Welcome to my site - The 100 Football Grounds Club

Welcome to my blog 'The 100 Football Grounds Club' the site dedicated to groundhoppers everywhere.
Please feel free to leave any comments if you wish.
Cheers!!!

site updated on post date

100 in the 100

The 100FGC squad has now reached the 100 mark, thanks to everyone who has got involved and submitted their ground details since the website was launched in July 2006.
This means there’s been an average of one new member added to the ‘Roll of Honour’ per week, I’ve also noticed a few copycat websites that have popped up during this time, but the 100 Football Grounds Club is still the original and best ( if I say so myself) because it has that personal touch which those other websites lack. ;-)
The honour of receiving squad no.100 goes to David Dickens, a Spurs fan originally from Hertfordshire but now residing in Devon, he now supports the League clubs in the area, as well as following the local Non-League scene in Devon.
He became the 100th person to send me his ground details, but he’s also an admirable recipient of squad no.100, as his love of football and bagging football grounds spans 60 years, his first ground being the now defunct Wolverton Town in April 1948, a much worthy addition to the squad and a prime example of what the stadiumitis bug is all about.

My Matchday - 173 Metcalfe Park

Wolviston 1v3 New Marske SC (aet)
Wearside League Cup Final
14th May 2005
att. 180apx.
The Wearside League Cup Final produced an all Teesside affair, with Wolviston giving home advantage against newly crowned league champions New Marske Sports Club.
Wolviston is a small village and civil parish just outside Billingham within the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, the village originates from Saxon times, believed to take its name from the wolves that populated the area.
The ground is found on Wynyard Road, a short distance from Wynyard Hall, the village cricket club resides next to the ground and shares the entrance and car park, there’s one main stand, decked out with about 80 red flip seats, with the dugouts to each side. The rest of the ground is open grass standing with refreshments courtesy of a gazebo and table arrangement, the changing rooms are next to the cricket ground and gain pitch access via a gate in the fence, the ground is separated by large connivers, enclosing the ground from the main road and the cricket pitch.
Wolviston FC have played in the Wearside League since 1988, winning the old 2nd Division Championship the following season, they’ve twice finished league runners-up, achieving most success in the Sunderland Shipowners Cup, winning it three times since the turn of the century.
This season has been a thriving one for Wolvo, beaten only once since November, the club have assembled a good squad and have improved as the season’s progressed; their opponents New Marske Sports Club have had an unbelievable debut season in the Wearside League, winning the title and the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup, now looking to add the League Cup and clinch the treble, as a tribute to such an achievement the Wolviston players lead a guard of honour as the players entered the field prior to kick-off.
The first half was a tight affair, the best chance falling to New Marske no.10 Anderson who nipped in between the defender and keeper but saw his toe-poke effort rebound back off the post, but before the break the home club took the lead, a clear handball in the box resulted in a penalty kick, which was dispatched by left back McPhillips.
The second half saw the champions pile on the pressure, trying to break Wolviston resolute defending as the home side trying to catch them out on the break. Two great saves from keeper Lawrence retained the goal advantage, it looked as if they had held on until the dying moments, when an almighty scramble in the box ended with Mackin’s shot going through a crowded box before nestling into the corner of the net. Seconds before the goal was scored, I spotted an official from the league with the cup in his hand, ready for the presentation, when the goal was scored he turned on his heels and took the trophy back indoors for safe keeping.
Extra time was only going to produce one winner, the momentum was with New Marske, and so it proved, taking the lead immediately from the restart, a great cross from Woods was met with a bullet header from Peggs, a great goal to win any cup final. Wolviston pushed for an equaliser but the treble was assured when Mackin got his second late on, beating the offside trap before lobbing the keeper, sparking celebrations amongst the New Marske players and supporters.
I felt a bit sorry for Wolviston, they worked hard, but as usually the case, in any level of football, the team at the top always seems to get the rub of the green. According to the ‘Manager and Assistant Column’ in the match programme, they’re boasting they have the best squad in Wolviston’s history, this along with the new superpower of New Marske, Whitehaven Amateurs and runners-up Jarrow FC, it promises to be an exciting season in 08-09, and one I’ll be personally following, with the football grounds of the Wearside League featuring on the 100FGC blog.

