New Grounds & Old Friends.

 Alfreton Town's Opponents in 2026/27.

The Town Ground - Home of Alfreton Town.

On the two previous occasions that Alfreton Town have entered the Northern Premier League (NPL), Premier Division it was in a more joyous way than this time. 

Promotion from the NPL Division 1 in 1995/96 & 2002/03 were great achievements, particularly the 95/96 elevation. That season we went up with a very good side, with Sean Egan as chairman and under the management of Paul Mitchell & Danny Hague, but with very few resources to strengthen the side. Two years of struggle ensued before we faced a double demotion and ended up in the Northern Counties East League (NCEL).

The promotion in 2002/03 with Wayne Bradley as chairman and under the management of David Lloyd was the 2nd consecutive promotion as we entered the NPL Premier a much stronger and better resourced side.

For 2026/27 it remains to be seen how we cope with Step 3 after a 22 year absence. The club is in a transitional period between owners and until that is sorted out the season could well be one of consolidation.

We are very fortunate to have Wayne Bradley helping keep things afloat and Jake Buxton who has stayed with the club despite having his budget reduced from when he first took on the job.

This particular blog isn't about our prospects for the season though, it's to look at the clubs and grounds we will be visiting in 2026/27. Of our 21 opponents 7 of them will be new visits for our club in competitive games. Any Ofton supporter wanting to travel on the Supporters bus just contact Mark Thorpe at the club shop. It costs £5 to join the Supporters Club and I understand most fares this season will be £24, usually the more local games like Ilkeston will be a smaller fee. 

Listed below are each club in order of when we're due to play them away .

Curzon Ashton.

The main stand at Curzon.

The Tameside Stadium. Richmond Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9HG

 Match Day - Saturday 8th August 2026.

After a 3-0 President Cup Replay win at National Park in 1996/97, incidentally watched by 37 paying customers, we didn’t face each other for another 20 years when Curzon gained promotion to the National League North. That 2015/16 season saw our first visit to the Tameside Stadium. Curzon Ashton played at National Park until the end of the 2003/04 season and moved into the Tameside Stadium in 2005 (sharing at Stalybridge Celtic for 2004/05).

The stadium is very modern with the expected very good facilities for supporters. There’s a lot of concrete from what I remember with a large main stand with seating for 524 within the stadium capacity of 4000. Either side of the main stand is a section of uncovered terracing.

Opposite this main stand is another section of terracing which is partly covered, though the height of the cover makes me wonder if anyone is kept dry underneath this? Lastly, behind both goals is further uncovered terracing.

It’s not a classic or traditional ground but it is a very good set up with excellent facilities. One interesting aspect is outside the ground, the statue of the three World Cup Winners from the Ashton area. Geoff Hurst who was born in Ashton before moving to Essex when he was 8, Jimmy Armfield, a member of Alf Ramsay’s squad in 1966 and born at nearby Denton and finally Simone Perrotta who was born in Ashton but moved to Italy when he was 6 and was a member of Italy’s 2006 winning squad.

The World Cup Winners outside Curzon Ashton.

Previous meetings.

A quirk of fate has given us an opening day fixture at the Tameside Stadium against the side we last faced in league action. That last day 3-3 draw, where we just collapsed after taking a 3-0 lead and Curzon being inches away from sending Hereford down with a last gasp effort after fighting their way back may be seen as a classic for anyone of us not affected by the demotion.

We’ve had numerous battles against The Nash, in NPL 1 and NLN as well as the NPLs First Division Cup & Presidents Cup competitions, but this will be our first clash in the Premier Division of the NPL. We’ve also had 3 fixtures in the FA Trophy and it was in a 1^st Qualifying Round Replay of this competition that we first visited National Park, Curzon’s former home. A 1-0 win for us giving us a trip to Colwyn Bay in the next round where we lost 1-5 to the North Wales club.

Our last visit to Curzon was, of course, just last season when we lost 1-2, Bayley McCann, on loan from Barnsley and also Doncaster Rovers, scored his only league goal for us in that game.

Cleethorpes Town.

The main stand and press box at Cleethorpes Town.

The Linden Club, Clee Road, Grimsby, DN32 8QL.

Match day - Tuesday 18th August 2026.

It’s a midweek trip to the seaside for our first ever league fixture against the Owls. When I visited in 2020 for their FA Cup tie with AFC Mansfield the main cover was either side of a glass press box straddling the halfway line. Behind one goal was an uncovered seated stand, similar to the stand that Clay Cross Town had at the side of their pitch, if any of you have seen that. Behind that same top goal is the tea bar and clubhouse. Behind the opposite goal is a covered metal terrace, familiar now at so many grounds. There’s 300 seats and enough covered standing for 100, apparently.

