Such A Shayme - Fax Fail To Call The Shots....

And so to the start of February, amidst drizzle then sun and an icy wind, and the Shay Stadium and a National League Premier encounter between FC Halifax Town and Aldershot Town FC.

FC Halifax Town was established in 2008, replacing the old Halifax Town AFC which went into administration in the 2007/08 season, owing over £800,000 to HMRC and reputedly £2m in the red.

The Shaymen were initially placed in the Northern Premier League Division One North, and, after a season of bedding in, achieved back to back promotions to reach the Conference North in 2011, spearheaded by the goals of a young Jamie Vardy. Despite play off heartache the following season, defeated by The Holy Blues of Gainsborough Trinity, Fax went up the following year to the Conference National via the play offs after beating Guiseley in the final.

Halifax won the FA Trophy in 2016, beating Grimsby Town 1-0 at Wembley, but saw relegation back to the Conference North in the process. Immediately promoted back, the Shaymen returned to non league's top tier the season after as champions 🏆. 

Since then there has been a play off flirtation in 2021/22 - beaten by Chesterfield - and another FA Trophy success last term, defeating Gateshead 1-0. This campaign sees the Shaymen sit 10th in the Conference Premier after a disappointing recent run - but knocked out of the Trophy by Altrincham at the first time of asking on penalties 😳

And so to the start of February, amidst drizzle then sun and an icy wind, and the Shay Stadium and a National League Premier encounter between FC Halifax Town and Aldershot Town FC.

FC Halifax Town was established in 2008, replacing the old Halifax Town AFC which went into administration in the 2007/08 season, owing over £800,000 to HMRC and reputedly £2m in the red.

The Shaymen were initially placed in the Northern Premier League Division One North, and, after a season of bedding in, achieved back to back promotions to reach the Conference North in 2011, spearheaded by the goals of a young Jamie Vardy. Despite play off heartache the following season, defeated by The Holy Blues of Gainsborough Trinity, Fax went up the following year to the Conference National via the play offs after beating Guiseley in the final.

Halifax won the FA Trophy in 2016, beating Grimsby Town 1-0 at Wembley, but saw relegation back to the Conference North in the process. Immediately promoted back, the Shaymen returned to non league's top tier the season after as champions 🏆. 

Since then there has been a play off flirtation in 2021/22 - beaten by Chesterfield - and another FA Trophy success last term, defeating Gateshead 1-0. This campaign sees the Shaymen sit 10th in the Conference Premier after a disappointing recent run - but knocked out of the Trophy by Altrincham at the first time of asking on penalties 😳

The original Shaymen, Halifax Town AFC, was formed on 24 May 1911 at the Saddle Hotel, and commenced playing in the Yorkshire Combination and the Midland League. The club was a founder member of the Football League Division Three North in 1921, where they stayed until 1958 when the league was restructured and Town joined the new Third Division.

Relegation to Division 4 in 1963 was followed by promotion back in 1968/69 and then a further demotion in 1976. Their most famous victory was against Manchester City in the FA Cup - a 1-0 win in 1980 on a mudbath, and credit being taken by a barmy hypnotist called Romark - real name Ronald Markham - for his work with the players 😆 However the Shaymen lost their League status in 1993, but won the Conference title in 1997/98; it was a short lived stay as Town went back to the Conference in 2002, having finished bottom of the League.

In 2008 the club was placed into administration but failed to get a Company Voluntary Arrangement and was wound up in May 2008.

Aldershot Town FC is another phoenix club - the Shots, playing at the Recreation Ground ('The Rec'), were established in the spring of 1992, taking over from the debt ridden Fourth Division wound up Aldershot FC.

Initially placed in the Isthmian Third Division, Town won the league in their debut season and then were crowned as Division Two champions the following year. Shots won the First Division in 1997/98 and then the Premier in 2003 to gain a place in the Conference.

There they remained for five seasons before ascending, as champions, to the Football League at the end of the 2007/08 campaign. In perfect symmetry five years in led to Aldershot being relegated back to the Conference and entering administration in May 2013 with debts of £1m.

August 2013 saw the club taken over by a consortium led by former chairman Shahid Azeem. The play offs were reached in 2017 and 2018 but the Shots were 'relegated' in 2019 in 21st position - reprieved as Gateshead were forcibly demoted due to financial shenanigans. The last two seasons have seen Town scrape to survival but this time they look comfortable in 7th after a last gasp 3-3 equaliser on Tuesday at Wealdstone; however they suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the hands of Conference North bottom placed Bishop's Stortford in the FA Trophy - this in stark contrast to FA Cup giantkillings at Swindon (7-4) and Stockport County (1-0).

The original Shots, Aldershot FC, was established in 1926 when local sports journalist Jack White persuaded council officials that the garrison town needed a professional football club. Aldershot joined the Southern League and was crowned as champions in 1929/30.

The Shots were elected to the Football League Division Three South in 1932, replacing Thames, and had to seek re-election in 1937. 1958 saw Aldershot become a founder member of the new Fourth Division - and another re-election vote was successful at the end of that season.

Promoted in 1972/73 and relegated in 1976, the Shots became the first ever winners of the Football League play offs, beating Wolves 3-0 on aggregate, for promotion to Division Three in 1987. Their stay lasted only two years however, relegated to the bottom tier again.

