My Matchday - 214 City Park

Spartans 3v0 Easthouses Lily MWFC
East Of Scotland League-Premier Division
9th May 2009

Spartans FC play in the East of Scotland Premier Division, based five hundred yards off the Crewe Toll in the north end of Edinburgh. The club have played at City Park since 1976, which coinciding in becoming full members of the Scottish FA.
The ground belongs to Edinburgh City Council, this season definitely being its last as far as fitba goes. The site is earmarked for a housing development with the club set to move a short distance to Ainslie Park, which has a 504 seated stand, floodlights and a floodlit 3G pitch.
The ground was previously the home of Ferranti Thistle and Edinburgh City but is famously known for its sloping pitch, maybe one of the steepest I’ve seen on my travels. Unfortunately the main stand was deemed to be unsafe after the Taylor Report and demolished in 2004. The ground is fully enclosed made up of slant grass banking on all four sides. the changing rooms, canteen and offices are situated in portakabins at the bottom of the car park.

The Spartans FC was formed in 1951, the brainchild of two former Edinburgh University players, gaining instant entry to the East of Scotland League. Originally the club catered for players affiliated to the University, but now the club is open all comers and is a big part of the local community.
The club run a second and third XI, with junior teams from under-19’s down to under-8s level, giving them more registered players than any other club in Scotland. There’s also a new ladies team which was formed this season after merging with Edinburgh Ladies FC, playing in the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
Spartans won the first of six East Of Scotland league titles in 1971-72, the latest came in 2004-05 which saw the club retain the Premier trophy. Most of their success has came in cup competitions, collecting honours twice in both the League Cup and City Cup, also adding seven South Qualifying Cup’s, with most of their triumphs coming in the Kings Cup which they’ve won on nine occasions.
They first played in the Scottish Cup in 1978, knocking out a few league clubs over the years - East Stirlingshire, Alloa Athletic, Arbroath, Berwick Rangers and Queens Park have all been put to the sword by The Spartans. However the club have hosted some big cup ties against SPL side Livingston in 2004 and St. Mirren in 2006, both produced crowds of over 3,000, with the latter almost producing a major cup shock, as the Saints were lucky to get back to Paisley with a goalless draw in front of a club record gate of 3,346.

Since the turn of this decade the club has picked up honours every season, and this campaign could see another league title as they currently sit in pole position with three games left to play, their chances greatly improved with an impressive win over opponents Easthouses Lily.
Spartans started the game positively, kicking down hill in the first half missing several good opportunities, then finally on the half hour they took the lead through Keith McCleod, nodding home at the near post directly from a corner kick.
The second half saw the heavy rain persist as well as the pressure on the Easthouses goal, with McCleod adding his and Spartans second, taking advantage of a poor clearance from the Lily keeper, before run through on goal and finishing well. His strike partner David Etale made it 3-0 on 77 minutes with a great individual effort, receiving the ball near the by-line, he wriggled his way around the defence before shooting home at the near post.
The visitors received a red card a minute later, when their number 10 was sent off for abusive language towards the referee after he failed to award him a free kick, there was no hesitation from the ref, everyone in the ground could clearly hear him being called “a bleating runt” - excuse the spelling!
Spartans had numerous chances to increase the score, with man of the match McCleod missing out on completing his hat-trick. The win keeps them on course for the league title, while this defeat for Easthouses Lily has confirmed their relegation to Division One.
Big matches locally this weekend on Friday and Monday nights meant a vacant Saturday, allowed me to nip over the border, leaving Newcastle at 1145 and arriving at City Park in just under two hours. The ground is easy enough to locate, a short walk from Waverley train station over to South Street David off Princes Street, where I met the 27 bus service which drops you off on Ferry Road, leaving a short walk to the ground.
While I was in the vicinity I took the opportunity to visit Spartans new ground and Football Academy at Ainslie Park, which is just around the corner from City Park. I then stopped off for some bait in the nearby Morrissons, enjoying one of their “Big Scottish Breakfasts” which is the same as a full English Breakfast, the only difference is your eating it further north.
I then faced the heavy downpour which started as soon as I got off the bus and didn’t stop until just before the match finished. Which resulted in your author being drenched to the skin, the thin Harrington jacket not offering much protection and my training shoes no defence against soggy feet!
When arriving at the ground your greeted by an old fellow taking admission and selling programmes, using the front seat of his Hyundai Accent and the open passenger seat door as a gateway into the ground. Everyone at the club was seems very friendly, special mention to Jeanette who made sure I secured a pin badge and they also took pity on me at half time, looking similar to a drowned rat they offered me shelter and made sure I got a nice warm cup of tea.
After the game I heading back into town, calling into the ‘Café Royal’ and my favourite pub in Edinburgh - ‘The Guildford’ where I found there was a beer festival on with a great selection of ten different ales, which only made me wish I was booked on a later train.
Apart from the soaking I enjoyed the second last game at City Park, the curtain comes down next Saturday (May 16th) against Edinburgh City, then from next season the club will be using the new facilities full time. Prior to this season the club missed out on their first election to the Scottish Football League to fellow East of Scotland side Annan Athletic, but if another vacancy was to arise then the club now have everything in place, that should see a more successful application to the Scottish League.

