explores a different topic through football matches and experiences.
The book covers a wide spectrum of information and ideas of how fans act and relate to clubs, themselves, the money in the game, the governance and more.
The writing about past players, managers and games not only related to the game but the Social History of life.
The book also gave me some ideas of future clubs and venues I would like to visit and facts and observations I may use myself.
The sub title (The Passion for Football) certainly seeps through the book.
Having read the Central Midlands Alliance League’s Web Site about their team of the month (December), Kirton Brickworks FC, and that they played on a pitch next to a brick works, the delivery trucks and a stack of bricks, it was a must to visit.
I drove along the edge of Sherwood Forest through trees where some of the landscape was moulded by the detritus of past coal mining to Ollerton. Here I turned North towards the village of Kirton and the brick works now owned by Forterra the major UK brick company.
Driving through the gates of the company I could see the football pitch on my right but no activity. Checking the clubs X, formerly Twitter account the match had been switched to nearby Walesby Village Sports Club. Evidently Kirton had recently played their first game on their works pitch since September and it could not be made ready for this match.
A quick five minutes away, I found the venue in time.
A small sports club with changing rooms, toilets, good parking, a bar, meeting room and football pitches. The pitch sloped from end to end with great grass cover, a bit undulating but drained well considering our recent weather. It was a mild 12 degrees with a blue sky and white clouds but with ominous grey clouds coming from behind. It was great to watch a match with no icy wind and cold feet and hands. The locals had used the picnic tables for an impromptu seating area.
It was difficult to find much about the history of the two teams, Kirton were founded in 1965 and Long Bennington in 1920. They are both established members of the Central Midlands Alliance.
Kirton Brickworks 0 Long Bennington FC 2
Saturday 2nd February 2024  Kick off 14.00
1st v 9th Central Midland Alliance Division 1 East
Walesby Village Sports Club, Forest Ln, Walesby, Newark NG22 9PF
Kirton, Red shirts with Black shorts; Bennington, Dull gold shirts and shorts, (with the grey socks it looked like the whole kit had been put in the wrong wash and had come out ruined).
With Bennington kicking up hill it surprised me to see them dominate the start and they went ahead after 14 minutes when their number 4 was put through on the right, where he tapped in unopposed. Kirton tried to rally but were kept at bay only able to show any threat through individuals efforts.
The same pattern emerged in the second half and after the Kirton goalkeeper made two outstanding saves to keep them in the game Bennington scored from the resulting corner. The corner kick was perfectly delivered to Bennington’s number 5 , who unmarked, nodded it into the middle of the net.
It was all over from there, Kirton remain top of the League but others with games in hand now have the opportunity to pass them if they win those games.
No chips here as expected but after fathoming out the coffee machine, wasting my first pound, the coffee was hot and strong, tasting better than it looked.
An enjoyable game and it still leaves me with a trip back to Kirton to see them play in their unusual ground.
There were two players I need to mention, Long Bennington’s number 6 who just controlled the back line and seemed to always be there for a crucial interception, he should be playing at a higher level. Kirton’s number 4 also needs a mention in a game where he and their goalkeeper stood out in a lack lustre team effort, for his continual effort and skill.
With just over half the season gone I thought it was a good time to issue an interim Chip League. After 26 matches Tamworth hold the lead with an impressive 74 points for their tasty and very hot chips, 38 % of clubs had no chips at all.
I look forward to the run in to the end of the season to see if Tamworth get knocked of their perch.
After last week’s freeze I drove North to watch Goole AFC play Silsden AFC with an outside temperature of 9 degrees.
Luckily driving East on the M62 the Goole turning is just before the roadworks for the repairs to the Ouse Bridge. The bridge repairs are needed, but anyone travelling this way regularly will have endured the frustration of the 30 mph limit, that feels like walking pace and the bullying of some drivers through the roadworks. The estimated finish date has now been put back to the end of August, really!
Coming off the motorway, you immediately notice the vast swathes of new housing and tidy industrial premises. The ground is in the Old Town within post war and older terraced housing. I parked in one of the terraced streets where there were plenty of to let boards and houses being renovated. Opposite the ground entrance they are building some new modern terraced housing.
A friendly crew took my money for my entrance, programme and raffle ticket, I still have never won one but must have paid for a few new balls by now.
