5th Annual Onion Bags Awards
2014-15 Season
Best
Non League Ground Visited
WINNER
Workington
AFC
Northern
Premier League
As
soon as you step inside Borough Park you can just smell the history
of bygone days, still hear the sounds of Bill Shankly giving his
team talks wafting from the changing rooms and the aura of the Busby
babes just before the Munich air disaster nearly fifty years earlier.
Despite its location a journey to Borough Park is well worth the effort. It is almost like a piligrimage to Mecca for it is that special. Vast open terraces with a beautiful ecclectic mix of old world charm and modern facilities in equal measures.
The journey alone is memorable. As you pass by the magnificent Bassenthwaite Lake you will marvel as to what Mother nature has produced,for it is simply stunning.
You are assured of a memorable welcome by the Clubs Officials and their hospitality is excellent.I was most impressed by the excellent martch coverage service no matter where the Reds are playing, even on a wet Wednesday in Whitby ! - Paul and his collegues do a fantastic job. It took me a long time to finally visit Borough Park after a few near misses,but the wait was worth it. Hopefully I will be returning at some point next season … as long as they call me “marra” !
Despite its location a journey to Borough Park is well worth the effort. It is almost like a piligrimage to Mecca for it is that special. Vast open terraces with a beautiful ecclectic mix of old world charm and modern facilities in equal measures.
The journey alone is memorable. As you pass by the magnificent Bassenthwaite Lake you will marvel as to what Mother nature has produced,for it is simply stunning.
You are assured of a memorable welcome by the Clubs Officials and their hospitality is excellent.I was most impressed by the excellent martch coverage service no matter where the Reds are playing, even on a wet Wednesday in Whitby ! - Paul and his collegues do a fantastic job. It took me a long time to finally visit Borough Park after a few near misses,but the wait was worth it. Hopefully I will be returning at some point next season … as long as they call me “marra” !
BILSTON
TOWN
West
Midlands Premier League
What
a cracking ground Queen Street is. Situated in the Black Country
Wolverhampton.The Main Stand is obviously the focal point and it is
fantastic. It just oozes charm, beauty and .... Orange. Even more
Orange than David Dickinson, Dale Winton and the Tango guy. There was
even some orange coloured soap in the toilets. Whilst walking round
to the other side of the ground if you start to get 'Orange
withdrawal symptons' dont worry because you will bump into Bilston's
number one and loudest fan Mr Bilston who is clad from head to toe in
....... Orange !
The
Club has had an eventful history and in the last few years has had
over 130 break-ins from the local recidivists. But they keep bouncing
back, for which i doff my cap to them. They are determined to be an
integral part of the local community , forge partnerships with
multi-agencies, and host fundraising events for the locals who are
more needy than themselves. Another eye catching feature of the
ground is the Orange hypercube style fencing which surrounds the
periminter which you can see from the from the Black Country Route
Road. I would strongly recommend
a visit to Bilston Town. Because like David 'Orange' Dickinson would
say "Its a Bobby Dazzler" !
FAVOURITE
NON LEAGUE GROUND VISITED
WINNER
BLAENAU
FFESTINIOG AMATEURS
Welsh
Alliance League – Division 2
Cae
Clyd is not the easiest to find if following the Sat Nav and is found
up a narrow road going south out of the town. There used to be a
stand which straddled the half way line on the far side from the
entrance.I heard they 'borrowed for a while, before the Railway
Authorities wanted it back. But to be honest it makes no difference
to the beauty of the place, except perhaps those without a brolly
when the heavens open.
But once you do find Cae Clyd, life is good again. For when you enter it is like steppng into a magical kingdom reminiscent to something out of a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. For the sweeping views at every angle just leave you spellbound. For it is that beautiful. Except when the rain and fog appear it all disappears like a magic trick , only to reappear once it all lifts.
As
you walked passed the changing rooms despite the rain bouncing of the
windows you could hear happy celebrations from the home players . It
was reminiscent of the famous incantations of a Welsh Male Voice
Choir as if they just won the World Cup and 6 Nations ! It was
fantastic.
MOST
FRIENDLY CLUB WELCOME
WINNER
STAFFORD
RANGERS
Northern
Premier League - Div 1 South
A
three person welcoming party greeted me warmly upon my arrival in
Reception and the genuine warm welcome never faded throughout my
stay. I was made King for the day given a personal tour and was asked
on more than one occasion if there was anything I needed by the
caring club's officials. They even informed the crowd that I was
visiting the club, a classy gesture.
Just
a shame that the match itself was one of the most uneventful of the
season. As both teams were fighting for a playoff spot they cancelled
each other out. The ground itself is fantastic and built for higher
leagues. It was just a shame that they could not achieve promotion
they desperately were seeking. But if promotions were awarded to
Clubs based on their attitudes and 'fan care' then Rangers would be
very worthy winners. A
visit to Stafford Rangers comes very highly recommended.
Special
Mention: Leek
Town
Harrison Park and is one of my favourite non
league grounds. Very friendly vibe around the club and the excellent
staff could not be more friendly or helpful. It was a brilliant match
in true FA Cup traditions where the 'underdog' came out on top. One
of the best days out during the season. Such a big shame they were pipped for promotion but i am sure they will bounce back stronger next season especially under the guidance of manager Lee Casswell who does and brilliant job. Fantastic Visit.
LEAST
FRIENDLY CLUB WELCOME
WINNER
MARGATE
FC
Margate
retain their trophy for the fourth season running. No other club came
close to consideration. I have heard of a few visitors who have also experienced bad memories from their visit to
'Planet Thanet' during last season.
BEST
MATCH OF THE SEASON
WINNER
North
Shields 4 Pheonix Sports 1 - FA Vase 5th
Leek
Town 2 Boston Town 0 – FA Cup 3rd Q Round
Both
matches were superb and very enjoyable. End to end excitement and
fantastic atmospheres.
5
DOUBLE BAGELS
Kendal
0 Lancaster 0
Stafford
Rangers 0 Spalding 0
Caenarforn
Town 0 Holyhead Hotspur 0
Barnsley
0 Chester City 0
Hade
Edge 0 Marsden 0
Only
the Barnsley/Chester game lingers in the memory as the others were
poor entertainment.
NON
LEAGUE
PERSON OF THE SEASON
PERSON OF THE SEASON
WINNER
MIKE
LATHAM
Mike
interviewing one of his RL all time heroes
If
you wish to find out anything about non league football, rugby league
or cricket then no need to bother researching on Wikipedia , just ask
Mike ! His subject knowledge seems to hold no boundries and is
'annoyingly impressive'.
Mike
has written several fantastic books and his efforts in producing
quality match day programmes is to be admired.
But
what impresses me most about Mike is what type of person he is. He is
always ready to help anybody , anytime. A
fine quality by a fine man.
BEST
FOOD SERVED AT A GROUND
WINNERS
HARROGATE
RAILWAY
Warm
Pork Pie with Mushy Peas & Mint Sauce
Simply
delicious ! Home made by the local butcher , crisp pastry with very
tasty contents complimented by delicious mushy peas and mint sauce.
My visit to Railway was one of my favourite of the season. A damp
late autumn afternoon , soggy pitch, two very decent teams who played
great attacking football and possibly one of the best clubhouses in
non league football. The Welcome by everybody was fantastic which capped off a most enjoyable visit and i will certainly return one day next season.
Total
Matches and Grounds Visited - 75
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