Goole, on the way up.

After last week’s freeze I drove North to watch Goole AFC play Silsden AFC with an outside temperature of 9 degrees.

Luckily driving East on the M62 the Goole turning is just before the roadworks for the repairs to the Ouse Bridge. The bridge repairs are needed, but anyone travelling this way regularly will have endured the frustration of the 30 mph limit, that feels like walking pace and the bullying of some drivers through the roadworks. The estimated finish date has now been put back to the end of August, really!

Coming off the motorway, you immediately notice the vast swathes of new housing and tidy industrial premises. The ground is in the Old Town within post war and older terraced housing. I parked in one of the terraced streets where there were plenty of to let boards and houses being renovated. Opposite the ground entrance they are building some new modern terraced housing.

A friendly crew took my money for my entrance, programme and raffle ticket, I still have never won one but must have paid for a few new balls by now.

You immediately see why a portion of the money set aside for some regeneration of Goole is to be spent on this community asset. The pitch is surrounded by a running track that looks very tired, there aŕe panels off some of the covered standing, the hospitality is a small portacabin, food is provided by a mobile wagon and let’s not talk about the toilets. Firstly let’s say we’ll done to the fans and officials who have kept this club going and wish them well in their new all weather pitch with new, changing rooms, function rooms and new toilets. The club will be able to generate a renewed football focus for all ages and generate more income. Their youth team for instance will not have to play home games away in Snaith.

I have seen the ground before from the train passing through to Hull which is very visible from one corner. What is also visible are the salt and pepper pots as they are known locally, two much needed water towers for these flat lands of the Humber Estuary.

It felt colder than 9 degrees which could have been accounted for by the proximity of Goole Docks. I cold see the outline of the top of a moored cargo ship. The sky was a clear light blue, criss crossed by a few vapour trails, with the sun shining brightly. The grass pitch was flat and looked lush apart for some wear in the goal mouths. It was obviously muddy which showed up by the dirt kicked off the boots as the teams left the field after warming up.

Goole has seen a football team for over 120 years, with Goole Town being famous for their efforts in the Midland League and cup exploits. Unfortunately financial problems forced them to close in 1996 but a Leeds Entrepreneur started a new club a year later. They immediately won the Central Midlands League and later were promoted to the Northern Counties League. Their rise continued to the Northern Premier League in 2005 but Administration difficulties halted the progress in 2009 and by 2017 they were back in the NCEL where they sit today.

A Silsden football team were formed in 1904 with the current senior team founded in 1996, similar to Goole. Having been successful in the Craven Amateur Football League they joined the North West Counties League in 2004, promoted to the Premier Division in their first season, but relegated in 2010 and promoted again in 2018 as champions. They were transferred laterally to the NCEL in 2019.

Goole AFC 3 Silsden 0

Saturday 27th January 2024. 17.00 pm kick off. Vikings v Cobbydalers, 19th v 10th

Victoria Pleasure Gardens, Marcus Street, Goole, DN14 8SL

Goole; Red and black vertical shirt fronts, red backs with black shorts.

Silsden; Lime yellow shirts with grey shorts.

The first fifteen minutes of the game were very equal except for a point blank save by the Goole goalkeeper. It did seem a long way away from the action, something the new ground will help to redress. What struck me in these first minutes were the foul throws that have entered into the modern game, not only here but in many games I watch. Perhaps FIFA could put this on their list of things to tighten up on.

Goole kept plugging away on the heavy pitch and a great bit of skill by their Lucas Robinson, who looked a class above most players, on 36 minutes, hit a pass from the left over the top of the away defence for the on rushing Liam Flannagan to collect and drill into the net past the advancing goalkeeper.

Eight minutes later with half time approaching it was Lucas Robinson again who beat the full back and from the by-line slid the ball along the ground for the unmarked Daniel Ward to tap in. Goole went in at the break good value for the 233 fans, one of Goole’s highest gates of the season, to contemplate a chance of victory.

Silsden put the pressure on in the second half but rarely threatened to reduce the deficit. Goole’s forwards, prominent in the first half, were pushed back into defending but Brice Ghussein who had been their main threat in the second half continued his unselfish running and with the 90 minutes up, raced down the right and supplied a inch perfect cross for Luca Grant to complete the three nil win. The referee checked with the linesman for offside but the goal stood.

A first win for Goole in 10 league matches which should have eased their relegation worries if all the other teams around them hadn’t won as well.

Great afternoon out and it looks like Goole is on the up along with Goole AFC who ended their poor performances and it looks heads up for the development of the new ground. Thank you to the Goole fan who updated me on what is going on in the club during the second half.

The chips were good too, being hot, tasty, cooked to order and a good texture. Having almost lost heart in my chip quest it was good to be able to give a score of 70. This may soon be the end of the current chuck wagon with Goole looking to organise their own food in the near future, before the ground update, to help generate income.

Hard work has its rewards.

