Written by Ian Collis, published by Pitch Publishing 2023.
I bought the book after going to see Ian Collis do a talk about Shrovetide football in Derby and once I started it I couldn’t put it down. In fact the 237 pages disappeared in less than a week.
The book tells the story of the Shrovetide football game that was played in Derby and gained a notorious reputation for its violence and damage to property.
There is no definitive date for its start although it is believed to have been played for centuries before its demise in the mid 19th century.
The book goes into depth about some of its stars, supporters and detractors, especially the way it was killed off.
Other features of the book are a review of past and surviving festive football games, the most high profile being the still played Royal Ashbourne Shrovetide game.
There is some good analysis of why the current game was greatly influenced by the Sheffield and Derbyshire region and evidence that the ‘Derby Game’ was the inspiration for the term ‘Local Derby’.
I drove past the NewYork Stadium where Rotherham United were playing Leicester City on the way to see Wombwell Town play.
Wombwell Town were promoted from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League last season. They only finished 5th but were the team finishing highest from the league to apply with the correct ground grading. I visited the other team in Wombwell, Wombwell fc, last year, and although they finished second in front of “Town’ their open ground next to and part of a cricket club as many original teams grew from, prohibits them from rising up through the pyramid.
Wombwell Town’s ground is unusual in that one side is bordered by a go cart stadium. The pitch itself is surrounded by a defunct running track which makes the seated stand and clubhouse/changing rooms a long way away. Planned development is in hand with the impressive club house currently being extended to provide more income streams and are working with the NCEL for funding of new floodlights. There is room in the future for a whole complex of synthetic main and training pitches, should they wish.
There was lots of parking extended by the use of the the go-cart facility. The seated stand and large ground made the 123 supporters vanish in the vastness
There have been a number of Wombwell Town teams dating back to 1896 with the last renaissance folding in 2000. The current team were formed in 2018 and considering the thwarted Covid seasons they have done brilliantly to have achieved the development of the club both on and off the pitch.
Glasshoughton started life in 1964 in Sunday football later switching to Saturdays and gaining admission to the Northern Counties East League in 1985. They worked their way to the Premier Division in 1991 through promotion and league reorganisations. Having reached the Premier Division twice they have been back in Division 1 since 20015.
It was a warm 18 degrees, sunny but with white, grey and black clouds dotted around across the sky. A very flat pitch had great grass cover but as I said earlier the old running track made it all look a long way away.
Having last week bought a share in Kings Lynn this week I was shocked at how little I paid, £1 entrance, £1 for a program, £2 for chips, £1 for a coffee and £1 for a raffle ticket, a total of £6 against £28. Wombwell were even organised to post a team sheet on the window of their well equipped club house and copies of the team sheet were passed around the fans.
Wombwell Town 3 Glasshoughton Welfare 2
Saturday 26th August 2023 15.00pm kick off
Northern Counties East League Division 1
Wombwell Recreation Ground Station Road, Wombwell, S73 0BJ
4th v 17th. Wellers v Welfare
Wombwell Red shirts, Black shorts Glasshoughton, Green hooped fronts to shirts with green arms, the back is green with two white hoops around the bottom. Green shorts.
I only had to wait for 3 minutes to see the first goal when Wombwell’s captain, Edward Agnew ran in unmarked from a corner to head the ball down into the net. Wombwell continued their dominance in the first 20 minutes of the half but after that Glasshoughton showed that they were not going to be push overs. Town kept their lead until half time but it was a slender one.
Welfare came out strong in the second half and with 8 minutes gone they equalised when Bolton Makwedza attacking wide ran through strongly to the by line and his superb cross was met by Harrison Rowley who nodded the ball home.
The game became more frantic and only 5 minutes later Wombwell were ahead again when the goalkeeper parried a shot which was pounced on by Gavin Allott who unopposed tapped it in. The home team now used Owen Birks long throw ability who created problems. Owen Birks had already impressed me with his aerial ability and strength in the back four and was my man of the match.
Glasshoughtons persistence paid off when they equalised after 33 minutes when the home keeper, Johnathan Davis, made a great right handed save which unfortunately fell to Harrison Rowley to score his second.
