It’s not quite date order BUT being an event it needs to take precedence! On Sunday 4th February I am off to a programme fair. My friend Les Easterbrook introduced me to these fairs a year ago. I don’t think I have missed one since.

This week’s event looks as if it will be the BEST yet so I am very much looking forward to it. The organiser Barry Dixey says,

“This Sunday 4th February 2024 is set to be the biggest West London Programme & Memorabilia Fair ever! We are jammed full of Stall Holders and have even had to turn some stall holders away. Some are having to bring their own tables just to get a space at the event. We could call our February Fair the Emperors’ Gate International Fair as we have Lucas coming over from Poland with items for sale.

There will be a wide range of items available such as Programmes, Tickets, Badges, Autographs, Books, Magazines and much more.

Please get in touch if you are coming and require anything specific.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!”

Barry – barry@dixey.net

It’s very easy to find and just a couple of minutes’ walk from Gloucester Rd on the Piccadilly Line, there’s a nice cafe-bar and free local parking.

Dates are for the rest of the year are below. If anybody has any specific requests, please do get in touch and I will try to find the items on the day. No cost – you pay the stallholder direct.



You will be hearing much more over the next few weeks but here is an advanced warning that it will soon be Non League Day again,

“Non-League Day is an annual celebration of semi-professional and amateur football in the UK. This year it takes place on Saturday 23 March and there will be a special focus on marking the 10th anniversary of our partnership with Prostate Cancer UK. 

A number of clubs in the London area will be hoping for bumper crowds on the day and we’re hoping our efforts will help to make that happen. I am delighted that FC Deportivo Galicia will be amongst them”

James Doe
Founder, Non-League Day 

FC Deportivo Galicia are, of course, delighted to be associated with a Prostate Cancer UK partnership and are at home that day against Oxhey Jets. More news soonest.

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.

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Kettering Town FC

Today is an unexpected pleasure. Andy Clark saw my post about Kettering Town and has kindly forwarded a mass of information about a club that I must admit I know little about. He is doing it as a kind of thank you to his father in law, Alex Elmore, who is a huge fan. I appreciate you so much Andy and trust I have done it justice!

You may remember I referenced the famous Kettering Town Leeds United game and Alex says, “I was there. They lost the replay 5-2 in extra time but battered Leeds in the second half of that replay. My father in law took me” See YT

“Kettering Town were originally formed in 1872, turning professional in 1891. The club graduated through twelve different leagues from 1892 until they became founding members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979. The club maintained its status in the top flight of semi-professional football until the 2000–01 season. Many honours have found their way to Rockingham Road, winning the Midland Football League title in 1896 and 1900. The Southern League Championship was won on three occasions by the club, in 1928 and 1957 under Tommy Lawton and in 1973 under the guidance of Ron Atkinson. In the 1930s the club won the East Midlands League and in 1948 the Poppies became Birmingham League Champions.

In a Southern League game against Bath City on 24 January 1976, Kettering became the first British club to play with a sponsor’s name printed on their shirts after signing a deal with local firm Kettering Tyres. The deal was brokered by chief executive and manager Derek Dougan. Four days later, The Football Association ordered the club to remove the slogan, but Dougan changed the words on the shirts to “Kettering T”, and claimed that the T stood for “Town”. Nonetheless, the FA ordered the club to remove the words, which the club did due to the threat of a £1,000 fine. Shirt sponsorship was eventually legalised within the English game in 1977.

Kettering are also the first ever British team to have their initials on their ground’s floodlights. The club finished runners-up in the Football Conference in 1981, 1989, 1994 and 1998. The GMAC Cup, (the non-league, league Cup) was won in 1987 and the Poppies were runners-up in 1995, then known as the Bob Lord Trophy. County competitions have been won regularly by Kettering Town, with the Northants Senior Cup won on 28 occasions and the Maunsell Cup 13 times. Kettering Town The FA Cup has brought success and publicity to Rockingham Road with the first round proper being reached on 41 occasions. In 1901 the club reached the last sixteen and in more modern times the Poppies reached the fourth round proper in the 1988–89 season and also the third round in 1991–92 only to lose to Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn Rovers. During the 1994–95 season the club made their debut live on Sky TV in a first round tie against Plymouth Argyle, soon followed by another appearance against Wrexham at Rockingham Road.

