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paulisi


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Groundhopping
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The NWCL put on a groundhop this week.
It is very popular and gates increase by 300 on the back of it.
FC St Helens hosted on Friday, Longridge and Garstang on Saturday, but Squires Gate and AFC Blackpool were both postponed.
Euxton Villa and Charnock Richard tomorrow weather permitting.

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paulisi


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Now made it to 200 grounds with a visit to Abbey Hulton Utd - NWCFL South in a cup game that was comical by the one sidedness off the match and the terrible finishing from Abbey Hulton.
They won 3-1, but it should have been double figures - two posts, a crossbar and numerous one on one's missed or saved.


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paulisi


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Some interesting grounds visited this year.

Leamington stands out as being in the middle of nowhere. The Sat nav told me I was there a mile before I arrived and there was no stopping on the nearby roads, so the only option was the car park which was not obvious to find in the dark.
Barnoldswick is a tiny town in East Lancs and access was via very narrow winding roads, which were scary when a vehicle came the other way. The ground was around 400m off the main road down two unlit dirt roads and the car park was full, so that created a scary walk. The ground was actually decent with a lovely stone built covered terrace.
TNS - the dominant club in the Welsh Premier league for years are actually in England. About a mile outside Oswestry again in a very rural setting. They have two fantastic stands and the rest is just a concrete path and despite their success, they are the worst supported club in the league.


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paulisi


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It was the NWCL groundhop this weekend which is very well supported
Ramsbottom, Stockport Georgians, Stockport Town, New Mills, Glossop NE, Abbey Hey and Droylsden were the host clubs.

I ended up going to Stockport Town and New Mills on the Saturday - New Mills was the only new ground for me. Today, I went to Abbey Hey and Droyldsen
Droylsden hasn't changed since the last time I went 21 years ago, however they now have the highest crowd in the country at step 6 as over 1100 turn up to watch a cracking match.
Abbey Hey, who normally get 100 -150, got 610...

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paulisi


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Don't you just hate it when the FA re-align league due to geography.

A few of the South Manchester sides seem likely to be placed in the Midlands league and 4 Midlands team seem likely to move into PL West.
NWCL div1 S is almost a north Midlands league...

Expect multiple appeals.

Also ruins my completed league in NPL West....

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paulisi


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The start of a new season and due to League re-alignments and ground moves, I haven't completed any leagues now....

NWCL Prem - two to go Chadderton (today) - they took a season out to install a 3G pitch and IOM. No idea if I will get across as it will mean an overnight stay.

NPL West - Darlaston, Shifnal and Sporting Khalsa has been moved up from the Midlands. Bit of a trek, but should be able to get to midweek games at Darlaston and Shifnal as they play on a Wed.

Other than that - keep ticking off new grounds in the NW and surrounding areas.



-- Edited by paulisi on Sunday 10th of August 2025 07:11:53 AM

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paulisi


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Anyone travelling to Eccleshall, do your research and don't follow the Sat Nav, otherwise you will end up going down a farmers field which could damage your suspension.....
Ashton Athletic and Barnoldswick are both in fields off dirt tracks as well...

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paulisi


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New grounds added this season

Chadderton - nice ground, 3G pitch, ambitious club. Hard standing, so no terracing and stand is two deep and no height so at pitch level. Decent catering
Eccleshall - avoid the Sat nav. In a farmers field. Access from the town and a single lane flat dirt road. Basic stadium, pitch had not been re-seeded and was bare and bumpy
Sporting Khalsa - Nice ground, purpose built arena shared with Dudley Town, formerly Willenhall's ground, but taken over by a Sikh organisation. Two big stands and rest hard standing. No hot food in the ground other than samosa and Indian wraps

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