Stocksbridge Park Steels

25 April 2013

Northern Premier League

Stocksbridge Park Steels 0

AFC Fylde 2

Gate:£8

Atten:124

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Ground:
A trip to Bracken Moor had long been on my tick list and today i finally made it. This was Steels' third home game in six days due to a fixture backlog. Opponents AFC Fylde were trying to secure a precious three points to secure a play off place.

Stocksbridge Park Steels F.C. was formed in 1986 as the result of the merger of Stocksbridge Works, the works team of the local British Steel plant, with another local club, Oxley Park Sports F.C. The new club was immediately admitted to the Northern Counties East League Division Two, the works club having previously played in Division Three of the same league,which was discontinued in 1986.

The Steels have always played their games at what was originally called the Bracken Moor Stadium, the former home of Stocksbridge Works. In 2006 it was announced that the stadium was to be sponsored by local newspaper Look Local for a term of five years, resulting in its official name being changed to the Look Local Stadium.

The ground was a cricket pitch until shortly after the Second World War, when it was purchased by a local steelmaking company and converted into a football stadium. Stone-built changing rooms were erected in the mid-1960s, replacing a small hut, as was a seated stand and terracing. The main stand has a distinctive angled awning which extends from the fascia and seats which came from Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium. Floodlights were installed at the stadium in 1990 and the terracing partially covered four years later.
As one side of the ground directly adjoins a cricket pitch, the club was required to erect a dividing fence in order to gain entry to the Northern Premier League. The fence is temporary in nature and is removed during the cricket season. It was partially funded by money raised from friendlies against Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.

I was made very welcome by all the Staff at the club. The ground is a little corker and has a special feel about it. However i am certain to come in mid winter one would experience artic conditions due to its lofty position. My invite inside the boardroom was gratefully expected as it was much warmer and i met some very interesting committee members, many were former players.

Surrounded by eye catching penine views the ground is a must visit for any serious football lover. 8/10

Match Enjoyment:
Days earlier Steels had secured a place in the division for next season with a 5-2 romping of Nantwich. But tonight would be different and so it proved against a decent side from the Fylde coast just a decent 5 iron from Blackpool pleasure beach.

Early doors Steels showed their mettle and it was hard to tell who the promotion chasing side were for at least 44 minutes, until Fylde scored and from then on they were in full control and secured the win with a beautifully worked second late on. 6/10