What that will include? Find out in the coming weeks to 1st July when you will see new reports and new things on the blog.

What a season. It is all over and I for one am quite glad. It is hard to think back to June 2009 when I started to plan bits of it out. It has been extraordinary and there has been a books worth of tales to tell.

The people I have met on the ground-hopping circuit and the contacts I’ve made have been brilliant. There has been wonderful praise from people such as Laurence Reade and the critics like the god of hopping I only know as ‘dottirofhod’ it has all contributed to something quite fairytale like.

Now it may sound as if I will be leaving the ground-hopping circuit. No way. Right from back 7-8 years ago when I saw pictures of grounds I wanted to visit when I was older, I’m doing that now and I’m discovering things all the time, It has been a learning curve for football as a lot of leagues I know about now 99.9% of non ground-hoppers have no clue about, hoppers know their leagues and I think I’m starting to learn them myself. It has also been a learning curve for me; in August 2009 I was diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome. Nothing to particularly worry about but it made me think about whether it is me who enjoys football and grounds and hopping or whether it is the Aspergers taking over, making me obsessive. I’d not call the ground-hopping community a bunch of Aspies as hopping is different to something like train-spotting. Ground-hopping has more to it than trains, more freedom and much more to see as I’ve found out.

I will speak numbers (typically) as I wanted a ground-hop season back in June 09. What I didn’t expect was the sheer quantity I’d amass as 33 was the original aim, then a total of 50. I also had the Hope Valley League ones to clear up, I think 13. 50 looks pittance to my actual total of 83 and 90 games in total, 7 revisits in that. I cannot in anyway say I’m disappointed, I won’t deny the emotion this year has brought though, and there have been the totally regrettable trips. The few unrecognized landmarks, the completion of the Hope Valley League and my 100th ground being done in early October. The wonderful trips are not to be forgotten though.

The trips

You can define a ‘trip’ as a variety of things. Most may classify it as any journey away from home, my definition of ‘trip’ in the context of this season has been the long journeys I have made. Now for most hoppers 50 miles or 100 miles isn’t a great deal but when you’ve hopped a season by public transport and your 17, it is a long way. Two stand out from the rest, York City and my North Wales double. York was a lovely place and I was glad to have gone as I like York as a city and the ground was brilliantly nostalgic. The Conwy and Bangor double was a landmark as my first games outside England by P.T, two grounds that were great in different ways.

The other unsung heroes of long distance ventures include: Bolton Reserves @ Lancashire FA ground, Morecambe, Clitheroe, Wrexham and Gainsborough Trinity. They were all good venues, Christie Park was the only one I could say was ever planned at any length; Gainsborough off the cuff and the same with Clitheroe. They were also seemingly costly but nonetheless I did not and do not regret any of them.

Anything fewer than 50 miles is a ‘venture’ in the context of my season. Nothing over 50 miles has ever caused any problems. I had made a few regrettable ‘ventures’ this season, I have called trips to Man City Reserves and Everton Youth off due to travel delays and I turned around, these moments were angering, particularly as I’d spent £12 on the latter. The ones I have got to haven’t always been successful either, Daisy Hill and Bolton Wanderers Yth both trips I should have called off as on both occasions transport has interfered and I’ve missed 1/3 of the game at both. I have had to fend off criticism from hoppers about my handling of these situations. Altrincham the floodlights failed 4 times creating a half hour delay that was just plain unlucky.

These freak situations can always be counter-balanced by the good ventures, I don’t necessarily mean ‘grounds’ and ‘games’ I mean as in the trip itself. Harpur Hill, Stoney Middleton and Preston North End all stand out in my Excel spreadsheet for good overall trips however all have involved me going against my better judgement. Harpur Hill was my 100^th ground and to mark it I decided to cycle. I had never cycled to Buxton before, never mind Harpur Hill (!) and at 8.8 miles it didn’t look difficult giving an 1hr 45 to make it. It was two tough cycle rides, there and back yet I enjoyed it as I saw a very good game and saw a very fiery Buxton area derby. Stoney Middleton was a 4 mile walk from Grindleford station where I had no water-proof trousers and of course it threw it down! I came away from it having seen a brilliant 7 goal thriller played on a ground with so much character. Preston was just plain insane in January, it had snowed all morning and matches were called off by the minute, 4 inches had fallen on the ground in Chapel but I went for it anyway, I was rewarded with a famous 7-0 win for PNE over Colchester.

The sense of a reward at these three games for the matches watched for my effort is over-shadowed by a game in March. I had one ground to go in the Hope Valley League and it stood waiting for SIXTEEN weeks due to a bad winter. To complete the league where I wanted for the sake of 4 months worth of sitting tight felt nothing short of magnificent, to finish a league and my ground guide website was a wonderful feeling. Completion of the Hope Valley League is up there this season with the best moments.

The grounds

What has surprised me this season is my liking of the venues I have been to. I’d been to Step 4 and Step 5 grounds and had mixed feelings on them, I also had reserved opinions on Football League grounds and how I didn’t think I’d like them. Another thing has been the level at which I’ve stooped to, to get in a new ground. I could be reasonably described as insane by any 17 year old for enjoying travelling to stand in fields watching ‘bottom of the bin’ football.

