Saturday 28th March 2026 ko 14:00

Westmorland League Division One

SEDBERGH & DENT UNITED 4 (Fearn 27 64 88p Mason 84)

KENDAL UNITED RESERVES 2 (Gilbert 30 Fearnhead 76)

Att 26 at Howgill Lane

Free Entry

With Robyn and I involved in a massive Easter groundhopping in the North East, we fancied making the week before something peaceful. I may enjoy the hops, particularly the social side but there was a lot to be said for taking a picnic somewhere scenic.

There was only one small issue with that idea, the British Spring! There is something character-building about eating a mini Scotch egg under a brolly but I’m certain it was an experience I didn’t need to have! The rain did ease though, and when it did, what a view!

You may remember us visiting Sedbergh & Dent before, in 2021 when the club were using the former Dent FC ground, Church Bridge Playing Field. That was due to pitch works back home at their normal ground in Howgill Lane. It has to said the Church Bridge Playing Field is stunning, a real bucket list ground, but my blog entry caused a little controversy. It was as simple as this, does a pitch with no stand, floodlights or enclosure count as a ground? Now I’m very much of the opinion “Your hobby, your rules,” but my rules are thus. Is football played there? and, When can I go? More than that, there has to room for somewhere that is just stunning.

Add to the equation the reason that I take a camera to football matches is Stuart Roy Clarke who used to have a museum of his work in Ambleside. Much of his work was based around the Westmorland League- the league of the Lake District, and yes, while I love photographing football around here- I do so knowing that Stuart did it first, and so much better! Yes, I do head here with something of an inferiority complex!

So a trip to Sedbergh, England’s book town was the result, although we didn’t see a single bookshop, the ground is on the edge of town, so we made to with channeling the spirit of James Heriot’s “All Creatures Great & Small” on the way in. In the end there was only single fly in the ointment.

It was that we were watching the bottom two clubs in the division. On that basis it was to have brought Sedbergh & Dent a little luck, God knows I have an inglorious history of jinxing friendly clubs. Sad to say the hosts will play Division Two next season, but I hope those with a sense of natural beauty will find their way here. You won’t be disappointed.