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

[stewart12]

I saw your IG post and found them all a tad precious. Keep the reviews coming!

Thanks, that was my first thought. Unfortunately it's the first bit of negative feedback that I've had from any of the 54 Sussex grounds that I've been to. That includes all of their fellow Division 2 clubs which I've struggled to give particularly rave reviews to!

Precious is probably the word for it. I'm sure it's a great social club so maybe they're just not used to a bit of a poking. My Instagram is mostly for my benefit really and if people like it then great- I don't expect my posts to be taken that seriously!

Where are you posting to get flack from the Southwater fans?

On my Sussex Groundhoppers Instagram account

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

Ground number 53 was Southwater for a Division 2 Cup game against their local rivals TD Shipley.

Unfortunately I've been copping a bit of flack online from raging Southwater fans as I was a bit SCATHING about this place. Perhaps I didn't explain myself properly so I'll try here

It's part of a large sports ground with a cricket club and tennis courts on site as well as two football pitches. It's all quite polished and neat and is surrounded by new builds in one of north Sussex's most well heeled towns

Admission for this game was £0 but it seems like they charge for league games which to be frank takes the absolute mick

In terms of the actual ground it's quite basic even by Division 2 standards really, with a rope separating off one side which the fans are confined to. The third team were actually playing a game on the pitch next door which was actually possibly more entertaining. The pitches are literally side by side so people were watching both (the third teams gave kicked off an hour earlier). Both pitches seem in good condition and it's flat (unlike Jarvis Brook last week!). Like I said though, this place is basic even by comparison to their peers. (The feedback I'm getting from them keeps going on about how great their pitches are which I don't really give a f*** about !)

The clubhouse is big but is essentially a social club which is what most people seemed to be there for. Ultimately for the purpose of what I'm doing this is always a bit of a red flag and just isn't my cup of tea whatsoever. Another issue is that to be honest everyone seemed quite unfriendly. I'm sure it's great if you're a member and you're there all the time but I just didn't feel welcome there whatsoever. Just got the impression that it was very much for the members and not for the football crowd- which would be fine if they were explicit about this. There didn't seem to be any hot drinks available at all and when my father in law asked about them it was like he was talking in a foreign language. I THINK there were some available in a corridor by the changing rooms but this was in no way advertised and no one was manning it. Criminally, no Bovril also....again just seems like somewhere where if you know the place it's fine but for a first time visitor it wasn't very accessible

Anyway, I've caught a bit of flack and been accused of "slander" for daring to suggest that the staff are unfriendly. All I'll say is that they were unfriendly to me....I'm sure they're great otherwise (but I've been to 52 different grounds THIS YEAR so I am aware of what friendly and unfriendly looks like)

Anyway, the game was quite flat and ended 2-1 to the hosts

I did ground number 54 today for the WSL game between Brighton and Leicester but that's not really for this thread. Was running out of opportunities to see Crawley this year so bit the bullet and got it ticked off

Still no 0-0's now with just 3 grounds remaining, starting to get nervy

Ignore the flack you’re getting, a lot of people love your reviews!

And you’re not the first person to say that about that social club.

 

[stewart12]

Ignore the flack you’re getting, a lot of people love your reviews!

And you’re not the first person to say that about that social club.

Thank you and interesting that it's not just me !

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

I went to Loxwood v Crowborough.

Already been here this season but came back and the demise of Loxwood since their manager and most of the team have left is very sad.

Early this season they played Petersfield in one of the most entertaining, intense 1-1 draws I’d seen in the SCFL.

Yesterday, they were a shadow of that side, 1-0 down at half time and just fell apart in the second, eventually losing 6-0 to a well organised Crowborough side who were good, but made to look a lot better than they are.

Basically the whole Loxwood team had changed, I recognised 3/4 players.

Loxwood is a lovely ground with good facilities and a nice clubhouse and I’d recommend a visit to anyone.

 

[stewart12]

I went to Loxwood v Crowborough.

Already been here this season but came back and the demise of Loxwood since their manager and most of the team have left is very sad.

Early this season they played Petersfield in one of the most entertaining, intense 1-1 draws I’d seen in the SCFL.

Yesterday, they were a shadow of that side, 1-0 down at half time and just fell apart in the second, eventually losing 6-0 to a well organised Crowborough side who were good, but made to look a lot better than they are.

Basically the whole Loxwood team had changed, I recognised 3/4 players.

Loxwood is a lovely ground with good facilities and a nice clubhouse and I’d recommend a visit to anyone.

When I went there at the beginning of the season I thought they'd be challenging near the top of the league come the end of the campaign. My only reservation was that their players were just CONSTANTLY arguing with each other and they didn't seem very disciplined. They seem to be sliding towards the wrong end of the table now for sure

 

[BN9 BHA]

On my Sussex Groundhoppers Instagram account

Just found your Instagram account and it’s very good.

Don’t think you said anything really bad about Southwater, just sounded like you were being honest.
Seems odd that one of the replies said there are hot drinks available and to find him next time. Seems like they are missing out on sales if it wasn’t obvious on your visit where to buy a hot drink.

 

[AZ Gull]

I wandered down to see Burgess Hill Town v Ashford United yesterday. A fairly non-descript first half until just before the break when we were treated to a fabulous 22 man brawl which ended with a deserved red card for both teams. Ashford took the lead in the second half before a mad 2 minutes when they scored an own goal to put the hosts level and then a 17 yo BH player hit a screamer to make it 2-1. With a late start due to a lovely act of remembrance then added time for the brawl and various other stoppages the final whistle eventually went at 5.05pm. Great entertainment.