From the higher four leagues I have been impressed with every venue but for different reasons. Old Trafford was at capacity crowd for a friendly and being sat in the East Stand Upper Tier I felt absolutely wonderful, O.T is an experience you must encounter. Regrettably this has been my only foray with Premiership grounds, this only other one in the top two leagues is Preston. Rebuilt since the early 1990s Deepdale is a refreshing change to awful identikit stadia built at lower league grounds, it was 30% full but still had atmosphere.

I can’t mention them all but there must be honourable mentions to Accrington Stanley and Rochdale. They are two very different grounds; Accrington is a spectacularly non-league ground that is in League Two, seats everywhere for the ground-graders! Rochdale, a mix of good and very good stands; I’d recommend a visit to Spotland any day. Chesterfield and Morecambe, two nostalgic grounds that will sadly go and have seen their last games.

I’ve mentioned the 4 top leagues, how about barrel scrapping? The venues where you are not meant to watch football at, the ones even some ground-hoppers think are slightly sad. FC United of Manchester Youth in the Football Conference Youth Alliance, watching from outside a cage, it was truly beyond the joke but I liked it. The University matches, again very obscure but alright places to watch football particularly Manchester Met University. College league games again, madness and one venue (Buxton Lane, Cheadle and Marple 6^th Form) which rarely holds matches…

In between the beautiful and the barrel have been exciting grounds. Step 1 to Step 2, ALL grounds I have visited as these levels I have loved, none more so than Wrexham. It is a weird mix of beauty: 4 very different stands but all come together in something quite unseen now. Droylsden gets an mention for its likeability, it isn’t fit to be Step 2 by some people’s standards but it is terraced on four sides, I like it.

We now encounter a sticky situation with the Unibond (soon to be Evo-stik) League, I don’t know myself really how much I enjoy these leagues. You see these are grounds I do like, but aren’t quite bad enough to, Leek however is an exception in the fact its terraces are an infection, you have a will to like them. From the Unibond Division One North I enjoyed Trafford, a woodland like setting in South West Manchester with stands that suit the Vodkat League, it was my first game back with my camera after a 2 year absence and I took 100 photos – mental! Warrington is in Trafford’s league both on ground and football level, two seated stands and a terrace yet it didn’t feel quite as good.

Wakefield is an example of something very rare, an unlikeable ground. College Grove feels so bad, it has no real excitability factor. Some hoppers would try and make love to the far end stand, I’m afraid I hate that stand.

Step 5 I must enter now, I feel like I’ve seen a lot of Step 5 football yet as I search my Excel spreadsheet I find I’ve been to just 3 Vodkat Premier League grounds. Abbey Hey has a feel that you may see chavs jumping over the walls (as they surround street corners outside the ground) and doesn’t feel safe; I do in fact like the Abbey Stadium. Maine Road must also get a Step 5 mention for its rotten feel which I was keen on.

Step 6 compared to Step 5 is a different kettle of fish, a lot more venues ticked off but with one common recurring theme, rubbish. All grounds I’ve been to at Step 6 would be (to your common dumb non ground-hopping Neanderthal) rubbish, I’m sorry but it’s true, to the connoisseur of grounds the exact opposite. I didn’t have much idea about the Vodkat League First Division in July and until early March had still only done 3 of the 14 grounds in the league, interestingly what I’d seen pre-March was the same; gems of grounds.

Oldham Boro (nee Town), Chadderton, Atherton Collieries, what do they have in common? They all have old stands and all need some attention paying to them. Oldham Boro has FIVE stands, all completely different and for their creative nature I made it my 2009 ground of the year. Atherton is horrid, simply horrid to anyone outside the hopping world. Alder Street is a mess but I love it. Chadderton is useless, the stand is long and basic and its overgrown, all the more reason to like it.

The other four I’ve been to since the start of March continued the theme (Norton Utd, Cheadle Town, Daisy Hill and Rochdale Town) yet Rochdale must get the award for the best ground with very little support at Step 6, the place is gorgeous! What an incredible three stands and a terrace that matches the one Colne’s Holt House Stadium.

I now go to the depths of Step 7 and 8, where there has been variety, I’m only willing to mention a bit though. Wythenshawe Amateurs is basically a rail on one side to Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds and Middlewich Town; both have stands, railed and hard standing on all four sides, only floodlights away from the Vodkat League.

There is others though that stand out from travelling, the Oldham two. Springhead and Royton Town, both in arguably less than impressive areas but one memorable feature at each: Springhead and the bank, Royton and the narrow sides. The Manchester League isn’t the Cheshire League on or off the pitch however it retains character and is comparable to Southern Step 6 leagues.

The games

I have long complained (seemingly) about the pure and utter vileness of some matches, true, yes. The better matches have never yet been brought to live as I find it hard to describe how incredible games can be; you can imagine rubbish but can’t imagine the feeling of joy at the better.

