Needham Market FC

Needham Market 0 Wroxham 0 - Eastern Counties League Premier Division

Eastern Counties League

The name Needham Market, according to the gazetteer in a reputable Atlas of the British Isles, means "needy homestead with a market". Today that name would appear to be inaccurate on both counts. In 1245 King Henry III granted a market charter for Needham to Hugh, Bishop of Ely. This market flourished for many years and it is likely that the plague brought it to an end when trade moved to Ipswich and Stowmarket.

On Saturday Local Bus Driver, Junior Bus Driver Ben and Dynamo Jim invited the Pieman and Harry Hotspur to join them on a trip to Suffolk. Although we were heading for Stowmarket, we realised that to take in a full 90 minutes, Needham Market was a better bet. Our arrival at Bloomfield's at 14.58 merely underlined the point. However this was a top of the table clash between the home side in 3rd place and visitors Wroxham, currently sitting just above them but with games in hand on leaders Mildenhall.

Needham Market railway station is less than half a mile from the ground, an easy walk for anyone using public transport.

There appeared to be a number of others in the very good crowd of 220, like ourselves, who had arrived at Needham Market having intended to be elsewhere. The ground has a disjointed feel about it but in common with many at this level, this just adds to the attraction. The main stand is very steep in appearance and along with seats for about 100 spectators, there is also limited standing room at the very back. Along one half of the opposite touchline there is covered standing accommodation and to one side of one of the goals are some additional standing facilities.

On a sticky, boggy pitch the teams fought a keen battle. Every so often it got heated and the referee struggled to maintain order. On reflection, a point each was fair in this Suffolk v Norfolk contest.

Local Bus Driver was less than impressed with a pink cottage passed on our journey. I explained that this was typical of the area and a good 20 - 25 more were witnessed before we made our way home via Sudbury and Halstead. The A12 would not have been so pretty but the Pieman assures all that a deliberate 'Cottage Watch' was not planned to tease Local Bus Driver. For the second week running Hotspur left the ground covered in mud whereas Dynamo Jim's clothing had to be washed twice. He retired to bed immediately on arrival home and his legs were still muddy the following day. Junior Bus Driver Ben made up the trio who found their own match as enjoyable as their parents found the main attraction.

Attendance: 220
Admission: £5
Programme: £1 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Chips: £1
Hot Dogs: £1.80

Langford FC

Langford 0 Biggleswade United 2 - Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division

Spartan South Midlands League

Langford is a village situated alongside the River Ivel in the county of Bedfordshire. The village is of Saxon origin and at one time it had one or more fording points across the river. The name is based on the words long ford from the length of the settlement. At the time of the Domesday Book the population was around one hundred. Langford is three miles south of Biggleswade and has been a settlement on the east bank of the river Ivel since Saxon times. It is a long straggling village which at one time had two or three fording points over the river, hence its name.

On the west side of the river Ivel is part of the Ivel Valley countryside project, namely, Henlow common and Langford meadows local nature reserve. This is a 47 acre reserve and despite its name, Henlow common is situated in Langford parish. It came to Langford in 1985 after an exchange of land between the two parishes, as a registered common it keeps its original name. Dams ditch, earlier called Adams ditch, runs through the middle of the reserve. It is more like a small river than a ditch. The village has grown enormously since 1961 when the population was 1,250, then the housing estates were taking over the fields and meadows, so that by 1976 it had doubled to 2,500 and in 2001 it was 4,000.

Beforehand, a family outing to Hitchin enabled an opportunity to visit the British Schools Museum. Mrs Pieman was keen to visit this month as an exhibition titled Memories of the Queen Mothers Childhood was taking place. This, in addition to the regular features present in the museum, meant a good couple of hours were spent in Hitchin before the short journey to Langford.

Forde Park is easy to find as it is adjacent to the through road to Biggleswade. It is possible to get a bus direct to the ground on the Hitchin - Biggleswade route. Another venue making good use of conifers, there is a wall around all 4 sides of the playing area and a recently installed 103 seater stand. The clubhouse is of a good standard and the refreshment kitchen is staffed by a number of lady volunteers - no need to go hungry at Langford!