It’s a decent ground though lacking in character of the likes of Ashton United. We’ll also be facing our former hero, Billy Fewster, who signed after leaving us.

The covered terrace at Cleethorpes.

Previous Meetings.

Our only two games against Cleethorpes were both away and in the FA Cup within a 2-year period. Firstly, we were surprisingly beaten 1-0 in the 2^nd Qualifying Round in September 2021. Two season later, in our last visit, we prevailed in a 6-goal thriller, winning 4-2, at the same stage. Lewis Salmon getting a brace and Liam Waldock and Ken Digie also scoring that day. Lewis also had a penalty saved in what was the first game on our run to the 2^nd round proper, where we lost at Walsall in a replay.

Stockton Town.

The main stand and facilities at Stockton Town.

Bishopton Road West, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 0QD

Match day - Saturday 22nd August 2026.

Formed in 1979 Stockton moved to Bishopton Road West in April 2008. The stadium is a collaboration between the football club, Football Foundation, Stockton Sixth Form College & Our Lady & St Bede Catholic Academy. 

The main facilities are all on one side of the ground where there is a 600 seat stand in an overall capacity of 2,200. This stand with blue facia and yellow seats in the club colours is the main spectator cover at the ground. There are also 2 separate but small pre-fabricated terrace units on the ground with the rest being flat hard standing. The pitch is artificial with the usual green fence surround.

The ground doesn't look like a classic but Stockton reached the play offs last season so need to be treated with respect.

Another view of the stand at Stockton.

Both Stockton Town images courtesy of Stockton Town FC media team.

Previous meetings.

This will be the first time we've ever played Stockton Town. 

We did play in Stockton back in 1972/73 season in the Midland League but that team disbanded in 1975. Our game ended in a 1-1 draw and was abandoned after 85 minutes with the result being allowed to stand. That Stockton team played at the Victoria Ground which closed when the club did and is now a housing estate.

The Victoria Ground Stockton-on-Tees

Whitby Town

 

Whitby Town in 1996/97

Turnbull Ground, Upgang Lane, Whitby, YO21 3HZ

Match Day -Bank Holiday Monday, 31st August 2026.

Another trip to the seaside and on a Bank Holiday as well. From what I recall of my only previous visit to Whitby 30 years ago is that this was a ground with lots of character. There have been redevelopments in the intervening years with a 500 seater cantilevered stand on one side, which won best new stand by Groundtastic magazine in 2006. This has a raised seating deck with an area of cover below for disabled spectators.

Behind both goals are uncovered 2 step terraces. There was also a good section of covered standing on the side. This may have changed in the last few years but the stand above, is almost certainly gone.

Another pic from Whitby in 1996/97.

Previous Meetings.

Our only visit to the Turnbull ground, for a competitive game, was in the NPL Premier in 2003/04 when a Ryan France hat-trick and a goal from Emeka Nwadike saw us win 4-0.

Bamber Bridge.

The covered terrace at the Tom Finney Stadium.

Irongate/The Sir Tom Finney Stadium, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6UU.

Match Day - Saturday 12th September 2026.

The club moved to Irongate in 1987 and has been home while the club moved through the Preston & District League to the Northern Premier League. I’ve visited this ground three times. Firstly in 1994/95 for a 0-0 draw in the NPL Division 1 when Brig were promoted as runners up to Blyth Spartans. We contrived to lose 3 of our last 4 games that season to end up in 4^th position when the title looked a certainty. The second visit was just 2 years later in the NPL Premier Division when a Neil Pickering penalty secured a 2-2 draw, Caine Cheetham also scoring that day.

My third visit was by sneaking into the ground on my way home from Preston back in the 2017/18 season. I usually ask if I can walk round and take photos but there wasn’t anyone around and a door was open. I only went inside to make sure everything was as it should be and managed to get some photos of this gem of a ground.

Now titled the Sir Tom Finney Stadium there is a 499 seater stand proudly by the side of the pitch. To the left of that, behind the top goal is the clubhouse with an elevated section complete with viewing balcony. There is a small covered section to the left of this as you look at the pitch. Walking round the side opposite the main stand is uncovered but there is a lovely full covered 3-step terrace behind the goal with the cover sweeping round the corners.

There is some great Bamber Bridge paraphernalia enhancing the ground and with a tea bar that has had very good reviews it’s another one to add to your must visit when we play there.

Ofton fans behind the goal at Bamber Bridge in 1996/97.

Previous Meetings.

Games in the NPL 1 & Premier are the bulk of our fixtures against Bamber Bridge. There was also two games in the SF of the First Division Cup which Bamber Bridge won 4-3 on aggregate, our first of three consecutive SF appearances, and defeats, in that competition.

