[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2024/25 Edition

[Cowfold Seagull]

Ground number 33: Gorings Mead, home of Horsham YMCA for their pre-season friendly with Whyteleafe on tuesday.

Absolutely love this ground for many reasons. Firstly, as Horsham experts will know, the town centre is actually quite far south in Horsham, which means that this ground- very much on the southern outskirts, is very close to down town Horsham whilst retaining a rural feel.

I drove there and was able to park in the ground in what is essentially a pitch side car park. Plenty of spaces but I imagine it gets filled up fairly quickly for bigger games. Entry was £5 including parking and a raffle ticket (I didn't win). You could, if you were so inclined, watch the whole game from the comfort of your car.

I opted against this and began to explore. Firstly, I have to give a shout out to the main stand which is absolutely gorgeous. Having been to many grounds that seem to have almost identical main stands, this one really "stands out". It's fairly big and a little bit raised which gives good views of the pitch. I'm not an architecture expert by any means but it has a brutalist vibe to it. It's in my top 5 stands of the year that's for sure. Opposite is a small covered terraced stand which is not quite on the half way line. Great views from it of the sumptuous stand opposite and the rolling hills and woodland behind the ground.

The clubhouse is pretty big and it mainly consists of a bar and then a separate room which hosts the tea bar and what seems to be a function room of sorts. Good beer selection including a couple from the nearby superb Hepworth brewery (was half expecting Dark Star). It's a good venue, only nitpick would be it could do with more pictures etc on the walls.

On the bovril front, it appeared to come in cube form- did they just stick a stock cube into hot water?! I'm not sure, it didn't taste bad whatever it was but a touch on the too salty side. £2 as well which is above the going rate

The game was fairly typical pre season affair which "YM" won. I think it was 1-0. Not sure of his name but the stand out player was the number 10 from the home side. An absolutely beautiful footballer who should be playing at a higher standard really. Created everything meaningful and one of those players who just always seems to be in acres of space.

Anyway, I rate this ground very highly and it's possibly going to win my much coveted "ground of the month" award for July....I'm really looking forward to seeing some competitive football though, starting this saturday with Loxwood vs Bexhill in the SCFL Premier

Glad you managed to get down to see us at Gorings Mead, and many thanks for your top rated revue. The seat you were sitting on in our main stand, came staight out of the south stand at the Goldstone when it was demolished in 1997.

Just a shame we didn't get the chance to say hello, though l did take your entrance money and gave you your "non-winning" raffle ticket!

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

though l did take your entrance money and gave you your "non-winning" raffle ticket!

Oh, right one of those wink, wink, nudge, nudge, one raffle book for the newbies and away fans and one book for regulars eh.....

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Great report - thanks for that.

I played at YM for 10 years and still go down there when I'm not at Brighton (always stand in the small stand opposite the main stand - although I understand they have moved the dugouts in the summer which may affect my sightline and I may have to move )

I haven't been down this season yet for any friendlies - I think they have one this Saturday so will pop along.

As for the 'function room of sorts' - that's where I had my Wedding Reception 30 odd years ago!

PM me your name and l may well know of you. Our Club President Ron Moulding almost certainly will, he has been involved at YM as a player and manager ever since Noah was a boy!

Our game this Saturday is in fact the first league game of the season, versus Little Common. The league starts ridiculously early these days.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Oh, right one of those wink, wink, nudge, nudge, one raffle book for the newbies and away fans and one book for regulars eh.....

You found me out you rotter!

Only joking, though whether the prize was worth winning is another matter.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

PM me your name and l may well know of you. Our Club President Ron Moulding almost certainly will, he has been involved at YM as a player and manager ever since Noah was a boy!

Our game this Saturday is in fact the first league game of the season, versus Little Common. The league starts ridiculously early these days.

I know Ronnie very well.

I played alongside him and he was my manager for a while too.

I'm planning to go down and watch Saturday - season starting in July is crazy!

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

season starting in July is crazy!