Tims 92 visits the following week
Matchday stats
SFC 3(McLeod 31,56 Etale 77)ELMWFC 0
Admission £4
Programme £1
Att. 90 (HC)

Ground no.214 City Park - Matchday Web album (16 pictures including 3 from Ainslie Park)

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My Matchday - 213 Griffin Park

Brentford 2v0 Luton Town
League Two
2nd May 2009

Brentford is a suburb in West London within the Borough of Hounslow, found at the confluence of the River Brent and River Thames. The area has an historic reputation as a place where it’s more likely to kick off! - and I don’t mean in the football sense. It’s believed to be the site where Julius Caesar crossed the Thames during the Roman invasion of Britain, going into battle with local king Cassivellaunus.
Other significant battles have occurred; the first Battle of Brentford involved the invading Danes led by Canute up against Edmund Ironside, resulting in a handsome victory for the home side.Then in 1642 the Royalists under the command of Prince Rupert overcame the tight defence of the regimental cavalries of Parliamentarian forces, to record a well earned win during “The English Civil War” 1642-46 season

Brentford FC formed in 1889 by members of a rowing club, looking for a sport to fulfil the winter months. The club originally playing in a field behind the Wesleyan Chapel in Clifden Road, using 'The Griffin' pub as changing rooms, this being the first of several grounds in the vicinity as they became the nomads of London. The club’s next move was to Benn’s Field on Little Ealing Lane, then Shotter’s Field on Windmill Road and the last two years of the century spent at the Cross Roads, situated next to Benn’s Field.
In 1900 they moved to Boston Park cricket ground, where they played for four years until leasing an orchard on Breamar Road from the local brewery, taking with them two of the stands from the cricket field, one becoming the main stand the other placed on banking opposite on the New Road side.
The ground was named Griffin Park, after the logo of their pub landlords the Fuller Brewery, however the ground didn’t get off to the best of starts, before the opening match the stand was surveyed to be unsafe, meaning the players having to change at the nearby public baths, then within months the stand roof collapsed.
League Football arrived at the park in 1920 as members of the Division Three, this brought about a new main stand in 1927, with new offices added two years later. During the 1930’s the grounds main spade work commenced with cover added to Brook Road End terrace, New Road terrace and additional seating to the Main Stand. In 1954 floodlights were attached to the side stands, getting their first airing in October that year for a friendly against Chelsea, with the existing corner pylons installed in 1963.
After the Bradford Fire in 1985, the ground lost three-quarters of its capacity, down to only 9,500, two years earlier Griffin Park was also involved in a blaze, with half of the main stand destroyed overnight, resulting in a £800,000 bill to repair the damage.
Finances and capacity raised when the club sold land behind the Brook Road terrace, which financed a new two tier stand, split between seats and standing, known as the “Wendy House” by Brentford fans. Viewing the stand now I can see the resemblance, but it does look quite smart and nowadays it wendyhouses the away supporters.
After the Taylor Report the Ealing Road terrace capacity was dramatically reduced, work saw improvements made to the terrace in 1991-92. With this being the only uncovered section it was set aside for away supporters. Plans to add cover was rejected by the local council after concerns from local residents, and then in 2007 a roof was finally added, making it a proper home end and popular section of the ground.
The Main Stand is on Breamar Road and was also part of the early nineties £230,000 refurbishment, it has a single tier of seats which have been extended at each side, however the section towards the Brook Road End has a blacked out unemployed area, which gives the impression that they’ve ran out of seats. There’s also a square electric scoreboard between the stand and Ealing Road terrace with another in the opposite corner.
The New Road side is now named the Bill Axbey Stand in memory of one of the clubs most loyal supporters, it’s decked out with red seats with The Bees picked out in white, with the ground being close to the Heathrow flight path, different airline companies have used the roof for advertising space.
The current capacity stands at 12,763, with the record gate of 39,626 in March 1938 for an FA Cup tie against Preston North End.

