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.