[Football] The Non-League Football Thread- 2023/24 Edition

[Roadrunner]

Ground number 9 of the year was Littlehampton Town's "Sportsfield" last night for the Sussex Senior Cup CLASH with Arun neighbours Bognor Regis Town

It's a bit of an odd, quirky ground and do you know what? I like it.

Firstly, the football ground is part of a larger sports COMPLEX and in reality the primary use is the cricket pitch which actually overlaps with the football pitch. There is also tennis courts A CROQUET CLUB (the first football/croquet crossover so far) and apparently a stoolball club.

The fact that it's multi purpose does have a knock on effect to the football ground....largely because it hampers how much it can be developed with the north side of the ground (which overlaps with the cricket pitch) unable to have anything permanent built on. As a result, the layout is a bit odd and everything is on the south side. This side houses 3 separate stands. The central one is a beautiful seated stand with old school wooden benches and BEAUTIFUL concrete dugouts. This stand is flanked by two covered standing areas. Otherwise the other 3 sides are exposed standing. It's quite ramshackle, a bit unfinished but it does have a certain charm.

Admission was £10- as "LA" are a Isthmian South East club this is about right and on par with others in the division.

The clubhouse is MILES from the pitch and again, isn't exclusively for the football club. It's pretty big and very old school- feels a bit like you're at an old pub. It has a lot of character though and I liked it, very different from others I've been to this year.

Before the game they were absolutely BLASTING out the oddest pre match music I've ever heard, especially as it was from a quite ropey sound system. They had Butterfly by Crazytown, then Last Resort by Papa Roach which was faded seamlessly into a DANCE REMIX OF WONDERWALL.

The game itself was massively affected by the elements, with a hurricane blowing directly from one end to the other. Littlehampton went 2-0 up including a superb first goal, Bognor got one back towards the end of the half and looked set to get an equaliser in the second half with the wind behind them but....absolutely crumbled. LA got one on the break and starting running rampant and unbelievably won 6-1.

Overall, I did enjoy The Sportsfield. It's unique at least. It could undoubtedly do with a SPRUCE up though

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Glad you enjoyed your visit; had I known you were going to be there I'd have said hello. Unfortunately I missed the pre-match medley as I was running late, but got there in time for Spandau Ballet's 'Gold' as the teams ran out. It was a brilliant display by Littlehampton against their higher ranked neighbours in front of a decent crowd (455) on such a horrible night. Result wasn't completely out of the blue as they have been playing quite well recently after a pretty poor start to the season, but I don't think anyone would have been expecting that rout. They were absolutely ruthless in front of goal on Tuesday night, that's for sure. Tough game in the SF against Hastings awaits, but after knocking out both Worthing and Bognor I'm sure they'll fancy themselves to get to The Amex for the final (assuming that's where it'a played this season).

You mention that The Sportsfield needs a spruce up..... Well, the main stand is being replaced during the close season which will be a good start. I only live a few hundred meters from the turnstiles and my son plays cricket for LA so I know only too well how much of a hold they have over the venue. In fact the football club are really up against it at Isthmian League level, as they get minimal income from the clubhouse which is independently run. Oh, and I can confirm that all of the aforementioned sports are regularly played at The Sportsfield (yes, even stoolball)!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

BIG match for the Barrowmen!

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

Ground number 9 of the year was Littlehampton Town's "Sportsfield" last night for the Sussex Senior Cup CLASH with Arun neighbours Bognor Regis Town

It's a bit of an odd, quirky ground and do you know what? I like it.

Firstly, the football ground is part of a larger sports COMPLEX and in reality the primary use is the cricket pitch which actually overlaps with the football pitch. There is also tennis courts A CROQUET CLUB (the first football/croquet crossover so far) and apparently a stoolball club.

The fact that it's multi purpose does have a knock on effect to the football ground....largely because it hampers how much it can be developed with the north side of the ground (which overlaps with the cricket pitch) unable to have anything permanent built on. As a result, the layout is a bit odd and everything is on the south side. This side houses 3 separate stands. The central one is a beautiful seated stand with old school wooden benches and BEAUTIFUL concrete dugouts. This stand is flanked by two covered standing areas. Otherwise the other 3 sides are exposed standing. It's quite ramshackle, a bit unfinished but it does have a certain charm.

Admission was £10- as "LA" are a Isthmian South East club this is about right and on par with others in the division.

The clubhouse is MILES from the pitch and again, isn't exclusively for the football club. It's pretty big and very old school- feels a bit like you're at an old pub. It has a lot of character though and I liked it, very different from others I've been to this year.

Before the game they were absolutely BLASTING out the oddest pre match music I've ever heard, especially as it was from a quite ropey sound system. They had Butterfly by Crazytown, then Last Resort by Papa Roach which was faded seamlessly into a DANCE REMIX OF WONDERWALL.

The game itself was massively affected by the elements, with a hurricane blowing directly from one end to the other. Littlehampton went 2-0 up including a superb first goal, Bognor got one back towards the end of the half and looked set to get an equaliser in the second half with the wind behind them but....absolutely crumbled. LA got one on the break and starting running rampant and unbelievably won 6-1.