Prior to kick off there was a jubilant atmosphere around Griffin Park, Brentford fans were obviously buoyant after winning the title, while the Luton supporters had a humorous attitude towards there temporary exclusion from the Football League.
The match had an end of season vibe to it with both clubs destinies already assured, it was a bit like an end of season testimonial, the game itself secondary to the trophy presentation and celebrations that were due to take place after the full time whistle.
The opening half was limited on chances, Brentford producing the only goal attempts, a shot from Williams was comfortably saved and then a close range effort from Clarke produced a brill save from keeper Brill. The only time Luton managed to explore the opposite penalty area was Martin’s sly trip on goalkeeper Hamer which produced the games only yellow card just before half time.
Both teams vastly improved in the second half, Luton even managed to have a shot, but it was two late goals from ‘The Bees’ which wrapped up the season. The first on 73 minutes was a product of the substitutes; Poole took a free kick wide right of the penalty area, his cross met superbly with a powerful header by Karleigh Osborne.
Then in the last minute Hunt received a defence splitting pass, staying onside before eventually squaring the ball to Adam Newton, who curled his shot into the left hand corner, a smashing goal which put the gloss on the champions’ campaign.
About ten minutes before the full time whistle there was an announcement on the PA in what sounded like a desperate plea, warning the stewards to take there positions pitch side for the pending invasion, it didn’t make much difference as the field was amass with Brentford fans as soon as the referee put the whistle to his lips, the Bees fans celebrated winning the league and are another division closer to reacquainting themselves with that club with three initials to their name.I boarded the 0730 from Central Station, the journey from Newcastle to Kings Cross taking 3 hours 15 minutes, after purchasing my travel ticket and boarding the Piccadilly Line I arrived at Griffin Park just before noon.
As you’d probably expect, with the ground being profoundly famous for having a pub in each corner, I naturally had to stop for a pint at each bar. Firstly (or should that be thirstily) I visited the ‘Royal Oak’ then around to ‘The Griffin’ before I had a half time pub break. Taking time out to obtain my press pass and visit the club shop, where fans were queuing along the street, purchasing commemorative t-shirts and scarves. I then stopped for a bite to eat before completing the set, going into ‘The Princess Royal’ and ‘The New Inn’ before heading into the ground at 2.15pm.
The game wasn’t the best I’ve seen this season, but I did enjoy the occasion. I especially liked my position in the stand, next to the local radio broadcasters - BBC London and Westside FM and three seats away from Lofty from Eastenders(circa 1985) Plus I must mention the frequently passed around box of chocolate brownies, as well as the fine selection of biscuits that accompanied my half time cuppa in the press room.
After the match I headed straight back to Kings Cross to meet up with my old mucker and Geordie-exile Decka T’ for a couple of pints. He told me he was unfamiliar with the area but had spotted a pub a short walk from the station, which was handy for my 1900 train.
We entered the street where the pub was situated and when I clocked it I turned and said “Bliddy Hell is that it! Are you sure?” The pub had no windows, just outdoor blackboards with the opening times written out in white chalk and worst of all it was the pub with no name; no sign to say what it was called.
I apprehensively entered the building and… it was fine, a bit dark obviously due to a lack of naturally light, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was good to meet up with Derek, giving us a chance to have a chat and catch up, plus we had some good crack with a couple of Spurs fans who had attended their game that afternoon. Suddenly our conversation was interrupted by the appearance of a pretty young lass, with a plastic beaker in her hand, wanting donations. Derek blindly stuck a quid in and as I fumbled for change I ask what the money was for “It’s for me, have you seen my show” she replied, not knowing what she was on about I just shuck my head, so she said “ok” and moved on.
The pub was split into two rooms and we were standing next to the dividing door, there was music blaring from next door, so I popped my head around the door, just to be nosey to see what was happening and was greeted by the site of the aforementioned lass on stage completely naked, on a chair, legs akimbo looking straight at me with a look in my eye which said ‘you owe me a quid!’
I knew the place looked a bit dodgy, but Derek just seemed to accept it as if was customary. I’m not used to this London scene, so it’s a good job I have more plans to visit the smoke next season, to get acclimatized, plus I’ve found a handy watering hole for future trips to the capital, but that’s only because it’s near the station mind!
I caught my train home without any hiccups, arriving back on Tyneside by 1015pm after another quality trip, having enjoyed a trouble free journey, visiting some great pubs, the warmth and friendliness of the Brentford officials and supporters with the day rounded off with a bit of “T & A” overall an excellent day out.
Bevvy Almanac featuring the four pubs and the other one

Matchday stats
BCFC 2(Osbourne 73, Newton 90) LTFC 0
Att.10,223
Admission £18-£20
Programme £3

Ground no.213 Griffin Park – Matchday Web album(17 pictures)

My Matchday - 212 Watnall Road

Hucknall Town 2v2 Gateshead
Conference North
25th April 2009

Hucknall is a town in Nottinghamshire in the district of Ashfield, formerly known as Hucknall Torkard. The town is situated 7 miles north-west of Nottingham on the west bank of the Leen Valley, the site of the towns colliery between 1861-1986.
The miners formed Hucknall Colliery Welfare FC in 1945, playing on a pitch on the site of Number 2 pit (aka Bottom Pit)in Wigwam Lane, which had cover in the form of a small hut and changing rooms courtesy of the pit baths. When the ground was required as a tipping site, the club moved opposite Number 1 pit (aka Top pit) located on land where the current Watnall Road ground stands, playing Junior Notts Football.
The club progressed in the Bullwell & District League and Spartan League, then joined the Nottinghamshire Alliance League in 1970, winning its Division 2 title in their first season. They achieved a league and cup double the following year, winning the First Division championship three times in total, as well a further four Senior Division titles over the next 19 years.
The Central Midlands League was dominated from their acceptance in 1989-90, winning the league and cup double two years running, then in their third season they completed a League Cup hat-trick, but missed out on the title finishing second, however that was enough to gain promotion to the North East Counties League.
They had changed their name to Hucknall Town in 1987,and the club continued to make rapid progress through the pyramid winning promotion and further cup honours, until reaching the Unibond League in 1997-98, again achieving another promotion to its Premier Division at the turn of the millennium.
The Yellows were denied a place in the Conference National when Watnall Road failed to meet the required ground criteria, instead they had to settle for a place in the newly formed Conference North after winning the Unibond Premier League in 2003-04.
The following season saw the biggest day in the clubs history, reaching the FA Trophy Final at Villa Park. Their opponents were Conference side Grays Athletic, the scores remained level at 1-1 after extra time, but Grays went on to lift the 2005 trophy, winning 6-5 in a penalty shoot out. After escaping relegation last season, benefiting from the financial turmoil at Nuneaton Borough and Boston United, the club have continued to struggle in 2008-09, spending most of the season at the foot of the table, with relegation confirmed earlier this month.
Watnall Road is a pretty basic affair, there’s a covered terrace behind the nearside goal, including a hospitality cabin, the cover continues around to the Main Stand which runs full length of the pitch. The stand was built in 1990, two-thirds has a section of red, black and yellow seats which were added courtesy of Meadow Lane, there’s also a PA office, with a standing section at the far end.
There’s five steps of open terrace behind the far goal and an open hard standing area behind the dugouts, the club shop, first aid office, toilet block and changing rooms are also situated at this side.
The “Talk Of The Town” is the very impressive clubhouse, The Eric Jackson Lounge is a small lounge bar and there’s the spacious main room called The Bryron Suite, which is regularity in used for functions, there was a band setting up their gear for that evening’s gig while we were having our post match drink.
The 2009-10 season will be the club’s last at Watnall Road, a new development opposite the current site on Aerial Way will see a new 3,400 capacity stadium. The current ground is making way for houses and industrial units with club Chairman Brain Holmes stepping down from his position at the end of the season, to concentrate on overseeing the move to the new ground.