Ground no.173 – Metcalfe Park – Matchday Web album (13 pictures)

Around the Alliance - part three

The third and final part of my mini-tours around the grounds of the Northern Football Alliance Premier Division for this season, I've enjoyed visiting these clubs and attended some great games, I look forward to continuing the series next season.
(click on images to enlarge)

Ground no.168 - Sporting Club of Cramlington
Cramlington Town v Shankhouse

16th April 2008

Cramlington is a small town 9 miles north of Newcastle in Northumberland, Shankhouse Black Watch joined the Northern Alliance 2nd Division in 2000, winning promotion in their first season and changing their name to Cramlington Town a year later, last season the club won promotion to the Alliance Premier after finishing runners-up to Gillford Park in Division One.
Sporting Club of Cramlington is based within the grounds of Cramlington High School, the ground was opened in November 2003 at a cost of £10,000, thanks to local funding and an award from the Football Foundation, giving the ground the basic requirements of spectator barrier system, dugouts and technical area.Additional facilities for both school and community use, were provided by Northumberland County Council, using capital from the sale of surplus school land to allow the original £3m sports complex proposals to be developed.
The Sporting Club is an active place, I missed the kick-off as I struggled the find a parking space, as well as the Cramlington Town match there was another five or six games taking place, mostly involving junior girl matches on the many football pitches around the complex.
The game was very competitive with an above average count of late tackles, near neighbours Shankhouse scored the only goal of the first half; be it a fortunate one, a cross from left back Heppell took an unkind deflective, spinning over the helpless keepers head. The result seemed settled after an hour, a scramble in the box produced a few efforts at goal with one shot stopped on the line by a defenders hand, the referee had no hesitation in giving a penalty and a red card, Armstrong made no mistake with his spot kick. Shankhouse looked comfortable, soaking up any pressure from the ten men, looking more likely to add to the score until five minutes from time when a great save from the keeper stopped a late consolation goal from Town, but from the resulting corner the ball fell to Miller on the edge of the box who’s shot went through a packed defence and into the net. Then amazingly, to everyone’s surprise, Cramlington rescued a point in injury time via the same player, again a corner kick wasn’t cleared and the ball fell nicely in his path, blasting a shot into the roof of the net. Overall a spirited and entertaining game with both clubs sharing the spoils in the Crammy Derby.
Matchday Stats
Unofficial HC attendance 44
2-2 scorers - Miller(86,90+1) -/- Heppell(19) Armstrong-pen(59)

Ground no.170 - Cochrane Park
Newcastle University v Carlisle City
26th April 2008

Newcastle University have several sports facilities throughout the city but the principal competitive venue for football, rugby and cricket is found at Cochrane Park, located north-east of the town centre.
The venue houses 4 football pitches, 3 county standard rugby pitches, 1 cricket square and 5 tennis courts, with the ground the football club use situated at the far side of the complex. The site has an attractive looking pavilion, used as team changing rooms, with a function suite and bar facilities.
Newcastle University have played within the Alliance since 1988 and have been in the Premier Division since the 2000-01 season, last season they finished 6th their highest position to date. The University’s football club squad is now picked from current students only, they struggled earlier this season, but have finished the campaign well, lifting themselves off the foot of the table.
Carlisle City provided physical opposition to the students, after a goal from Foote on 19 minutes, City equalised after half and hour, a good finish from Gardner from a tight angle making it level at the break. Uni were the better side in the second half, taking the lead on 66 minutes when Kewn turned a right wing cross goal wards, a defender on the line tried to stop the ball with his hand but the shot proved too strong, the goal scorer appealed for handball, but within a second later turned away to celebrate the goal, forgetting about his penalty plea. The Students secured the win and capped a fine 2nd half display with a late goal from Crockett, giving them another valuable 3 points in their pursuit of avoiding the drop.
Matchday Stats
Unofficial HC attendance 11
3-1 scorers; Foote(9) Kewn(66) Crockett(85) -/- Gardiner(32)
















Ground no.172 - South Newsham Playing Fields
Blyth Town v Alnwick Town
12th May 2008