Ok, down to business. The best of the 90: Preston North End 7-0 Colchester United, a game on paper that could have been very non-descript between sides faring rather differently in their leagues what happened was truly magic, North End and Jon Parkin played with the Us defence without really playing that well. Dukinfield Town 7-4 Elton Vale recently described as mesmerising. Anyone away from “that” 11 minute period could have come back and not known any different. The third game in this part of the review is Stoney Middleton v Queens Res in November, a hard choice but to produce 7 goals in extreme weather and keep me happy while getting soaked was an achievement, a glad to be there moment. There is 10 others I would have included.

The worst: York City v Corby Town, crap, crap and more crap, profanity aside it was worse than diabolical. Manchester Met University v UClan 2nds, again pure rubbish and that is considering the circumstances, I felt let down by football. Hathersage v Whaley Bridge Reserves also awful, two goals I can’t even bother to remember it was that pathetic.

The journeys

A section different to trips, trips and ventures represent the day as a whole Analytics of my rules aside, journeys have been what has got me to the games. I’ve learnt some much about transport in less than a year I find it quite special. From ticket splitting to fare dodging, I love it as a subject.

I don’t know how to judge this category as with games you can describe easily, trips are an assessment of the day as a whole and grounds are self-judged. I think there is a certain element of fear you get from making particularly journeys, both in the sense of where you are going and fear of missing connections. I have not missed an important connection all season so in this sense I’ve done well.

Buses are types of transport I hadn’t really been keen on using, unlike train stations bus stops have frightened me in that your never safe waiting for a bus at night, Maine Road and Abbey Hey go into that. You also never know where to get off, if you get off at the wrong stop and you have no map you can easily be knackered,

Trains are easy on Saturdays and I will always use them where possible however I have on a few occasions felt a little apprehensive this season, coming back from Chinley in daylight is daunting as it is 2 miles but at night? A different situation and I will be honest, I’ve hated using it.

Ok, fears and that out of the way. My favourite journeys; Chester to Conwy on the North Wales coastline is grim at first but is exciting and the scenery is quite nice. Manchester Piccadilly to York, I’ve never known an hour and a half to pass so quickly, First TransPennine Express are a joy to travel with, Lancaster to Manchester Picc was also a very smooth and easy ride despite the delays. I was also a fan of my trip up to Clitheroe despite it being a stopper service I actually enjoyed a lot of it.

Now onto the worst, Manchester Met University v UClan 2nds: hell and torture. A 12 mile cycle ride undertaken that I burnt out on. I just wasted away and I hated the whole experience, the game was dire as said before and I was questioning my sanity for real. Back to back trips to Atherton where I missed my connection to Atherton were awful feelings but on reflection very good evenings. Coming back from Preston to a snowy Chapel was also bad, just such a long trip (50 miles in 3 hours). To think I could have been in London within 3 hours may make you understand.

The walks as well, I will not cast aside. These have been an essential part of a quite unmemorable season, sarcasm used deliberately there as how could anyone forget walking 4 miles from Grindleford station to Stoney Middleton F.C in driving rain? I love my walking and it has saved me a lot of money, probably a day’s wages at work and despite regretting some like Rochdale S.H I’m a tight fisted Yorkshire born lad and will do a bit of exercise as “tha int lazy”

The conclusion

2800 words later we reach this stage, there has been a bit to talk about and yes you are only reading this because the other 2.9k words are insignificant and are only covering old ground. There is no real conclusion to this; the only thing I can end with is that, thank you. The hoppers, fans and people who have helped me develop a great understanding of the lower levels of the game this season.

I will be continuing on a scaled down basis next season, plans to be revealed will change and ground-hoppers will see me and my ugly mug try and get in for half price admission again.

I’ve described reasons for putting grounds, games, trips and journeys into their respective categories; I will leave you with my favourites, tops, bests and worst’s.

Thanks

Tommo.

Tom

On Monday 7th June this will be avaliable online, anyone wishing to be emailed a copy as soon as I’m next at a computer in 6th form can contact me at chapeltj@hotmail.com. Anyone chosing to do this will get a copy 10 hours before the full version is unveiled at 7pm on the aforementioned date.

Thanks for your patience

Tom

I had also been sent on a mission to compile a best XI team of the season of the players I’ve seen locally, this had to include Gamesley players and with them at Middlewich I had to be there. I had wanted to visit Middlewich for quite a while due to the quality facilities.

I was up early Saturday morning despite a few beers the night before and felt quite good, it had been an awful Friday so I was relieved to be getting a new ground in. I had to set off as early as 11:15 for the 3pm kick off because of rubbish connections with trains. It was warm and I took a coat and hoodie as rain was predicted, I took for the first time in a while a flask and plenty of stuff to do as I knew I’d have many waits.

The 11:39 arrived on time and I got a seat next to the window of the front carriage of the Class 156. The conductor appeared but never even bothered charging meaning my connection to Crewe was screwed. The train filled up and once off at Stockport had to queue to buy a ticket from an ‘RPI’, I needed one anyway due to the my three train journey so didn’t care. I missed my connection by 4 minutes so had to wait for the 1239 instead.

