Spoil Sports - Church's Prayers Only Half Answered.....

So to the first weekend in February and a Northern Counties East Premier Division clash between Albion Sports AFC and Penistone Church FC at the new Myra Shay complex on Barkerend Road in Bradford.

Albion Sports AFC was established in 1974 by Harjit Singh Panesar and Baljit Singh. Initially playing in the Bradford Amateur Sunday League Division Four, the Lions moved through the leagues to win the Premier Division in 1996, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006, and were twice runners up in the FA Sunday Cup, losing to Prestige Brighams (Hull) and Gossoms End (London)...

In 2007 the club switched to Saturday football in the Bradford League, and then moved to the West Riding County Amateur League the following year. Second in 2009 earnt promotion from Division One to the Premier Division.

Sports was promoted to the Northern Counties East League Division One in 2011. Albion then won the championship to ascend to the Premier League in 2013, where they remain - 5th and 6th in the last two seasons, but this time just outside the relegation zone, sitting 16th of 20. 

The club previously groundshared with Bradford (Park Avenue), at the Horsfall Stadium, and Throstle Nest in Farsley. Sports have now moved to the brand new Myra Shay for the 2025/2026 campaign.

Penistone Church FC, from the Memorial Ground, was formed in 1906 from the merger of Penistone Choirboys and Penistone Juniors, and competed initially in the Sheffield Amateur League. In 1909 Church were the first winners of the Sheffield Junior Cup, which they won again in 1937.

The club became a founder member of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior League in 1983 after the merger of local leagues. Church reached the Premier League in 1995 but were something of a yo-yo club in the 1990s.

The club was promoted to the Northern Counties East League Division 1 in 2014 and qualified for the inaugural Division One play offs in 2016, losing out to AFC Emley. A year later Penistone beat Grimsby Borough in the play off final to win promotion to the Premier League, and also won the Northern Counties East Football League Cup. Runners up in 2019, Church have finished finished between fifth and eighth in the last four seasons - they currently lie 11th this time. 

Numberplates today are CR15TFR, VILHA and 4PHD, and there's a BJS removal van 'Pressing On To Preston'.

Via the Briton's Protection and Bridgewater Hall I'm faced with train cancellations due to a problem at Smithy Bridge level crossing. Eventually I arrive 37 minutes late taking in Newton Heath Traction Maintenance Depot, Greengate Brewery and the Rochdale Canal at Todmorden.

Thereafter Ticket to Pride at Hebden Bridge, The Iron Man at Mytholmroyd,  the Detention Barracks and Geese in Sowerby Bridge and Halifax Flour Society 1879. That brings me to Bradford, vile weather, with rain tipping down, and home of the Alhambra Theatre, the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford Industrial Museum, Bradford Cathedral and Odsal with its famous curve - not forgetting it was the 2025 City of Culture.

Myra Shay, which also hosts Route One Rovers and Halifax FC Women, houses a 100 seat stand and standing, also for 100, both covered. The ground adjoins a small forest, a wildflower meadow, green space and the Barkerend Family Hub and Byron Primary School.

The Lions are in yellow and royal blue, sponsored by AQS, with Church in black and white stripes, sponsored by Nick Firth Tiles. £6 in and I'm the first of 85 as we get underway at 1502 - the referee sporting a dreadful tattoo, and he proceeds to provide an underwhelming performance.

The first 25 minutes are abject, both sides having a goal ruled out for offside and the only thing of note is Lions' keeper Lewis Hill's superb save from Church's Nathan Keightley. Then things change for the better... but not the weather 😕 

On 27 Emmerson Cox surges down the wing and his cutback is scuffed home, past Harry Ambler, by Nathan Cartman. Five minutes before the break a cross eludes the Penistone defence and Cartman has the simple job of making it 2-0 to Sports.

There's fireworks in the distance at half time... and more fireworks on the pitch in the second half. Albion contrive to miss chances before on 48 Reece High's back heel sets free Leon Hurles-Brook and he shoots through Hill's legs to make it 2-1.

