Back at Union Adarve this afternoon to see them beat Real Madrid Castilla (Real's B team, who have spent most of their existence in the second league and have been the stepping stone for many first team players; Zidane was also managing them up until three years ago).
Surprisingly it was a sell out so in comical fashion I watched it through a hole in the fence outside along with some fellow lunatics. Great game, atmosphere and fun though! Pretty much the biggest result in Adarve's history as it's their first year in the third division, so potentially one of those 'I was there' events, though admittedly a very niche one.
I know Oxhey Jets very well EA, or did many moons ago, played against their forefathers about 30 years ago, Oxhey was always an interesting area with plenty of overspill characters from London.
We had a good pre-match drink, Arundel is a very pleasant town. My two Wednesday mates, my Chelsea mate and his girlfriend were all pleased that I dragged them along for something to do.
A shame the match was called off 4 hours earlier due to rain!
Not deterred, we managed to see the second half of Horsham YMCA v Hassocks.
I asked a fan what the score was and was told 5-0 to Horsham, so I was expecting to see a few more goals to justify our efforts in getting a game in. Horsham got another in injury time!
I hit 150 on Saturday, saw Lechia Gdansk 3-0 Wisla Plock. It's a big old stadium, too large for Lechia but they made a decent, constant noise and caused 2 suspensions of play because of smoke over the pitch.
Last night though was the main event, 2nd place Legia Warsaw v 1st place Gornik Zabrze. Legia got a stoppage time winner to go top.
Legia's fans are notorious and yesterday they were on top form. There was a large coreo for the teams' entrance, 30 minutes in they got play suspended because of a firework display and smoke bombs covering the pitch. After an hour they brought down a huge banner over their whole end, then afterwards lit dozens of flares at a time. 10 minutes later they were still doing this and the game ended nearly half an hour late.
Gornik's fans were decent too, they were noisy and some nicked fire extinguishers to spray at stewards. Altogether it made for one of my favourite experiences groundhopping, I'll definitely be coming back to Poland. I didn't feel intimidated or threatened at any time either.
CB Hounslow 5 Balham 0 in a Combined Counties League game.
A cracking game of football, both teams liked to play football although Balham lost easily eventually.
On paying the admission fee if you said you were a CB fan it meant you got in for £3 including programme. I bought another pint at half-time to boost their coffers!
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
Is there a grave or monument of some kind there?
He's buried in the local cemetery, so there'll be a headstone.
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
I only managed The Oddfellows(apt name I suppose given my hobby?!), as I did not get to Harpenden till late.
I poked my head around the door of a few more nice looking places seeing if they had Sky.
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
I only managed The Oddfellows(apt name I suppose given my hobby?!), as I did not get to Harpenden till late.
I poked my head around the door of a few more nice looking places seeing if they had Sky.
The Oddfellows changed its name to the Oak Tree and I hadn't realised it had reverted to its original name. Lots of town centre pubs used to have Sky but there may only be one, perhaps two, that still do.
If we don't go up and Luton do then I'd recommend drinking in Harpenden before the game and getting a cab to Kenilworth Road.
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
The Cross Keys, in the High Street, was good when I visited on a Saturday lunchtime a few years back: cosy and convivial. Flagstone floor, pewter bar top, retired gents doing the Telegraph crossword, and Ffiona with two 'f's in riding boots. Good, hearty, Home Counties stockbroker territory.
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
I grew up in Harpenden. It's not the same anymore; it's grown from a village into a commuter town. A nice place to grow up in but you have to get out once you're an adult. I'm interested to know which boozers you went in, the Harpenden Arms just down from the station got refurbed and lost its character and characters. We're on the map as Sam Bartram's final resting place.
The Cross Keys, in the High Street, was good when I visited on a Saturday lunchtime a few years back: cosy and convivial. Flagstone floor, pewter bar top, retired gents doing the Telegraph crossword, and Ffiona with two 'f's in riding boots. Good, hearty, Home Counties stockbroker territory.
You've put it very nicely ! The Cross Keys is affiliated to Harpenden Rugby Club so football types are frowned upon but it's a good pub with nice ale.
Aveley beat Bury Town 1-0 yesterday in the Bostik North.
This is their first year at the new ground. They only had 281 yesterday but that is a improvement on their old ground.
With Aveley having a 3G pitch I went for the safe option of the game being on. My preferred option of South Park was called off
As I do not drive, Kent to Essex is a 2 1/2 journey by train, tube, bus and legs. Fortunately I bumped into a friend of arsenetatters and I was back in Swanley at 17.25, the time the bus was due at Aveley!
Aveley beat Bury Town 1-0 yesterday in the Bostik North.
This is their first year at the new ground. They only had 281 yesterday but that is a improvement on their old ground.