Blyth Town were originally formed as a junior boy’s team in 1995, the adult side began in 2002-03, the previous seasons Under 18’s made the step into senior football and won the Alliance 2nd Division title in their debut season. The club now run 26 teams from Under 6’s boys to men and girls Under 10’s to ladies.
The adult side progressed, winning promotion to the Alliance Premier in 2005 and this season they’ve won the NFA Senior Benevolent Bowl, beaten Wark last month at Whitley Park by a goal to nil.
The ground lies on the main A1061 road into Blyth, where you find the car park and the club pavilion, which has recently undergone major improvements, including expansion to the changing rooms and a function suite.
On arrival I noticed the players walking away from the ground, crossing the road and heading through a pathway in between two housing estates, this lead towards a large playing field with two football pitches, one of which was a daisy field roped off for use as the venue for the match. Obviously this couldn’t be the home ground of Blyth Town, being not correctly fenced off, without dugouts and not meeting the Level 7 requirements. I made enquiries about the main ground and was told after a league inspection, it was deemed unfit for use, with the club giving special dispensation to play at this ground until the former is passed fit. Looking at the club website it shows they have 8 pitches, 4 at South Newsham and 4 at South Beach, the fixture was listed as South Beach-pitch 2, so after being disappointed at not seeing the club play on their proper home ground, at least I’ve scored for an extra ‘tick’ and I’ll make a revisit when they’re back across the road playing on the main pitch.
Alnwick Town were the visitors to South Newsham Playing Fields, sorry… that should be South Beach-pitch 2, I didn’t know it at the time, but last season I witnessed their last game in the Northern League before Demotion into the Alliance, last seasons squad have now gone and they find themselves a place behind Blyth in 13th
They returned back up the A1 with a comfortable 2-0 win, with a goal in each half, the first a header directly from a corner on 14 minutes from Patterson and the second from Keen on 65, there was more chances to add to their tally but the front two struggled to stay onside, blaming the linesman for their badly timing forward runs.
At half time Blyth Town made a couple of substitutions, one of them was a lively left-winger who was shithot fast and keen as mustard, he was constantly involved although his eagerness saw a couple of late tackles, one of which resulting in an unfortunate accident, as he overstretched he snapped his leg, letting out a scream which could be heard as far away as Ashington. The upshot of this was the game was stopped for 25 minutes as the lad couldn’t be moved, with the players and spectators having to hang around waiting the arrival of the ambulance. I spoke to a few Alnwick supporters and we agreed the game should be stopped, with only 10 minutes left to play, the 2-0 score line should stand, I decided that personally the game was over and decided to head home, hoping I wouldn’t find that Blyth Town made a remarkable recovery winning 3-2 in those last ten minutes, however it did stay 0-2 so I didn’t miss anything and I managed to get home for the second part of Coronation Street.
Blyth Town have major ambitions; with their main wish to eventually become a Northern League club, they’re also looking to make major developments at South Newsham, to establish themselves and show there’s more than one club in Blyth.
Matchday stats
Unofficial HC attendance 32
0-2 scorers; Patterson(14) Keen(65)