With frozen grounds stopping me from visiting my 3 chosen games of the day, I decided to go to Ilkeston, whose game was on because of their artificial pitch.

An interesting approach to the stadium here, with traffic lights guarding single file access over the canal before you turn right into the large car park, £3.

It was still 4 degrees with a light wind before the forecast change from the last 7 days of freezing weather to an expected balmy 7 degrees but high winds of storm ‘Isha’.

There was a constant stream of fans entering the ground and it was no surprise that there was the highest home gate of the season, at 1360, for Ilkeston. This was just over three hundred more than the previous high.

Ilkeston should be applauded for this as they had been rewarded for their efforts.

Their social media had made a lot of noise over Derby County playing away along with Notts Forrest whose game at Brentford didn’t kick off until 17.30. Time then to get home and watch that on TV or stay and watch it in the clubhouse. As the day unfolded, more and more local games were called off, Notts County, Matlock, Heanor and othets all of which were reported on Ilkeston’s social media with calls to ‘come on down’.

There was a final reason for a larger than normal crowd and that was it was a local derby. According to Google Maps it is only 5.9 miles between Ilkeston Town FC, along the A610 and Basford (Pronounced Baseford).

The stadium is soon recognised by its clock tower in one corner where there is a large seated stand that extends at a lower level down one side broken by home and away dugouts that have seating that looks like it has come out of a luxury yacht. The opposite side is open low level standing with a large club house behind with two of the three food outlets in the ground, only one of which serves chips.

The two ends are covered standing, one with higher terracing than the other.

The all-weather artificial pitch seems to slope slightly from end to end and slopes away a few feet from the in play lines. This always looks a little worrying to me and last time I was here a player slid off the pitch into the perimeter fence. Its purpose though is to allow good drainage.

lkeston Town F.C. have only been in existence since 2017 taking up the local mantle from Ilkeston F.C. who had only been reformed in 2010. The current team having been elected to the Midland Football League won back to back promotions before results were expunged due to covid. The Non League reorganisation found them in the Northern Premier League – Division One Midlands Division which they won gaining the team automatic promotion but were reallocated for the 2022/23 to the Southern Football League Premier Division Central, now back in the Northern Premier.

Basford started life in 1900 as The Old Pear Tree Inn playing in local Notts football Leagues until they resigned in the 2005/06 season only to restart the following year. They changed course in 2010 joining the East Midland Counties League and in 2012 were promoted to the Northern Counties East league which they rose through only to be transferred to the Midland League in 2014. They immediately won that being promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One South and in 2018 were promoted as champions to the Premier Division. 2022 saw them transferred to the Southern League Premier Central Division and a year later back to the Northern Leagues’ Premier Division. So after a long period of Notts football they have changed leagues continually due to promotions and league re-organisations making great upward progress.

Ilkeston Town FC 4 Basford United FC 1

Saturday 20th January 2024, Kick Off 15.00 pm. Northern Premier League, Premier Division.

12th v 18th Robins v The Lions New Manor Ground, Awsworth Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8JF

Ilkeston, Red shirts with white stripe down side and white shorts; Basford, Yellow shirts and shorts.

Basford had a good sprinkling of ex Ilkeston players but within only 2 minutes they may have wished they hadn’t returned with the home team scoring through James Walker. His shot was deflected by a defender past the despairing, diving, goalkeeper.

Basford then had a period of more possession but their laboured build up from the back often broke down in midfield and did not trouble the Robins. Ilkeston threatened through long throws and corners and James Walker put them further ahead with a great header at the far post after a brilliantly delivered ball after 31 minutes.

To add to the away sides gloomy afternoon, six minutes later, Declan Eratt-Thompson looked to scoop the ball with his hand near the half way line, on the blind side of the referee and ran forward. Some of the Basford players stopped but Declan continued onward and hit a fine shot into the back of the net from 20 yards. The three goal advantage at half time was well deserved as despite a lot of Basford possession they never managed a clear scoring opportunity.

Immediately from the restart Ilkeston scored again but after the linesman intervened it was ruled out for offside. Basford tried to get into the game and made substitutes but their firepower was blunted continually.

Ilkeston made it 4 with 10 minutes to go when Walker completed his hattrick taping the ball in past the goalkeeper after receiving a defence splitting pass.

Basford scored a consolation goal as time ran out. Jack Lewis, who had hit a free kick from the same spot well over the bar 2 minutes earlier, this time hit the cross bar and the ball fell down onto the goal line and bounced out but Tyson’s follow up shot that was hooked out was adjudged to have crossed the line.

More sorrow for Basford when Owen Betts was sent off for a second bookable offence in the dying embers of the game.

Not a classic for a local derby but Ilkeston were happy to gain the three points, an improvement to their goal difference and their largest crowd of the season.