Albion continue to waste chance after chance, but are helped by the sinbinning of Penistone full back Rob Ludlam with 17 minutes on the clock. Bizarrely Church score twice whilst a man down...

First on 77 Hurles-Brook is found in acres of space, waltzes past Hill and lays it on a plate for Keightley to bring the sides level. Then 6 minutes later Hurles-Brook's pinpoint cross is expertly headed home by Keightley and Penistone lead 3-2. 

Both sides hit the woodwork but there is a sting in the tale as bang on 90 minutes sub Fernando Moke Tumba rams home to make it 3-3 at the third attempt. Five minutes of stoppage time and it's all over...apart from the rain which starts again 🙄

Szey Does It - Leek Get The Blues: Beached By The Sandgrounders.....

And so to The Pure Stadium, previously the Big Help Stadium, on Haig Avenue in Southport for an FA Trophy Third Round tie between Southport and Leek Town 🙄

The present Southport FC, The Port, was founded in 1888 as Southport Central AFC, playing in the Lancashire League, Lancashire Combination and the Central League. The previous club folded in 1886 and, as Southport Wanderers, set up in 1884 to become Southport Central AFC four years later.

In 1918 the team renamed to Southport Vulcan, having been bought by the Vulcan Motor Company - the first club ever to take a sponsor's name. However by 1921 the club had become Southport FC and joined the Football League in the Third Division North.

The Sandgrounders were promoted in 1967 from the now Fourth Division as runners up on goal average to Stockport County. But the Port was relegated in 1970 before moving back up to the Third Division in 1973; that lasted a single season and Southport FC was voted out of the Football League in 1978, replaced by Wigan Athletic. The club was the last side ever to leave the Football League through the re-election process; automatic relegation commenced in 1987.

The Port reverted to the Northern Premier League and were crowned as champions in 1993, as South achieved promotion to the Conference. But relegation in 2003, into the new Conference North, followed later; The Sandgrounders came up as champions again in 2004/05, but were relegated from the Premier in 2007.

The yo-yo existence continued; champions in 2010 and relegated during 2016/17. Subsequently Southport have consistently finished just above the drop zone in the National League North, the division where they remain - currently 19th just a point outside the relegation zone - but unbeaten in eight 🙄

The club was acquired by the Big Help Group in 2023, but ownership was transferred to David Cunningham and Kieran Malone in June this year - and the ground naming rights changed...

Football was played in Leek from 1876, with Leek FC competing in The Combination in the 1890s. The current Leek Town FC traces its lineage to Leek Lowe Hamil FC, formed in 1946.

The Blues, from Harrison Park, played in a variety of leagues - Birmingham & District, Staffordshire, Manchester, Mid Cheshire and Cheshire County Leagues, where they were champions in 1974/75. Town was a founder member of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 and joined the Northern Premier League for the 1987/88 campaign.

Leek were promoted as champions to the Conference in 1997 and spent two seasons in the top tier before relegation. The Blues saw a further demotion in 2001.

However Town was uplifted in 2004 after a league restructure. Relegated again in 2008, the club was promoted, finally, as champions in 2023/24 to the Northern Premier League Premier Division after 5 failed play off attempts. 15th last time, they currently lie 14th.

Numberplates today are PO51BLY, 12 MP and V33VAS. I join the West Lancashire Line at Manchester Oxford Road, in sunshine, after a particularly unpleasant Metrolink experience - but it's even worse on the way back 😳 

There's Brabbin & Rudd at Bolton, and Uncle Joe's Mint Balls at Wigan. Then through Gathurst and Appley Bridge to Parbold Cabin East.

Past Harrock Hall Windmill, straight through Hoscar and I come to Burscough Bridge - Martin Mere Wetland Centre. Then Meols Cop and to Southport - and MiseryRail.

Southport is home of the former Beales department store which closed last year, The Atkinson, Victoria Park and its summer Flower Show and the British Lawnmower Museum. I also take in the fabulous War Memorial, Esplanade, Promenade, Viking Village and Valhalla.