The last meeting between the sides was a 1-1 draw here at the Town Ground in front of 500, the biggest attendance between our 2 sides. That point sealed the NPL 1^st Division championship for us. Our last visit to the ground was in December 2002 when goals from Ryan France & Jamie Robshaw gave us a 2-0 win.

Redcar Athletic.

Redcar's Green Lane home, pic copyright of Redcar Athletic FC

Green Lane, Redcar, TS10 3RW.

Match day - Saturday 3rd October 2026.

Our trip on 3^rd October also coincides with the FA Cup 3Q, so if either side make it through then this game will be rearranged.

My only previous visit to Redcar was to the races where I saw Lester Piggott who was opening a new hospitality area and doing book signings. I didn’t win on the horses but my daughter's did because of the pretty colours.

This is an opportunity for us to go to the seaside as well as this ground must be one of the closest to the sea that we’ll visit this season.

I've struggled to find any in depth information on Redcar's ground so apologies for the lack of details. It appears there is seating for 150 and in a ground where the majority of the ground is hard standing there is a small area of this that is covered. 

No previous meetings.

The club were only formed in 1993 and have had a series of promotions culminating in winning the NPL East division last season and gaining entry to their highest ever level. They won the title a massive 17 points clear of big spending Matlock Town.

 Ashton United.

The main stand at Ashton United in 2004.

Hurst Cross, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8DY.

Match Day - Tuesday 13th October 2026.

My first impression of Hurst Cross was what a good commercial manager they had given the amount of advertising boards sold and on display at the ground. This was my first proper away game with Ofton, the only others were local against the likes of Eastwood, and I wondered what I was doing there as we lost 6-2.

Ashton United have been at this ground since 1880 making it one of the oldest continuously used grounds. The main stand contains 250 seats and there is plenty of proper terracing at the ground. With a section of cover on the opposite side to the main stand both ends are uncovered. If you appreciate a traditional football ground, make this a priority to visit.

Covered terrace at Ashton United.

Previous Meetings.

We’ve played Ashton United in the Midland League, Northern Premier League divisions 1 & Premier and the National League North as well as in the FA Cup, Northern Premier League Cup & First Division Cup.

Notable scorelines are the 2-6 defeat at Hurst Cross in 1992/93, mentioned above, a 1-7 defeat at The Town Ground in 1998/99 and a more memorable (for us) 5-0 victory at home in the Northern Premier League Premier in 2003/04.

 The last meeting between the sides was in NLN in 2018/19, a 2-0 home win for us with Johnson & Bacon our scorers, completing our only league double over the Robins after a 2-0 win in our last visit to this wonderful ground, Styche & Peniket our scorers, our only other victory there was our very first visit in the Midland League back in 1964/65 when we won 2-1.

Workington AFC.

The main stand at Derwent Park, home of Workington Town RLFC.

Derwent Park, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2HG.

Match Day - Saturday 24th October 2026.

Though we've played Workington AFC numerous times in NPL 1 & National League North level this will be the first time we've visited the ground they are sharing for this season, Derwent Park, home of Workington Town Rugby League FC.

Workington AFC's Borough Park home is being demolished to make way for the Cumberland Sports Village, which will house both the football and rugby clubs, so to be visiting this season is quite fortunate for us ground enthusiasts.

Borough Park saw life as a Football League venue and though it had lost the roof to the old main stand it was still an impressive facility with all the proper terracing round the venue.

Derwent Park has been used since 1956, with some occasional use from 1947 and is built over what was a tidal estuary. The rugby club actually shared Borough Park back in the 1950's and won both the Rugby League Premiership and Challenge Cup in their time there.

The main stand, pictured above, at the rugby ground is brick and steel framed with an elevated seating deck. There is also a wonderful terrace, partly covered but with some uncovered terracing at the front, a must see for any of you interested in such structures. The ground also has uncovered terracing sweeping round the oval shaped ground.

This is a must do ground as it won't be around much longer.

Another view of the main stand at Workington RLFC.

with thanks to Workington AFC for the above photos.

Previous Meetings.

It wasn't until our 6th visit to Borough Park that we gained our first win, a 3-1 victory in NPL 1 in 1993/94, under Paul Mitchell & Danny Hague. Matt Walsh, Phil Stafford & Bobby Dawes scoring our goals. We went back the following season and won 5-1 with five different scorers, Hutchinson, Dawes, McFadzean, Eshelby & Haigh doing the damage.

We've had the upper hand in more recent times too not losing in the last 12 meetings, two of those being Conference North play off semi final games. Our last trip to Workington was in 2010/11 when the game ended goalless.

Quorn.

The covered terrace at Quorn.

