2015 A Sporting Year - part one

With no more sport planned for 2015 this is a brief insight to a year of watching live sport. Firstly the numbers in regards to games and events watched...

48 - Football
9 - Basketball
8 - Rugby Union
3 - American Football and Horse Racing
2 - Ice Hockey and Rugby League
1 - Baseball

71 - Total

Highlight

A trip of a lifetime to the United States in September saw my wife Angela and I spend five nights in both New York City and Chicago. As well as doing all the usual tourist stuff which included visiting the One World Observatory and Empire State Building, we watched three sporting events - two in NYC and one in Chicago.

The only football game of the trip fell on our arrival day (September 19th) in NYC, as New York City FC had a home game against the San Jose Sharks in the MLS @ Yankee Stadium. Tickets were sorted for us by NY based sports nut and all round top bloke Gary Herman for $25 apiece. After we checked in at our hotel (the Leon) on the edge of Chinatown, we had a few hours rest before catching the 'D' train from Grand Street direct to Yankee Stadium. The journey took around thirty five minutes and we met Gary outside of McDonalds. As expected Yankee Stadium is impressive with no expense spared in its construction. NYC FC had a few stalls selling merchandise and I purchased a pin badge for $10 and a beanie hat for $16, though a sales tax was added afterwards - this is common place in New York. It was interesting to see how a football pitch would be placed in the confines of a baseball stadium, and our seats were behind one of the goals. There was enough leg room and every seat had a cup holder - something British stadium should take note of. 

left to right - Angela, myself and Gary

The first half was a shocker even though NYC had Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo in their starting line-up, and it was no surprise after the opening forty five minutes that there was no score. No food was purchased at the stadium, but at half time I purchased a large soft drink for around $7, though it came in a souvenir cup. The second half was a lot better with NYC racing into a three goal lead, but they nearly blew it as the Sharks got two goals back. 

With the game ended we said our goodbyes to Gary who headed home to Astoria, and ourselves back to Grand Street and our hotel for some much needed sleep. We would then meet up with Gary again in a couple of weeks with him visiting England for the NFL @ Wembley and the Rugby World Cup.

Our second sporting event of the holiday came just two days later (Monday 21st) at one of the most iconic venues in the world - Madison Square Garden. The New York Rangers NHL team had their opening pre-season game against local rivals the New Jersey Devils. Despite not being a huge (Ice) Hockey fan a chance to watch sport at MSG was too good an opportunity to turn down. Gary came up trumps again with the tickets, and he secured two at $50 each from a season ticket holding friend of his. The security at the venue was tight, and I had to empty my rucksack before being allowed to enter - this was not helped as Ange had dragged me around Macy's department store for several hours buying plenty of clothes in the process!!! Also no food or drink was allowed inside the venue - we bought a bottle of water and a bag of crips for around $6. 

seat view

The seats we had were quite high up and at times I did struggle to follow what was going on on the ice. The large video screen in the centre of the arena helped with this. The game saw the Rangers overcome their rivals 6-3, with all three periods being evenly spread in terms of goals.

the iconic sign at the main entrance

The final sporting event of the trip was in Chicago on Friday 25th September, a day after we arrived in the city after an internal flight from La Guardia, to watch the Chicago Cubs play the Pittsburgh Pirates in a National League Central Division encounter at Wrigley Field. MLB released the 2015 fixtures at the back end of 2014, and after consulting firstly Michigan based Paul Swaney (founder of Stadium Journey), and then latterly Gary (Herman) in regards to getting advice on where to sit etc etc, I purchased two tickets on the secondary market back in May through Stub Hub for the front row of section 420 for $50 each. With the game starting at 1.20pm and our hotel only a mile walk from Wrigley Field I also decided that we should do the stadium tour in the morning before the game. This cost $25 each and the only downside was that we could not visit every part of the stadium - despite this it was enjoyable and the guide gave us an insight to the history of the stadium and the team. 

entrance to the bleachers section

After the tour ended we had a walk round the stadium taking photographs and then did some shopping spending the around $160 from one of their official stores. Also opposite the stadium are two sports stores selling more Cubs gear and souvenirs. A few more items were purchased taking the spend to over $200. With time on our side we decided to walk back to our hotel to drop the bags off before heading back to the stadium. Wrigley Field is easy to navigate around as unless you are in the bleachers at the other end of the stadium, everyone enters at one point with the tickets being scanned and bags checked. From there you can walk around the whole concourse, even if your seat is on a different level and regardless of what section you are sitting in - something that is not allowed in any stadium in the UK. The different sections are clearly marked and we found our seats easily - again like @ Yankee Stadium there was enough leg room and every seat had a cup holder. 

seat view

The game was a tight one with a swirling wind around Wrigley not helping the batters and was a pitchers afternoon. Very few hits were had from either side and come the bottom of the ninth the Pirates were 3-1 up. The noise then cranked up as the Cubs pulled one run back, and despite having runners on two of the three bases they could not get home and the Pirates held on for the win. Both teams though made it to the post-season and the Cubs would get their revenge by beating the Pirates 4-0 in the wild card game. 

