Author Archive

Can you believe it? Yes, it’s Saturday again. That can only mean one thing. Football. Huge local derby with FC Deportivo Galicia at home to Brook House. As the song goes, “This could be heaven or this could be hell.” On their day, Brook House are unstoppable and unplayable. Sadly for them, their days seem to be Sundays and Fridays as on other match days they have struggled recently. Sad as they are a good set of lads …… and on a direct bus from me!

On Sunday, I am thinking of a trip to Gunnersbury to support Clapton CFC where their ladies have an interesting game against Actonians Reserves. I am a member/owner at Clapton (£5 per season!) and I like to catch them when I can. The Hub is easy by foot from Acton Town on the Piccadilly Line. (Options via Gunnersbury too or even South Acton. As always on a Sunday check TfL!)

The Pride of Fulham – Johnny Haynes

I could not continue from QPR on Day 37 to anywhere else than Fulham, I guess. The iconic Craven Cottage is walking distance to QPR’s Loftus Rd. Unlike, say, Millwall and West Ham, there is a healthy respect between both sets of fans which is always good to see.

Fulham treated me well when I cycled there in 2010. First full day in the saddle Fulham, Chelsea, Brentford and QPR in the dark if I remember and then a long trek to Watford to find a room!

I wrote, “Next stop was Fulham’s Craven Cottage. It has always been a favourite ground and although it is so olde worlde, the fans are really proud of this season’s achievements. The guy in the shop thought I was mad and came out to be photographed with the scarf you see. Sad memories of what might have been against Atletí a few weeks before.”

It was a bit of a glory time for Fulham (“The Cottagers”) as they finished twelfth in the top flight, got to the sixth round of the FA Cup and the final of the UEFA League under, who other than, Roy Hodgson. He left at the end of the season to take over at Liverpool. Who knows what he might have achieved if he had stayed. Instead there have been a dozen managers, the Championship and a more recent period of consolidation in the Premier League. Shahid Khan took over as chairman in July 2013 and there has been much done to the ground but always the “What if?” in the background.

Recently, I have been exchanging memories with Ian Prime who told me of an upcoming event at the ground and as you can see, it’s a bit different from the usual!

Ian says, “I’ve been going to Fulham since I was 5 and that’s a long time ago now. Every time I’ve left the ground I’ve gone home to a warm, safe home and bed sometimes elated with the result but more often than not a little frustrated !!

….. and yes that is me in the photo !

On the 21st March I’ll be doing something different and sleeping overnight at Craven Cottage (or trying to sleep) as part of Fulham FC Foundation’s first Stadium Sleepout. (Details below……)

Why ? because not everyone is as lucky as I am

If you can support me on this challenge it would be fantastic – even just £1 would make a difference and it will help Fulham FC Foundation, by building better lives through sport.

Here’s the sponsorship link – https://fulhamfc.enthuse.com/pf/9d13e#!/ ”

I was happy to support and hope you will be too ….and if you have any memories of Fulham or Craven Cottage please let us know. Thanks.

Stadium Sleepout

21 March 2024 – 22 March 2024

Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road, Fulham, SW6 6HH

Stadium Sleepout 2024 

Brave the elements and join us for our first ever Stadium Sleepout! 

On Thursday 21st March Craven Cottage will be opening its doors overnight for the first ever time in support of Fulham FC Foundation. 

At Fulham FC Foundation we are passionate about building better lives through sport. We deliver programmes 7 days a week to a broad range of the community, supporting disabled young people, refugees, socially isolated adults, people with mental health challenges and many others. We help change the lives of over 10,000 people every year, using sport as a tool to improve both the physical health and mental wellbeing of our participants. 

Before you brave the elements there will be entertainment and opportunities to get food to fuel you for the night ahead! This is an inaugural event for Fulham FC Foundation, so you will not want to miss out on being one of the first ever people to sleepout overnight in the Stadium. This is set to be a truly unique event, and we would love to have you join us. Spaces are limited, with access only to adults aged 18 and over, with those registered fundraising towards Fulham FC Foundation’s work in our community.

Wrap up warm and help us on our mission to build better lives through sport! Register here

I was talking to a Facebook friend today about loyalty. I mentioned that next week marks 60 years for me supporting Gillingham. Justin has a similar love affair with Queens Park Rangers and kindly agreed to tell all.