The Wetherspoons offering is the Sir Henry Segrave. Segrave was an early British pioneer, setting three world land speed records, the first at Ainsdale, Southport. He also set a new world water speed record on Friday 13 June 1930, shortly after being knighted - but his third run resulted in a capsizing and death at the age of 33....

It's £11 today at Haig Avenue (it's normally £16.50 to sit). To my left there is the Blowick End away uncovered terracing featuring The Volare Restaurant Terrace.

I'm in the Grandstand and to my right is the Jack Carr Stand. Opposite is the Popular Side, featuring Renacres Paddock and MTC Truck & Van Rental Stand.

The Sandgrounders are in yellow and black, Leek in blue. Today's crowd is 950.

Southport start the stronger - Malakai McKenzie has a fierce effort and Luke Tabone a bullet header, both just wide. Then on the quarter hour Momodou Touray strikes the Leek post.

But the Blues have the best chance of the half on 28, a one on one that sees Lateef Babatunde Olowabi denied by Chris Renshaw. Luke Griffiths hits the Leek bar five minutes before the break, but it remains scoreless.

The Sandgrounders eventually break the deadlock on 61 minutes. There's a foul in the build up but the referee plays a good advantage and it ends with Chris Sze rifling into the roof of the net.

Ten minutes later he is tripped in the box. He takes the penalty himself, and scores with a Panenka chip to make it 2-0.

Southport hit the woodwork for a third time but then things get interesting. On 89 minutes Liam Edwards powers in a header for Leek to halve the deficit.

The gaggle of Blues fans celebrate wildly but less than a minute later it's all over. A marvellous through ball plays sub Arthur Gnahoua in and he finishes imperiously past Noah Cooper for the final result of 3-1.

Six Of The Best - Mariners Sail Through, Dunston Fed Up......

And so to The 1st Cloud Arena aka the Mariners Arena in Jarrow for an FA Trophy Second Round tie, and local derby, between South Shields FC and Dunston FC.

A few references have been found to the origins of a town football club playing in the 1870s, but the first recorded public appearance of a named South Shields AFC was in 1888. Several other local clubs flickered but it was the South Shields Adelaide Athletic club, set up in 1899, that went on to be elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1919 as South Shields FC.

 

Lack of public support that meant only the sale of its best players and FA Cup runs kept Shields in business. Inevitably, without money to bail the club out of impending bankruptcy, the only possible viable alternative to closure was to move. In 1930 the club left the town, resettling and welcomed at Gateshead, where it adopted the name of their new home.

 

A new club was established in 1936, nicknamed 'The Babes', before becoming 'The Mariners' in 1950 on its move from Horsley Hill to Simonside Hall. Shields played in several leagues until joining the Northern Premier League in 1968.

 

However 'insufficient match attendances' prompted the directors to sell Simonside Hall in 1974 with a view to returning to Horsley Hill. In a controversial and quite disastrous land fiasco both sites were transformed into housing estates. The club was penniless and homeless - and history repeated itself as the team went to Gateshead again, re-emerging as Gateshead United FC, taking Shields' place in the NPL.

 

A new club, South Shields Mariners FC, was formed immediately, based at the council's Jack Clark Park, and began a 17 year crusade for a home of its own. The club progressed through the Northern Alliance and Wearside League to the Northern League.

 

In 1992 the redundant and vandalised sports club and ground of Filtrona FC in Jarrow became available. It was purchased by club chairman John Rundle and the Mariners had a new home - Filtrona Park. Rundle was a volatile character, twice publicly threatening the club with closure, and (in)famously locking the gates at Filtrona Park ahead of a home match in 2006.

 

At the end of the 2012/13 season South Shields was relegated from Northern League Division One, and the club was forced to move to Eden Park in Peterlee after their lease expired. Two seasons with average attendances of 69 and 70 meant the club faced a huge challenge to survive.

 

After being taken over by new chairman Geoff Thompson in the summer of 2015 he subsequently bought Filtrona Park, renamed it Mariners Park, now The 1st Cloud Arena, and the club moved back. Under the captaincy of ex Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca the Mariners won Northern League Division Two title in 2015/16.