It looked like a draw but at the end of normal time ‘Wellers’ Gidhafi Kiwanuka was tripped by the away teams goalkeeper and Gavin Allott sent goalkeeper, Alfie Hayes-Daubney to his left and placed his kick in the left hand of the net.
Wombwell saw out the added 6 minutes to have now won 5 out of their 6 league games, a great start for the new boys to the League. Wombwell are a team to watch for the future with regards their results and the development of their stadium.
To the purist these were fries not chips. they were hot, just fried, tasty, crispy , golden, not greasy and had a good centre. The best this year to date and a score of 67.
I drove two junctions down the M1 to Alfreton for their home pre-season friendly against Notts County.
Until this season there was only one division between these two teams, Alfreton playing their football in the National League North with Notts County in the one above, the National League. That was until the play off final at Wembley in May against Chesterfield which Notts won and are now back in the English Football League Two.
Many were disappointed with their demise from the EFL but a drop down to the National League has led to a strengthening at all levels of the club and they have regained their status as the oldest professional football club in the world. Their birth in 1862 predates the Football Association and they were one of the twelve founder members of the Football League.
Alfreton’s ground is located in a housing estate not far from the centre of town. A small car park was full early and local residents were dealing with parked cars in the side streets which were not obstructing driveways or the highway.
It was busy getting in due to the crowd of 1077, the majority Notts County fans making the short journey on what appeared to be a pleasant evening. The ground has open seating at one end and down one side, with covered seating and standing opposite. One end has a partially covered standing terrace which was not well used as most people were casually sat down. A few of the County fans were wearing their new blue away kit rather than their traditional vertical black and white stripes.
Alfreton were In all red and were eager to get under way on the sloping grass pitch that at this time of the season looks like a glimmering green carpet. The blue skies were scattered with some ominous looking black clouds and the breeze was turning to a wind which for the second half of July was cold.
Alfreton Town 0 Notts County 5
Tuesday 25th July 2023. 19.30 pm kick off
Pre season friendly.
From the first minute Notts County took control of the game with a slow build up from the back which sometimes seemed almost casual. A team pressing harder against them would have turned over a few balls.
From what seemed lethargic football resulted in Notts County hitting the post and seeing a shot go millimetres wide in the first 30 minutes. 3 minutes later Langsett received a neat through ball from the right which he scooped into the net for the lead. Langsett made it 2 nil 5 minutes later when he latched on to a ball from the other side delivered by Adam Chicksen (Chico).
Not long before half time Langsetts made it a hat-trick with a second attempt goal after a pass from the perious McGoldrick. It did look though that the ball touched a defender on its way into the net.
Notts continued their dominance after the restart and both teams started to make changes with some at a 15 minute drink break. A few minutes later one of the substitutes Scott tapped home a beautifully cross from ‘Chico’.
The best goal was the last, with 11 minutes left on the clock. McGoldrick made acres of space and time for himself and let fly a curving shot from roughly 8 meters that flew into the top corner of the net past the outstretched left hand of the Alfreton goalkeeper.
The game fizzled out and at the end of the 90 minutes the teams , stadium and fans had all had a good run out for the new season.
Bring it on.
Unfortunately I had to queue for 25 minutes for chips which although were a good quantity left a greasy taste in the mouth afterwards. A score of only 60 for my chip league.
Where else in the world can you watch a semi-final of a football cup within the walls of an Elizabethan Castle with the sea as a backdrop, the answer is Berwick-upon-Tweed.
I ventured north to the border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed to see a game in the Berwick-upon-Tweed Charities Cup. This annual event has been on my radar for sometime but other commitments have intervened. This year I made it and having been I would like to go back.
The Berwick-upon-Tweed Charities Cup has been in existence since 1948 but there have been charity match competitions on the grounds since 1922. Famously Lowry, who spent some time in the town, painted a picture of a football match at the ‘Stanks’.