” I never played football much as a child.  My dad was more rugby focused and I started playing rugby aged 5.  Besides, any organised football in the 1970s was mostly via the cubs and scouts.  At school we did knock a ball around but that was about it.  I was born with very flat feet so it was suggested I join my sisters at ballet classes, not something you’d find many 1970s west London boys doing, a less talented version of Billy Elliott (although I did end up on stage at the London Palladium twice!).  But the bullies were seen off when I found out Kevin Keegan did some ballet to help him get up in the air.

I wasn’t really sure who he was but when he moved to Southampton in 1980, they became my team.  Fast forward to 1983 and my brother in law, a fully paid up QPR fan, asked if I wanted to go to see QPR Southampton.  A 4-0 home win saw what little allegiance I had quickly shifted.  Besides, QPR were the second nearest club to home and that win was followed in consecutive home matches by 2-0 over Arsenal and 1-0 over Ipswich.  They also wore those cool Adidas shirts with the Guinness sponsor on them.  I was hooked.

I had seasons of attending almost every home match and many away ones, then years later moved to Scotland so started attending games at Sunderland, Newcastle, Hull, Bolton, Rotherham, Huddersfield, and other northern towns, with the occasional home game for good measure.

There have been lots of peaks and troughs as you always get with such clubs.  Losing to relegated Oxford United in the League Cup final fights for bottom spot with FA Cup defeat to Vauxhall Motors, relegation to the third tier wasn’t great either.  But beating Chelsea 6-0, seeing Alan McDonald getting a last minute equaliser against Man Utd in the cup, and beating Liverpool in a two legged semi-final, sits very nicely with watching the likes of Trevor Francis, Ray Wilkins, Les Ferdinand, David Seaman, Andy Sinton, Trevor Sinclair, Charlie Austin and so many more players.  Some on the way up, some on the way down, and others at their peak.

But there is one highlight, and despite the premise of these tales, it wasn’t even at the mighty Loftus Road.  Instead it was 24th May 2014 at Wembley as experienced QPR weathered a sending off to grab a 90th minute winner against younger, nimbler Derby County.  Bobby Zamora was immediately deified for his stunning strike, a goal that saw me, thousands of feet above the pitch behind the goal in the penultimate row, hug a stranger.

Every time football gets mentioned in front of my mother she asks if QPR is still my club.  Well, you don’t really shake off clubs like QPR.  They never were and never will be fashionable and I hope they never move from the small, compact Loftus Road, surrounded on all sides by housing.  

I never wear colours to games – I attended too many London derbies in the 1980s to feel comfortable – but do own a shirt that was a job leaving gift, customised with a name and number that means loads to me and probably nothing to anyone else, and it has pride of place.  And you need pride to dominate the lower reaches of the Championship.

And in case anyone is interested, my goal is to one day have a Loftus Road box for my business to use.  It’s a small business but the way things are going at the club I might be able to afford it sooner than later!  If anyone wants to seek out tips, reviews and guidance about visiting London, or needs a bespoke and very detailed itinerary then please do check out https://www.londonitineraries.co.uk/ “

Happy memories! I have always had a soft spot for QPR. I remember a game in the mid 60s when they taught Gillingham a lesson for 90 minutes but had to settle for a draw! Lesson #1 for a ten year old – Life is not always fair! I also remember some of their players with affection – Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh, Dave Thomas and they even came close to signing the mercurial (being polite) Robin Friday. (below)

Just in

Bucket shake at the Norwich City game. Please be generous

It’s a different one! Got an SOS from FB friend Shaye Jay Grant

Good evening everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out with a heartfelt plea. My football club Buckinghamshire United F.C, is currently facing a crisis situation with our men’s first team in the Aylesbury & District Football League Div 1 Saturday league. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, we’ve been struck by a severe bout of long-term injuries, coupled with some players struggling to commit regularly due to various reasons and other reasons beyond our control. This has left us in a precarious position, teetering on the edge of folding and I cannot let this happen.

But here’s where you come in. We’re in desperate need of passionate players who are willing to step up and join our club. Whether you’re a casual player looking for some extra game time, or even if you’ve been out of the game for a while but itching to get back on the field or you’re actually looking for a long term club – we want to hear from you!

Club management and I are doing everything within our power to ensure this club survives and thrives, but we can’t do it alone.

If you know anyone who fits the bill or if you yourself are interested in joining our squad, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. Your assistance could make all the difference in the world to us.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support and understanding during this challenging time.