The Arriva Trains Wales service was on time and it was an easy half hour ride. It was 13:10 and I had 47 minutes to wait for my connection to Winsford. I was still 2.3 miles from the ground from there, Cheshire League grounds aren’t easy to get to if you don’t like spending too much money! The London Midland service was one to Liverpool and I got on a very modern and pleasant train. I’d never riden LM before but found the 9 minute trip very quick and easy.

On arrival at Winsford I checked everything and started the stopwatch walking east down the A54. The road took me through the very east edges of Winsford and along a long twisting road through a village called Stanthorne. I got to the Welcome to Middlewich sign within 23 minutes and continued to walk towards the town centre before taking a left up Webb Street and then first left into Seddon Street to find a very smart looking ground. The walk had taken 32 minutes and it was worth it. The pitch was fully railed and hard standing with two stands. I went into the main stand, raised above pitch level to find 2 rows of seats. Opposite, a small brick build shelter.

The game came 20 minutes later, it was a cagey beginning with the 5th v 4th tie, both looking to try and ease their way into the game. Gamesley had a few off target shots and Middlewich dragged a couple of efforts wide. However despite a good opening 20 it descended into near 0-0 mode. Yet again as it approached half-time I had genuine fear I’d see a 0-0, I went to take some photos and stand on the far side of the pitch next to the away support.

I had a think during half-time, this ground is a gem. Step 7 facilities that embarrass some at Step 5. It is a set of floodlights from Vodkat League standards, a great ground. The second half was NOT enlightening as it approached the hour mark, it would have been so typical to see a 0-0 2 games from the end of the season, instead it became 1-0 in Middlewich’s favour. A daft free-kick was given and 8 strolled up blasting it through the wall and in.

After that not a great deal happened as I was quite happy to see the season out without a goalless draw, how typical would it have been? Bloody typical alright! Gamesley attacked a lot in the closing stages and had the ball in off the bar and post, the referee however DID NOT allow it and even allowing for bias I thought it was in.

The whistle blew around 4:45pm and I had just under an hour to walk back to Winsford. The walk this time wasn’t too bad, I took my time with a cooling Cheshire breeze along the way. I got to the outskirts of Winsford to find Chapel Town had certainly produced a high scoring game, it wasn’t the way they needed LOSING 10-1! at Hollinwood. Catastrophic end to an at times enthralling season, 11 goals I could have seen had I not needed to watch Gamesley.

The 1739 was on time back to Crewe but that wasn’t without a Pendolino frightening the hell out of me as it tore through at around 100mph! Once in Crewe it was straight across to Platform 1 onto a waiting train, very easy and the Class 323 was empty. Unfortunately it was a stopper, the ride was eventful. A few drunks and some football fans resulted in me accidentally knocking a woman in the face with my elbow as I got off at Stockport, as I said sorry I was threatened with security and something. I walked off calm as you like and waiting for the 1905 train home.

I looked through my notes and found that I was still missing Gamesley players, it was then time to sit down and have to manipulate every rule I had to get my eleven together.

**This draft was written on Monday 10th May but has only just been posted. Sorry

End of season review to follow on Wednesday.

**Since the writing of this draft, I included one Gamesley player and put a 3-3-4 formation out. The radio slot on Wed 12th May went fine as I watched a Lawrence Cup Semi Final on Mon 10th May.

Tom

During Tuesday I had contemplated not bothering with Dukinfield and going elsewhere, my view of Ducky wasn’t a good one. See January 23^rd when I ticked off an outside pitch, the walk from Newton for Hyde station left me a little shocked as I saw it as a rough area. I had vowed in that post not to return ‘for a very long time’; ha here I was 94 days after, hardly a long time some may say.

During my afternoon off after three tough lessons I decided to definitely go for it as it would be a very cheap evening. I did not have to get into Stockport until 5pm and at latest 5:30, however I did not want to waste such time so aimed for 5pm. I left 6^th form at 4:25 and walked into the centre of Marple for a bus into Stockport. There was one there on arrival, I bought a Day Rider and the bus set off.

The traffic into the centre of town was horrendous and made the journey absolutely unbearable. By the time the bus got into Stockport bus station it was 5:05, I quickly went to bus stand U and jumped on the standing bus. The ride up to Ducky was supposed to take around 40 minutes going via Woodley and Hyde, an 8 mile trip taking that long? What? It actually took 45 minutes as I alighted at Boyds Walk just before 6pm.

My walk along this road backed up why I said I’d not return for a long time, the houses looked ok but it just felt like a bad area. I took a right at the end into Birch Lane with the rugby club appearing on the right after a few hundred yards. Instead of an outside pitch I was to see a game on the main pitch as I entered I found this was by far one of the better Manchester League grounds. Like Prestwich Heys it is fully railed with full 4 sides of hard standing, a rarity it must be said!

I stood on the near side next to some broken glass and waited a good 20 minutes for the game to commence. The home side wore white & green hoops, Elton Vale in usual blue & black stripes. It was fair to say neither side was in form, Elton Vale with 4 points from their last 7 and Dukinfield with just 3 from their last 7. Something had to give.

Dukinfield took the lead after just three minutes; a low cross from the right was taken inside and smashed in from 6 yards. Vale had to win in order to give themselves a chance of stopping up and made it hard for Town for a while. The out of form home club took a 2-0 lead though on 25 minutes, a close range effort finding the bottom middle of the goal. They didn’t stop either and could have gone three goals to the good not long after.