I expected a lot of the chips as Ilkeston have been a previous winner of my Chip League. There are three kiosks selling food at the ground with only one selling chips. I joined a long queue and eagerly received my quest. they were hot, golden, crispy, not greasy, tasty on the outside but bland and dull in the centre. I’m having a bad chip season and they only scored 63.

N.B. In my last post I talked wrote about Hamworthy and Marske having to resign during the league season. Unfortunately Nuneaton have sadly joined them.

Hamworthy show there is a road back.

An unusual choice this week to see Hamworthy United Reserves play Bridport Reserves in the Dorset Premier League.

Partly due to a visit to see friends and relatives, partly to go to a ground I missed in the past and finally to see what happens when a club has to throw in the towell.

Over the last month I have read with interest the demise of Marske in the Northern Premier League, the wholesale departure of manager and players at North Shields to enable the club to stay afloat, a number of teams up for sale and Nuneaton’s ground and finance problems.

Hamworthy resigned from the Southern League Division One South last October 2023 due to financial problems, having started the season.

They have kept the club going by keeping the reserve team playing in the Dorset Premier League. They will be able to drop the reserves part of their name next season and start a new journey for the club to find their level in the football pyramid within their means.

Many clubs suffered large income loss due to covid restrictions which were followed by the harsh inflationary pressures, particularly from rising energy costs. Some problems have been where clubs have risen higher than their supporter base could sustain other than through external largess.

Player payments have also been a problem with Internet comments stating that a recent club in peril were playing players £800 a week. Anecdotal comments at games I have attended often say that one team is paying players an extra £200 per game compared with others. Some Step 7 players, that’s eleven leagues off the Premier League, have agents, is that real!

There are maybe some changes in the opposite direction. Players are deciding to play for their local club rather than one some distance away that pays more. This change is down to travel costs and travel time. People are valuing time more since their covid experiences.

Hamworthy are still going and here is my experience.

Hamworthy a distinct area is just West of Poole but to reach this archipelago you have to go over a bridge from that town. The ground is soon upon you behind some housing and separated from Poole Harbour by what appears to be a large electrical sub station. It has good parking available and once you enter the stadium you can see that it was remodelled when the 3G artificial pitch was laid around 6 years ago. The flat pitch, also marked out for training and junior use, is surrounded by good hard standing and there is a small covered stand to one side of a goal and a seated covered stand of metal construction on one side. The club house is large with a bar and snack hatch but was cold as the heating was not working. The TV had a terrestrial program running, no sky sports here and it looked like most people were opting for hot drinks and food rather than alcohol which could have been because of the 3 degrees outside and not much warmer in. The heating was fixed by half time and gave a welcome respite to the cold. On paying my entrance I asked if there was a team sheet or program but was quickly told we can’t afford those here.

I sat down to watch the game under a grey dull sky.

Hamworthy United FC Reserves 6 Bridport FC Reserves 0

Dorset Premier League, Saturday 13th January 2024, kick off 15.00 pm

The County Ground, Blandford Close, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4BF

Hammers v The Bees

Hamworthy, horizontal claret and blue shirts with claret shorts; Bridport, Red shirts and black shorts.

The Hamworthy side was made up of youngsters and started the game with more possession and playing some neat pretty football, hitting the away sides post on 20 minutes. Bridport were no mugs and their older heads and greater physicality meant they they were a good match for their opponents. The first half continued in that way but on 40 minutes Bridport’s Thorpe, who had joined the game as a substitute early on, was red carded when he fouled the on rushing Williams on the edge of the goal area to prevent him scoring. At half time it was a well matched contest.

Within 8 minutes of the restart Hamworthy were ahead when the ball fell to Nemo Nixon on the right who shot, the ball deflecting off a defender over the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net. A quick loo break, after coffee before the game and at half time, meant that I missed the second goal again scored by Nemo Nixon just two minutes later.

The goals kept coming and on 58 minutes Tadgh Case scored a well placed goal after receiving the ball on the edge of the area after a well worked corner.

Hamworthy just kept taking advantage of the extra man, younger legs and the momentum of the game with Nemo Nixon securing his hat trick on 69 minutes when he ran on to meet a ball over the top and slot it into the net. Four became five 4 minutes later when the cultured Tymoteusz Famurat waited for the ball to drop out of the air and hit it on the volley to the right of the despairing goalkeeper.

With two minutes left a through ball found a home forward who drew the goalkeeper and slid the ball along the ground to Tadght Case to tap in. A well deserved second half performance by Hamworthy and if they can keep this team together they can only improve their performances and league position.

Hamworthy have started again and look to have cemented a new platform to grow from. The crowd which I estimated to be around 80 were fully behind the team and looked to enjoy their afternoon on and off the field.

The chips, started well, they looked good, French fries rather than chips, were golden , tasty, a good portion, were not greasy but as I continued to eat them they became harder and harder. The nut crackers that were put away after Christmas could have been of use here. a score of 53.