Amidst a growing financial crisis the club was wound up in the High Court on 31 July 1990, but this was lifted on 7 August as property developer Spencer Trethewy paid £200,000 to save the club. But it soon emerged that Trethewy had insufficient financial wherewithal to keep the club running, and he was dismissed from the board on 1 November 1990.

Trethewy was subsequently convicted of fraud in 1994, sentenced to a 2 year prison term. He then changed his name by deed poll to Spencer Day and is currently manager of Farnborough FC.

The financial problems continued to beset Aldershot and they became the first club to resign from the Football League in over 30 years on 25 March 1992. Their last game was a 2-0 defeat against Cardiff City at Ninian Park, and the club's results were expunged for that season. Cue the phoenix and Aldershot Town FC...

Numberplates BA66ERS and J1NXX feature as the tram takes me into Manchester past the Taylor Swift mannequin, the Portico Library AD 1806 and the Blue Whale Asian Supermarket. Then Insomnia Cookies, Hanging Ditch and the new Victoria Tap at a station still advertising trips to Scotland, Ireland, Belgium and, er, Goole...

Beyond Newton Heath Traincare Centre, Arrow Mill just outside Rochdale leads to Kindness in the hillside at Todmorden and the Lamp Room and dominoes at Hebden Bridge. Then Halifax, 'Calderdale Culturedale', and Eureka - the National Children's Museum, the Quality Street factory and the Halifax Flour Society 1879.

In the compact town centre are the Square Chapel Arts Centre, Calderdale Industrial Museum, Escaporium, the Piece Hall, a cloth hall since 1779, and the Town Hall where 'Man Prospecteth'. Then Halifax Minster, Inn-Cognito and The Three Pigeons pub with its 1930s Art Deco interior.

To The Shay, the all covered home of FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers RLFC, with a capacity of 14,081, 5,830 standing - the ground is bounded by Shay Syke for the Main (East) Stand which houses segregated seating and Hunger Hill with a closed North Terrace - just ten flags on the bare steps today. The Skircoat (West) Stand, missing a few seats is also closed - the A629 Huddersfield Road above it, but the South Terrace is open. £21 in and a crowd of 1,928 - 192 away.

The Shaymen are in predominantly dark blue with light blue and white on their sleeves, and the Shots are in change white and pale blue stripes with black shorts. 

The Shaymen start strongly with Adan George stabbing wide inside the first 120 seconds, but the Shots respond and Lorent Tolaj heads over on 9 minutes when he should have done better. Fax's Jamie Cooke has a shot blocked then Tolaj scuffs wide and has another effort well saved by Sam Johnson.

On 26 minutes the deadlock is broken - an unconvincing punch by Shots' Dutch keeper Jordi Van Stappershoef lands at the feet of Max Wright and his 25 yard sumptuous effort into the top right corner puts Halifax ahead.

There is almost an immediate response - Jack Barham, after a jinking run a minute later, is denied by a smart save from Johnson. George nearly doubles the lead but shoots over the bar after his initial effort is parried. The Shaymen lead 1-0 at the break.

The second half sees an immediate response from Aldershot as Tolaj sweeps home from a Ryan Glover cross three minutes in. Thereafter Cooke has an effort saved, Barham is just wide for the Shots and Halifax's Belize international Angelo Cappello's daring shot narrowly misses.

But on 69 minutes Aldershot substitute Kwame Thomas arrives late at the back post to volley home decisively, and the Shots lead. It's very nearly 3-1 as Barham has a good strike beaten away by Johnson. 

Aside from sub Jack Jenkins' mazy run, with four minutes to go, culminating in a smart save from Van Stappershoef and Luke Summerfield's 95th minute free kick which shaves the post, Aldershot comfortably hang on. Indeed Thomas should have put the game to bed, breaking from his own half, dancing past Johnson, but a heavy touch allows the shotstopper to recover and scramble the ball away.

A Tale of Two Cities - InSpired Minstermen Jump Through Hoops !!

And so to an autumnal and cold November Tuesday evening and the LNER York Community Stadium for a National League encounter between York City and Oxford City.

The Minstermen, originally nicknamed the Robins, were founded with the formation of the York City Association Football and Athletic Club Limited in May 1922, initially playing at Fulfordgate, and subsequently was admitted to the Midland League. York played in the Midland League for seven seasons, achieving a highest finish of sixth before making its first serious attempt, in vain, for election to the Football League in May 1927. 

However, the club was successful two years later, elected to the Football League in June 1929, replacing Ashington in the Third Division North and winning their first League match 2-0 against Wigan Borough. City moved to Bootham Crescent in 1932 where they remained for 88 years, then moving to the much awaited and much delayed Community Stadium in January 2021.

The club was forced to apply for re-election for the first time, successfully, after finishing bottom of the Third Division North in 1949-50. After a 13th place finish in 1957-1958, York became a founder member of the new Fourth Division, with clubs finishing in the top half of the North and South sections forming the new Third Division.

York just missed out on the runners-up spot in 1958-59 on goal average, but they achieved promotion for the first time in third place - with relegation following the season after. Thereafter a series of applications for re-election (1964, 1967, 1968 and 1969) was interrupted by promotion in 1964-65 - for one season only before relegation inevitably followed.

