A trip to Gretna 2008 F.C. doesn’t disappoint.

I ventured over the border to watch a Lowland League game between Gretna 2008 and Tranent FC from near Edinburgh.

I arrived at Gretna’s huge car park with 5 minutes till kick off and took some time negotiating the haphazard parking. Although it had been a glorious day the temperature had dropped to 14 degrees and with clear skies was expected to drop further.

The stadium has an all weather synthetic pitch which is very flat. There was a large seated covered stand at one end, a clubhouse for drink and food , changing room and a small covered seated stand down a side with fencing and no standing on the other side. The other end was open with just some flat standing.

The suffix 2008 gives a clue here to one of the most fascinating football stories of the 21st century. I first remember noticing Gretna, a team in Scotland, playing in the English Northern Premier League and at the same time Berwick Ranger, a team in England, playing in the Scottish League system.

But Gretna’s situation was to change and propel them on a roller coaster journey with some amazing ups and downs. They decided to apply to join the Scottish Football league and successfully started in the Scottish third division for the 2002/03 season replacing Airdrieonians who had folded. Brooks Mileson who had made a lot of money in insurance and had invested in football teams decided that there could be an opportunity at Gretna having just failed to invest heavily in his adopted home of Carlisle.

There has been much writing about how with the injection of money they managed to gain three straight promotions to the Scottish Premiership, and appeared in a Scottish F.A. cup final on the way. Their appearance in the top tier of Scottish football shocked the game, they even qualified for Europe, but it had some drawbacks in that home games had to be played at Motherwell’s ground due to their own stadium not meeting grading regulations. A round trip of over 150 miles for home supporters from a town of around 3000 didn’t generate the money to pay for the team which had to be heavily subsidised by Brook Mileson and other board members. It couldn’t last and when Mileson became ill and the money stream dried up they were placed in administration in March 2008. By August 2008 the club was liquidated and in November Brook Mileson had died.

But local football fans did not want to see the club gone forever and formed Gretna 2008, initially playing in the East Of Scotland League but gaining entry to the Lowland league in 2013, where they sit today.

Tranent by contrast were formed in 1911 and were a continual force in Scottish Junior Football joining the Scottish Pyramid System in 2018;. After winning the premier league of the East of Scotland League they were promoted to the Lowland League where last season they won the Lowland League Cup.

Gretna 2008 F.C. 2 Tranent F.C. 2

Tuesday 17th September 2024 19.45 kick off. Scottish Lowland league.

Raydale Park, Dominion Road, Gretna, Dumfriesshire, DG16 5AP

Anvils v The Belters, 12th v 6th

Gretna; Black and white horizontal hooped shirts with black shorts: Tranent; All Royal Blue strip.

The game was fast and furious from the off with both teams going for a result. Gretna had the best of the early play forcing corners and using the full width of the pitch. I was impressed by the speed and skill of the teams and the engrossing play meant that the first half was over in a flash. Although Gretna had had the best of the play neither team had looked like scoring.

Within a minute of the restart some cross passing in front of goal led to Tranent taking the lead with a curling shot from Gray into the top right hand corner. Gretna were stunned and within 5 minutes it was 2 nil as Tranent’s midfield play moved the ball Mc Gowan who drilled the ball along the ground into the net. Tranent looked the most likely to score again as the half progressed although Gretna were still competing. With 10 minutes left the game turned when Gretna attacked down the right and the waist high cross was not cleared by a Tranent defensive mix up that allowed a Gretna player, Dean Brotherson, to sneak in to score. It was now game on and Gretna piled on the pressure and a few silly fouls and pushing by both teams only raised the temperature.

As some in the crowd made their way to the exit a brilliant cross from the right touch line was met by a Gretna forward unopposed at the back post to head the ball down into the net for two all. Although well into injury time there was still time for the referee to give a yellow card to a Gretna defender for dissent after a coming together of their goalkeeper and a Tranent forward. As this was his second yellow he was ordered off.

A great exciting half that shows real depth in Lowland football and makes a mockery of the very difficult entry opportunities into the SFL. Scottish football should restructure and open up their pyramid system. I really enjoyed the experience.

Unfortunately there were no chips so I had to partake of a Scotch pie. Not a fan of these I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it.

Sandiacre Town have themselves to blame in another defeat.

