The Onion Bag Awards 2017-18



 8th Annual

Onion Bag Awards

2017-18 Season


BEST GROUND VISITED  

WINNER 

GLENTORAN FC
Quite simply a visit to The Oval , home of Glentoran FC is as good as it gets. The place just wreeks of history . From the moment you turn into Parkgate Drive and the 'Old Lady' comes into view you are immediately spellbound. It feels like you are making a pilgrimage to football mecca.The massive main stand overpowers you and you can literally smell the bygone European night matches as the history simply overpowers you into submission , even when the stand is empty.

The vast open terraces , the large covered stands , the location backing on to the ship building dock yards, the aeroplanes flying scarily close over the main stand to and from the nearby airport.Photos of George Best playing for Glentoran hang proudly in the boardroom , along with many others including the famous european nights , the trophy cabinet etc , a visit to theclub's famous 'Milk Bar' , meeting the locals all make visitng The Oval a very special place to visit , very special indeed.

A visit to The Oval is like visiting 'sporting heaven' - The place just is dripping in history and is a must visit if you want to know what being in heaven feels like !

FAVOURITE NON LEAGUE GROUND VISITED  

WINNER 

BOSTON UNITED


York Street is clearly built for higher leagues for it is a fantastic football ground. The ground has cover on all four sides with spacious terracing and seated areas.
Boston United were members of the Football League from 2002 until 2007 and are heading in the right direction to return to the former glory days.

The indications are that they will be moving to a new ground on the outskirts of town sooner rather than later. I suggest you try to pay York Street a visit before it is too late , then thank me later !

View all photos from Boston United 

Special mention for : Millhead FC 


MOST FRIENDLY CLUB WELCOME

WINNER 
GLENTORAN FC
Very difficult to pick a 'winner' as almost every club gave a good welcome. Special mention however goes to Ricky Rea , Secretary at Glentoran FC who went above and beyond to make me feel a valued visitor. He even gave me a personal tour of the club , including the boardroom , which was like entering an Aladdin's cave. As Ricky shared some of his stories of the club you could feel his passion for the club he has supported from boy to man covering over 60 years. It was a very memorable experience.

Special Mentions for : Atherton Collieries , Dodworth Miners Welfare, West Didsbury & Chorlton.

LEAST FRIENDLY CLUB WELCOME


 Peterborough Sports: The salty mouthed elder on the gate left a bad taste in the mouth.There was no need for his waspish tirade. It was only due to his age I kept tight lipped. Case closed. However it was an exciting fixture on a dreadful pitch.

MOST ENJOYABLE MATCH


WINNER 
DODWORTH MW 3 - PENISTONE CHURCH 4
Sheffield Assoc Challenge Cup 2nd Round


This match was an end to end classic as both teams went toe to toe. Miners scored midway through the first half, Church equalised within two minutes.      HT 1-1.Then with about twenty minutes left the fireworks really started.Miners went back in front and then like the first half Church quickly equalised to make it 2-2.

Both teams continued to attack and missed plenty of chances. 15 Minutes left Church then counter attacked and scored a great goal to take the lead for the first time 3-2.With time running out Miners equalised to make it 3-3. This was then followed by two misses of the season by both teams. First Miners forward was 6 inches from goal and toe poked it to their goalie , who was lying on the ground. How he failed to score nobody knows. Then amazingly minutes later Church missed a very similar goalden chance much to the utter disbelief to the vocal crowd.

But then seconds later Church snatched a winner. Cue the big pile up of players and coaches in celebration. Miners came back for more to force the game into extra time but sadly just fell short. Both teams were applauded off by everybody in recognition of a pulsating game of football. Brilliant entertainment !



Runner Up
Check-a-Trade Trophy Quarter Final
Lincoln City 4 Peterborough United 2
Both teams attacked from the off in front of a bumper crowd in full voice. Large away support which only added to the occasion. The game could of swung either way until 2 very late Lincoln goals. Brilliant game.