Tamworth took the Conference North title on Tuesday night (congratulations!) meaning Gateshead went into this game needing a point to secure second place, thus guaranteeing home field advantage (as they say in the USA) in the play-off final should they progress through the semi finals.
The game was played on a bumpy surface, the Watnall Road pitch has taking a good hiding this season, having Worksop Town as tenants as well as being used by a Sunday league side.
The visitors took the lead on 34 minutes when a Turnbull corner was flicked on by Armstrong at the near post (see picture above) before taking a deflection off Smedley past his own keeper, then good play from Phillips on the left set up Armstrong to score from close range early in the second half.
However Gateshead took their foot off the gas with Hucknall producing a spirited comeback, clawing back the two goals deficit to gain a well earned point. Winters pounced on a loose ball into the box, before turning quickly and shooting under Musselwhite’s body, then minute’s later substitute Bonnick found space to fire a right foot shot into the far corner.
There was no need to worry, as news of Southport’s imminent defeat at Farsley Celtic meant second place was assured, so if Ward’s injury time header had have gone in it wouldn’t have mattered although we‘d be disappointed to see the lads lose out to the wooden spoon winners.
Gateshead now face Southport in the play-off semi finals, traveling to Haig Avenue on Wednesday with the second leg at the Stadium next Sunday. The final is on Friday 8th May, the game being shown live on Setanta Sports.
I’ve mentioned in my programme notes for next Sunday’s match that whatever happens this season, if we go up or lose out in the play-offs, overall it’s been an excellent season, the Gateshead supporters should be proud of the achievement of Ian and the lads to get us this far, finishing league runner-up is more than we expected, so well done and fingers crossed that we can climb those last steps towards the top of the pyramid.
The old traditional Heed Army fancy dress for the last away game of the season saw a diversifiable collection of characters. Amongst those taking part (although your author wasn’t one of them) was; one large Batman, two little Batmen, Robin, Superman, Captain America, Pirates, a fortune teller (sorry Victoria, I forgot you were a pirate as well) construction worker or Village People wannabee , two cows, a mini Spiderwoman, a prisoner, a Mexican, 70’s disco man, five men of the cloth and finally the stars of the show, Captain Carter and General Gaddess dressed as two French tarts with make up, fishnets and looking incredibly sexy (if that’s what floats your boat!)
A special thanks to GFC Chairman Graham Wood for contributing to the cost of the two coaches, we left Tyneside at 9am, arrived in Hucknall in good time at around 12.20pm, giving us a good two hours in the town centre before the coach picked us up to take us to the ground.
We heading straight into the Red Lion pub, the locals astonished by the sights and noise which had invaded there quite little town, then along to the Pilgrim Oak further along the High Street, savoring the choice of fine ales as part of Wetherspoons International Real Ale Festival.
As is usually the case on a Heed Army away trip, it was an excellent day, a really good laugh and a great way to finish the regular season. There’s a collection of photographs taking by Private Mick Rowan, with pictures of the Heed Army in fancy dress, along with action from the game, which can be viewed and enjoyed - HERE (*PARENTAL ADVISORY VIEWING*)

Matchday stats
HTFC 2 (Walters 81, Bonnick 83)GFC 2(SmedleyOG 34, Armstrong 48)
Att.348
Admission £9
Programme £2

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Ground no.212 Watnall Road - Matchday web album(20 pictures)

My Matchday - 211 Hall Lane

Willington 3v4 Easington Colliery
Wearside League
18th April 2009 Willington is a former pit town whose colliery closed down in 1967, it’s situated seven miles south-west of Durham city on the A690 road towards Crook.
Willington Temperance were formed in 1906, originating from the Temperance Club in the town, playing in the Auckland and District League. In 1911 the club dropped their surname and moved from their West End ground, purchasing land from Lord Boyne on Hall Lane, where they immediately spent £200 on levelling, draining and relaying the pitch. This was the same year the club switched to the Northern League, where they played for the next 94 years, becoming league champions on three occasions in 1913-14, 1926-27 and 1929-30.
The club also won the League Cup eight times, but their greatest cup success came in the FA Amateur Cup. In 1939 the club reached the final, their opponents were the all conquering Bishop Auckland, after being the better side in a goalless ninety minutes, they lost out in extra time, eventually succumbing to three unanswered goals in front of 20,200 at Roker Park.
In 1950 they reached the final for a second time in a repeat of the final eleven years earlier, Bishops were making their 13th final appearance and it proved unlucky for them, as Willington walloped their County Durham neighbours 4-0, in front of 88,000 at Wembley Stadium.
The Northern League formed a Second Division in 1982-83, in that season the club finished bottom of the new top division, they then spent their remaining life in the Northern League amongst its second tier. The club ran into trouble off the field in December 1996, being were very close to folding after running into a variety of problems, resulting in team manager Malcolm Smith taking over the reigns as acting chairman and a new administration put together, who worked hard and kept the club afloat.
On the field things didn’t improve either, the side struggled at the foot of the Second Division, then after finishing bottom in 2004-05, the club stepped down to the Wearside League, being replaced by Darlington RA and Ryton, coincidently the other club to drop out of the Northern League that season were today’s opponents Easington Colliery.