The Fold pulled one back on 36 minutes with a very fine strike, the striker cutting in the from the left wing before unleashing a wonderful right foot effort into the bottom right hand corner that sent Elton Vale’s 6 fans mental. Just as it looked as if the away side may go into the break with a half chance of pinching an equaliser they conceded a free-kick 25 yards out, 3 went up hitting it over the wall and in off the bar, unstoppable and a quality goal.

I had a walk round onto the far side for my photos, I’m afraid to say this ground isn’t the greatest for taking pics of. It is fairly bland, a grey wall on two sides, housing on another and a 2^nd hand dealership car behind the near goal. I stood near the halfway line and was expecting a slower half with a lot less goals.

The first half hadn’t exactly been chance infested yet it was still an interesting spectacle. Dukinfield proceeded to stick the game out of reach as 6 lifted a bouncing ball over the keeper from 12 yards on 56, 4-1 Dukinfield. The game descended into a tiny bit of lifelessness, as I did a head-count I wondered how many of them would have expected what happened next.

It got to 66 minutes, Dukinfield hit a shot from over 25 yards out clipped the bar, it would have been one of the ultimate goals of my season. Elton Vale went up the other end and 7 went one on one with the Ducky keeper, sticking it over him and in, 4-2 and game on. Elton Vale looked determined to get back into it but were soon out of it! 72 minutes in and Dukinfield Town’s 6 headed a long cross over the keeper, 5-2. 2 minutes after, 6-2! A long ball found 3 who took almost all day to walk in from the touchline and curl a right foot shot into the far corner. Vale looked dead and buried 6-2 after 74 minutes. Game over, surely?

They didn’t come back and have a flurry, they took it to the home side from the kick off and when 8 hit a uncleared corner through a crowd of players it was now a goal-fest, 6-3. It remained 6-3 for 90 seconds, another full back scoring. 2 of Vale took the ball down the line saw nothing on and proceeded to cut in and curl an unbelievable 25 yard shot into the far corner left footed, 6-4. 5 goals in 11 minutes! I was speechless. This game was 6-4 and hadn’t had a lot of shots at goal. For the first time this season I was actually stunned beyond belief.

I asked the linesman whether I’d got mad and was seeing things, he was equally shocked and I had my answer, it was happening. At this point I realised I had 1 more goal to beat the 10 I’d seen at Stoconians 24 days ago. I walked behind the far goal and onto the near side where I saw a game fading out and ANOTHER GOAL! Dukinfield Town 7 Elton Vale 4! A wonderful move that lead to a well placed shot inside the box, I didn’t scream with joy although I felt like it!

The final whistle went at 20:13; I had 23 minutes to make it back to the bus stop. This season had officially got to brilliant mode. I got the 330 bus from the centre of Ducky and the journey took 36 minutes back leaving me with 20 minutes until the 21:30 bus home. I could not stop grinning from ear to ear, it is rare I see 6 goals in a half but 6 in 21 minutes? Mad.

The 21:30 got to Stockport late and I paid an inflation busting £3.60 to get home, a price rise of 50p on not so long back!

I write this on a Saturday evening still wondering how this result happened. This was a fluke, I will not see another 7-4 for many years but I will take it.

I got in at 22:20 and decided to eat for an hour afterwards. The hunger for goals may have gone but you can’t not eat for more than 12 hours!

Tom

It is one of the key things I’ve learnt in ground-hopping, never ever plan something that well as you always know something will go wrong in the process. I had ambitions to the complete the Vodkat League but being a tight sod decided against the available options down to cost and general ‘can’t be arsed’ attitude. I have incidentally done 11/22 Premier, 7/15 Division One (2 clubs share, 1 done). I looked down to the Cheshire League and in Division Two, a fixture instantly caught my eye, Crewe v Denton Town. A venue I had a vague idea about and a town almost too easy to get to, I was off there.

In past posts I’ve explained how I’ve done a couple of trips, ‘just a couple of trains down to Crewe and off to Chester’, it really was so simple. At 11:30 ish I printed a map off, had a cup of tea before heading out the door at 12:10, it was a very warm day. I took a leisurely walk up to the station, doing the longest of the four possible ways. I got there at 12:30, the station was packed and I stood there looking at my map waiting for the 12:39 to arrive.

Once on I found a seat (surprisingly!) on the Class 150 train, the common enemy of anyone who wants a view out of the window! The 33 minute ride into Stockport passed well, passing Middlewood altogether! The train was however running late, 3 minutes late. As I got off the clock struck 13:15:10, I ran down the stairs, showed my ticket and ran to Platform 1 to find the train standing.
The train was an electric one, it stopped quite a few times before arriving in Crewe just before 2pm. This left me with a quandary, an hour until kick off with a 15 minute walk to the ground, great. I decided to undertake a circuit on the roads near the ground, I left the station, passed Crewe Alexandra’s ground (which I have visited as ground 73) and took a right into Mill Street and ended up on the top of Vernon Way. From here, down Henry Street, Queen Street onto Earle Street and a right into Thomas Street. The venue was the Cumberland Sports Arena, a multipurpose ground with an athletics track.