Thank you,

Shaye Grant.

shaye@buckinghamshireunitedfc.co.uk

One of the most popular “days” on the tour so far was Day Eleven. It was Christian Obray’s article about “The Rise Of Non-League Football.” I thought it was so good and so timely that I asked him if I could reproduce it and he kindly agreed. We have kept in touch and I am delighted to confirm that his blog Through the Turnstile is now live. He kindly (again!) allowed me to reproduce part of it. It’s a great read about Chatham Town a club living in the shadows of a “big” club (Gillingham – well they WERE in the Championship!) and how they are not only surviving but growing.

He says, ”

THROUGH THE TURNSTILE @ CHATHAM TOWN

Welcome to Through the Turnstile, this series of features are intended to shine the light on some of non-league’s leading stars. The series is not intended to be about me, I am merely the impartial host who will be putting them all together for you to hopefully enjoy!

During each feature we will look back at the history of the club and the journey they have taken to be where they are today. The infrastructure at the club including the stadium, the staff, key players and the fan base. Of course, one of the main interest points is the matchday! So on every club we will look at what this looks like and how much £ it would set you back, from your ticket, a programme and a pint.

Finishing off with the clubs plans for the future. So without further ado let’s kick off the series with my very own hometown club: Chatham Town.

A brief history of the Club

Chatham Town Football Club, based in Kent, England, currently competes in the Isthmian Premier Division and is known as “The Chats.” Established in 1882 as Chatham United, the club has a rich history, including hosting the debut matches for both Portsmouth and West Ham United. Initially playing at “The Lines,” they moved to Maidstone Road Ground in 1889, prompted by a successful FA Cup quarter-final run. This move influenced the Football Association’s decision to mandate fully enclosed grounds for future FA Cup matches.

Throughout its history, Chatham experienced financial challenges, voluntary relegations, and league changes. After World War I, they won the Kent Victory Cup and re-joined the Southern League. Financial strains led to withdrawals, voluntary relegations, and a return to amateur status in the 1930s. Post-World War II, the club merged with Shorts F.C., adopting the name Chatham Town. Shifting between leagues, they joined the Southern League in 1983, but financial……

Now to read the rest CLICK HERE You are going to love the burger table! (Shout out for Woodley United!)”

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks

FUNDRAISING

As regular readers will have noted, we have had several blogs this week about sponsorship.
One thing comes through LOUD and CLEAR ….. every grassroots and junior club needs MORE money. It might be for the very first kit, maybe a replacement kit. It could be for cones and bibs or it could be for something more substantial like a tournament abroad. Paul Stephens at PhotoDay contacted me and showed me a way how EVERY club can fundraise in a fun and quick manner. He kindly sent details today.

Working with football clubs nationwide

We at PhotoDay work with football clubs across the UK to create unique and memorable images of individual players & their teams. 

We shoot studio quality images of every individual from which we digitally assemble team images, including a bespoke team image for each & every player where they uniquely feature front & centre of the team….your STAR player image.  

We then place all team & individual images onto a variety of backgrounds which are personalised to your club using your club colours & badge.

Once the photoshoot is complete it will take us a few days to process the images & get them uploaded to a secure gallery for each subject.  Once ready, we’ll notify parents of their unique link/access code so they can view & order their exclusive set of images including their unique STAR player team shot. There is absolutely no obligation to buy.  If parents do want to purchase a photo of their child we have individual items to suit all budgetsand also great value packages. We can also create bespoke sibling/buddy or parent & child images on request.

Why Choose Us

For Your Club Football Photos

Firstly and most importantly, we’re FREE. In fact it can be a great FUNDRAISER!

We understand the budgets of football clubs aren’t huge. Clubs often rely on sponsorships and parent support to get by. So there’s no charge to come along and take the photographs.

No hidden costs at all, when we say we’re free we mean it…

Secondly, we use bespoke technology you won’t find with any other photography company. We are the nationwide industry leader. We have unique software which allows us to create a unique team image for every team member where they feature front & centre as the STAR of the team. Finally, we give FREE team photos & sponsor team shots to further support your club & raise its profile in your community.

Contact us today to find out about the FUNDRAISING opportunities that come with our photoshoots!

ABOUT

PhotoDay formed in 2017 by a group of photographers who have worked for a collective 30+ years in an around youth sports clubs and schools

We offer  high quality, original Team & Individual photography to schools, clubs & their parents while also creating a no-risk fundraising opportunity

Action photography is a speciality at school & club events, with onsite printing to delight your guests 

NB. As you would expect all our staff are DBS checked to enhanced level & we operate a child protection policy

Please contact Paul for more details and for an estimate of how much you could raise for club funds.

I have been speaking to Clare McEwen on FB over the past week or so. A very interesting lady who has written a book about the Lionesses and you can have a free copy.

