Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey FC, who were formed in 1944, are a non league club who come from the picturesque market town of the same name around fifteen miles north of London. When the club was formed, the team consisted of former players from Tottenham Hotspur juniors and Waltham Abbey Youth Club, who had used the Capershotts group during World War Two.

The Abbey church in the pretty town centre

The side reached a decent level in local football and reached three Herts Junior Cup finals. Waltham Abbey United emerged in the late 60s as a new clubhouse was built at Capershotts. In 1974 the club merged with Beechfield Sports before dropping their name from their title in 1976 as 'The Abbotts' gained senior status and reached the premier division of the Essex Intermediate League within a year.

Floodlights were installed in 1990 and the pitch was levelled as Abbey moved across to the Essex and Herts Border Combination in 2001 to allow them to progress up the non league pyramid. They were elected to the Essex Senior League a year later. Abbey finished the 2004-5 season in third place as well as lifting the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and the League Cup.

The club were promoted to the Isthmian League Division One North in 2006 and went on to reach the Premier Division in 2009 after a thrilling play off victory over Concord Rangers. Their stay lasted just one season before being relegated.


Waltham Abbey FC will compete in the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2013-14 season.

 











My visits


Friday 11th January 2008


I had been home for a few days at Christmas and my team Scarborough Athletic had run a draw. Two of the prize winners lived in North East London, so I helped out on saving cash for the club by volunteering to hand deliver the prizes. This also gave me an opportunity to take in a couple of grounds and take photos.


After calling in at Cheshunt FC I took the long walk to Waltham Abbey. It was much further than I anticipated, but it kept me fit!

The ground was locked but there was plenty of scope to take photos, some from the adjoining sloping cemetery. The changing rooms were behind the goal at the Sewardstone Road End with some additional cover and a few rows of terracing. A seated stand was on the far side, nearest to the M25 fully kitted out with sky blue tip up seats with formerly saw service at Maine Road, Manchester. The rest of the ground was open to the elements consisting of grass and hard standing. The clubhouse was outside the ground across the car park.


I wandered off and used my common sense and took a bus to Waltham Cross and a further one to Enfield to drop off the prizes.

Waltham Abbey 1 Heybridge Swifts 2 (Monday 29th August 2011) Isthmian League Division One North (att: 101)

I had an early finish at work so I gave the Non League Paper some serious attention in choosing my game. After plenty of research of travelling times and availability, I decided on choosing Waltham Abbey as I want to eventually see games at the grounds I'd visited for photos and it looked a tricky journey for a midweek game, when I mainly go to games as a neutral.

 









I took the tube after work across to Liverpool Street where I had a time to wait before my train to Waltham Cross. I was cheered after ringing my Dad to hear he was going to the Scarborough Athletic v Long Eaton United game. I fancied our boys to win and I wanted my Dad to see the new look side. I was at my destination at just gone 2pm.

I was armed with a list of buses that ran to Waltham Abbey from the station. The stop was out of service, but advised customers to take the short walk to the bus station. I was frustrated on arrival to find only one of the five possible services ran on Bank Holidays. I saw an old boy waiting and he told me a bus was due. I checked the timetable for confirmation. The next bus was leaving in twenty minutes, which he confirmed. I get too used to the regular London services. I reckoned I could walk to Waltham Abbey quicker than the bus, so I set off.

 









Sure enough I was in the town centre in twenty minutes and I hadn't seen any buses. The walk was pleasant enough, taking me past the Olympic canoeing venue, the Lea canal and into the county of Essex from Hertfordshire. Capershotts was a further ten minutes down Sewardstone Road.

The first signs were promising as the car park looked fairly busy. I paid my £8 plus £2 for a programme and went inside. Immediately the main differences between most grounds at steps four and five became apparent. There was music playing pre match and an audible PA system and the ground had good catering. I settled with a burger and a tea, which I must say were first class as was the friendly service, in the cover behind the goal. It had a few wooden slats bolted onto the top step so it was comfortable to sit down.