My Matchday - Gateshead International Stadium

Gateshead 2v0 Buxton
Unibond Premier League Play-off Final
3rd May 2008
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I’ve been frequently asked by the Heed Army ranks when the International Stadium will feature on the website, as I tend to concentrate on previous uncharted grounds along with the odd revisit, then it would need a fitting occasion to give the stadium the ‘My Matchday’ treatment. So the play-off final fit’s the bill, the last home game of an outstanding season and the last game at the International Stadium in the Unibond League(hopefully for ever)
Gateshead’s International Stadium is probably the best stadium within the Non-League Pyramid, but on the other hand maybe the worst football ground, because it isn’t a football ground at all, it’s a world class athletics stadium, one of the top venues for multi-faceted sport in the UK, hosting a number of top athletics events that attract the best of British talent as well as athletes from around the world.
Most stadiums with a running track are unpopular with supporters, the ground has only one stand open on match days so ground hoppers aren’t able to do the traditional lap of the ground, but worst of all the residents of Gateshead are put off going to see their home town club because of the home venue, this is the primary reason why a new ground is essential for the club, not only to accommodate the current Heed Army but to generate interest in the town and bring in more support. Manys a time I’ve tried to encourage folk to come and give Gateshead FC a try and the usual response is* “Ah would, but ah divvent like that staydyim” so this is the target audience the club are aiming at, the International Stadium no longer an excuse for neglecting the club.
However the facilities at the Stadium are first class, where you can watch the game in comfort with a great view of the game, although it can get very cold in the winter with the fog off the Tyne and the draft from The Felling.
* Geordie translation; “I would, but I don’t like that stadium”
The ground was opened in 1955, originally known as Gateshead Youth Stadium with one small main stand and grass bank terracing. The stadium developed through the 1980’s, the Tyne & Wear Stand was opened in 1981, a steep single tier cantilever stand which gives cover to 3,300, but usually the first 3 in that figure isn’t really necessary. The ground has a bowl shape, made up of uncovered terraces of red seats, taking the capacity to 11,795, the East Stand which faces the main stand has GMBC picked out in black seats, a reminder that it’s Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council who own the stadium, with the football club merely tenants, another reason why a new ground is vital, to generate self income. The only time the ground has been full for football was in 1995, when King Kev brought his first team over the Tyne for a pre-season friendly, a season that produced Gateshead’s highest Conference finish of 5th and United just miss out on the Premier League title to ManYoo.
The current Gateshead FC is the third reincarnation, after a much chequered history the present day Tynesiders were formed in 1977, reaching the 30 year milestone prior to this seasons kick-off. The club took Gateshead United’s place in the Northern Premier League and won the title in 1982/83, lead by skipper Terry Hibbitt one of my all time football heroes. The Heed had three spells in the Conference, with the team from the mid nineties recognised as the best team in the present club’s history. Relegation to Unibond League followed in 1998 and the club struggled on and off the field, disaster struck in 2004 when the clubs main sponsors pulled the plug and the club nearly went(as we say in these parts) tits up! It took hard work behind the scenes from then Club Chairman Derek Bell to keep the club afloat, the possibility of the 2004-05 season almost began without a team, the club were very close to going out of business and will always be indebted to Derek Bell, for still having a primary football club in the town.
Gateshead finished the season in sparkling form, winning nine and drawing one of the last ten games and then an outstanding performance on Tuesday night, beating Eastwood Town 4-0 in the Play-off Semi-Final to take the goal tally to 33 with only 2 conceded in those eleven games, also The Tynesiders are joint leading scorers in the Top 10 divisions in England with 93 goals league goals.
Buxton have had a great season, after winning promotion just last season, making the playoffs is a fine achievement, taking out Witton Albion in the other semi-final on penalties was a great result, not only for The Bucks but great news for the Heed Army, giving us home advantage for the final.
The Tynesiders were backed by a bumper crowd, with ‘the clothesline’ in fine voice, with also a good away following from Derbyshire, after an aggregate score of 9-0 in favour of Gateshead over the two regular season games, then obviously Buxton’s approached the game cautiously, defending deep and cutting off space, stopping the Tynesiders playing there traditional free flowing football, good chances fell to Armstrong and Southern but the Buxton defence held firm producing a goalless first half.
An early second half goal was needed to calm the nerves, I had the breadknife with me and she couldn’t handle the pressure, asking if she could go and sit in the car and she’d see me after the game, but I managed to persuade her to stay and we were rewarded with two second half goals. After Carl Jones saw a header cleared off the line in the opening minute, the deadlock was broking just three minutes later, a Jones pass found Kris Gate who evaded a couple of tackles before shooting past the keeper, the goal was greeted not just with passionate celebration but also with a huge sense of relieve, the breakthrough was made and we were on our way. Victory and promotion was sealed on 79 minutes, a long ball from Salvin saw Paul Brayson beat the offside trap before racing away and coolly lifting the ball over Hartley, the goal greeted with sheer pandemonium from the supporters and the Gateshead dugout.
A fantastic crowd of over 1400 stayed behind to share in the celebrations with the players, the lads also got Gateshead Chairman Graham Wood out onto the track to take the applause, if it wasn’t for him then maybe this fantastic season may not have been possible, his dream is to give Gateshead a new ground and regain their Football League status, well the first part of the job’s done, just another two promotions and we’re there, it may sound easy enough, but we all know there‘s still a lot of hard work to be done, nevertheless it is now a possibility with a man like Mr. Wood at the helm.
Gateshead FC can look forward to a next season in a new league, step 2 of the Non-League Pyramid or if you like; League Division 6, Conference North with Bogie and Jeff. The Heed Army ranks will be excited over this football free summer, personally there’s plenty of new grounds to explore in the Blue Square North, so come next August Private Smith amongst the rest of the Heed Army will be reporting back for duty.. can’t wait!

Match Links –
Heed Army Blog report
Gateshead FC match report
Matchday pics from Private Rowan and General Gaddess

Other Links-
Home of the Heed
http://fitbadaft.blogspot.com/2008/03/gateshead-3-kendal-town-0.html(March ‘08)

A History of Gateshead FC
My First Heed Game

Gateshead International Stadium - Matchday Web album (18 pictures)

My Matchday-169 West Terrace

Esh Winning 0v0 Stokesley SC
Arngrove Northern League Division 2
19th April 2008
att.