I set out to see Stapleford Town, play at home, so following Google maps I reached their ground with 25 minutes to spare. But driving round all I could find was the building of a new sports and community centre. So having circled where I expected the ground to be I checked the Internet to find that they are playing home games at Radfords facility. I knew that luckily Sandiacre Town were at home and that was only 2.2 miles away. So a quick readjustment and I found myself parked in the road and entering the clubhouse with 10 minutes to spare.

The clubhouse is outside the ground so I ordered chips and a coffee and walked towards the entrance. I didn’t realise I was in the players and officials way onto the ground, so I passed the 3 officials with the referee asking for a chip. Luckily a barrier was moved for me and it was back to normality and standing with chips in hand to watch the players walk out.

This ground is in a housing area on the way out of the centre. There is a small car park but plenty of on street parking

It was a beautiful autumn day at 17 degrees, blue skies with a few white clouds, with a light breeze. Three sides of the stadium are lined with trees and the fourth has the clubhouse in the corner with a children’s play area and basketball hoop. The clubhouse is to a good spec, sells drink and snacks and the players changing room. The toilets were outside the clubhouse in a container/portakabin.

Sandiacre town was only started in 1978 as youth teams with a senior team starting in the Central Alliance League the following year. A clubhouse was added to the pitch in 1984 with railings and seated stand before floodlights in 1995. Today there are 39 all ages and sexes teams, run by the club, some games being played at Friesland School’s 4G pitch that they have jointly developed.

Sandiacre Town progressed as 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 the merger with Lace Web United. They joined the United Counties League Division One in 2023.

Southwell City were formed in 1893 but early records are sketchy with the club believed to have played in the Newark area. The team was devastated through casualties in the Great War and although football was played in Southwell it wasn’t until its reformation in 1955 that the current club truly emerged. They joined the Notts Football Alliance in 1957 where they stayed until the end of the 2002/03 season, when a move to the Central Midlands League was completed. On their journey the football club merged with Southwell United Youth Football and Southwell Amateurs and have created a Community Charter club that caters for all grades of the game. This has been achieved through developing their old and new grounds. Winning the Notts Senior League in 2022/23 gained them promotion to the United Counties Division One.

Sandiacre Town 2 Southwell City FC 3

United Counties League Division One, Saturday 14th September 2024, kick off 15.00 pm.

St Giles Park, Station Road, Sandiacre, Nottingham, Derbyshire, NG10 5DD.

19th (Last) v 10th Saints v Bramleys City

Sandiacre, Red Shirts, light navy shorts; Southwell, Black and white vertical striped shirts, black shorts:

The teams walked out onto a thick carpet of grass, the pitch sloping down to each end from the centre.

Neither team looked settled in the early play but it was the home side who took the lead on 6 minutes when Tom Slade received the ball on the edge of the goal area, turned, and hit it with his right foot into the roof of the net. Sandiacre now dominated being more physical, bigger and stronger, yet it was Southwell who hit the bar with 32 minutes gone. The game continued in this fashion until half time and as they walked off I thought what a poor game.

Within 5 minutes of the restart Southwell were down to 10 men as Haiba Soueyeh was sent off for two yellow cards that looked like persistent arguing with the referee. Southwell now had it all to do.

The introduction of Akand Gangotra was however a turning point as his speed and ability to lose players started to create chances and they equalised through him on 67 minutes when his cut back shot went into the net. Chaos reigned as the home sides centre back argued and pushed a Southwell player on the ground and then walked over and pushed another player in the back who fell to the ground. Sandiacre players now restrained him and the referee gave two yellow cards and a red, why not a straight red I couldn’t understand. The player refused to walk to the club house and after some arguing and encouragement he finally left the field.

So now back to equal, with 10 men each the game became open with gaps everywhere and it was Southwell who took advantage taking the lead on 77 minutes when Akrand Gangotra scored again. He tapped the ball in at the near post after a precise cut back along the ground from the right.

With the 90 minutes up there was more drama when a Sandiacre shot was spilled by Southwell’s goalkeeper and Darnell Smith charged through to score. That should have been it but with 5 minutes of added time on the clock Sandiacre were attacking for the winner. This was not to be as a long clearance was not dealt with by the home defender and Joe Aitkin received a pass that enabled him to loop it over the keeper for Southwell to take the win.

