Safeway Leaving Polo Park

Sorry for the length of time between posts.

I have written extensively on Polo Park in this blog. One of the consistent tenants has been a grocery store. In fact, at one point there were two grocery stores faced off against one another: Loblaw's and Dominion.

Safeway moved in during the 1980s during the renovation that put a second floor on the mall. It was one of the main anchors since that time.

Well, no more. I don't know if caught Polo Park by surprise but a newspaper story revealed that Safeway was in negotiation to move in to Madison Square off of Ness adjacent to Polo Park. The Hooters restaurant that has been at Madison Square is relocating elsewhere in the Polo Park area while some other stores like Scholastic Choice are relocating within the square itself.

Madison Square was formerly a mixed used business and area near Polo Park. It is difficult to remember what was there prior to 1988 but there were a number of houses and small businesses. The only business that still exists from that time is the Sportsman, a marine retail store specializing in canoes and wakeboards. Somehow, they defied the purchase by the mall operator and continue to sit on Madison in front of Office Depot. I can still remember security trying to harass people as they went into the store if they parked on mall property.

Safeway will be a great addition to the mall that has seen its fair share of business failures including A & A Records, Bonanza and a Golf store.

Safeway reports that they will be designing the store along the lines of what we have seen in Osborne Village.

As for Polo Park, the mall says that there is a waiting list to get into the mall. The Safeway spot is an awkward one. It seems a re-design will be necessary to be attractive to customers who may not want to be down a long corridor and out of sight.




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Amersham Town FC

Amersham Town 1 Haringey Borough 3 - Spartan South Midlands League, Division One

Spartan South Midlands League

Amersham is a market town and civil parish in Buckinghamshire, 27 miles north west of London, in the Chiltern Hills. It is part of the London commuter belt. Amersham is split into two distinct areas: Amersham on the Hill (locally known as Top Amersham), which is close to the railway station, and Old Amersham, which contains the 13th century parish church of St. Mary's and several old inns. Records of Amersham date back to pre-Saxon times, when it was known as Egmondesham, and by the time that the Domesday book was written at around 1086 it became known as Elmodesham.

Amersham is linked to London by the Metropolitan Line of London Underground and is the last station on the Metropolitan main line. Much of this line is shared with the mainline railway service, which runs from Marylebone to Aylesbury. The town features in the 1973 John Betjeman documentary Metroland about the growth of suburban London in the 20th century.

Local Bus Driver had offered to drive and options abounded as to where we would go at one point we favoured a trip to Aylesbury Vale for their Premier Division clash with Biggleswade United. In the end though, we decided upon Amersham Town v Haringey Borough in Division One. This proved inspired, as not only did we witness a decent game but the former was ‘abandoned on advice from the emergency services due to a nearby petrol leak’

Haringey Borough are clearly a good team and it will take something special to prevent them from reclaiming their Premier Division place at the end of this season. Although when I saw them a few weeks back they suffered defeat at a Rhodes inspired Kentish Town, there was enough about them to suggest that the performance that day was not up to their usual standard.

Via the M25, we were able to reach the Spratleys Meadow home of Amersham Town FC in less than an hour. Having taken a few photographs (still a novice on the camera and wanting to make the most of the early light – Ed), were entered the clubhouse for a warming cuppa. Harry Hotspur and Flash were treated to a game of pool by one of the club officials.

Amersham Town FC has recently returned to Spratleys Meadow following a spell of groundsharing at neighbouring Beaconsfield SYCOB. In the interim period, significant improvements have been made to the ground. There is more to do but clearly the club is ambitious and wants to progress.

The home side started the match strongly, breaking from midfield and running at the Haringey defence with the ball, which, although basic in this description, was clearly having an unsettling effect. One such move resulted in Amersham taking the lead when the ball was squared to the onrushing Eboji who made no mistake.

Both teams had further chances in the opening period. Haringey squandered an open goal by hitting the post following good use of advantage by the referee and before the break Amersham struck the woodwork following a fine move.

Predictably Haringey were a different proposition in the second half and presumably had been ‘told off’ by their ‘silver tongued’ manager at the break. The visitors completely dominated the second period. Having equalised with a good strike, they secured the points scoring twice from a superb header and a deft flick. They went top of the table on goal difference which will have delighted all at the club, especially the ‘eloquently’ voiced manager.

Attendance: 35
Admission: £3.00 (Hotspur Free)
Programme: Included with admission (extras obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea: 60p

London APSA FC

London APSA 2 Mauritius Sports & Pennant 3 - Essex Senior League

London APSA (All Peoples' Sports Association) was formed in 1993 at the time of the first Asian Football League. A group of friends at Newham's East Ham College merged with a youth team known as Young Muslims, who were no longer eligible to play under 16's football. Brought together by the Current Club Chairman Zulfi Ali, London APSA then known as Ahle Sunnah were crowned the first ever-Asian League Champions.

