For today’s trip I was up in the North East with my good lady. I had the choice of a couple of lunchtime kick offs. It had to be a lunchtime kick off if I was to get to a game as I had to go out in the evening to a bonfire function.
So, the options were to go to St James’ Park to watch Newcastle v Chelsea in the Premiership or go to Gateshead Leam Rangers FC for the 2nd round of the Durham Challenge Cup between them and Spennymoor Town FC. I should add that Leam Rangers are currently 2nd bottom of the Wearside League which is at Level 11 of the Football Pyramid. No contest really was it?
So, off to Leam Rangers it was. A miserable day weather-wise. Torrential rain and probably the coldest day of the autumn so far.Leam Rangers play at the Hilltop Ground. That should have been a clue as to the conditions to be found.
Today was the biggest day in the history of Leam Rangers. Admission to the ground was only £5. A bargain compared to the £28 Peterborough were charging for their League 1 game against Leyton Orient today. (That is a level 3 game). No turnstiles here, the money is paid to the gatekeeper at the entrance to the car park. For today’s game, the club had made arrangements for an overflow car park in the local school. A club having consideration for its neighbouring residents and avoiding parking problems? That’s clearly not a professional club.
The club has only been in existence for some 20 years, most of these as a youth team. They run numerous youth teams these days and have a great set up. There is a large club house and changing rooms, a first team pitch and a 2nd pitch on the site along with all weather 5 a side pitches.
The club house is large and serves alcohol, has sky TV and pool, darts etc.It is a well appointed facility and is far better than many clubs much further up the pyramid. It is for example several times bigger than the bar at Trafford FC who are in the Northern Premier League Premier Division (level 7). game).
The pitch itself was surprisingly good. It is far better than many of the pitches at level 8 and below. What was immediately noticeable was that there was no seating or covered standing. Indeed there was only hard standing along
one side of the pitch. Behind both goals and along the far side of the pitch it was simply grass. For the level they play at, it is not necessary to have these facilities. Similarly, there are no floodlights at the ground. There was one unusual feature at the ground. High Voltage power lines run above the length of the pitch! This is not something you see at many grounds.
I never did get to find out what happened if the ball hit the power lines.
At this level, the facilities are rather different from the Premiership. The teams have to walk across a car park to get from the changing rooms to the pitch? Can you imagine Chelsea and Newcastle walking across a car park to get onto St James’ Park
The catering at the ground was very good value, with tea and coffee only 50p a cup. Chips at £1 a tray and burgers only £1.50. It was interesting to note the catering facilities are open every weekday night from 5pm – 8pm. This gives some idea of the number of children using the facilities each evening.
The team at the top of the Northern League against a team 2nd bottom of a league 2 steps below. Surely the game would be a one sided affair. The score line at 4-0 to Spennymoor would suggest it was, but that is unfair on Leam Rangers. They battled well throughout the game and did not make it easy for Spennymoor. It was always a game where Spennymoor’s extra class was likely to show, and if it wasn’t for some hard work from Leam Rangers, it could have been double figures.
The Leam Rangers goalkeeper deserves a word of praise, he produced some great saves to keep Leam in the game.
The weather may have been foul, but I hope the future is bright for this go ahead club who provide lots for the local community.
So, a day when Spennymoor progress comfortably in the Durham Challenge Cup, Newcastle turned over Chelsea, Sunderland humiliate themselves again and Leyton Orient win the top of League 1 clash at Peterborough. The weather fails to dampen a great day. Especially when one adds into the equation wins for the England Rugby Union and Rugby League teams as well.
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