You immediately see why a portion of the money set aside for some regeneration of Goole is to be spent on this community asset. The pitch is surrounded by a running track that looks very tired, there aÅ•e panels off some of the covered standing, the hospitality is a small portacabin, food is provided by a mobile wagon and let’s not talk about the toilets. Firstly let’s say we’ll done to the fans and officials who have kept this club going and wish them well in their new all weather pitch with new, changing rooms, function rooms and new toilets. The club will be able to generate a renewed football focus for all ages and generate more income. Their youth team for instance will not have to play home games away in Snaith.
I have seen the ground before from the train passing through to Hull which is very visible from one corner. What is also visible are the salt and pepper pots as they are known locally, two much needed water towers for these flat lands of the Humber Estuary.
It felt colder than 9 degrees which could have been accounted for by the proximity of Goole Docks. I cold see the outline of the top of a moored cargo ship. The sky was a clear light blue, criss crossed by a few vapour trails, with the sun shining brightly. The grass pitch was flat and looked lush apart for some wear in the goal mouths. It was obviously muddy which showed up by the dirt kicked off the boots as the teams left the field after warming up.
Goole has seen a football team for over 120 years, with Goole Town being famous for their efforts in the Midland League and cup exploits. Unfortunately financial problems forced them to close in 1996 but a Leeds Entrepreneur started a new club a year later. They immediately won the Central Midlands League and later were promoted to the Northern Counties League. Their rise continued to the Northern Premier League in 2005 but Administration difficulties halted the progress in 2009 and by 2017 they were back in the NCEL where they sit today.
A Silsden football team were formed in 1904 with the current senior team founded in 1996, similar to Goole. Having been successful in the Craven Amateur Football League they joined the North West Counties League in 2004, promoted to the Premier Division in their first season, but relegated in 2010 and promoted again in 2018 as champions. They were transferred laterally to the NCEL in 2019.
Goole AFC 3 Silsden 0
Saturday 27th January 2024. 17.00 pm kick off. Vikings v Cobbydalers, 19th v 10th
Victoria Pleasure Gardens, Marcus Street, Goole, DN14 8SL
Goole; Red and black vertical shirt fronts, red backs with black shorts.
Silsden; Lime yellow shirts with grey shorts.
The first fifteen minutes of the game were very equal except for a point blank save by the Goole goalkeeper. It did seem a long way away from the action, something the new ground will help to redress. What struck me in these first minutes were the foul throws that have entered into the modern game, not only here but in many games I watch. Perhaps FIFA could put this on their list of things to tighten up on.
Goole kept plugging away on the heavy pitch and a great bit of skill by their Lucas Robinson, who looked a class above most players, on 36 minutes, hit a pass from the left over the top of the away defence for the on rushing Liam Flannagan to collect and drill into the net past the advancing goalkeeper.
Eight minutes later with half time approaching it was Lucas Robinson again who beat the full back and from the by-line slid the ball along the ground for the unmarked Daniel Ward to tap in. Goole went in at the break good value for the 233 fans, one of Goole’s highest gates of the season, to contemplate a chance of victory.
Silsden put the pressure on in the second half but rarely threatened to reduce the deficit. Goole’s forwards, prominent in the first half, were pushed back into defending but Brice Ghussein who had been their main threat in the second half continued his unselfish running and with the 90 minutes up, raced down the right and supplied a inch perfect cross for Luca Grant to complete the three nil win. The referee checked with the linesman for offside but the goal stood.
A first win for Goole in 10 league matches which should have eased their relegation worries if all the other teams around them hadn’t won as well.
Great afternoon out and it looks like Goole is on the up along with Goole AFC who ended their poor performances and it looks heads up for the development of the new ground. Thank you to the Goole fan who updated me on what is going on in the club during the second half.
The chips were good too, being hot, tasty, cooked to order and a good texture. Having almost lost heart in my chip quest it was good to be able to give a score of 70. This may soon be the end of the current chuck wagon with Goole looking to organise their own food in the near future, before the ground update, to help generate income.
With frozen grounds stopping me from visiting my 3 chosen games of the day, I decided to go to Ilkeston, whose game was on because of their artificial pitch.
An interesting approach to the stadium here, with traffic lights guarding single file access over the canal before you turn right into the large car park, £3.