York's record of earning promotion every six years was maintained in 1970-71 with a fourth-place finish in the Fourth Division. After surviving demotion twice on goal average, the Minstermen hit form in 1973-74, ascending to the Second Division - but only for two campaigns. City dropped further still, relegated in 1976-77, and was forced to apply for re-election yet again in 1978 and 1981.

York won the Fourth Division championship with 101 points in 1983-84, becoming the first Football League team to achieve a three-figure points total in a season. 

Then in January 1985, City recorded a 1–0 home victory over First Division Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup, courtesy of an 89th-minute penalty scored by Keith Houchen. The following month City proceeded to draw 1–1 at home with European Cup holders Liverpool, but lost 7–0 in the replay at Anfield.

After relegation in 1988 York ended a five-year spell in the Third Division by gaining promotion to the Second Division via the play offs, beating Crewe Alexandra on penalties at Wembley. The Minstermen reached the Second Division play offs at their first attempt, but lost 1-0 on aggregate to Stockport County. Memorable League Cup victories over Manchester United and Everton followed in the ensuing seasons, but City received more media coverage from the death of player David Longhurst from a cardiac arrest on the pitch on 8 September 1990 against Lincoln City - a stand at Bootham Crescent was later named in his memory.

City suffered relegation in 1999 and during December 2001, long-serving chairman Douglas Craig put the club and its Bootham Crescent ground up for sale for £4.5 million, announcing that the club would resign from the Football League if a buyer was not found. Motor racing driver John Batchelor took over the club in March 2002, allegedly diverted almost all of a £400,000 sponsorship deal from Persimmon to his racing team, and by December York City FC was in administration. 

The newly formed Supporters' Trust bought the club in March 2003 after their initial offer of £100,000 as payment for £160,000 owed in tax was accepted by HMRC. But after failing to win any of their final 20 league fixtures in 2003-04 York finished bottom of the Third Division, and was relegated to the Football Conference after 75 years of Football League membership.

Flirting with the extremes of further relegation and the play offs, City reached the FA Trophy Final in 2009, losing 2-0 to Stevenage Borough at Wembley. But Trophy success followed three years later, beating Newport County 2-0, and, a week after, the Minstermen earned promotion back to the Football League and League Two, beating Luton Town 2-1 in the 2012 Conference Premier play off final, again at Wembley, after an eight-year absence.

They made the League Two play-offs the following season, beaten by Fleetwood Town. However City was relegated to the National League four years after returning to the Football League, with a bottom place finish in League Two in 2015-2016. The Minstermen were further demoted to National League North for the first time ever in 2016-17, but they ended the season with a 3–2 win over Macclesfield Town at Wembley in the 2017 Trophy Final.

The club was promoted back to the National League at the end of the 2021-22 season via the play-offs, with a 2–0 victory over Boston United in the final. The Supporters' Trust purchased JM Packaging's 75% share of the club in July 2022 to regain its 100% shareholding, before transferring 51% of those shares to businessman Glen Henderson, who took over as club chairman. 19th last time, the Minstermen have reached the FA Cup Second Round, facing Wigan Athletic next Friday, and currently sit in the final relegation slot at 21st after Saturday's 'flat' 3-1 home defeat to Hartlepool.

Oxford City FC, the Hoops, based in Marsh Lane, Marston in Oxford played their first recorded match on 15 March 1884. Fixtures were irregular over the next decade, but the club was reorganised and reconstituted in 1897 and won the FA Amateur Cup in 1906, beating Bishop Auckland 3-0, before joining the Isthmian League the following year.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the club went into decline and soon fell behind Headington United (now Oxford United), who turned professional in 1949. Attempts were made to restore success when it became a limited company in 1979 and they later appointed Bobby Moore as manager, with Harry Redknapp as his assistant.

The Hoops reached their lowest point in 1988 when they were evicted from their White House Ground by landlords Brasenose College, who sold the land off for housing. Forced to resign from the Isthmian League, City did not reform and return to senior football until 1990 when, based at Cutteslowe Park, they joined the South Midlands League Division One, winning promotion in their first season. 

They returned to the Isthmian League in 1993 coinciding with a move to Marsh Lane. The club continued to climb through the divisions during the 1990s and reached the FA Vase Final in 1995, losing 2-1 to Arlesey Town.

Two seasons in the Isthmian League Premier Division prefaced an epic FA Cup run in 1999-2000, culminating in a three-game battle against Wycombe Wanderers in the First Round Proper. City were eventually edged out 1–0 at Oxford United's old home, the Manor Ground. The first replay had been abandoned because of a fire alarm just as the penalty shootout was about to start; this remains the only FA Cup tie to go to a second replay since the FA ruled all ties should be settled after a maximum of two games. This rule change meant that City's other FA Cup record – the six games needed before losing to Alvechurch in 1971-1972 in the qualifying rounds – is unlikely to ever be beaten.

In 2005 the club was relegated back to the Spartan South Midlands League, but achieved promotion at the first time of asking, this time to the Southern League Division One South and West. Further elevation was achieved in 2008, after a 1-0 win over Uxbridge, as the Hoops reached the Southern Premier Division.

