MERRY MEN FROM SHERWOOD

I watched Hepworth United Juniors Under 6s practice today with our very good coaches led by Russ (a well qualified teacher and coach). The children were very good and had fun. And so have I today!

I watched the Sky match, Bournemouth hold Spurs 0-0 on the south coast and then headed to Penistone Church FC for an FA Vase First Round tie. The opposition were Sherwood Colliery FC who play in the Central Midlands League South (Mansfield area) and are regarded at the moment to play at a lower level than Church.

But there has been much needed investment from a local lucky Lottery Winner and therefore the club, founded in 2008 has been successful recently and is "crowing" and growing.

There was a Sherwood Colliery FC playing and being heavily beaten in the FA Cup way back in 1948-9 through to 1950-1 but no record of league matches. So in their Crystal Palace red and blue stripes they came and saw and conquered Church, probably fairly based on the number of chances created in the game.

The opposition crowd jovially join the Penistone "Firm".
They brought two coaches of supporters who will have swollen the coffers on the turnstile and in the bar. I bought my customary £3 concession entrance, a programme and a copy of the Northern Counties East League Magazine "The BootifulGame". They bought lots of ale in plastic cups and got quite lively. Heavens knows what the bar would be like now as the floodlights are switched off!

So I could have written about the foundation of FC Barcelona which happened today in 1899, but have decided to stay Non-League. A good time was had by all although I wouldn't want to be the two coach drivers heading south.