As to be expected for this rung of the pyramid the ground, if you can call it that, is basic. No more than a roped off pitch. Not exactly photogenic, but there were the spectators, and planes overhead from nearby Heathrow Airport every few minutes. So while there's not much for me to describe as we walk around the sportsground, I've taken a number of snaps of the 'hopping fraternity', just for fun. Maybe those of you who have looked in from the Tony Kempster 'family' will spot themselves...enjoy! ;-)
As you enter the ground the clubhouse is ahead, I didn't actually get a decent shot of it for some reason, but the changing rooms are on the ground level, and the bar was upstairs, with a balcony area, looking over the pitches. There were two pitches here, & it's also used for cricket in the summer.
The club crest is engraved into the glass doors of the bar area.
Here's the inside.
With a packed cabinet covering football, hockey & cricket.
Here's the view across the grounds from the outside balcony.
Programmes were on sale from a table, a bargain at two quid each, which included admission, so I hope everyone bought one!
Beyond the table was a large shed, which was the refreshment hut, doing a roaring trade in teas, soft drinks and sandwiches.
Here's another,fuller view of it.
These hoppers do like to note things down! ;-)
Obviously local hoppers, if they've cycled here!
The Marsh Rangers players come out for the start, they've featured in a number of these early kick off fixtures, so should be used to the big crowds by now.
In the red & white stripes are the Indian Gymkhana hosts.
And-despite what many hoppers think-the most important people at a game are the match officials. Without them we wouldn't have anything to watch. They rank higher than the programme editor & sellers! ;-)
The ground is a simple roped off pitch, well roped off on one side, and a little way behind one of the goals. The only 'structure' are the dugouts, and the anti-racism banner between them.
As you can see there's nothing behind the goals, you'll find a number of shots in this set of the game, which is unusual for me. Part of the reason for including them is either because there's the crowd as a backdrop, or planes in the picture. Plus one or two I've included kust for the sake of it, becuase I can! ;-)
From here on you won't find too many comments, as we stroll around the pitch. If you were at the match see if you can spot yourself...
Was this the 'serious hoppers' VIP enclosure? ;-)
I don't think much of that dugout 'extension'!
There's the regular 'one man & his dog' in there somewhere! ;-)
The 'main stand!'
If anyone from the Middlesex County League happens to stumble across these photos may I say a big thank you for them continuing to arrange the occasional Saturday morning matches!