Baseball is one sport I never thought I could get into, but once I knew we were going I started learning about the terminology and rules as well as the Cubs themselves. Also it helped that BT Sport show a lot of baseball on their ESPN channel and I watched as much as I could, including several Cubs games. Now I will admit to being a fan not only of baseball but the Cubs themselves. 

An excellent time was had in both cities and we got lucky with the weather as well. Temperatures hit 27 degrees Celsius on several days and the only day it rained was our last of the holiday. We both agree that we would love to go back one day to both NYC and Chicago, though whether this materialises is another matter!!!

Photo links:

New York City
Chicago
New York City FC
Chicago Cubs

Sileby Town FC

SILEBY TOWN 0-1 BLABY & WHETSTONE ATHLETIC RESERVES

Saturday 10th October 2015

Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division

Sileby Sports Club, Southfield Avenue, Sileby, Leicestershire

As is often the case now days my choice of football game is dictated by my work shift patterns, and after having nearly three weeks off it was a case of back to normal. With not getting home from work around 6.30am I managed to get a few hours sleep before rising around midday. I also needed to be back early as I had a family function on in Leicester city centre to celebrate my sister-in-law's fiftieth birthday. With nothing really standing out I decided it was a good as time as ever to visit Sileby Town FC's new ground. Also it would mean that I have again watched a game of football at every venue currently in use in the Leicestershire Senior League (LSL). My first would have been during the 1997/98 season when I saw then members Oadby Town play an FA Vase tie against Tooting & Mitcham United, while of the current members it would have been Highfield Rangers v Kirby Muxloe in August 1998. 

Sileby Town left their previous home in the Summer to move into their new ground in time for the start of the 2015/16 season. It is located off Seagrave Road on the northern edge of the town / village and is next to a new housing estate that is being built. A fully tarmaced car park is in front of a building that houses the changing rooms, toilets and clubhouse. The clubhouse is of a decent size and there is a fully working kitchen and licensed bar. At present the pitch the pretty much fully railed on all four sides with dugouts located on the far side. There is no hard standing around the pitch or floodlights in place, though having spoken to a friendly club official he informed me that club are about to start the planning application for lights. 

Sileby are currently the longest serving member club of the LSL having joined in 1953 and have been in continuous membership ever since. They (Sileby) are defending champions and at the start of play were unbeaten from their opening eight league games, sitting six points behind leaders Birstall United. Their visitors this afternoon had recorded three wins from their opening six games and were in the lower half of the league table. 

A decent crowd showed up and they witnessed a tight game between two evenly matched teams. Sileby should have scored inside the opening minutes, but gradually Blaby began to cause their hosts problems. The game as is the case in this country no matter what the level was played at a fair pace, and was going back and forth. Neither side though were capable of really testing the opposing goal keeper and it was no surprise that they went in at half time all square. The only goal of the afternoon came in the opening couple of minutes of the restart when Ryan Shilton headed home a corner from six yards out. Both sides had their chances, though like the first half few were clear cut and generally both keepers had relatively quiet afternoons on that front. As the game wore on Sileby had more of the possession as they went in search of an equaliser, with Blaby utilising the pace of their left midfielder to hit Sileby on the counter attack.

Overall not a bad game, though with the ground in its current state I am glad I visited it when it was a mild afternoon. With the LSL now complete again my next target locally is to finish the top divisions of the Leicester & District League and North Leicestershire League respectively. 

Admission: Free

Programme: do not issue

Attendance: around 100

57 photos of the ground and game can be viewed on my zenfolio photo site @ http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/p342896078

Staying Local

Saturday 22nd August 2015

This weekend saw me not only photograph a game of football, but I also had my first paid job as a photographer. Local side Fleckney Athletic asked me during the Summer if I could come down and take a team photo and individual player photos for them. Despite never doing anything before of this nature I was more than willing to give it a go. After a couple of failed attempts to get it arranged, a date was agreed on and thankfully there were no weather problems to put a spanner in the works. I arrived at their Leicester Road ground around 1.15pm and I took photos of seventeen individuals plus a team photo. Without blowing too hard on my own trumpet I was very pleased with the way they turned out. Anyone wishing to see them can view them by clicking on the following link...