That was it and although this was an interesting and exciting second 45 minutes my reflection was that I had watched two poor teams on the day.

Sandiacre should have won this game but for mistakes and madness and they remain bottom of the table with no points out of 8 games.

The chips, served on a plastic returnable plate, were hot, limp, freshly cooked, tasty with a greasy taste that lingered, a score of 56.

As a footnote, Sandiacre Town’s 1st Team Manager, Nick Labbate resigned shortly after the match.

All change in Kiveton

I have visited this ground before and the ground staff had won my chip league in the past.

My last visit 2 years ago was to see Sheffield Town F.C. play their first game as a ground share at the home of Kiveton Miners Welfare F.C. who played at the Miners Welfare ground which is also home to the cricket club next door.

Then in June 2023 it was announced that Kiveton Miners Welfare F.C. had been taken over and would partner with Sheffield Town F.C. An end of season visit in May 2024 I noticed that The Miners Welfare Team seemed to have a smattering of ex Sheffield Town players, which had seemed to have disappeared.

This season, no Sheffield Town playing in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League and Kiveton Miners Welfare ( traditionally a Rotherham team) are playing at the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield.

Now however Kiveton Park F.C. have taken up residence at Hard Lane. They are the oldest football club in the borough of Rotherham, formed in 1881. They are returning some of their teams after 7 years away. The club will be using three pitches which had previously been their home for over a century. Kiveton Park have been based at Wales High School, where they have developed a partnership with the school, creating new facilities to include a new 3G pitch at the Chapman Fields site. This has meant there are now over 500, men’s, Womens, girls and boys affiliated to the club, some of which will stay playing at Chapman Fields.

So returning to Hard Lane to see the third resident in three years it was great to find that everywhere has been tidied up, mended and painted. The plastic seating in the large seated stand had been rigorously cleaned and mended. The sloping pitch, from end to end, was yellowing and a slight breeze was keeping the temperature at 14 degrees with a light drizzle.

Kiveton Park F.C. 1 Hepworth United Development F.C. 3

Saturday 7th September 2024; 14.00 pm kick off. Hard Lane, Kiveton, Rotherham.

Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football League Division 1.

Kiveton; Red shirts with black sleeves and front and back with faint black stripes down front and back, black shorts.
Hepworth; Deep navy blue shirt and shorts with colour graduation on front from white to blue.

Hepworth United started the game on top but it was Kiveton who had the best chance in the first 15 minutes. As the game progressed with Hepworth playing up the slope they took the lead after 25 minutes when their number 4 saw the keeper off his line and his shot from the edge of the box took a slight deflection and looped over the goalkeeper for the away team to take the lead.
10 minutes later and it was 2 nil as Hepworth number 3 took the ball to by line on left and with a beautiful left foot cross to the far post found a tall forward, with no number on back, who headed it down into the net. Kiveton had the most chances of the half but didn’t put any away.

With less than 5 minutes gone of the second half Joseph Holmes, in middle of goal, hit it with his left foot into top left hand corner of the goal to get Kiveton back in the game.
As the mist came down, Kiveton pressed for an equaliser and hit the bar with 78 minutes gone. But within a few minutes a corner for Hepworth from the right was headed by the home number 5, not clear, but over everyone into the far corner of the net. There was no way back from this and the 50 odd people watching were surprised that Kiveton had not managed to fashion at least a draw from the match.

The referee had a good game, keeping everything going and it was noticeable that there was a lot of talking but no swearing from the players.

The old iconic wood food wagon had gone and a new portacabin had replaced it to serve just hot drinks and snacks. Hopefully this will develop in the future.

I’m sure that Kiveton Park F.C. will develop their new home and look forward to chart their progress.

Tulips wait until extra time to flower.

It’s always a pleasure to go to Causeway Lane in Matlock and when I saw that there was an intriguing F.A. Cup replay, I was there.

Matlock Town who had started the season poorly being 22nd and bottom of the Northern Premier League, Premier Division, with 2 points, and Manager less, having recently parted company with Nicky Laws, were playing Spalding United who were 21st, with 3 points, in the Southern League Premier Division Central, after both teams played out a goal less draw on Saturday. Both teams have an interesting F.A. Cup pedigree with Spalding having beaten Boston United 14.0 in 1964 and Matlock getting to the Third Round in the 1976/77 season, but those days are long ago for both teams.