As of 2013 (June) the Poppies had scored more goals than any other team in the FA Cup history, with 846 goals scored. Wembley has been reached on two occasions before. The Poppies lost 2–0 to Stafford Rangers in the 1979 FA Trophy Final. More recently, the FA Trophy Final in 2000 saw the Poppies lose a closely fought final with Kingstonian 3–2. Most recently, the club were narrowly relegated on the last day of the 2000–01 season which ended 30 years in the top flight of non-league football. The Poppies made a quick return to the Conference in the 2001/02 season winning the Southern Football League with a last-day victory at Tiverton Town under Carl Shutt, his first full season in charge. Season 2005–06 was to be one of massive change at Rockingham Road.

In October 2005 it was announced that long-serving Chairman Peter Mallinger was to hand over the reins to a consortium consisting of Imraan Ladak, Mick Leech and England legend Paul Gascoigne. Gascoigne was installed as manager, replacing Kevin Wilson, and ex-Arsenal stalwart Paul Davis was recruited as assistant manager. The eyes of the world were on Gascoigne and the Poppies, and media interest was massive. However, for a variety of reasons, Gascoigne was only to remain in the job for thirty-nine days. Kevin Wilson was given his old job back, but only held onto it for two months as a run of one win in twelve games saw the Poppies slump into the bottom half of Conference North. Chairman Imraan Ladak installed former Tamworth manager Mark Cooper as the new Kettering Town manager for the 2007–08 campaign. The club finished the season as Conference North champions, breaking several records along the way (including seven consecutive wins at the start of the season, 29 wins overall, and a divisional record of 97 points). As a result, the club was promoted to the Conference National.

In the 2008–09 season, Kettering Town beat Lincoln City, Notts County and Eastwood Town to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup, where they faced Fulham at home. While twice pulling even with the Premier League squad and looking like they could possibly produce a draw late in the second half, they gave up two goals and ultimately lost the spirited match, 4–2.

After losing their Rockingham Road ground in 2011, the club went into administration during the 2011–12 season, finishing bottom of the Conference National and were demoted two divisions to the Premier Division of the Southern League. They finished bottom of the Southern League Premier Division the following season and were relegated to Division One Central. A third-place finish in the division in 2013–14 saw them qualify for the play-offs, but after beating Daventry Town 1–0 in the semi-finals, they lost 3–2 to Slough Town in the final. In 2014–15 the club won the Division One Central title, earning promotion to the Premier Division.^[9] Following a fourth-place finish in the Premier Division in 2017–18, they lost 3–1 to Slough Town in the play-off semi-finals.

League reorganisation saw Kettering placed in the Premier Division Central for the 2018–19 season. The club went on to win the division, earning promotion to the National League North. In 2022–23 they finished fourth-from-bottom of the National League North and were relegated back to the Premier Division Central of the Southern League.”

Kettering Town 2-4 Fulham (24th January 2009)

Kettering Town FC – 2nd Round FA Cup 1988 Kettering Town FC V Bristol Rovers

When Kettering Town played Blackburn!

GOALS | Stafford Rangers v Kettering Town 1979 FA Trophy Final

KETTERING TOWN AT WEMBLEY 2000 – HIGHLIGHTS v KINGSTONIAN

….and a friend, Les Easterbrook, who is a huge Kingstonian friend and programme collector was there and kindly sent me photos.

Les will as always be at the West London Programme Fair. Pop along to see him.

KETTERING TOWN FC – ROCKINGHAM ROAD – END OF AN ERA

Fantastic, Andy, thanks so much. A great football fan. Hopefully he will offer us something about his love affair with Yeovil

“Although my love right now is Corby. I always say support your local football team. They are gonna get vertigo, unbeaten in five!!” … and so say all of us!

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.

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Apologies for the lack of a new club yesterday, health challenges but back fighting today. My post about Kettering Town got people talking and I am delighted to say I have a huge update for tomorrow courtesy of Andy Clark. He is doing it to thank his father in law, Alex Elmore who has been a huge fan. Respect to them both.

I am delighted to see how much people are enjoying Darren Ashley’s vlogs every week. This week he was in Northamptonshire and clearly had a great day at Moulton.