The race to complete the current Northern League grounds reaches it’s final lap and the winning line is finally crossed at the aptly named Esh Winning, a former colliery village in County Durham, five miles to the west of Durham city, situated in the Deerness Valley. The name of the village comes from the older nearby village of Esh, which is a Saxon word for Ash, and Winning which was a Victorian term used when coal was found.
The first football club in the village were Esh Winning Rangers, formed in 1889 playing regional friendlies and minor league football before joining the Northern League in 1912-13, where they had a successful start winning the title and the Durham Benevolent Bowl in their debut season.
The club played at the Stags Head Recreation Ground, where a record crowd of over 5,000 saw a thrilling 4-5 defeat to eventual winners Bishop Auckland in the Amateur Cup Quarter Final in 1921, unfortunately the club were forced to fold four games into the 1934-35 season, unable to pay the Parish Council for the ground rent with their record and remaining fixtures taking up by West Auckland Town.
Esh Winning Albion came then went during the 1950’s until the present reincarnation of football in Esh and the current home of the club, a mile away in the neighbouring village of Waterhouses. Formed in 1967 as Esh Winning Pineapple, they purchasing the welfare grounds from the coal board as the local colliery faced imminent closure and began playing in the Durham Sunday League. It was during this era the club won many honours with West Terrace recording it’s best crowd; 1,500, for an FA Sunday Cup tie v Liverpool Fantail in 1978.
The club are nicknamed the Stags and began playing Saturday football in the Northern Alliance in 1981-82, the following season they dropped the fruity part of their name and joined the newly formed Northern League Division Two, £43,000 was spent on ground improvements and facilities, with the installation of new floodlights appearing later in 1999.
The ground has a picturesque setting, just like you'd imagine a ground set in a small village in the middle of nowhere would look like, found off the main road along a narrow lane, thankfully there’s a welcome sign at the lane junction because if there wasn’t, you’d never find the ground. West Terrace is very quaint with panoramic views of it’s hilly surroundings, my only previous knowledge of the village was the old Northern bus;725, which departed from Worswick Street in Newcastle and ran past our estate, with Esh Winning as it’s final destination, I remember thinking as a kid “where the hells that? It must be canny far away”
West Terrace’s has a current capacity 3,500, the main stand is on one side of the half way line with the clubhouse to the other, the stand has five rows of black bench seats with a peaked green roof, the changing rooms are below the stand, with two separate entrances for both sets of teams. The clubhouse has the tardis affect, small in appearance but quite roomy inside, with the refreshment bar at the side of the building. There is also a small cover on this side of the ground, the rest of the ground is open hard standing except the far goal has a small tin shed directly behind the goal and behind it a steep grass bank which has two park benches in each corner, which is a great spot to watch the game from.
The Stags have yet to win any honours since their Northern League return, but they have booked their place in this seasons Ernest Armstrong Cup Final, so the long wait for ANL honours could be over, before then there’s the small matter of tying up their league programme and the last game of the season against Stokesley SC.
I was disappointment to see no goals but not as disappointment as the Esh players and supporters must feel, they should have won easily but missed too many good chances, having one of those “ If we played all night….“ kinda days. The closest Esh came to breaking the deadlock was from their number 11 Chris Smith who saw two of his efforts smack the crossbar, Stokesley defended well and held on to gain a point, but Esh will feel it was two points lost, hopefully they’ll have their shooting boots on for the forthcoming cup final.
My completion of the current Northern League 43 was greeted without any fanfare or congratulate handshakes, on Non League Zone I go by the pseudonym of ‘Dims Spy’ those of you clever enough will work what the ‘Dims’ bit is, as far as the spy part is concerned, I appear at a new ground, take my pictures, make a few notes and leave going largely unnoticed, another successful mission accomplished, I await my next assignment.
Footnote;
I had the pleasure of watching most of the game with Stokesley club man Bert Hilton, he was telling me about the bungee-jumps he does for charity, with his next amazing feat being a jump off the Middlesbrough’s Transporter Bridge on the eve of his 73rd birthday. I would just like to wish Bert all the best and congratulate him on his charity work, good luck with the jump.


Ground no.169 West Terrace - Matchday Web album(14 pictures)

Around the Alliance - part two

Another in the series of my mini-tours around the grounds of the Northern Alliance Premier, continues with three more additions, a ground in Newcastle, a jaunt into Northumberland and a trip to the only club representative from County Durham.
(click on images to enlarge)

Ground no.165 Bullocksteads Sports Complex
Heddon v Wallington (League Cup s/f)
29th March 2008