N,B. On the same day Hamworthy Recreation were being beaten on penalties away to Jersey Bulls in the last 32 of the FA Vase. Hamworthy Rec were once the company team of Hamworthy Engineering a local outfit who still have a small presence in the area but are now part of a larger company based in Hull. Hamworthy Recreations home is now 6 miles north of Poole.

A Muddy start to 2024 at Garforth.

I started the New Year with a visit to a new venue for me, Garforth Town.

Garforth is 5 miles east of Leeds, within the Leeds conurbation. Its agricultural background was shattered like many villages/towns in this area by coal. With coal gone Garforth at the end of the M1 where it meets the A1M is now well placed for the industrial estates that spring up near these arterial roads. As you drive into the town from the motorway, the ground is immediately on your left within some modern housing. A sign on the main road says the car park is full and directs you to an overflow.

The overflow is an industrial estate on which is the Ginetta factory, the sports car company favoured by many as an initial route into motor racing. The estate unfortunately is hilly and having parked near the bottom the uphill walk was finally greeted by a long queue at the turnstile where Garforth’s largest crowd of the season 385 have turned up. Their opponents. Frickley Athletic is only a short drive away up the A1 and there are some of their fans in the queue.

Getting in with 2 minutes to spare I noticed the snack bar just to my left and bought some chips. This delayed me further and I missed the first 2 minutes.

The pitch sloped slightly from end to end, the surface was undulating and muddy in parts with patches of sand to help soak up the constant rain of the past week.

It was still overcast with some blue sky poking through the grey wispy cloud. The stillness of the day meant the cold air seemed to grip you.

Garforth Town were established in 1964 as The Miners Arms, playing Sunday League Football switching to Saturday Football in 1976. A move to the Yorkshire League in 1977 saw a name change to Garforth Miners an after progressing through the Divisions they were paced in the Northern Counties East Division one in its formation in 1982. Three years later they adopted their current name and moved to division 2 after another league re-organisation but immediately gained promotion back to Division 1. They achieved promotion to the Premier division in 1998 after some impressive seasons but were back ion Division 1 in 2003 after relegation. Their yoyo existence continued with promotion back to the highest division in 2006 and even higher the next season to the Northern Premier League Division 1 North. They were however back in the Northern Counties East League in 2013.

There is mention of Frickley Colliery Athletic Club as far back as 1908 but with the demise of the coal industry the Colliery name was dropped in the 1970’s. Evidence of the mining roots can be seen from the stand as it overlooks an old mining spoil tip that has been contoured and is now used as farm land with the hay bales in the fields which acted as seating for some people to overlook the ground and watch the game. Frickley ‘s best performance in the F.A.Cup was in 1985 when they reached the third round only to lose at home to local rivals Rotherham United. At that time they were playing their football in the highest level of Non League Football and were founder members of the Football Conference the following year. Since then they have slipped down some levels but are a well run and established club.

Garforth Town AFC 4 Frickley Athletic 2

Saturday 6th January 2024; 15.00 pm kick off. Miners v Blues. 7th v 10th

Bannister Prentice Community Stadium, Cedar Ridge, Garforth LS25 2PF

Garforth light blue shirts and shorts; Frickley green shirts and black shorts.

Garforth took the initiative from the start and deservedly took the lead on 11 minutes when Mathew Antcliff parried shot came back to him, he followed up to slot it home.

I took a seat high up in the stand and could see for miles. The stand was very impressive down the centre of one side but apart from a
small corrugated coverd structure one end all other areas were open to the elements.

Frickley countered after this set back and on 27 minutes were back on level terms when Garforth’s attempts at clearing a cross fell to Alhassane Keita who composed himself with his shot beating 4 defenders and the goalkeeper to level.
Only one minute later Garforth re-took the lead when Charlie Marshall received the ball on the edge of the goal area, turned superbly and slammed the ball into the bottom of the net to the right of the goalkeeper.

A bit of luck and skilful play enabled Frickley to level 6 minutes before half time when after some neat passing play Richard Collier shot which deflected off a defender looping over the goalkeeper to nestle in the goal. It stated at two all at half time.

With the light fading badly the home team did not put on their floodlights until 2 minutes into the second half. Electricity saving I presume. Despite the sapping conditions it was a very open game but Garforth regained the lead on50 minutes when Charlie Marshall collected an overhit ball on the left, ran to the by-line and Cleverley slotted the ball past defender for a 3-2 lead.

It continued a great battle when five minutes later Frickley hit the base of the post with a long shot. Charlie Marshall missed three chances in the next 10 minutes as the conditions worsened.

Frickley’s efforts became harder when just over three quarters through the game Alhassane Keita was sent off for kicking out after a strong challenge.

That man Charlie Marshall completed his hattrick with ten minutes left putting the game beyond the away teams reach with a tap in that was made by Sam Barker. Sam Barker seemed to be the player best suited to the conditions skipping over the mud all the game.

The game was a que for both sides to send on numerous substitutes to rest some weary legs.