It was still 4 degrees with a light wind before the forecast change from the last 7 days of freezing weather to an expected balmy 7 degrees but high winds of storm ‘Isha’.
There was a constant stream of fans entering the ground and it was no surprise that there was the highest home gate of the season, at 1360, for Ilkeston. This was just over three hundred more than the previous high.
Ilkeston should be applauded for this as they had been rewarded for their efforts.
Their social media had made a lot of noise over Derby County playing away along with Notts Forrest whose game at Brentford didn’t kick off until 17.30. Time then to get home and watch that on TV or stay and watch it in the clubhouse. As the day unfolded, more and more local games were called off, Notts County, Matlock, Heanor and othets all of which were reported on Ilkeston’s social media with calls to ‘come on down’.
There was a final reason for a larger than normal crowd and that was it was a local derby. According to Google Maps it is only 5.9 miles between Ilkeston Town FC, along the A610 and Basford (Pronounced Baseford).
The stadium is soon recognised by its clock tower in one corner where there is a large seated stand that extends at a lower level down one side broken by home and away dugouts that have seating that looks like it has come out of a luxury yacht. The opposite side is open low level standing with a large club house behind with two of the three food outlets in the ground, only one of which serves chips.
The two ends are covered standing, one with higher terracing than the other.
The all-weather artificial pitch seems to slope slightly from end to end and slopes away a few feet from the in play lines. This always looks a little worrying to me and last time I was here a player slid off the pitch into the perimeter fence. Its purpose though is to allow good drainage.
lkeston Town F.C. have only been in existence since 2017 taking up the local mantle from Ilkeston F.C. who had only been reformed in 2010. The current team having been elected to the Midland Football League won back to back promotions before results were expunged due to covid. The Non League reorganisation found them in the Northern Premier League – Division One Midlands Division which they won gaining the team automatic promotion but were reallocated for the 2022/23 to the Southern Football League Premier Division Central, now back in the Northern Premier.
Basford started life in 1900 as The Old Pear Tree Inn playing in local Notts football Leagues until they resigned in the 2005/06 season only to restart the following year. They changed course in 2010 joining the East Midland Counties League and in 2012 were promoted to the Northern Counties East league which they rose through only to be transferred to the Midland League in 2014. They immediately won that being promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One South and in 2018 were promoted as champions to the Premier Division. 2022 saw them transferred to the Southern League Premier Central Division and a year later back to the Northern Leagues’ Premier Division. So after a long period of Notts football they have changed leagues continually due to promotions and league re-organisations making great upward progress.
Ilkeston Town FC 4 Basford United FC 1
Saturday 20th January 2024, Kick Off 15.00 pm. Northern Premier League, Premier Division.
12th v 18th Robins v The Lions New Manor Ground, Awsworth Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8JF
Ilkeston, Red shirts with white stripe down side and white shorts; Basford, Yellow shirts and shorts.
Basford had a good sprinkling of ex Ilkeston players but within only 2 minutes they may have wished they hadn’t returned with the home team scoring through James Walker. His shot was deflected by a defender past the despairing, diving, goalkeeper.
Basford then had a period of more possession but their laboured build up from the back often broke down in midfield and did not trouble the Robins. Ilkeston threatened through long throws and corners and James Walker put them further ahead with a great header at the far post after a brilliantly delivered ball after 31 minutes.
To add to the away sides gloomy afternoon, six minutes later, Declan Eratt-Thompson looked to scoop the ball with his hand near the half way line, on the blind side of the referee and ran forward. Some of the Basford players stopped but Declan continued onward and hit a fine shot into the back of the net from 20 yards. The three goal advantage at half time was well deserved as despite a lot of Basford possession they never managed a clear scoring opportunity.
Immediately from the restart Ilkeston scored again but after the linesman intervened it was ruled out for offside. Basford tried to get into the game and made substitutes but their firepower was blunted continually.
Ilkeston made it 4 with 10 minutes to go when Walker completed his hattrick taping the ball in past the goalkeeper after receiving a defence splitting pass.
Basford scored a consolation goal as time ran out. Jack Lewis, who had hit a free kick from the same spot well over the bar 2 minutes earlier, this time hit the cross bar and the ball fell down onto the goal line and bounced out but Tyson’s follow up shot that was hooked out was adjudged to have crossed the line.