Matlock’s ground is one of the most iconic in the country, next to where the town centre shops end and overlooked by the green and wooded Derbyshire hills. You can see the 19th century Riber Castle on the hill top behind one goal, which is now exclusive dwellings, and behind the other goal are some just finished flats, apartments, some of which have tremendous views of each game. Behind one side is Hall Leys Park and the river Derwent, backed by stunning green hills.

The pitch was lush green of well manicured grass. Down one side of the ground is a large seated covered stand, the other side has lower height seating and standing. Behind the apartment end goal is a covered standing area and behind the other goal an open cricket pitch. This felt like a real autumn evening with the floodlights on at the start to beat the setting sun, with dark clouds forming in what had been blue skies. With there being no wind the 15 degrees felt warm, but a jacket was needed.

There was no program, due to the short time available since the first match, but a team sheet was available in the club shop for 20p, although the lady was encouraging people to pay more to help club funds, well done. One point to note were the toilets which were the best I have been in anywhere for ages. Bright lights, spotlessly clean and with faux marble floors and walls.

I have written about the history of these two teams previously so down to the match.

Matlock Town 0 Spalding United 0

Matlock Town 0 Spalding United 1 After Extra Time

F.A. Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay. Tuesday 3rd September 19.45 pm kick off

Gladiators v Tulips.

Matlock; Royal Blue shirts, white shorts; Spalding , all red strip with black band on chest for sponsors name:

From the start there was no tippy tappy football but full blooded go for it down the wings with crosses into the centre. The home team looked the most promising from the start but Spalding came into it after that and had the best chances although a Matlock player headed just over on 24 minutes. Two minutes later the referee waved away a Matlock shout for a penalty.

Continual long recovery times by ‘fouled’ Spalding players led to all players wandering off the pitch on 34 minutes for a break.

With half time approaching Spalding’s goalkeeper, Josh Ezewele, made two fine saves to deny a goal and leave it at 0.0.

The second half became more frantic and both goalkeepers earned men of the match nominations with point blank saves. Spalding looked to be hanging on at the end of the game and with no one scoring the teams lined up for extra time.

Spalding’s changes made a difference and created spaces that hadn’t been there in the tight preceding 90 minutes. With 5 minutes gone Tyler Winters ran through on his own and Rogan Ravenhill diving at his feet could only upend him to concede a penalty. Tyler Winters stepped forward and hit the penalty to the left but Rogan Ravenhill, my man of the match, saved the shot but his parry was knocked into the net by Tyler Winter who was following up, for Spalding to take the lead after over 185 minutes of play between the two sides.

At ten o’clock the bells of a local churched tolled, it looked like they they were for Matlock when a few minutes later Tyler Winter hit a long shot which curled past the defence but hit the post and rebounded out.

In the second half of extra time Matlock pressed hard but didn’t create a clear chance. Spalding saw out the game and the 423 fans certainly had their moneys worth but the wrong result for the majority. Spalding were the happier as the game ended but on the nights performance Matlock have the basis to put up a fight to get off the bottom of the league and have players that a newly appointed manager can work with.

The chips were hot and tasty, golden, large, tasty, a big portion and were not oily. A good score of 70.

Rangers manager see’s red as they beat All Whites.

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.

Good luck to Deeping in the next round. Disapointing that the attendance was only 36.

The chips were great, cooked individually, hot, golden, crispy outside, good texture inside, tasty and no greasy after taste A score of 67.

A well designed and presentable program with good facts on the game and season so far.

Sheffield F.C. win in the cup but a bigger battle is near.

Needing a local match I drove to Dronfield to see Sheffield F.C. play Clitheroe in an F.A.Cup replay after the two teams drew 2.2 on Saturday.

I have written before about Sheffield playing in Derbyshire and their history so no need to say it again.

The car park has been reduced since my last visit and the ground feels tired compared with other local teams like, Handsworth, Staveley, and Worksop. So although a win was needed the bigger battle is about to be played at a Sheffield planning meeting when the club will hear whether their plans for their new stadium at Meadowhead will be approved. There are at least 130 objections mainly around the traffic generated, especially around the nearby roundabout. The roundabout is manic at times being part of the southern ring road, meeting the Dronfield by pass from Chesterfield and serving a large area of chimney pots. It has been made worse by the opening of the very popular St James retail park. The retail park causes queues to get in and does not have enough parking spaces considering its popularity. A rethink of this problem is needed. Good luck to Sheffield F.C.