On a bumpy pitch which is desperately in need of a short, back and sides, the game produced plenty of goals mainly the result of defensive lapses than outstanding skill. The opening goal arrived after only 3 minutes, Crawford stayed onside before rounding the keeper with a confident finish, then in the 10th minute Box was free in the box, having an easy tap into an empty net after his strike partner had drawn the keeper and squared the ball to the unmarked number 10.
The game then produced three penalties in the space of 20 minutes, the first was awarded to Easington, Emerson saw his spot-kick saved but the ball rebounded kindly to the striker who made no mistake with his second effort. Minutes later the same player was fouled in the box, this time he opted not to take the kick, leaving the responsibility to Tarn, who showed him how it should be done, blasted his shot past the keeper to make it 3-1.
Five minutes before half time, a clumsy challenge gave Willington a chance of a free shot at goal, Blenkinsopp converted the pen to bring the home side back into the game, then just before the break a long throw seemed to miss out everyone in the box until a header from Banks(who is claiming it)hit a defenders leg, beating the goalie at his near post. 3-3 at half-time, time for a breather, so I appreciated the cup of tea and slice of cake in the hospitality room, which gave me a chance to catch up on the names of those first half goalscorers.
As is usually the case after a 45 minute goal glut, the goals tend to dry up after the half time bollocking, alas only one more goal to report, this went to Easington, with Tarn getting his second goal of the afternoon, picking the ball up just over the half way line and running though on goal, taking his chance with a cool finish.

Willington were reduced to ten men on 84 minutes, when one of their substitutes who had only been on the pitch no more than ten minutes, did something which I missed, but whatever it was, it upset the referee so much, that he didn’t even take his name, just ordered him OFF! The Easington bench gave the lad a bit stick and he replied with every vulgarity and obscenity that is possible in the space of two sentences! Overall a great game, full of blood and thunder - a credit to the Wearside League
I received an email from Willington’s club secretary Geoff Siddle at the turn of the new year congratulating me on the website, but making the point of one glaring admission from the blog, that of Willington FC. Hall Lane is a ground which has somehow escaped me throughout the years, I have intended visiting in the past, but with one thing or another just having got around to it.
I’ve worked out that there’s 72 Non-League grounds (to step 7) in the north-east covering Northumberland down to Teesside, now that I’ve finally ticked off Willington before the ground’s 100th birthday, I only have four left to complete the set.
The Hall Lane ground is leased to Willington FC, but strangely the Main Stand is owned by the council. The stand dominates the ground, mainly due to blue roof façade with the clubs name in big bold white letters, inside there are blue wooden benches bolted onto five blocks of steps, with white supporting walls and six supporting pillars at the front, the stand has a centre parting which once upon a time would have been the players tunnel, but now leads back out to nothingness.
The social club is next to the turnstile entrance, with a toilet block(future bog blog) further along hidden in the corner, the changing rooms with refreshment bar are at the entrance side on the halfway line, this also has a couple of rows of wooden benches on the front steps, which tends to be the main spectator area as well as the hard standing behind both dugouts.
There’s also a small covered stand behind one goal which is parallel with the 6yd box, where there’s traces of terrace steps at either side, while the far side goal is partial hard standing with a grass bank for a raised up view.
If you take a look at the my pictures of the ground, you’ll see that this is a classic old venue which has seen better days, like in its heyday when the ground was full to the rafters when 10,000 crammed into Hall Lane in the FA Amateur Cup. Geoff took over as Club Secretary in and new year, the team had one point in seventeen games, winning for the first time this season in late January against Boldon. The club have shown a dramatic improvement since then, changes in the dugout have seen the team move off the bottom of the table and now the club are looking forward to starting from fresh next season and challenge at the top end of the league, thanks to Geoff and the Willington lot for making me welcome and best of luck in the future.

Matchday stats
WFC 3 (Box 10, Blenkinsop 40pen, Banks 44) ECFC 4 (Crawford 3, Emerson 21, Tarn 23pen,58)
Admission £2
Programme:none
Att. 22(HC)

Ground no.211 - Matchday Web album(16 pictures)

My Matchday - 210 School Road

Squires Gate 1v3 St. Helens Town
North West Counties League - Premier Division
11th April 2009