Fleckney Athletic FC photos

After I was finished at Fleckney I made the short drive to the neighbouring village of Kibworth Beauchamp for my football game of the day.

Kibworth Town 3-1 Huncote

@ Fleckney Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire

Leicester & District League Premier Division

Admission / programme: none

Attendance: 12 - 15

Kibworth's ground is located on the edge of the village and the entrance is easily missed, with it being down a track opposite the garden centre. This leads you to a gravel car park and a pre-fab building housing the changing rooms and kitchen. The ground is also home to junior set up Kibworth & Smeeton Juniors FC and there are four pitches on the site. The one that Town use is the 3rd one away from the car park and is fully railed off - in fact it is the only one that is. There is nothing else on site and it is very exposed to the elements.

The game wasn't bad and the visitors would feel they should have got something out of the game, but after a poor first half performance they found themselves three nil down and with too much to do. They created quite a few chances in the second half but could only manage the one goal. Sulleyman Osman got two of Kibworth's goals on the 15th and 33rd minutes, with them sandwiching an own goal. Huncote's sole reply came from substitute Shaun Robinson. (source: http://full-time.thefa.com/DisplayFixture.do?id=14965475) 

A decent but very hot afternoon in the company of my dad and afterwards we headed to the William Wygston in nearby Wigston for a pint before heading home in different directions.

42 photos of the game can be viewed online @ Kibworth Town FC

about time I caught up...

Quite a while has passed since my last post at the beginning of July, so I thought it overdue that I updated anyone that is interested on my football travels. 

The first game of four, and my second of the 2015/16 season that I have attended so far was four weeks ago on July with a visit to Stamford to visit their new ground. 

Stamford AFC 2-5 Histon

Pre-Season Friendly

@ The Zeeco Stadium, Ryhall Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire

Admission: £6

Programme: 20p - folded sheet of A4 

Team sheet: free

Stamford's new ground is located on the northern edge of the town boundary and literally a stones throw from the county boundary with Rutland. Plenty of parking is had on site and you enter through a turnstile on the near side. When in the ground a seated stand straddles the half way line and some covered standing is behind the goal on the right hand side. The dugouts are positioned on the far side, while the changing rooms, bar and catering facilities are on the right hand side as you enter. 

This was a decent game of football between two very good sides. At times there was nothing friendly about the proceedings with bouts of handbags occurring on several occasions. Cambridgeshire visitors Histon were pegged back by the hosts twice, but three goals gave them on paper, what looks a comfortable victory. The score though was harsh on the hosts who created a decent amount of chances and had a fair share of the possession.

40 photos of the ground and game can be viewed in the slideshow by clicking on the following link...http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/p880719055/slideshow.

Next up on Saturday 1st August was a visit to the nearest ground in the Football League that I had not yet visited, St. Andrews - home of Birmingham City. 

Birmingham City 2-3 Leicester City

@ St. Andrews, Birmingham

Admission: £10

The cheapness of the ticket prices is what primarily tempted to go to this game, though the chance to see my home town team of Leicester City was also another influencing factor. The game was not too bad with Leicester coming back from two goals down at half time to record the victory in their final pre-season game. 

The following week was the first competitive match of the season and I made the short drive north into Nottinghamshire.

Awsworth Villa 3-2 Bilborough Town

Notts Senior League Premier Division

@ The Shilo, Attewell Road, Awsworth, Nottinghamshire

Admission: none

Programme: £1

Tea / coffee: 50p

The Shilo is a recreation ground that is also a permanent football ground - the pitch is railed off on three sides with no spectator access behind the far goal. A building behind the near goal houses the changing rooms, toilets and kitchen area. A grass bank that runs along the near side gives an excellent view of the proceedings from an elevated position.

This was at times a scrappy game in which the second half was better than the first. The hosts took the lead around the ten minute mark with a strike from thirty odd yards that flew into the top corner. A goal of the season contender already. Into the latter stages of the first half and the visitors equalised with a well taken goal, though with a couple of minutes fell behind for a second time. Into the second half and it was Bilborough who took the game to their hosts and deservedly equalised for a second time with a far post header from a corner. The game looked to be heading for a draw, but with around five minutes left Awsworth counter attacked and, following an excellent team move resulting with a cross from the right that split the central defenders and the keeper, a simple tap in from six yards out proved to be the winning goal. 