The ground was pretty similar to my previous visit but an additional cover had been added further up the side from the seated stand. It was a basic construction with the stanchions being scaffolding poles but it added extra welcome cover no doubt needed when The Abbotts had a spell in the premier division.

 










Someone at Abbey obviously had a sense of humour as the teams came out to the music normally associated with a circus. It made me smile. A visiting Swifts fan soon used it as ammo when berating the referee over a debatable decision.

I went for a walk around the ground as I watched a competitive game with both sides threatening without having any real efforts on goal. Heybridge took the lead through a mix up in the Abbey rearguard before I settled behind the goal and had a chat with a local as an amazing long range shot put the visitors two up. It was agreed it was a little generous for Swifts to be two up, but you have to covert chances to win a game, and they did that with aplomb.

Almost immediately Abbey were back into it with a fine curling free kick finding the bottom corner of the net. I could see more goals following in the second half when I adjourned to a reasonable busy clubhouse at half time, which had attracted all day customers on their day off.

The second half was scrappier but gradually settled down. Abbey missed an easy chance before Swifts squandered three in rapid succession at the other end. The game was getting niggly. Abbey had a small forward who was like a Jack Russell snapping at the defenders heels. The defenders thought he was fouling quite a lot and I sympathised. He was penalised but as a defender got up having won the free kick he stupidly stood on his opponents leg and was quite rightly sent off.

Both sides made changes and Abbey made many half chances but they weren't getting much fortune. The visitors keeper made a fine save near the end, which left just enough time for a home player to see red mist and a card of the same colour as Swifts sent their decent away following home in jubilant mood.

 









The two players weren't the only ones to see red. My text updates had revealed Boro had somehow contrived to lose 3-1 at home. I was not happy to say the least, especially after my good mate Fred gave me an honest assessment of proceedings.

I had a while before my train, but I didn't bother with a pint as I'd originally intended. Instead I had the leisurely walk back to Waltham Cross station before heading home.

I enjoyed the game and my afternoon out, but unfortunately my own team put a huge damper on it.

That's football!


  

Shamrock Rovers (Ireland)

 












Shamrock Rovers FC (Cumann Peile Ruagairí na Seamróige in Irish) hail from the Irish capital of Dublin and were formed in 1901 in the Ringsend area of the city. The clubs name derives from the fact the clubs first rooms were in Shamrock Avenue.

In 1906 Rovers withdrew from the First Division of the Leinster Senior League, but in 1914 they were resurrected and played at Ringsend Park for the next two years. Unfortunately the venue then became unavailable and the club disbanded for five years, only playing exhibition matches. They then joined the Leinster Senior League, with Rovers lifting the League of Ireland title at the first attempt in 1922, before moving into their new home of Glenmalure Park in Milltown in 1926. Within five seasons in the League of Ireland, Shamrock had won three titles and one FAI Cup.

A large crowd packs in to watch the action in Milltown

Crowds of up to 30,000 flocked to Glenmalure Park as 'The Hoops' quickly became the countries most successful club. By 1949 they had lifted six titles and eleven FAI Cup's with Irish internationals Paddy Moore and Jimmy Dunne playing pivotal roles. Dunne died suddenly so Paddy Coad reluctantly took over as player manager. He produced a fine young side which won three more titles during the 1950's.

Sean Thomas rebuilt the side in the 60s after many players moved on to English clubs and he led the club to a double in 1964 as well as going out narrowly to eventual winners Valencia in the Inter Cities Fairs Cup. Thomas resigned because of interference from the Cunningham family who owned the club. Former player Liam Tuohy took the helm and won a further five consecutive FAI Cup's. The summer of 1967 was spent in the USA where the club participated in the foundation of the United Soccer Association. They represented the city of Boston and played as Boston Rovers. Mick Leech was the star striker of the day.