That 17-year-old BH player (he was actually 18 back in September) is Joe Overy, who spent his U-9 and U-10 seasons in the academy at Albion.

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

Listened to Anfield game on radio BBCSx while watching Southwick complete a comfortable 5-2 away win in a Sussex cup competition.

 

[amexer]

Listened to Anfield game on radio BBCSx while watching Southwick complete a comfortable 5-2 away win in a Sussex cup competition.

I thought they had folded

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

I thought they had folded

From wiki : The club was formally wound up in March 2020, having lost the lease to its stadium and due to severe financial difficulties. In July 2020 a phoenix club, Southwick 1882 F.C., was formed by staff and supporters of the defunct team to continue the name and history of the club. They are currently members of the Mid-Sussex League Division Three South and play at Southwick Recreation Ground.

 

[Krafty]

Ground number 53 was Southwater for a Division 2 Cup game against their local rivals TD Shipley.

Unfortunately I've been copping a bit of flack online from raging Southwater fans as I was a bit SCATHING about this place. Perhaps I didn't explain myself properly so I'll try here

It's part of a large sports ground with a cricket club and tennis courts on site as well as two football pitches. It's all quite polished and neat and is surrounded by new builds in one of north Sussex's most well heeled towns

Admission for this game was £0 but it seems like they charge for league games which to be frank takes the absolute mick

In terms of the actual ground it's quite basic even by Division 2 standards really, with a rope separating off one side which the fans are confined to. The third team were actually playing a game on the pitch next door which was actually possibly more entertaining. The pitches are literally side by side so people were watching both (the third teams gave kicked off an hour earlier). Both pitches seem in good condition and it's flat (unlike Jarvis Brook last week!). Like I said though, this place is basic even by comparison to their peers. (The feedback I'm getting from them keeps going on about how great their pitches are which I don't really give a f*** about !)

The clubhouse is big but is essentially a social club which is what most people seemed to be there for. Ultimately for the purpose of what I'm doing this is always a bit of a red flag and just isn't my cup of tea whatsoever. Another issue is that to be honest everyone seemed quite unfriendly. I'm sure it's great if you're a member and you're there all the time but I just didn't feel welcome there whatsoever. Just got the impression that it was very much for the members and not for the football crowd- which would be fine if they were explicit about this. There didn't seem to be any hot drinks available at all and when my father in law asked about them it was like he was talking in a foreign language. I THINK there were some available in a corridor by the changing rooms but this was in no way advertised and no one was manning it. Criminally, no Bovril also....again just seems like somewhere where if you know the place it's fine but for a first time visitor it wasn't very accessible

Anyway, I've caught a bit of flack and been accused of "slander" for daring to suggest that the staff are unfriendly. All I'll say is that they were unfriendly to me....I'm sure they're great otherwise (but I've been to 52 different grounds THIS YEAR so I am aware of what friendly and unfriendly looks like)

Anyway, the game was quite flat and ended 2-1 to the hosts

I did ground number 54 today for the WSL game between Brighton and Leicester but that's not really for this thread. Was running out of opportunities to see Crawley this year so bit the bullet and got it ticked off

Still no 0-0's now with just 3 grounds remaining, starting to get nervy

Which 3 grounds do you have left?

 

[stewart12]

Which 3 grounds do you have left?

Saltdean, Seaford and Eastbourne United

 

[Deanbha]

Saltdean, Seaford and Eastbourne United

Seaford v Worthing utd in a few weeks time. Top of the table clash.

 

[JJ McClure]

After losing to Crowborough last weekend it was back to winning ways for Hassocks on Saturday as they try and keep pace with leaders Haywards Heath.
Comfortable 5-0 win over Newhaven. The game was effectively over at half time as Hassocks led 4-0 at the break including a great finish for the opener from Jack Troak.
Highlights here although the video says 02.10.24 rather than 02.11.24

 

[stewart12]

Seaford v Worthing utd in a few weeks time. Top of the table clash.

Yep my plan is

16/11: Saltdean vs Wick
23/11: Seaford vs Worthing United
30/11: Eastbourne United vs Horsham YMCA

that's my provisional plan anyway. That'll mean starting the year and ending the year in Eastbourne (by pure chance )

 

[Tim Edwards64]

After losing to Crowborough last weekend it was back to winning ways for Hassocks on Saturday as they try and keep pace with leaders Haywards Heath.
Comfortable 5-0 win over Newhaven. The game was effectively over at half time as Hassocks led 4-0 at the break including a great finish for the opener from Jack Troak.
Highlights here although the video says 02.10.24 rather than 02.11.24

Opener was from Jamie Wilkes. Troaky returning from injury

 

[BevBHA]

After losing to Crowborough last weekend it was back to winning ways for Hassocks on Saturday as they try and keep pace with leaders Haywards Heath.
Comfortable 5-0 win over Newhaven. The game was effectively over at half time as Hassocks led 4-0 at the break including a great finish for the opener from Jack Troak.
Highlights here although the video says 02.10.24 rather than 02.11.24

What on earth has happened to newhaven this year?

 

[JJ McClure]

Opener was from Jamie Wilkes. Troaky returning from injury

doh, was getting my Jacks and Jamies in a muddle

 

[JJ McClure]

What on earth has happened to newhaven this year?

They looked a bit of a shambles in the first half, lots of arguing amongst themselves which is never a good look.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

That 17-year-old BH player (he was actually 18 back in September) is Joe Overy, who spent his U-9 and U-10 seasons in the academy at Albion.

Even for you, this is good