In 2011–12 Oxford City finished as runners-up, narrowly missing out on the title, but they won the play-off final against AFC Totton to ascend to the Conference North for the first time in their history. After a successful first season, finishing in 10th place, the following year proved more of a struggle, with the club initially finishing in the relegation zone after a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, but The Hoops were reprieved from relegation after Vauxhall Motors resigned from the Football Conference.

In 2015-16 City was laterally moved from Conference North to South, which was relabelled National League South. Two years on Oxford enjoyed a historic run in the FA Cup, knocking out league opposition for the first time with a 1-0 win at Colchester United, and narrowly defeated in the Second Round from an injury time goal by Notts County.

2020-21 saw another FA Cup scalp beating EFL Northampton Town 2-1. But 14 May 2023 was the historic date that Oxford City was promoted to the National League - after finishing third, play off semi final victory against Worthing (2-0) and a 4-0 drubbing of St Albans City in the final saw The Hoops rise to the fifth tier for the first time ever. They currently lie one place above the Minstermen with 20 points from 20 games, after Saturday's 4-0 away win at Ebbsfleet - their first away victory this season.

En route numberplates LE60 MAD, YSV 365 - a discount shop - and TII DUN feature along with vans advertising Slates and Ladders and Stagefreight. I reach mist enshrouded skyscrapers aka Manchester city centre, Franco Manca, Fundamentum bar and the Blind Veterans statue at Piccadilly. Onwards to Staly Vegas, the river a torrent at Marsden and then The Head of Steam at Huddersfield.

Thereafter the old Machell Bros building, a Shoddy and Mungo manufacturer in Dewsbury, and Mount Pleasant at Batley. Afterwards LoveofLeeds, Neville Hill train depot, severely flooded fields at Ulleskelf and into York.

I'm up at Monks Cross so the trip back into York takes in Heworth, Herosmans Cottage, Brigadier Gerard and a wall mural stating 'Nightly Bile Beans Keep You Healthy, Bright Eyed and Slim'. Onto Monkgate, Little Green Rascals then the Minster and its Constantine The Great statue, bypassing The Three Legged Mare and The Fat Badger.

York City Walls are in three separate parts - I join at Lendal Tower taking in the Roman fortress gateway, the Star Inn (I also encounter Ye Olde Starre Inn on my travels) and to Bootham Bar Postern Tower and back. Then the War Monument 'Their Name Liveth For Evermore' and the Cholera Burial Ground, Old Baile, Baile Hill, Cliffords Tower and the National Railway Museum - featuring a Deltic, Rocket, George Stephenson bust, Mallard, HST and Shinkansen  - the Japanese Bullet Train.

Then the final part by the Castle, joining at Fishergate Tower through the Gatehouse to the Red Tower. I also take in the Shambles Markets, Jorvik Centre, York Dungeon, Guy Fawkes Inn and The Perky Peacock - plus the controversial anti-terror barriers....

The 8,500 capacity ground, with a mix of coloured seating, forms part of the Monks Cross Shopping Park - the all seater stadium supports York City FC, York City Knights RLFC and a Sports Leisure Complex. The LNER Azuma Main East Stand bestrides the Retail Park, the South Stand sits in front of a cinema, the West Stand is flanked by undeveloped fields, and the North (unused tonight) sees an industrial estate behind including a big Kia outlet.

York are in red and blue, whilst Oxford play in their famous blue and white hoops. It's £22 for the main stand (and everywhere else) with a crowd of 3,678 - 58 away supporters.

After Saturday's chastening defeat York start on the front foot and should have taken the lead on 96 seconds after good work from captain Ryan Fallowfield tees up Scott Burgess in acres of spaces but he shoots wildly over. No matter as on 6 minutes Tyler Cordner strides forward and hits a screamer in off the post from 30 yards - not bad for a centre back ! - and the Minstermen lead. 

The advantage is doubled on 18 minutes; more good work from Fallowfield and Maz Kouhyar on the right sees the ball crossed for Will Davies to prod past Jack Bycroft. Further chances for Burgess, closer this time, and Dipo Akinyemi come to naught, whilst the Hoops only create one opportunity from Zac McEachran approaching half time.

A comfortable second period is only enlivened when the frustrating Akinyemi, who has two clear openings but elects not to shoot, is injured and substituted. His replacement is the dropped Lenell John-Lewis - 'His Name Is A Shop' - and he proceeds to conjure an overhead effort just wide. Then a near post flick is smothered away by Bycroft and a third shot across goal fails to hit the target.

The Hoops have plenty of possession but little imagination or penetration and it is in the 94th, and final, minute that substitute Claudio Ofosu forces a meaningful George Sykes-Kenworthy save. 

So the Minstermen ease to a 2-0 victory, moving to 19th, whilst the Hoops sink into the relegation zone.

Turbines Failure - Blues' Revival Seals The Deal...!

And so to the Deva Stadium on Bumpers Lane in Chester for a National League North clash between Chester FC, The Seals, and Peterborough Sports FC, The Turbines.

Chester FC was founded in 2010 following the liquidation of Chester City and was placed in the Northern Premier League Division One North, after a successful appeal against restarting in the North West Counties. 

