My Matchday Pics - 117 Albany Park - Washington FC

Washington 1v0 South Shields
Arngrove Northern League Second Division
21st October 2006
att.151

I located my way to Albany Park without managing to get myself lost(anyone who has been to Washington 'new town' will understand)for Washington's Northern League Division Two clash with table toppers South Shields.
Albany Park has been the home of 'The Mechanics' since 1979,and they're planning to stay after leasing the land on an 88 year contract,after their move from their previous home at Unsworth Park.The main feature of the ground is the impressive new club house,where the main stand is housed,it was rebuilt during the 1992/93 season after the original club house was tragically gutted due to a fire.
"Weshintin" as the locals call it, made their debut in Northern League in the 1988/89 season after a successfull application from the Wearside League,there best finish was winning promotion in the 2000/01 season,finishing runners-up to Ashington.Unfortunatly their stay in the First Division only lasted three seasons,but the club is showing enough ambition to regain their top league status.
This was only 'The Mechanics' third home game of the season,after having to play the first 12 competitive games away from home.This was due to the state of the playing surface which has been covered in water,and extensive work has been made to get it in playable order,this included having to enlist the help of the local fire-brigade.
The game was a tight encounter which became scrappy in the 2nd half,with Washington holding on to there early goal scored by Stephen Burns in the 6th minute,and trying to catch Shields on the break.Washington defended well,and could even added to their lead late on,overall they ran out deserved winners, and the win took them up to 5th in the table,and with plenty of home games in hand they look a good bet to return to the Northern League top flight.




(click on thumbnails for
larger images)

Updates -

May 2007 - Well I was right! I predicted that Washington looked a good bet to go up and so it was, piping South Shields by 5 points to claim third spot and win promotion to the ANL Division One.
Division 2 league table

Nearest Ground

I came across this handy website,which is usefull for finding out which is the nearest football grounds to you.It lists milage,ticket info,club websites and Streetmap links and It's a good source whenever your away and looking to take in a match.

Simply type in a postcode,and click on football from the drop list.
Unfortunatly it doesn't list non-league, only league grounds,but it's still a useful device to have.
http://www.hopewiser.com/cgi-bin/proximity.cgi



My Top 10 are;
Distance------Div--Club Name---------------Postcode
2.86 miles----PR--Newcastle United Football Co Ltd-NE1 4ST
9.72 miles----CH--Sunderland A F C Ltd------------SR5 1SU
22.67 miles---L1--Hartlepool United Football Club--TS24 8BZ
28.87 miles---PR--Middlesbrough Football Club-----TS3 6RS
28.89 miles --L2--Darlington F C Ltd ---------------DL1 5JB
54.69miles ---L1--Carlisle United F.C. --------------CA1 1LL
78.60 miles-- L1 --Bradford City Football Club------ BD8 7DY
80.15 miles --CH-- Leeds United A F C ----------LS11 0ES
83.45 miles---CH-- Burnley Football Club ----------BB10 4BX
88.92 miles ---L1- -Huddersfield Town A F C Ltd--- HD1 6PE


I can clearly see St James Park from my street,but now I know it's 2.86 miles away. :-)

Ground Image Of The Month

This months ground image was taken by 100FGC Member Erik Roos when he visited Torshavn in the Faroe Islands,for Germany's Euro qualifier in June 2003.
What a quaint setting for a football pitch,I would hate to be a ballboy at that ground,you wouldn't wear a tracksuit you'll need a wet suite.

If you have a picture you would like me to post for Novembers 'Ground Image Of The Month' then send it to me @- Sm1d@blueyonder.co.uk

My Matchday Pics 2006 -116 - Nethermoor Park -Guiseley

Guiseley v Gateshead
F.A.Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
30th september 2006
(score 1-0 att.402)








I took myself along with the wife and kids(or should that be dragged the wife and kids)down to Guiseley in West Yorkshire to watch Gateshead's progress in the F.A. cup come to a premature end.

Guiseley is a town on the outskirts of (dirty)Leeds and is famous for the foundation of Harry Ramsden's chippy empire where he set up "The worlds biggest fish & chip shop" it was also the place where the parents of the Bronte sisters were married(and propably consummated)in Guiseley, and of course, most important of all, it's the birthplace of Sooty!

Nethermoor is a smart little non-league ground,it's basically made up of a seated stand situated along one third of the touch line,ajacent is a standing area which has two seperate covered stands with an open terrace in the middle behind the dugouts.Behind each goal is a small open terrace which is close to the pitch,this is good if you want to give the keeper some stick,the Guiseley keeper saw the funny side with our chants of "There's only one Bobby Davro"

The game was a typical cup tie, and was finally balanced until a late defensive error let in Guiseley to snatch victory and a place in the 3rd Qualifying round,and another step away from facing one of the big lads. Arrre! the romance of the F.A. Cup,who the hell came up with that expression? It's a phrase that throughout the years I've grew to dislike because my football romances end with a broken heart. :-(
match reports @-http://www.guiseleyafc.co.uk/Match%20Reports%20First%20Team/GatesheadH_FACup2QR.htm
http://www.gateshead-fc.com/report.php?i=511

(click on thumbnails for larger images)