Farley Way, Quorn, Leicestershire. LE12 8RB.

Match Day - Saturday 7th November 2026.

It was back in 2012 when I last visited Quorn for an FA Cup tie against Buxton. The ground has a 315 seat cantilevered stand running down one side with red seats throughout. The only other cover is a covered terrace behind the near goal as you enter the ground. More than adequate for this level. The rest of the ground is uncovered hard standing with a very good clubhouse on the ground helping generate funds through various functions.

The facilities are very good with the excellent clubhouse providing much needed funds for the club.

One added bonus of Quorn's location is that it has a station on the Great Central Railway so if nostalgia, heritage and trains are your thing they are running on the day we visit from 10am and it's just 15 minutes from the ground.

https://www.gcrailway.co.uk/

Steam trains down the road from Quorn's ground.

No previous meetings.

Moved across from Southern Premier Central, a move which was appealed, and lost. They finished a respectable 8th place last seasonthough have had to rebuild as players left to join other Southern League teams, though Reco Fyfe signed for us.

Leek Town.

Covered terrace at Harrison Park.

Harrison Park, Macclesfield Road, Leek, ST13 8LD.

Match Day - Saturday 14th November 2026. 

I mean no detriment to Harrison Park when I say this, but the best thing about going to this game will be a trip into the town centre beforehand, it’s a lovely town. The ground is worthy of your attention too with a lovely big main stand and loads of terracing.

 Leek moved in to Harrison Park in 1948 and have done a great job of building one of the league’s better grounds. The main stand which has an elevated seating deck looks imposingly over the ground and is offset to the left of the halfway line. Opposite here is a few steps of terracing with some parts covered. Behind the goals though there is large covered terraces. 

The main stand at Leek Town.

Previous Meetings.

In the 14 games we’ve had with Leek we’ve won zilch, not a single win and only 2 draws, both at the Town Ground. Burrows scored our goal in the NPL Division 1 fixture in 1987/88 while a Neil Pickering penalty got us a point in our 1996/97 NPL Premier Division relegation season.

 The last time we met was happier times for us, though not result wise of course. It was our promotion season from NPL Division 1 in 2002/03, we were unbeaten in our first 7 league and cup games until we travelled to Leek and the buggers won 3-2. That was our last visit to this ground.

However, later in the season was a feisty affair at the Town Ground, John Knapper scored a penalty but Leek got 2 goals to beat us. There was a little altercation as the players left the pitch, not something I witnessed as I was gathering my camera and by the time I walked by the dressing rooms all the players were in the changing rooms. Then Leek’s manager, the infamous John Ramshaw, came out on his phone and, so everyone could hear, he said he wanted to report an assault at Alfreton Town’s ground. Apparently, someone had punched him as he went to the dressing rooms, I was surprised that only 1 person wanted to hit him. More surprising was that here was the notorious John Ramshaw, who put out teams that were supposedly “hard but fair” in reality they were dirty sods who followed through in tackles and here he was ringing the Police over a minor altercation. The best thing about this though was that the Leek directors were told in no uncertain terms and that they needed to vacate the premises, to which they did.

Gainsborough Trinity

The iconic stand at Gainsborough Trinity.

The Northolme, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2QW.

Match Day - Saturday 28th November 2026.

Yet another gem of a ground in this league. Traditional is best to describe it with the fabulous barrel roofed stand containing just over 500 seats and loads of terracing on all sides. The terrace is covered behind the near goal as you enter the ground, uncovered terracing at the opposite end and a massive covered terrace abutting the Trinity Social Club, which is opposite the main stand.

 Trinity moved into this ground in 1884 and staged Football League games here, as well as at other local grounds when cricket was on. The cricket club were original tenants as far back as 1850 but no longer reside here.

Back in 1998/99 I covered the FA Trophy tie between Trinity & Boston United for the Non-League Club Directory (NLD). Back then editor Tony Williams also produced Team Talk and my photos were published in that magazine, including an action shot from the Trophy tie. A few weeks after it was published Tony got in touch as an advertising agency wanted to use the photo for a campaign they were doing in Ethiopia for a product called Sport Cola. I got 75 quid for them using the photo but never got a copy of the poster, which is what i really wanted. I had to console myself that my photo was helping sell such a healthy drink as Sport Cola to Ethiopians.

Other clubs have made use of Trinity’s stadium. Worksop Town were tenants here for 4 years after losing their Central Avenue ground. Boston United also used the ground in 2020/21 while their new ground was being completed. Bizarrely, Scunthorpe United announced that they were to use the Northolme for their fixtures due to a dispute with Glanford Park’s owners but this was news to Gainsborough who were forced to put out a statement refuting the claims. Scunthorpe are now owned by responsible people.