WORST MATCH OF THE SEASON


Athersley Recreation 0 Hemsworth MW 0
Usually when watching either of these teams play we are always rewarded with goals and usually plenty of them. But sadly this was just awful. It was a long night and the tempation to leave early was high and levels of endurance was required to stay to the final whistle.

BEST TEA HUT


WINNER 
AFC EMLEY
  I always enjoy visiting The Welfare Ground,in the shadows of the transmitting station high up on Emley Moor. But I always save a little room so I can visit the tea hut who always produces delicious fodder. There is plenty of choice available including a homemade 'Emley meat and potato pie' which is my favourite.     The happy ladies behind the counter are also an added bonus ! 

Special Mentions for : Leek Town , Kidsgrove and Ashton United 

NON LEAGUE PERSON OF THE SEASON 

WINNER 

Mr Keith Donkin - Frickley Athletic


Keith has been a Frickley stalwart for many years but sadly in the past few days he passed away much to the shock to many people in both football and cricket circles.Anyone who has ever been to a Frickley home game will know, or know of, 'Donks'. He loved his sport, especially the Blues & Barnsley & all things cricket related. He has been the unmistakable 'voice of Frickley' over the years in his role as stadium announcer at the Westfield Lane. If you've ever won the Golden Goal or Half Time draw, then you will have heard his velvet tones. Anyone that met him face to face will have been hit with his favourite question - what is the weight of a cricket ball? (5.75 ounces if you're interested).

Until very recently I shared many away day trips with him. He was always sharing his fantastic stories from yesteryear with me and they always ended with a chuckle and his elbow in my ribs to confirm the punchline.

At Frickley's last home game of the season just 3 weeks ago he retired from his matchday microphone duties where he gave his last public speech to the crowd. As he spoke his voice began to quiver with sadness as he said his farewell.

RIP Keith


BEST NON LEAGUE FOOTBALL BLOG

WINNER 
The Itinerant Football Watcher
by Peter Miles

Blog link - here
Peter is very well known in non league football circles and where he hasnt been probably isnt worth visiting anyway !.I love to read his overseas adventures (and there are plenty of them) but after doing so his reports always leave me wanting to visit for myself.
Peter also produces some great photo sets from his travels and they can be viewed HERE  
I am sure you will enjoy his work as much as i have. Don't worry, it will be time well spent ! 



Roden Cup Final

Hope Valley League
Roden Cup Final 2018
 

Stoney Middleton 4 
Buxworth res 4
Buxworth win on penalties
atten 100ca 


 

The Roden Cup was first played for in 1953-54 when it was won by Tideswell and today Stoney Middleton were attempting a league and cup double having been crowned champions last week. This years final was played in the lovely town of Bakewell. Idyllically situated on the banks of the river Wye, the biggest town in the Peak District National Park's mellow stone buildings, medieval five-arched stone bridge and quaint courtyards are a magnet for painters, photographers and sightseers alike.

The ground is situated in the town centre in a lovely spacious park where the pitch is surrounded by mature Lime trees. Adjoining is the cricket and croquet club. It all makes for a lovely tranquil setting , it was just perfect. The players changed in the cricket pavillion some 75+ yards from the pitch. 


It was a very enjoyable match where the 'underdogs' Buxworth were the better team in the first half but it was Stoney who took the lead. Buggy hit back but just a few minutes later but Stoney scored a jammy deflected goal just before HT 2-1. Second half Buggy hit back with 3 goals to take a 4-2 midway through the 2nd half. With 15 minutes left Stoney started to press forward more and more and made it 3-4 with eight minutes left cheered on by the Stoney fans who with their horn in full voice. The in the 92nd minute they somehow equalised , cue the mini- pitch invasion to join in the players goal celebration. 

As the game was coming to an end the ref actually stopped the game to ask the Stoney captain to go over and ask the Stoney followers to stop making so much noise ! - never seen that before.Buxworth comfortably won the penalty shootout to win the cup. It was a cracking finale to an entertaining match. FT 4-4
the wining penalty
Both finalists were presented with silverware and the runners up's cup was far better/bigger than the winners cup ! 
It was a fantastic visit to Bakewell, lovely town and surroundings, fantastic final, 8 goals and the drama of a penalty shoot out .... it was the cherry on top of the Bakewell Cake !! 