1877 saw the first Clitheroe football team and after many changes Clitheroe FC made their entrance in the Lancashire Combination in 1925. It wasn’t until 1982 that they progressed to the newly formed North West Counties League and successive seasons saw them rise to the top division. A decade later they had a purple patch reaching the FA Vase final in 1996 only to lose to Brigg Town. Moving forward they won promotion in 2004 to the Unibond league, the Northern Premier League, where they are today.

It was a breezy evening, a much colder feel than the 20 degrees registered on the car. Although the sky was blue there were some fast moving menacing clouds scuttling across. The dark clouds meant the floodlights were switched on from the start.

I sat in the only covered seated stand behind one goal to shelter from the wind and the torrential rain after 20 minutes of the game, which lasted for about 10 minutes. Others were under a covered standing area that runs down half of one side. The rest of the ground is open but sheltered by large trees at one end. A crowd of 243 was disappointing considering local rivals Hallam had 700 on Sunday for an FA Cup match but hopefully if their move back into Sheffield succeeds they have a chance to build a local community fan base to rival their world wide one in the same way Hallam have.

There was no program but a team sheet for the game was available.

Sheffield FC 3 Clitheroe 2

Emirates Preliminary Round Replay 19th August 2024. 19.45 kick off.

The Home of Football Stadium, Sheffield Rd, Dronfield, Derbyshire, S18 2G

Northern Premier Division 1 East v Northern Premier Division 1 West
Sheffield, shirts with red and black quartered fronts, red backs and black sleeves. Black shorts.
Clitheroe, Royal Blue and white vertical striped fronts with blue sleeves and Royal Blue shorts.

The game started competitively at speed and on 7 minutes a corner from the right was headed down by Louis Potts which the defence failed to clear and Louis Potts quickly reacted by slipping it into the bottom right hand corner to give Clitheroe the lead.

2 minutes later Sheffield eqalised when Ted Cribley met a free kick from the right with his head and planted the ball down into the goal to level. The all action continued when 3 minutes later Sheffield took the lead with another header, this time by Connor Cutts meeting the ball from a corner.

Sheffield now challenged for the ball harder and quicker but Clitheroe finished the half much stronger.

After a first minute point blank save by the Clitheroe goal keeper, Solomon Honor, they took control. With 12 minutes gone Connor High took the ball down on the left of the goal keepers area and curled it at hip high past the right hand of Sheffield’s keeper.

It was now anyone’s game but Sheffield seemed to gain a second wind and a minute after Solomon Honor had made another point blank save a Sheffield player was bundled over in the goalkeepers area and Luke Managhan competently despatched the ball past Solomon Honor’s left hand from the spot.

The last 15 minutes could have gone either way with the best chance being tipped over the cross bar by Miles Wright in the Sheffield goal.

Sheffield were pleased at the end to go through after a tough game, where they will play Pontefract Colliery at home in the next round. Perhaps their bigger match will be in the planning Meeting.

The Chips were hot, tasty, crispy outside, golden, and a good inside texture, getting a score of 67. They were also not greasy and left no aftertaste.

Club Thorne and Appleby Frodingham show they have the skill to stay in their new League.

After the heady heights of Molineux I headed along the M18 to Thorne to see two new teams to the Northern Counties East League Division One this season, Club Thorne Colliery v Appleby Frodingham.

Thorne’s ground is to the north of the town through a housing estate

To get to park the car I drove past young aspiring children playing a competitive game. Unfortunately I also passed the burnt remains of the Pavilion and changing rooms damaged by a fire in mid May when a bench close by was set alight which spread to the building.

Grey overcast skies with a light breeze meant the 23 degrees felt just warm.

On entering the ground there is a large covered seated stand in the centre of one side of the ground along with portacabins which houser the bar, the food serving hatch and other admin areas. The rest of the ground is open apart from these buildings and is lined with trees of varying types. The grass pitch was a verdant green with good cover and looked quite flat. With the skies being overcast the floodlights were switched on from the start.