More sorrow for Basford when Owen Betts was sent off for a second bookable offence in the dying embers of the game.
Not a classic for a local derby but Ilkeston were happy to gain the three points, an improvement to their goal difference and their largest crowd of the season.
I expected a lot of the chips as Ilkeston have been a previous winner of my Chip League. There are three kiosks selling food at the ground with only one selling chips. I joined a long queue and eagerly received my quest. they were hot, golden, crispy, not greasy, tasty on the outside but bland and dull in the centre. I’m having a bad chip season and they only scored 63.
N.B. In my last post I talked wrote about Hamworthy and Marske having to resign during the league season. Unfortunately Nuneaton have sadly joined them.
An unusual choice this week to see Hamworthy United Reserves play Bridport Reserves in the Dorset Premier League.
Partly due to a visit to see friends and relatives, partly to go to a ground I missed in the past and finally to see what happens when a club has to throw in the towell.
Over the last month I have read with interest the demise of Marske in the Northern Premier League, the wholesale departure of manager and players at North Shields to enable the club to stay afloat, a number of teams up for sale and Nuneaton’s ground and finance problems.
Hamworthy resigned from the Southern League Division One South last October 2023 due to financial problems, having started the season.
They have kept the club going by keeping the reserve team playing in the Dorset Premier League. They will be able to drop the reserves part of their name next season and start a new journey for the club to find their level in the football pyramid within their means.
Many clubs suffered large income loss due to covid restrictions which were followed by the harsh inflationary pressures, particularly from rising energy costs. Some problems have been where clubs have risen higher than their supporter base could sustain other than through external largess.
Player payments have also been a problem with Internet comments stating that a recent club in peril were playing players £800 a week. Anecdotal comments at games I have attended often say that one team is paying players an extra £200 per game compared with others. Some Step 7 players, that’s eleven leagues off the Premier League, have agents, is that real!
There are maybe some changes in the opposite direction. Players are deciding to play for their local club rather than one some distance away that pays more. This change is down to travel costs and travel time. People are valuing time more since their covid experiences.
Hamworthy are still going and here is my experience.
Hamworthy a distinct area is just West of Poole but to reach this archipelago you have to go over a bridge from that town. The ground is soon upon you behind some housing and separated from Poole Harbour by what appears to be a large electrical sub station. It has good parking available and once you enter the stadium you can see that it was remodelled when the 3G artificial pitch was laid around 6 years ago. The flat pitch, also marked out for training and junior use, is surrounded by good hard standing and there is a small covered stand to one side of a goal and a seated covered stand of metal construction on one side. The club house is large with a bar and snack hatch but was cold as the heating was not working. The TV had a terrestrial program running, no sky sports here and it looked like most people were opting for hot drinks and food rather than alcohol which could have been because of the 3 degrees outside and not much warmer in. The heating was fixed by half time and gave a welcome respite to the cold. On paying my entrance I asked if there was a team sheet or program but was quickly told we can’t afford those here.
I sat down to watch the game under a grey dull sky.
Hamworthy United FC Reserves 6 Bridport FC Reserves 0
Dorset Premier League, Saturday 13th January 2024, kick off 15.00 pm
The County Ground, Blandford Close, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4BF
Hammers v The Bees
Hamworthy, horizontal claret and blue shirts with claret shorts; Bridport, Red shirts and black shorts.
The Hamworthy side was made up of youngsters and started the game with more possession and playing some neat pretty football, hitting the away sides post on 20 minutes. Bridport were no mugs and their older heads and greater physicality meant they they were a good match for their opponents. The first half continued in that way but on 40 minutes Bridport’s Thorpe, who had joined the game as a substitute early on, was red carded when he fouled the on rushing Williams on the edge of the goal area to prevent him scoring. At half time it was a well matched contest.
Within 8 minutes of the restart Hamworthy were ahead when the ball fell to Nemo Nixon on the right who shot, the ball deflecting off a defender over the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net. A quick loo break, after coffee before the game and at half time, meant that I missed the second goal again scored by Nemo Nixon just two minutes later.
The goals kept coming and on 58 minutes Tadgh Case scored a well placed goal after receiving the ball on the edge of the area after a well worked corner.