Three successive promotions propelled the Seals to the Conference in 2013, but after a reprieve in their first season due to Hereford United's expulsion, relegation to the Conference North eventually followed in 2018, where they remain after play off defeats to Altrincham (3-2 away in Covid 2020) and Brackley (0-1 at home last season).

The original Chester FC was founded as an amalgamation of Chester Rovers and Old King's Scholars FC in August 1885. Playing at Faulkner Street the Blues moved briefly to The Old Showground and then Whipcord Lane before settling at Sealand Road in 1906 where they stayed until 1991. Then after two seasons at Macclesfield's Moss Rose ground, City returned home to the Deva Stadium on the Sealand Industrial Estate, which partially straddles the Welsh border.

The Seals entered the Combination five years from inception, and, after promotion to the Lancashire Combination in 1910 and three Cheshire League titles, joined the Football League at the start of the 1931/32 season, in place of Nelson FC. The club changed its name to Chester City FC in 1983. 

The Blues were predominantly fourth tier Football League members but occasionally played at the third level (1975-1982, 1986-1993 and 1994-1995), until 2000 when the club was relegated to the Football Conference under the chaotic ownership of American Terry Smith, who installed himself as manager and steered the Seals to four wins in four months.....

Under new owner Stephen Vaughan they returned to the Football League after winning the Conference title in 2004, but following relegation back to the Conference in 2009, the club courted controversy and hit financial difficulties. 

These financial problems led to the 2009/10 season starting with a 25 point deduction, after the Inland Revenue revoked a proposed CVA.

Amidst increasing disquiet among fans City Fans United was formed in October 2009, and a month later staged an on field protest about Chester City's ownership leading to the abandonment of a home game against Eastbourne Borough, which they were leading 3-2.... Chester City FC was eventually wound up on 10 March 2010, a day after applying to join the Welsh Premier League. Preparations to form a phoenix club had already begun.... leading to Chester FC, sitting 17th this term with 3 wins and two draws from ten games.

Peterborough Sports FC, from Lincoln Road in Peterborough, was established in 1908 as Brotherhoods Engineering Works, a factory side for the company founded by Peter Brotherhood in 1867, and famed for designing and manufacturing the first steam turbine engine in the world. 

They joined the Northants League (which later became the United Counties League) for the 1919–20 season, winning the league in their first season, but left at the end of the 1922–23 campaign. 

Sports then transferred to Division Three of the Peterborough & District League, winning the title in the 1925–26 season - the club was dormant in 1929–30 and 1932–33, and dropped into Division Three North. Despite only finishing eleventh in 1936–37, the Turbines were elevated to Division Two for the 1937–38 season. And after World War II the club was placed in Division One, but was relegated after finishing bottom of the table in 1948–49 and further relegations followed in 1953 and 1964, to Division Three South, albeit they bounced back with promotion in the following season.

Another relegation at the end of the 1973–74 season saw Brotherhoods Engineering Works demoted to Division Three South for a second time, but returned to Division Two after winning the title in 1975–76. Relegated again in 1979–80, the club was elevated to Division Two at the first attempt as Division Three South champions, and gained promotion to Division One at the end of the 1982–83 season after finishing third. The 1987–88 season saw the club finish as Division One runners-up and step up to the Premier Division.

In 1999 the club changed its name to Bearings Direct FC, and then again in 2001 to Peterborough Sports. In 2006–07 they won the Premier Division, and in 2012–13 was promoted to Division One of the United Counties League after finishing third.

In 2016 Peterborough Sports were Division One champions, earning promotion to the Premier Division. The following season saw them win the league with 112 points, and moved on up to Division One South of the Northern Premier League.

In 2018 the club was transferred laterally to Division One Central of the Southern League and that season the Turbines finished as champions, engineering a move up to the Premier Division Central. They finished runners-up in 2022, qualifying for the promotion play-offs, and after beating Alvechurch in the semi-finals, the club defeated Coalville Town 2–0 in the final to rise to the National League North, finishing 14th in their inaugural campaign. 

However they are 23rd this time around with two wins, two draws and six defeats thus far and were dumped out of the FA Cup by lower league Needham Market on Tuesday - the Seals go to Hartlepool in the fourth qualifying round next weekend.

Past the Chapel Street war figurines at Altrincham, the boarded up Cheshire Midland in Hale, into the mid-Cheshire countryside on an unseasonably warm Saturday October afternoon. Flooded fields at Ashley, then Knutsford - home of Tatton Park - the Drill Field, former home of Northwich Victoria, now housing, and Delamere, 'The Forest Station', before we pull into Chester.

Then after K9 to 5 (dog grooming) and the Blue Coat Hospital it's on to the City Walls. Morgan's Mount, Pemberton's Parlour, the Water Tower, Water Gate and the racecourse - no races today with the last meet next weekend. Onwards to Chester Castle, the River Dee, the Roman Gardens, Newgate, the Eastgate Clock, Chester Cathedral and the Amphitheatre before I walk towards the football ground.