Hospital Cups were often annual events played in early summer to raise money for health care pre NHS. Many have fallen by the wayside but this has survived and flourished over the years and is now growing a women’s competition as well. There have been some hiccups and restarts along the way but the dedication of volunteers, officials, players and supporters means every year they come together to create this great tradition and fund raiser. The competition is also iconic as it is played part surrounded by the walls of the historic Elizabethan Castle. It’s nickname ‘The Stanks’ derives its name from it having been a ditch/moat and most probably the end of the latrines.
Teams enter from both sides of the borders continuing the rivalry of many centuries that has seen Berwick change hands from Scotland to England many times. Although in England today its most senior football team, Berwick Rangers, competes in the Scotish Lowland League, hoping to regain its position back in the SFL.
The competition raises between £5000 and £8000 each year and the benefitting charities this year are :
The Berwick and District Cancer Support Group.
North View Pensioners Club
Berwick and District friends of Dementia
The North Star Centre
Berwick Stroke Group
21 teams set off in the men’s competition in May from, pubs, sports clubs, companies and groups of friends.
Simpsons Malt v Murder on Zidance Floor
Tuesday 18th July 7 p.m.kick off.
Berwick Charities Cup Semi-Final
Simpsons, Light blue tops with red dark blue shoulder flashes and dark blue shorts: Murder on Zidance Floor, red and black vertical striped shirt fronts with black backs and black shorts.
To start the match there were grey high clouds but no show of the forecast rain and little wind in this sheltered venue. The undulating grass pitch had little wear, only in one goal mouth. I sat on a wall to casually watch the match along with a crowd of all ages that built to my count of 120. A local ice cream van was on hand to provide refreshments.
Simpsons started the game strongly looking the most physical side and very strong in the air. Their number 11 was booked early on for a crunching tackle and they created the best chance of the half when they hit the bar on 23 minutes.
Both teams though looked like they really wanted to win the game and Murder on Zidance Floor showed some neat moves and skilful running with the ball. The game ended 0.0 at half time and although there were no chants or shouting from the fans there was plenty of family and friends chat as to who was going to win. There was however an atmosphere at this amazing ground that has seen thousands of players and combatants over the years.
The game had hardly settled down in the second half when with about five minutes gone the ‘Murder’ defence failed to pick up Jack Cumming’s run and he managed to squeeze the ball into the net between the goal post and the keepers let hand.
Could ‘Murder’ respond, well their chances were improved around 5 minutes later when Simpsons number 11 was sent off for a second bookable offence which in fact was his third strong challenge of the game. The one man advantage was evident as they pushed forward constantly. I thought surely they would score but their shooting boots were not with them and their high balls into the Simpsons defence were always won by the defenders.
There was to be no late substitute of Zinedine Zidane off the bench or a sound track of one of Sophie Ellis-Bextors ‘Kitchen Disco’s’ to spur them on and the referee finally blew for full time and both sides looked exhausted in a game that could easily have been the final.
The final is on the 29th July at 18.30 pm between Simpsons Malt and Cheesy Waffles Project.
While staying in Berwick I visited Berwick Rangers ground and towering over it are the seed stores of Simpsons Malt, perhaps an omen.
Afterward: In the final Cheesy Waffles Fc defeated Simpsons Malt 5-1
Football’s Strangest Matches (Extraordinary but true stories from over a century of football). Written by Andrew Ward
First published in 1989, this book the 2004 reprint. Published by Robson Books from a imprint of Chrysalis Books Group plc.
This book was a filler after reading Peter May’s trilogy about a policeman who returns to Lewis in the Outer Hebrides and see’s life changing events unfold as he sets about solving three different murders all of which are tied in to his past and future. I thoroughly enjoyed the books as I did this one.
It’s 66 short stories were quick easy reading that made you think and smile. It was often some of what seemed daft experiences at the time that shaped the game as we know it today. The content ranges from 1895 to 2000 and I was at one of the events set out in a chapter. In January 1961 Luton were at home to Manchester City in the FA Cup and I saw them go 2 nil ahead only to be pegged back by 6 goals all scored by Dennis Law. But the game was abandoned on 69 minutes due to the rain making an already muddy pitch unplayable. When the game was replayed although Dennis Law scored it was Luton who ran out 3-1 winners and progressed to the next round. It’s strange how your memory pales as I always thought it was abandoned because it was too icy.