Overall, I did enjoy The Sportsfield. It's unique at least. It could undoubtedly do with a SPRUCE up though

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That’s a big part of the day out. I was given the book ‘British Football’s Greatest Grounds’ as a Christmas present. A fair few league grounds in there but most new or disfigured by modernization. We have decided to visit as many local non league grounds as we can, both featured and not featured in the book. We took a steam train to Ramsbottom Utd v Lower Breck only to find the game was called off. We have also found going to more local non league on Merseyside that there are links with our respective schools and it’s good to have seen and be knowledgeable about well known local players. Vauxhall Motors v Bootle last week and we are planning to watch Marine in a few weeks time, a division higher in the Northern Premier League and going for promotion to the National League North.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Lewes suffered another home defeat. Didn't play badly but not helped by an ridiculous own goal from close to the half way line. And a red card for foul and abusive language towards another player, something I've never heard of previously and would lead to most games finishing at 5 a side

I've been sent off for this. The only* red in my 40 years of competitive football.

It is a long, long time ago, when I could RUN. We are winning, 3 goals to nil, I've scored 2 and having a good day. I've never, ever, scored a hat-trick.

I find myself 1 on 1 with the last defender, but as I run towards him, furiously back-peddling, he trips and falls flat on his back. I knock the ball past him, laying helpless on the floor, but just as I'm jogging by, he reaches out a hand and grabs my ankle. As I'm tumbling to the deck, I yell a nasty word at him.

The ref comes over, with his red card in his hand. I climb to my feet, and tell him "It's 3-0 ref, and there's a couple of minutes left, there's no need to send him off". He says "Not him, You - abusive language"

*Technically it was not my ONLY red, because as I stormed from the pitch, I booted a bucket over, and he came waddling after me and flourished his card again. The absolute prick.

The ref was something to do with the other team, rather than a league appointed one, so the cards never got put through to the league - so at least no fine or ban!

 

[jackalbion]

I've been sent off for this. The only* red in my 40 years of competitive football.

It is a long, long time ago, when I could RUN. We are winning, 3 goals to nil, I've scored 2 and having a good day. I've never, ever, scored a hat-trick.

I find myself 1 on 1 with the last defender, but as I run towards him, furiously back-peddling, he trips and falls flat on his back. I knock the ball past him, laying helpless on the floor, but just as I'm jogging by, he reaches out a hand and grabs my ankle. As I'm tumbling to the deck, I yell a nasty word at him.

The ref comes over, with his red card in his hand. I climb to my feet, and tell him "It's 3-0 ref, and there's a couple of minutes left, there's no need to send him off". He says "Not him, You - abusive language"

*Technically it was not my ONLY red, because as I stormed from the pitch, I booted a bucket over, and he came waddling after me and flourished his card again. The absolute prick.

The ref was something to do with the other team, rather than a league appointed one, so the cards never got put through to the league - so at least no fine or ban!

It does seem they are quite inconsistent on this, one of my mates who had a 20+ year career at county league only got one red for the same thing!

 

[AZ Gull]

I've been sent off for this. The only* red in my 40 years of competitive football.

It is a long, long time ago, when I could RUN. We are winning, 3 goals to nil, I've scored 2 and having a good day. I've never, ever, scored a hat-trick.

I find myself 1 on 1 with the last defender, but as I run towards him, furiously back-peddling, he trips and falls flat on his back. I knock the ball past him, laying helpless on the floor, but just as I'm jogging by, he reaches out a hand and grabs my ankle. As I'm tumbling to the deck, I yell a nasty word at him.

The ref comes over, with his red card in his hand. I climb to my feet, and tell him "It's 3-0 ref, and there's a couple of minutes left, there's no need to send him off". He says "Not him, You - abusive language"

*Technically it was not my ONLY red, because as I stormed from the pitch, I booted a bucket over, and he came waddling after me and flourished his card again. The absolute prick.

The ref was something to do with the other team, rather than a league appointed one, so the cards never got put through to the league - so at least no fine or ban!

I thought you were a goalkeeper?

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

I thought you were a goalkeeper?

RDZ was his manager.

 

[atfc village]

Laurent tolaj wins player of the month in the national league. He'll go on back up the leagues . To good for Aldershot.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

I thought you were a goalkeeper?

basically started up front, and moved backwards through the pitch as I got older and slower!

from 12 to 18 up front
from 19 to 25 left wing
from 26 to 32 left back
from 33 to 40 centre back
from 40 onwards in goal

 

[AZ Gull]

basically started up front, and moved backwards through the pitch as I got older and slower!

from 12 to 18 up front
from 19 to 25 left wing
from 26 to 32 left back
from 33 to 40 centre back
from 40 onwards in goal

 

[ManOfSussex]

The Pilot Field managed to beat the weather today but it was the U's beaten by the Rooks 3-1 in the Sussex derby. The picture below was just after Lewes took the lead. A rather questionable first half refereeing performance resulted in Hastings' Jack Dixon getting a very harsh yellow card just on half time which quickly resulted in a second after he rather stupidly sarcastically applauded in the referees face afterwards. The referee had quite a reception as he left the field at half time, including a plastic pint glass being thrown at him. He must have been rattled as despite everybody being ready for the second half to kick off, one of the assistants then had to run back down the tunnel to bring the referee his whistle. After Lewes went 2-0 up Hastings pulled one back from the spot but the extra man advantage was too much and Lewes scored a third in stoppage time. Another very impressive crowd of 2,712.