Bullocksteads Sports Complex is based in the Kenton Bank Foot district of Newcastle, in the shadow of Kingston Park. It’s a ground I’ve visited several times before, as both spectator and player, but not for a number of years, however this occasion counts as an official ‘ground tick’ as it’s the home venue of Northern Alliance Premier outfit Heddon FC.
The ground has 13 grass pitches catering for both football and rugby, used mainly by Northumbria University. The main football ground, complete with a fence and dugouts, is a short walk from the Sports Bar, which also houses refreshment facilities and changing rooms.
Alliance League clubs Heddon Institute and Proctor & Gamble Newcastle amalgamated to form P & G Heddon FC in 2002, the club was renamed Heddon FC for the 2002/03 season, a season which concluding with promotion to the Northern Football Alliance Premier Division.
The game I attended was a League Cup semi final, or to give the competition it’s full name (pause..deep breathe) the Longhorn Hardware Stan Seymour League Cup. Heddon were up against Wallington, a club based near Scots Gap in Northumberland, who may be a league below them, but horrendous weather conditions proved a leveller and gave them a great opportunity of causing a cup upset.
As I approached Kingston Park the rain started, by kick-off time the conditions worsened with heavy rain and a swirling wind. The game started with Heddon having the wind behind their backs and Wallington struggling to venture out of their own half, even the keepers long clearances failed to cross the half way line, each kick blowing towards the dugouts and out of play.
The half ended goalless, Heddon had most of the possession but failed to really test the keeper, by this time I was watching the game upstairs in the Sports Bar which gives a good view of the pitch and also gave me time to defrost. The conditions meant if a goal were to be scored, then only one would decide it, the decisive moment of the game arrived on the hour mark with the match winner scored by Peter Southern. The underdogs doggedly defended their lead, holding on to booked a place in the final against current league leaders Walker Central, when they’ll be hoping to cause another shock and lift the cup for the first time.

Matchday facts
Unofficial HC attendance 28
score 0-1 scorer - Southern(60)

Ground no.166 Eden Lane

Peterlee Town v Ashington Colliers
9th April 2008

Peterlee was founded in 1948 as a new town, named after (you guessed it!) Peter Lee, a well known local miner. The football club was formed in 1976 as Peterlee Newtown, joining the Wearside League in 1979. They became founder members and first winners of the Northern League Division Two in 1982, they played within the two levels of the Northern League, until a disastrous period of consecutive relegations saw the club land in the Northern Alliance.
For their first Alliance season in 2006-07, the club dropped the ‘new’ bit changing their name to Peterlee Town, they finished bottom of the league, but fortunately they were saved from further relegation, due to the expansion of the league.
Eden Lane is a tidy looking ground, which is has been well maintained, preserving it’s Northern League standards. The main stand which looks out towards to North Sea, is painted dark red with five rows of bench seats, there’s also a diminutive covered shelter on the far side terrace, with the rest of the ground combining pathway and grass bank standing.
The match was a cracking game, it was if both teams were trying to keep the score down, missing plenty of good chances. An even first half saw Colliers take an early lead through Scott, but a dodgy penalty in first half stoppage time gave an opportunity to draw the game level, but a routine save from the keeper preserved the visitors half time lead. After at least a half dozen clear cut openings the Newtowners finally found the net through Howe, who made up for his earlier penalty miss. This produced a fantastic finale with both teams going full pelt for a winner as the game swung back and forwards, but as the game looked to be heading for a draw, a goal deep in to injury time from Gee gave Peterlee victory and on the balance of chances missed they deserved it.
I went for a cup of tea just before half time, the bloke who served me asked where I was from, when I told him “Gateshead” he repeated my answer but added a grunt prefix, he asked why I was here, so I told him it was because I liked visiting grounds and had never visited Eden Lane, even in the clubs Northern League days. A tinge of sadness then came over his face “ oh aye! happier times” he replied. I almost felt sorry for him, I felt the need to give him a cuddle and tell him everything will be ok. It’s these type of folk that keep these football clubs going, lending a hand because of their devotion to the club. He didn’t just make tea, he swept the floor, retrieved the wayward footballs from over the wall and even shouted tactics from behind the dugout. So on his behalf I hope the clubs stay in the Alliance is a brief one and a return to those happier Northern League times are not too far away.