 

The 2016/17 season saw a famous quadruple - the Northern League Division One title, after a 32 game winning streak, the Durham Challenge Cup, the Northern League Challenge Cup and a 4-0 victory in the FA Vase at Wembley against Cleethorpes Town. Average attendances increased to 1,226 - a bit different to 69 or 70...

The Mariners achieved promotion from the Northern Premier League Division One North at the first attempt as champions with 103 points. Two failed play off attempts, after finishing both times as runners up, and Covid, meant Shields only reached the National League North, finally, as champions, in 2023. A 7th first place season boded well but last term was a major disappointment with a 17th place finish: this time the Mariners are second behind Fylde, after Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at (Dial M For) Merthyr.

The away side, Dunston, was established as a works team by John Thompson and other HMSO employees in 1975 as Whickham Sports FC, playing at Longbenton. Sports started in the Newcastle City Amateur League, before moving up to the Northern Amateur League.

A league and cup double was won in 1978 and, on the strength of this early success, the team moved to their current home at Wellington Road. Shortly after, in 1980, the side joined the Northern Combination and was then renamed Dunston Mechanics FC in 1982.

1986/87 saw the club win another league and cup double, with a further name change to Dunston Federation Brewery as part of a sponsorship deal, and a move up to the Wearside League. Back to back titles in 1989 and 1990 preceded a move to the Northern League in 1991.

League and cup doubles were achieved again in 2003/04 and 2004/05, and in 2007 the club name changed once more to Dunston Federation FC after the brewery was bought by Scottish & Newcastle and sponsorship ceased. A new sponsorship deal in 2009 with UTS (Utility Technology Services), with the club rechristened as Dunston UTS, saw UTS crowned as FA Vase winners in 2011/12, beating West Auckland Town 2-0 at Wembley.

In 2019 Dunston won the Northern League Division One champions, finishing 17 points clear. The Fed were thus promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One North West, now East, but forced to remove UTS from the club name, due to league rules prohibiting advertising in the team name. 

Third in 2024 and second last term saw play off heartbreak both times; this season The Fed are seventh, after a 4-1 away demolition of Consett on Tuesday, with games in hand.

To Manchester with its new Santa, Christmas Markets and Schola Mancuniensis 1870. Numberplates en route are P1RK U, MAY 0D and T1CKS.

Then past the Etihad and Coop Live before reaching Seel Park at Mossley. On through a revamped Huddersfield Station to Versa Leeds Studios and the National Railway Museum at York.

And next Darlington, celebrating the 200th anniversary of rail travel, before Durham and its Cathedral. Thereafter Chester-le-Street, home of Durham CCC, and The Angel of The North brings me to the Tyne Bridge and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

And Newcastle, home of The Lazy Bear, Victoria Comet, Gunner Tavern, and naturally, The Magpie, doesn't disappoint. The Biscuit Factory, Ouseburn Farm and Seven Stories takes me back to the Tyne Bridge. Then Baltic Square and Quayside towards the Millennium Bridge, the Northern Design Centre and the Glasshouse, formerly known as Sage.

That brings me to Greys Monument, the Castle and Grainger & Bigg Markets. Further on I chance on the Cathedral, Life Science Centre and the Discovery Museum.

The whistle stop tour sees me arrive at St James Park and the Stephenson Monument. And the finish ends up at the Great North Museum plus the Laing Art Gallery.

Matchday arrives and via Nexus through Gateshead and its Stadium, Felling, Pelaw and Hebburn (is a place on earth). I stop off at Hebburn Town FC, established in 1912 and FA Vase winners in 1920. 

I walk round the Trustmark Group Stadium with its Hungry Hornet Cafe and Bob Tatum Stand, one of the original Hebburn Hecklers. Then with potential 86 minute tram delays I arrive at Jarrow, renowned for the 1936 March, and to Bede, famous for St Bede or the Venerable Bede, and also Barbour headquarters.