A very competitive game in poor conditions but which entertained for the full 90 minutes.

Unfortunately the chips for me were warm, soggy and limp a score of 44. My scores are very subjective though as talking to family the next day I found that some liked chips that way!

My Football Year 2023, looking forward to 2024.

Looking back at 2023 made me realise how lucky I am and what a year. I ended up going to 50 games.

It started at Melbourne just off the flight plan of East Midlands Airport to see Derby Singh Brothers win in the cup. Both teams ended up being promoted but Singh Brothers had off field problems in looking for a new ground.

Seeing Aston Villa lose to Stevenage in the FA Cup was no surprise when you have watched many of their games in the last 35 years. Can you believe the turn round of 2023 which they ended second in the Premiership, the Unai Emerey effect, amazing.

Walking off with the car keys at Southwell caused me to miss the first goal, increase my heart rate and get a flea in my ear.

Bishop Aukland didn’t disappoint and nor did the Totty Cup. The Totty Cup final for youngsters was not just good football on a poor day but real family happiness.

Then in between some ex miners teams my first island hopping trip. The first to Guernsey to see a long term friend which gave me the chance to see the trend setting Guernsey FC. Jersey and the Isle of Man have followed them and our football is better for it. Perhaps in the future an island team may get to Wembley in the FA Vase final, let’s all hope.

The other islands I visited were Eriksay to stand on one of FIFA’s most iconic football grounds in the world. Harris to enjoy the Jock Stein Cup Final, Anglesey to see Llangefni prepare for a new season and sneaking away from the hotel on Madeira in the heat to the stadium where Ronaldo first played.

In July I finally made it to ‘The Stanks’ the Berwick Charities Cup and watched football by the ramparts of the first Elizabethan era with the sea as a further back drop. Where else in the world. It was all I had hoped for, I’ll be back some day.

Kings Lynn on the way back from holiday was disappointing both in the game and the cost, a bit of an illusion shattered, however positivity was restored when visiting Wombwell Town. This new club to the Northern Counties East League were table toppers to start the season, although drifting down a little since, with a developing set up that looks good for the future. It is also unusually a ground with a Go Kart track at one end.

I love some of the names in football and on a dry Saturday afternoon where else could you relax better than at Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club FC.

A Friday night at Dearne and District, where the Totty Cup final was played, saw the strides this club are making to not only to gain promotion through their football but their facilities too. Next season in the NECL will be an early season visit.

Breaking from Non League I attended a trilogy of game at Mansfield FC in the League Cup and EFL Trophy. I thoroughly enjoyed the games and found everyone welcoming which by reputation I didn’t expect.

The end of the year found me visiting the two teams in Newark and seeing Retford United score 4 on Boxing day. I saw United play on three occasions and in total they sored 13 goals, including the most exciting game of the season the 4-4 draw at Beverley.

As always I should thank all the players, officials, fans and helpers that made my year so enjoyable.

I also learnt in 2023 to let go of some of my fixed view on football grounds. I have never been sure of synthetic pitches always favouring grass. I now realise their true worth in that there are few postponements, the ball reacts consistently, players seem to try more skilful play, the facilities around the pitch are upgraded at the same time as the new surface is laid and mostly of all that they are a true resource for the community at large and the development of football for all ages. To counter this I have decided to re-visit Gresley Rovers one of those iconic patched together grounds with a real sense of history.

2023 fizzles out.

After some exciting journeys and games I ended the year on a damp Saturday drifting down the A1 to Collingham. I made the journey to see Newark and Sherwood United FC play Skegness Town FC in the United Counties Premier Division North. N&S are ground sharing with Collingham this year. Collingham is a village to the East of Newark and East of the A1 where the football ground is in the village behind the COOP and surrounded by houses and a school.

It was a grey overcast day with the car telling me it was 10 degrees but my body saying it was a lot colder than that with a biting wind cutting right through me.

As you enter the ground through a proper turnstile down the left hand side is a combined club house and changing rooms with executive viewing and other rooms above. The clubhouse was busy but only sold drinks, limited food being served from half time at a shed that doubles for a club shop. Beyond the clubhouse down the rest of the side is a covered seated stand. 181 brave souls were there, none of which seemed to be supporting the visitors who had made the 56 mile journey.There is a perimeter walk way around the other two sides and none behind 1 of the goals.

Chairman, Steff Wright in the programme notes dreamed of the future “We have been working hard with our partners on our longer term aims to create an ambitious community stadium which will inspire a generation of boys and girls from the town and district to dream big and work hard to achieve those dreams”.

Newark and Sherwood United set out in 1901 as A. J. Simpson an Co and at sometime prior to 1935 were renamed Worthington Simpson. From 1949 onwards they played in the Notts Alliance League and were a strong team in the league and local cups. Another name change to IDP Newark in 1998, they changed again to Newark Flowserve in 2001 and 3 years later joined the Central Midlands League. They were promoted to the East Midlands Counties League in 2018, changed their name again, this time to Newark in 2020 and were transferred to the United Counties Premier Division North in 20221 within the F.A.’s Non League reorganisation.

