REAL FOOTBALL REAL FANS A Journey To The Heart Of Football Written by William Barr
Published by Morrow & Co 2008
Sometimes you read a book that appeals to your own ideas and values and keeps you interested until the end, this, is such a book.
William Bar a Norwich fan, takes you on a journey through the 2007/08 season by visiting as many League Two clubs he can fit in and ends up at his beloved and home town team of Norwich City in the Championship.
William Barr makes an effort to contact and engage with supporters groups and understand where they fit in their clubs efforts to survive and give feedback and advice on fan matters.
The book points out the vast difference in financial might of Premier League clubs and their League Two cousins. He also mentions the disparity within the lower reaches themselves. William’s observations are as relevant today as they were when he made his journeys.
Humour is added to each chapter as he reviews the pies on offer and eludes to International officials and regulations that dictate pie scores. He also gives details of state of the art electronic pie score boards, really.
Great read that I found in an Oxfam Book Shop. Thank you William.
Although many will wait a few more weeks for the Premiership to start to pronounce the season open, the real start is with the Extra Qualifying round of the F.A. Cup.
So I made my way to Bradford to watch Albion Sports play Trafford F.C. The M1 and M62 were quiet for a Friday night, but this is the holiday season. The Horsfall Community Stadium is 4 km southwest of Bradford City Centre and a venue I have visited before to see Bradford Park Avenue play. This year aswell well as sharing the ground with West Bowling Amateur Rugby League club, Albion Sports will also be playing their home games there. The Stadium was opened in 1931 as a running track and in 1996 the whole complex was upgraded to a synthetic running track and the centre was prepared for Bradford Park Avenue to play football.
Today it has a large 1800 seat stand on one side, what looks like a cricket pavilion on the other, a small covered terrace behind one goal and a group of buildings in the entrance corner that serves as a club house, meeting rooms a shop and administration. The downside to the ground, with its 3G pitch is that you are along way from the action. Bradford Park Avenue still have 31 years left of the lease on the ground which they have passed on to the Community.
Albion Sports have for some time been looking for land to build a permanent home and with little success so far have opted to be at the Community Stadium.
This is the 50th anniversary year for Albion Sports who started off playing Sunday League football. Steady progress led them to be winners of The Asian Cup and Bradford Senior Cup and League in 2000. That same season and 2005 they went all the way to the final of The FA Sunday Cup but were runners up on both occasions. In 2007 Albion moved to playing on Saturdays where they were successful in local leagues and were elected to the Northern Counties East League in 2011 which they won 3 years later and gained promotion to the Premier Division where they play today. An impressive rise in their short History.
Trafford FC’s history is even shorter, being only 34 years since their formation. They soon rose through the Mid Cheshire League to gain entry to the North West Counties League in Division 2 and two years later were promoted to the next level. Further success saw them rise to the Northern Premier league in 1998 where they stayed for 5 seasons before being relegated back to The North West Counties League. A few seasons later they won promotion back as champions to the Champions Northern Premier League where they rose up into the Premier Division in 2013. Only 2 seasons later they were back in Division one after a poor season saw them relegated.
They are still playing in the Northern Premier league which has seen reorganisations that see them in Division One West. Certainly an exciting roller coaster 34 year run.
So with the game due to start and Trafford favourites to progress being from one level higher I settled down to watch the game on a dry but breezy evening that seemed cooler than the 23.5 degrees the car said when parking the car in the large car park. I was then lucky to meet Ian, a professional grounds man from the North West of England who with his friend who kept me entertained with their whit and knowledge of the Non-League game all match. Thank you.
Albion Sports FC 1 Trafford FC 2
Friday 2nd August 2024, F.A .Cup Extra Preliminary Round, Kick off 20.00 pm.
Horsfall Community Stadium, Cemetery Road, Low Moor, Bradford, BD6 2NG
Albion Sports; Yellow Shirts, Blue Shorts: Trafford; White Shirts Black shorts.
Both teams started competitively and there was an early booking for an Albion player. Soon after the floodlights were turned on as it became overcast and with 15 minutes gone a short outburst of drizzle greeted us. Trafford had the most chances of the game and finally went ahead on 41 minutes Matty Lusakueno took a through ball to the left of the goal and coolly drew the keeper and slid it underneath him into the net. Just two minutes later the away team made it two when the home defence were dispossessed and Matty Morgan received a through ball which he dispatched into the corner of the net. Albion were now on the ropes and were lucky not to go further behind before the break as they seemed to be reeling.