I will let her tell her own story.

“A Girl In Love With the Beautiful Game

Hi, I’m Clare and I fell in love with football when I was about 9-years-old. I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the exact moment the beautiful game touched my heart because that was nearly 40 years ago. But I do remember the moment I got my very own proper football. And the moment I put on my first pair of football boots (Golas for those who remember them). I was already in love with the game by then but these prizes sealed the deal.

Me with my first boots and ball. Around 1985. That haircut though.

There were no opportunities (that I’m aware of) for girls football in deepest, darkest Cornwall in the early 1980s. Heck, there isn’t even a professional men’s team in Cornwall now. But there was football to be had for a determined “tomboy”. At every opportunity, I’d be playing in the local park or the school playground with my mates, but I was always miffed that they’d get to go off for weekend matches and I was left with a hole in my football calendar.

I did the natural thing and recruited some of my girl friends to create our own team – Girls United. It was destined to fail: I knew nothing about football teams, there were only five of us (at best) and I had slight megalomaniac tendencies. I was the central midfielder, captain, manager, and general know-it-all – I imagine everyone got fed up with me quite quickly! Nonetheless for a few beautiful weeks we met on a Saturday afternoon to plan our rise to world domination.

The rest of the week I played headers and volleys in the park or Wembley at school. I will be forever grateful to my male mates for allowing me to join in. As weird as that may sound now, without their support, I wouldn’t have got to play at all. Good job I was deemed “good enough” to join in!

The 10-year-old me –  who pretended to be Bryan Robson or Marco van Basten – has sprung to mind a lot in recent years. I was at Wembley with my husband and son in November 2019 when England’s women played Germany in front of a then record crowd. I spent much of the game trying not to let tears of joy spring forth from my eyes. It was such an emotional moment to see the Lionesses welcomed out in front of a packed stadium. A moment 10-year-old me could literally only dream of. Those dreams of scoring at Wembley when I was kicking around in the park, trees for goalposts, were a reality for these women. Mind-blowing.

Similar feelings resurfaced when England’s Lionesses lifted the 2022 Euros trophy. Pride, joy, almost disbelief at what I was seeing. The enormous journey from when I was a girl in the 1980s to where the women’s game is now. It’s hard to explain the feelings. And they fizz up inside me every time I watch a women’s football match.  If I’m honest, there’s a little jealousy mixed in there too – a bit of disappointment for all the 10-year-old girls who missed out. 

Women’s football is so much more visible now, but it has always been there. I wish I’d known that when, at 10, I thought I was the only one.

Now I’m writing a book on the history of women’s football so everyone knows how it has grown both in England and throughout the world. The stories, the struggles, the amazing women and men who fought against the governing bodies, defying bans, battling disrespect, and suffering abuse. 

The stories are often remarkable and, for me, poignant. More than one lone woman started a team by writing to the local paper looking for players – I wish I’d thought of doing that. I wish I’d been brave enough. 

I’m about halfway through writing the first draft of my book and am constantly inspired by the stories and struggles. Women’s football is not an overnight success, it’s been grafting away for almost as long as men’s football. It was banned for 50 years and scuppered at every turn for decades after that. My book will map out its rise to visibility and bring some of the individual stories to life.

If you’d like to follow my author journey and learn about some of the trailblazers of women’s football, I have a fortnightly newsletter. As a thank you for subscribing you’ll be able to download my mini book, “A Brief History of England’s Lionesses” for free. Sign up here: https://subscribepage.io/uZWNmQ

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks

Non-League Day

Yes, it’s that time of year again. It’s just a few weeks to Non-League Day.

Non-League Day is a day set aside in English football where supporters of clubs playing at the highest levels of the game are encouraged to experience football at non-league level with which they may be unfamiliar.

The idea was suggested in 2010 by James Doe. It is a non-profit and volunteer-run initiative and is set to coincide with a break in fixtures in the football calendar when Premier League and Championship sides do not have games. This is so that international fixtures can be played and top level players will be on international duty. It has received widespread backing from the Premier League and from Football League clubs as well as MPs, media organisations, charities and from non-league clubs themselves. The Football Association also gives its backing to the campaign. Clubs often look to this day for a boost in attendance figures and offer reduced admittance prices to fans of other clubs for games played on Non-League Day. Clubs can also offer incentives for fans to attend. In August 2014 Bungay Town handed-out mushrooms to supporters attending their match with Martham in the Anglian Combination League Division Two doubling their normal match-day attendance to 100.

