Hucknall Town

Central Midlands League – South Division

Hucknall Town 2
South Normanton Athletic 2

Gate £3

Atten 80ish

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Ground & Match Enjoyment - 8/10

My intended fixture at Guiseley had been called off much to my frustration as I have been looking forward to a trip to Nethermoor for some time. A quick check on the iphone told me that Hucknall Town's game was on and minutes later I had re-routed for Nottinghamshire.

Hucknall Town FC was established as a colliery side in 1943 and rose up through the football period. From 1999 to 2004 Hucknall Town F.C. played in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, and actually won the championship in the 2003-4 season. However the ground did not meet the then standards of the Football Conference they were refused promotion. That decision has proved to be a tipping point for the Club, albiet in a negative sense as they nose dived down the leagues. It would have been easier for the club to just fold but the loyal band of followers were determined that should not happen and in recent times have regrouped and are now only looking in an upwards direction. I really admire theircollective effort, thus deserving any success that will come their way.

As I walked around the ground today , I was able to see subtle reminders of the once reached dizzy heights of yesteryear. Despite being in need of a lick of paint in parts ,  it is quite clear that this ground is too good for the league they find themselves in today. On entering the ground and main building I was welcomed by a strong aroma of well cooked burgers to my left , where as to my right was the whiff of freshly applied  paint .

The Old Changing Rooms

The game itself was the best I have witnessed in this league this season. The first half was a very even affair with chances for both teams. But the second half was very watchable with four goals shared. I had in fact missed the opening goal as I had not finnished my generous portion of chips for my half time snack. As I came out one of the Staff asked if I was enjoying my visit. “yes” I replied but shame it's goaless “ She laughed and said it was 1-0 as a goal had been scored literally seconds before I came outside from my half time snack. I must admit that it is not the first time I had missed a goal. My personal best is 4 goals in any one game during my memorable visit to New Mills in 2010.

Hucknall fought back and took as deserved  lead as they started to get on top with a super goal and as time was running out the visitors hit back for what some would say a well deserved draw.

I really enoyed my visit to Watnall Road , great facilities, a warm welcome by friendly and loyal volunteers and very decent football on the pitch …... what's not to like ?

Rossington Main

Northern Counties East
Division One
Rossington Main 2 
Louth Town 0

Gate £4 

Atten 47

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Rossington Main was originally thought to have been formed in 1926 but local knowledge suggests that the club formed seven years earlier, going by the name of Rossington Colliery and in their early days played on what later became a pony field behind the colliery offices, before moving to its present home at Oxford Street in 1921.

The Club was formed, as was in the majority of mining communities, to provide Colliery workers with a game of football, changing it's name to Rossington Miners Welfare when the mines were nationalised in 1948. Over the many years of it's existence the Club has competed at many levels; winning many trophies along the way. As is the modern trend, the Club has made vast improvements to the ground at Oxford Street in order to compete at the highest possible level in the Football Pyramid, and is indebted to the work of individuals who do it all for love, not money.

Today Rossington Main plys their trade in the Northern Counties East Division One and sitting in mid table another season of safety is more or less assured. My visit today was better than I had expected and was most enjoyable despite the icy cold wind. Friendly Staff who all work very hard to keep the club afloat made me most welcome with a coffee in the warmth of the busy and spacious clubhouse.

 

The match itself was not the best I have seen but to be fair the weather conditions were awkward at best. The swirling ice cold wind certainly had a effect on the fluidity of the game. But both teams battled away as best they could and in the end 'Rossy' scored a well taken free kick and one more breakaway goal just seconds from the final whistle.

I must say how welcoming everyone was at the club and how enjoyable they made my visit become. After accepting the kind offer from the Chairman to stay for some after match Chilli and Chips I was still feeling it's “kick” from the Chilli as I said my farewell and reluctantly left the cosy warmth of the clubhouse for another battle with the rapier wind.

A vist to Rossington Main comes with my warmest recommendation - in more ways than one !

Littletown FC

Heavy Woollen District Cup
Quarter-Final
Littletown 6 Thornhill 2
Atten: 45










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Match & Day Enjoyment: 9/10

When perusing the weekly fixtures I noticed a wonderfully named competition The Heavy Woollen District Cup. The name alone had grabbed my attention so more investigation work was required.

The Heavy Woollen District is named because of the heavyweight cloth manufactured in an area of West Yorkshire . Dewsbury,Batley,Heckmondwike and Ossett are the core of the area. The majority of mills have now either closed or have been put to another uses. 
 
When I started to research about Littletown FC I knew immediately that it was a venue that I had to visit.  

Surrounded by a mixture of housing and local industry Beck Lane sits in the heart of the Heavy Woollen District and in its infancy it was home to Heckmondwike Rugby Club, formed during the 1870s who turned professional and joined the breakaway Northern Union (the forerunner of today’s Rugby League). They played for three seasons, between 1896 to 1899, as a senior club at Beck Lane, before losing their senior status to Hull Kingston Rovers. The rugby section folded in 1903 and the club switched to football.

A number of clubs used Beck Lane before it was taken over by Huddersfield Town in 1933 and used as a training base and venue for reserve and youth team games. In 1957 a young Dennis Law played for Town in an FA Youth Cup-tie that attracted a crowd of over 5,000, judged on todays visit alone I still can not work out how such a crowd was squeezed inside this venue. More recently Littletown FC of the West Riding County Amateur Football League have played there. In 2001 Beck Lane staged the longest penalty shoot-out in soccer history- the tally had reached 17-17 in Littletown’s game against Storthes Hall when the game was abandoned due to the failing light.

As I pulled up outside the ground instinct told me that it would be an afternoon well spent.They were just putting the finishing touches prior to starting. Goal nets were up, corner flags distributed , match balls pumped up, bibs and cones all in their places all that was missing was a long ladder , some kind of ball retriever not disimilar to a tool an errant golfer would use for his lost golf balls in the lakes and a pair of Wellies !

The extra 'tools' were there to retrieve wayward footballs from the strong running stream literally a few yards and a ten foot drop from the touchline. It was all quite bizare as during the match , club staff spent most of time wading through the stream to retrieve their “precious jewels”. One particular time a matchball had caught the strong current so off went the chap through the water with his rod at a fair lick only to reappear a few minutes later soaked, via another gap in the fence with his “catch of the day” in hand and a big smile. It was a wonderful sight.

The focal point of the ground is the main covered stand which straddles the half way line. Very useful for when the heavens open. Hot beverages and snacks were served and all were appreciated.

The match itself was better than I had expected. The ref was busy with bookings, sendings off, penalties and eight goals, with the hosts getting six of them. The fixture was a 'derby' of sorts between two teams seperated by only a few miles but they play in different leagues. The away followers were giving the Littletown centre forward some stick after he ballooned a couple of sitters over the bar from close range , but he got the last laugh in the end as he hit the teams sixth goal. 

You see it is hard to pull the wool over the eyes of folk in the Heavy Woollen District. It is fair to say that it was a cracking afternoon's entertainment.