 









In 1972 Arthur and Des Cunningham sold Rovers to three Kilcoyne brothers from Dublin. They purchased the club for business reasons having seen the previous high attendances the team attracted. However, withing five years crowds were disappearing from the league, which led to the sad demise of Cork Hibs and Drumcondra. The new owners sold their experienced players and replaced them with juniors. In 1976 Thomas returned as manager before Johnny Giles arrived as player manager in July 1977. The Kilcoynes made the club full time professional and unveiled plans to rebuild Glenmalure Park to hold 50,000 fans. Giles brought in Irish internationals Eamonn Dunphy, Ray Treacy and Paddy Mulligan to supplement the younger players. A twenty first FAI Cup was lifted and the club had notable European victories against Fram Reykjavik and Apoel Nicosia. Despite this Giles resigned in February 1983.

Jim McLaughlin took over and was given funds for players. The side clinched their first league title for twenty years in 1984, followed by three more consecutive titles and three FAI Cup's. The club bought Glenmalure Park from the Jesuits before the Kilcoyne's announcing it would be sold for development in 1987. The team moved to play matches at Tolka Park with the Supporters Club and KRAM (Keep Rovers at Milltown) boycotted games. The Kilcoyne's sold the club to businessman John McNamara who controversially moved Rovers to home of their biggest rivals; Bohemians Dalymount Park. Crowds continued to be very low as the supporters were most unimpressed.

A monument stands where Glenmalure Park was once located.

In 1990 Rovers moved to the Royal Dublin Showground closer to their original home where they remained for six years and winning a league title during their stay. 22,000 fans attended their first game at RDS against St Patrick's Athletic. In 1996 McNamara sold the club to Premier Computers, headed by Alan McGrath who unveiled plans to build a new stadium for the club in the south western suburb of Tallaght. Brian Kearney also of Premier Computers took over as Chairman and gained planning permission in 1998 as the club once again used Tolka Park for home games. Joe Colwell bought the club and ended the companies' involvement at Rovers as Damien Richardson had a spell as team boss while the side played for a while at Morton Stadium (see Sporting Fingal section). 

 









Tony McGuire then took over the club and looked for investment to complete a half built stadium after the construction company employed pulled out of the deal. There followed a period of legal battles over the ownership of the land and stadium which led to the enforced resignation of McGuire after the club entered a period of examination. McGuire had submitted the clubs' 2003 accounts when applying for their 2005 license, which led to a points deduction and consequent relegation. The 400 Club, a supporters group had an offer for the club accepted and took over ownership. Promotion was won at the first attempt and the stadium construction was recommenced while the side performed in home games at Tolka Park.

In 2009 the stadium was completed and marked with an opening game against Real Madrid which drew in a crowd of 10,200, while the team improved under Michael O'Neill. The 2010 League of Ireland title was won on goal difference over Bohemian ending a drought of sixteen years, as well as a two legged game in Europe against Juventus.

 









Rovers made the headlines during the 2011 season in the Europa League when they defeated Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade over two legs to reach the competitions' group stages, on a night when all Scottish teams were eliminated from the tournament. Their reward was to be drawn in the same group as Tottenham Hotspur, Rubin Kazan and PAOK. Despite a gallant effort the team were eliminated at the group stage.

The skills of manager O'Neill were spotted and he was appointed as manager of Northern Ireland in December 2012. Rovers were led by Stephen Kenny and then Brian Laws before Trevor Croly took over in November to prepare for the 2013 season.

Shamrock Rovers will compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division for the 2013 season.

An attempt to rouse fans displayed outside the ground on my visit

My visit

Thursday 14th October 2010

I was in and around Dublin for a few days sightseeing, socialising and to see some stadiums and a match on the Friday evening. I had already had a superb day having gone on a tour of the new Aviva Stadium and met one of my old Scarborough FC heroes, Martin Russell who was managing UCD in the city.

 









From Bellfield I took a bus back into the city centre before jumping aboard a Luas (Dublin tram) for the long but interesting ride to distant Tallaght.