Whether you’ve been to the Northolme before or not, it’s another one to add to your list. 

The impressive covered terrace behind the goal at Gainsborough.

Previous Meetings.

We’ve met Gainsborough Trinity on 51 occasions prior to this season, spanning back to our Central Alliance days, into the Midland League, Northern Premier League Premier and National League North with a few FA Cup & FA Trophy ties thrown in too.

Of those 51 games we’ve won 23 to Trinity’s 19. Our last meeting, and visit, to the Northolme was just last season when two Mark Beck goals saw us win the FA Trophy 2^nd round tie 2-1.

The game at Gainsborough on 4^th February 2017 was Nicky Law’s final game in charge before he took up a position at Burnley. Two Craig Westcarr goals saw Nicky end on a high as we won 2-0. The Trinity programme that day paid a great tribute to Nicky and what he’d achieved at our club and I fondly remember the emotional farewell as Nicky shook everyone’s hand behind the goal after the game, there wasn’t a dry eye in the Ofton end that day.

Warrington Rylands.

The covered stand on the dressing room side at Warrington Rylands.

Rylands Recreation Club, Gorsey Lane, Warrington. WA2 7RZ.

Match Day - Saturday 12th December 2026.

Gorsey Lane is one of the better grounds that rely on pre-fabricated stands with plenty of cover dotted around the ground. When I visited in 2021 the dressing room side was to your left as you enter in the corner. It is on this side that you will see the main stand with 2 rows of blue seats under cover with a standing area behind this. This cover extends just short of half the length of the pitch. 

On the opposite side it is mainly hard standing but there is a small section of covered seating straddling the halfway line. Behind the near goal was a small section of covered standing with just hard standing behind the far goal. It may have changed slightly in the last 5 years.

The smaller covered stand at Rylands.

No previous meetings.

Up until 2018 Rylands were still playing Cheshire League football but a quick move through the North West Counties League and they're now at Step 3 in the pyramid. Last season they finished 4th and qualified for the play offs.

Ilkeston Town.

Ilkeston Town, with the covered terrace behind the goal.

New Manor Ground, Awsworth Road, Ilkeston, DE7 8JF.

Match Day, Saturday 26th December 2026 (Boxing Day).

Unfortunately, I never got to visit Ilkeston’s old Manor Ground, but by all accounts it was well worth a trip. Being demolished in 1992 the Robins moved into the New Manor Ground with it’s superior facilities, including floodlights, which the Manor Ground lacked.

Kerry Miller, in his wonderfully historic History of Non-League Football Grounds, describes Ilkeston’s New Manor Ground as “a flat looking arena made up of a series of permanent porta-cabins”. I think Kerry would be be pleased with what the ground has become in the intervening 30 years since his book was published.

The main stand, which is in the far corner to where you enter the ground is elevated with offices below. Attached to this stand is the clock tower, a unique feature at a non-league ground. Alongside the main stand and straddling the halfway line is another smaller stand and the dug out area.

Behind the goal to the left of the main stand is an impressive covered terrace running the whole width of the pitch, at the opposite end is another bit of cover with no backs or sides, which Kerry Miller refers to in his book.

On the opposite side to the main stand is a large clubhouse with tea bars and toilet facilities here, there is no cover on this side of the ground. 

The Tower Stand at Ilkeston.

Previous Meetings.

Our neighbours, and closest opponents this season, we’ve faced the Robins on numerous occasions spanning the Central Alliance, Midland League, Northern Counties East and Conference North but this will be the first time we’ve met in any Northern Premier division.

Our last clash for points was in the Conference North in 2009/10, the season we lost at Fleetwood Town in the Play Off Final. Our game at Ilkeston in the April of that season ended in a goalless draw. That’s 1 of 17 draws in the 79 previous meetings between us and the various incarnations of Ilkeston Town. We’ve won 40 of the clashes with the Robins winning 22.

That last game for league points saw Ilkeston Town finish 8^th, just 3 points from the play offs. The following season the club received a compulsory winding-up order on 8 September 2010 and the club was expelled from the League on 15 September. On 16 September, their record (PL7 W1 D3 L3 GF7 GA13 Pts7) was expunged. A new club Ilkeston was placed in the NPL Division 1 South for the following season.

Our more recent meetings have been in the Derbyshire Senior Cup and it is in that competition that we last travelled to the New Manor Ground, just last season in the 4^th round. A goalless draw saw the tie go to penalties with Ilkeston winning 4-3 and eventually going on to win the competition after another penalty shoot out against Glossop North End.

Avro.

Avro.

The Vestacare Stadium, White Bank Road, Oldham, OL8 3JH.

Match Day - Saturday 16th January 2027.