Inside the 1st Cloud there is the main Wolf Competitions Stand, and opposite is the Durata Stand, flanked by the Clock Stand (more a balcony), clubhouse and marquee. There is covered terracing at both ends, with today's segregation starting at Sima Shed at the far end. An artificial pitch lies behind the 200ish Dunston fans in the away area and entry is £10 to stand - the crowd today is 1,203.

Shields are in claret, blue and white, whilst the Fed wear a psychedelic blue and white strip. The Mariners start on top and Danny Ward clips the bar after 6 minutes.

But for all their slick interpassing and dominance it's UTS who take the lead on 19. Home keeper Tom Watson fluffs his lines, hesitating then charging off his line and clattering onrushing Dunston forward Dan Nelson. The result is a yellow card and a penalty kick which Nelson duly despatches.

The Fed's goal is leading a charmed life as 9 minutes on Shields hit the woodwork again - this time the post for what would have been an unfortunate own goal. However seconds later David Carson plays in Lennon Wheeldon who shoots through the legs of away custodian Dan Lowson to tie matters up.

That precedes three further home goals before the break. The first sees Paul Blackett outmuscling his defender and shooting high into the net (31), Wheeldon scores his second from Ward's cutback (38) and Blackett gets his double in similar circumstances to his first; 4-1 to the Mariners at half time.

The second period is all about damage limitation for Dunston. They survive until the hour when Todd Alcock pinches the ball just outside the box and lays off to captain Will Jenkins who fires into the opposite corner across Lowson.

Surprisingly the Fed pull one back with 11 to play. Daniel Dodds' error is punished sumptuously by Josh Richardson for 5-2, and Dunston hit the post with a minute left; the rebound is wastefully blazed over when it should have been buried 🥴

But fittingly the final word goes to Shields. A long ball beyond the final defender and Cedwyn Scott, from his own half, showing electric speed, runs on, outpacing the last man, and then beautifully dummying Lowson before putting the ball into an empty net; the 6-2 annihilation is complete 😊

Andy Is Talk Of The Town - (Lily)White Light Extinguished.....

And so to the Acoustafoam Stadium on Coppice Green Lane in Shifnal for a Northern Premier League Division One West match between Shifnal Town FC and Mossley AFC. Acoustafoam - 'The Sound of Silence' - apart from the 30 or so Mossley away diehards...

Although clubs with similar names have played in the town since Victorian times the modern incarnation of Shifnal Town FC was founded in 1964 as St Andrews Youth FC, based at Idsall School and playing in the Wellington & District League. The Reds soon changed their name to Shifnal Juniors, then became Shifnal Town in 1972.

Having won the Shropshire League in 1976 Town joined the West Midlands (Regional) League. The club, now playing at Admirals Park, won promotion to the Premier Division and were champions in 1981 and 1982 - but were denied a Southern League place due to a lack of floodlights.

The lease on Admirals Park was terminated in 1985 forcing Shifnal to resign and revert back to Idsall and the Shropshire League. A new ground, Phoenix Park, was acquired and success in the Shropshire League saw the Reds step up to the Midland Football Combination in 1993.

A successful first season enabled Town to become a founder member of the new Midland Football Alliance. The club finally succumbed to relegation in 2003, back to the Midland Combination.

A reorganisation of the leagues saw Shifnal return to the West Midlands (Regional) League in 2006. The Reds joined the Midland League in 2021 and achieved promotion as runners up last season to take their place in the Northern Premier League Division One West this time. They are currently 6th of 22 with 22 points from 13 matches.

Mossley AFC, The Lilywhites, from Seel Park, was formed in 1903 as Park Villa, changing their name to Mossley Juniors and then Mossley AFC in 1909. They moved into Seel Park in 1912, which at 850 feet above sea level was the fourth highest non-league ground in the country.

Their history covers various local leagues and disbandments twice, reforming in 1919 and becoming a founder member of the Cheshire County League. The Lilywhites moved up to the Northern Premier League in 1972 and were champions in 1978/79 and 1979/80 but were prevented from entering the new Alliance Premier League due to ground grading requirements not being met... A familiar story 🤔 

As non-league giants in the 1970s Mossley featured in the Granada ITV show 'Mossley Goes To Wembley'... Ultimately it resulted in defeat in the FA Trophy Final in 1980 to Dagenham - as legendary Leo Skeete spearheaded the attack.

