15 December 2012 - Shirebrook Town v Askern Villa

Competition : NCEL Division One

Result : Shirebrook Town 5 Askern Villa 0

Attendance : 112

Shirebrook Town, looking for a seconfd half of the season promotion push back to the NCEL Premier League, Askern Villa, who have recently gone through wholesale changes, will be happy to survive this season.  

Askern Villa are one of three Doncaster located, NCEL Division clubs, Rossington Main share status in the First Division, whilst Armthorpe Welfare currently reside in the NCEL Premier Division. 

Today was Askern Villa's first match back after they had previously postponed games due to being unable to field a team and were also granted permission by the NCEL League itself.

Read The Link ...

All Change At The Villa

Shirebrook Town, had a great "community feel" to the club, talking with supporters pre-match, they were 100% behind the club, so much so that they're deciding on whether to take a supporter's bus to away games. Nothing unusual in that if you're following a club from the higher levels of non-league football and the Football League, but when a club has attendances from 59 to 112 (highest NCEL Div1 crowd of the season at Langwith Road today) , the supporters have to be applauded.

"Loyal 'Brook Supporters"

Memorial Plaque For A Former Shirebrook Town Player.

A Die-Hard Puts Up The STFC Flag ...

Floodlight Architecture on Langwith Road

Notice Board Inside The Club...

Amongst the bubble-gum machines, "Crack Down On Drugs", Shirebrook Town FC matchday and clubshop A4s, there's one for Shirebrook Whippet Racing Club.

No.7

Teamsheet...

On the Hospitality Cabin window for all to see. When shouting at the opposition players, it's always good to add that personal touch, not just a number!

The Sid Pepper Stand

The Blue Seats, I was told are from ... ?

(answer at the bottom of the feature)

The Sid Pepper Stand

Bathed in the last remnants of a late autumnal sun.

Press Area (From The Front)

Press Area (From The Stand)

Half Time at Langwith Road

"Follow The Yellow Brick Steps"

Colourful Architecture : The Sid Pepper Stand

Langwith Road - Shirebrook Town

Under The Floodlights

The Following are Goals! ::: 3, 4 and 5

Tom Rowbotham rises highest to head home the STFC third.

Jason Bradley bamboozles the Askern Villa keeper with a classy near post flick to add his second and Shirebrook Town's fourth.

Jason Bradley scores his third, Shirebrook Town's fifth after a poor clearance from Joe Simpson, Askern Villa goalkeeper (seen here on his knees).

Shirebrook Town players walk off to a great ovation, the supporters waited behind after the full time whistle to applaud their team off the pitch after the 5-0 victory.

Jason Bradley

Shirebrook Town

Hat Trick Hero with Match Ball & MOTM Champagne

Gary Meredith

Chairman of Shirebrook Town FC

Another "Legend" of Non League Football.

*****

Match Report

Shirebrook Town 5 Askern Villa 0 (Shirebrook Town)

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Website Links To Both Clubs In The NCEL Panel At The Side

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

*****

The answer to The Blue Seats question from Photograph 09..

Leicester City - Filbert Street

11 December 2012 - Parkgate v Glasshoughton Welfare

Competition : NCEL Premier League

Result : Parkgate - PP - Glasshoughton Welfare

Attendance : -

7.45

Should have been time to kick off, but the referee called off the game only an hour before.

Match Day Programmes

A Collector's Item

Competitive Pricing ...

Tonight, there will be no money through the turnstiles, but people and bills will still need to be paid. Many clubs will struggle throughout the season on just gate money alone, the decision to call off tonight's match will leave Parkgate FC out of pocket. It is essential that clubs at this level of football survive, not only as a mark of respect for all those previously associated with Parkgate, but to carry on playing and being a vital part of the community.  The structure at Parkgate isn't one of just old aged committee members, they have a youthful interest in not only the ninety minutes of football, but also off the field operations too.

  Charlie & Craig (The Rotherham Proclaimers)

Two Rotherham United supporters, who'd already arrived at one ground (Meadow Lane / Notts County) only to discover that match had also been postponed just before kick off! Travelling back up the M1, they had heard via local radio that the match tonight at Parkgate was ON! The Parkgate sponsored shirt Charlie wears, is that of Rotherham United, not Parkgate FC.  We had a good chat about football and why they'd decided to head here instead of going straight back home.  "For the football ... and we'll be back again to Roundwood at some point later this season" ...

A German TV crew interview a groundhopper.  Producing a documentary on European Football Fan Culture, tonight's postponement wasn't a hindrance.  Originally, they were to be at FC United Of Manchester, but their game with Kendall Town was also postponed.

The Gates To The Pitch ...

all locked up at 9.00pm, the lights still on, but there's no one home.

*****

Match Report - None

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Website Links To Both Clubs In The NCEL Panel At The Side

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

09 December 2012 - Crookes v Royal Earl

"Rusty Goalposts & Sticky Tape"

Competition : Meadowhall Sunday League - Premier Division

Result : Crookes 5 Royal Earl 2

Attendance : Unknown

Venue : Sheffield University Playing Fields - Warminster Road, Sheffield

The following photographs for this feature are a representation of a number of fixtures played at this venue on 09 December 2012.  I hope they convey to you, the spirit of what Sunday League Football is all about, not just in Sheffield, but across the football pitches, playing fields and sports-centres all over the UK.

