Canvey Island v Billericay Town

Frost Financial Stadium

Ryman Premier League

December 26, 2015

Ground No 182

WILKO Johnson, scary-eyed former Dr Feelgood guitarist, son of Canvey Island and, more recently, survivor of terminal cancer, has some vivid and less than complimentary memories of his home town,

"I was born in 1947 on Canvey Island. Canvey at that time was a bit like the Wild West. People lived in bungalows and railway carriages. A lot of the roads weren't made, they were just tracks," he said in an interview a few years ago.

Even if they did have tarmacked roads when the young Wilko was growing up, none of them would have led him to a football stadium.

For although Canvey Island FC were formed in 1926, they kicked around the local amateur scene for years and by the time Wilko and the boys were popping the champagne corks to celebrate reaching No 1 in the album charts with Stupidity 50 years later, their local team were only just dipping their toe into the Essex Senior League waters for the first time.

The club's halcyon days came after Jeff King arrived at the helm and they enjoyed a fairytale run that included reaching the FA Cup third round, winning the FA Trophy and playing in the Conference.

They're back at Ryman League level now after taking voluntary relegation when their benefactor pulled out and, truth be told, the ground is more at home in such surroundings.

Being on Canvey, The Frost Financial Stadium lies below sea level and backs on to the coastal wall. But although there was a sea breeze blowing in off the Thames Estuary, the unseasonably mild Boxing Day temperatures meant the ground didn't live up to its name on this occasion.

It was still a little too nippy to purchase a cool pint from the well proportioned and busy clubhouse that greets you after entering through the turnstiles - although a good many fans thought otherwise - and instead I  plumped for a nice warm cuppa from the tea bar on the other side of the food bar. So many bars, so little time.

Also in that retail quarter of the ground is the Gulls Megastore which, to be fair, looked a little shy of mega proportions from the outside, although it was closed on this occasion so I could be wrong.

Beyond that is the long but low 500-seat main stand - like much of this well-maintained ground in the club colours of blue and yellow - which stretches right up to the far end which comprises of shallow concrete terracing.

We stood at the other end, a good-sized terrace - the top of which is the highest part of the ground - with yellow crush barriers and, to the left, two moderate-size covered areas bookending the dug-outs.

The Frost Financial Stadium is a 'proper' ground, the sort you look forward to visiting as a groundhopper and come away glad you went

A well-contested derby ended with the victors having the Feelgood factor after a 2-0 win and, with a season's high crowd of 621 in attendance, a visit to the home of one of Britain's most influential rock bands was just what the Doctor ordered.

Hullbridge Sports v Stanway Rovers

Lower Road

FA Vase 3rd round

December 12, 2015

Ground No 181

 

IN Bronze Age Hullbridge big, bearded men would sit around fires wearing animal skin loincloths, making flints and discussing whose turn it was to harvest the wild einkorn.

We know as much because of documentation and  the discovery of prehistoric relics in the village, which sits on the banks of the River Crouch near Rayleigh.

Later, much later, came football and with it the local football club.

In fact the seeds of  Hullbridge Sports FC weren't sewn until after the Second World War. They've only been at their Lower Road home since 1980 and weren't granted senior status until a decade later.

Lower Road is also home to the club's thriving junior section so that, and it being a modern, functional ground that has never hosted anything above Essex Senior League level football, means it's not going to be the first on any discerning groundhopper's 'to do' list.

Being part of a widely used general sports and social facility, there's plenty of parking so after dumping the car and wrapping up against a blustery wind, I made my way in.

"Lovely jubbly" said the old guy wearing a blue and white bar scarf in the entrance hut as he took my money and handed over a programme... but to be honest my attention was caught more by the structure's wooden hatch, where previous attendances were recorded by way of five-bar gate tally marks written in marker pen. A modern ground maybe, but clearly some traditional methods remain the preferred choice.

The building that houses the clubhouse, function room, food bar and changing rooms extends out beyond the entrance to the ground.

The food bar has legendary status in Essex Senior League circles but, having had a big lunch and already put dinner in the slo-cooker before leaving, I passed on the breakfast wraps, assortment of burgers, onion rings and much more besides on the extensive menu. The half-time latte went down a treat, mind.

The changies are at the far end and, immediately before entering the playing area, the players had to negotiate a hugemuddy muddle. There was no way around it. It was almost like a rite of passage - "pass through the Puddle of Death my son and you shall become a man".

It obviously worked for Hullbridge anyway - they had a man sent off but still marched into the last 32 of the Vase with a 2-0 win, equalling the furthest they have ever progressed along the Road to Wembley.

Along that side of the pitch are two small prefab stands, each containing 50 plastic seats. In between is a flat covered standing area.

On the other side of that is what I think is another covered standing area but I'm not altogether sure really. Flush with the perimeter fence, it was made up of scaffold poles, a corrugated iron roof and some planks of wood at the back.

