Great Wakering Rovers FC

Great Wakering Rovers 2 Sittingbourne 0 - Southern League, Division One East

Great Wakering is a large village, pleasantly situated on rising ground above the marshes. One mile from the sea shore, 5 miles East South East of Rochford, and 4½ miles East North East of Southend.

Karaoke Bob Gilligan (Roberto Giligarnis) and I were invited along by Mark Lancaster to this one. Mark, in tandem with his Southend United affiliations, takes a keen interest in non-league football around the Thames estuary. Steve Tilson the Southend United manager, often reflects on the time that he hitched a lift with Mark and other selected 'shrimpers' and has dined out on the story (Poddy you must be impressed ? - Ed).

Mark was delighted to inform us that he prefers to be known as Marmite Boy and has set up his own website in this identity. (if not impressed before Poddy ....) I can confirm that he does look like the picture thereon !

Anyway on to the football. It was just as well that Mark drove us to and from the ground as, although we could have reached Great Wakering (GW) before the match by local bus, there has to be doubts if post match we would have been so lucky. A glance at the map shows GW close to Shoeburyness and yet still quite isolated. To find the Burroughs Park ground you have to have your wits about you. Although situated just off the High Street, you can easily miss it - we found it at about the 5th attempt tucked up a lane next to the British Legion.

This 'village' club have made tremendous strides, both on and off the pitch, in reaching their present Southern League status via progression through the Essex Senior and Isthmian Leagues. A glance at their history shows them playing intermediate football as recently as 1992. The stadium has clearly undergone tremendous transformation in order to get it up to the required standard and for such a relatively small place GW puts a lot of bigger towns to shame. Covered terracing, a decent stand, fine clubhouse and decent pitch side refreshments. Of course a lot depends on the commitment received from volunteers but GW appears to be well off in that department.

The opposition for this fixture was Sittingbourne FC. A decent end to end game ensued with no little skill. Rovers in their Green and White (Karaoke Bob was delighted with the colours) were always the better side but could not relax until they got the all important second goal towards the end of the match.



Attendance: 111
Admission: £6.00
Programme: £1.50 (Obtained for you Andy and Stan)
Fare: £5.20 Day Return from Zone 6 with Gold Card discount (+ a cup of tea for Marmite Boy)

Gloucester City FC

Gloucester City 4 Northwood 1 - Southern League Premier Division

Gloucester is located on the eastern bank of the River Severn, 114 miles west-north-west of London. It is sheltered by the Cotswolds to the east, while the Forest of Dean and the Malvern Hills rise prominently to the west and north-west, respectively. The Siege of Gloucester in 1643 was an important battle of the English Civil War in which the besieged parliamentarians emerged victorious.

A family weekend away - we based ourselves in Cheltenham. This delightful place is certainly worth exploring further. We stayed at the Travelodge on the edge of town and took advantage of the excellent 'park and ride' facilities (£1-60 return per car !) just across the road from our digs.

A short train journey from Cheltenham took us to Gloucester. Our first port of call was the local folk museum which was very good. On this occasion a group of World War 2 ladies were having a reunion, demonstrating the art of 'knitting in wartime'. 'Daughter with skipping rope' was invited to learn and enjoyed the experience.
However, Harry Hotspur was less enthusiastic and soon he and I departed for our chosen afternoon activity, Gloucester City v Northwood in the Premier Division of the Southern League. A 1.30 start had been arranged to accommodate those (players too I guess) that wanted to watch England v Austria. From what I hear, backed up by Rosie's report, it seems that the WW2 knitting might have been preferable. They did win though and Germany will now be eagerly anticipating the arrival of our fans along with the Dutch !

Victora Docks, Gloucester

Anyway back to the real stuff. This was loosely billed as a six pointer with the teams occupying the basement league positions. The match was closely contested and as they admit themselves, the Tigers were a bit fortunate to benefit from the 4-1 score line. Northwood never gave up and on another day .......
The Meadow Park stadium is of a decent standard with plenty of covered terracing along one side and behind one goal.



There is also a large seated stand along one side. The match was played in constant drizzle but it was not until the relatively short 20 minute stroll back to town that we began to appreciate what Dr Foster had to contend with - 'cats and dogs' but fortunately not the same puddle.
Gloucester is another venue worthy of further exploration. Although a 'could be anywhere in the UK' type shopping area, you are within easy reach of a number of attractions including a cathedral, historic dockyard and numerous museums. Not that I was able to partake but there is a good variety of real ale establishments too.
Back to Cheltenham afterwards and despite my looking hard there were no sightings of the lesser spotted 'Cheltspur'. Dave Whitton is still about though and is recipient of this blurb.
I still have Cheltenham Town FC in my 'hit list' and will look to visit again.

The Pieman's subsequent visit to Cheltenham Town FC




Attendance: 264
Admission: £8.00 (free if under 7 - well done Harry you saved dad £4.00 !)
Programme: £1.50 (Obtained for you Andy and Stan)
Fare: £3.00 Day Return from Cheltenham