Tunbridge Wells FC

Tunbridge Wells 0 Cray Wanderers 3 - Kent League

The town of Tunbridge Wells began with a chalybeate spring. Chalybeate means it contains iron. Rainwater fell on ground containing iron deposits, soaked through them then rose in a spring. The iron deposits in the spring water stained the ground around the spring a rusty colour. The spring stood by a common where local people grazed their livestock.

In the early 17th century people believed that they would be healed from diseases if they bathed in or drank from certain spas. In the year 1606 a nobleman, Lord North, who was staying at Edridge was out for a ride. He came across the spring with rust coloured edges and wondered if it had health giving properties. (At the time he was suffering from tuberculosis or some similar disease). He drank some of the spring water and was, he said, healed from his illness. When he returned to London he told all his rich friends about the spring and soon many people flocked to drink from it.

I am unable to give the usual public transport details as I travelled on the unofficial Cray Wanderers supporters transport - Jon Smith's car. However, the station I believe is a hike and on a dark evening this ground could easily be missed as it is down a dip in a remote part of town. Jon (left), as some will remember, switched from supporting Spurs to following the fortunes of his beloved Cray and was rewarded when they won the Kent League championship. Jon watches all of Cray's matches and often makes up the entire crowd behind the goal at away matches where thick cigar smoke can be seen billowing over the ground and the rest of the surrounding area. Jon wishes to be remembered to those who know him. He also has a strong liking for tomato ketchup and hot indian curry.


Cray won this match comfortably and looked a very competent side. I stood behind the goal with our hero for the majority of the match and enjoyed listing to the banter. As can be seen from the photographs, there is ample covered accomodation for the level of football and the Culverden Stadium is a nice place to visit.

Leicester City FC

Leicester City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2 - FA Premier League

Leicester is the largest city and unitary authority area in the East Midlands of England, and is the traditional county town of Leicestershire. Leicester became a town of considerable importance by Medieval times. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'civitas' (city), but Leicester lost its city status in the 11th century owing to power struggles between the Church and the aristocracy. It was eventually re-made a city in 1919, and the Church of St Martin became Leicester Cathedral in 1927. The tomb of King Richard III is located in the central nave of the church although he is not actually buried there. "Chisit" is the regional nickname and dialect for the people of Leicester. They are often referred to as Chisits because of how they speak and more commonly of how they pronounce the question 'how much is it'? sounding - in the Leicester dialect - like 'im a Chisit'. The nickname was given to the Leicester folk from the inhabitants of the Lincolnshire seaside town of Skegness which is a popular holiday destination for the people of Leicester. Also, our mate Foxy (Stewart Henry), is an extremely passionate supporter of the club.


This was my first visit to the Walkers Stadium. We travelled to Leicester by train from London St Pancras and visited a public house away from the stadium area to enjoy a pleasant lunchtime drink. We were familiar with the area as we used the same pub often before matches at Filbert Street. The Walkers Stadium is only a few hundred yards away from the old ground and this Pieman was at the last competitive match there when Spurs visited.


The Walkers Stadium is certainly an improvement on the old place, which with the exception one modern stand had become very dated. However, like many new venues, it can not match Filbert Street for character. Spurs struggled for the majority of this match and it looked like Leicester City would claim all three points. Late on in the game however, a wonder strike from South African Mabiizela "he will never score another like that" (he never scored another at all - Ed) and a late Kanoute goal, robbed the foxes and the points headed to London N17.





Attendance: 31,521
Programme: £3

The Pieman's initial visit to Filbert Street