Along that side of the ground there's a strip of concrete standing which extends along each end behind the goals. The other side of the ground, dominated by two large brick-built dug-outs, is a no go for fans though as it back on to some of the club's junior pitches.

While it might not be a ground that everyone's clamouring to visit, it's an excellent set-up at Hullbridge and a decent crowd turned out to cheer them on in their quest for FA Vase glory. They deserve to continue their progress.

Stansted v Clapton

Hargrave Park

Essex Senior League Premier Division

December 5, 2015

Ground No 180 

  

YOU'RE relaxing on your favourite secluded beach. You're happy and content in your familiar surroundings... then suddenly a coachload of day-trippers turn up from the city and everything changes.

That must have been what it was like for the Stansted regulars when Clapton came to town.

Hargrave Park, Stansted's base since 1937, is a quaint old ground in Stansted Mountfitchet, a sleepy rural village in North Essex which is home to a wooden castle and a windmill and whose main street is lined with thatched cottage. 

But providing the opposition today were East London's Clapton, as usual backed by their sizeable band of followers with their banners, songs, political conscience and all-round ability to enjoy themselves on a Saturday afternoon.

As usual they were in fine voice and even seeing their side throw away a 3-0 half-time lead to lose 4-3 couldn't noticeably dampen their spirits.

Their presence doubled what would otherwise have been the matchday attendance and the Clapton fans made their home in the small, flat covered area on the far side of the small, wooden stand. One of them even managed to find a ladder from somewhere and set about diligently taping a couple of banners to the roof. 

The small stand, as genteel and traditional a structure as you'll find at a football ground anywhere and also houses the changing rooms. 

The three rows of plastic bucket seats inside the wooden frame had only a handful of takers and the contrast between that and the raucous, bouncing, red and white football party machine in the cement and steel structure on the other side of the entrance to the referees' room could hardly have been greater.

It reminded me of a photo of the Mexico/ USA border I saw on the internet - green fields and open spaces on one side, a busy highway, high rises and barely a blade of grass on the other. 

On the other side of the stand is the homely committee room which also houses the tea bar - no pies or burgers but a lovely cuppa for just 80p (the programme was free on entry too, so hats off to the committee for thinking the spectators' pockets). 

In between that and the entrance is a brick toilet block, complete with a big sign over the sink telling you to wash your hands and some liquid soap... but nothing to dry your hands on. Maybe that's where they cut costs to sell cheap tea and give away the programme.

The clubhouse at the end of the car park behind the goal backs almost onto the net so you can only walk a short way before being confronted with a 'no entry' sign. 

There's hard standing all along the other end but, turn the corner and the concrete surface becomes a rubber runner (as it does at the clubhouse end) before coming to a halt at the first of the two plastic dug-outs which prevents you walking any further.  

Beyond that is a cricket pitch, the outfield of which looks as if it overlaps onto the football playing area.

As a result there are four floodlight pylons along the other side of the pitch but only two on this side, plus one, which doubles as a mobile phone mast, behind the goal.

Mind you the first in the line of four floodlights wasn't working. Fortunately there were spotlights on both the top of the turnstile structure and the loo roof and both were turned on - ingenious lot, these non-leaguers!



Sutton Common Rovers v Badshot Lea

Borough Sports Ground

Combined Counties League Premier Division

November 14, 2015

Ground No 179

 

A BEDRAGGLED man seeks shelter from the cold and rain. Dripping wet, wearing a parka and jeans with a soggy football programme sticking out of his pocket, he goes in search of somewhere to buy a burger and a nice hot cuppa... and, after almost bumping into a group of bridesmaids, finds himself surrounded by smartly dressed wedding guests.

No it's not a strange dream after eating too much cheese before bed or the start of a short story in one of those magazines middle-aged housewives read, it was me about five minutes into my visit to Gander Green Lane.

The tea bar is down the tunnel, to the right, past the bar (which had an enticing selection of ales), and at the end of the clubhouse which, despite a match being in progress, was filling up with wedding reception guests. There are five function suites hidden away there somewhere so I guess they were having a swift half before heading there.

I was tempted to ask for a slice of wedding cake to go with my burger and cuppa but I thought better of it. The tea was marvellous by the way - I can't recall a better one at a match. And the burger wasn't bad either.

Home of Sutton United, this is a ground which  has seen some big games - who could forgettop flight big guns Coventry City getting dumped of the FA Cup out there in 1989 just 600 days after lifting the trophy?

From this season it's also home to SCR who have seen a number of name and venue changes in their relatively short history.

As such the ground is a good deal too large for their current needs, but ideal when you've chosen a wet November day to take your baby granddaughter to her first football match (she seemed to enjoy it, even if she tried to eat the programme).

A you walk along the residential Ganders Green Lane, the last thing you expect to find is a football ground, but suddenly there's an opening, the turnstiles are ahead of you and the Borough Sports Ground opens up in front.

My fears that the heavy rain would scupper any hopes of seeing a game were wiped out by the cheery welcome at the turnstiles and then reinforced by my first glance at the pitch. It's a 3G all-weather surface so the game was never in danger.