He says,

“For my Non League vlog, yesterday, I went to a step 6 clash in the Spartan South Mids Division 1 between 3rd place Moulton and leaders Northampton ON CHENECKS ( Old Northamptonians).

The title on the vlog is because Moulton Football Club had beaten ON Chenecks twice in December.

I’m gonna say it quickly this week…I won’t spoil what happened in the match because I’d appreciate it if you could try to give the vlog a bit of a view. See below

A few weeks ago, I had an invite on this group from Steve Alibone to attend Moulton FC, so, I had a quick look at their upcoming fixtures and found this tasty looking one!

Steve was great, keeping in touch and assured me that he would show me around a bit on matchday, which is always reassuring when wanting different bits to film.

Matchday arrives, I turn up, it’s cold but sunny, and park in, for a step 6 club, quite a big car park outside the ground.

As soon as I go in and introduce myself, I was made so welcome by everyone at the club.

Often, I do get a little nervous but I talk loads to cover it up!

Steve, as promised, showed me around the ground and clubhouse which was really nice.

I bumped into both managers and did my groundwork by arranging a pre and post match interview, which then gave me plenty of time to relax before kick off.

I wanted to film the match from the main stand which would give me a view from slightly higher up but the sun shining straight at it put paid to that as the visual would be rubbish.

The game came and went, some of of it very exciting, and some less so, but I must admit, I enjoyed listening to sideline comments from fans and management.

One particular lady, a lovely woman called Judy ( she is featured on the vid having a pop at the ref), told me that her husband used to play at Middlesbrough with the one and only Brian Clough, but a broken leg put paid to her hubby’s pro career.

So, after wrapping up the filming and barely being able to feel my fingers, I headed off home with the memories of a lovely afternoon at an even better club whirring in my head.

I also must mention, that everyone who I spoke to at ON Chenecks were great too with me, and I hope to record there at the not to distant future.

Just a quick warning, if you are easily offended by..erm…industrial language, best if you don’t want. I even got caught up in it, but edited my sweary Mary moment out “

Watch the video here ….

If you want to watch his earlier vlogs, there is
Chesham United
Stratford Town
Rugby Town
Ascot United etc

Just subscribe to Darren on YT for more

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.

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Sorry – some of you know I have health challenges. Today was one of those days. Normal service will resume tomorrow.

Congratulations to Maidstone 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.

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As anybody who has visited TheShirt2010 in the last 15 years will know football kits and shirts have always been an interest of mine.

I am always happy to spotlight the “Good, Bad and Ugly.” I used to think that nothing could get worse than Coventry City’s brown shirt until I saw some of the abominations of the past few seasons that remind me of 1970s wallpaper or carpets!

This story caught my eye on the excellent Kettering Town Facebook feed. It’s a little bit of kit history that should be of interest to shirt collectors.

“On this day (24th January) in 1976, in a Southern League game against Bath City, Kettering Town FC became the first English club to play with a sponsor’s name printed on their shirts after signing a deal with local firm Kettering Tyres.

The Enigmatic Derek Dougan

The deal was brokered by chief executive and manager Derek Dougan. Four days later, The Football Association ordered the club to remove the slogan, but The Doog changed the words on the shirts to “Kettering T”, and claimed that the T stood for “Town”.

Nonetheless, The FA ordered the club to remove the words, which the club did due to the threat of a £1,000 fine.

Shirt sponsorship was eventually legalised within the English game in 1977*.”

* In June 1977 the FA decreed that a 2.5 square inch logo would be permitted in the future provided it was not “detrimental to the image of the game.” Since then it has only got BIGGER and BIGGER.

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.

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I got an email from my friends at Victor Publishing today. They have a new book charting the story of Tommy Sampson a defender who managed one game for the club BUT who went on to enjoy nearly two hundred games at Dartford and then a twenty year managerial career. Something of a legend in Kent, the book promises a great read if you are someone who enjoys a “warts and all” account rather than the gloss of a Chelsea “legend” (aka a benchwarmer in the Carabao cup) best known for his two month jail sentence for smashing up a Lithuanian disco when he was on loan there…. but failed to make an appearance!

Whilst you are on their page you will see their full library of football books and help and advice if YOU want to write a book.

In the way that only Facebook can, whilst I was researching this blog it sent me details of a very important event that I thought deserved more eyeballs.