Eschewing The Cop Skatepark and Audacious Church, I skirt various retail and business parks to arrive on Bumpers Lane and Chester FC. Three all seater stands - the Gary Talbot (Main) Stand to my left, the Hipkiss Stand at the far end and the Swettenhams Chemists Community Stand on the right. I am stood on the Harry McNally North Terrace - £17 in, compared to £20 to sit, although there are modest reductions of £1 and £2 respectively if you book online. The crowd is 2,250 - including just 13 away supporters ☺

The Seals are in blue and black whilst the Turbines are in change fluorescent yellow and green. Chester start the stronger with Declan Weeks having a shot tipped over by Sports' keeper Peter Crook.

So it's a surprise on 18 minutes when full back Matt Tootle makes space on the left touchline and delivers a pinpoint cross for veteran player/ co-manager Michael Gash to head home and put Peterborough in front. That's doubled ten minutes later when Connor Johnson's pass is superbly diverted by Gash into the path of Josh McCammon who sweeps the ball beyond keeper Wyll Stanway - a beautifully engineered goal ☺

An almost immediate response is delivered five minutes later as a Tom Sparrow cross is despatched by Charlie Caton to halve the deficit. Caton then has two shots well blocked by Crook and captain George Glendon sees his deflected shot strike the top of the crossbar. Nonetheless the Turbines lead 2-1 at the break.

That all changes seven minutes into the second period as Caton is again thwarted by Crook but half time substitute Adam Thomas tucks away the rebound. Wave after wave of Seals' pressure sees Weeks' cross palmed away and on 71 minutes there are two goal line clearances within 30 seconds from Kieran Coates and Harrison Burke efforts.

A rare Sports foray results in Hugh Alban-Jones' strike defied by Stanway's outstretched boot, but normal service is soon resumed.... With six minutes to go Caton (twice) and Thomas are denied in an extraordinary goalmouth melee but the comeback is completed on 87 minutes as Reece Daly fires home a splendid 25 yarder into the top left corner to see Chester triumph 3-2.

Open Mikes Earn Their Stripes.... !!

And so to Ditton, on the outskirts of Widnes, and St Michaels Catholic Primary School, for a Cheshire League Division One clash between St Michaels DH FC and FC St Helens Reserves.

The Mikes, motto 'Fortis et Vici' (strong and I conquered), were established in 1966 - the DH is an abbreviated version of Ditton Hall, where a banished Jesuit community from Germany settled. Playing local league football, the Saints were Warrington and District Premier League champions in 2021/22.

Stepping up to the Cheshire League Division Two St Michaels finished runners up in their inaugural season and were promoted to Division One. 

This season they have started with three victories, away at Vulcan (2-1) and at home to the not so mighty Atoms of Daten (4-0) and Bollington (3-0), a disappointing 3-3 home draw to Sandbach Reserves, having been three up at the break, and a right thumping at Golborne Sports (1-6), followed by last weekend's 3-1 reverse at Styal. 

The Saints currently sit 11th of 16, but with games in hand.

FC St Helens, 'The Stripes', was established in 2014 in the heart of the town, originally as St Helens Town's reserve side. Their motto is 'Simul Nos Firmiories' - Together We Are Strong...

The club started in the West Cheshire League, before moving to the Cheshire League Division Two in 2015 and achieving promotions to Division One in 2016 and the Premier in 2018. 

As champions in 2021/22 The Stripes were promoted to the NWCFL Division One North, replacing, ironically, former FA Vase winners St Helens Town, who finished bottom and were relegated. They finished third in their first NWCFL season.

The Reserves side joined the Cheshire League Reserve 2 Division and achieved promotion to Reserve League 1 in 2016/17. 

As runners up in 2022 the Stripes' Reserves were elevated to Division Two and a 4th place finish last time out was sufficient to see a further move up the league to Division One - four wins, a draw and two defeats, and an abandonment (due to alleged racial abuse) thus far this season leaves them fifth - but having played more games than their rivals.

But not to St Michaels Primary School - the pitch 'touch and go' after the incessant rain - and a late switch of grounds to Windleshaw Sports Club in St Helens. A strange journey featuring a horse drawn hearse, with plenty of 'manure' on the road afterwards, and a lime green tuk tuk parked across a driveway in Altrincham. 

Numberplates LM04 YUE, a limousine, LU51LLE and PU11EYY feature today, as do roadworks on Dunham Road and dreadful driving - exiting the retail park apparently enables you to use both forward lanes, and a roadhog trying to overtake in single file traffic at a red light. Plus a van with trailer advertising Hot Products Cock Oil....

Into Warrington and out on the A57 , the Pink Eye building, Crosfields ARLFC, Snoutwood Trotters (!), then Trigger Pond, Christmas Tree Farm and Bargyloo Farm.

That brings me to Bold Heath, Thatto Heath, Clock Face - its rugby league side Clock Face Miners ☺ Then Sherdley Manor, the Dream sculpture up in the hills, Arthur Fleischmann's 'The Miner' at Cannington roundabout, and via The Glass Horse to central St Helens. To Denton's Green and Tennis Street leads to Windleshaw Sports Club. There is ample parking for a crowd of 21.

So not....

Windleshaw Sports Club ground is tree lined, a storage area next to the bar and outside seating and a very plush rest home adjacent with first floor balcony. At the top end is a playing field and a minuscule covered area, with a new 50 seat stand on the opposite side now operational.

So instead...