Matchday facts
Unofficial HC attendance 20
score 2-1 scorers Howe(68) Gee(90+2) -/- Scott(17)




Ground no.167 Hirst Welfare

Ashington Colliers v Gillford Park
12th April 2008

After seeing Ashington Colliers at Peterlee, I was back seeing them in action three days later (they’ll think I’m a new fan) at their home at Hirst Welfare.
The Hirst Welfare Centre is a multi-use community facility, that has all weather floodlight synthetic football pitches, as well as grass pitches, one of which is used by the Colliers, there’s also a community centre with a café, gym and office space.
The club is the reserve side of Ashington FC, whose new ground is in the process of being developed over the hill on the other side of the complex, they joined the Northern Alliance leagues in 2000, two successive promotions brought them into the Alliance Premier in 2006, last season they finished 9th.
Again, like my previous Alliance game, I enjoyed a tremendous match played in great spirit with the added bonus of two tremendous goals. Gillford Park travelled over from Cumbria with lingering hopes of still winning the title, unbeaten on their travels all season, four points behind leaders Walker Central. They looked a good bet to catch them, playing some neat football and taking a half time lead through defender Taylor, who capitalised on a loose ball from a corner kick. Colliers on the other hand missed some good chances, continuing the trend from Wednesday night and as the game progressed it became more likely that Gillford would grab a second and clinch victory, that was until two pieces of magic in the space of 5 minutes turned the game around.
Firstly an equaliser on 71 minutes from centre-forward Brown, scoring a superb volley, meeting a left wing cross which flew into the roof of the net, the goal came totally out of the blue, so much so that me and the linesman looked towards each other in shock, before nodding in agreement that we had just seen a cracking goal. Four minutes later and an even better goal, this time Butters picked the ball up in midfield, then surprisingly rifled a 25 yards screamer, giving the keeper no chance, it was a pity there was only a crowd of under 20 to witnessed such a great strike.
Apart from a disallowed offside goal from Gillford , Colliers finished the game strongly and wrapped up the game with a third, this time midfielder Hutchinson getting on the end of a left wing cross, which he celebrated as if his lottery numbers had come up, capping a great win for the black and whites against one of the leagues best sides.
I chatted to a few of the local contingent and was told some useful info regarding the first teams new ground, let‘s just say there’s been a few hiccups and the only football your likely to see within Hirst Welfare in the near future is on the Alliance pitch.

Matchday Facts
Unofficial HC attendance 19
score 3-1 scorers Brown(71) Butters(75) Hutchinson(86) -/- Taylor(12)

Revisit - Kingston Park

The FA have confirmed that Newcastle Blue Star will reclaim their place in the Arngrove Northern League Division One next season, after giving notice of voluntary relegation earlier in the month.
The news sent shockwaves throughout the non-league football scene in the North-East, Northern League clubs have been accused of lacking ambition, happy in the comfort zone of playing local football instead of stepping up to a national level. Blue Star took the step into the newly constructed Unibond Division One North, but have decided it’s not for them, based purely on geographical reasons, this was highlighted in yesterdays match programme, which featured a mileage chart highlighting their plight, the closest club is Harrogate RA (83 miles) and the furthest is Skelmersdale (164 miles) so the fact that the players might not be home in time for Ant and Dec’s Saturday Takeaway is a decisive factor.
But seriously I wish the club would stay put and hope the experience won’t put off other Northern League clubs making the step up, if more clubs were to progress giving the North-East a bigger percentage of clubs in the Unibond then that would solve some of the travel problems and reduce costs.
Blue Star have heavily invested in a good squad of players, I attended the game against Mossley and saw an entertaining 5-1 win, it’s a shame that a sparse crowd of only 73 were in attendance, there was more in The Hiding Place Sports & Lounge Bar which is situated in the main stand, than outside watching the main action, maybe the comfy surroundings and live Premier League football on half a dozen screens, was a far more attractive alternative to 22 players running around chasing a ball in the pouring rain.
Kingston Park is probably now one of the best grounds in Non-League football, I don’t know what the future hold ground wise for the club, but the point of this post and my revisit is I wanted to see Blue Star play in the Unibond and take some better photographs of Kingston Park to share on the website.
So here they are; Kingston Park Matchday Web album

My original visit to Kingston Park – Ground no.126 can be found here.
My visit to the Wheatshief Ground, which includes a brief history of Blue Star, can be found here.
My match report for Non-League Blog (to follow)

Update April 22nd ‘08
Newcastle Blue Star made a u-turn on their decision to return to the ANL, a meeting of the UBL Management Committee on April 21st confirmed the club had been readmitted.
Why the sudden change of heart? The problems the club highlights haven’t gone away, whatever their reasons for staying (maybe it’s because they read this post) its good news for NE Non-League football.
The team has been on a great run and has climbed the table under the guidance of new boss Paul Baker, they’ll be hoping the make further progression next season.