Squires Gate is a district of Blackpool next to the airport, approximately three miles south of the town centre, on the boundary with Lytham St.Annes.
Squires Gate FC were formed in 1948, playing in the Blackpool and District Amateur League, winning the leagues Rawling Shield in their very first season. They were originally called Squires Gate British Legion until 1953, before going on to win two consecutive league titles and more cup honours during the 1950’s.
After one season in the Fylde District League, where they won the Fylde Cup, the club then progressed to the West Lancashire League in 1961, where they plied their trade for the next 30 years, mostly within its Second Division, winning the title in 1981.
In 1991-92 the club were elected to the North West Counties League Second Division, winning promotion after ten seasons, after initially missing out on goal difference they took the place of troubled champions Stand Athletic. Their best performance in a major cup competition was in 2005-06 in the FA Vase, Gate navigatiing seven ties before losing away to Hillingdon Borough at the quarter final stage.
The ground is visible from the club’s own car park on School Road, from there you walk back along the street, past a few houses then into the lane next to St. Nicholas school to gain access.
I entered the turnstile just as the full time whistle was blown at Deepdale, putting the locals in a good mood after Blackpool’s 1-0 win against local rivals Preston NE. On entry you find yourself in the corner of the ground, next to the Wilf Carr changing rooms and a covered stand to the right of the goal, which has three rows of benches with whitewashed walls and SGFC painted blue on the back wall. The clubhouse is a white building which has the club name and badge on the gable above the door and also houses a refreshment bar to the side, facing out towards the turnstiles.
Pitch side are three separate structures, next to the clubhouse is a covered standing area, with another stand in the same style as the one found behind the goal. In between is another stand which is half built, although still in use, it looks like when completed it’ll be the same design as the other two stands.
The dugouts are at the far side, with a narrow pathway which is partly covered, this side of the ground runs parallel with Blackpool Wren Rovers Bruce Park ground, you can see two sets of pylons facing in opposite directions, looking as if they’re not speaking to each other, facing onto their equivalent pitches. The far goal is open with a large lawn area towards the enclosed fence, the grounds biggest gate was 600 for a friendly against Everton in 1995.
After only five minutes of the North West Counties League Premier match, I knew I was in for a more entertaining affair than the one I witnessed 24 hours earlier at Lancaster City, both teams looked up for it, with visiting side St. Helens Town more desperate for the points in their battle to avoid the drop.
Squire Gate started well, taking the lead after a quarter of an hour when a deep cross from the left came off the head of defender Chris Burke, creeping in at the far post.
The goal count, or should that be own goal count, was level after 28 minutes when a left wing cross, was met by Wayne Maden with a “Glenn Keeley style” diving header past the stranded keeper.
St Helens won the game in a ten minute spell in the second half, another left wing cross resulted in goalkeeper Speight pulling off two point blank saves before Gilchrist made it third time lucky, with an easy task past the stranded keeper.
The win was secured when a free kick was giving away on the edge of the box (see bottom picture) from a central position Brian Hatton fired home with a bullet shot through the wall to secure the win and the much needed three points back to Merseyside.
I enjoyed the game and would recommend a visit to Squires Gate, so if your spending a weekend in the Las Vegas of the North-West and fancy a break from the donkey rides, amusement arcades, kiss-me-quick hats and titty-bars, then why not take the short trip down to School Road, which is an welcome alternative and a break from the norm.

Matchday stats
SGFC 1 (Burke OG 16) StHFC 3 (Maden OG 30, Gilchrist 59, Hatton 69)
Att.42
Admission £5
Programme £1

Ground no.210 School Road - Matchday Web album
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My Matchday - 209 Giant Axe

Lancaster City 1v0 Bamber Bridge

Unibond Division One North

10th April 2009

Lancaster is a city in the north-west of England on the River Lune, with its history based upon it’s port and canal and gives the red rose county of Lancashire its name. Built in the 13th century, Lancaster Castle was the site of the notorious Pendle witch trials in 1612, where the court within the castle sentenced more people to be hanged than anywhere else outside of London, giving Lancaster the nickname of “the hanging town”
Football’s been hanging around the town since the late 19th century, but it wasn’t until 1905 that competitive football arrived in the form of Lancaster Athletic, playing in the Lancashire Combination Division Two a year after Lancaster United failed to gain entry and immediately disbanded.
Athletic folded after only five seasons, but then another new club was formed - Lancaster Town began in the West Lancashire League until regaining entry to the Lancashire Combination. The club suffered a failed attempt to gain entry to the Football League Division Three(North) but went on to win promotion before going on to become Division One champions in 1921-22.
During the following decade three further titles were added until another name change in 1937, becoming Lancaster City after the town was giving city status as part of King George VI’s coronation celebrations.
After their early success, City failing to make much of an impression in the Lancashire Combination over the next thirty plus years, then in 1970-71 joined the Northern Premier League, a 7th place finish in 1976-77 was the Blues highest placing.
In 1982 financial troubles meant the club dropped down to the North West Counties Division, but returned after five years, when the NPL Division One was formed. In 1995-96 promotion was gained to it’s Premier League, going on to win the League Cup two years in succession in 2000 and 2001,until the reformation of the pyramid, allocated the Dolly Blue a place in Conference North in 2004-05.
Two years later the club was taking over by a local businessman, who basically dropped the club in the clarts, unpaid bills and players wages resulted in the club going into administration and a ten point penalty and relegation from the Conference North The club then went into liquidation but immediately reformed as Lancaster City FC Ltd, with a new board made up of former directors, the new club then became founder members of the Unibond League First Division North in 2007-08.
Giant Axe is on the edge of the town centre, next to the train station, in the shadow of Lancaster Priory Church and Lancaster Castle. The impressive Dolly Blue tavern is at the entrance gate with the ground itself at the other side of the car park. The ground’s name derives from when the ground was first built, the football pitch was in the middle of land known as “the sixpence” surrounded by a cricket pitch and tennis courts, when viewed from above the exterior wall had the look and shape of an axe head.
The main turnstile is in the right hand corner, behind the uncovered Club End Terrace. Down one side of the pitch is open hard standing , known as The Long Side, which has a portakabin used as a club shop, with another cabin assembled on top used for hospitality purposes. The team dugouts are also at this side, opposite is the Main Stand, which is made up of seven rows of blue and white seats, with a capacity of 500. The changing rooms are in a separate building next to it, along with the Dolly Diner refreshment bar, a shelter for wheelchair spectators and to the other side of the stand is another cabin, used as a office for club stewards.
The far goal has a smaller terrace known as The Shed, the roofs façade shows the club name and crest, there’s also another set of turnstiles here and also a good old fashioned manual scoreboard in the corner.