Surprisingly Avro aren’t a “new” club and they are related to one of Britain’s most historic icons, the Lancaster bomber. Originally part of the British aircraft manufacturer, Avro, based at Failsworth in Lancashire, the club were formed in 1936 and played at the Lancaster Club in Failsworth. The site was needed for housing so in 2017 Oldham Council moved the club to the Whitebank Stadium which was redeveloped with floodlights and an artificial pitch included. It is this ground that we will visit for the first time. The ground move came at a very opportune time for Avro as they had won the Manchester League for the third consecutive time only to be held back by a lack of facilities at Failsworth.

Other clubs have used the Whitebank Stadium (now known as the Vestacare Stadium) before it was redeveloped, notably Oldham Borough & Castleton Gabriels with Golcar United using the ground in 2020 when they had pitch problems. Oldham RLFC have also used Whitebank before and after redevelopment though appear to have moved back to Boundary Park.

 The ground holds 1,320 with 250 of those being seated. There is a metal stand running from 1 corner flag to just past the edge of the penalty area, this has the majority of the seats and is slightly elevated. Opposite this are two small sections of cover with a very few tip up seats attached to the back of the cover. Most of the ground is open though with a few steps of terracing.

A panoramic view of Avro.

Thanks to Liam Bambridge for use of the above photos.

No previous meetings.

Avro were promoted through the play-offs last season after finishing 2nd in NPL West, just 2 points behind Champions, Bury.

Guiseley.

The beautiful old main stand at Guiseley, taken in 2006.

Nethermoor, Otley Road, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8BT.

Match Day - Saturday 30th January 2027.

The club moved into Nethermoor in 1909 and was well known among the football fraternity for being close to Harry Ramsden’s chip shop. Now closed, the company is no longer a local landmark more a national concern and miles away from what attracted people to the shop originally.

I made my first visit in 1991 and the main stand was the Chip Shop Stand, as the club had bought the structure from Harry Ramsden’s restaurant in 1935. This was in place until 2008 when it was destroyed in an arson attack. The club built a replacement in 2009 and this was eventually replaced in 2015 by two smaller stands with a total of 500 seats between them.

Opposite this stand is a 4-step terrace with covered sections at both ends. Behind the goal next to the dressing rooms is an uncovered 2 step terrace with a small covered terrace the width of the penalty area behind the opposite goal. There are plans to have a covered stand at the railway end of the ground and a contractor has been hired to begin this work.

Me and my friend, the Chesterfield historian Stuart Basson, once travelled to watch Alfreton at Nethermoor in the days before mobile phones. Within 5 minutes of leaving Chris Tacey had rung my home to let me know the game was postponed. 75 miles later we found that out for ourselves.

Previous Meetings.

Another club we’ve met in various leagues. Our first meetings where in the Northern Counties East league following the merger of the Midland & Yorkshire Leagues. Of the 35 times we’ve met the Reds have 14 wins to Guiseley’s 15 with 6 draws.

There’s been some high scoring games, all at the Town Ground, like the 5-3 win for Guiseley in the NPL Division 1 in the 1992/93 season. Keith Edwards, Matt Walsh & Jason Maybury getting our goals. Four seasons later it was a closer affair as Guiseley triumphed 5-4, again, here at the Town Ground, this time in the NPL Premier. Jason Maybury scored that day too, from the penalty spot, with Dawes, Pickering & Eshelby also chipping in.

We’ve also knocked a few goals in against Guiseley. Back in 2002/03 we got a 5-0 win in the FA Trophy Preliminary Round and in our Conference North championship season we thrashed our visitors 6-0 as we stormed to the title.

Our last meeting was memorable as Guiseley, fighting to stay up in National League North, came for the final game of the season knowing only a win would do. A great following from Yorkshire turned up in fancy dress and saw their side lead 1-0 only for Connor Branson to equalise in the 88^th minute. Worse was to follow as Yusifu Ceesay got a 94^th minute winner to relegate our visitors.

Ofton celebrate the 94th minute Ceesay winner that relegated Guiseley.

Our last trip to Guiseley was in the January of that relegation season and saw the home side win 3-2, the only time they've beaten us on their own ground in the NLN.

FC United of Manchester.

Some of the many flags at FC United of Manchester.

Broadhurst Park, 310 Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester. M40 0FJ.

Match Day - Tuesday 6th October 2026.

Formed by Manchester United supporters who were unhappy at the direction that club was going, the takeover by Malcolm Glazer being the final straw. When you see the “big picture” of what are the reasons for FC United being here, supporters disgruntled at how football had become by 2005, overpriced tickets, all seater stadiums, TV controlling kick off times without any consideration for supporters then you can see why this club exists. Skip forward 21 years and those reasons are exacerbated as TV money and Global ownership has tightened its grip on top level football.