'Turnstile' manned by Brian Edwards (right)

I travelled from Cheshunt on a direct service to Stratford, avoiding central London. At Stratford, I was able to catch a 262 bus for Plaistow, passing the pub that Julie Scott’s uncle ran and via Prince Regent Lane to the Terence MacMillan Stadium. The 473 route offers a similar option.

On arrival at the stadium, I was greeted by Brian Edwards, one of the very small group of committee members ‘mucking in’ to run the club, particularly on match days. Brian is listed in the match programme as ‘Physio’ but spent the entire 1st half on the gate.

The stadium is not great in terms of spectator facilities. The only covered accommodation being the seated stand, the majority of which is closed. Refreshments are available though in a portakabin, which also houses the home team changing room. Hot tea was certainly welcome on this cold, grim November afternoon.

Brian Edwards had informed me that there was a problem in that the corner flags had gone missing since the previous match (senior football meets Hackney Marshes! – Ed). However the sportingly sympathetic match officials agreed to start the match without the corner flags, although they were reluctant to allow the suggested javelins (Newham & Essex Beagles AC is based at the stadium - Ed)

The match could certainly be described as a ‘six pointer’ with APSA on 5 points, third from bottom of the table and visitors Mauritius Sports & Pennant, propping up the table with a solitary point. Sometimes games of this nature provide bags of excitement whereas on other occasions one might question the reason for attending – but that is the game we love isn’t it? (If you say so Pieman – Ed)

The first half did not produce any goals and APSA will regret not converting any of the chances that came their way as they were certainly on top during the first period. New corner posts, without flags were produced after 25 minutes – game on!

The visitors were energised in the second half and took the lead with a fine strike. An excellent equaliser from APSA proved to be a ‘false dawn’ as Mauritius Sports & Pennant clinched victory with two further goals. (A first league victory as a senior club – Ed) A late cosolation goal from APSA was just that.

and jumpers for goalposts

The guys that run London APSA are a hardworking bunch and anyone looking to visit will be ensured a warm friendly welcome. Your reporter was happy to ‘muck in’ as ball boy on occasions in the absence of Harry Hotspur – it is that sort of place!

Despite the match not finishing much before 5pm, I was able to catch a bus within a couple of minutes and was back at Stratford in plenty of time to catch the 17.33 direct service to Cheshunt.

Attendance: 23
Admission: £5.00
Programme: £1.00 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea: 50p
Twix: 50p
Fare: 90p each way to/from Stratford on the bus using my newly activated Oyster Card

Hapoel Tel Aviv FC

Hapoel Tel Aviv 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2 - UEFA Cup Group Stage

Tel Aviv is located around 32°5′N, 34°48′E on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain, the historic land bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia. Immediately north of Jaffa, Tel Aviv is situated on land which used to be sand dunes, and as such has relatively poor soil fertility. It is now on flat land with no notable gradients. As such, its most notable geographical feature are the bluffs above the Mediterranean coastline and the Yarkon River's mouth. In modern times, due to the expansion of Tel Aviv and the Gush Dan region in general, absolute borders between Tel Aviv and Jaffa, and between the city's neighbourhoods do not exist. The city is located some 37 miles northwest of Jerusalem, Israel's capital city, and some 55 miles south of the northern port city of Haifa.

"לאחר 4 שנות גלות באצטדיון 'בלומפילד', אנו אוהדי בני-יהודה קוראים להנהלת הקבוצה

ולעיריית ת"א להחזיר את משחקי הקבוצה למגרש הביתי, באצטדיון בשכונת-התקווה.

אנו מודעים שלאצטדיון וסביבתו נדרשים שיפוצים ותיקונים. אנו קוראים להנהלת הקבוצה

לפעול לשיפוץ האצטדיון בשכונת התקווה: הוא הבית האמיתי של קבוצתנו, בני-יהודה ת"א.

המגרש הביתי חייב להיות האצטדיון שלנו, אצטדיון 'בני-יהודה' בשכונת התקווה!!!