…and there’s more! Ian Bailey is famous for the NLD badges. He explains,

“Ahead of the 18/19 Season NLD I suggested to James Doe that we sell pin badges to promote the event and any money raised go Prostate Cancer UK who already were engaged alongside NLD.

These are purchased funded by my company IBCDM and then once badges are sold money repaid then all profit is sent to PCUK. Following 2023 NLD a sum of £534 was sent on from badge sales alone.

We only purchase a limited number supplied by Gorilla Badges and once sold no more are produced. To date every year has been sold out thanks to badge collectors and groundhoppers.”

This seasons are on sale from Ian Bailey contact via “X”  (Twitter) @ibcfc61

There will be much more on non-league day in the weeks ahead. The important thing at this moment is to get it marked off in your diary! Where do you want to go? Well, if it’s in London, I would be failing not to recommend FC Deportivo Galicia* near Heathrow. All London games will be featured on the excellent The London Football Guide website

*Incidentally we have a re-scheduled game TONIGHT

As always, I hope that you will consider a donation however small to support FC Deportivo Galicia and/or Prostate Cancer UK If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £10,000 and life would be easier in West London whilst the charity continued their great work. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. Thanks

Sponsorship

My post about sponsorship last week definitely got people talking.

In a Facebook group for Grassroots Football a conversation developed and I was interested to see how sponsorship works at different levels of the football pyramid. “Let’s start at the very beginning…. a very good place to start as Mary Poppins would say. “Let’s hear it for the sponsors” as Deniece Williams perhaps did not sing!

Paul Glenwright wrote, “We are Hebburn Town Valencia u12s. Our sponsors are SR Shopfitters, Nearby Taxis and Britannia Autos. We are fortunate that one of our parents owns his own business and sponsored our home kit, one of my former employees sponsors our training kit and a local taxi firm kindly bought all the lads coats, so maybe its more about who you know.”

A very valid final point!

Christopher Ferrey said “Scholes Park Raiders under 9’s have been very lucky.

Kit sponsor – Sunset Wines
Training kit sponsor – GasElect and Scalby Mills Autocentre
Training jackets – Auto Diesel

And just last week we had a new tracksuit supplied by GT Garages Ltd. All local businesses in Scarborough who have helped make the team look and feel like a professional outfit. We try and promote their company once a week as a thank you for their support.”

That final point is so important – JF Kennedy comes to mind!

Onkar Sandhu continues, “So far I’ve been fortunate to have access to a charity fund, Making A Difference Locally, via my business Sandhu Stores . On top of this we have been able to apply for grants and currently provide:
Under 7s with a kit and jackets
Under 8s with a kit and jackets x 2
Under 10s with a kit and jackets
Ladies first team with a kit
Some coaches jackets also.
In return the club (Tamworth, Coton Green FC) give us a shout out etc.
My children benefit from taking the pressure off the coaches.”

This sounds like a GREAT win-win!

Ross Whiteside of Shortlees Youth F.C. says that “We have been sponsored a full set of bespoke kits designed by our very own 7 year old kids. Our sponsor is a local company ECOCEL energy who we are extremely grateful to. We were sponsored a new hoodie for every child by local small business McLean’s bricklaying service.

Everything else we have – goals, balls, training equipment, rain jackets, first set of strips etc has been funded using donations via a sponsored walk, bucket collection, hidden team cards and funding from our local community champion from Asda. We are extremely thankful for everyone who has helped us no matter how big or small.”

I answered, “Great attitude. The one part of my original post that I am not getting answers to is, “What benefit is in it for the sponsor?” Is it a nice warm glow, is it a deeply held desire to help the local community, is it because they were players themselves, is it “blackmail”, is it a genuine belief that by investing £x000, they will increase revenue by £y000 and profit by £z000?

Ross definitely has the JFK attitude, “Well, personally I am from a deprived area and want to be able to give back to the kids in the local community.”

“Bartley Reds U14 East were fortunate enough to have kit sponsorship from WR Composites, our training warm gear sponsored by Ease Your Step Chiropody, our man of the match awards sponsored by South Coast Insulation Services and home games sponsored by Bright Spark Electrical.” Anthony Pedley, South Birmingham.

Rob Sayers says they have been very fortunate with both sponsors and volunteers at Cradley Town D.C.

“Away Kit – Mcnulty Mechanical Services

Home Kit – Via Myself and have provided free kit sponsorship to Midlands Air Ambulance

Tracksuits – Merlin Diesel Systems Ltd

Drill Tops – Matt Talbot
Further a shout-out to the volunteer parents that help raise funds for social team building events for the team…just as important

Parents/Volunteers
Donna Sayers, Rayna Korkmazcan, Jordan Eggington, Tracey Parsons, Kathryn James.”