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.

Millwall Football Club is delighted to announce that Zampa Road, which leads to The Den’s main entrance, has now officially been renamed to ‘John Berylson Way’.

The move is part of the club’s long-term plans to commemorate the life of its former chairman and to remember the remarkable impact John had on Millwall, its supporters, staff, and the local community.

The club would like to place on record its immense gratitude to both Southwark and Lewisham Councils for their assistance and support in ratifying the name change, and to all the fans and local residents who wrote in with their backing for the move.

Millwall’s new address, from today, is The Den, John Berylson Way, London SE16 3LN.

This Saturday’s home fixture against Preston North End marks the club’s annual Memorial Day, where we pause to remember all those from the Millwall family whose lives were lost in the previous year.

Fittingly, chairman James Berylson – John’s son – will be in attendance, and will lead an unveiling ceremony of the new road sign at 1.30pm, which supporters are invited to attend. This will take place outside the main entrance to the car park, where a wall has been built adorned with the club’s new address.

The club would like to publicly thank the Millwall Supporters’ Club, who have covered the considerable costs of this project with monies generated from their ‘JGB’ commemorative badge sales last summer, which had been added to the John Berylson Legacy Fund.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank everybody who has contributed to the change of road name,” James said.

“As I have said in the past, my dad absolutely adored Millwall, the fans, his staff, and all those associated with the club, and to have his name on road signs outside The Den, and in the address, is very moving for my family and I. It is something he would have been immeasurably proud of.

“We are very grateful to the Supporters’ Club for co-ordinating the funding used here, and of course the fans who have contributed to raising that money, and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the unveiling ceremony on Saturday.”

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Thanks for all the positive feedback from everyone. It is much appreciated. It was nice to speak from my friends at Miles for Smiles today. They have a big fundraiser on at Gresley Rovers football club soon and I promised to give them a shout next week. Top guys, please check them out!

I try not to make the daily blog too long as I know how much content there is out there so today I will continue with info re Prostate Cancer UK. Whilst not everybody would want to commit to a 90 day tour, there is something most people could do in the Merry Month of March (apologies to May!)

Conor from Prostate Cancer explains, “Thousands of people across the nation will be committing themselves to walk or wheel 11,000 steps a day throughout March. They’re doing it to represent more than 11,000 men who die from prostate cancer every year – will you join them?

Anyone can get involved in March the Month. Make the challenge your own by taking on more or less than the 11,000 steps. You can walk, wheel, or do whatever works best for you. 

Sign up today to help raise lifesaving funds as you get active this March.”

Five fab reasons to sign up
Get a FREE t-shirt to wear as you take on the challenge
Daily support and encouragement from a community of marchers
March your way! Get your steps in any way you choose
Challenge yourself or get friends involved for some friendly competition
Raise funds to help the 1 in 8 men affected by prostate cancer

So, obviously happy to highlight this challenge during the Prostate Cancer “March The Month.”
Remember you can also support Prostate Cancer here on this page. 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.

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The purpose of this digital tour – apart from, hopefully educating and entertaining the blog readers is to raise awareness for my local football club, FC Deportivo Galicia and the Prostate Cancer UK charity. My stated target is to raise £5,000 for each of them. I want to thank everybody who has so generously supported me so far. It is appreciated. Thanks. Yesterday, I focused on FC Deportivo Galicia and its BuyMeACoffee appeal. Today, it is only right that I balance this with some more info on Prostate Cancer UK. Today I got some fantastic news that Carlisle United are keen to assist and you will see that they have been very involved with the work of Prostate Cancer. More anon!

Geoff Haugh (left) with head of recruitment, Greg Abbott and Paul Simpson

Possibly the highest profile Prostate Cancer activist is Jeff Stelling, MBE who has done much to raise funds and awareness for the cause. At Luton, Mick Harford the Luton Town legend has equally been ceaseless in his efforts and I am delighted to confirm he has invited me to Luton to talk all things cancer and football. Thanks, Mick, it is hugely appreciated. Anybody who can win a league cup final against Arsenal will always be a friend! Please don’t think that takes away from almost 600 games and two England caps but beating Arsenal in a cup final is always a special moment for me.