The Unibond First Division North clash with Bamber Bridge was; if I’m to be honest, a poor affair, but the game, as well as the dull weather was brightened up by the loudness of the Hawaiian shirts and sombreros of about 40 of the visiting fans, who didn’t seem too interested in the games outcome, just out for a good day out on the bevvy.
The best two chances of the opening period came in the space of a few minutes midway through the half, headers from Williams and O’Neil were both well saved by keeper Thornley, tipping both efforts over the crossbar. The solitary and winning goal arrived on 62 minutes, left back Heffernan picked up the ball and ventured forward, as he approached the edge of the box the Lancaster fans urged him to shoot, so he had a dig from 20 yards out, his shot was sailing wide but Jackson ran in front of the ball to divert to ball goalwards with a delicate flicked header. That win was a good start for new gaffer Tony Hesketh and that flukey goal may turn out to be a crucial one as the Blues still have a chance of making the end of season play-offs.

The City fans who vocally support their team(about 15 of them) stood on the Club End Terrace next to the Hawaiian Bamber Bridge supporters in the first half, exchanging good friendly banter, then in the second half they moved behind the dugouts, while the Bamber supporters stayed on the same terrace, both neglecting the chance to shelter from the rain and stand in The Shed.
As the game wore on, one of the sunny dressed Bamber fans kept running onto the pitch, basically acting like a bit of a tit, which resulted in a warning from the PA announcer. Then with a few minutes of regular time left, three of the lads invaded the pitch, but this time all three were bollock naked, which caused a slight delay in play and fits of laughter from the females present on the terraces. I took the opportunity to take a picture for the Matchday Web album,but didn’t take the option to zoom in for a close up!

I visited Lancaster as part of the bread knifes birthday on the Smudgers Easter weekend break away on the Lancashire coast. We were based in Heysham which is a few miles from Morecambe and only a 20 minute drive away from Lancaster, so I felt obliged to visit the town and Giant Axe on route to our digs.
After visiting Lancaster on Good Friday, the following day the kids wanted to return to Blackpool, where I took up the opportunity to take in a game in the North West Counties League at Squires Gate and on Easter Sunday we travelled to the Lake District, visiting Windermere, Bowness and stopping off in Ambleside, where I finally visited the gallery of the king of football ground photography - Stuart Clarke at his Homes Of Football museum.
We had a superb weekend, with the only disappointment coming on Bank Holiday Monday, when we called to Harrogate Town on our way home and witnessed a disappointing 1-0 defeat for Gateshead, which ended all hopes of winning the title. Apart from that setback we had a great time, the weather was surprisingly glorious and I managed to get myself a lovely suntan, a perfect break and surprise! surprise! the Toon even managed to avoid defeat at Stoke.

Matchday facts
LCFC 1(Jackson 62) BBFC 0
Att.249
Admission £7
Programme £1.50

Ground no.209 Giant Axe - Matchday Web album

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Wearside League Wanderings - part three

197 - Beechfield Park
Coxhoe Athletic 1v2 Teesside Athletic
Shipowners Charity Cup Round 2
3rd January 2009

Coxhoe Athletic played in the Durham Alliance before joining the Wearside League in 2004-05, they’re located in a small village in County Durham, a few miles south of Durham city. Coxhoe is situated just off the Durham services on the A1 motorway, with the ground easy to find, found at the beginning of the village.
Since I started the Wearside League Wanderings series, Beechfield Park has became one of my favourites so far. Imagine any suburban street in Britain, amongst the rows of houses and gardens there’s always one home that stands out amongst the others. The lawn is always cut to perfection, the picket fence always looks like it’s just had a fresh lick of paint, there’s no litter or straggly weeds to be seen, everything is spotless and lovingly cared for by it’s owner, or as in this case the groundsman, as this is the football ground equivalent of the best garden in the street.
The ground is built on top of a hill, just off the main road and over a grass verge, with a few steps leading to its entrance, where a gentleman is waiting to take your admission money. At this side is a diminutive shelter, put together with green congregated iron with a red peaked roof, decked out with a leather bench seat. At the far side is a similar structure but slightly larger and again the seating is the leather benched variety. The main stand is known as the Purvis Stand, this is parallel with the half way line and has three rows of red flip seats, with the dugouts situated at either side and a disabled area next to it. Downstairs behind the stand is a canteen and refreshment bar, changing rooms and toilet block, the ground is complete with a green perimeter fence and has hard standing all round.
This match was in the Shipowners Charity Cup, one of the three knockout competitions in the Wearside League. Teesside took a stranglehold on the game midway through the first half with two goals in the space of three minutes. The first came when a long throw in, caused a scramble in the penalty area, with Drazdauskas coming up trumps to toe poke the ball home. Minutes later a corner kick was played out to left-back Lochren on the edge of the box, whose fine first time effort sailed high into the net.
Coxhoe started the second half in need of an early goal to get themselves back into the game and to make the match more interesting to us neutrals. That’s exactly what happened, as Sheridan scored with a fine individual effort from the edge of the box only five minutes after the restart.
The goal gave the Coxhoe side a huge lift, as they pushed for an equaliser, although Teesside always looked dangerous on the counter attack. The home side thought they had clinched that decisive goal but it was controversially chalked off for offside, this was their best chance as the visitors defended well throughout and comfortably seen out the game to book a place in the next round.
I found Beechfield Park a smashing little ground, it’s obvious to any casual visitors that the park is lovingly cherished, so I must give a special mention to groundsman Stan and the staff at Coxhoe for making this venue such a gem.
Matchday stats
CAFC 1 (Sheridan 50) TAFC (Drazdauskas 22, Lochren 24)
Att 58 (HC)
Admission £1.50
Programme: none