36 photos of the ground and game can be viewed in the slideshow by clicking on the following link...http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/p834722336/slideshow.

Last but not least...

Ardley United 1-4 Tuffley Rovers

FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round

@ The Playing Field, Oxford Road, Ardley, Oxfordshire

Admission: £6 (including programme)

Attendance: 40 (head count)

Badge: £3

After having a few hours sleep after work on Saturday morning I made the fifty seven mile drive south to the village of Ardley, for what would be only my fifth ever game in Oxfordshire. The village is easily located where the A43 and M40 meet and took just over an hour to get to.  The ground is a three sided affair with a small covered stand behind the far goal and seating accommodation stradling the half way line on the far side. The changing rooms, tea bar and changing rooms are located in a double storey building between the two stands.

During the early stages it was the hosts who looked most likely to open the scoring but come the end of the first half found themselves two nil down. After a probable bollocking at half time they came out all guns blazing and put a lot of pressure on the visitors goal, and was no surprise that they pulled a goal back. Ardley continued to press for an equaliser but were hit on the counter attack when Stuart Griffith scored at the second attempt. The game then became a fairly even affair, the hosts continued to press. Gloucester based Tuffley rounded off the scoring with a break-a-way goal in the dying moments of the game to confirm their passage into the next round. 

65 photos of the ground and game can be viewed in the slideshow by clicking on the following link...http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/p342114891/slideshow

Weekend 4th / 5th July...

1) A.C. Wollaton 5-5 Nottingham Riverside

Saturday saw me head to my first pre-season friendly of the season and I relatively local, making the short drive to West Bridgford on the edge of Nottingham. Newly formed club A.C. Wollaton had already had a few pre-season games so made my way up to the Nottingham Football Centre (NFC). The NFC is part of Rushcliffe Leisure Centre on Boundary Round and is well signposted. The game was played on an artificial pitch inside a metal cage and was a two hour (2 x 60 mins) affair, with drinks breaks at twenty minute intervals.

Despite playing some decent football and creating plenty of chances, it was the visitors who took the lead and they lead 0-3 at one point. Before half time and Wollaton were back in the game, trailing by a single goal. Riverside restored their two goal cushion, but then Wollaton converted some of their many chances and lead 5-4 going into the final ten minutes, before the visitors restored parity by the end of the game.

Admission: none
Programme: £1
Attendance: about 10
Food and drink: available from the leisure centre

My plan Sunday morning was to watch and photograph the Leicester Blue Sox Baseball team for the first time at nearby Western Park, but like an idiot I didn't put on any sun protection so just decided to stay for a few innings. 

I have put twenty photos online and they can be viewed @ http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/p856024352

2) Leicester Falcons 26-13 Peterborough Saxons
(BAFA NL NFC 2 South)

After leaving Western Park I made my way to Hinckley for a first Leicester Falcons home game of the 2015 season. The Falcons have moved from Babington College in Leicester to the what is now called the Leicester Road Stadium in Hinckley.

Having lost their last three previous encounters against the Saxons and scoring just ten points in the process, the odds were not in their favour especially as the Saxons' Chris Dahl ran in a td on their opening possession. Come the end of the first half and the Falcons were level through a td from #6 Glenn Herring. The 3rd quarter saw the Falcons take the lead for the first time when Ron Mason intercepted a pass and ran in unopposed for a pick six td. A field goal at the end of the quarter increased their lead to ten points. On the opening play of the 4th quarter the Saxons got back into the game with a 60 yard td, though the pat was missed, making the score 17-13. The Falcons were not to be denied as they scored another td from their #24 and a fg with the last play of the game.

Admission: £5

Corn Dog: £2, with other hot food available from a mobile catering van

Pint of lager shandy: £3.20 - other drinks and snack from the Leicester Road FC bar

Green Bay Packers cap: £16, with a range of other NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB and NCAA items for sale just inside the entrance

46 photos of the game can be viewed online @ http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/p561788999

Forthcoming games (updated):

Monday 13th July

Maltby Main v Sheffield (7.45pm)

Saturday 18th July

Awsworth Villa v Coalville Town (3pm)

Sunday 19th July

Ashby Ivanhoe Sunday v Donisthorpe (10.30am)

Leicester Falcons v Leeds Bobcats (2.30pm)

Saturday 25th July

Stamford v Histon (3pm)

Saturday 1st August

Birmingham City v Leicester City (3pm)

pre-season friendlies / updates

With my first pre-season friendly planned for next Saturday the 4th July, below is a list of my planned games...