 

[Neville's Breakfast]

The Pilot Field managed to beat the weather today but it was the U's beaten by the Rooks 3-1 in the Sussex derby. The picture below was just after Lewes took the lead. A rather questionable first half refereeing performance resulted in Hastings' Jack Dixon getting a very harsh yellow card just on half time which quickly resulted in a second after he rather stupidly sarcastically applauded in the referees face afterwards. The referee had quite a reception as he left the field at half time, including a plastic pint glass being thrown at him. He must have been rattled as despite everybody being ready for the second half to kick off, one of the assistants then had to run back down the tunnel to bring the referee his whistle. After Lewes went 2-0 up Hastings pulled one back from the spot but the extra man advantage was too much and Lewes scored a third in stoppage time. Another very impressive crowd of 2,712.

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The midfield must have been quite congested…what with those goals being so close to each other.

 

[Whitechapel]

Worthing 6 Dover 4

Ollie Pearce with 4.

22 in his last 14. Mental.

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Worthing 6 Dover 4

Ollie Pearce with 4.

22 in his last 14. Mental.

And sadly a bad injury for the young keeper Josh Jeffries who is on loan from Saints. Possible broken ankle. He signed a pro contract just a few days ago so at least he has some security and also will have Saints’ medical team looking after him. Question now for Worthing is do they revert to the keeper who took over from Harrison Male at the start of the season - but has been prone to mistaking mistakes - or do they try and get someone else in

 

[Scappa]

Worthing 6 Dover 4

Ollie Pearce with 4.

22 in his last 14. Mental.

 

[AZ Gull]

And sadly a bad injury for the young keeper Josh Jeffries who is on loan from Saints. Possible broken ankle. He signed a pro contract just a few days ago so at least he has some security and also will have Saints’ medical team looking after him. Question now for Worthing is do they revert to the keeper who took over from Harrison Male at the start of the season - but has been prone to mistaking mistakes - or do they try and get someone else in

Roco Rees, former Albion scholar and pro (in fact he spent eight years with Albion in total) - would have thought you might have mentioned his name as this is an Albion forum!

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Roco Rees, former Albion scholar and pro (in fact he spent eight years with Albion in total) - would have thought you might have mentioned his name as this is an Albion forum!

I didn’t want to take that opportunity away from you. He may be a former Albion scholar, but his performances unfortunately haven’t been that great this season.

 

[carlzeiss]

Roco Rees, former Albion scholar and pro (in fact he spent eight years with Albion in total) - would have thought you might have mentioned his name as this is an Albion forum!

Kept Worthing in the FA cup earlier this season at Priory Lane with a series of outstanding saves ,best being this one at 6.15

 

[jackalbion]

Whitehawk called off at around 6! Quite late for the travelling away fans, will have to make my way up to Steyning at that seems the only game on in the area.

 

[stewart12]

I had intended to go to Horsham YMCA last Saturday, but like many grounds it was a victim to the elements (even though it was sunny!) so ended up at ground number 10- The Camping World Community Stadium, home of YM's neighbours Horsham. This was an Isthmian Premier League clash with Wingate and Finchley.

This is a really great ground, a newbie that's been done right and clearly had a lot of thought put into it.

Parking wise, it is advised that people park at the nearby Horsham Park & Ride car park which is free. The club lay on stewards which seem to be EVERYWHERE. To get there you cross a main-ish road then it's up a path to the ground, a path which includes crossing what can only be described as a BABBLING BROOK.

Like I said, the ground is brand spanking new. There's stands on all 4 sides including a pretty big seated stand. The side opposite has two covered terraces as done one end. The near end has a kind of two levelled standing area which backs onto the clubhouse.

As for the clubhouse, as a new one I am going to compare it to Chichester's and Broadbridge Heath's. It's decent sized (could do with being bigger as it got rammed as kick off approached), plenty of tables and a big screen etc. one thing I loved was a Horsham FC branded lager which was very tasty and generally a great drinks selection. The bar was well run. One bit of nitpicking though is that they could do with a bit more club themed stuff on the walls but perhaps that will come with time, there was some but just feel like they could go a bit further with it. Definitely better than Chichesters but I must say I preferred Broadbridge Heath's

Bovril in the second half cost an eye watering £1.90.

There was a bumper attendance with over 1,100 in the house, very impressive especially as there was only a handful of away fans.

Unfortunately we witnessed quite a drab 1-1 draw with both sides cancelling each other out really. W&F's equaliser was very good though.

Overall, this is definitely up there in terms of grounds I've been to this year,. I'd probably have it nestled in between Bognor and Eastbourne Borough in the league table thus far. It's very high quality and I get the feeling that they're just getting started with it.

I was planning to go to Worthing United last night, but like almost all games across Sussex it was called off.