There are tales about a hypnotist, a game where they wore gas masks, a penalty kicking elephant and 227 more.
An easy to pick up and put down book that’s worth a look.
It’s only July 8th but I’m lucky to be seeing my first game of the new season albeit a pre season friendly between Llangefni of the Ardnal NW League and Chadderton of the North West Counties League.
Llangefni can be considered the capital of Ynys Mons with the administrative buildings all being located here and roughly 5200 inhabitants.The ground is on the northern edge of town boasting a large car park at the front. It was only £1 entrance and walking through the gate revealed a large ground with seated stands on both sides, one much larger than the other and covered standing at each end.
To the left as you walk in is a large clubhouse and bar and behind this a food kiosk. I took a plate of chips and a coffee and sat at the back of the main stand to admire a flat grass pitch that had been cut short very recently giving off a yellow glow that will turn a vivid green by the time the season starts with the rain that comes to this part of these Isles. Beyond the football ground were fields edged with hedges and a farmhouse where a tractor was being used to create a neat store of silage. Others sat in the stand with their teas, coffees and food, reacquainting their taste buds with football food.
The sky was grey but the warm day felt Muggy and the 19 or so who had travelled from Chadderton on a luxury coach were sweating already under the warm up games and runs inflicted by the coaches. Llangefni seemed more relaxed and only 13 were on the pitch.
Llangefni Town 0 Chadderton FC 4/5/6
Saturday 8th July 2023 14.30 pm kick off
Llangefni of the Ardnal NW League (The third tier of the Welsh football system) v Chadderton of the North West Counties League Premier Division.
Llangefni in Royal Blue shirts and shirts v Chadderton in Red shirts and shorts with faint white diagonal lines across the shirts.
The game soon settled into a pattern of Chaderton having most of the ball but in the first 15 minutes they only found the target once when the home keeper did well to tip the shot over. Some of their sighting problem may have been because the training goal and net had been left next to the real goal which was removed after complaints by Chadderton forwards and the goalkeeper.
There were some lazy passes and sweaty brows as 30 minutes had gone by leading to sloppy play. On 33 minutes in the goal area the Llangefni defence gifted the ball to Chadderton. They took full advantage, the ball being rolled across the goal to be tapped in for the first goal.
A few minutes later a ball rebounded off a Llangefni player to give no. 11 a run on goal for quarter of pitch. He took the ball to the keeper and squeezed it in by the post.
The score stayed at 0.2 at half-time and I reflected on my own lethagy in the first half having just sat relaxing in my back row seat for the whole of the time.
Chadderton made a few changes at half time and immediately some flowing passing resulted in a goal. Then after 20 mins the referee booked no. 3 for what seemed to me to be enthusiasm. This didn’t put him off when after Chadderton had numerous chances he attacked on the left placing a ball just ahead of an advancing forward who hit it just beyond the Llangefni’s keeper for a 4 nil lead.
Just 3 minutes later it was five as the llangefni defence couldn’t keep back the tide as they tired and after another 5 mins a through ball was siezed on to be tapped past the keeper. I thought it was 6 but Chadderton’s twitter said 5 and Llangefni’s said 0.4.
Luckily it didn’t matter and but for numerous flagging for offside it could have been many more.
A great run out for both sides as the season looms. I also shook off my lethargy with two laps of the ground in the second half. I also reflected on my good fortune having seen 3 games on the outer Islands of the British Isles in the last 90 days.
As for the chips that were cooked to order, they were hot, crispy but soggy in middle and a taste of grease. Where do you start scoring for a new season, unfortunately a low 60.
N.B.
My friend in Guernsey contacted me to let me know that Ynis Mon have made it to the semi-final of the Island Games football competition being held there. They will play Bermuda for a place in the final.
Their squad has 5 players from Llangefni FC which explains the lack of competitiveness in the game I saw on Saturday.
Thank you Robert.