It was 2:40pm and I saw the pitch was fully roped off on the inside of the track, round the near end and down the near side it was railed off on the outside with a 3G surface next to the modern pavilion type building. I had a walk round the venue, around the athletics track and took many photos as Denton Town warmed up.

Kick off approached and I remembered Crewe produced programmes, one of VERY FEW at this level to produce one. I saw a man buying one near the pavilion so went myself to buy one, I paid £2 and although shocked at first I reminded myself that free football on offer for what I expected to be cracker. I wasn’t wrong either as I stood behind the rope for the first half.

From the word go in the 5th v 4th encounter both teams tried to played football and attack. Denton got the ball furthest forward very early on sticking the ball into threatening areas yet it was Crewe who had the chances. The Denton Town keeper was called into action to save a 12 yard effort then when a brilliant volley was struck saved fantastically with his legs to keep it 0-0. Crewe took the lead just before the 20 minute mark when they sliced into Denton, the right back ran through to run onto a through ball, he took it into the box and slotted before the keeper for 1-0, a wonderful goal.

Denton went 2-0 down on the half hour after more great Crewe football, a left foot cross was swung in and headed down into the goal from 6 yards, 2-0 and Denton were against the ropes. They didn’t lie down and showed effort to get back into the match, they did not however score and went into the break trailing.

The shock of losing at half-time prompted the visitor’s manager to have his team talk on the pitch while the navy blue Crewe went to the dressing rooms. The view of the pitch was good, even behind the rail the view of the pitch wasn’t terrible as I sat down on the rail to check how my club were doing.

Second half Denton started to seize control of the game and were awarded a penalty, maybe harshly for a handball it did go straight in the bottom left corner, 2-1 and with 4 minutes of the half gone: game on! The match didn’t produce a great deal of chances until a moment of madness saw Denton get a chance to level, a long free-kick was stuck forward by the away side’s keeper and the Crewe keeper flattened the striker, clear penalty and struck into the bottom right corner, 2-2.

Denton thought they had the advantage, so did many of the 30 watchers. This game twisted again as a bit of bad defending allowed a Crewe striker to nip in front of an on rushing keeper to roll it in in almost slow motion, 3-2 Crewe! Town’s club official linesman almost found himself sent off as he berated the referee continuously for no apparent reason but it was he who was happy as the game entered the second minute of stoppage time a cross was scrambled in, 3-3!! A goal that wasn’t quite expected so late on but a 3-3 draw was a fair reflection of the match.

I left the ground and went straight back to the station, I was in a good mood after seeing 11 goals in just two games. I got there to find my train was fifteen minutes away. Crewe station is not very easy to find your way round, some call it a ‘mess’. It was called one of the worst three stations in Britain and will be given money towards helping it return to a nice station. My question is, was it ever?

The train back was Pendolino stopping at Wilmslow and Stockport. It went fine taking just under half an hour. Stockport was also in the list of ten worst stations along with Preston, it seems the idiot who compiled the list had a bias towards the South and its image of perfection as just 3 of 10 were in the South.

I had a 25 minute wait for a train home, yes you’ve guessed it… it was late! I shouldn’t really have seen this as a shock but I was left to reflect on a good day out. Crewe F.C, it is not about the track. You have a superb little venue and should be well hopped.

Next up: Dukinfield Town v Elton Vale (exclusive!) report.

Tom

After a fairly typical tiring day at Marple it was down to the station at 1642. It wasn’t to be a hard trip, I’d printed my map and directions off and got to Marple station 20 minutes early. It was only when I looked at the map did I read “Distance: 1.9 miles” I was in a bit of shock and with a bad foot I had to walk quite a way.

I bought a £2.20 return to Rochdale once the train arrived, a typical Class 142: boring and bumpy. The train did not delay though and I was into Manchester Piccadilly for 1710, dead on time. I now had to combat Manchester’s commuters and battle my way to Manchester Victoria, it was almost ground-hog of Saturday but what did I care? Ground-hopping is above idiocy at times and many will agree with this sentiment.

I went over to Platform 6 to find the train standing there, I got on and didn’t even bother trying to find a seat. Three minutes later it departed. Around 20 standing minutes later I was waiting to get off the train and had a 40 minute rush to get to Fox Park. I had an adequate map and set off on my venture to the far east of Rochdale. I took a right out of the station up High Level Road then followed it up before jaywalking onto Wood Street.  From Wood Street it an easy right onto Milnrow Road for just over a mile, a terribly easy section of the walk as my next turn off was onto Albert Royds Street at a crossroads. I approached down a hill into it and went left, after around half a mile I crossed over a bridge over the railway line and thus had to take a right into Belfield Mill Lane.

At the top of this road I once again went over the railway line and the ground was on my right. The ground by Manchester Premier standards a little basic, 3 sides railed with half a side of hard standing and the near side was just open, not even a rope. Then came the confusing bit, Chapel Town in their home kit and Rochdale in all Red. Not as much of a clash as Springhead but strangely I didn’t recognize any player as the away side appeared in an unfamilar blue & black away kit.