Their last name change came in May 2022 to Newark and Sherwood Unite FC and a groundshare with Collingham FC arranged having lost their ground to re-development.

Skegness Town AFC were formed in 1947 after the demise of Skegness United and Skegness Blue Rovers. After playing local football they joined the Midland Counties League in 1958 where they played until being founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982 where they stayed for just one season. A move back to Lincolnshire football saw them dominate the Lincolnshire League for many seasons and returned to The NCE League again for a short while in 2018 before being moved to the United Counties in 2021 due to the re-organisation.

Newark and Sherwood United FC 1 Skegness Town FC 3

Saturday 30th December 2023 15.00 pm Kick Off.

Collingham FC ground, Station Road, Collingham, Newark, NG23 7RA

Highwaymen v Lilywhites 16th v 5th

Newark and Sherwood, Travis Perkins green shirts, navy blue shorts; Skegness, White shirts, Red shorts.

Skegness started like greyhounds after the hare on this very grey day that needed the floodlights on from the start. They went ahead after just 7 minutes when a great cross from the left along the ground was met by Declan Johnson to tap in.

As the sky became darker and darker it boded ill for the home team when Declan Johnson, again, ran past Newark’s high line from near the halfway line and drew the goalkeeper to narrow his angle on the goal mouth to be able to just roll the ball in for a second.

After not looking at all like scoring the home side pegged one backl on 34 minutes when after some neat inter-passing on the right Kian Sketchey fought of a challenge to score. After their goal Newark knocked Skegness out of their rhythm even though the away side were much stronger.

Gary King made it 3 .1 for the Lilywhites just before half time when his shot was deflected past the goalkeeper.

There were no goals added in the second half as Skegness kept pressing and if it hadn’t been for Arun Mitchel Jones in the home sides goal making some quite outstanding saves it would have been many more for Skegness. The wind was getting stronger and colder as the game went on and I was pleased when the referee blew for full time.

Not the best game to end an exciting year but it will be interesting to see where theses two clubs go in the future.

Unfortunately no chips just two coffees which was most probably good, keeping the calories count down at this festive time.

Staveley set up a Happy Christmas.

Being Christmas I decided to stay local and went to Staveley Miners Welfare to see them play Selby.

What you get at Staveley is a warm feeling in the clubhouse that had a few decorations but most of all community.

The clubhouse is large, bright (painted in blue and white club colours), warm, 5 large TV screens, good bar, large food counter but most of all friendly. There were tables taken by Selby fans, a couple with tins of sweets on and a lot of noise that was the chatter of people catching up and anticipating the game.

This is a club that has taken league demotion in recent years to get the club rooted firmly in the community with many teams and a facility that they are proud of. The ground is spotless and tidy like your house when you are expecting visitors. They have also revealed plans for class rooms on the site for pupils to study at an Academy and announced that they have reduced their debt in two years from £240 000 to £160 000, everything is moving forward.

The program had a Christmas theme and an updated team sheet was available in the clubhouse.

Staveley Miners Welfare F.C’s. current incarnation was formed in 1962 as a Sunday team, known as the Nags Head playing in Barrow Hill and started playing on Saturdays in 1989. There have been previous clubs playing at the ground since 1919. They have since risen to their current step 5 level and despite difficult times in 2007 a new Chairman in Terry Damms has with his team made it into a successful community club with feeder teams of all ages.

Selby Town have also been in existence since 1919 although a team of the same name and nickname has been dissolved nearly 10 years before. They were once in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division but have spent most of their time at their current level.

It was a dry, bright, windy day at 10 degrees making the synthetic pitch shine out and ready for action.

Staveley Miners Welfare v Selby Town

Saturday 24th December 2023, Inkersall Road, Staveley Chesterfield Derbyshire S43 3JL

15.00 pm kick off; Trojans v Robins; 11th v 15th; Northern Counties East League Division 1

Staveley, Royal Blue and white vertical striped shirts with royal blue shorts: Selby, All white strip with red short sleeves to the shirts.

The game started with each team getting used to the windy conditions when controlling the ball. Staveley were gaining the upper hand and went ahead after 18 minutes when a free kick was defended, the ball going back to the freekick taker who lobbed it back in the goal where Kian Tansley rose to glance head the ball over Alfie Burnett, Selby’s keeper, to nestle in the far corner of the net.

Selby reacted with more attacking but were again beaten by a freekick on 31 minutes when Kian Tansley bent the ball round the left of a small wall into a gaping opening. At two nil Selby must have been thinking that half time could not come soon enough, however their plight was worsened when just on half time Kyle Fish was dismissed for a reckless tackle on Jack Deakin’s shin whose cry could be heard everywhere in the ground. The resulting mele led to two Staveley players being booked although the referee could have booked even more of both teams players.