What is crazy is, I just had a look for fixtures next weekend Saturday 3rd August.

Peacehaven & Telscombe v Shoreham FA CUP !!!!

might go to that, support my birthplace for the first time ever, Shoreham.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I know Ronnie very well.

I played alongside him and he was my manager for a while too.

I'm planning to go down and watch Saturday - season starting in July is crazy!

Good, please stop and say hello, l'll be on the gate.

 

[BN9 BHA]

What is crazy is, I just had a look for fixtures next weekend Saturday 3rd August.

Peacehaven & Telscombe v Shoreham FA CUP !!!!

might go to that, support my birthplace for the first time ever, Shoreham.

They are also playing each other in the league on Saturday, Shoreham at home.

The cup game may be played at Eastbourne Town’s ground as Peacehaven are having work done on their pitch.

 

[BN9 BHA]

 

[The Lemming Stomper]

I was thinking of Whitehawk v Worthing tomorrow but will go to Newhaven now...Do you rekon he will play tomorrow ?

 

[BN9 BHA]

I was thinking of Whitehawk v Worthing tomorrow but will go to Newhaven now...Do you rekon he will play tomorrow ?

I don’t know how fit he is, hopefully fully recovered from his injury at Worthing, also hasn’t played in any friendly matches.
My guess is he may be a sub, I’m going tomorrow anyway but hopefully will see him play.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

The Denton Destroyer is back!

(one for the oldies on here)

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

They are also playing each other in the league on Saturday, Shoreham at home.

The cup game may be played at Eastbourne Town’s ground as Peacehaven are having work done on their pitch.

A lovely place to watch football the Saffrons, particularly on a warm summer's day. I'll miss my trips there with YM, now Eastbourne Town have been promoted.

 

[brighton terra]

I’m thinking of going to watch Whitehawk v Worthing this afternoon. Could someone please let me know the admission fee, as I couldn’t find it on their website?

 

[BN9 BHA]

I’m thinking of going to watch Whitehawk v Worthing this afternoon. Could someone please let me know the admission fee, as I couldn’t find it on their website?

£6

 

[stewart12]

Heading to The Nest today for Loxwood vs Bexhill United

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

I’m thinking of going to watch Whitehawk v Worthing this afternoon. Could someone please let me know the admission fee, as I couldn’t find it on their website?

Going to be gorgeous today as well, I expect a good sized crowd, last time I saw a friendly at Whitehawk Adam El-Abd got sent off, proper fisticuffs right in front a bunch of kids, stay classy Adam

 

[brighton terra]

Going to be gorgeous today as well, I expect a good sized crowd, last time I saw a friendly at Whitehawk Adam El-Abd got sent off, proper fisticuffs right in front a bunch of kids, stay classy Adam

Whilst Worthing got the win, I thought Whitehawk more than matched them and deserved to take something from the game.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Shoreham v Peacehaven for me today and after a right skinful in The Duke of Wellington (what a great pub that is) I had a moment of clarity and realised that incredibly this is a new ground for me. So this seasons tally of 3 is equal to the whole of last season for me.

Peacehaven won quite comfortably (2-0) but I don’t really follow them now as I’ve mentioned on here before, so I thought they did alright.

My mate that does go regularly wasn’t convinced and thinks that both teams will be in the wrong end of the table.


A nice ground and bar and quite a good friendly crowd. An enjoyable afternoon

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Shoreham v Peacehaven for me today and after a right skinful in The Duke of Wellington (what a great pub that is) I had a moment of clarity and realised that incredibly this is a new ground for me. So this seasons tally of 3 is equal to the whole of last season for me.

Peacehaven won quite comfortably (2-0) but I don’t really follow them now as I’ve mentioned on here before, so I thought they did alright.

My mate that does go regularly wasn’t convinced and thinks that both teams will be in the wrong end of the table.


A nice ground and bar and quite a good friendly crowd. An enjoyable afternoon

View attachment 186163

Was it so windy in Shoreham that it pulled the flag apart?