Kick off approached and found it was Chapel in that kit. The match kicked off and it didn’t take long for a goal, Chapel scoring on 12 minutes, Stacey Wild hitting home left footed from 12 yards. Chapel had a second five minutes later and it was seemingly going to be a walkover, oh no. That isn’t the Chapel way and as the game descended towards half-time it was increasingly agitating as Rochdale give up and were attacking.

Half-time I managed rub some skin off the back of both heels leaving me in near agony thus when I attempted to kick a ball it hurt, a lot. Rochdale made the game that bit more interesting when they lashed in from close range and they didn’t seem intent of having the goal as a consolation as they poured forward nothing they were all but down if they didn’t win. Rochdale’s defence accused me of time-wasting as I jumped for a clearance that flew out of play, I missed the catch and it rebounded off my shoulder further up the line, “Oi you fucking idiot there’s half an hour left not 5 minutes”. It wasn’t my fault!

The funniest moment of the game happened when a man walked down the near side of the pitch (behind the away following) with a crate of Stella in arm, all of a sudden he ran as three Asians chased him and as he dropped it the front man said “You steal from us again we will cut you up!” The man was chased into some woods behind the far goal and never seen again.

The Rochdale Sacred Heart keeper had had trouble getting the ball away, he made error of the game as a backpass was dallied around with for too long, Stacey Wild took the chance, tackled him and fired home, 3-1 CHAPEL TOWN!! Rochdale responded not long after to set up a nervy finish and in increasing darkness the full-time whistle went to send Chapel Town’s only away fan into raptures. It was now time to get out of the ground and dissappear, to the pub.

My lift took me down into Oldham and to the Boat & Horses just next to the M60 Junction 22. We watched Inter Milan v Barcelona, I myself had 3 pints of J.W Lees Bitter before we left the pub and left half the players to it at 2215. Went back via Hattersley McDonalds for a BigMac and fries, in for 23:20.

Good night overall and Chapel’s good result was overshadowed by bad results elsewhere.

8 days late, shame.

Tom

My back was still bad Saturday morning and I found this would be my 150^th ground, I needed an easier plan with a ground that contained a lot of character, and Rochdale Town fit the bill perfectly. This was 10am so I had a couple of hours to relax, the trip wasn’t going to be difficult and so easy I didn’t bother with a flask.

At 11:30 I got ready with no maps, no times and just a spare jacket and camera to go with myself. It was very warm out as I went for the 12:38 train into Manchester, the station was unexpectedly packed and I just wanted to get into Manchester peacefully. I didn’t bother trying to find anything in the middle of the Class 150 and just sat to the left of the doors. I sat back relaxed and tried to enjoy the trip. The fixture would have been Castleton Gabriels v Blackpool Mechanics a few seasons ago and I was sat thinking about why the hell teams change such glorious names.

The train was cramped by New Mills and as it got to Manchester I was happy I’d bought a ticket and could make my way to Manchester Victoria in peace. I was wrong. The city was full of people, many of them complete and utter dithering idiots who were stood for no apparent reason in the middle of the pavements. I’m sorry but Manchester City Centre was absolute hell for anyone wanting to get from A to B. I had no rush but wanted to at least walk at my own pace instead of making it military procedure.

I did make it and I bought my £2 return to Castleton straight away before sitting down on the base of a pillar for the train to arrive. This was the 1400 service to Leeds, I was supposed to go to Platform 4, I did and stepped on 5 minutes from departure.  All of a sudden a gentleman got on and announced… “This train is going nowhere; there is a problem with the line at Todmorden so you won’t be off anywhere”. I had to go for the back-up 1430 to Rochdale instead and despite the delay would arrive just in time for kick off.

The 1430 got to Rochdale 5 minutes early and as it emptied it soon filled to the brim with a a couple of Northampton fans and people off to Moston and Mills Hill. By the time the train arrived at Castleton it wasn’t full and I had the five minute walk to the ground.

Some mapping of the area is good, some of it isn’t. I was lead to believe the ground could be entered on Chadwick Lane. I went down Heywood Road and suddenly panicked and lost all sense of direction as the road split in three. I ran down one street to find it wasn’t going the right way and panicked. I quickly examined the Vodkat League website to try and find my way so I had to find the main road, I didn’t have to as the ground appeared on right at 1455. The gates into the ground were closed but I squeezed through.

I paid a couple of quid and a pound for a programme at the turnstile before coming out 20 yards behind the main stand in a large open space. The main stand had an entrance to the rear and walked to its left to stand against a wall overlooking the pitch to see the game kicking off.  The near side was above pitch level and I made my way down a few steps into the near end of the ground. This end was a full length open three step terrace, the main stand was an old structure with around 200 seats in it.

I continued to walk down the terrace and onto the far side of the pitch to see another seated stand, this time a lot smaller and only two rows deep. I stood on the hard standing to one side to finally get settled and watch. The game was lacking in standard, two lowly placed sides just hoofing the ball about, not particularly what I wanted to see.  Rochdale did however take the lead on 24 minutes and will be a contender for comedy goal of the season, a shot was acrobatically hooked away by an AFC Blackpool defender, Freakes hit the rebound which bounced off the post hit the keeper and trickled in.