St Michaels are in change grey and black, sponsored by G Sinclair Electrical Services, and FC St Helens Reserves, sponsored by TD Construction Testing, are in red and white stripes. What follows in the autumnal sunshine is a very open and entertaining match.

After St Michaels have a goal ruled out on 7 minutes, they take the lead just before the quarter hour - a farcical own goal resulting from a back pass, a bobble on the penalty area mud bath and an air shot from the keeper. No matter as the Stripes equalise four minutes later from a defensive error with an almost apologetic scuffed finish that creeps inside the post - the same post they hit on 21 from a lob.

Thereafter a slight lull until injury time when St Helens have an effort palmed over and then the Mikes retake the lead, a deflected cross tucked away. St Michaels then spurn three glorious chances in the remainder of stoppage time, but still lead 2-1 at the interval.

The second period is breathless, with the action started 10 minutes in when the Stripes' keeper, who is not having the greatest of games, drops a straightforward cross, leading to a tap in. 70 seconds later it's 4-1 to the Mikes, a fine team move ending with the ball calmly slotted home.

But St Helens fight back and on 61 score from a cushioned header across the Mikes' custodian. However it's 5-2 to the away side three minutes on; a wonderful centre forward's goal, twisting and turning, beating three defenders before rolling the ball beyond the hapless netman.

There are no more goals, despite the home goalkeeper being substituted with 20 minutes to play - replaced between the sticks by the Stripes' captain. Mikes do hit the frame of the goal and so it finishes 5-2 to the visitors - their scorers Ryan Hunter with two, Ben Mahoney, Matt Williamson and that comedic own goal..... and St Michaels move up to fifth, overtaking FC St Helens Reserves on goal difference.

Red Card Sees Visitors' Hopes Go South - Rampant Rovers Zak Attack !!

And so to Keighley for a North West Counties Division One North match between Route One Rovers and South Liverpool.

Route One Rovers FC, Bradford based but playing in Keighley, was established in 2013 starting as a grassroots BAME team in the local leagues - the club name a jokey brainstormer, winning out over AFC Bradford and Bradford Rovers. The side joined the West Riding Amateur Football League in 2015, playing at Esholt (of Emmerdale fame !!) Sports Ground in Shipley.

Rovers moved to the Zara Sports Centre on the outskirts of Bradford and were promoted in 2016 from Division 2, and then achieved back to back promotions the following season, moving up to the Premier Division in 2017.

The club joined the Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division following the demise of the West Riding League in 2019. Three top half finishes (7th, 4th and 6th), then Rovers moved to the Marley Stadium, groundsharing with Steeton in August 2022 and produced an invincible unbeaten 2022/23 season, with 23 wins incorporating a 100% home record, 2 draws and 1 abandonment. Route One was accordingly promoted as champions to the NWCFL Division One North, and are now looking to move up the leagues and find a permanent Bradford base.

Rovers have started with a 5-2 home victory over Ashton Town, coming from two goals down, and then a 3-0 win at a reincarnated Shelley. But defeats at Ashton Athletic (2-3) and at home to Ilkley - 3-4, after conceding two injury time goals, have been followed by a 1-0 win at Daisy Hill and Monday's remarkable 4-3 home triumph over Holker Old Boys, after being 3-1 down with 5 minutes to go, leaving Rovers fourth - 30 goals in their first six NWCFL games !!

South Liverpool, now based in Aigburth, date back from the 1890s - their first incarnation coming from a club changing its name from African Royal, moving to the Dingle, and eventually relocating to become New Brighton AFC in 1921. The Rakers were dissolved in 1983, having been Football League members from 1923 to 1951.

The second coming of The South came about in 1935 with the club playing at Holly Park in Garston, and enjoying trophy joy as Lancashire Combination champions in 1937, 1938 and 1939. The club made 10 applications to join the Football League, all unsuccessful, but won the Welsh Cup in 1939, beating Cardiff City 2-1....

The Cheshire County League followed in 1951 and subsequently the club played their first ever match under 'permanent' floodlights against a Nigeria XI (who were reputedly barefoot !) - a game covered by Kenneth Wolstenholme (until it was all over !) on the BBC, with a crowd of 13,007.

Then in 1967 Ferenc Puskas guested for the club in a fundraising friendly, attracting a crowd of 10,000 before South were invited to join the new Northern Premier League a year later. Jimmy Case and John Aldridge both cut their teeth at Holly Park before moving onto better things..

South struggled against wealthier, better supported clubs but in 1983/84 enjoyed their best post war season as they annexed the NPL League Cup, the Lancashire Challenge Trophy and the Liverpool Senior Cup. South’s success was not built upon and whilst two more Liverpool Senior Cup wins followed along with the NPL Presidents Cup, Holly Park was lost (burnt down) in 1989 and the limited company was liquidated in 1991. Holly Park was later converted to the impressive Liverpool South Parkway station.

South supporters had already formed a committee to take over the football club and in 1992 the phoenix club, a merger with Cheshire Lines FC, joined the Liverpool County Combination, groundsharing with Bootle rent free in exchange for Holly Park's floodlights - the clubs separating two years later. A nomadic existence was then South’s main issue but at the dawn of the Millennium they secured a home at the North Field, Jericho Lane in Otterspool. The County Combination joined forces with the I Zingari League in 2006 to form the Liverpool County Premier League.