1) Saturday 4th July - Wolverhampton United v Wolverhampton Sporting CFC

2) Monday 13th July - Maltby Main v Sheffield

4) Saturday 18th July - Awsworth Villa v Coalville Town

5) Sunday 19th July - Ashby Ivanhoe Sunday v Donisthorpe

6) Saturday 25th July - Walsall v Aston Villa

7) Saturday 1st August - Birmingham City v Leicester City

------

At the minute I am waiting for the Conference, sorry National League to release their fixtures for the coming season, as this will give me a chance to arrange plans with a friend of mine who supports Cheltenham Town.

The FA are also due to release the draws for the early rounds of the FA Cup and Vase by the end of this coming week - hopefully something interesting will crop up for Oadby Town.

------

Plans for this coming season

I do have clubs and grounds in my mind that I would like to visit during the coming season, but I am waiting on one of the local leagues, the Leicester & District League to release their constitution for the new season before making a list as it were.

------

 

New photo website

I have now uploaded all my football and other sporting photos to my new photo website...

http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/

New photo web site

I have set up a new site to store and showcase all my photos, whether they are from the football games I watch or the places that I have visited.

I have currently uploaded all my photos from the 2014/15 season, and am currently in the process of adding all older ones as well.

The web address for the new site is as follows:

http://rambler77.zenfolio.com/

Any feedback or comments on the layout or design of the new site is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

End of season review

My review of the 2014/15 season...

Number of games watched: 59
Number of new venues visited: 50

Most common scoreline: 1-1 (5 times or 8.47%)
Number of home wins: 22
Number of away wins: 27
Number of draws: 10

Highest number of goals seen in a game: 11 - a psf between Nottingham United and Netherfield Albion

Biggest home win: 5-0 - Harwich & Parkeston v Bradfield Rovers (Essex & Suffolk Border League)

Biggest away win: 0-8 - Edingale Swifts v Appleby Magna (Tamworth Sunday League Ellison Rose Bowl 3rd Round)

Favourite ground visited: Bridlington Town's Queensgate ground, but honourable mentions go to Harwich & Parkeston and AFC Sudbury.

Least favourite ground / venue: too many basic recreation grounds visited this season, but would have to say Plock Court (Trident FC) in Gloucester. A soulless multi-pitch venue adjacent to the A40 on the northern edge of the city.

Most welcoming club: A tough choice as warm welcomes were had at numerous grounds, but Harwich & Parkeston would just get the nod ahead of Lyme Regis and Linby Colliery Welfare.

Favourite town visited: Lyme Regis. A place I have been before when on holiday and could happily live down there.

Best game of the season: seen a few decent ones, but would plump for Chepstow Town v Aberbargoed Buds (27th September) in the Welsh League. An entertaining game throughout that was, to use to old saying "a game of two halves". The hosts lead three nil at the break, only for the Buds to come out fighting in the second half scoring twice themselves.

Worst game of the season: Selston v Sandhurst (18th April) in the top division of the Notts Senior League. Shocking.

Best team in relation to the level they play at: Lyme Regis AFC (Devon &a Exeter League) - an excellent second half performance in their game v University of Exeter 5ths.

Goal of the season: Sam Gillespie (Sparta Moshdock @ Leicester Bharat in the Leicestershire FA Sunday Intermediate Cup 1st Round) - flicked the ball over a defenders head and volleyed it past the keeper. 

Best programme picked up: didn't get many due to the clubs I visited not issuing, but Cleethorpes Town (Northern Counties East League) was decent. 

catching up

It has been a while since my last post which has been partly due to my laptop being in for repair for a couple of weeks due to a hard drive failure. Rather stupidly I had not backed up my files for quite a while and thought I had lost a lot of my photos that had taken over the past year. Thankfully though Knowhow managed to retrieve the data and backed it up to an external hard drive I provided. Lesson learnt.

Anyway I managed to get to three more games of football during April in three different counties. First up was a short drive up the M1 to the village of Selston in Nottinghamshire for a game in the top division of the Notts Senior League...

Saturday 18th April

Selston 1-0 Sandhurst

Notts Senior League Senior Division

@ The Parish Hall Ground, Mansfield Road, Selston, Nottinghamshire

Admission: Free

Programme: 50p

Attendance: 249

Selston had organised their second annual Chairman's Day and there was plenty going on along side the football. This included a bouncy castle and inflatable slide for the kids, bbq, real ale and cider on tap, music etc etc. Luckily the weather played ball and it drew a decent crowd, though most as expected were interested in the goings on off the field than actually watching the football. This itself was a wise choice as the game was one of, if not the worst I have seen this season. As always it was good the catch up with Rob Hornby and this visit now leaves with me just four current grounds left to complete this division - Awsworth Villa, Bingham Town, FC Cavaliers and Sandhurst. Subject to any changes going on in the Summer, then I will visit these remaining venues and clubs next season.