Hamworthy just kept taking advantage of the extra man, younger legs and the momentum of the game with Nemo Nixon securing his hat trick on 69 minutes when he ran on to meet a ball over the top and slot it into the net. Four became five 4 minutes later when the cultured Tymoteusz Famurat waited for the ball to drop out of the air and hit it on the volley to the right of the despairing goalkeeper.
With two minutes left a through ball found a home forward who drew the goalkeeper and slid the ball along the ground to Tadght Case to tap in. A well deserved second half performance by Hamworthy and if they can keep this team together they can only improve their performances and league position.
Hamworthy have started again and look to have cemented a new platform to grow from. The crowd which I estimated to be around 80 were fully behind the team and looked to enjoy their afternoon on and off the field.
The chips, started well, they looked good, French fries rather than chips, were golden , tasty, a good portion, were not greasy but as I continued to eat them they became harder and harder. The nut crackers that were put away after Christmas could have been of use here. a score of 53.
N,B. On the same day Hamworthy Recreation were being beaten on penalties away to Jersey Bulls in the last 32 of the FA Vase. Hamworthy Rec were once the company team of Hamworthy Engineering a local outfit who still have a small presence in the area but are now part of a larger company based in Hull. Hamworthy Recreations home is now 6 miles north of Poole.
I started the New Year with a visit to a new venue for me, Garforth Town.
Garforth is 5 miles east of Leeds, within the Leeds conurbation. Its agricultural background was shattered like many villages/towns in this area by coal. With coal gone Garforth at the end of the M1 where it meets the A1M is now well placed for the industrial estates that spring up near these arterial roads. As you drive into the town from the motorway, the ground is immediately on your left within some modern housing. A sign on the main road says the car park is full and directs you to an overflow.
The overflow is an industrial estate on which is the Ginetta factory, the sports car company favoured by many as an initial route into motor racing. The estate unfortunately is hilly and having parked near the bottom the uphill walk was finally greeted by a long queue at the turnstile where Garforth’s largest crowd of the season 385 have turned up. Their opponents. Frickley Athletic is only a short drive away up the A1 and there are some of their fans in the queue.
Getting in with 2 minutes to spare I noticed the snack bar just to my left and bought some chips. This delayed me further and I missed the first 2 minutes.
The pitch sloped slightly from end to end, the surface was undulating and muddy in parts with patches of sand to help soak up the constant rain of the past week.
It was still overcast with some blue sky poking through the grey wispy cloud. The stillness of the day meant the cold air seemed to grip you.
Garforth Town were established in 1964 as The Miners Arms, playing Sunday League Football switching to Saturday Football in 1976. A move to the Yorkshire League in 1977 saw a name change to Garforth Miners an after progressing through the Divisions they were paced in the Northern Counties East Division one in its formation in 1982. Three years later they adopted their current name and moved to division 2 after another league re-organisation but immediately gained promotion back to Division 1. They achieved promotion to the Premier division in 1998 after some impressive seasons but were back ion Division 1 in 2003 after relegation. Their yoyo existence continued with promotion back to the highest division in 2006 and even higher the next season to the Northern Premier League Division 1 North. They were however back in the Northern Counties East League in 2013.
There is mention of Frickley Colliery Athletic Club as far back as 1908 but with the demise of the coal industry the Colliery name was dropped in the 1970’s. Evidence of the mining roots can be seen from the stand as it overlooks an old mining spoil tip that has been contoured and is now used as farm land with the hay bales in the fields which acted as seating for some people to overlook the ground and watch the game. Frickley ‘s best performance in the F.A.Cup was in 1985 when they reached the third round only to lose at home to local rivals Rotherham United. At that time they were playing their football in the highest level of Non League Football and were founder members of the Football Conference the following year. Since then they have slipped down some levels but are a well run and established club.
Garforth Town AFC 4 Frickley Athletic 2
Saturday 6th January 2024; 15.00 pm kick off. Miners v Blues. 7th v 10th
Bannister Prentice Community Stadium, Cedar Ridge, Garforth LS25 2PF
Garforth light blue shirts and shorts; Frickley green shirts and black shorts.
Garforth took the initiative from the start and deservedly took the lead on 11 minutes when Mathew Antcliff parried shot came back to him, he followed up to slot it home.