Biggleswade United took all 3 points with a goal in each half. The first period was fairly even but by the end of the match the visitors had earned the win. The gentleman on the gate (25 years with the club) revealed himself to also be the volunteer responsible for marking the lines and is one of many unsung heroes at clubs like Langford. He will have seen many changes since first getting involved with his local club (centenary for Langford FC next year), a significant one being that whereas once upon a time the team was populated with local Langford lads, many now come from Stevenage and other locations to play. Not much different to the Premiership where Carlos Kickaball (thanks for that Mr Sugar) does likewise.

The half time raffle draw was administered by Mrs Pieman who as a visiting celebrity was honoured to assist. Harry Hotspur managed to get more mud on his clothes than any of the players and we were back home at Cheshunt in less than an hour.

Attendance: 75
Admission: £4
Programme: Included with admission (extras obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely, after some effort)
Tea: 50p
Cheeseburger: £1.50
KitKat: 40p

Colney Heath FC

Colney Heath 4 Chalfont St Peter 6 - Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division

Spartan South Midlands League

Colney Heath is a large village south-east of St Albans, Hertfordshire. The population of the ward of Colney Heath at the time of the 2001 census was 5,449. There are four coal posts in Colney Heath suggesting that this small village was once a busy route for trade travelling to London. The posts are at the road junction, opposite the Cock pub, near Coursers Farm and on the heath by the Colney River. Hertfordshire's coal posts are dotted around the south of the county, some at road junctions, others buried away in woodland and hedgerows. All are more than 130 years old.

As for the previous week's visit to Biggleswade United, neighbour Local Bus Driver (accompanied by Junior Bus Driver Ben) was again behind the wheel and provided a very welcome door to door service. We reached the village of Colney Heath from Cheshunt in about half an hour via Hertford and Hatfield. The village is served by buses and I would think St Albans would be the easiest rail interchange (Thameslink) although Welham Green (First Capital Connect) is close by. On entering Colney Heath from the A414 it is very easy to locate the Recreation Ground, situated on the left, just past the school.

The ground is a tidy venue with a decent clubhouse in front of which is covered accommodation including seating for 96 spectators. Standing room is also available immediately before this area. This was particularly welcome on a very wet evening.

Back in August in the reverse fixture, these 2 teams shared 9 goals with Chalfont St Peter winning 7-2. This time the combined tally was 10.

At half time Chalfont were already 4-0 ahead and had looked dangerous each time they entered the Colney half. The second period started in much the same way but after falling further behind Colney did start to make inroads. Chalfont will find it hard to understand why they did not maintain a sizable lead but credit to home side for making the scoreline respectable.

Attendance: 31
Admission: £4
Programme: £1 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Tea/Coffee: 50p
Rolls: £1
Crisps: 35p

Biggleswade United FC

Biggleswade United 3 Holmer Green 2 - Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division

Spartan South Midlands League

The area around Biggleswade is thought to have been inhabited from around 10,000 BC, with arrowheads dating from this period found in the region. In Roman times, a loop road known as the White Way passed through Biggleswade (possibly along the course of the present-day Drove Road), linking up with the Ermine Way at Godmanchester. In the Fifth century AD, Saxon invaders settled here — the name Biggleswade is thought to be derived from Biceil, an Anglo-Saxon personal name and Waed, the Saxon word for ‘ford’.

In more recent times, Harry Hotspur and the Pieman visited Biggleswade last year. On that occasion it was to witness the last ever home fixture for Biggleswade Town FC at their 'Fairfield' ground. As reported at that time, Biggleswade United are based at Second Meadow adjacent to Fairfield and therefore this was a familiar location.

Neighbour, Local Bus Driver was again behind the wheel and provided a door to door service (very welcome on a progressively cold evening). On arrival it soon became clear that there was doubt that the match would reach conclusion due to the plummeting temperature.

Clubhouse & Dressing Rooms

Not unusually for this level, the ground is basic with the only covered are for spectators being a smallish structure along one of the sides. Mainly standing but boasting a (very) few seats. One of those seats was occupied by the legendary Brian Buck. Brian is very well known on the groundhopping scene having visited more grounds than anyone else I know. Just as remarkable is his record of attending 1000 consecutive Tottenham Hotspur 1st team home matches, a run stretching back to 1969 (not sure what crimes Brian has committed but he doesn't deserve that - Ed). Brian lives in the area and he did appear familiar with this particular seat!