35 photos taken can be viewed in the slideshow below:

Sunday 19th April

Swinford Chequers 3-5 Sileby Athletic

Alliance Football League Division 3

@ Rowland United Cricket Club, Lutterworth Road, Swinford, Leicestershire

Admission / programme: none

Attendance: 17

My choice of Sunday League saw me head into the far South of Leicestershire to the village of Swinford. The village is located a stones throw from the M1 / M6 Catthorpe Interchange and it was a very easy drive South on a Sunday morning. The location of the playing fields is on the north side of the village and is a tidy set up. The visitors went into this game needing just four points to win the division, while their hosts were comfortable in mid-table. Apart from an early scare the games for first hour was dominated by the visitors and they raced into a three goal lead by half time. Two further goals in the opening five minutes of the restart put this game to bed as a contest. The hosts got one back around the hour mark from the penalty spot, then added two more in the final ten minutes to make the score closer than the game would suggest.

34 photos can be viewed in the slideshow below:

My final game of the month would see me reach 600 in regards to the number of different grounds / venues that I will have seen football at.

Saturday 25th April

Newmarket Town 1-4 Norwich United

Eastern Counties League Premier Division

@ Cricket Field Road, Newmarket, Suffolk

Admission: £6

Programme: £1

Attendance: around 100

I had several options for what would be ground number 600 and after some decent sleep Saturday morning after work, I got up at midday and started checking the weather forecast. With it being better in the East that was the direction I headed in. Newmarket had been on my "to do" list for a few years now and thought this would be as good as time as any. The drive mainly across the A14 took me around one hour forty minutes and I arrived around 2.30pm. A warm welcome was had by the person taking the admission money. 

The game was not to bad with the visitors already being confirmed as league champions. A couple of their goals came from mistakes by the Newmarket defence, but fair play to Norwich as they took them well. The second was a beauty of a free kick. Come the end of the game and a three goal margin was a tad harsh on on the hosts. 

On another point Newmarket are another club that are to replace their grass pitch with an artificial one. I know there are plenty that argue that football should be played one grass, but I have seen a few games on the new standard of artificial pitches and am all for them. They allow clubs to generate much needed income and it increases the standard of football on show. I know they need replacing every ten years or so, but as long as clubs put some of revenue they generate aside, then the costs should be covered easily. The last game I saw on one was last year at Clyde FC in Scotland and to be honest after a short while I didn't even notice that the pitch was not real.  

32 ground and match photos can be viewed in the slideshow below:

weekend 11th / 12th April

After a two week break without a game of football due to work, I attended games on both days of the weekend just gone. First up was a first visit to Oadby Town this year for their final home game of the 2014/15 season. Then on Sunday I stayed very local to tick off another basic venue in my home county.

Saturday 11th April 2015
Oadby Town 3-2 AFC Kempston Rovers
United Counties League Premier Division
Freeway Park, Wigston Road, Oadby, Leicestershire

Admission: by donation - gave usual charge of £5
Programme: £1 - didn't buy one
Attendance: 191

36 photos taken can be viewed in the slideshow below:


Sunday 12th April 2015
Leicestershire Constabulary 3-1 The Star Inn
Alliance Football League Division 4
Thorpe Astley Community Centre, Lakin Drive, Thorpe Astley, Leicester

Attendance: 5
Refreshments - available from the services on the M1 by climbing over the embankment

This was a very familiar venue to me having walked the dog on here numerous times, with it being about a fifteen minute stroll from home. The game saw these two teams sit one place apart in the division, with the hosts in 3rd and the visitors in 4th. Also both teams still had a mathematical chance of catching leaders Aylestone Lounge. As expected it was a close game with neither side deserving to win, and a draw would have been a fair result. The goal times were as follows:

4 (1-0); 51 (2-0); 61 (2-1); 90+6 (3-1)

45 photos taken mainly during the first half can be viewed in the slideshow below:

weekend 28/29th March

Three more football games and a game of basketball were attended during the last weekend of the month. Firstly I picked up a friend of mine at Nuneaton station at midday and I ticked off the two JDW outlets in the town, the Felix Holt and the William White and had lunch in the latter. To be honest they were two of the scruffiest and shabbiest JDW's that I have been in. Anyway this gave us enough time for us to get to our game of football that afternoon. 

