DIARY OF A GROUND HOPPER
BURY AFC 0 VAUXHALL MOTORS 1
I AM back from a week in Bonnie Scotland so I cannot wait to see my next proper match: Tuesday can’t arrive soon enough!
The forecast is for wall-to-wall sunshine, so after scanning the fixture lists I make a snap decision to have a day in The Peak District followed by Bury AFC at their new ‘home’ at Mossley FC. The Fox tags along.
My wander around the moors is very relaxing. It’s followed by a leisurely drive through Glossop to Mossley. I pay £8 at the gate (no OAP concessions: apparently, the fans had a vote and agreed not to have a concessionary rate, though kids get in free tonight). The programme costs £3.
Spectators enter the stadium down one side of the pitch in a gap between the clubhouse and the main stand. The eye is immediately drawn to the extensive view of moorland behind the opposite stand: stunning! There’s a covered terrace behind the right hand goal and an open terrace behind the other end. A covered terrace completes the scene the other side from the turnstile.
I make straight for the refreshments hut. The pie, chips, peas and gravy are divine! I eat them in the lovely clubhouse, where filled rolls are available. There are some classic 60s tunes playing in the bar. Outside, the tempo of the music is more upbeat but no less pleasing to my ear.
All is good until the match kicks off. There isn’t an ounce of quality or finesse throughout the whole game. The two sides are hoping to get promoted out of the North West Counties League, Premier. Vauxhall Motors arrive at Seel Park as leaders, so I was at least hoping to see a bit of football.
Instead, the visitors waste time almost from the first whistle and Bury have no idea how to deal with Motors’ tactics.
And then things turn nasty. The Vauxhall keeper spills a save and the Bury forward catches him while trying to reach the rebound. Cue the seemingly obligatory pile on by the goalpost. Bury fans surge forward and one player stupidly reacts! It all kicks off by the benches as well. One player from each side is sent off, no-one emerges out of this with any dignity or credit.
At half-time, I read the interview with Vauxhall’s manager, Mick McGraa, in the superb programme. “We are going to make it as big a fight as possible, try and get in your [Bury’s] faces, be horrible and do all the NonLeague stuff that happens . ... I don’t expect much football to be played...” So there you have it, folks, The Beautiful Game!
Motors take the three points with a goal in the 51st minute but they certainly don’t win any friends.