Sunday 3rd March 2024 ko 11:45

North West Counties League Division One North

EUXTON VILLA 3 (Singleton 24 63 Briggs 37)

DARWEN 0

Att 618

Entry £5

Programme £2

Sunday dawned in Blackpool and I had two reasons to marvel. The first was the Savoy Hotel’s ability to shift legions of the various coach parties staying there through a buffet breakfast, whilst maintaining the piles of bacon, sausages and so on. The second was relevant only to the GroundhopUK party- we still had two matches to watch.

It doesn’t seem that remarkable now, but seeing the state of the pitches at the two games we’d lost to waterlogging the previous day I wondered how on earth those Sunday games could take place? But as Robyn and I checked out we’d heard nothing, but GroundhopUK owner Chris Berezai had phoned ahead. It was positive news, so we headed south to Chorley’s environs, scarcely believing our collective luck!

I should point out that the name of the village is pronounced Ex-Ton, but on arrival at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground two things struck me. The first was how the scene felt of the countryside, reminiscent more of the Combined Counties League than the North West. The second was how much the place is clearly a work in progress- there was a rumour early on in the planning that the fixture would be reversed.

But once there and expertly parked up by the team of volunteers it was hard not to get swept up in it all. It was obvious from the get-go that we’d be seeing a crowd far in excess of what was normal, either for a regular league game, or even a hop event. The coach arrived, and I organised for that party to bypass the pay booth. Crowds of 600 and a single turnstile really don’t mix. A committee man from the final game at Charnock Richard chatted to Chris but seemed stunned at how many people were there, and so many would be heading their way in a couple of hours.

But after that it was a pleasure to observe a club completely in control of their plans, and so their destiny. For this was a beautifully hosted hop game, even if some hoppers, me included made use of the fencing supports as a makeshift terrace. It worked to the extent that I debated whether it would be worth adding a roof!

The pitch was extremely soft, and extensively sanded at the far end, evidence of just how much work had gone into getting the game on. On that basis I’m sure those folks will have enjoyed seeing their team win and win well.

But even as the game wound down a steady succession of hoppers made a point of asking, “Is Charnock Richard still on?” We all knew it was, despite all that rain all that was needed was a little reassurance.