DIARY OF A GROUND HOPPER

AFRIDAY night re-visit to Edgeley Park, Stockport, means I only fancy a local trip on Saturday. The weather is still playing its part, so a local ‘Plastic Fantastic’ must be found to make the choice slightly more difficult. Fortunately, I have been saving FCV Grace Dieu for such an occasion.

The Fox and I regularly pass the remains of Grace Dieu Priory near Thringstone on our way to the M1 on matchdays. This eventually triggered a spark deep in one of our memories (or did Penciman tell us?) that there is a football team playing in the Central Midlands Alliance under that name.

The Fox and I arrive at Manor Park – 120 acres of grounds – and the old Grade II Listed building on the estate.

The estate was bought in 2022 and turned into the headquarters of the FCV International Football Academy. This organisation is a mystery to me but they must be doing rather well: in the car park I find a plush coach and three minibuses, all in branded livery.

At no point in a visit to Manor Park do spectators encounter any club officials. No admission is taken, no programmes are available and there are no drinks or snacks. Players and coaches walk out of the changing room block and into the ‘green cage’ via a different path to spectators.

The car park is raised above the playing area behind one goal. A new path – partially carpeted in astroturf – runs down a slope to a wide, rough viewing area running the whole side of the ground. This is the only area accessible to fans, though it looks like work is ongoing to improve spectator facilities along here.

By the time the match starts, several familiar Groundhoppers from the Midlands are in attendance, no doubt sensibly saving this quirky venue for a wet weekend.

This afternoon’s visitors are East Leake Robins; a rather apt name for this time of year.

FCV play some very slick football but their (mostly) young players panic in front of goal. This is a pity because a quick scan of Twitter finds they have scored fourteen goals without reply in their last three fixtures!

The Robins hang in there and even manage an attack or two themselves but the score remains goalless at half time. During the break, one or two Hoppers explore the building where the players disappear into in hope of finding a drink or a snack. No joy but at least it’s out of the biting wind.

Grace Dieu finally manage to open the scoring in the 75th minute. Janssen heads the opener on his debut to the relief of the Groundhopping contingent. Chilvers adds another late on for a deserved win.

FCV Grace Dieu are only six months old and openly admit theirs has been a steep learning curve. I loved their style of play and wish them all the best for the future. I suspect it won’t be the last time I pay them a visit. But I will take a flask next time…

PRE-MATCH INFO: 8, FACILITIES: 2, CHARM: 9.5, PROGRAMME: 0, MATCH: 7, OVERALL TRIP: 7,

OFFICIALS: 9, ATT: 28 (H/C)