From there AFC Blackpool came out and started to get the ball down but it wasn’t until the last minute of the half that they forced the Rochdale keeper into two fine saves, one from a low shot the other a header.

The whistle went on an uninspiring first half and I continued my walk round, the far end is home to one of the finest stands at this level, a full length terrace which wrapped around 20 yards up the main stand side. It had poles holding it up but was certainly an eye catching structure and probably my favourite stand in this league. As I took photos (and lots of them!) players started to emerge again for the second half. I went to stand from the elevated position to the side of the main stand and waited for kick off.

The second half was a bit better, AFC Blackpool coming out and eventually equalising on 70 minutes, a header from a corner was nothing less than they deserved. Rochdale tried breaking forward but couldn’t quite find the right ball. 84 played AFC Blackpool took the lead, this sparked a mini game of Ping Pong as it took Rochdale just 90 seconds to run on and place in an equaliser for 2-2. Not happy AFC Blackpool raced up the other end again and Waddington made it 3-2 AFC Blackpool.

I left the ground dead on full-time leaving to find an orthodox way back to the station, I took a left into Keswick Street and went through a mini housing estate before taking a right at the junction onto the main road. I was on the station a couple of minutes later.

I got the empty 1706 to Manchester Victoria, walked through more hoards of people to reach Piccadilly before sitting back and relaxing to reflect on what had been (on the grounds side) a terrific and enjoyable afternoon out. The train ride was not at all stressful and my back pain had drifted away.

A good trip and I’m sure anyone who goes will enjoy their visit like I did.

Tom

After the exploits to Rowsley I left it right until 3pm on the day of the game to plan how to get there. It seemed simples enough, 1600 head to the train station, next train into Manchester then 1710 bus there. Easy. But what a mistake. What an absolutely idiotic decision. A decision only an idiot could make. Bloody typical. That was my reaction when I reached Marple station at 1610 to find I had a half hour wait for a train into Manchester. My plans were in tatters, the trip was in doubt.

However I found a 1720 bus from Oldham Street. Phew, that seemed to solve the problem. I needed to pass the goons on ticket inspection and then belt it out of the station like lightning with over 5kg of sixth form work on my back, easier said than done. The train was fine, £1.90 single and the journey was a success arriving at 1710. I proceeded to run like I’ve not in a while, VERY fast. I found the 1716 had gone as I tried to find Piccadilly Gardens stop R and then found Oldham Street was shut. Oh crap..

The bus was to instead depart from Stevenson Square, I didn’t know where it was but somehow found it flukey and was gutted to a long queue. It turned out many of these weren’t getting on and I bought a FirstDay as the second to last able to get on. Sweated up I stood for 20 minutes before sitting down just after Failsworth. The bus got into Lees via Oldham Central at 1820. I got off and headed up Elliott Street which merged to become St John Street arriving just a few minutes later.

The view on arrival was pretty mindblowing, not necessarily in a good way. A massive bank on the far side with a littering of chavs perched at the top. The other three sides were railed, the clubhouse on the near side which like the car-park end was hard standing. I got a welcome of ‘He’s found us!’ from one of the Chapel lot as Springhead brought out the dug-outs. Two benches!! Yes and that hadn’t got backs to them either.

I waited for the game to kick off and Chapel knew this would be a tough tough game. The pitch was apparently not brilliant either so it was certain in my opinion Springhead would come out on top. Springhead were playing a 4-3-3 but despite this Chapel came out early on and knocked the ball about very nicely and Springhead didn’t get forward a great deal.

Chapel did let Springhead in once and Andrew Annison have to save well to stop a certain goal. Chapel came forward not long after and as Tom Wildgoose crossed the left-back handled in the box, PENALTY GIVEN!! Tom Nadin stepped up and slotted it well into the corner, 1-0 CHAPEL TOWN!! Brilliant! Springhead looked dangerous but went in 1-0 down at the break as I walked around for my photos of the ground.

The second half didn’t contain as much entertainment until just after the hour, Springhead were getting frustrated and Chapel Town were controlling the game. On 68 minutes a tackle by a Springhead player was blown up and a free-kick given to Chapel, this particular player went berserk and saw himself SENT OFF !! for foul & abusive language. Chapel still needed a goal and when a corner was delivered on 70 it looked to be resulting in something, another corner, yes as Springhead’s keeper caught a shot out of play, he went berserk! Springhead’s players went absolutely insane and the keeper saw RED!! for foul & abusive language, absolutely unbelievable! It was rare to see any player sent off in a Manchester League game but two, unthinkable.

The referee had no intentions of making it 9 v 9 either and happily let the game turn a bit more physical, Chapel could do no wrong and it seemed the slightest wind up of a home player was likely to get the home man in the book. Chapel held on despite the 9 men coming forward and attacking. It was virtually dark as the whistle went and I was ready for a lift home after a huge win for Chapel over a side that is capable of beating anyone by a massive margin.

I got a lift home fine had a pint and was left happy with the evening and so glad I didn’t give up getting to Springhead as I would have regretted it!

Tom