But Mossley overreached themselves and only avoided financial oblivion by selling their ground to the local council, who leased it back to them. In 2009 two floodlight pylons collapsed and the rest were condemned....

The club was relegated in 1993 and again to the North West Counties in 1995. The Lilywhites ascended, rejoining the Northern Premier League Division One in 2004 and achieved promotion to the Premier in 2007 but were immediately relegated back to Division One where they remain - 13th, of 22, last season and this time they lie 12th - after surprisingly beating Bury 2-1 at home on Tuesday in front of 1,032.

Of recent times the club hit the headlines in April 2015 when Jay Hart of Clitheroe FC was caught having sex, after the match, in the Seel Park dugouts with a female Mossley fan following a 4-1 defeat. He was sacked and kicked out of his home by his girlfriend....

Under a brooding sky with showers and sunshine the keen wind turns increasingly raw. Numberplates this time are SU51SAY, C1RCA and F11LET (Fillet Construction).

Past Dunham Forest, Flame n Spice and the Dog & Partridge it's a return visit to the M6. Today's graffiti is LUPO 22 KAZU 🤔....

Then beyond a Hog n Cracklin van, a Buffaload lorry and Phantom Motor Company hoardings, we hit congestion at Arclid. After Mitchell Spray Booths we join the A5, Watling Street, at Gailey.

Then White Pump Farm, Weston-under-Lizard, Crackleybank and the back roads takes us to Idsall School, adjacent to the ground. £10 is the admission fee and the crowd is 222 today.

Inside there's the club shop, Players Bar, Legends Bar and changing rooms on the near side. The far end is a walkway with pub tables, backed by a steep bank and a new housing development.

The main stand is on the far side, with a warm up pitch behind; the near end abuts Idsall School. And all around a plethora of advertising hoardings, including Jaspers Arms, The Ugly Duckling, The Winking Frog, Severn Volts and Querky Developments.

Town are, for no discernible reason, in their away kit of yellow and blue, sponsored by KEA Automation. The Lilywhites, unsurprisingly, are in white and black, sponsored by Hyde Accessible Transport.

It's an abject opening half hour with Mossley's Obua Mugalula flashing a shot across goal and Mason Fawns hitting one well over. But the match livens up on 32 minutes as Shifnal keeper Andy Wycherley makes an astonishing save from Reece Webb-Foster's header.

Seconds later the Reds (Yellows today !) have their first meaningful effort but Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham disappointingly pokes wide. However four minutes late Town take the lead; some penalty area pinball results in Kev Monteiro smashing the ball past an unsighted Fin Madigan and it's 1-0 to Shifnal at the break.

Straight after the restart the Lilywhites' Rio Alston fires one straight at Wycherley. But the visitors draw level on 56, Wycherley making a fabulous save from Mugalula's effort, but the ball is diverted to Webb-Foster and he taps in for 1-1.

Seven minutes after a horror story in the Mossley rearguard, both centre backs leaving the ball to each other and Monteiro nips in to get a shot away. But in the aftermath he is clattered by Matt Kardacz - the result is a yellow card and penalty kick.

Eventually 39 year old veteran Matt Barnes-Homer tucks the ball, er, home, sending Madigan the wrong way. Barnes-Homer then has a fierce strike tipped over by Madigan.

At the other end Webb-Foster fails to hit the target with a quarter of an hour to go. Then on 84 Wycherley produces another terrific save, clawing Fawns' chip beyond the post.

But with a minute left the game is over - a neat Shifnal team move puts Jack Loughran through on goal. Madigan gets a hand to his rasping shot but there is sufficient impetus for the ball to nestle in the corner of the net: 3-1 to the 'Reds'.

Still time for Wycherley to make two good reaction saves in injury time, but it finishes Shifnal Town 3 Mossley 1. Town move up to 3rd, the Lilywhites fall to 15th.