Brian Buck enjoys 'the best seat in the house'

The referee deserves enormous credit for the way he enabled this match to reach conclusion. It became clear prior to kick-off that one side of the pitch was freezing but a common sense approach, a shorter half time break and the cooperation of everyone (players and officials) got us through to 90 minutes. The Pieman thanked the officials for their efforts and in response the referee said that both teams had played very well. Local Bus Driver will be contacting the League to offer his feedback.

For the record, Holmer Green took an early lead in this 'Six Pointer' (Both clubs are struggling near the foot of the table) Only for Biggleswade United to draw level with a penalty and take the lead before the break. Holmer Green levelled shortly after the interval only for Biggleswade United to claim all 3 points by converting another spot kick. An excellent match played in very difficult conditions.

Biggleswade United clinch the points with their 2nd penalty

Stevenage Borough were playing Morecambe in an FA Trophy reply and were already in extra time (they won 3-0) as we sped past Broadhall Way on our way home. Home by 22.20.

Attendance: 51
Admission: £4 (including programme) Concessions £2 (Inc prog)
Programme: Additional Copies £1 (obtained for you Andy, Stan and Glyn, the barman in Phil Butler's local, the Prince Albert in Ely)
Coffee: From Local Bus Driver's flask


Biggleswade United FC 2006 - 2007

Sporting Bengal United FC

Sporting Bengal United 1 Whitstable Town 5 - Kent League Premier Division

Kent League

Mile End takes its name from a milestone signifying the point one mile east of the boundary of the City of London at Aldgate. Although historically the stone's position was near Stepney Green tube station, in the modern era Mile End is used to describe the area about half a mile east of this point, around Mile End tube station. The Mile End Stadium is home to Sporting Bengal United FC.

Formed in 1996 to encourage Asian football in London, Sporting Bengal United initially played in the London Intermediate League until they gained senior status in 2003. At this time they joined the Kent League (Kent? - Ed).

The Sporting Bengal set-up is unusual in that it is operated by the Bangladesh Football Association (UK) and players are selected from (and retain their affiliation with) the Sunday league clubs which are affiliated to that organisation.

At long last the Pieman has made it to a new venue! Regular visitors will have noticed a distinct lack of activity recently. The badge on the previous post had started to niggle but every time a trip was planned it was subsequently scuppered! Reasons include toothache for the pieman, a raging temperature for Hotspur, some extremely poor weather and Eastwood Town "not fancying it" causing a very late postponement at Shepshed Dynamo. Anyway that is all in the past and that badge has been pushed down the site and not before time.

Accompanied by my daughter, I was able to make the relatively short journey to Mile End (District Line - Central Line closed for engineering works) via London Liverpool Street. From the station the stadium is little more than 5 minutes walk. Limehouse (c2c and Docklands Light Railway) is of similar distance to the stadium.

The match featured bottom of the table Sporting Bengal United up against table toppers, Whitstable Town. Therefore we expected to see a few goals and in the end that was the way it turned out with the visitors scoring 5 goals. However, it was the home side that struck first in the 2nd minute and with a little more fortune on the day ought to have added to their tally. In truth though, Whitstable always had something in reserve and could also have scored more. Daughter enjoyed the match and the sand in the long jump pit!

A typical Athletics venue, the stadium only has one spectator area, this being the covered stand featured above. The visiting Whitstable fans were in fine voice supporting their team. They in turn were supported by a large case of Fosters Lager that they brought with them. Refreshment facilities are extremely limited at this venue although vending machines are present in the admin area for the stadium.

"Everywhere we go, everywhere we go
People wanna know, people wanna know
Who the eck we are, who we are
Shall we tell em who we are?, shall we tell em where we're from?
We are the Oyster Boys, famous famous oyster boys
We're in your ground, we're in your stand
We've got beer, where are your fans?"

A vast improvement on the usual tripe we have to put with at Spurs - "stand up if you hate ......." - Good stuff that Fosters- Ed

Although unable to partake, a decent looking Shepherd Neame pub was spied in a side road behind Mile End station.

Attendance: 38
Admission: £5 (concessions free)
Programme: £1 (very limited)
Daughter's Banana (Tesco): 11p