What happened in the Albion dressing room at the interval? Three substitutes and a positive attitude saw them create more and more chances as they pushed forward. They hit the underside of the cross bar , the ball bouncing down but not into the net, a shot just dipped over the bar and Sam Booth made 6 outstanding saves all keeping Albion from scoring. On 88 minutes Albion were rewarded for their pressure when a ball hit the arm of a Trafford defender and the referee pointed to the spot. The penalty was converted by Sunaili Cisse and it was game on until the finish. Despite there having been little stoppage time during the half the referee played on for numerous minutes as Albion battled forward and looked like creating an upset. It was not to be and Trafford had to thank their goalkeeper, man of the match Sam Booth, for their passage into the next round.
Albion though must take heart for the season ahead after their part in an intriguing game.
Finally, the chips, which at this venue under Bradford Park Avenue had won my chip league one season. These were served in a different location to before, were hot, good texture to the centre but had little taste apart from a greasy after taste that lingered the whole game. A score of only 55 to start the 2024/25 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.
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.
Watford Forever written by John Preston – A collaboration with Elton John
First published in 2023 by Viking ( a part of the Penguin Random House Group).
Having taken a holiday from posting during the later stages of the ‘Euro’s’ I am pleased to be back and with the announcement of the new seasons fixtures for lower level football imminent ready to plan for more adventures.
The England team was packed full of some brilliant individuals but came up short because I believe they lacked a clear team playing plan. It was a stark reminder then when I read ‘Watford Forever’ a book about Watford FC, Elton john and Graham Taylor. Having followed Watford at home and many away games between 1968 and 1980 it was a must read for me.
The book tells the story of Watford’s rise from the Fourth Division to second place in the First Division and beyond. What it reminded me of was that Graham Taylor had a method and strategy to achieve this. A strong back line and an ethos that the only way you can score was to get the ball in the attacking third of the pitch. No tip-tappy from side to side and back to the keeper, repeat, repeat, give the ball to the opposition. Some criticised him saying it was just kick and rush but the balls were accurately received by Ross Jenkins, Nigel Callaghan and John Barnes who shot or laid the ball of for someone else to score. I saw some amazing goals with lots of excitement.
The book though is not just about football but mainly the two men who engineered it all, Graham Taylor and Elton John. The story is one about blokes not only working together but being friends and able to influence each others lives for the better aka as also shown with the recent tragic ending to the male friendship between the ‘Hairy Bikers’. Elton and Graham were two distinctly different individuals who were able to use their talents together to achieve something rarely seen in modern football, a rise from the bottom to the top.
One poignant thing that struck me was how the players who were equal contributors received such little wealth compared to todays not only superstars but some Academy players.
One thing that disappointed was the dismissal of Watford’s previous years when the club reached the 2nd division and then collapsed to the 4th. These may have been terrible football times but the community of the home and away fans throughout was second to none. Where else would you have heard ‘He’s here he’s there he’s in the Rose and Crown, ‘Rodney Green ‘ ‘Rodney Green’.
Thank you John Preston for a great happy read that is not only for Watford fans but for everyone.
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.
A season of over 50 games meant that I ate almost 25 portions of chips around 7500 calories, all in the aid of research.
There is a new winner in the seventh year of the League, Tamworth FC, who I visited early in the season. Their chips were extremely hot and fresh very tasty, with a great internal texture, covered by a crispy outside.
Strangely this year I found my winners when attending a match with my daughter, when last year she was with me when I left the chips on the terrace at Burton, no bins seemed to be available, because they were so poor.
This league is very subjective and I feel I may have been a bit harsher as the season progressed. Was this down to chip fatigue or were they just not as good, which I think was the reason. Sometime I was lucky to have chips that had just been cooked and other times I was unfortunate to get the last of a batch.
I must stress that the league is not a criticism of the clubs or the helpers that provide food and drink to enhance the matchday experience and I can only applaud their dedication and efforts.
They were served almost always by happy people who I often had a chat with and the food they served was prepared in kitchens of different sizes and equipment.
Thank you everyone I look forward to a new season.
Another fantastic season which began many months ago in early July at Llangefni on Ynys Mons (Anglesey) with a friendly against Chadderton. It was a glorious sunny afternoon as I sat watching two teams enjoying a good kick about in their first game of the season. I had no idea that 49 games later, after one of the wettest winters on record I would be again watching football in the sun, but on a chilly evening as Brampton Rovers beat The Butchers Arms in the final of the Chesterfield and District Sunday League Cup.
