Atherstone Town

6 July 2013

Atherstone Town 0 Coleshill 3
Pre Season Friendly

Gate: £5
Atten: 75 

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According to the Chinese zodiac, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. So my visit to the home of The 'Adders' was always going to be an interesting one especially as the lucky colours this year are red and black.By coincidence they are the teams colours. But more worryingly the most unlucky numbers will be #1 & #7....i would advise playing all the attacks down the left wing.Also, lets hope the Goalie does not drop a few clangers this season so they do not slip and slide down the league. Next year is the year of the horse lets hope by then things are more 'stable'.

Match Enjoyment: 3/10
The Adders lacked any 'venom' during the tropical heat in the first friendly of the new season. Coleshill from a lower league were too 'slippery' for their local rivals and for the Adders it will be best to 'viper' this performance from the memory.

Ground: 8/10
The first thing you notice upon arrival at the Sheepy Road Ground is what a great ground, far to good for their present level.
Today The Adders find themselves playing in the Midlands Combination Premier Division a far cry from the dizzy heights of yesteryear.
The end of the 1999-2000 season saw Atherstone relegated for the first ever time in their entire history. The situation at the club worsened and in September 2003 Atherstone United were put into liquidation. Again, against all the odds, a group of local supporters, lead by Graham Read, banded together and formed Atherstone Town. In their inaugural season (2004/2005), competing in the Midland Combination they won Division One and were subsequently promoted to the Premier Division.

The momentum continued and in the 2005/2006 season they won the Midland Combination Premier Division and were promoted to the Midland Alliance. This season also saw the Adders win the Midland Combination League Cup at the Hawthorne’s and the BCFA Midland Floodlit Cup.
In their first season in the Midland Alliance they finished eighth but in the following 2007/2008 season they won league and were promoted for third season in four but this time to the Southern League Midlands Division. In their first season back in this league they finished third behind Leamington and Nuneaton Town and reached the playoffs but only to lose to Chasetown. However, they did win the Southern League cup beating teams from all three divisions before mastering Bridgwater Town 5- 2 in a 2 leg final.

I could imagine what this ground would feel like when it is full. Under the superb floodlights against Birmingham or Villa in a cup match, what a brilliant occasion that would be. They are for the level they play at a well supported club. But more of the fans need to help out more, if anything just to keep the club alive and kicking.
In many respects the ground is well worth a visit and i enjoyed my time. Meeting up with fellow football friends on a lovely sunny day, relaxed atmosphere. A decent way to get back in the saddle.