FC United have done fantastically well in the short time they have been going. Becoming the first fan owned club to have their own ground built, the club moved in for the 2015.16 season, the first season that our clubs met.

There is cover on all 4 sides, with standing and seating in the main stand, a large home standing area behind the goal, FC United's ground has a 4,900 capacity. Spectator facilities are excellent with very good food and drink outlets. If you’ve not been it should be on your to do list of grounds.

FC Utd finished 3rd last season and the play-offs will be an expectation for them this season. 

Broadhurst Park.

Previous Meetings.

All of our 8 previous meetings with FC United were in National League North with 3 wins for the Reds and 4 for our opponents. The last time we met was at The Town Ground with FC winning 3-2 despite them being all but relegated by the time we played. For us it was part of a final run in of no wins in our last 8 league games, including a record home defeat (0-7) to Altrincham.

The last time we visited Broadhurst Park was in the October of that 2018/19 season and it resulted in the only drawn game between the sides (1-1), James Clifton scoring his only goal for us in that game.

Bury.

One of the EFL standard stands at Gigg Lane.

Gigg Lane, Bury, BL9 9HR.

Match Day - Saturday 27th February 2027. 

This will probably be the best ground we’ll visit this season, a former Football League venue which has seen Bury in the 1^st Division, win the FA Cup and through some turbulent times. I’ve been 3 times, twice with Chesterfield, the Spireites losing 2-1 on both occasions and also to photograph their FA Cup tie with Workington in 2007/08.

Bury have been at Gigg Lane since 1885, obviously they had a spell away from the ground during the period when the club were disgracefully folded and the supporters stepped in to keep football alive in this historic town.

The four sides have been covered seating since 2000 and it looks like just the stands on the sides are open for most games, the Main Stand and the South Stand. 

Managed by Anthony Johnson, we've come up against the former TV star on a few occasions in NLN, and he took the club he supports into the NPL Premier by winning the NPL West Division last season. Promotion will be expected again.

Gigg Lane, Bury.

No previous meetings.

Though we've never met Bury before we have come up against their manager Anthony Johnson, the former TV star (giggle), on a few occasions in NLN. Johnno has taken the club he supports into the NPL Premier by winning the NPL West Division last season. They will be expected to be challenging for promotion again this season.

Warrington Town.

Cantilever Park, home of Warrington Town.

Cantilever Park, Loushers Lane, Warrington, WA4 2RS.

Match Day - Saturday 6th March 2027.

Named after the neighbouring cantilevered bridge this is a very nice ground with good spectator facilities and plenty of cover.

There are 4 sections of covered seating, one opposite the clubhouse, which straddles the halfway line. To the goal to the left of this is a slightly smaller version, with a terraced area alongside. Behind the goal at the opposite end there are 2 sections of covered seating either side of a terrace. More covered terracing is available at the side of the clubhouse.

There are refreshment kiosks on 3 sides of a ground well worth ticking off your list.

Ground plan of Warrington's ground, taken from their website.

Previous Meetings.

Apart from one game in the NPL First Division Cup in 1991/92 all our other clashes have been for league points, with this season being the first in the NPL's Premier section.

It wasn't until our 9th game against the Wire, in the NPL Division 1 that we got our first victory, a 2-0 win at Cantilever Park in 1993/94. In the last 8 times we've met since that win we've lost just once. Our last visit to the ground was in 2024/25 when a Liam Waldock goal gave us the 3-points in November of that season. In the return at the Town Ground in the following March we let go a 2-0 lead after a Josh Clackstone penalty and a first goal for Sam Osborne saw us in total control, only for 2 goals in the last ten minutes give the Wire a point.

Hyde United.

Hyde United in 2000/01 season.

Ewen Fields, Walker Lane, Hyde, SK14 5PL.

Match Day - Saturday 27th March 2027.

The current main stand at Ewen Fields replaced a wooden stand which was removed in 1981 to enable entry into the Northern Premier League. Hyde were one of the first clubs in non-league to put down a plastic pitch, in 1986, after selling the ground to Tameside Council, who funded the installation. This was taken up in 1995 and grass used again until 2016 when funding for a new 3G pitch was secured.

 

I imagine the ground will have changed in the intervening years since my last visit but I remember there was plenty of covered terracing, on all four sides, as well as the main stand in what was a great ground for this level.

Since my visit they did have a link with Manchester City and the stadium was turned blue, that could have reverted back to Hyde's colours now? The main stand is all seated with an unusual roof. On this side there is also a section of terracing. On the opposite side is is the Leigh Street Stand with more covered standing available.