Football has been played in Thorne for over 100 years and their exploits in the 1927 F.A. Cup brought them to the fore. The Club joined the Yorkshire League in 1932 and yoyoed between divisions until they were part of the creation of the Northern Counties East League in 1982. They stayed only 5 years in the league before being relegated to the Doncaster League. Having won the top division they switched to the Central Midlands League and then unusually to the Humber Premier League for the 2023/24 season which they won and gained promotion to the Northern Counties east League.

Appleby Frodingham were formed as a works team for Appleby Frodingham Steel Company in the 1940’s and started life in the Lincolnshire League where they stayed until 1978 when they joined the Midland League. When that league morphed into the Northern Counties East league 4 years later they were founder members of the Premier Division. Problems followed and after folding in 1986 they reformed playing in local leagues as they made their way back to the Lincolnshire League in 1990 and switched again in 2002 to the Central Midland League and by 2008 were back in the Northern Counties East League. They find themselves back in that league for this season after a relegation and time spent again in the Central Midlands League and Lincolnshire County League.

Club Thorne Colliery 3 Appleby Frodingham 1

Tuesday 13th August 2024. Northern Counties East League Division 1. 18.45 kick off. 12th v 18th Attendance 170

Club Thorne Colliery F.C. The Chesterfield Poultry Stadium, Grange Road, Moorlands, Doncaster DN8 4NA

Club Thorne; Blue and Black vertical striped shirts with black shorts: Appleby Frodingham; White Shirts with coloured artwork on the front and red shorts:

The first 10 minutes was a bit like kids football, with everyone chasing the ball. After which the home team were well on top with Appleby Frodingham’s keeper making a great full length save to his left. Thorne now took control but Appleby Frodingham’s dogged defence was keeping them out. With half time approaching an Appleby Frodingham corner was defended and at the third attempt at clearing the ball found its way to Lewis walker, who outpaced the defenders to cut it back across the goal for Salmon Czubik to tap home for the lead. Armthorpe deserved their lead at half time on the number of chances alone.

The second half started with clear blue skies to greet the teams with the away team making one substitution. Appleby were playing with more intent but on 11 minutes they stopped to appeal for a foul which was not awarded giving the attacker time to flight a great cross onto the head of Lewis Walker who placed it into the top left hand corner with the goalkeeper stranded.

Appleby Frodingham did not give up and with 10 minutes left a three way inter-passing play gave Kurtis Gollings the chance to slam the ball into the bottom left hand corner. This though didn’t feel like a consolation goal as they pressed forward continually. With time running out they were denied a penalty as their forward looked to be brought down by Thorne’s goalkeeper. This was a more bitter pill to swallow with the resulting clearance finding Henry Parr who sprinted clear, kept his head and footing to draw the defenceless goalkeeper to hit the ball into the net for a 3.1 win.

Thorne we’re happy but Appleby Frodingham felt almost robbed of the draw. Both though will have taken heart of their performances at this early stage of the season.

Unfortunately there were no chips so I plumped for a hot dog, luckily it was only £1 wasted as the best thing about it was the red sauce. I should have chosen the pie and peas.

The hot dog may have been poor but the program was one of the best I have seen at this level, particularly the images, thank you.

Sunshine Feeling at Wolves

I forsook a visit to a Non-League club to go to Molineux to see Wolverhampton Wanderers play a Pre-Season friendly against Rayo Vallecano.

I had always wanted to go to Molineux and the opportunity of a £9 ticket was appealing. I remembered Wolves from early years being talked about by my relatives due to their games against top European Clubs which paved the way for todays European competitions. Sadly Wolves do not feature in any of the current games but their establishment in the Premier League may give them the spring board to reach that level.

In a previous post I reviewed the book ‘Working Class Hero’s‘ all about Rayo Vallecano and their working class roots and their stand against Fascism and Racism even during the Franco years, perhaps apt after the scenes in some English towns and city’s of recent times.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, commonly referred to as Wolves started life as St Luke’s F.C. in 1877 changing to their current name just 2 years later. Their most successful period was in the 1950’s but overall they have won England’s top league on 3 occasions, been to F.A. Cup Finals 8 time and won the League Cup twice. A proud history that looked in jeopardy in the 1980’s when they slumped to the 4th tier of English football but they are now well and truly back.

