Lordswood

Lordswood play in the Premier division of the Kent League. If you're wondering where it actually is, well it's on the edge of Chatham, & also a bit awkward to get to, if you don't drive. There is a bus from the centre of town, but it's another ten to fifteen minutes walk from there to the ground, which is part of a multi-sports complex.

I took these photos last season, when I saw the Dulwich Hamlet youth team (Academy one) lose to Chatham Town 6-5 after extra time in the Kent Youth League cup final, having been four up early in the second half. Shocking!



This is the large social club, which you see as you arrive. Behind this building are a number of secondary football pitches, the main one is beyond that.



This is the car park, walk on ahead for the ground.



As I mentioned, a multi sport complex. The local egg chasers..



The summer brigade...



And,well, we are quite close to the Channel...so why not this lot too?



As we head to the entrance their 'pitch' is on the left.



You would have though some obscure French beer, rather than Carlsberg...



Continue along the path...



Turn right when you reach the sign...



And up the path to the turnstile.



Here we are...



In the ground, & the first thing you see is the tea bar.



Changing rooms to the left of hte path.



At last...the pitch!



Behind us, to the right, we can see the other pitches over the fence.



But in this corner, behind the goal, is the open hard standing, and the changing rooms.



From in front of them we look down the main side, a step of terracing, and the covered seating.



But we'll come to them later. We are going round the ground in a clockwise direction. Here, behind the goal, we see the small sized all-weather football courts to our left.



Hard standing all the way along behind the goal.



From here we see the stand along the side.



In the other direction is a totally open side, with the dugouts over there.



Another look at the stand, from the other side of the goal.



Hard standing continues to, and around, the corner. The open fields beyond are the rugby pitches.



Simple hard standing down the full length of the open side, as we start to head along it.



A quick glance back behind the goal before we do.



And a 'corner flag' shot, seats as the backdrop.



Moving along, we head toward the dugouts.



A bit worn, but still smart, in club colours with the crest on the side.



Between the two of them, on the halfway line, looking across the pitch to the seats.



Past the dugouts it's more open hard standing to the next corner.



All the way to the end.



Behind the goal there is no area at all for spectators, making this a thre sided ground.



Before I nip across, I try to take a picture back down the open side, but the setting sun is a bit of a hindrance!



The next corner flag shot.



Halfway across the 'void area' I stop to take another shot of the stand.



At the next corner we look back to the 'dead end'.



Down the last, main side, it's more open hard standing, & more sun directly into the camera!



Moving along we can see through the glare the stand.



Here I take a snap of it, with the sun being blocked by the roof.



Turning back round we have a clearer view of the open part.



Three rows of seats in the stand.



From the back row we look across the pitch.



At the other end of the seats we look down the stand.



Similar shot, but a bit nearer to the front.



Past the stand, on our last part of the ground, is the only raised step to stand on, as we are almost back at the turnstile where we started.



Looking back from the other direction, with the sun behind us.



And the changing room block, looking toward it.



Our last shots are from on the pitch at half time. The main stand.



Dugouts opposite.



And the centre of the stand, with the club name above.

Erith Town

Erith Town play in the Kent League Premier Division. I realise that 'home is home' to individual clubs, but I really could not watch my team playing at such a venue week after week, year after year. I'm certainly not a fan of athletics track grounds, where you are proverbial miles from the pitch as you are here. That's more of a sleight on the venue, not the actual club. The man on the gate was very welcoming & friendly, much more than many venues that I prefer without six lanes around the pitch, so 'swings & roundabouts' I suppose.

I took the opportunity to see a game here last season, during one of the bad weather spells, & this was one of the few games on, & I saw them defeat Fisher 4-2.



The ground is part of the local sports centre complex, which we approach here. It includes a swimming pool, large gymnasium, that sort of thing.



Entrance is through this small entrance, tickets & programmes on sale from the man in red by it.



Walking in we see the main side ahead, with the sports centre behind, to the right.



It's extremely open, looking across the pitch.



And behind the goal, this is the direction we are heading, round the pitch & track, clockwise.



From this end we look over to the open bank of seats.



There's a hard path behind the track, but no barriers, making this a 'one sided' ground.



Trackside we look over to the Sports Centre.



Here we are, almost directly behind the goal.



'Going round the bend', so to speak, as we reach the far straight. In the distance at the next corner are the changing rooms.



Set back on the fence are a few hoardings, with the railway line down below. This one is from their main sponsor.



And these from former Kent League backers.



Plus one from tenants much more suited to the venue.



The dugouts are set behind the track on this side.



From here we look directly over to the spectator area.



Moving on we reach the changing rooms. There is also a tea bar here for spectators, & the boardroom for club officials.



From this corner we look behind the goal.



A helpful board is hanging up, listing the teams.



A photo here that is a perfect example of why athletics gorunds and football matches should not mix.



Past the pavilion now, we glance back at it.



The players' tunnel being put up across the track, pre-match.



Behind the goal now, I doubt anyone bothers to watch the game from this spot!



Continuing our trip round the ground we now have the seats in view.



Decent seating, but only if the weather's good!



From this side we look across the goalmouth.



Wet & windy, seats empty, a snap that symbolises how desolate this venue can be.



Up in the seats on the halfway line.



And over to the right, the goalmouth, with the changing rooms behind.



Turning our head the other way, you now have had a full set of pictures showing how far from the action you are.



I spotted this small plaque, almost 'hidden' on the wall. I've never heard the ground referred to as this in local non-league circles.



At least it's brightening up just before kick off...



The two teams are ready...



Later I take a couple more snaps, further along, a bit blurred unfortunately. Steps down to the track, the path at the top leads to the back of the seats.



This path leads to the admission hut, where we began.



Heading back to the centre of the main side the steps lead up to the bar, and the covered bit acts as a high viewing point, the only part of the ground where you can stay dry if it rains.



Back down the front, another angle along the seats.



The lights come on.



A blurred panorama over the pitch.



Very few fans 'braved' the seats!



Most of the crowd staying 'upstairs' on the balcony, or watching through the glass in the bar.



A couple of minutes to go, I try this 'arty farty' shot through the trees, as I'm ready to leave on the final whistle. No idea why this one is less blurry than the others, but there you go. And that, folks, is Erith Town. Not the greatest of venues, but at least it's another Kent League venue ticked off for me.