My first impression was not hugely favourable of the new area. It was a new town newly built replica of the new towns that blight the south east of England. It was lacking character, save for the old original village separated by a major road. I set off on the way to where I thought the stadium was, but soon found myself by a dual carriageway with not a lot on the horizon. A kind local put me back in the right direction which meant going through The Square shopping centre and along the Tallaght Pass, which was a major road.

 









The stadium was now in my sights and I was soon outside. I managed to take some photos of the far one of two identical stands through a gate, before popping into the club office to ask permission to have a look inside. The chap behind the counter apologised but he couldn't oblige. Instead I walked around the perimeter and got several good photos anyway.

The ground had two impressively identically designed seated stands with one having an interesting looking barrel roof, before money became tighter, facing each other across the pitch. Both ends were flat open standing, but had plenty of space for future development. 

 









I walked back to the Luas stop, in the correct direction. It took less than ten minutes! I set off for my next destination, St Patrick's Athletic hoping to revisit Tallaght Stadium for a game when the area was 'lived in' and the stadium developed further.


The old photos of Glenmalure Park have been taken from the internet

Hillingdon Borough

The current Hillingdon Borough FC, from the borough to the north west of London were formed in 1990, but their connected history can be traced back to 1872.

Yiewsley FC began life in 1872 playing matches at Falling Lane. After years of local league football they became members of the newly formed Delphian League in 1951, before being promoted to the Corinthian League in 1954. In 1958 the club became semi professional and joined the Southern League. Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn had a brief spell with Yiewsley before he retired.

 









 In 1964 London was divided into local government and the Borough of Hillingdon was created. In line with this the club renamed itself as Hillingdon Borough FC. This led to an improvement on the pitch and by 1966 the club were competing in the Southern League Premier Division. In 1969 they were runners up to Cambridge United, who were promoted to the Football League. In 1970 they reached the third round of the FA Cup after defeating Wimbledon and Luton Town, before going down 4-1 to Sutton United. The following season Boro reached Wembley in the final of the FA Trophy as they went down 3-2 to Telford United after being two goals up at the interval. Former Fulham and England full back Jimmy Langley was in charge of the team.


Following this, a spell of dwindling crowds and poor management troubled the club. They changed their name to Hillingdon FC in 1984 and sold their Falling Lane Stadium around the same time. The following year they merged with Burnham FC, who were based around ten miles westerly to form Burnham & Hillingdon FC. This arrangement lasted for just two years before the club became Burnham FC and Hillingdon disappeared temporarily from football.

 









A club called Bromley Park Rangers FC had taken over at a ground called Middlesex Stadium on Breakspear Road in Ruislip from Ruislip FC who had disappeared after a spell in the Southern League. After a short spell as Ruislip Rangers they changed their name to Hillingdon Borough in 1990.


The club became members of the Spartan South Midlands League and progressed steadily. In 2006 Boro reached the FA Vase Final in 2006 in a game they lost 3-1 to Nantwich Town at St Andrews, Birmingham. Owing to the re-organisation of non league football the club were placed in the Southern League Division One South & West before being transferred into Division One North in 2009.

 









Boro struggled and were relegated back to the Spartan South Midlands League in 2009.


Hillingdon Borough FC will compete in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division for the 2013-14 season.




My visits


Wednesday 6th April 2005


I was out and about in North West London and Middlesex on a days groundhop and caught a bus to the Middlesex Stadium. It was a ground still in transition.


The Main Stand was unusually perched on top of several rows of terracing behind a goal. Further investigation revealed that it was once on the half way line, but the ground had been turned ninety degrees since. A clubhouse and changing rooms stood on top of a shallow grass bank in the corner near the entrance. Apart from hard standing around the pitch there was nothing but open grassed areas.