Rayo Vallecano considered the third team of Madrid behind Real and Athletico, but don’t say that to their proud supporters from their Vallecas base. They were formed in 1924 and play at their compact 14708 capacity stadium. They have spent 22 seasons in La Liga (Spain’s top league) although last season they took the last relegation spot and will now play in the Second Division.

Wolves pre-season has gone well to date and Rayo Vallecano’s has improved with a recent win over Bournemouth.

It was a beautiful sunny day (23 degrees) with fluffy white clouds, as I walked to the stadium amongst a happy crowd of all ages. I passed the ‘Leaping Wolf’ ‘ pub which looked lively with many wearing the new seasons shirts.

It was a little muggy but the drizzle I drove through on the A38 was long gone. The stadium looked inviting, as I approached the Stan Cullis Stand, which you are able to walk round with ease. Inside it is magnificent with four individual stands that in my mind keep its history rather than the wrap round same design of many clubs.

I was in the recently introduce safe standing area which has a seat but railings to hold onto if you wish that act as a barrier against any crowd rush, should that happen.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Rayo Vallecano 1

Saturday 10th August 2024 Pre-season Friendly 15.00 pm kick off

Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Rd, Wolverhampton WV1 4QR

Wolves; Old Gold Shirts with Black shorts. Rayo Vallecano; White Shirts except for a red diagonal stripe on the front and two on the back with white shorts.

The game had an edgy start as both teams made mistakes but Rayo looked more interested and it was no surprise when their diminutive but lively Isi Palazon took the ball on the edge of the box, found space to shoot and with a slight deflection the ball ended in the right hand corner of the net. Wolves huffed and puffed but seemed to stay in a low gear the whole half.

Rayo continued to look very solid in the second half with their three centre backs looking as if they could play in the Premier League each week. The home team finally looked like they were going to score in the final minutes, Hee Chan Hwang headed down into the goalkeepers arms when he should have scored. There were numerous changes in the second half and Rayo must have been the most pleased with their workout. Perhaps it was the fact that neither team wanted injury’s only a week away from the start of the season which meant their was little competitiveness in the match.

A great day out though, sunny weather, great stadium, great paying surface, happy family crowd and an achievement in seeing the stadium and Rayo Vallecano.

On the day a program was being given out free, a folded poster of the seasons fixtures, the latest Wolves news and a bit about the opponents. A nice touch.

Unfortunately, no chips so I just had to try the pie. The chicken Balti pie was hot in heat and spice with a dry crust round the edge, should have had something else.

A Pre-season friendly at Fakenham kicks off my new Season.

Whilst in West Norfolk for a holiday I took the opportunity to take in a Pre-season friendly at Fakenham Town.

The ground is reached via the by pass to the North of the town just off the roundabout to the Morrisons Store. There is a large car park and entrance was through the club house which was well appointed with a large bar area. Walking out to the pitch was a gazebo where they were cooking hamburgers on a bar-b-q. The watery sun was going down slowly and although the temperature was still showing 19.5 a breeze made my choice of shorts a bad one.

The club house sits in the centre of one side of the pitch with a central seated stand on the other side. At both ends there are small covered standing areas.

The grass pitch was a lush green after the wet, wet weather we have had over the past 9 months. This was a complete contrast to two years ago when I visited Wells- next-the -Sea for a game at the same time of year, then the grass underfoot was crisp and yellow with thoughts of will it ever recover.

Fakenham Town, nicknamed the ghosts, have been in existence since 1884. They have been one of the strongest teams in the Anglia region during Amateur and later non-league football over their history. Today they play in the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League.

Long Stratton were started in 1911 and have developed into a community club with teams of all ages and sexes. They currently play in the Premier Division of the Anglian Combination.

Fakenham Town 4 Long Stratton FC 1

Tuesday 23rd July 2024. 19.45 kick off. Clipbush Lane, Fakenham, NR21 8SW.

Pre-Season Friendly between Fakenham Town of the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division and Long Stratton of the Anglian Combination.

Fakenham; Yellow shirts with black sleeves and black shorts: Long Stratton; Red shirts black shorts.