Yes, let’s never forget the volunteers.

Steven Gardner at Whitley Bay Sporting Club adds,

” My U14 Tigers girls are sponsored by Hills Landscapes  for home strips (and more, they’ve been very good to us!)

RMS Electrical Engineering Ltd for our mid-layers

And Footy Fantastic for our away shirts

We also got a fund from Velux Windows from their community grant which was brilliant.”

Duane Young makes valid points, I believe.

“We have approximately 40 teams at Leamington Brakes Junior FC, from u7s to u16s that we tried to get sponsorship for and it’s a big outlay.

If a bespoke kit, then you could have multiple sponsors to share the cost.
In my experience, it’s easier for individual teams to source sponsors from kind-hearted local firms who care as much about their communities, although that’s more work for volunteer coaches to do…..and don’t forget that a lot of it goes unnoticed

Myself (D.A Decorators, and a parent, John Hallett (J.G Hallett and Associates Accountancy Services), both sponsor the away kit of the u12s team I coach and did last year too…Leamington Brakes U12 Orange

My website is dadecorators.co.uk “

Nice website, hope this gets you some enquiries!


What I see from everyone is their gratitude. They see it as a two way process. Hopefully some of you will pop by the websites of the sponsors and if you are looking for their products and services you will consider using them. If you do, please do mention the grassroots club. Hopefully the sponsor will feel moved to renew sponsorship next time round!

What I have also seen is the need for sponsors. Many of the clubs would not be able to continue at the level they are without sponsorship. If you have not read the initial article, this may help!

Good Luck to all….. a BIG thanks to both the sponsors and those who volunteer to ensure the players can play with quality kit and equipment.

Crowhurst Youth AFC

Jen Morris wrote, “Our Under 9’s team have been very lucky with Timeless Recruitment Ltd sponsoring their home kits, Vicary’s Garage Battle sponsoring their away kits and Helia Renewables purchasing each of the children a lovely warm and waterproof coat for each of them! 

Honestly without our sponsors none of this could happen! Luckily we have found them via our boys families!”

So, it’s that time of the week again and Darren Ashley’s vlog was again popular last week. This week he is at Sporting Khasla in Willenhall. They were like FC Deportivo Galicia set up by immigrants and the parallels in their stories are interesting. Sporting Khalsa Football Club are members of the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands, who play their home games at Noose Lane in Willenhall, West Midlands. Being founded by the local Sikh community in 1991, they are the first British Asian club to own their own ground, which they bought from Willenhall Town in 2010 after moving from Abbey Park, the former home of Bloxwich Town.

So, what did Darren find out? ” For yesterday’s Non League vlog, I took in another new ground thanks to a kind invite from Sporting Khasla’s Jake (who is head of security), for their home match against high flying Anstey Nomads.

Joined again by my best mate Thunder, Jake met us on arrival, took us in the ground and showed us around.

We was told most things were accessible to us, and introduced to various people, some to potentially interview.

During this, I realised I had been so happy chatting that I hadn’t actually done any filming, so, I needed to get my butt into gear!

Walking around, what struck me was, what a lovely ground Sporting Khalsa has, very pleasing on the eye with the colours, and, there is a fair bit of raised level viewing which gives you an even better view of the action.

So, all the filming I needed before kick off completed, I could relax again and chat to some more people before kick off.

You may have got sick and tired of reading this, as every week, I say the same thing…I won’t spoil what happened in the game as hopefully you will watch the vlog which is found in the comments section below….but, trust me, it was a very entertaining match with plenty of action.

It’s also worth watching, for 2 interviews in particular..Nathan, who told me what Khalsa means to him after the passing of his father, and also Anstey Nomads FC fans Luke and Kai, who, despite having season tickets for Leicester City, watch and prefer to follow Nomads.

So, the match ends, I film the wrap up of the vlog and leave the ground…where, one of the Sporting Khasala staff hurriedly catches me up, stops me to give me back my selfie stick which I hadn’t even realised i had dropped.

It was the final classy act from a classy club, where Thunder and I were looked after brilliantly.

I would love to read anybody’s comments about visiting Noose Lane to learn of their experience, and woukd also love to film a vlog at Anstey Nomads if they would have me.

Thanks for reading and please subscribe to my You Tube channel. (No cost, all welcome!)”