I took a seat high up in the stand and could see for miles. The stand was very impressive down the centre of one side but apart from a small corrugated coverd structure one end all other areas were open to the elements.
Frickley countered after this set back and on 27 minutes were back on level terms when Garforth’s attempts at clearing a cross fell to Alhassane Keita who composed himself with his shot beating 4 defenders and the goalkeeper to level. Only one minute later Garforth re-took the lead when Charlie Marshall received the ball on the edge of the goal area, turned superbly and slammed the ball into the bottom of the net to the right of the goalkeeper.
A bit of luck and skilful play enabled Frickley to level 6 minutes before half time when after some neat passing play Richard Collier shot which deflected off a defender looping over the goalkeeper to nestle in the goal. It stated at two all at half time.
With the light fading badly the home team did not put on their floodlights until 2 minutes into the second half. Electricity saving I presume. Despite the sapping conditions it was a very open game but Garforth regained the lead on50 minutes when Charlie Marshall collected an overhit ball on the left, ran to the by-line and Cleverley slotted the ball past defender for a 3-2 lead.
It continued a great battle when five minutes later Frickley hit the base of the post with a long shot. Charlie Marshall missed three chances in the next 10 minutes as the conditions worsened.
Frickley’s efforts became harder when just over three quarters through the game Alhassane Keita was sent off for kicking out after a strong challenge.
That man Charlie Marshall completed his hattrick with ten minutes left putting the game beyond the away teams reach with a tap in that was made by Sam Barker. Sam Barker seemed to be the player best suited to the conditions skipping over the mud all the game.
The game was a que for both sides to send on numerous substitutes to rest some weary legs.
A very competitive game in poor conditions but which entertained for the full 90 minutes.
Unfortunately the chips for me were warm, soggy and limp a score of 44. My scores are very subjective though as talking to family the next day I found that some liked chips that way!
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.
After some exciting journeys and games I ended the year on a damp Saturday drifting down the A1 to Collingham. I made the journey to see Newark and Sherwood United FC play Skegness Town FC in the United Counties Premier Division North. N&S are ground sharing with Collingham this year. Collingham is a village to the East of Newark and East of the A1 where the football ground is in the village behind the COOP and surrounded by houses and a school.
It was a grey overcast day with the car telling me it was 10 degrees but my body saying it was a lot colder than that with a biting wind cutting right through me.
As you enter the ground through a proper turnstile down the left hand side is a combined club house and changing rooms with executive viewing and other rooms above. The clubhouse was busy but only sold drinks, limited food being served from half time at a shed that doubles for a club shop. Beyond the clubhouse down the rest of the side is a covered seated stand. 181 brave souls were there, none of which seemed to be supporting the visitors who had made the 56 mile journey.There is a perimeter walk way around the other two sides and none behind 1 of the goals.
Chairman, Steff Wright in the programme notes dreamed of the future “We have been working hard with our partners on our longer term aims to create an ambitious community stadium which will inspire a generation of boys and girls from the town and district to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams”.
Newark and Sherwood United set out in 1901 as A. J. Simpson an Co and at sometime prior to 1935 were renamed Worthington Simpson. From 1949 onwards they played in the Notts Alliance League and were a strong team in the league and local cups. Another name change to IDP Newark in 1998, they changed again to Newark Flowserve in 2001 and 3 years later joined the Central Midlands League. They were promoted to the East Midlands Counties League in 2018, changed their name again, this time to Newark in 2020 and were transferred to the United Counties Premier Division North in 20221 within the F.A.’s Non League reorganisation.
Their last name change came in May 2022 to Newark and Sherwood Unite FC and a groundshare with Collingham FC arranged having lost their ground to re-development.
Skegness Town AFC were formed in 1947 after the demise of Skegness United and Skegness Blue Rovers. After playing local football they joined the Midland Counties League in 1958 where they played until being founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982 where they stayed for just one season. A move back to Lincolnshire football saw them dominate the Lincolnshire League for many seasons and returned to The NCE League again for a short while in 2018 before being moved to the United Counties in 2021 due to the re-organisation.
Newark and Sherwood United FC 1 Skegness Town FC 3
Saturday 30th December 2023  15.00 pm Kick Off.