We arrived at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport courtesy of El Al and once aboard the aircraft, the welcome and service throughout was friendly and efficient – a complete contrast to the obstructive behaviour of the airline’s security staff at Heathrow (yes they have a job to do but why go out of your way to alienate and upset passengers? – Ed)

From the airport a short train journey took us into the centre of Tel Aviv from where we opted to walk to our hotel. This was 6.30 in the morning and already it was clear that T-shirts and shorts would be the order of the day and for the rest of our stay. Why are Israeli teams competing in UEFA competitions, when geographically they are not in Europe? OK we all acknowledge the political situation in that region and know the real reason, but I think the catalyst to this was allowing them to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. Setting that precedent meant that UEFA could seek advice from the European Broadcasting Union and effectively have the decision made for them! (Par for the course for UEFA – Ed)

Beer matters – Having already sampled Gold Star on the flight over to Tel Aviv, it was good to get plenty of opportunities to try the draft version in bars and restaurants around town. This beer and the other widely available brand, Maccabee, are decent enough and this Pieman preferred them to the equivalent local brews consumed on his recent trip to Cyprus.

However, Tel Aviv also gave your reporter the chance to sample some specialist brews. The first such occasion was at The Brewhouse on Rothschild Boulevard. Here three different beers are brewed on the premises – Ciderman and I were keen on ‘Moonshine’ at 5%. The food in this establishment was also good and I can recommend the pork chops.

Malka Beers

A particular treat on the day of the match was a visit to the seafront restaurant ‘Manta Ray’. Here, whilst chilling out watching the waves crashing in, we discovered the little known bottled beers from Malka. The ‘blonde’ (saison) version was pleasant, whereas the ‘red’ was exceptionally good. Described as a Pale Ale on the bottle, this darker, richer brew needs to be poured carefully (as per Worthington White Shield if you know what I mean – Ed)

The Bloomfield Stadium is situated in he Jaffa district and has a capacity of 15,700. An all seater stadium, with only the main stand offering cover. We were able to reach the ground from the main hotel area of Tel Aviv in little more than a 20 minute stroll. It falls into that “you can’t miss it” category as you just follow the coast until you see the floodlights. Hapoel share the Bloomfield Stadium with both Maccabi Tel Aviv and Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv making it the only stadium in the top three divisions of Israeli football to have three tenants.

Tottenham Hotspur FC eased to a 2-0 victory over a very poor Hapoel side, who have now lost both of their opening group fixtures. Ist half goals from Keane and Berbatov did the damage for the London side who were never under any significant pressure during the match.

I was impressed with the way the different sections of the Tel Aviv community appeared to get on with each other. We certainly did not experience any difficulty or tension whilst there. The people were friendly and often wanted to know what we thought of the place. They are obviously proud of the town and are keen to enhance the reputation.

Attendance: 10,000 according to THFC
Admission: 150 Shekels
Programme: Gratis, 16 pages (obtained for you Stan, the Pittsburgh Steeler and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely

Oxhey Jets FC

Oxhey Jets 1 Cockfosters 2 - Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division

Spartan South Midlands League

Oxhey is a suburb of the borough of Watford in the county of Hertfordshire, England. Oxhey grew in size during the mid-19th Century with the coming of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway from London Euston to Glasgow, the settlement being developed to house railway workers. Oxhey's Parish church is St Matthew's, a Grade II listed building, dating from 1880 in Gothic revival style with some elements of early Art Nouveau decoration. The church also features a Karl Parsons window in the Lady Chapel.

A third successive jaunt into the Spartan South Midlands League and just like the previous Saturday at Kentish Town; this Pieman was not disappointed with his choice of match. Having attended a football camp throughout the half-term break, Harry Hotspur was rested for this encounter between the superbly named Oxhey Jets and Cockfosters.

I travelled via London Euston and Hatch End from where I was able to follow a public footpath to the Boundary Stadium. Carpenders Park is a slightly nearer station and having had to negotiate a field of grazing horses, I decided to utilise that option after the match!

Founded in 1972, Oxhey Jets FC has risen from local football via the Herts County League in a relatively short time and appear to have further aspirations from what I could see of the ground, and the work in progress. A community based club for sure and this is evidenced by the impressive clubhouse and associated activities.

All the spectator facilities are housed on the clubhouse side of the ground. A couple of identical covered seated stands (similar to those at Stanway Rovers – Ed) some raised concrete terracing and the refreshment bar. Behind one goal is a newish housing estate, whereas behind the opposite goal the horses graze. Down a dip behind the dugouts is an impressive looking training pitch.

Cockfosters, struggling near the foot of the table, will have been encouraged when Kevin Reade steered the ball home after 28 minutes. However, the home side hit back a minute later through Luke Lloyd’s wonder strike from 30 yards (the keeper saw it coming but there was nothing he could do – Ed).

An equally impressive long-range strike from Danny Hutchings put Cockfosters back in front ten minutes later and despite plenty of good football from both sides, that goal completed the scoring.