To mention all 49 would take too long, so here goes with the highlights. Murder on Zidance Floor won through to the final of the Berwick Charities Cup played next to the walls of an Elizabethan Castle with the sunshine glistening on the sea in the background (the football wasn’t bad either.
Shirebrook at home kicked off the league season, two Norfolk games were squeezed in whilst on holiday and Wombwell Town featured early, played at their ground with a Go Kart track behind one goal.
The Retford derby was in bright warm sunshine and notable by the warmth of the supporters who were there for an afternoon out and a chat to friends from whichever camp. Tamworth had great facilities as well as good chips and went through in the FA Cup, Tamworth was the last team Paul Merson played for. The start and completion of a Mansfield evenings trilogy gave me a different perspective on this town.
The early games of the season were memorable particularly when I was adopted by some aged season ticket holders at CD National on Madeira. High fiving all of the five goals and a conversation by sign language and facial expressions was wonderful.
The best named teams were found north of Sheffield, Oughtibridge War Memorial Spots Club v South Emsall Services Firsts and the most improved ground at Dearne and District whose efforts off the field to pass grading rules were just surpassed by their team winning their league and promotion to The Northern Counties East League Division 1.
Wakefield’s new stadium, sharing with Wakefield Trinity (Rugby League) is a must go to for anyone in the area and where I will go again.
The reverse Retford Derby drew a large crowd on Boxing day and another Retford United big score (Maybe my new Boxing Day go to).
Goole AFC was an old ground with a running track round it that is due to be totally rebuilt as part of the Town Centre regeneration. I hope that this will come to fruition. Great chat with a Goole fan born and bread who now lives in Leeds but comes back for most home games.
The weather thwarted me seeing football within the Kirton Brickworks, the game being moved to a nearby village pitch to beat the weather. A must for next season. The weather almost beat me a few weeks later as I waited for the rain to stop in Florence to see Fiorentina play Lazio. Luckily it did but I will remember the fan who showed me the bus, where to get off, walked round the ground with me and was so, so helpful, all in a biblical rain storm. Football fans everywhere I salute you.
A great run in to the end of the season saw me see two Villa games, they didn’t win either but qualified for next seasons champions league, up The Villa. Loughborough Students put 7 past Skegness to win the United Counties Premier Division North play off final and right a wrong that I felt they suffered the previous season. It will be great to see them in the Northern Prem.
Shirebrook beat Wakefield in the Northern Counties East Division one semi final play off and despite losing in the final still gained promotion. A County Cup Final at Hillsborough saw Worksop Town outclass Penistone Church and a fitting engrossing end to the season at Staveley as Brampton Rovers beat the Butchers Arms in extra time to lift the Chesterfield and District Sunday Cup.
A brilliant season for me although in the game as a whole there were some worrying trends. Teams still battling with the aftermath of loss of revenue during Covid, high levels of inflation in all areas particularly in energy. reducing local authority support where local budgets have been squeezed, lack of continuity planning, a cost of living crisis hitting the pockets of fans and extra costs and administration as teams have expanded their women’s senior teams and teams for all ages and sexes. This has led to Nuneaton Borough, Marske, Hamworthy United etc to not complete their fixtures and Loughborough Dynamo and Coleville moving down leagues to reduce costs and re-group. There could be more to follow.
On the positive front a re-organisation of the United Counties Premier North League has produced very local games that should result in some competitive football and bigger crowds, bring on 2024/25, I can’t wait.
I normally count the F.A. Cup final as the end of the season but this year with many postponed games there was some lower league carry over and I planned to visit North Gawber on the last day of May. Their game like some others was in the end was not played but declared a draw as the result would not have changed the league placings. So with my lip out I searched for another ending and I was lucky enough to find what looked like an interesting game a short hop from me at Staveley Miners Welfare.
The Butchers Arms FC 3 Brampton Rovers AFC Mens 4 (AET)
Chesterfield & District Sunday Football league, Alma Cup final.
Staveley Miners Welfare, Inkersall Road, Staveley, S43 3JL Friday 31st May 2024 Kick off 19.45
The Butchers Arms; Blue Shirts with white shorts, Brampton; Red Shirts with blue shorts.
The artificial pitch and ground looked immaculate (as it always does at Staveley) as the teams came out in some evening sunshine. The sun didn’t help the temperature which read only 14.5 in the car as I managed to get the last space in the large car park.
Both teams looked nervy as they settled down to the surface and it was the Butchers arms who found their feet first when after only 4 minutes a scrappy attack saw the ball drift to the right of the goal where their unmarked number 9 who steadied and placed the ball across the goalkeeper into the left hand side of the net for the lead.