The second half gave no respite for Selby who went 3 nil down on 58 minutes when from a corner Dustyn Grierson was unmarked to send a bullet header into a bulging net. Just after half time Daniel Davison for Selby was sin binned for arguing with the referee, playing against 9 men Staveley used up all of their substitutes to rest player for the Boxing Day fixture.

Back to 10 players Selby did have a last hoorah and forced two good saves in the last five minutes by Zac Walker in the Staveley goal.

A very competent win for Staveley and a game for Selby to forget.

An amazing sunset at Staveley, 40 years ago the sky would have been this colour from the Chemical works and heavy industry.

Chips are always on the menu at Staveley and at £2.50 they were a good quantity, hot, great texture but unfortunately greasy, that didn’t stop me eating them though, a score of 64. At half time in the Christmas spirit I had a mince pie with my coffee from a cake stall that had been set up just inside the club house entrance, it was delicious.

Santa at Newark Town but it’s ‘Ho Ho Ho’ for Dunkirk.

Having missed football for a few weeks I journeyed to Newark-on-Trent to enjoy all that is good with the game.

It didn’t start well as Google maps took me to ‘Valley Prospect’, research had prepared me though, this had been their ground and teams still play there with the Senior men’s team now playing at the YMCA Community and activity Village.

The YMCA Community and Activity Village is an amazing new facility with a wide range of sports, education, training, hospitality, childcare and social gathering space. There is ample tarmacked parking with a specific area for football, cricket and Athletics. The entrance to the football via a gate and past the wooden hut is not auspicious but you enter a new ultra flat synthetic pitch area that has been developed for Newark Town to play at their current level and above, with scope to go further if necessary. There is hard standing all round the pitch with a covered seated stand on one side and a smaller one on the other just offset from the dugouts. A small shelter near one corner of an end would keep you dry in a down poor but you may also catch a bus as it looks like a bus stop.

The catering facilities are ‘POSH’ as they are part of a central hub for other activities. No chips here so I settled down to read my programme with an Almond Croissant and a coffee, I told you it was posh. The facilities were well used before the game and at half time.

Also just inside the ground was ‘Santa’ and I wandered which team had been naughty or nice to get his help once the game started. Santa gave out presents to some of the junior team and at half time there was a hit the cross bar competition for juniors. There is certainly an all inclusive feel to the club.

The ‘Bring a Mate to Double the Gate’ promotion had only produced 148 fans which Is at Newark’s average gate. Disappointing perhaps but with all of the competing family activities at this time of year I thought it was a result. The weather was also kind with clear blue skies with the occasional wispy white and grey cloud, no wind and a temperature of 10 degrees.

I sat in the stand near what turned out to be the local ‘Ultra’s’, a group of about 15, mainly teenagers who chanted, shouted through a megaphone and beat a drum.

Saturday 16th December 2023; Kick off 15.00 pm. United Counties League Division One; 3rd v 10th

YMCA Community and Activity Village, Lord Hawke Way, Newark-on-Trent, NG24 4FH

Newark, Sky blue shirts with black shorts. Dunkirk, All red.

Newark Town FC 2 Dunkirk FC 5

No one gained the initiative in the first 15 minutes with the pattern of play mainly long balls and lots of verbal comment. This was broken only a minute later when the away team slotted a through ball to Jack Thatcher on the left of goal who drew the keeper and despatched it into the right side of the net. Newark did not give up and equalised on 23 minutes when Ryan Smith who was unmarked took the ball forward for most of half the pitch and just riffled it into the far corner.

Dunkirk responded positively and took control of the game and it was no surprise that on 41 minutes, a minute after the floodlights came on, that after some neat inter-passing on the right the ball found its way to Jack Thatcher whose shot deflected upwards and into the goal despite despairing attempts to keep it out by defenders. It didn’t stop there as within 2 minutes that man Jack Thatcher completed his hattrick when his pace defeated the defence and he was able to slide the ball along the ground into the back of the net.

HT Newark 1 Dunkirk 3

Newark came out for the second half fired up and competed at some pace but were denied three good chances by Dunkirk’s goalkeeper.

Dunkirk’s right back, Andrew Tsolakis, had been receiving some verbal’s from the crowd, singing ” No2 we’re taller than you”, went forward after 60 minutes and from the centre of the goal just outside the goalkeeping area thumped the ball home for a 4.1 lead for the visitors. At this time of year I’m sure he was thinking ‘Ho Ho Ho’ as he ran to the abusing fans with his hand cupped to his ears.

With 68 minutes substitute Elliot King reduced the arrears with a tap in after some very neat play all the way from the back. Newark now exerted some real pressure and should have been awarded a penalty for a foul that appeared to be in the penalty area but which both officials deemed to have been minutely outside.