Where the identity of  any club shown, is known, there will be a description on that photograph.

Royal Earl subs watch on as they go on the offensive in the first half.

Ken ...

His grandson was playing for Royal Earl this particular Sunday.  At 78, Ken told me about his passion for the game, which he passed onto his son and grandson. From a sporting family, he was extremely proud of his  grandson, Tom (see photograph below) and what he had already achieved. Ken then went onto to regale me with stories of his military background, most notably his ability to hit a target from 600yds with a rifle. It was a pleasure to meet Ken, listen to his stories, which he told with a sense of pride and with a passion that many young people would struggle to keep up with.

Ken & Tom

"Bruno"

"Solitary Confinement"

Royal Earl in Yellow, Crookes in Orange. Half Time on Pitch 6 ...

"The Long Walk Back ... I "

Royal Earl players, having been beaten 5-2 by Crookes, troop off, dejected... but knowing that there's always next Sunday ... An off day for the men in yellow and blue.

"The Long Walk Back II"

"The Long Walk Back III"

Four pitches were in use today, some teams will reflect on what might have been, questioning refereeing decisions, personal mistakes and man of the match performances.  Most importantly after almost two hours out in the bitter cold, the question every player will ask, "Is there any hot water in the showers?"

"Nets Down Lads & Don't Forget The Corner Flags ..."

"For It's A Grand Old Team To Play For ... "

They may play in the Glasgow Celtic colours, but this isn't Paradise.

"Jinky / Henke ??"

"There's Always Next Sunday !!"

"The Loneliest Man In The World"

*****

No Match Reports

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Links

Meadowhall Sunday League

Royal Earl FC - #twitterfeed

08 December 2012 - Staveley Miners Welfare v Retford United

Staveley Miners Welfare FC

Competition  NCEL Premier League: 

Result : Staveley Miners Welfare 2 Retford United 2

Attendance : 151

Click On Any Photograph To Open A Slideshow

"Competitive Pricing"

Add it all up, for less than £10, a parent can take a child, buy a programme and enjoy ninety minutes of live, in the flesh, football. A Saturday 3.00pm kick off, the option of sitting or standing, cheap food and drinks inside the ground.  

If you're reading this, take note of how much it would cost you to spend a day at your local Premier/Championship/League 1 or 2 club.

Staveley Miners Welfare

NCEL November Fair Play League Winners

"BallBoys"

Almost time for kick off and today's Staveley MW ballboys set off for their pitchside places.

"One Day"

Maybe in a few years, this ballboy will be playing for the Staveley Miners Welfare first team.

Blue & White Stripes...

The Main Stand and Tunnel at Inkersall Road.

"Home Dugout"

Staveley Miners Welfare 0 Retford United 1

Adam Scott puts The Badgers 1-0 ahead from the penalty spot.

Mum & Freddie (7)

This was Freddie's first time at Staveley MW as a ballboy.  Talking to his mum, she told me that he could hardly sleep for the excitement.  It's getting the youngsters involved at an early age that the club will be able to call upon at a later date.  Vitally important at this and any other level, boys and girls will feel a sense of belonging, hopefully starting off a career in football. Grassroots level can offer so much to the youngsters, it's a way into the sport that is tougher by the year for some.  Every club at this and below levels in the Step system should be thinking of not only today and tomorrow, but also years to come. Without the youth being brought forward and given roles at non league clubs, it's a possibility that their club may no longer exist.

Red Skies, Floodlights and Blue/White Stripes

"Target Practice"

Inkersall Road

Home of Staveley Miners Welfare FC

"Freddie Saves ..."

The ballboys, taken from the Staveley MW Under-7s team, live the dream of playing on the Inkersall Road pitch.

"The Tower Bar"

Upstairs is where the match is filmed.

On my next visit, i'll make sure I take some photographs from here!

Staveley Miners Welfare v Retford United

Match Day Programme

"Rob"

A Retford United supporter, home and away. Previously, a season ticket holder at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea.  Rob prefers his football at this level nowadays.  We discussed the merits of getting involved in the non league football world, whether it be as a supporter or a photographer. He enjoys travelling across the NCEL with Retford United, just one of many "Badgers" there that day.

Rob is just one of many people i've met who've become disillusioned with the Premier League game, clubs should take note, because the way things are moving, the non league football scene is claiming more and more football supporters than they could wish to lose.

Trophies & Awards

on display in the Staveley MW Clubhouse.

"World Cup Winners & Club Crested Tables"

Three England World Cup 1966 Winners Autographed Shirts On Display.

The tables in the clubhouse bare the club crest, the walls are lined with signed shirts of the players that last won something at International level. When will any club in the country be displaying signed shirts from the next England World Cup winners team?

Specials Thanks to all at Staveley Miners Welfare who made the visit very special. Especially at very short notice.

*****

Match Reports

Staveley Miners Welfare 2 Retford United 2 (Retford United)

Staveley Miners Welfare 2 Retford United 2 (Worksop Guardian)

All Photography : ©fotografica137

Website Links To Both Clubs In The NCEL Panel At The Side