Ynis Mon beat Bermuda in the semis but lost to Jersey 5.2 in the final.
Yes I know the football season is getting nearer when they announce that you can pre-order The Non-League Club Directory 2023/24 for August delivery. Well you can now, at a discounted price of £19.99 (£25.60 R.R.P.) plus £3.75 p&p.
This over 700 page of delight always hits the mark in informing and delivering new ideas as to who and where I would like to visit.
This year I will not order it myself but leave it to be given as a Christmas present, I was told off last year. Can I wait, yes I can, but others won’t.
Thank you again the father and son team who put this together. I look forward to the 50th publication.
The football season has finally ended with Manchester City deservedly winning the Champions League and the trebble.
Their achievements and the money involved is a long way away from many of the games I have seen and enjoyed often 11 and twelve leagues away from their exultant heights.
My season started last July on a very warm evening at Wells-Next-To-Sea where the long hot weather had made the grass dry, yellow and crisp making me fear for the pitches in the season ahead. I was wrong as those magician groundsmen found ways to present and maintain some great surfaces for football to flourish.
The end of my season was in May at my 46th game in Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, to watch the Jock Stein Cup, won by Back FC on a cool evening peperred with drizzle.
Early in the season I witnessed with my daughter, Quorn being bullied into defeat by Heanor but the home side had the last laugh eventually being promoted by the play offs after coming second in the United Counties league North thanks to an own goal by the League winners goalkeeper in the final minute of the final game of the league season.
A few games later I watched Worksop Town win in their relentless assault of the Northern Premier League East. What a turn around when only a few years ago I attended what could have been their last game when a financial crisis was only just averted at the last minute.
My favourite trip was again to Loughborough Students which I will see again next season. They were riding high but poor form after Chrismas meant they dropped down to third. The black cloud that hung over them they finally managed to remove after the FA agreed that the club was detached from the University and could be promoted. Too late by then as some of the spirit had been exhausted at the club. Why not have University teams competing in local football at all levels anyway. The diversity of different types of clubs makes up our game. We allow teams at the highest level to be owned by entities wanting to promote themselves so what is wrong with Universities.
Football on Christmas Eve was a hit with me and the large crowd that turned out at Dinnington where Retford United earned three points on their way to promotion to the Northern Counties East League where they will join Retford FC formed when the clubs split in 2015. A must watch game next season.
Early in the New Year with my son and grandson I wrote ‘You have to deal with disappointment following the Villa’. My grandson was not impressed despite me buying him his first football scarf which he put away and stated he didn’t want to see them again. What a turn around under Unai Emery with Villa gaining entry to European Football, next season, on the last day of their season.
Bradford Park Avenue beckoned, not their iconic old ground unfortunately, but a well run club, great experience and winners of my chip league. This would have been no consolation to them as they were relegated. Football wise the writing was on the wall that day.
The most stupid event of the season was me keeping the car keys in my pocket and having to walk into Southwell from the out of town ground to rescue my wife and make a lot of apologies.
Loved Bishop Aukland for its history and set up. A return in the future.
An impromptu visit to Long Eaton just west of Nottingham saw them see off Hebburn Town in the race for the playoffs and although they both made it, it was the Notts team that gained promotion.
A miserable grey afternoon and a dash to the Dearne valley to see the 100th anniversary of the Totty Cup competed for by local schools. What a great family affair with proud parents turning out in good numbers to watch the children. The hospitality in the club house was just warm and friendly, everyone having a great time.
My end of season was a rush but incredibly worthwhile. Burton Albion totally outplayed Sheffield Wednesday but it was the Owls in a comeback thriller in the second leg of their playoff semi final against Peterborough who made it to Wembley where they met Barnsley who I saw not put up much resistance at home in their final game. Barnsley were already in a playoff position and joined the Owls in the final only to lose out.
Sandwiched between this incursion into League One football was a trip to see a long standing friend who joined me to watch Guernsey FC. Although they lost they are still the beacon and inspiration to other islands who have joined the national non-league ranks.