Before the match there was a 'minute's silence'. I am not sure of the reason but can report that, as expected this was well observed by all the players and the majority of the spectators. However those entering the ground at this time were not helped by the lady on the gate (all proceedings visible from there - Ed) who just got progressively louder. It was a very long 60 seconds.

A decent afternoon out, I was impressed with the ground. Clearly a lot of work went into levelling the playing surface and it will be interesting to see if the club progress further. I was able to catch the 17.09 service back to London from Carpenders Park and was back at Euston for 17.45 or thereabouts.

Attendance: 59
Admission: £4.00
Programme: Included with admission, extras available at £1.00 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea: 50p
Crunchie: 50p
Fare: covered by my annual season ticket/all zone travel card - although I must owe someone something for the return leg from Carpenders Park to Zone 6 (Hatch End)

Kentish Town FC

Kentish Town 4 Haringey Borough 2 - Spartan South Midlands League, Division One

Spartan South Midlands League

Kentish Town is first recorded during the reign of King John (1208) as kentisston. By 1456 Kentish Town was recognised as a thriving hamlet, and in this period a chapel of ease is recorded as being built for the inhabitants. The early 19th century brought modernisation, causing much of the area's rural charm, the River Fleet and the 18th century buildings to vanish, although pockets still remain, for example Little Green Street. Between the availability of public transport to it from London, and its urbanisation, it was a popular resort. Large amounts of land were purchased to build the railway, which can still be seen today. Kentish Town was a prime site for development as the Kentish Town Road was a major route from London northwards. Probably it's most famous early resident was Karl Marx who lived at 9 Grafton Terrace from 1856.

After an initial nomadic existence, Kentish Town FC is now settled at Barnet Copthall Stadium. This venue was recently visited by Martin Wray, web editor of Football Grounds in Focus (check out this excellent site – Ed). Martin details additional information concerning the history of the stadium. However, I can add to this with the revelation that in the 1980s, the stadium was the venue for Tony Wade’s wedding reception (remember that MK Gould? – Ed).

I understand that the Wade reception did not receive coverage in the national press, so readers of this report can be forgiven for not recognising the name or event. More importantly the match I attended on that occasion was not of the football variety. Therefore Harry Hotspur and I set off to redress the imbalance. We travelled via Tottenham Hale and Euston to reach Mill Hill East from where we caught a 221 bus the short distance to the stadium.

For an Athletics venue this is certainly one of the best for viewing football, with very little by way of restrictions as to where you can watch the match. The seated stand provides an excellent vantagepoint, whereas there is raised terracing surrounding the remainder of the ground. There is some additional uncovered seating opposite the main stand although I ‘m not sure how often this would be pressed into action for Spartan South Midlands football!

The match was very good and certainly a good advert for this level. Both teams contributed by playing constructive football. Kentish Town took the lead after 20 minutes when Jonathan Donoghue stroked home after holding off a challenge. This was supplemented 10 minutes later when Lee Scott added to the opener with a controlled finish when one on one with the keeper.

However, visitors Haringey Borough were determined to make a game of it and almost immediately after the break Mark Maher’s free kick was too hot for Town’s keeper to handle – game on! From this point Borough were in the ascendancy and most of the play took place in Town’s half. However, the storm was weathered and Donoghue was able to grab his second goal to give Town some breathing space with another good finish. Not for long though as Borough had soon reduced the arrears with their second, as Adeniyi Adedeji headed home as the ball rebounded off a post following another free kick. Almost immediately there was that man Donoghue again to complete his hat trick (his partnership with Scott looks promising – Ed).

That Penalty

There was still time for the visitors to set up a dramatic finale when they were awarded a penalty but Kieran Donnelly's fierce penalty kick smashed against the underside of the bar and bounced down almost onto the line and the home keeper somehow got up to tip Chima Obiji's virtually point blank header over the bar.

At half time I met Cliff Rhodes, Public Relations Supremo of Kentish Town FC. Cliff explained a bit about the efforts that the club is making within the community and also gave me some back issues of the match programme. Thanks Cliff – hope you received the pictures. After the match, Hotspur and I again took advantage of the 221 bus service. However, on this occasion we travelled as far as Wood Green where we caught a W3 service (passing Haringey Borough’s ground – Ed) to White Hart Lane from where we caught our train home to Cheshunt.

Attendance: 34
Admission: £4.00 (Hotspur £1.00)
Programme: Included with admission, extras available at £1.00 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea (in a mug!): 50p
Fare: covered by my annual season ticket/all zone travel card

Later on in the season (2 April 2008) it was the turn of Paul Roth, regular correspondent for Football Grounds In Focus, to visit Kentish Town FC. The club noticeboard has a familiar look about it!

www.footballgroundsinfocus.com