Autumn 2007


I was passing the area once again with my new digital camera and wanted some better snaps of the ground so I popped in once again. It had signs of development. The area in front of the buildings was being prepared with a few wide steps of terracing and barriers. A new artificial pitch was behind the far goal to increase revenue streams as well as offering training facilities. A cover had also been erected at this end of the ground behind the goal.


It certainly had potential should the club ever need a better venue and they progressed on the pitch.

 









Hillingdon Borough 3 Biggleswade United 1 (Saturday 27th August 2011) Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division (att: 32)

I was on early shift and my colleague Rob Burton kindly took me off forty minutes early so I could get a game in. After much deliberation I plumped for the clash at Middlesex Stadium owing to its relatively easy location.

After changing trains at a packed Wembley Park, which was full of imbibed northerners arriving for the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final between Wigan and Leeds, I caught a Metropolitan line train to Ruislip. My timing was spot on as the bus 331 was ready to depart withing a few minutes. This dropped me right outside the ground.

 









I paid my £6 admission plus £1 for a decent programme and was told to make myself known to a man on the decking who was watching out for non payers coming through the clubhouse and into the ground. I entered into an extremely noisy and bright sports bar. It was one of those rooms that made any voice seem loud.  to the It was full of testosterone filled young blokes who's just finished their game on the 3G pitch, and as a consequence I could hardly hear myself think. It was obviously designed to bring in extra revenue throughout the week for bookings. It had plenty of football memorabilia on the walls, but absolutely nothing to signify that either Boro or Broadfileds United of the Middlesex League played their home games there.

I went outside to find it hammering it down, not for the first time during the afternoon. It soon abated, so I went for a walk around as the teams came out.

 









The stadium certainly had real potential. Some old goalposts had been utilised as crush barriers on the terracing leading down from the covered decking in front of the clubhouse. The cover at the far end had all kinds of odds and ends stored at the back. Much of the hard standing had moss growing on it. It looked a little untidy if truth be told, which was a shame. I appreciate that the attendances probably don't justify major investment (although the official crowd was 32, I made it nearer 20), but a tidy up would do the place a power of good, and maybe even encourage one or two new fans - as would some kind of acknowledgement in the bar.

The pitch was lush and very large, with plenty of more turf between the touchlines and the fence. Both sides tried to use the full width of the playing area, and produced some skillful stuff. I walked around and had a listen to the two benches, which always offers some entertainment. The United boss was giving his charges some fierce feedback for allowing someone to make a thirty yard run unchallenged! I settled in the seats at the Crematorium End and listened in to other scores coming in from around the country as another shower came down.

Biggleswade went ahead when a free kick put into the danger area deceived everyone and sneaked into the corner. Boro had at least three players who filled their shirts to the limit, with the number nine being a bit slow, but extremely skillful. He was at the hub of a move that created the equaliser as a cross was headed into his own net by a visiting defender.

I retreated to the bar at half time, where a lady served teas at the far end of the counter. The lads were still inside, but much of their noise had abated as they watched a feed of the Chelsea v Norwich game and a half time round up in Italian hosted by a young lady who certainly brightened up my day!

 









I returned to my seat suitably refreshed and before long a storm of biblical proportions hit the ground. Play continued but it looked extremely hard work. It continued for about fifteen minutes and left some standing water on the pitch, which naturally led to errors. Ideal stuff for a neutral, but a nightmare for the committed. Sure enough the United keeper tried to throw the ball to a teammate, only for it not to reach its target and a grateful Boro player slot home.

United tried their utmost to get back into the match, but Boro had worn them down, despite kicking up the slope in the second period. A long range shot from the 'big' man up front ended the scoring with the ref blowing for full time a few minutes later.

I had to wait five minutes for the bus back to Ruislip from outside The Woodman. The journey to the station took less than ten minutes. I was on my way back into London and I received the miraculous news that all three of my cricket clubs sides had completed their games with excellent results, while all our rivals were rained off. A good night ensued, while my mates shook their heads as I told them of my afternoon's adventures.

They didn't know what they were missing!