DIARY OF A GROUND HOPPER
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17TH
HORSHAM 2 CANVEY ISLAND 0
THE temperature is rising but there is still a frost on the ground: that’ll be a Plastic Fantastic pitch today. My eye immediately alights upon Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy but, to my horror, I get a message from The Fox that he has been to The Aspen White Stadium! That leaves me with three options: blow him out and leave him high and dry; try and find a ground somewhere near Heybridge I can drop him off at; or choose somewhere else entirely.
I pick the latter and start scouring fixtures again, picking out those with 3G beside of their name. And there it is: Horsham in the Isthmian Premier. It’s high on that to-do list. When the club post a picture of their burger on Twitter, all doubt is swept from my mind.
It’s perilously close to Christmas holiday time, so I build in an age of extra time in which to negotiate the M25. Jane SatNav takes me down a road on the edge of town and tells me to follow it for another mile. However, I immediately see a big sign pointing to matchday parking and swerve into car park. I’m here.
The Fox nips off to take photos of the stadium and returns with two ‘Award-winning’ programmes (£3) and tales of the plastic playing surface being covered in a thick frost and frozen corner flags. We settle down in the warm car for some mince pies.
After a hearty welcome from the stewards, I pay £12 at the turnstile (£8 Concessions). Canvey’s coach has just arrived, so there is a queue at the refreshments’ window. When my number is called, the burger is massive! The top part of the bun is baked to look like a football. I take mine into the large clubhouse to plonk on a table. While there, a club official hands me a colour teamsheet.
Outside, all frost has gone but stewards are fencing one corner off because it is still icy. There’s a covered stand behind this goal, while a long seated stand runs down one side. Opposite is a seated stand and a covered terrace. The media gantry is a charming rustic, wooden affair. The clubhouse is situated behind the other goal. As well as the main food area, there are two small huts selling sausage rolls, hot drinks and beer.
The match is quick and skilful. Canvey visit in good form but the Hornets score an excellent goal in each half to take three valuable points. There are two missed penalties in the first half, including a Kane-esque hoof over the bar! Canvey’s fans help ensure there’s a good atmosphere throughout.
If you are looking for a very friendly club to visit in the New Year, I recommend Horsham very highly.
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