 

Thurrock FC

Isthmian League - Premier Division
Thurrock 0
Leiston 0
atten 139






View all photos from Thurrock 






Thurrock's ground is virtually situated on the inside lane of the M25 for it is that close. I thought Ship Lane looked fantastic & very well maintained despite the club deciding to fold at the end of the season. Had a lovely chat with the Chairman/Owner who shared his real reasons as to why he has decided to call it a day after 33 years. Its a big shame because its a lovely set up.

Despite no goals it was a very enjoyable game between two fully committed teams. It never let up as both teams went full power for the victory.
Leiston even managed to miss a late penalty but i feel Thurrock definitely deserved something from the game for effort alone.

Lovely big main stand painted in the club's colours. Plenty of covered standing and a ground with a very spacious feel about it.
Full marks to the group of Thurrock fans who made plenty of noise throughout. But sadly their visits to Ship Lane are numbered as their Ship will soon be sailing. Unless they are thrown a 'life-jacket' and a buyer comes in to buy the club ,the club will fold forever. A big shame for it is a lovely club.




Malone RFC

All Ireland Rugby - Division 2A
Malone 22  Cashel 17
Gibson Park Avenue - East Belfast


View all photos from Malone RFC



Malone Football Club was founded in 1892 by residents of Malone Park, Belfast. In 1896 Malone obtained senior status after two victories in the junior league. Malone first played a non-Irish sidewhen it hosted Furness in 1903. The current name Malone Rugby Football Club was adopted in1932. Malone moved to its present location in Gibson Park, Belfast in 1935, eventually purchasing it in1953.The present clubhouse dates from 1967.


Malone's nickname is 'The Cregagh Red Sox' and the club is based around the Cregagh Road area in South-East Belfast . Just off the Cregagh Road are two locally well-known sporting venues,Cregagh Cricket Club and Malone Rugby Club.While having separate facilities, they are situated onthe same road, namely Gibson Park Avenue. Cregagh Cricket Club celebrated its centenary in 2006.
The cricket ground is also used by Northern Amateur Football League club Orangefield Old Boys' Association F.C. and is part of Cregagh Sports Club, effectively a merger of the cricket and association football clubs, with both sharing the same Gibson Park Avenue facilities.This alliancewas concluded in the early 1980s, with the two clubs being previously unconnected.Ravenhill Stadium, the home of Ulster Rugby,lies a short distance away, about halfway between the Cregagh Road and the Ravenhill Road to the east.




The famous Cregagh Estate is located off the Cregagh Road.The estate is characterised by its uncommon flat roofs and staggered house fronts. The  in the Cregagh Estate are named afterthe rivers and streams of the island of Ireland. Although predominantly Protestant from itsinception, Cregagh had a significant Catholic minority for a number of years and at the start of the
Troubles, Catholics even joined in local vigilante patrols under the auspices of the Cregagh Tenants Association.



The late footballer George Best grew up in the Cregagh Estate, and as a boy played football on the open playing fields at the centre of the estate and today you can find his life commemorated by amural in the Cregagh estate. Before the roaring crowds and showstopping goals, you could have found a young George Best on Cregagh Green. Stepping back to in time to the 1950s, Cregagh Green Estate’s local football pitch was where it all began. It was here that the raw, undiscovered talent of the Belfast Boy began to blossom. One of the locals told me “They actually want top reserve the field so that in future years we might find another George Best”. The space is legally protected “in perpetuity” after a legal deed of dedication between Belfast City Council and Fields inTrust.           It seems only fitting that the mural overlooks budding stars and Belfast boys with the same passion for football as George Best himself showed all those years ago.