Today, Prostate Cancer UK kindly sent me some updates of their work. The statistics are terrifying. Click the links for further information and details of how you can get yourself checked…FAST!

All you need to know about prostate problems

Our information is here to support you and your loved ones. Find out about your risk, learn about possible signs and symptoms, and get all the information you need on treatment and support if you’re newly diagnosed or living with prostate cancer. You can find all our information online, or download or order our free publications. 

Read prostate information

What can you do ……

Risk checker

1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer. If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or your dad or brother had it, you’re at even higher risk.

Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.

Answer these three quick questions to check your risk. It will only take 30 seconds and could save your life.

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 there 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.

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FC DEPORTIVO GALICIA RELISHING FIRST-EVER FA VASE FORAY

Obviously the purpose of this 90 day tour is to raise money for Prospect Cancer UK and FC Deportivo Galicia. Equally important is to continue to raise awareness of the charity and the club. Last weekend was the 4th round of the FA Vase competition and by coincidence I came across an interesting article on the FA website about FC Deportivo Galicia in the competition. It’s pre Covid so I have updated it.

Wikipedia says , “The Football Association Challenge Vase, usually referred to as the FA Vase, is an annual football competition for teams playing in Steps 5 and 6 of the English National League System (or equivalently, tier 9 or 10 of the overall English football league system). The 2023 winners were Ascot United, who beat then reigning champions Newport Pagnell Town 1–0 at Wembley Stadium. Deportivo Galicia play in Step 6 (tier 10) with eyes on promotion this season to Step 5 (tier 10)

FA Vase

FC Deportivo Galicia have their maiden Buildbase FA Vase campaign ahead of them, but manager Leo Decabo insists they fear no side in their path, even if the odds are stacked against them.

The 48-year-old accountancy consultant and his assistant Jose Andon, are both former players for the west London outfit – and have helped rescue the club from a position where it was almost dissolved in 2007.

With the aim of ensuring there was at least one Spanish club in London, Decabo and Andon have rallied the local Spanish community to get behind them, with many of the players the sons and grandsons of those who were once part of the original ‘Centro Gallego de Londres’ team.

FC Deportivo Galicia v Irchester United

Buildbase FA Vase 

First Round Qualifying 

3pm, Saturday 10 September 2016

Bedfont Recreation Ground, Hatton Road 

Winning clubs receive £600 from prize fund 

And with the excitement in Ladbroke Grove reaching fever pitch, Decabo admits this weekend’s tie with Irchester United feels like a cup final.

“This is an absolutely massive game for us,” he said. 

“We’re making a big song and dance about it on social media, and we’ve left no stone unturned in terms of promoting it within our community.

“We have come from such a long way from here playing Sunday football, and struggling through a number of different leagues, so for everyone – especially those volunteers behind the scenes at the club – this one game feels like our prize, our trophy, our final.

“Where it goes after Saturday, I don’t know, but it feels like a dream at our level. The financial side of it is a big incentive for all clubs involved as well, and game promotes both us and our part of Spain, Galicia, which people round here know about now because of the club.

“A big crowd is expected on Saturday, and our reserve side kicked this all off last year by reaching the finals of their league cup – we filled out the stadium, it was a huge day and sent a tingle down the spine. It’s all there for us again this weekend.

“Irchester are from the Northampton area, but I have to admit I did go and take a look at one of their games despite the two-and-a-half hour trip in the middle of the week.

“I wanted an insight into how they play, and what they have. We have a special buzz at the moment, and even though we are probably the lowest-rated of 900 clubs in the FA Vase, we don’t fear anyone.”

FA Vase History

This is FC Deportivo Galicia’s first year in the FA Vase, but for Irchester United this marks their seventh straight year in the competition.

Following a 33-year hiatus – with their only previous FA Vase experience coming in 1977 where they lost in a preliminary round replay to Langford – the Romans re-entered the competition in 2010.

Their best performance to date came in the 2014/15 season, when victories over Staines Lammas and Crawley Green Sports saw them into the first round proper, although they were then downed by Fakenham Town.

Did you know?

Originally FC Deportivo Galicia was set up 49 years ago as a Sunday side that could trace its roots back to Galicia in north-west Spain, with a Spanish school in nearby Ladbroke Grove.