With Aveley having a 3G pitch I went for the safe option of the game being on. My preferred option of South Park was called off
As I do not drive, Kent to Essex is a 2 1/2 journey by train, tube, bus and legs. Fortunately I bumped into a friend of arsenetatters and I was back in Swanley at 17.25, the time the bus was due at Aveley!
You should have poped round for a cup of tea - only 15 mins in a cab from me.
Aveley beat Bury Town 1-0 yesterday in the Bostik North.
This is their first year at the new ground. They only had 281 yesterday but that is a improvement on their old ground.
With Aveley having a 3G pitch I went for the safe option of the game being on. My preferred option of South Park was called off
As I do not drive, Kent to Essex is a 2 1/2 journey by train, tube, bus and legs. Fortunately I bumped into a friend of arsenetatters and I was back in Swanley at 17.25, the time the bus was due at Aveley!
You should have poped round for a cup of tea - only 15 mins in a cab from me.
Aveley beat Bury Town 1-0 yesterday in the Bostik North.
This is their first year at the new ground. They only had 281 yesterday but that is a improvement on their old ground.
With Aveley having a 3G pitch I went for the safe option of the game being on. My preferred option of South Park was called off
As I do not drive, Kent to Essex is a 2 1/2 journey by train, tube, bus and legs. Fortunately I bumped into a friend of arsenetatters and I was back in Swanley at 17.25, the time the bus was due at Aveley!
Depending where you are in Kent, there is always the Gravesend - Tilbury ferry where you can get a train. Aveley is not well served by public transport though.
Meanwhile Hornchurch drew at Dereham to maintain their position as league leaders. Leon McKenzie coming on as sub for the last 20 minutes.
Comments
Surprisingly it was a sell out so in comical fashion I watched it through a hole in the fence outside along with some fellow lunatics. Great game, atmosphere and fun though! Pretty much the biggest result in Adarve's history as it's their first year in the third division, so potentially one of those 'I was there' events, though admittedly a very niche one.
ps
Are you James Richardson in disguise?
That'll probably double up as the programme.
But you must have your passport with you when you buy the tickets and when you go to the game, no entry other wise.
Given the size of the place I was surprised that there were about 70 people there.
A cracking little ground with a nice clubhouse, my £6 entrance came with a very impressive programme.
Tring were very unlucky to lose 3-2, with a smash and grab performance from Harpenden.
Unlike my recent visit to Oxhey Jets, this game was played without constant intimidation of the ref when decisions went against the teams.
We had a good pre-match drink, Arundel is a very pleasant town. My two Wednesday mates, my Chelsea mate and his girlfriend were all pleased that I dragged them along for something to do.
A shame the match was called off 4 hours earlier due to rain!
I asked a fan what the score was and was told 5-0 to Horsham, so I was expecting to see a few more goals to justify our efforts in getting a game in. Horsham got another in injury time!
About 60 people saw a game where Leighton should have won comfortably, the ref was a shocker.
A very basic ground not matching the lovely town and boozers in Harpenden.
Legia's fans are notorious and yesterday they were on top form. There was a large coreo for the teams' entrance, 30 minutes in they got play suspended because of a firework display and smoke bombs covering the pitch. After an hour they brought down a huge banner over their whole end, then afterwards lit dozens of flares at a time. 10 minutes later they were still doing this and the game ended nearly half an hour late.
Gornik's fans were decent too, they were noisy and some nicked fire extinguishers to spray at stewards. Altogether it made for one of my favourite experiences groundhopping, I'll definitely be coming back to Poland. I didn't feel intimidated or threatened at any time either.
http://www.ultras-tifo.net/photo-news/5056-legia-warszawa-gornik-zabrze-19-11-2017.html (more pictures + video)
A cracking game of football, both teams liked to play football although Balham lost easily eventually.
On paying the admission fee if you said you were a CB fan it meant you got in for £3 including programme. I bought another pint at half-time to boost their coffers!
A very low crowd of about 25.
I poked my head around the door of a few more nice looking places seeing if they had Sky.
If we don't go up and Luton do then I'd recommend drinking in Harpenden before the game and getting a cab to Kenilworth Road.
An exciting final twenty minutes for the 40'ish gate saw Biggleswade go down to 10 men after the keeper got sent off.
Not one of the better grounds I have been to but at least another one off the list.
This is their first year at the new ground. They only had 281 yesterday but that is a improvement on their old ground.
With Aveley having a 3G pitch I went for the safe option of the game being on. My preferred option of South Park was called off
As I do not drive, Kent to Essex is a 2 1/2 journey by train, tube, bus and legs. Fortunately I bumped into a friend of arsenetatters and I was back in Swanley at 17.25, the time the bus was due at Aveley!
Thanks for the offer though.
Are you still based in Dagenham docks?
Meanwhile Hornchurch drew at Dereham to maintain their position as league leaders. Leon McKenzie coming on as sub for the last 20 minutes.