As time ran out and with no reward for their efforts Newark were caught out again with Declan Brown racing through, his fierce shot gave the goalkeeper no chance to stop Dunkirk’s fifth.

A great game and venue which lived up to my hope of seeing football at its best, thank you everyone. Perhaps you can help the home team next time Santa.

Football is alive and well in the Outer Hebrides.

My trip to the Outer Hebrides found that football is alive and well in this outpost.
I wrote about the iconic pitch in Eriksay and the Jock Stein Cup Final in Stornaway and on my travels saw some really good community football grounds.
Scotland like England are developing a good pyramid system although both in my view need to make it easier for more clubs to go up into the professional ranks each year.
The Hebrides are served by two Leagues the Uist and Barra Amateur Football League with 6 teams and the Lewis and Harris Football League with 9 teams. They all come together for the Coop Cup and compete in the Highland Amateur Cup. For a group of islands with a population of just less than 30000 this is some feat when you consider the logistics and distance (130 miles from the Southern to Northern point including two ferries).
The competition is healthy amongst the community clubs with the facilities often reflecting a community hub.

The football I saw would grace Step 5 in England and apart from no floodlights, which are not needed for a summer league the facilities would be up there too.

The grounds I saw were:

Eriksay FC

Goathill Stornaway home to Stornaway Athletic and Stornaway United.

Back FC

Back is roughly 5 miles north of Stornaway and have a very neat pitch along with other community sporting facilities.

Ness FC

Ness is right at the top of the Island of Lewis only a literal stones throw from the lighthouse of The Butt of Lewis. A fan I spoke to at the Jock Stein Cup final said that they have a lively vibrant social club that supports the football team.

Point FC

Points ground is to the East of Stornaway just beyond the airport. The facilities look good but there was no one there to talk to.

A visit to Lews House and Museum there was strong reference to football in the Island life exhibits.

Peterborough are in Heaven.

With most of the Non-league matches competed, apart from play offs and a few minor league games being caught up, I pre bought tickets to see Barnsley v Peterborough on the final League One games day of the season.

Barnsley is a hilly town and the Oakwell ground sits at the bottom of one below the town centre. An early arrival meant nearby parking in what turned out to be for Peterborough supporters. Parking near the entrance meant a prospective quick get away but also a steep walk down to the stadium.

Sitting high up in the East Stand you overlook the distant Town Hall and you could see many of the 14000 plus crowd streaming down the hill in time for the mid-day kick off. The 20 degrees shown on the car computer seemed believable as summer clothes were on show. The sunshine, blue and white skies and a beautiful green grass pitch made for a colourful tapestry.

Barnsley had already booked their place in the League One play offs but their opponents, Peterborough, needed to win and Derby away at local rivals Sheffield Wednesday needed to lose to book their place.

Barnsley are a long standing club having been formed in 1887 and located at their Oakwell home since a year later. They won the FA Cup in 1912 and been in two other Cup finals. They have reached the highest league in England but have spent most of their time going up and down the lower leagues.

In contrast Peterborough are juniors starting in 1934 and not being elected to the Football League until 1960. They too have spent most of their times since their elevation yo-yoing up and down the leagues with the Championship being their highest level achieved.

Barnsley 0 Peterborough 2

Sunday 7th May 2023 Midday kick off.

The Tykes v The Posh. 4th v 7th

Barnsley; Crimson red shirts, white shorts. Peterborough; Royal Blue shirts, black shorts.

Peterborough’s need to win showed from the off with a more direct approach and they scored on just 6 minutes when Harrison Burrows launched a curling left foot cross into the goal mouth which sailed over the Barnsley defence to the unmarked Jonson Clarke-Harris who chested it down and slammed it home.

Barnsley settled after this but made little impact on the visitors backline, they did score but it was ruled offside. Peterborough kept probing on the wings but neither side made a clear cut chance. The Peterborough fans erupted on 41 minutes as the news came through that Derby’s Curtis Davis had been sent off and a penalty awarded to the home team. A short while passed and ‘The Posh’ fans made more noise as Sheffield Wednesday scored. So with Peterborough on top at the break and Derby behind there was a buzz from the away end.

The second hand started with Peterborough needing to hold on and hope that Derby would not equalise. Barnsley did start in a more positive mood plying a much higher line and competing for the ball. They had more goal attempts in the first 20 minutes than the whole of the first half. As the game drifted on Peterborough forced a corner from the right and the right footed outswinger was met by Jack Taylor’s head as he glanced the ball into the left side of the net. Peterborough fans erupted knowing that they were going to win but were still nervous of the score from Hillsborough. Both ended about the same time and the Peterborough fans were ecstatic with the performance, the results and making the play offs. Their singing and chanting put a damper on the end of season parade for Barnsley fans. Both clubs are now in the play-offs so you would expect that if they meet again the match will be more competitive.

No chips just Pukka Pies and I chose a Pukka Sausage Roll which if I kept a table of scores for them rather than chips this version would surely be bottom.