Dunlop 0-0 Coundon Court Old Boys

Coventry Alliance Premier Division

Dunlop Sports & Social Club, Burnaby Street, Coventry

It took us no more than half an hour to get to Coventry and the Dunlop Sports & Social Club is located in the northern suburbs of the city, making it very easy to reach from junction 3 of the M6 motorway. This was my first game in the Coventry Alliance this season and as it turned out my first 0-0 score of the season as well. 

The Sports & Social Club is a tidy affair with it being home to two bowling greens, two full size rugby pitches, one half size and one full size football pitch and a cricket pitch as well. There is a large social club on site with parking on the access road. There is nothing pitch side at the football pitch, though there is a bit of hard standing along the far side. 

The game had a 0-0 feel about it early on with both sides struggling to adapt to the blustery wind that blew across the pitch for the whole ninety minutes. To be fair to the teams it wasn't a bad game as they tried their best and they did create a few chances though neither goal keeper was really tested.

Admission / programme: none

Attendance: 25

With the game finishing around 4pm this gave us plenty of time to get home before heading out again. 

36 photos taken mainly during the first half can be viewed in the slideshow below:

Leicester Riders 106-86 Plymouth Raiders

British Basketball League

Sir David Wallace Arena, Loughborough University

The tickets had been booked seven weeks in advance for what would be my sixth and final regular season game of the 2014/15 campaign. Also coming along for their first ever basketball game would be my friend Colin, my dad Paul and my brother Gary and his three boys - William, Oliver and Harry. 

The Riders are one of the best basketball teams in the country and while they are waiting for a new arena to be built in Leicester itself, they are playing their home games at Loughborough University. 

Both teams got out of the blocks quickly and very few shots were missed in a high scoring first quarter with the Riders up 31-23. The second saw only six points less being scored as the Riders increased their lead by three points to ten at the half 56-46. The third saw Plymouth cut into the lead and at one point had it down to just a single point. The Riders rallied to lead 76-69 at the end of the third. The final ten minutes were pretty much a formality as the hosts hit another thirty points and conceded just seventeen to win the game by a twenty point margin.

Tyler Bernadini was awarded the MVP with twenty six points and six rebounds. Neil Watson who leads the BBL in assists added another fourteen to his total and averages over ten a game.  

Admission: £11

Programme: £2

Sunday 29th March

With having very little on I offered to take Colin back home to Cheltenham, though this act of kindness was so I could take in two more games of football. I did however forget that the clocks went forward and it meant an early start from Leicester. As expected the traffic was very light all the way down and the journey took less than ninety minutes. Having dropped Colin at a nearby supermarket I headed south to the village of Frocester, and arrived with a couple of minutes before the 10.30am kick off.

Frocester United 3-3 AFC Cheltenham

Gloucester & District Sunday League Division 1

St. Peter's Field, Peter's Road, Frocester, Gloucestershire

On a nice day this would have been a lovely setting to watch a game of football with the sports ground being located immediately behind the parish church. Instead the game was played in strong winds and at times driving rain. Luckily there were a line of trees at the far end which gave me some shelter and saved me from a soaking.

The game wasn't too bad considering the conditions. Frocester sit in mid-table with nothing really to play while their visitors are chasing promotion. Frocester took the lead on ten minutes with a controversial goal. The lead lasted around twenty minutes before a goal keeping error gifted the visitors an equaliser on thirty one minutes. Just five minutes had lapsed before the home #10 drilled a low shot past the AFC keeper to restore his sides lead. They could not hold on to it as with a minute remaining in the half the visitors drew level for a second time. Just after the hour mark and Cheltenham took the lead for the first time during the game, and going into the final stages the looked to have all three points, but a minute into stoppage time Frocester were awarded a free kick. This resulting kick caused confusion in the AFC defence and the ball was headed in by the AFC #5 past his own keeper which have the home side a point.

Admission / programme: none

Attendance: 4

After the game enough time was had to allow me to get something to eat before my second game of the day.

Tredworth Tigers 2-3 Slimbridge Reserves

Stroud Charity Cup Section B Semi Final

The Spa, Spa Road, Gloucester

The Spa is located in the centre of Gloucester and is also home to a local cricket club. There is a small car park and a two storey building which houses the changing rooms and bar. Both of these two teams, like all teams that compete in the various sections of the Stroud Charity Cup are Saturday clubs, and both compete in division 2 of the Stroud & District League with just one place seperating them in the league table. 