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207 - Harton Colliery Welfare Ground
Wearside League 1v2 Cambridgeshire County League
FA National Systems Cup - Preliminary Round
28th March 2009

This ground is a bit of a bonus for me, Harton Colliery Welfare was a venue I thought I missed out on, after the grounds residents - South Shields Harton & Westoe, resigned from the league back in September. The club were members of the Wearside League from 1994 with a best season finish of 5th of 20 clubs in 2000-01.
The venue played hosts to a Wearside League select team in the FA National League Systems Cup, a competition for league representative sides further down the pyramid, with the cup winners rewarded with a place in Europe, representing the country in the UEFA Regions Cup.

The league’s opponents were the Cambridgeshire County League, and despite a very strong wind the match was a very entertaining game, with both sides representing their respective leagues with pride.
Cambridgeshire took the lead in the 18th minute, a great through ball found the big centre forward Mhishi, who stayed onside before going round the keeper then unselfishly squaring the ball to Joey Abbs, his team mate from Fulbourn Institute FC, who was left with a simple tap into an empty net. That goal looked like being the difference between the two sides at the break, but with the very last kick of the half, New Marske striker Rob Jones’s ‘daisy cutter’ effort from 20 yards out, made it level at the interlude.
The second half was played in similar fashion, a very open affair with no prisoners taking in the tackling stakes, with the referee making decisions that frustrated both sets of players.
As a neutral I though Cambs looked the better side and more likely to clinch the winning goal, this they did in the 74th minute, sub Johnny Bridgeman latched on to a through ball and placed the ball wide of the keeper at the far post to send the travelling hordes (well about a dozen of them) home happy on their long journey back south.
Harton Collery Welfare has a covered terrace at the far side, approximately three-quarters pitch length with both dugouts at the front and four beanpole floodlights in each corner. Admission and match programme is obtained by the Welfare building, which is used as changing rooms with also houses a spacious bar and refreshment facilities, the complex also has a cricket pitch, bowling green and all-weather 5-a-side pitches.
I’m unaware of any plans for Harton & Westoe to reform, although there’s always the possibility of a new club setting up in this part of Shields and using the Welfare as their home, which seems more likely as I can’t imagine this ground and facilities going to waste for too long.

Matchday stats
WLg 1 (Jones 45+2) CCLg 2(Abbs 18, Johnny Bridgeman 74)
Att. 65(HC)
Admission £2
Programme £1
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208 - Silksworth Welfare Park
Ashbrooke Belford House 1v1 Windscale
Wearside League
8th April 2009

Ashbrooke Belford House have played in the Wearside League since last season, after stepping up from the Durham Alliance. Home matches are played in Silksworth, which lies approximately three miles south-east of sunderland town centre, ground sharing with fellow Wearside League club Silksworth Community FC at Silksworth Welfare Park.
The park has a war memorial, bowling green, bandstand and children’s playground, with the park pitch brought up to the standard ground requirements, which is fully enclosed with four floodlight pylons at each side, changing rooms, outside bog and a set of anti-vandal cupboard-type-dugouts, the same type as they have at Ryhope CW.
Asbrooke played hosts to Windscale, who took the lead after 38 minutes, somewhat against the run of play when the best player on view Adam Lamb (or “Dazzler” to his team mates) ran on to a through ball and caught out the keeper, by taking his shot first time from outside the box.
The second half saw Asbrooke apply much of the pressure, equalising just past the hour mark when Benson picked the ball out wide before cutting inside from the right and smashing a left foot shot, giving to goalie no chance.
One thing I noticed was the home dugout was fully occupied with playing staff, while the away section was empty with just the Windscale manager standing in front, meaning only twelve travelled over from Cumbria, the 11 players and the gaffer, no subs or physio, just enough to fill three cars, so well done to them on such a good performance and entertaining game with a draw probably a fair result.

update - posted from 'Falcon' on Non-League Zone;

Enjoyed your view on the Belford House v Windscale game, I assume it was you who asked the lone Windscale man ( me ) in the dugout about our goalscorer, well for your information it was the Windscale secretary in the dugout as the management team were unable to travel for the first time ever due to work. Also with so many injured players at the moment we did well to travel with the team we had and thought we were good value for a point and could even have snatched it at the end.

I look forward to seeing you in West Cumbria :-)

Matchday stats
ABH 1(Benson 62) WFC 1 (Lamb 38)
Att. 19 (HC)
Admission and programme: none