I thought my final game would be between Dodworth and Swinton to see who won the Sheffield and Hallamshire County League. Over 300 turned up on a gloomy night that could be better in the future if Swinton get permission for floodlights despite local objections. Although Swinton won they were not promoted due to ground grading despite some real progress at their stadium.
Having started in North Norfolk it turned out that my last game would be in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides for the Jock Stein Cup Final.
What an amazing year of mainly local football that left me with sincere memories for football and enhanced admiration for the people who make it possible for the matches to take place at this level. Please continue your amazing work.
Many of the games I watched this year were at grounds that were part of a mining community and it was heart warming to see how the community spirit once so strong has been preserved. Those mentioned here are a snap shot of the 46.
Disclaimer: No chips were hurt in the making of this blog except perhaps the one’s left behind at Burton.
As I have always said my chip league is very subjective and could be influenced by the day, the journey or the food consumed earlier. However another successful season of sampling the chips for the blog, sacrificing myself in the process.
This years winners, Bradford Park Avenue, were worthy winners but I’m sure they would have rather lost this league and not been relegated.
Two previous winners were in the top 5, Kiveton Park once again excelled in their presentation and Shirebrook who just keep producing good chips every season.
It was great to see the food available at Dearne and District for the Totty Cup final. It was really appreciated by the families who had turned up to watch their sons and daughters compete.
If I had been comparing non chip food I would have had a really difficult decision to make between the hot pork pie and mint sauce at Dodworth Miners Welfare and the pie and gravy at Selston. The pork pie would just have won.
The best clubhouse must go to Loughborough Students, turn up early, there is little chance of much food but you can just relax in a soft chair and wait for the game.
Earlier in the year I saw that there was a touring exhibition about the contribution that the Chinese ethnic population have made to the UK’s culture at a local Library. There have been few footballers emerging into the highest level from a Chinese background but with an expected increase in their ethnic grouping due to the expected immigration from Hong Kong we perhaps could soon be at the start of a few emerging stars.
What interested me was the reference to Frank Soo.
Born in Derbyshire my home county for the last 25 years, I thought our paths had crossed before.
Frank Soo I had believed was the manager of St Albans City FC when I was born in January 1950. Born on a Saturday my father was not there but watching his beloved ‘City’. More importantly a week later my mother had to stay in hospital for an extra day because he was watching St Albans again this time playing Stork FC in the FA Amateur Cup. Her antipathy to football may have been strongly influenced by this event. Further research though shattered my belief as Frank Soo didn’t become the Manager of St Albans City until the start of the 1950/51 season.
Reading about Frank Soo though soon made me realise that I had come across one of the greats of English football. He was born in Buxton to a Chinese father and English mother.
His footballing career was at Prescott Cables, Stoke City, Leicester City, Luton Town and Chelmsford City and a managerial career that included clubs in England, Scandinavia and Italy. Perhaps his overseas work meant his exploits were lost to a UK press. he even managed the Norwegian National Team at the 1952 Olympics in Finland.
He played as a midfielder and was reputed to be a very accurate passer of the ball which would unlock defences as well as a dead ball specialist.
Frank Soo’s career started at Prescott Cables, which I visited last year and from there moved to Stoke City in 1933. He played 173 times for Stoke scoring 5 goals and captained Stanley Mathew’s during his stay there which ended in 1948.
​ Frank Soo was the first non-white person to play for the England national football team and still is the only player of an Asian background to reach that level for England. He achieved this in May 1942 at Ninian Park, Cardiff, against Wales and played for England a further 8 times all of which were deemed to be unofficial matches. His England career was limited by the Second World war when he turned out for many top teams as a guest in morale boosting games.
I was privileged to have come across such a pioneer in English football and hope that he gains more recognition and inspires others in the future to help our multi cultural game.
Much of the above information has come from ‘The Frank Soo Foundation’ http://www.thefranksoofoundation.org.uk the Chinese Cultural Exhibition at Mansfield Library and
St Albans City historian, David Tavener’s research for a Jake Ellacott article ‘From Clarence Park to Padova. The Story of an International Pioneer.’ http://www.stalbanscityfc.com
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