Tredworth hit the ground running and opened the scoring inside sixty seconds, and by twenty four minutes were two up. They thought they had scored a third before half time but this was ruled out by the referee. The tie was turned on its ahead in the second half as the visitors scored three goals in the space of ten minutes - 50, 51 and 60. They should have put the game to bed in the latter stages but missed a couple of sitters. Tredworth should have made them pay as they were awarded a penalty kick in stoppage time, but the resulting kick was well saved by the Slimbridge keeper. 

With games being played on Sundays I will be heading south to watch more games in this competition in the not to distant future.

Admission / programme: none

Attendance: around 30

43 photos taken during the game can be viewed in the slideshow below:

local re-completion

Saturday 21st March 2015

OAKHAM UNITED 2-3 THORNEY

Peterborough & District League Premier Divisin

Rutland County College, Main Road, Barleythorpe, Rutland

Last season I managed for the first time to visit the last remaining grounds down to level 12 (step 8) in Leicestershire & Rutland. From then on one of my modest aims regarding my football watching is to keep on top of this. At the start of the 2014/15 season three new completely new venues began being in use - two in Leicester and the one visited today. The other two in question were GNG's new ground on Braunstone Lane East in Leicester, The Riverside Football Ground, and the other the home of Thurnby Nirvana's youth and reserve teams, Hamilton Park on the north east side of the city. The first was visited before Christmas and the latter in early February.

I wasn't originally planning to go to a game this weekend as I was scheduled in to work both the Friday and Saturday nights, but having booked the last few days holiday up I took the Saturday as an unpaid day off, but this was due to having a function in the evening and not the football!!!

After having a few hours sleep after work Saturday morning I left my home just after midday and firstly headed to Oadby Town FC to pick up my travelling companion Kev Zupp. The traffic was very light heading east and we arrived at the ground around half an hour before the scheduled 2pm kick-off. The ground is very easy to find with it being signposted off the main road through the small village of Barleythorpe. The village is located no more than a mile north of Oakham station. 

The ground which is located within the grounds of Rutland County College is currently a work in progress. Floodlights, wooden dugouts and a small wooden stand are all in place, while some hard standing and perimeter railing are partially done. The club have also been awarded a grant to erect fencing and enclose the ground in properly. This will allow them to charge an admission should they are successful in getting promotion to the United Counties League. 

Oakham United are a club that I have seen play at two previous venues. Firstly the Vale of Catmose College in Oakham itself, and the second when the hired the 3G pitch at Uppingham Community College last February due to their own pitch being unplayable. This season saw them move into their new facility in the neighbouring village of Barleythorpe which is located a mile north west of the town. On the field of play Oakham sit top of the Peterborough & District League Premier Division amassing fifty-eight points from their twenty five games played so far. They currently are a point ahead of their nearest challengers, Coates Athletic but have played two games less. Opponents Thorney were promoted to the Premier Division in the Summer and at present find themselves in mid-table.

The game was entertaining for the neutral and saw the visitors put a dent in Oakham's promotion charge. After a cagey start from both teams Thorney took the lead, but going into the final stages of the first half Oakham had deservedly equalised. Between the two goals the referee missed an off the ball incident which should have resulted in the Oakham #2 being shown a red card. With a few minutes remaining of the half the Oakham #5 got in front of a Thorney player in the penalty area and shielded the ball back to his keeper. The referee then awarded a penalty kick to the visitors and showed a red card to the Oakham player. This was in my opinion very harsh, and despite his frustrations the player was politely asking why but the referee refused to answer. Anyhow the penalty kick was converted and the visitors went in front at the half time interval 2-1 up.

The second half saw Oakham deservedly equalise and despite a man disadvantage looked likely winners for a good part. It was the visitors who ended up taking the three points as they hit Oakham on the counter attack late on in the game.

Overall Oakham are a welcoming club and it we (myself and Kev) had a chat with their secretary and chairman before the game. Also at the game were a couple of ground hoppers from Crewe and one of them like myself posts on the Non-League Matter forum under the tag of rivington. 

Admission: none

Programme: none

Attendance: 29 (h/c)

Social Media / websites:

Peterborough & District League - twitter - FA Full Time site

Oakham United - twitter

Thorney - twitter

Ground / game stats:

40th new ground / venue visited this season

48th game of football this season

162nd ground / venue visited in Leicestershire & Rutland

917th game of football watched

34 photos of the ground and game can be viewed in the slideshow below: