Following GNE's 1-0 win over Silsden we have been drawn at home in the 3rd round to AFC Liverpool. The game will be played on Saturday 23rd January.
The full draw is as follows;
Abbey Hey v Ashton Athletic
Daisy Hill or Atherton LR v New Mills
Glossop North End v AFC Liverpool
Irlam v Bootle
Norton United v St Helens Town
Ramsbottom United v Newcastle Town
Wigan Robin Park v Runcorn Linnets
Winsford United v Bacup Borough
Saturday 31 October 2009
Friday 30 October 2009
Alsagar 1 GNE 3
Allow me to start this one with a small rant. The annual season of Remembrance is with us where we remember and honour the members of the armed forces from the end of the First World War up to current armed conflicts around the world. The launch of the 2009 Poppy Appeal by the Royal British Legion was on Thursday of this week with the help of Dame Vera Lynn and Hayley Westenra – the “forces sweethearts” from different generations. So far so good but what always sticks the in craw of your ageing scribe is the tendency of some people – mainly politicians it must be said – to start wearing their poppies in advance of the official launch date for the appeal. Just what are these individuals trying to prove? Is this some sort of “one upmanship” – you know the type of thing where people try to demonstrate a sort of “holier than thou” approach to anything? And, where did they get their poppies from? It would never be suggested that they retained them from the previous year as that would be most uncharitable however, the question remains. We could apply a similar principle to Christmas starting in August and Easter starting just after Christmas but must recognise that these latter events have been largely annexed from their original meaning by commercial enterprises, this does not and should not apply to the annual Poppy Appeal.
OK, thank you, rant over – I feel better for that - and we move on to Alsager.
The origins of place names provide endless fascination for many people. In thinking about Alsager, it could be that we can draw inspiration from other place names beginning with “Al”. Al in Arabic means “the” and many of us will have taken holidays on the Algarve in Portugal. In Arabic, al – garve translates as “the west” and represents the furthest westerly region conquered during the Moorish invasion of Europe from North Africa during the 12th and 13th centuries. In the region known as the Algarve we find the popular town of Albufeira - this translates to “the lagoon”.
(Recommended visit if in Southern Spain – the Alhambra (the red fortress) close to Granada in the province of Andalucia). So how does this help us with Alsager? Not a lot really as the Moorish Empire in Europe never came further north than what is now the region of Catalunya which includes the city of Barcelona – aaah Barcelona, my favourite city in Europe – chilled San Miguel in outside bars along The Ramblas watching the world go by….. remember Winsford?
But back to the subject in hand. If we try to apply Arabic interpretations to place names such as Alsager and Alfreton we come unstuck very rapidly. The “Al” bit remains easy but we find no words in Arabic related to “sager” or “freton”. We could have a bit of fun by combining English names with the Arabic “al” and arrive at “the wiser one” for Alsager and, a bit more worrying, “the one marked with small pox” for Alfreton. Bit of a concern with that last one but, never fear, GNE have a long way to go before we could meet Alfreton in a league match – Blue Square Conference North for Alfreton at the moment.
Getting back to Alsager, it is suggested that what we now know today as Alsager was a Saxon farming hamlet with the name “Eleacier” – reference the Domesday Book – but this is disputed and there are alternative suggestions.
Of more recent times, Alsager has been granted “Fairtrade Town” status. On the face of it this is fine as, so far as your ageing scribe is aware, Fairtrade is about giving a living wage to people in impoverished countries, mainly in Africa and South America, in return for the provision of goods and services – mainly foodstuffs. No problem with this, as a general principle, although it does give some cause for concern if we consider the provenance of the pies – we will see!
A journey through the countryside of Derbyshire and Cheshire in the Supporters Club minibus, ably piloted by Shifty again, brings us to a quite picturesque ground in leafy South Cheshire. Signs around the ground inform us that Alsager are members of the Unibond League. Indeed they were but having finished 14th in the Unibond South Division in the 2007/8 season, they were demoted to the North West Counties League due to FA ground grading rules. They really must change the signs; don’t you just hate signs which are out-of-date? Clubhouse is perched above the ground with a panoramic view of the pitch from the balcony in front. Inside the clubhouse its cans only for the Bitter drinkers – Tetley’s Smooth – yuk and the 40 or so GNE supporters again dominate proceedings. Official attendance later given as 52.
£5 entrance which is not exactly through a turnstile as Shifty has parked the minibus right inside the ground – not on the pitch I hasten to add, that would make life difficult – and we need to go to the back of the turnstile to pay – interesting arrangement. £1 for a programme of, frankly, poor quality with little information and no distractions such as word searches, quizzes or impossibly difficult crosswords.
Alsager Town are known as “The Bullets”. This, apparently, comes from the fact that there is an ordnance factory, still operating, in Alsager. Plenty of potential for jokes here relating to the “firing of blanks” by the Alsager strike force etc. I leave you to fill in your own as, otherwise, this paragraph could go on forever.
Suitably refreshed, we make our way down the hill to pitchside and install the flags on the railings. Pies rated as “not bad”, “6 or 7 out of 10” are rescued by lashings of tasty gravy – not sure which part of the pies is considered to be “Fairtrade” – any suggestions? Yet again we see an example of the home club underestimating the strength in depth of the GNE travelling army as the pies have run out by half-time. Having read the last sentence, your ageing scribe needs to watch the wording a bit as the pies were not literally running out – that would have been quite something if they were, dressed in all white perhaps and running out onto the pitch ready to take on allcomers. Isn’t our language wonderful?
After 45 minutes, it’s half-time and 1-0 to the home team. Man of the Match so far is the Alsager goalkeeper. At the end of the match, the superior football shown by the mighty GNE is rewarded and Glossop register a 3-1 victory.
The journey home ends in lashing rain but a good time was had by all and we now get a week off, possibly for good behaviour!!, as there is no game midweek – what are we going to do until Saturday??
OK, thank you, rant over – I feel better for that - and we move on to Alsager.
The origins of place names provide endless fascination for many people. In thinking about Alsager, it could be that we can draw inspiration from other place names beginning with “Al”. Al in Arabic means “the” and many of us will have taken holidays on the Algarve in Portugal. In Arabic, al – garve translates as “the west” and represents the furthest westerly region conquered during the Moorish invasion of Europe from North Africa during the 12th and 13th centuries. In the region known as the Algarve we find the popular town of Albufeira - this translates to “the lagoon”.
(Recommended visit if in Southern Spain – the Alhambra (the red fortress) close to Granada in the province of Andalucia). So how does this help us with Alsager? Not a lot really as the Moorish Empire in Europe never came further north than what is now the region of Catalunya which includes the city of Barcelona – aaah Barcelona, my favourite city in Europe – chilled San Miguel in outside bars along The Ramblas watching the world go by….. remember Winsford?
But back to the subject in hand. If we try to apply Arabic interpretations to place names such as Alsager and Alfreton we come unstuck very rapidly. The “Al” bit remains easy but we find no words in Arabic related to “sager” or “freton”. We could have a bit of fun by combining English names with the Arabic “al” and arrive at “the wiser one” for Alsager and, a bit more worrying, “the one marked with small pox” for Alfreton. Bit of a concern with that last one but, never fear, GNE have a long way to go before we could meet Alfreton in a league match – Blue Square Conference North for Alfreton at the moment.
Getting back to Alsager, it is suggested that what we now know today as Alsager was a Saxon farming hamlet with the name “Eleacier” – reference the Domesday Book – but this is disputed and there are alternative suggestions.
Of more recent times, Alsager has been granted “Fairtrade Town” status. On the face of it this is fine as, so far as your ageing scribe is aware, Fairtrade is about giving a living wage to people in impoverished countries, mainly in Africa and South America, in return for the provision of goods and services – mainly foodstuffs. No problem with this, as a general principle, although it does give some cause for concern if we consider the provenance of the pies – we will see!
A journey through the countryside of Derbyshire and Cheshire in the Supporters Club minibus, ably piloted by Shifty again, brings us to a quite picturesque ground in leafy South Cheshire. Signs around the ground inform us that Alsager are members of the Unibond League. Indeed they were but having finished 14th in the Unibond South Division in the 2007/8 season, they were demoted to the North West Counties League due to FA ground grading rules. They really must change the signs; don’t you just hate signs which are out-of-date? Clubhouse is perched above the ground with a panoramic view of the pitch from the balcony in front. Inside the clubhouse its cans only for the Bitter drinkers – Tetley’s Smooth – yuk and the 40 or so GNE supporters again dominate proceedings. Official attendance later given as 52.
£5 entrance which is not exactly through a turnstile as Shifty has parked the minibus right inside the ground – not on the pitch I hasten to add, that would make life difficult – and we need to go to the back of the turnstile to pay – interesting arrangement. £1 for a programme of, frankly, poor quality with little information and no distractions such as word searches, quizzes or impossibly difficult crosswords.
Alsager Town are known as “The Bullets”. This, apparently, comes from the fact that there is an ordnance factory, still operating, in Alsager. Plenty of potential for jokes here relating to the “firing of blanks” by the Alsager strike force etc. I leave you to fill in your own as, otherwise, this paragraph could go on forever.
Suitably refreshed, we make our way down the hill to pitchside and install the flags on the railings. Pies rated as “not bad”, “6 or 7 out of 10” are rescued by lashings of tasty gravy – not sure which part of the pies is considered to be “Fairtrade” – any suggestions? Yet again we see an example of the home club underestimating the strength in depth of the GNE travelling army as the pies have run out by half-time. Having read the last sentence, your ageing scribe needs to watch the wording a bit as the pies were not literally running out – that would have been quite something if they were, dressed in all white perhaps and running out onto the pitch ready to take on allcomers. Isn’t our language wonderful?
After 45 minutes, it’s half-time and 1-0 to the home team. Man of the Match so far is the Alsager goalkeeper. At the end of the match, the superior football shown by the mighty GNE is rewarded and Glossop register a 3-1 victory.
The journey home ends in lashing rain but a good time was had by all and we now get a week off, possibly for good behaviour!!, as there is no game midweek – what are we going to do until Saturday??
Sunday 25 October 2009
Speedwellbus step down as main sponsor
Club Director Adrian Priestly has made the following statement following the clubs announcement that Speedwellbus are stepping down from their position as main club sponsor.
It is with deep regret and much sadness that we have to announce that Speedwell have ended their sponsorship of Glossop North End.
This has obviously come as a huge blow and potential setback, at an exciting time when we are trying hard to move the Club forward, both on and off the pitch. To say that those who already know are devastated by the news, would be a gross understatement and no one more than me, as I worked very hard initially, to set the deal up.
We received the news a few days ago and Paul Banham has also resigned as a Director of the Club.
No doubt there will be much said on this issue, but before anybody passes comment, I would ask them to consider this. Speedwell came on board to help us, when nobody else would and I honestly believe that their enthusiasm, drive and financial assistance, was absolutely key in a successful league season, that only " stuttered " towards the end and of course, the previously unthinkable and unstopable march to Wembley. Without them, I am not so sure that things would have worked out quite the same.
The Club would like to make it very clear that we will be eternally grateful to Speedwell, for what they have done for us.
Thursday 22 October 2009
Manchester Prem draw
Following their victory at Abbey Hey GNE have been drawn at home to Mossley in the Quarter Finals of the Manchester Premier Cup. The game will be played at Surrey Street on Wednesday 13th January.
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Abbey Hey 2 GNE 2 (GNE win on pens)
“Writing this one could be a challenge” said katykay. The meaning here is that it was only 3 weeks or so since we were last at Abbey Hey, for a League match, and I need to write something new. Well, the more observant reader will have noticed that your ageing scribe has picked up a scattering of random information on a range of subjects over many a long year. In the ramblings associated with these reports, we have already covered a range of subjects such as cricket, the coal miners strike of 1984/5, post war English literature, brass bands, Whit walks, Indian summers, 19th Century English poetry, modern jazz, beer and various, rather oblique, references to other areas of interest. Not many references to football here some may say but I leave football reporting to those much more skilled than I on this subject and refer my dear reader to the excellent match reports written by the erudite Haggis for more football related insights. But, fear not, the well is by no means dry – there are many more rather arcane subjects which have not yet been investigated in the context of GNE Away. Not wishing to give too much away at this stage, the one I am really looking forward to covers the subject of sub-atomic particle physics but, fear not – at least for the moment - this is for another day – or not depending upon popular demand.
No, the raging question of tonight, which we are all desperate to know the answer to, relates to the Abbey Hey programme. We may recall on our previous visit that the £1 programme contained four pages of football related “jokes” and the question at the time was do they use the same jokes all season? Well, we have an early opportunity to find out and, as we travel again through the “drive through” turnstile and invest another £1 on a programme, the answer is ……yes, they are the same jokes. Sad really but probably difficult to produce 20 or more programmes per season and have different jokes each time.
After this revelation, anything else threatens to be something of an anti-climax but we have yet to even scratch the surface of the wit and wisdom of the members of the GNE travelling army. Conversation in the club house dwells mainly on the subject of last Saturdays excursion to Newhall and how we are going to get to Alsager for the next match – serious stuff this.
Suitably refreshed, we go downstairs to note that the underwater Dalek who was employed on the PA system at our last visit has been replaced by an individual with perfect diction and the name of every player is clear to all. Having said this, and, as ever, to be scrupulously fair, it may be that the Tannoy has been fixed. The teams enter the field – decent playing surface and good floodlights - to a none existent wave of cup fever. Seems as though the 40 or so contingent of Glossop supporters, from an official crowd of 88, are still suffering a collective hangover from the Newhall experience and what a wonderful experience it was too. After 45 minutes its half time and Abbey Hey lead 1-0.
Into the second half and conversation switches to all inclusive holidays in Turkey – absolutely bargain it would seem. Our voluble Chairman continues a discussion with the Assistant Referee on the clubhouse side. Somewhat unfair as the official has no real right of reply but very funny. Much debate on the touchline about replays, extra-time, penalties or whatever should the match be a draw after 90 minutes. Somewhat ironic as GNE are one goal down at this stage but, never mind, keep the faith! The faith is duly rewarded as GNE equalise and the game moves on towards full time. In a last desperate bid to complete the game within 90 minutes, the Supporters Club multi-talented events co-ordinator makes his normal preparations for the journey home. It worked at Flixton but, sadly, not this time and at the end of 90 minutes, its 1-1 and we go into extra time. Extra time is greeted by a rain shower of significant proportions and most of the GNE supporters move to the Abbey Hey version of the Surrey Street scratting shed – perhaps you remember, the one with graffiti which includes e-mail addresses – very high tech!
After extra time of some considerable drama, its 2-2 and the game moves on to penalties. The excitement is almost at fever pitch (well, not really) as text messages are sent to absent friends and your ageing scribe describes the penalty shoot out live, by mobile phone, to Cod who is sat at home in Glossop. In all of the excitement, I loose track of the score but soon discover that GNE have won the match 5-4 on penalties. Note to self – do not have any pretensions about commentating live on any football match. Great respect to those who do it.
So, we did not win the High Peak Cup in the pre-season, we are out of the FA Cup, making progress in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, making progress in the Manchester Premier Cup, our opening match to come in the Vodkat League Cup and our entry into the FA Vase coming in November. Just how many cup competitions can we all cope with? Well, perhaps we need to conserve our cup fever for the later matches and we certainly did that tonight.
Beware lest thine cup runneth over …
No, the raging question of tonight, which we are all desperate to know the answer to, relates to the Abbey Hey programme. We may recall on our previous visit that the £1 programme contained four pages of football related “jokes” and the question at the time was do they use the same jokes all season? Well, we have an early opportunity to find out and, as we travel again through the “drive through” turnstile and invest another £1 on a programme, the answer is ……yes, they are the same jokes. Sad really but probably difficult to produce 20 or more programmes per season and have different jokes each time.
After this revelation, anything else threatens to be something of an anti-climax but we have yet to even scratch the surface of the wit and wisdom of the members of the GNE travelling army. Conversation in the club house dwells mainly on the subject of last Saturdays excursion to Newhall and how we are going to get to Alsager for the next match – serious stuff this.
Suitably refreshed, we go downstairs to note that the underwater Dalek who was employed on the PA system at our last visit has been replaced by an individual with perfect diction and the name of every player is clear to all. Having said this, and, as ever, to be scrupulously fair, it may be that the Tannoy has been fixed. The teams enter the field – decent playing surface and good floodlights - to a none existent wave of cup fever. Seems as though the 40 or so contingent of Glossop supporters, from an official crowd of 88, are still suffering a collective hangover from the Newhall experience and what a wonderful experience it was too. After 45 minutes its half time and Abbey Hey lead 1-0.
Into the second half and conversation switches to all inclusive holidays in Turkey – absolutely bargain it would seem. Our voluble Chairman continues a discussion with the Assistant Referee on the clubhouse side. Somewhat unfair as the official has no real right of reply but very funny. Much debate on the touchline about replays, extra-time, penalties or whatever should the match be a draw after 90 minutes. Somewhat ironic as GNE are one goal down at this stage but, never mind, keep the faith! The faith is duly rewarded as GNE equalise and the game moves on towards full time. In a last desperate bid to complete the game within 90 minutes, the Supporters Club multi-talented events co-ordinator makes his normal preparations for the journey home. It worked at Flixton but, sadly, not this time and at the end of 90 minutes, its 1-1 and we go into extra time. Extra time is greeted by a rain shower of significant proportions and most of the GNE supporters move to the Abbey Hey version of the Surrey Street scratting shed – perhaps you remember, the one with graffiti which includes e-mail addresses – very high tech!
After extra time of some considerable drama, its 2-2 and the game moves on to penalties. The excitement is almost at fever pitch (well, not really) as text messages are sent to absent friends and your ageing scribe describes the penalty shoot out live, by mobile phone, to Cod who is sat at home in Glossop. In all of the excitement, I loose track of the score but soon discover that GNE have won the match 5-4 on penalties. Note to self – do not have any pretensions about commentating live on any football match. Great respect to those who do it.
So, we did not win the High Peak Cup in the pre-season, we are out of the FA Cup, making progress in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, making progress in the Manchester Premier Cup, our opening match to come in the Vodkat League Cup and our entry into the FA Vase coming in November. Just how many cup competitions can we all cope with? Well, perhaps we need to conserve our cup fever for the later matches and we certainly did that tonight.
Beware lest thine cup runneth over …
Sunday 18 October 2009
Limited Edition Prints
SPECIAL OFFER
The Supporters Club have available to order limited edition prints of the above painting by local artist Mr Stephen Kerr.
The prints are offered mounted but not framed as we believe that framing is better left to individual choice.
The paintings are priced at only £12 each and orders can be placed at the souvenir stall in the Market Hall or with a SC Committee Member on matchdays. The mounted prints should be ready for collection in 3 to 4 weeks.
The Supporters Club have available to order limited edition prints of the above painting by local artist Mr Stephen Kerr.
The prints are offered mounted but not framed as we believe that framing is better left to individual choice.
The paintings are priced at only £12 each and orders can be placed at the souvenir stall in the Market Hall or with a SC Committee Member on matchdays. The mounted prints should be ready for collection in 3 to 4 weeks.
Newhall Utd 3 GNE 8 - Derbyshire Cup
We are advised that, although still in Derbyshire, Newhall is close to Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. The town of Burton-upon-Trent brings to mind the subject close to the heat of many a football supporter – beer!
Burton was the cradle of the beer style known today as bitter. This is largely to do with the mineral salts in the Burton water which is still replicated in many breweries across this green and pleasant land of ours by the process of “burtonisation” of the brewing liquor which is the adding of these salts where they may be naturally lacking in the local supply. To many, the pinnacle of bitter brewing came with the introduction of Draught Bass. This copper coloured bitter gaining legendary status amongst real ale drinkers countrywide. Some years ago, the bean counters at Bass decided to switch the brewing method for Draught Bass from the quirky Burton Union system, with its distinctive swan neck fermenters, to the more economical conical fermenters and a national institution of a beer was lost forever. Please do not believe the Bass (now Coors of Colorado!!!) publicity machine which claims that Draught Bass is “just the same as ever” – it is not. This leaves Marstons Pedigree, the “Official” beer of the England Cricket Team, as the last beer brewed using the Burton Union system – but more on that later. Recommended drinking when in Burton-upon-Trent is Porter from the Burton Bridge Brewery – a 4.5% ABV red coloured beer with a somewhat fruity taste which develops into a satisfyingly bitter finish – superb.
In preparation for this match, two officials of Newhall United were at Surrey Street last Wednesday. They are looking forward to our visit to Newhall and are making appropriate preparations – beer and pies. Oh how simple the needs and wants of the average football supporter. The subject of this beer was anticipated on our Message Board. Seems that Newhall have sourced “a keg” of Marstons Pedigree especially for the visit of the mighty GNE travelling army. This prompted learned debate on the subject of “measures” as related to beer. The rose tinted glasses of your ageing scribe misted up slightly with memories of firkins, kilderkins and hogsheads to go alongside rods, poles and perches – not forgetting the still very useful chain which, as we all know, is the length of a cricket pitch – and all of the other old units which featured prominently on the back pages of old school exercise books. These units are now considered to be “past their use by date” as we grow to accept this “New Metric Britain” of ours. However, despite all of the efforts of the Eurocrats in Brussels, we still retain the pint as a legal measure – but for how long? You know the standard Euro way of doing things – ask the question until you get the “correct answer” – cf. the recent Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
And so to Newhall on the Supporters Club luxury coach. Two hours from Glossop and still in Derbyshire (just). Isn’t it strange how we can draw parallels with other recent destinations? In a similar way to Rossington, Newhall (population around 7,000) is an ex-coalmining area. Again, having survived the immediate decimation of the coal mining industry after the miners strike of 1984/5, mining only finished in this area relatively recently with the last deep pit (Cadley) being closed in 1998 and the last open cast mine (Park Road, Stanton) following one year later. In common with many ex-coalmining communities, and Flixton, Newhall have a Brass Band – Championship grade.
Organised football in Newhall can be traced back to 1879 – even earlier than the advent of the might GNE in 1886. However, Newhall United were formed as a colliery team in 1926. There is a (very) short history of previous matches between Glossop and Newhall which can be found on our Message Board thanks to the diligent research of the erudite Haggis.
We arrive at the ground, after a trip through a housing estate, to find the second “drive through” turnstile of the season – remember Abbey Hey? The guy with the Gresley Rovers polo shirt who is taking entrance money is obliged to move his table so that our luxury coach can manoeuvre into the ground. £4 entrance and your ageing scribe was asked if he qualified for the concessionary entrance price of £2. Never been asked this before and too dumbfounded to comment – I may be ageing but not yet aged – paid up the £4 and contributed another £1 for a programme. Pretty decent programme, considering this is a Step 7 club, which includes two quizzes and a wordsearch – very imaginative. The quizzes, one on “Football” the other on “Other Sports” at least have the merit of being do-able, unlike the crossword in the Bacup programme. The Marstons Pedigree is in place and going well but the pies are delayed 30 minutes for reasons which are not clear. Clubhouse is small but well constructed and the GNE flags are hung from every possible location – seven flags today which must be something of a record – excellent. When the pies are ready they are variously described as “not bad”, “air pies” and “over-priced”. However, mint sauce was provided on the side to add to the peas, or even the pies, depending upon individual taste. Special mention for the tea here. Rated as 9 out of 10 and an absolute bargain at 50 pence for a large cup.
Suitably refreshed the GNE contingent of around 75 out of a crowd of 112, watch the teams enter the slightly sloping pitch – it used to slope more than this apparently. Mention must be made of the Newhall No.10 who is sporting a pony tail and a Beckham-esque beard – umm. After 45 minutes, it’s half time. 2-2.
During the second half, two of our supporters go to sit in the Home dug out and hold a conversation with the Newhall Assistant Manager – probably something to do with tactics as Newhall were heading to a heavy defeat by this time. Or, perhaps, they just felt sorry for the guy who was sat there alone. Anyway, pure quality which could never happen in the higher reaches of this noble game of ours – “we are the Glossop girls”!
The above wonderful photograph recording this incident is worth a thousand words, even a thousand words attributed to your ageing scribe.
At the end of the match its 8-3 to Glossop North End and the Marstons Pedigree has run out - mission achieved!
The journey back to Glossop, on the luxury coach, is enlivened by chants and songs from the back – excellent, a true GNE away experience – we look forward to the next one. The aaaaaaaaaaaahh lasts from Hayfield to Surrey Street – stunning!
Burton was the cradle of the beer style known today as bitter. This is largely to do with the mineral salts in the Burton water which is still replicated in many breweries across this green and pleasant land of ours by the process of “burtonisation” of the brewing liquor which is the adding of these salts where they may be naturally lacking in the local supply. To many, the pinnacle of bitter brewing came with the introduction of Draught Bass. This copper coloured bitter gaining legendary status amongst real ale drinkers countrywide. Some years ago, the bean counters at Bass decided to switch the brewing method for Draught Bass from the quirky Burton Union system, with its distinctive swan neck fermenters, to the more economical conical fermenters and a national institution of a beer was lost forever. Please do not believe the Bass (now Coors of Colorado!!!) publicity machine which claims that Draught Bass is “just the same as ever” – it is not. This leaves Marstons Pedigree, the “Official” beer of the England Cricket Team, as the last beer brewed using the Burton Union system – but more on that later. Recommended drinking when in Burton-upon-Trent is Porter from the Burton Bridge Brewery – a 4.5% ABV red coloured beer with a somewhat fruity taste which develops into a satisfyingly bitter finish – superb.
In preparation for this match, two officials of Newhall United were at Surrey Street last Wednesday. They are looking forward to our visit to Newhall and are making appropriate preparations – beer and pies. Oh how simple the needs and wants of the average football supporter. The subject of this beer was anticipated on our Message Board. Seems that Newhall have sourced “a keg” of Marstons Pedigree especially for the visit of the mighty GNE travelling army. This prompted learned debate on the subject of “measures” as related to beer. The rose tinted glasses of your ageing scribe misted up slightly with memories of firkins, kilderkins and hogsheads to go alongside rods, poles and perches – not forgetting the still very useful chain which, as we all know, is the length of a cricket pitch – and all of the other old units which featured prominently on the back pages of old school exercise books. These units are now considered to be “past their use by date” as we grow to accept this “New Metric Britain” of ours. However, despite all of the efforts of the Eurocrats in Brussels, we still retain the pint as a legal measure – but for how long? You know the standard Euro way of doing things – ask the question until you get the “correct answer” – cf. the recent Irish vote on the Lisbon Treaty.
And so to Newhall on the Supporters Club luxury coach. Two hours from Glossop and still in Derbyshire (just). Isn’t it strange how we can draw parallels with other recent destinations? In a similar way to Rossington, Newhall (population around 7,000) is an ex-coalmining area. Again, having survived the immediate decimation of the coal mining industry after the miners strike of 1984/5, mining only finished in this area relatively recently with the last deep pit (Cadley) being closed in 1998 and the last open cast mine (Park Road, Stanton) following one year later. In common with many ex-coalmining communities, and Flixton, Newhall have a Brass Band – Championship grade.
Organised football in Newhall can be traced back to 1879 – even earlier than the advent of the might GNE in 1886. However, Newhall United were formed as a colliery team in 1926. There is a (very) short history of previous matches between Glossop and Newhall which can be found on our Message Board thanks to the diligent research of the erudite Haggis.