There is a huge Spanish community nearby, particularly from Galicia, and there were a number of Spanish clubs in the area – but now FC Deportivo Galicia are the only ones left.

The bulk of the side is still Galician, but Decabo is quick to stress that it is not about only including Spanish players at the club.

One to watch

With the likes of Luisito, Pahiño, and more recently Míchel Salgado and Iago Aspas all hailing from Galicia, the region boasts a proud football heritage.

And Decabo is confident they have talent all over the park that makes his side easy on the eyes.

He said: “I think a few eyes will be on our keeper on Saturday, Manu Lamas. He’s a big lad and an excellent shot stopper, and then we’ve got Anton Fernandez up front who is on a hot-streak at the moment.

“In the middle of the park we have Felipe as well pulling the strings. They are all great players, all Spanish players, and not all necessarily from Galicia.”

The Prize

The winners will land an away tie with Rothwell Corinthians or Burton Park Wanderers in second round qualifying, as well as £600 from the prize fund.

FA Vase History

This is FC Deportivo Galicia’s first year in the FA Vase, but for Irchester United this marks their seventh straight year in the competition.

Following a 33-year hiatus – with their only previous FA Vase experience coming in 1977 where they lost in a preliminary round replay to Langford – the Romans re-entered the competition in 2010.

Their best performance to date came in the 2014/15 season, when victories over Staines Lammas and Crawley Green Sports saw them into the first round proper, although they were then downed by Fakenham Town.

Did you know?

Originally FC Deportivo Galicia was set up 49 years ago as a Sunday side that could trace its roots back to Galicia in north-west Spain, with a Spanish school in nearby Ladbroke Grove.

There is a huge Spanish community nearby, particularly from Galicia, and there were a number of Spanish clubs in the area – but now FC Deportivo Galicia are the only ones left.

The bulk of the side is still Galician, but Decabo is quick to stress that it is not about only including Spanish players at the club.

Anton Fernandez v Holyport

One to watch

With the likes of Luisito, Pahiño, and more recently Míchel Salgado and Iago Aspas all hailing from Galicia, the region boasts a proud football heritage.

And Decabo is confident they have talent all over the park that makes his side easy on the eyes.

He said: “I think a few eyes will be on our keeper on Saturday, Manu Lamas. He’s a big lad and an excellent shot stopper, and then we’ve got Anton Fernandez up front who is on a hot-streak at the moment.

“In the middle of the park we have Felipe as well pulling the strings. They are all great players, all Spanish players, and not all necessarily from Galicia.”

Sadly, it was not to be and the gallant home side went down 1-0 to exit the competition

Since then there have been some noteworthy performances including welcoming Irchester United back to West London and commendable away wins at Arlesley Town and Long Buckby. We are all looking forward to next season’s competition already.

2016-17 1Q IRCHESTER UNITED H 0-1
2017-18 1Q LEWISHAM BOROUGH (COMMUNITY) H 6-3
2Q MERIDIAN V P A 0-0 Meridian VP won 3-1 on penalties
2018-19 1Q LONDON TIGERS H 3-2
2Q BURTON PARK WANDERERS A 5-0
1 IRCHESTER UNITED H 1-2
2019-20 2Q SEAFORD TOWN A 0-2
2020-21 1Q HOLYPORT A 1-0
2Q HANWORTH VILLA A 0-4
2021-22 1Q ARLESEY TOWN A 4-4 FC Deportivo Galicia won 4-3 on penalties
2Q TRING ATHLETIC H 1-4
2022-23 1Q WELLINGBOROUGH WHITWORTHS H 3-1
2Q WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN H 0-4
2023-24 1Q LONG BUCKBY A 7-3
2Q WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN A 0-8

(Info from Football Club History Database

Among the more interesting matches in the 4th round this season were victories for Hallam, Jersey Bulls and Hilltop who will play Romford at Uxbridge’s ground on 11 February. Huge kudos to Hilltop who like ourselves have an immigrant background. Hilltop draws many of its players from the Somali community in London, and from time to time enters Somali tournaments around the world, having done so in Canada and Somalia. The club also participates in the Somali British Champions League. Kudos also to the fans of Falmouth Town who chartered an aircraft to get their fans to Jersey! #respect!

As always, I HOPE you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and 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.