My Matchday - 164 Ingfield

Ossett Town 0v3 Gateshead
Unibond Premier League
24th March 2008
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Ossett is an old industrial town in West Yorkshire, sandwiched in between Dewsbury and Wakefield, despite being a small town it has two football clubs, Ossett Albion and my latest destination Ingfield, the home of Ossett Town.
The club were formed in 1936, the brainchild of Mr. John Carter and a group of local sports fans, originally playing in the Leeds League, before joining the Yorkshire League after the war. Town’s original ground was at Fern House, but in 1957 moved to the current site, all thanks to Blackburn(no not Rovers) Derek Blackburn was sold to Swansea Town and with the £1350 transfer fee they were able to purchase Ingfield. They played within the three divisions of the Yorkshire League and regularly hit four figure attendances during this era, but without much success on the field.
The club became founder members of the North Counties East League and won back to back promotions between 1988 and 1990, their highest finish in the NCEL Premier Division came in 1998/99, finishing runner-up to neighbours Ossett Albion, but Albion were denied promotion due to ground grading regulations, so Town took their place(I bet they loved that!) in the Unibond Division One.
After finishing runners-up in 2001/02 they were harshly denied promotion to the Unibond Premier as the club missed the deadline on ground improvements, but they did make it the following season due to the formation of the Conference North.
Ingfield has a capacity of 4,000 with a record crowd of 2,600 in a pre-season friendly against Man Yoo in 1988, it’s been upgraded during the last year, amenities like new toilets, changing rooms and a club shop, these as well as other facilities, like the clubhouse are found on your immediate entry into the ground.
There is one main stand ’The Prospect Road Stand’ situated behind the goal, it has 360 red flip seats which were transferred from Doncaster’s Belle Vue before the ground was demolished, they still have the ‘reserved’ stickers on the back, evidence that in their previous life, the seats belonged to the backsides of Rovers season-ticket holders. There’s a disabled viewing area next to the stand and to the other side there’s a terrace with some very wonky looking crash barriers. Both sides of the ground have partial cover, running roughly parallel with one half of the pitch, the shelter on the nearside incorporates the changing rooms, I noticed that the front panel of the roof was covered with dints off the ball getting blasted off it and the two portkabins stacked up behind used as hospitality, had one cabin precariously balancing on top of the other. Behind the far goal there’s a hard standing area and there’s plenty of floodlight pylons, seven all together which were installed in the late 1980’s.
Town must have fancied there chances of getting at least a point after a recent mini run of good results, even against a Gateshead side with only three away defeats over the last calendar year, but hopes of an upset became more unlikely after a dream start for the Tynesiders with a goal after only 12 seconds(thanks to timekeeper Alan Price for the accuracy) a great through ball from Brayson found Wayne Phillips who timed his run to perfection, leaving himself with the simple task of knocking the ball past the keeper. Several chances later it was 0-2, right back Baxter played a good one-two with Gate before rifling his shot into the top corner of the net, Ossett came more into the game as the half progressed, but overall the Heed defence had a comfortable afternoon, limiting the home attack to long range efforts, which were closer to the neighbouring buildings than the Gateshead goal. A good afternoon’s work was completed on 51 minutes, good work from Bowey allowed Phillips the simple task to grab his second, Paul Brayson later had chances to add to the three goal tally, but overall a convincing performance and well earned three points.
It promises to be an exciting end to season, as Gateshead are expected to retain there stranglehold on a place-off berth and hopefully hold on the 3rd position, meaning home field advantage for the play-off semi final, yesterday’s battle of the top 2 saw leaders Witton crash 3-0 at home to Fleetwood, so it’s left to those two clubs to battle out for the title and runners-up spot.
As for Ossett Town, they’ve improved again this season and will be looking towards a another top 10 finish and the possibility of their highest ever finish within the non-league pyramid, which for a town with two clubs and a small but loyal fan base, is quite an achievement.

Thanks to Captain Carter for the lift to Ossett, much appreciated and another enjoyable day for the Heed Army, the support was top class considering no bus was available, but our convoy of cars who made to journey to Yorkshire swelled the attendance and gave the team great backing. Heed Army! Howay the Lads!

Ground no.164 Ingfield - Matchday Web album(14 pictures)

Gettin!! The Return of the Football Bog Blog!!

After an unwanted break, I’m thrilled to announce the return of ‘The Football Bog Blog’ unfortunately while on my travels I haven’t come across any toilets worthy of joining the rest of the netty elite, but just like the preverbal 56 bus, none for ages then two arrive together.
So the series continues and don’t forget anyone is free to contribute, if you see a football bog that you think is good enough to enter the toilet walls of fame, then email me your picture along with a few details to this address.