Sunday, 2 January 2011

Winchester City

I had the 'pleasure' of visiting Winchester City ,who play in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division, for a pre-season match against Kingstonian, on Sunday 11th July 2010. I say 'pleasure' because it was a baking hot day, & an awful nil nil! But it was a genuine pleasure to go there, as it's an historic old town to stroll round; I met up with some old aquaintances in the K's support & the club shop was excellent! It was worth making a visit for the shop alone.



Here is the entrance.



Outside the match board hasn't been updated over the summer.



Despite that there's plenty of pre-season matches advertised.



A sign from the main club sponsors welcomes you to the ground.



As you walk in you are in the corner of the ground, set back from the pitch, where the main club buildings are. Here is the 'tunnel' from the changing rooms.



as we're looking, changing rooms on the left; bar on the right.



The pitch is very dry, as it's been a hot summer, as you can see. We look over it from the first corner flag.



To our right, behind the goal, it is open, with a small covered terrace directly behind the goal.



down the side, which is the clockwise direction we are heading, it is open hard standing, shale behind it; with a stand further along.



On the left, as we walk along, is a portakabin, converted to a tea bar.



As we walk along we can see the seats. Before that there's another portakabin on the left.



This is the club shop. I spent at least a quarter of an hour in there!



The seats are set back from the pitch, why, I'm not sure? Presumably the barriers are to prevent people standing in front of them.



Here w have a closer look at the stand. it's popular today, as it gives much needed protection from the sun.



Here we look back along it, from toward the middle.



And then onwards, the other direction.



This is the view from the cntre of it, not bad, apart from the pylon!



Here we look down the front of it.



And then more open standing beyond.



It goes right to the corner.



It's very open here, but also very green, thanks to the surrounding trees.



More open hard standing behind the goal.



From where we glance back to the main stand.



The hard standing 'thins' as we get behind the goal itself.



Time to pause, to catch a little goalmouth action.



The path then continues to the next corner.



Before we reach that side we look back behind the goal.



Completely open along this side, the shale further along 'doubling up' as extra car parking.



here we reach the first of the dugouts. That water is needed in the heat!



This is the dugout from the front.



Moving along, past the 'brave' part of the crowd thar can take the sun!



A bit more, from on the pitch.



Then we look over to the main stand, across the halfway line.



And then onwards, to the next dugout.



Now we look, from this side, to the cover behind the goal.



Clearly a car park at this end.



More hoardings from the sponsors.



Behind the goal it is open, with the small terrace in the centre.



From this end we turn back to the dugout side.



This is the home one.



Only a small terrace, but it still provides a bit of shade.



Sponsors emblazoned on the rear.



Wider hard standing in front of it.



Standing under the roof we look over toward the dugouts.



Then directly down the pitch.



And, lastly, eyes to the left, toward the main stand.



Then it's toward the clubhouse in the corner, where we came in.



Inside there is a club flag on the wall.



As well as championship flags.



Then back out to watch a bit more of the game.





And then it's time to go, back through the entrance.



Saturday, 1 January 2011

Bexley Borough

Bexley Borough play in Division Two West of the Kent County League, which is a very lowly level thirteen in the English footballing pyramid, if I've counted correctly! Despite the low level it was good enough game to watch, & a pleasant way to spend an evening.

This ground was once a Kent League venue, having been home to the now defunct Danson(Bexley Borough), not connected to the current club, & I have photos from this venue from before Bexley Borough moved in.

I visited for an end of season early midweek 6.30pm kick-off match. on Wednesday 28th April 2010, against table toppers Forest Hill Park; the crowd boosted by a number of gorundhoppers.



It is still a basic venue, as you would expect at this level. Nothing behind the goal, at the Youth Club end.



Must be one of the 'ugliest' ends in the whole league!



Railed off down the main side, with a small bit of cover in the middle.



Simply a grassed area, leading up to the dugouts & cover.



Almost reached them...



This is one of the dugouts, pitchside, at half time.



A couple of steps under the cover, this was here when Danson played here.



Moving on past the dugout on the other side.



The railing continues to the corner.



Then, like the other end, nothing behind the goal.



From this end we look back to the main side.



The other side is open, and railed off.



Still behind the goal, we look over the pitch.



And then along the open, tree lined side again.



A corner flag shot, with the covered area behind.



Now we're looking down the open side touchline.



Not the best of repair jobs on the railing!



A bit of match action.



Then we continue round the pitch.



A view directly over the halfway line, to the covered terrace.



Almost at the end now.



Another look to the youth club end.



Now back over the other side, to watch the rest of the match.



Game over, time to wind down. Not for me, I've got a bus to get back to Lewisham!