South were consistent top half finishers in the Liverpool Combination / Liverpool County Premier League and won the George Mahon Cup at Goodison Park in May 2009. In 2011 South took the decision to switch to the West Cheshire League and immediately won two consecutive divisional titles to move up to the top division in 2014. The First Division was won in 2015 and retained in 2016 when two cups were added, making it a triple winning season. Further title success was achieved in 2018.

2019 saw South’s home ground move 200 yards to the Jericho Hub complete with floodlights, cover and stand. After the cancellation of the 2019/20 season South stepped up and took the abbreviated league title in 2021, achieving promotion to the North West Counties League for 2021/22, thirty years after semi pro status had been lost. South finished 13th of 19 in their first season at the higher level, and 10th of 18 last term. An opening day defeat this time at Bacup has been followed by three victories, an abandonment at Darwen, due to a sexist comment directed at a young female assistant referee, now under FA investigation, and a 2-1 home win against Daisy Hill on Wednesday - that means South Liverpool currently sit one place below Rovers.

So after the Navigation - its portico erected in 1780 and reconstructed in 1937 - it's a drizzly start turning to a pleasant sunny summer's day that brings me onto Manchester Road and I come across numberplates 2YYY, W4XCD and M11EYE plus a van advertising Dog Meats Bone ☺

Beyond the Sale Postal & Telegraph Office dating back to 1911, Style Junky and Soul Star Holistics to the M60, and Beyond (the latest incarnation of Chill Factore !) and then the M66, into Hyndburn, 'Home of Accrington Pals', and onto the M65 and signs for Shuttlewoof Hall. The end of the motorway brings me to Vivary Way and Colne. As ever the traffic is a nightmare.....

Having finally negotiated my way through I come across the Morris Dancers pub (already offering Christmas Day lunch at £49.99...), Hedge Hogg, the Hartley Homes, Wycoller Country Park (no cars allowed in the village of Wycoller) and The Atom Panopticon. Then the sprawling village of Cowling, past the football club (no game today - they start at Skipton in a fortnight), before arriving at the sign for Glusburn & Cross Hills (coming t'other way the sign has the names reversed), home of Funky Monkey, The Old White Bear and dominated by the Cirteq factory, part of the Titgemeyer Group. There follows a lengthy wait at Kildwick Level Crossing....

Past Zolsha and right at The Trawlerman onto the A629, Silsden to the left and Steeton to the right, The Doris Wells Memorial Field still visible from the road. Then left into the outskirts of Keighley with Cougar Park behind the Texaco garage immediately on the left and the Marley Stadium further down. I park next to a scrap metal merchants on a rundown, litter strewn side street and wend my way into Keighley, following a different route via Cliffe Castle and Ghosijah Masjid, 'Verily Our Time Is Appointed', - the impressive Markazi Jamia Masjid mosque is in the town centre. Then The Livery Rooms (Wetherspoons), Sham Syrian Shawarma, a Persian takeaway, The Kindred Bizzare, the Boltmakers Arms, Taylors on the Green and the market, featuring Arctic Storm Clothing. 

Onto Chic n Tique, Grind n Groove records and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway - 75078 again on duty for the £14 return 25 minute journey to Oxenhope. My final destination, after Pineoakio Furniture, is the Keighley Bus Museum - in the middle of nowhere on the River Technology Park.

Eventually to the Marley Activities & Coaching Centre where Route One are in grey and white, South in red and black. £5 in, a crowd of 105 including a healthy away contingent, some of whom have travelled on the team bus, and inside at the top end are two shelters - the Varley Boilers covered stand, the other one unsponsored, and nearside the Keighley Kia & Mazda seated stand in front of the clubhouse - which is closed.....

The ground is sited on an industrial estate, the A650 at one end, picturesque views of the countryside, the National Trust's East Riddlesden rising into the hills on my left and surrounded by council football pitches - local games yet to commence.

Route One have an early chance and South respond with a fizzer over the bar from a corner. But on 7 minutes it really is Route One as a long ball produces a flicked header on, and Mohammed Husnain outmuscles his marker and shoots across South's keeper Lucas Allan to put Rovers ahead. 

James Cottrell has South's best chance with a volley on 37 minutes and Rovers hit the post in injury time. Two good footballing sides, cancelling each other out, and guilty of overplaying and imperfect passing leaves it 1-0 to the hosts at the break.

In the second half South start better with sub Lewis Williams proving to be a lively threat. But the game pivots in the 57th minute as the speedy Husnain again outstrips his marker, and in a tangle of legs, is brought down whilst bearing through on goal. Cottrell is deemed to be last man and is red carded to home megaphone taunts of 'Early showers, early showers'.....

That megaphone is back in use, along with an air raid siren and a drummer, five minutes later as a one two beyond a static defence leaves Zak Khan to double the lead through Allan's legs. Rovers then hit the post from a deflected shot midway through the half.

The match finishes with two further goals; with four minutes to go Khan's first effort is saved by Allan, but the ball is recycled and Khan rams it home. Then at the start of injury time Khan has his hat trick, bursting forward and then a beautiful curling finish from 25 yards into the bottom right corner leaves Route One triumphant at 4-0.