Collingham FC ground, Station Road, Collingham, Newark, NG23 7RA
Highwaymen v Lilywhites 16th v 5th
Newark and Sherwood, Travis Perkins green shirts, navy blue shorts; Skegness, White shirts, Red shorts.
Skegness started like greyhounds after the hare on this very grey day that needed the floodlights on from the start. They went ahead after just 7 minutes when a great cross from the left along the ground was met by Declan Johnson to tap in.
As the sky became darker and darker it boded ill for the home team when Declan Johnson, again, ran past Newark’s high line from near the halfway line and drew the goalkeeper to narrow his angle on the goal mouth to be able to just roll the ball in for a second.
After not looking at all like scoring the home side pegged one backl on 34 minutes when after some neat inter-passing on the right Kian Sketchey fought of a challenge to score. After their goal Newark knocked Skegness out of their rhythm even though the away side were much stronger.
Gary King made it 3 .1 for the Lilywhites just before half time when his shot was deflected past the goalkeeper.
There were no goals added in the second half as Skegness kept pressing and if it hadn’t been for Arun Mitchel Jones in the home sides goal making some quite outstanding saves it would have been many more for Skegness. The wind was getting stronger and colder as the game went on and I was pleased when the referee blew for full time.
Not the best game to end an exciting year but it will be interesting to see where theses two clubs go in the future.
Unfortunately no chips just two coffees which was most probably good, keeping the calories count down at this festive time.
Having been to see Retford United FC play Retford FC in their local derby back in September when 1202 turned up I chose the reverse fixture on Boxing day.
I had been to Retford FC a few years ago when this junior, only in age, Retford team were getting ensconced in the Northern Counties East League Division 1. Much has changed, covered standing down one side, a temporary, open, seated stand behind one goal, a large tent/marquee to house a bar and concrete footings for something else new. What also had changed was the fact that the ground called ‘The Rail’ that has the East Coast Main Line running down one side was empty with no trains running at all. Strange way to run a railway!
Retford FC were looking to reverse the drubbing, 1-6 that they recieved earlier in the season but United wanted to get on track to try to get back in with a real chance of the play offs.
I had read that this was set to be the warmest Christmas on record but the 7 degrees would have felt colder if it hadn’t been for the 5 minute walk from where I had parked. It was dry with little wind and wispy clouds and the pitch looked a little worn with muddy goalmouths.
Retford FC 1 Retford United 4
Tuesday 26th December 2023, 13.00 pm kick off. The Rail, Bagworth Road, Retford, DN22 7 NJ.
Northern Counties East League Division 1, 13th v 6th, Choughs v Badgers
Retford FC, Dark blue shirts and shorts white dart under arm. Retford United FC, Red shirts and shorts with white flashes on the bottom of the shirts.
United showed the greatest endeavour from the start and hit the crossbar in the first 15 minutes after continual forceful play on the right. This dominance was rewarded when a through ball was headed on by Liam Owen who ran on to it and scored hitting the ball across the keeper inside the far post with 21 minutes gone. Just 3 minutes later United were 2 ahead when a high ball across goal was headed back for Jake Chapman to riffle home.
The away team continued to show more endeavour and skill opening up the home defence at will. Retford United went 3 up on 33 minutes when another good cross from the right gave Jake Chapman the chance to just tap the ball in.
Whether this lead relaxed United I don’t know but a minute later they seemed to go to sleep and allow Hayden Covill a free shot at goal with no one near him. He didn’t miss and the goal did perk the home team up for the rest of the half.
The second half was a bit of an anti climax with Retford United controlling the game. The last ten minutes did see Retford FC put some pressure on but the goal they sought to set up a grandstand finish didn’t happen and it was United who sealed the game on 90 minutes when tired defenders let the ball fall to Joshua Batty who took it wide and slid it back across the goal to score the away teams fourth.
Retford United looked sharp and confident in this Boxing day derby, deserving the points.
The other winners on the day were the 1247 (45 up on the reverse fixture) fans of all ages and sexes who turned out to be thoroughly entertained and enjoy meeting up with many friends, family and colleagues at this very local encounter.
Unfortunately no chips so I settled for a very dry sausage roll, I should have waited for the left overs when I got home.
It looked like someone had missed some mistletoe on a nearby tree.
payonthegate 