Both teams soon found their rhythm but it was a mistake by the home keeper that led to the first goal. On 16 minutes the goalkeeper dropped the ball to give the Long Stratton forward the chance to turn an shoot. A defender though was back to clear off the line, the ball falling to a player racing in from the right who squeezed it from an acute angle into the net for the opener.
Within two minutes some good passing down right let Myhill through one on one with the keeper and he slid it under his outstretched leg for the equaliser.
Fakenham gained the ascendency, creating scoring chances and a minute before half time a strong run and perfect cross from down the right was met by Robinson who turned and slotted it home for the lead

The officials surprisingly called for the lights to be switched on for the second half and both teams seemed to respond with more energy, perhaps looking to secure a place for the start of the season. Both sides made substitutes as the half progressed, Long Stratton making two due to what looked like worrying leg injuries. Fakenham took more and more control of the game and it was no surprise that they extended their lead on 75 minutes when Middleton chipped the goal keeper.

Long Stratton, the junior in league status of the two teams, were now running out of steam and weary legs were starting to show. It was only a matter of time that Fakenham scored again, but the visitor held out until the last minute when Frostick tapped home a loose ball.

An enjoyable game that proved a good run out for both teams although Long Stratton must have been worried with the injuries their players had endured.

The competitive season gets closer.

Bakers need proving to rise above Popworld.

Butcher, Baker, Papermaker, with help from the Ice Cream Man.

I enjoyed watching football within the walls of Berwick-upon-Tweed Castle last year so I decided to return again.

I have written before about the Berwick Charities Cup and can only admire the dedication of the organisers, referees, and players who keep this tradition going each year. It is also a community builder with family groups of all ages turning up to watch with folding chairs, or just sitting on the walls or grass. Over 100 people watched for some or all of the match and as usual a collection box was passed round.

The ground it is played on is called the Stanks, a piece of land big enough for a full sized football pitch just outside the walls of the Elizabethan, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Castle. Now infilled, it was once part of the moat and has now served as a football pitch where thousands of pounds have been raised in the last 100 years.

There is an interesting exhibition in a local gallery showing 30 seascape by Lowry, who was a frequent visitor to these parts. I’m sure it will bring in many visitors but I think more could be made of the town promoting the Charities Cup which must be one of the wonders of the footballing world.

It was a glorious sunny evening with an onshore breeze keeping the temperature to a comfortable 18 degrees. The pitch is a bit uneven and there are flattened mole hills in one corner, but who cares, the pitch looks amazing.

Popworld AFC 3 Butcher, Baker, Papermaker 8

Berwick Charities Cup Group Stages: Thursday 20th June 7 PM Kick off

The Stanks, Berwick Upon Tweed

Popworld; All Royal Blue Strip Butcher, Baker, Papermaker; All Claret Strip.

It took only 13 minutes before ‘Butchers’ took the lead when their number 7 tapped in after the Popworld defence dwelt on the ball, were robbed and the resulting pass was in the net.

Only three minutes later and it was 2 nil when the number 9 waltzed through the defence to clip it into the far corner of the net followed by a screamer from the edge of the box by ‘Butchers’ number 6. Popworld were trying hard and were making a game of it and on 33 minutes managed to get a goal back when their number 10 scored, lifting the ball over the keeper from just outside the penalty area. Already the game was a lot more enthralling than England’s Euros game which had just finished prior to kick off.

Butcher, Bakers, Papermakers had numerous shots and one, with 10 minutes to half time, sailed over the bar, through the serving window of the ice cream van, where it was expertly thrown back to the loudest cheer of the evening.

So at 3-1 at half time it looked like there was still a chance of a Popworld fightback in the second half.

The second half couldn’t have started any worse for Popworld as their opponents scored three quick goals. In the first minute BBP’s number 7 hit the post and scored from the follow up. A few minutes later 7 again scored when he nonchalantly scored after a perfectly placed cross from far out on the right. He scored his third after some neat passing by his team mates.

Popworld scored next with their number 10 making a great turn and a bullet shot past the goalkeeper. This success was short lived when with the second highest cheer of the night, Popworld’s substitute, number 14, went to clear the ball with his head, 25 yards from goal, but it looped off his head over the keeper and into the net.

Popworld came back again when their number 10, again, leathered the ball past the massed defence from a freekick, 5 yard out, after a back pass to the goal keeper was picked up.

There was one more goal when BBP’s substitute, number 15, smashed the ball home and then ran to the crowd with his shirt off.

What a great evening, thank you to everyone. I will be back.