✔635.Arbories Memorial Sports Ground

Padiham 4-0 Litherland REMYCA

North West Counties FL - Premier Division

Saturday 22nd September 2018

 Padiham was originally a rural village lying by the River Calder, surrounded by attractive countryside on an arc running across the foothills of Pendle Hill.The civil parish is part of the Borough of Burnley, found three miles west of the town. (population over 10,000)

The first recorded mention of the town, as ‘Padyngham’ dates from 1294 and for hundreds of years it was a market town, dealing in produce from Pendleside. The town expanded and was substantially redeveloped during the Industrial Revolution, and is now a picturesque conservation area on the edge of the Ribble Valley. 

 Padiham FC are one of the oldest clubs in Lancashire, formed in 1878. The Caldersiders were well supported, attracting a crowd of 9,000 for a derby match against Burnley in 1884. Following the legalisation of professional football, the club were unable to compete with their Lancashire neighbours and folded in 1916. The club lost their ground on the banks of the River Calder during World War I, and it lay dormant until after the end of the Second World War

The opening of the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground in 1949, saw the club revived with a crowd of 1,777 turned up to see their opening fixture of the season, when they returned to the Lancashire Combination League.

Lancashire Combination 1949-1982

North West Counties League 1982-1990,

2000-2013 Premier Division - champions 2012-13

2015-present

West Lancashire League 1990-2000 - Division One champions 1999–2000

Northern Premier League Division One North 2013-2015

Ruby Civil Arena

Arbories Memorial Sports Ground

Well Street,

Padiham, Lancashire

BB12 8LE

Capacity 1,688

Current NWCL League grounds visited 17/60

The turnstile entrance is behind the goal, where there is a covered terrace and a diminutive covered section. The clubhouse, changing rooms, refreshment bar and the 160 capacity main stand run down one side, with another covered stand at the bottom. On the opposite side is a covered section between the corner flag and the dugouts, with the rest of that side and the goal at the bottom of the slope open.  

 Padiham(8th) v Litherland REMYCA(15th)

NWCL Premier Division matchday 9/6

3pm ko

A brace on the stroke of half time by Michael Fowler handed The Storks a comfortable victory over Litherland. They took the lead in the 24th minute when a through ball was lifted into the path of Jack Tinning who fired in from close range. Padiham caught the visitors defence napping twice just before the break when long balls over the top were confidently finished off by Fowler.

The hosts had plenty of chances to increase the lead in the second half, with Fowler missing out on a hat-trick, but they did grab a fourth, when Chris Turner cut inside from the left flank and rifled in from 20 yards.  

Matchday Stats & Spondoolicks

PFC 4(Tinning 24 Fowler 45,45+1 Turner 57)

LREMYCA 0

Att.119

Admission £4

Programme £2

Pin badge £3

 #Heedhopper

The Smidrophenia Ale Trail moved onto Skipton in North Yorkshire, with my original plan being a match at nearby Steeton (Reserves at old ground). That match was postponed on Thursday so after looking for a Plan B, found that Padiham were the closest club to Skipton playing at home, so they had the honour of my presence!

We arrived in Skipton at 1pm and after a ‘Spoons lunch I left the breadknife in town and headed over the border into Lancashire for the 25 mile drive to Padiham.

I enjoyed my visit to to the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground, but not as much as our night out, where we supped in another twelve pubs, which took our total for this cracking week to 43 different beer bars.