Behind one goal is the Tinker's Passage End with a covered terrace and you won't be surprised to hear that the opposite end also has standing with a roof over it. This is a great ground and needs ticking off if you haven't done so.

The covered terrace opposite the main stand at Hyde in 2000/01.

Previous Meetings.

Of the 23 meetings between our clubs we have 11 wins to Hyde’s 6 with 6 being drawn. The first meeting was in the Northern Premier League’s Presidents Cup, a competition for the top 6 of the Premier & 1^st Divisions from the previous season. We managed a 2-2 draw here at the Town Ground but lost on our first visit to Hyde, 0-3, in the replay.

We failed to beat Hyde in the first 6 meetings between the clubs but our first win was at Ewen Fields when 2 goals from White and 1 from Blount saw us win 3-1 in the Conference North in 2005.

Our last games against Hyde was in the 2013/14 season in the Conference Premier in a traumatic campaign for the Tigers. They finished bottom with just ten points as we did the double with a 2-1 win away in November and a 3-0 win at home in the March, a result which confirmed their relegation.

Lancaster City.

Lancaster City viewed from the railway station.

Giant Axe, West Road, Lancaster. LA1 5PE.

Match Day - Saturday 3rd April 2027. 

This is on my list of grounds to revisit, my last one being in the season we both gained promotion with Phil Stafford scoring for us in a 1-1 draw in 1995/96. At that time I wasn't taking photos at football so the image, above, was taken from Lancaster railway station as I changed while on a trip to the north west.

At this time in the NPL division 1 seasons weren't they called City of Lancaster FC officially?

Refurbishments have been done to the ground since that visit but the main stand, which was built in 1977, is still in situ, but with 513 new plastic seats that were added in 2000.

The West Road End Terrace was added in 2000 and the open West Road Terrace is situated behind one goal with a covered terracing called The Shed at the other. Opposite the Main Stand is the uncovered terrace known as Long Side.

The Giant Axe is one of the best names in football, probably on a par with The Dripping Pan in Lewes, though I do also like the name Pancake Lane, home of Leverstock Green.

City's main stand in 2005/06.

Previous Meetings.

Over half of the 30 meetings with Lancaster City were in the NPL Division 1 with 6 meetings in both the NPL Premier and Conference North.

They’ve given us some thumpings too, they beat us at our home in 1989/90 by a 6-0 margin and in 93/94 we were beaten at their place 5-0. I remember them winning 6-1 at the Town Ground in 1995/96 when we both won promotion to the Premier, City being champions. The following season our 1-0 home win over City in September was our first ever win at NPL Premier level.

Our last meeting was in Conference North in 2006/07 when we won 2-0 at the Giant Axe, Clarke getting both our goals to seal the double over them that season.

Emley AFC.

The Welfare Ground.

The Welfare Ground, Emley, HD8 9RE.

Match Day - Saturday 10th April 2027.

Our final away trip of the season is a trip to the Welfare Ground, home of Emley AFC.

A split in the club occurred in 2006 after it was decided to remove all ties with Emley. A new club was formed, AFC Emley and they moved back to the Welfare Ground, where their reserves had been playing. It is this club that we will be visiting on 10^th April for our final scheduled away game of the season.

The Welfare Ground is one of the league’s better known venues with its traditional main stand with elevated seating and a terrace at the front. Set to the left of the half way line the stand has a clubhouse alongside. The only other cover is “the Shed”, behind the near goal this covered terrace runs almost the width of the pitch. With the club sharing with cricket they are unable to have cover on all four sides but this doesn’t detract from what is a lovely venue for the game.

The cover behind the goal at Emley.

Previous Meetings.

The history of Emley AFC became very messy around the turn of the century when the club relocated to Wakefield due to ground grading deeming The Welfare Ground unsuitable.

We last played the club in the 2023/24 season in an FA Cup tie here at the Town Ground. We were lucky to escape with a 1-0 win thanks to a Billy Fewster goal. Jake Day had a penalty saved and George Willis saved James Walshaw’s penalty to see us progress, phew.

It was twenty years previously though that we travelled to play the club, back in 2003/04 season, at the home of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats Rugby League club, Belle Vue. Godber, Bettney & an Hemmings penalty giving us a 3-0 win in front of just 181. The club by then were known as Wakefield & Emley. Our last trip to The Welfare Ground, which is where the current Emley AFC reside, was in 1997/98 in the NPL Premier. A 2-0 defeat for the Reds was yet another loss in our relegation season.

In total we have played the club 21 times, winning 7 & losing on 9 occasions.

So that's my preview of the grounds we'll be visiting for league points this season. Hopefully it's created some interest in folks wanting to visit these grounds and my description is accurate.

Bill.