Originally home to a running track, the oval shape of the ground means than some spectator areas are a fair distance from the pitch. Falling into that category is the side you first come to on entering.

There's some terracing before you get to the main stand but before you get to the perimeter fence there's an expanse of synthetic grass extending from the playing area, itself some way from the other side of the fence.

That said, we sat in the main 765-seat stand (its blue seats apparently acquired from Chelsea so maybe I'd sat in that very seat before during my days as a Stamford Bridge regular) and I didn't spend the game thinking 'goodness me, we're a long way from the pitch'.

Concrete terracing surrounds the remainder of the ground, each with good-sized covered areas which, on a day like this, were warmly embraced by the smattering of die-hards present.

Those fans went away happy as a 1-0 victory - secured after a their keeper pulled off a first half penalty save - moved them away from the relegation zone.

In all, a stinking day weather-wise but a non-league ground well worth visiting. And a historic first game of many for little Isla!

Barnet v Exeter City

The Hive

League Two

October 31, 2015

Ground No 178

AFTER an ongoing tour of non-league grounds, today took me to the heady heights of League Two. I was helping a good mate celebrate his completion of the current 92 and we had a terrific day out.

All the online matchday guides recommended a trip to JJ Moons, close to Kingsbury tube station, two stops away from Canons Park, the closest Underground station to The Hive. And who were we to argue?

We found a good number of others enjoying a pre-match tipple in there two and, after a couple of pints of Old Peculier we joined them on the short hop to the ground.

Directions to The Hive are clear as you exit the tube station and entrance to the stadium is via the club's training ground which sits in the shadow of the ground.

Originally planned as the new home of Wealdstone, The Hive became Barnet's new home after the Bees fell out with their landlords at Underhill.

They still plan to move back to the borough of Barnet, however, and had to seek a 10-year change to the condition that prevented the ground's use for League football when they won promotion from the conference.

The 2,684-seat West Stand is the most imposing feature of the ground, and the only feature that looks permanent.

The temporary nature of Barnet's current home is particularly evident in the modest South Stand where even the terraced steps are metal. You could imagine them being unbolted, loaded onto a lorry and reassembled elsewhere once the Bees have buzzed off.

The facing stand is a mirror image, although it was devoid of anything but visiting supporters' flags today with the travelling City fans all taking up residence in the main stand seats.


The area to the right of the South Stand is dominated by a large building housing The Hive's banqueting suite, gym, club shop, dressing rooms, players' lounge and directors' suite. In front are the posh seats.

Both sets of fans were in good voice throughout and whoever inherits The Hive when Barnet have gone will be onto a winner.

Wanderers v Old Rutlishians A

Mayfield Stadium

(home of AFC Croydon Athletic)

Surrey South Eastern League Junior Cup

(part of the club's triple bill)

October 24, 2015

Ground No 177

 

 

IT'S not often you can watch a team with such an illustrious history plying their trade so far down the pyramid that the peak is so far out of sight that even Sir Edmund Hillary would give up on reaching it.

But Wanderers are such a club. The original Wanderers lifted the first ever FA Cup and went on to win it a further four times.

Declining fortunes meant the club was dissolved in 1887 but in 2009, with the blessing of descendants of CW Alcock, funding father of the club and major mover and shaker in Victorian sport, Wanderers were reborn, with the aim of benefitting charitable causes.

They currently compete in the Surrey South Eastern Combination Junior Division Two and play their home matches at AFC Croydon Athletic's Mayfield Park stadium.

The landlords are a club with a tale or two to tell as well - forced under after the owner admitted he only bought the club for money-laundering purposes; the chairman found shot dead in a garage; forced into folding; revived by the fans; emotional return to their stadium which was refurbished after an arson attack on the clubhouse and travellers had set up camp on the pitch.

Wanderers joined Athletic at the Mayfield Stadium in November, although it seems no-one told the ref for the first of today's triple header of matches - he went to the club's former home in Dulwich, resulting in a delayed start and a club official taking charge for the first half.

That match was played on one of the outlying pitches and featured the A team as the club kicked off a packed programme, with all three of their men's teams - the firsts, the As and the reserves - playing at the same location on the same day.

Entry, as always for a Wanderers home game, was free, and the first XI match offered an opportunity to see a game a tidy little venue.

Centrepiece of the ground is a simple modern brick and steel stand with plastic seats situated in front of the changes and a spacious clubhouse.

To the left is a shallow area of covered hard standing with a few concrete steps behind the goal, opposite are a couple more covered areas and the hard standing continued around behind the other goal. There's also some terracing either side of the stand.

Wanderers have a small fan base but they've made great strides since their reformation, did an admiral job of publicising their triple bill event and produced an excellent eight-page programme with some good reading for a quid. Good on them.

I'd also like to return to the Mayfield to see Athletic. With a bigger crowd, the tea bar open and an a bit of matchday atmosphere, I can imagine it would be a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon.