Sunday 27th October 2024 ko 14:30

Southern Combination Division One

EAST PRESTON 1 (Kaffo 18)

Green penalty saved 31

Hastings sent off 65 (DOGSO)

GOLDALMING TOWN 2 (S Ndiulor 5 Edwin 59)

Att 231

Entry £6.50

Programme £2

I’d had to look up my previous visit to the Lashmar, 2007 for those interested, and my abiding memory of the place was that the footprint of the area pitchside wasn’t big so I wondered how East Preston might make best use of it with a big crowd expected. I’d seen their plans, but expectation and delivery can be two completely different things, can’t they?

Except when I walked up the pathway to the ground I could see people walking to the clubhouse wearing wristbands. East Preston had worked out that even through once people had paid to get in, they might still want to use the bar that lies outside of the ground. At a stroke they’d allowed that to happen, and once people were in the ground, they managed to produce catering that raised even my eyebrow.

There have been no end of clubs who’ve done great catering, Cilgerran and Melton Town spring immediately to mind, but I don’t recall any club doing a Korean Fry or a Thai Red Curry, all washed down by specially brewed “Smooth Hoperator” beer. There were even commematorive beer glasses for sale. It all sold in large quantities and sold out well before half time. I’ve been involved in more than a few events like this over the years and this was quite exceptional, and I trust extremely profitable. Or putting it another way if we’d seen “Football Food” again then I’m certain they’d have seen nowhere near as much custom.

I must admit I’m still getting used to seeing Surrey-based Godalming in a league I still think of as of as the Sussex County League and it’ll be a little weird taking the hop there next season, but they played their part in an excellent game, one that I’m sure the hosts will look at that missed penalty and wonder.

But let’s look back Friday evening and me stuck in that traffic jam. My worry was that this event wouldn’t be able to live up to what proceeded it. In fact the league and its clubs produced something that for me was the best hop GroundhopUK have been involved in for quite some time. What we provide is a blueprint, and the benefit of many years’ experience. The clubs get an opportunity, some seize it, and others don’t.

Here we saw six host clubs produce something remarkable, and one that lays down a challenge to every club hosting in 2025. Over to you….