Diary of a GROUND HOPPER
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28 Campion 3 Nostell Miners Welfare 1
I AM just back from a tiring trip to Peru. Unfortunately there was no South American football for me. I missed seeing a “big match” in Cusco by a single day. Mind you, I was having difficulty breathing just standing still at 11,200 ft and watching people run around for ninety minutes might have proved too much for my feeble body to take.
Back home at the lower elevation of Nottingham, I have no trouble breathing when looking through the meagre fixture list for tonight. Nothing really sets the pulse racing, so I plump for either Albion Sports or Campion in the Northern Counties East League. Everyone knows I hate Filthy Groundsharers so it’s off to new boys Campion.
I must confess to not knowing where I am going, other than somewhere in Bradford. Jane SatNav leads me straight to the Manningham Mills Sports Ground and when I arrive, I still have no idea where I am other than on Scotchman Road!
Parking for spectators is on the street. There’s a warm welcome at the gate where a couple are waiting for customers in a garden shed-type ‘turnstile’. I pay £5 to get in and then take an involuntary deep breath when I find out the programme costs £2!
There are already a few familiar Hopping faces in the stadium. Nothing is open yet, so I make a circuit of the ground to take pictures in the last remaining light. Not that there’s much to photograph. The brand new clubhouse and changing rooms dominate the area behind one goal. In the far corner is the only cover available. The only seats I find are a few benches along the other touchline.
The food bar opens and I order a pasty and a sausage roll. Also on sale are hot pork pies – a Yorkshire ‘speciality’ – but I’ve learnt my lesson on that score! Both items are cold: they can’t even be described as lukewarm! I think the KitKat may even be warmer than the pasty!
The bar is upstairs in the clubhouse. I settle in to see if the programme is worth the cost. It’s a glossy outer shell containing Campion’s history, player profiles and adverts. Inside is an eight page black and white insert detailing tonight’s game. I suppose it isn’t bad for a one off but if you came to every game, you just wouldn’t want the same glossy shell.
In the clubhouse, the big screen is showing a talksport show. With the sound turned down! Some may argue that this is a complete waste of electricity and I couldn’t argue against them.
Both teams are struggling a bit this season. Tonight sees 15th-placed Campion host 20th-placed Nostell Welfare. Newly-promoted Campion may feel it’s a decent start but the visitors will be out for some points this evening.
The match is fast and furious but not lacking in skilful football. Apart from the odd chuntering, the game is refreshingly free of back chat to the officials. Campion end up deserved winners and their learning curve takes another step forward.