 Todays opponents Cashel are based in Tipperary across the border in the south around 250 miles away. They looked a very well drilled team and played a strong game and they pushed the league leaders all the way to the final whistle. Many a team would have buckled under the Malone pressurebut Cashel stood strong and went toe-to-toe.

The intensity and speed of the match was fantastic as both teams smashed in to each other. It was a fantastic match. The locals turned out in force and both bars were doing brisk trade. Whilst the 1s tteam were in action there were two other matches on the other pitches and as usual they were all competative.   The sportsmanship from every one was excellent.


When I arrived,I was immediately welcomed by a club official who also knowing how far I had travelled immediately invited me to the pre-match luncheon which was just about to be served tothe 300+ strong club members. It was delicious and the company was excellent including my new photographer friend John Coffrey who produces excellent photography .



The final whistle blew to cheers from the Malone supporters after Cashel had finished the match strongly.It was followed by hugs and handshakes between everyone involved.It was an afternoon in the East Belfast sunshine of non stop pulsating entertainment, which i thoroughly enjoyed.This was my first experience of All Ireland Rugby and I was very impressed.I will certainly be back for more in the future.


Despite their defeat the Cashel players were fantastic and they can hold their heads high as they head back South to Tipperary because ….. its a long way !




Glentoran

Danske Irish Premiership
Glentoran 1 Ballymena United 2
The Oval - East Belfast




Quite simply a visit to The Oval , home of Glentoran FC is as good as it gets. The place just wreeks of history . From the moment you turn into Parkgate Drive and the 'Old Lady' comes into view you are immediately spellbound. It feels like you are making a pilgrimage to football mecca.  The massive main stand overpowers you and you can literally smell the bygone European night matches as the history simply overpowers you into submission , even when the stand is empty.


As i was just standing in awe , i heard a voice from high above from a small window welcolming me "I'll be down in a second OB" . It was the Club Secretary Ricky Rea. What a fantastic man Ricky is. His passion and love for the club is just amazing. His stories of supporting the Glens as boy and man are just fascinating. He fondly recalls the European nights in the 60's v Benfica , Juventus etc and how the atmosphere in the packed  ground is something he will never forget.

Ricky told me that Glentoran were the first club to go out of a European competition on the 'away goals rule'  when they drew 1-1 at home to Benfica and in the 2nd leg drew 0-0 in Portugal. They were the first club to prevent Benfica from scoring on their own pitch in Europe. The Boardroom is just magnificent with all the trophies and memorabilia on display, including the solid silver eagle that Benfica presented them taht famous night. Also proudly on display is the Vienna Cup won in 1914 and according to Ricky Glentoran were the first ever British club to win a competition in Europe.




Tonights match v Ballymena United was an important one for both sides as the winners would make the last place for the end of season playoffs and possible european qualification.

The condition were damp and the rain was intermittent. But it was the visitors who scored a late winner to send the loyal locals home frustrated to the poor end to the season and the failure to make the play-offs.



The vast open terraces , the large covered stands , the location backing on to the ship building dock yards, the aeroplanes flying scarily close over the main stand to and from the nearby George Best Airport – Photos of George Best playing for Glentoran hang proudly in the boardroom , along with many others including Danny Blancflower , Billy Bingham etc , a visit to theclub's famous 'Milk Bar' , meeting the locals all make visitng The Oval a very special place to visit , very special indeed.




Oxenhope Recreation

West Yorkshire League 
Div 2 
Oxenhope Recreation 6 Altofts 1
atten 20 
No admission charged











View all Photos from Oxenhope

Located in West Yorkshire's Bronte Country lies the scenic village of Oxenhope, where my arrival was welcomed with a twenty vechicle taffic jam started by a bus driver of sub-continent persuasion and some daft twat right up my backside refusing to reverse a few feet all finished off with some dosey cow ramming my car. Needless to say first impressions were not favourable but shortly after upon my arrival at the football club everything changed. 

The views are just fantastic and the location is hard to beat. 


The Clubhouse hosts both the changing facilities , committee room/tea hut. Also lots of fantastic club memorabilia on display.

There are two pitches on site with the first being called 'The Slope' where one of the corner flags are situated within a few feet of someone's lounge window. The pitch has a slope which needs to be seen to be believed. From top to bottom the difference must be at least 40-50 feet. The main pitch is lower down the hill and is enclosed with barriers and drystone walling.

Like most matches in this league it was enjoyable and competative with plenty of goals. Special mention for the Oxenhope Secretary who was very welcoming and made a special effort to chat and even thanked us for visiting.

A visit to Oxenhope Recreation comes highly recommended






Huddersfield Town

Premier League
Huddersfield Town 1
West Ham United 4

atten 24,105

View all Photos from Huddersfield Town



 My beloved Hammers were in town and they ripped Huddersfield apart with a very slick performance.I hope the Huddersfield players slept ok last night because Lanzini & Arnie gave them nightmares all afternoon. Large traveling 'Claret and Blue' army roared the boys on in what was a superb display.

The atmosphere created from the home supporters was electric and with the cockney boys in full voice it made for a fantastic occasion. 

The stadium is one of the better new builds and its location is perfect. I like Huddersfield and manager David Wagner as he is a very impressive individual, but today they were simply outclassed. 

Am not a big fan of Moyes , but fair play to the chap he has got the team organised with a structure and they run , a big change from Mr Bilic. All four hammers goals were well made and a team effort. The first goal was as a result of a full team press on a Huddersfield goal kick. Why did he insist on playing it short instead of playing long ?
 I loved the third goal , lovely once touch 'geometry' football , a step over by Arnie , flicked through to Lanzini who duly dispatched. Beautiful football ...The West Ham Way !


Claret and Blue Army in full voice !

 

2017 Onion Bag Awards - RUGBY LEAGUE

2017 Onion Bag Awards 

RUGBY LEAGUE



BEST MATCHES

Professional Game - WINNERS
 
Super League Play Off's - Semi Final 

Castleford 23 St Helens 22 (sudden death)
atten: 11,300 full house 



WOW ! .... just Wow ! Quite simply this was as good as it gets for non stop , pulsating , end to end , topsy turvy, high octane, top quality sporting entertainment.
Wheldon Road is an iconic british sporting venue and the place was absolutely rammed. The atmosphere was electric all night and the finale was one of those "I was there" moments. 
The scoring unfolded ... 6-0,6-4,8-4,8-10,20-10,20-16, 20-22,22-22,23-22.

In my opinion Castleford Scrum half Luke Gale should be tested post match for the size of his 'Cojones' because they must be massive. The way he stepped up after the hooter had sounded for the end of the game to take a tricky conversion attempt to tie the game to take it into sudden death was so impressive. But minutes later in sudden death he trumped that and let fly a winning drop goal. 


But hats of to St Helens because they played a fantastic match. To score three tries in 7 minutes in that 'pressure cooker' situation was unbeleivably impressive. Their fifth try with under two minutes remaining which made it 20-22 was simply world class. But alas there was a very late sting in the tale , albiet as a result of a poorly timed obstruction by a Saints player. Then upstepped the afore mentioned Luke 'Big Cojones' Gale. 

 Rugby League , unlike football, never produces a poor game and tonight was magical down in the Jungle.


Amateur Game - WINNERS
 Bramley Buffaloes 26
Hunslet Parkside 24
Yorkshire Mens League
Division 2
 
Buffs score a last gasp winning try in a pulsating game
Who needs pre-season Football friendlies when you can have non stop explosive Rugby League entertainment such as this ? This game had more spice than a Bombay Market stall.This game had it all , bone crunching tackles , 2 red cards , 3 sin binned , plenty of fisticuffs , and a pulsating fightback by Bramley.
Buffs found themselves 4-24 down with only twenty minutes remaining but some how fought back to score the winning try with the last play of the game.

It was an exhilerating finish to a very spicy 'Leeds derby'. The noise coming out of the Bramley changing rooms after, showed how delighted they were with their victory.

Fantastic afternoon's entertainment. It does not get any better !!!