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“It’s Friday, it’s five to five and it’s Crackerjack,” as they used to say! Actually, it’s mid morning Sunday and I am still trying to come to terms with how Gillingham drew with the bottom team of the table, how FC Deportivo Galicia failed to win and how Arsenal surprisingly did win! Even after several coffees, it is a tough contemplation!

The good news is that there are people in life who you can rely upon. Darren Ashley is one of those. His fantastic blog and video of Stratford Town was extremely well received by my visitors this week and right on cue, this week’s episode arrived. Top man! Actually there was an update to his Stratford Town blog in that midweek the postman arrived with a great thank you letter from Jed McCrory the chairman of Stratford Town together with some memorabilia. Class! Pure class! They even featured Darren on their socials this week.



So, this week he has been to Rugby . He says, “So, for my weekly Non League vlog, it was Rugby Town FC I visited this week for their vital bottom of the table clash v AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

Rugby Town versus AFC Rushden & Diamonds

After contacting the club midweek, the very helpful Neil Melvin was great in answering every question I needed answering.

Matchday then….It was a bit of a nervous wait in the morning whether the match would go ahead, as it had a 10.30 pitch inspection, but was soon declared good to go, so I was happy with that.

I did have a back up match, just in case, thanks to replies in this group on Friday where I asked for alternative matches to attend….thank you, I really appreciate all the replies

I arrived at the ground ridiculously early, and, the only people there earlier were Oldham Athletic fans, who had decided to visit after their trip to Eastleigh was postponed on route. (See below)

I had a chat to a couple, and the coach driver was the one who held my phone as I filmed my opening link to the vlog. After that, I hung around a bit outside as the players were starting to arrive.

I made a beeline to a fella in a R & D tracksuit and asked him would it be ok to do a quick interview…I had no idea he was their captain…and, of course, as this is Non League, he obliged. After that, I had a nose around Rugby Town’s Butlin Road ground, which, I have to say, is very very impressive.

I actually bumped into Neil, and he kindly showed me around the dressing rooms and arranged another interview, this time with a Rugby Town player….actually, a club legend as he is their all time leading goal scorer!!

After all that filming, I had loads of time before kick off, where I was talking to plenty of people, notably David , who’s 17 year old son Devonn had just moved to Rugby Town on a months loan from Stratford Town FC

He was telling me how emotional he got when his son scored for STFC on Boxing Day, which was a very poignant day for the club, due to the first anniversary of a tragedy

So, onto the match, and, as I always say, I won’t spoil what happened as I would like you to have a look at the vlog, where the link to it is in the comments below.

Full time them , and fingers absolutely freezing, I made my way down to pitch side where I managed to nab a couple more interviews, and a good off camera chat with R & D club photographer Shaun.

I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon out at Rugby Town, I found it such a friendly place, and, the atmosphere was really good….I believe it was actually their best attendance of the season, with plenty of away fans dotted all over the ground, and, of course, the Oldham fans!

So, if you have never done a groundhop at Rugby Town, I would strongly recommend it, and, if anyone is reading this and is connected to R& D, I would love to do a vlog there too

Thanks for reading “

Thanks, Darren. I certainly enjoyed the video and your account. I hear you are off to Moulton next week. Sure that it will be a great day.

George, The Oldham Groundhopper at Rugby Town, ground 327

I had already heard that the 60 or so Oldham Athletic fans who were off to Eastleigh for a game that was postponed en route had decided to stop off at Rugby Town to support the local team. The most famous Oldham fan and probably England’s most famous groundhopper is George, The Oldham Groundhopper who has some 60,000 followers on Facebook and who seems to cover 4 or 5 games every week. Today, I read that he is on his way to Glasgow to support Buckie Thistle who play Celtic at Celtic Park today. So about 700 miles this weekend. Respect, George! He is now on 300+ grounds which is impressive by any standards but even more so when you realise he is not even mid 20s, is in a full time job …and also runs marathons, ultras etc etc! I hope to catch up with him in the next 90 days. You are always welcome at FC Deportivo Galicia!

Talking about FC Deportivo Galicia please remember the purpose of this 90 day challenge is to raise funds for the club and an equal amount for Prostate Cancer. As always, I HOPE you are all enjoying the tour of the UK and that you will consider a donation 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.

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