Brampton equalised 10 minutes later when, after three headed attempts from a corner, the ball was headed in at the far post. Butchers Arms re-took the lead after a drinks break but Brampton pulled level again on 25 minutes when their lively number 10 was pulled over in the penalty area by the centre back and the resulting penalty was despatched straight down the middle.
The Butchers Arms keeper denied the number 10 with a brilliant save 10 minutes before the interval but it was the Butchers Arms who finished the half the strongest.
Butchers came out all attack at the restart and pressed hard but a break away after only 6 minutes saw the ball slotted through to Brampton’s number 10 again, who from 20 yards out to the right of the goal, slammed the ball into the right hand side of the net. With 63 minutes gone The Butchers Arms equalised when their lively number 9 was bundled over in the penalty area and he picked himself up and strode forward to convert the penalty for 3.3.
The game seemed to lose a bit of its intensity as neither side wanted to make a mistake and there were no clear chances as the time ran down to 90 minutes.
The first half of extra time saw lots of endeavour and it was Brampton who came closest. With just 7 minutes left Brampton’s number 10 crowned a great performance when he ran on to a ball between two defenders and slid the ball home to take the lead. The Butchers Arms tried hard to get back on equal terms but some basic defending and time wasting saw Brampton home.
What a great advert for Sunday league football and a fascinating last game of my season. The crowd was over 500 and made up of all ages reflecting the young age profile of the teams. Brampton’s win who were second in the Second Division, shows the depth of the leagues by beating The Butchers Arms who were second in the First Division.
I had a warm glow from the game as I left the ground but a hat and gloves were needed with the temperature drop to 9.5 degrees, was it really less than 2 hours until 1st June.
The Staveley club house did brisk business for drinks and food all night and the chips were some of the best of the season. they were hot, tasty, golden, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle but a bit too greasy and therefore a score of 69.
With so many local leagues disrupted by our wet, wet, wet winter there are some games that need to be finished.
I was lucky to find one very local to me at Kiveton Park, so a 15 minute car ride and I was there.
I have been to Kiveton Miners Welfare before a couple of times and they were winners of my Chip League in the past. I also visited the ground when Sheffield Town ground shared a few seasons ago. Sheffield Town don’t seem to be in existence any more but I’m sure that the Kiveton team had more than a few faces from that team.
43 spectators had ambled along to see the game that was a dry but cool, breezy, early evening. There were some very sporadic spots of rain from a blue sky that was mixed with grey and white clouds. The recently mowed grass pitch was already looking good after some better weather.
This ground is reached via a housing estate and is bordered by houses on two sides, a practice pitch and cricket ground on another and the Worksop to Sheffield line at one end. The seated stand in the centre of one side is the only area that is not open.
Waving the train, caught offside.
Kiveton Miners Welfare FC 1 AFC Bentley 2
Wednesday 15th May 2024; 18.30 kick off. Stone Close, Kiveton Park, Rotherham, south Yorkshire, S26 6SQ: 14th v 7th.
Central Midlands Alliance League Premier Division North.
Kiveton M.W.; Red and white vertical shirts with black shorts; AFC Bentley; Navy blue shirt body with one sleeve a lighter blue and the other sleeve green, green shorts.
For some reason the home team were late in coming out of the distant changing rooms and then stopped for a discussion on the way. This meant that the game did not kick off until 18.37. The game was furious end to end football but misplaced passes abounded and meant that neither side was able to totally dominate. This all changed around 23 minutes when the away teams number 5 hit a pile driver of a shot from 30 yards that hit the cross bar and bounced down with the Kiveton goalkeeper struggling. His attempts to finally scoop the ball away were of no avail as the officials ruled the ball had crossed the line.
Approximately 5 minutes later Kiveton’s tricky number 7 exploded into the penalty area on the left hand side and was immediately floored, gaining a deserved penalty. Solly Limb stepped forward and easily levelled the score from the penalty spot.
There were some strong tackles from both sides but the referee kept the game flowing and it soon reached half time.
The second half continued in the same end to end fashion and with the game drifting to a stalemate, Bentley went ahead again when a corner kick sailed over everyone to be met by one of their team who, unmarked, clipped it into the net. There was a final burst by Kiveton in the added minutes as they came close to scoring when they hit the post, it was not to be their evening. Bentley returned to Doncaster with three lucky points that should have been shared and both teams only have one more game to complete this truncated season.
It was an impressive game in the fact that both teams went for it in what was to some degree a dead game as neither side had anything to play for.
No Chips tonight as the food van looks like it is in a state of refurbishment.
payonthegate 