We arrive at the ground, after a trip through a housing estate, to find the second “drive through” turnstile of the season – remember Abbey Hey? The guy with the Gresley Rovers polo shirt who is taking entrance money is obliged to move his table so that our luxury coach can manoeuvre into the ground. £4 entrance and your ageing scribe was asked if he qualified for the concessionary entrance price of £2. Never been asked this before and too dumbfounded to comment – I may be ageing but not yet aged – paid up the £4 and contributed another £1 for a programme. Pretty decent programme, considering this is a Step 7 club, which includes two quizzes and a wordsearch – very imaginative. The quizzes, one on “Football” the other on “Other Sports” at least have the merit of being do-able, unlike the crossword in the Bacup programme. The Marstons Pedigree is in place and going well but the pies are delayed 30 minutes for reasons which are not clear. Clubhouse is small but well constructed and the GNE flags are hung from every possible location – seven flags today which must be something of a record – excellent. When the pies are ready they are variously described as “not bad”, “air pies” and “over-priced”. However, mint sauce was provided on the side to add to the peas, or even the pies, depending upon individual taste. Special mention for the tea here. Rated as 9 out of 10 and an absolute bargain at 50 pence for a large cup.
Suitably refreshed the GNE contingent of around 75 out of a crowd of 112, watch the teams enter the slightly sloping pitch – it used to slope more than this apparently. Mention must be made of the Newhall No.10 who is sporting a pony tail and a Beckham-esque beard – umm. After 45 minutes, it’s half time. 2-2.
During the second half, two of our supporters go to sit in the Home dug out and hold a conversation with the Newhall Assistant Manager – probably something to do with tactics as Newhall were heading to a heavy defeat by this time. Or, perhaps, they just felt sorry for the guy who was sat there alone. Anyway, pure quality which could never happen in the higher reaches of this noble game of ours – “we are the Glossop girls”!
The above wonderful photograph recording this incident is worth a thousand words, even a thousand words attributed to your ageing scribe.
At the end of the match its 8-3 to Glossop North End and the Marstons Pedigree has run out - mission achieved!
The journey back to Glossop, on the luxury coach, is enlivened by chants and songs from the back – excellent, a true GNE away experience – we look forward to the next one. The aaaaaaaaaaaahh lasts from Hayfield to Surrey Street – stunning!
Wednesday 14 October 2009
Sunday 11 October 2009
Bacup Borough 0 GNE 0
Autumn comes, and with it the leaves on the trees turn from green to brown.
Such changes are reflected in music – recommended listening “Autumn Leaves” from the album Portrait in Jazz (1959) by the incomparable trio led by the jazz pianist Mr. Bill Evans. This album is available on amazon.com and, if purchased through fundraising.org, can bring valuable revenue into the Glossop North End Official Supporters Club for the benefit of GNE in general – end of adverts, promise. This version has no words but is redolent with the feelings of the season in question – if slightly up-tempo.
Great art recognises the season as in the glorious painting entitled “Autumn Leaves” by John Everett Millais. Well worth a visit to the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street just to see this one.
And in poetry, we have “To Autumn” by the romantic poet John Keats. The first 4 lines of which are:
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
A much analysed poem from 1819. In effect, a melancholic tome reflecting upon not only the fruitfulness of the season but also, with foreboding, on the seasons to come – we know what he means – brrr – it’s cold in Bacup.
Romantic and romanticised versions of Autumn perhaps and so far so good, if my dear reader is still with me at this point, but what has this got to do with football? “Not a lot!” I hear the cries from the Trenches – of which more later - and that would be true. However, now we are in Autumn, the GNE travelling army need to prepare. No more the T-Shirts of our “glorious” summer. No more the clink of delicate glasses half filled with perfectly chilled Sauvignon Blanc (with overtones of elderflower and freshly mown grass). No more the sound of leather on willow on a balmy, if slightly damp, evening in Rammy. The choice of headgear goes from the merely fashionable – remember the green Swiss Fusiliers cap with the dangly black bits at the back – to the purely functional. Big coats are dusted down, the moths dispersed and, in dark funereal style colours, we set off, on the Supporters Club minibus – ably piloted by Shifty - for Bacup, looking forward to nothing more than Bovril in Styrofoam cups and the highly reputed pies.
£6 entrance to a ground where the pitch has a pronounced side to side slope. Ground is surrounded by a traditional stone wall similar to that surrounding many well appointed Lancashire League Cricket grounds but that’s where the similarity ends. Step ladders are seen leaning against the wall at a number of points around the ground. These turn out to be for the benefit of the ball boys when retrieving footballs which have been kicked out of the ground – it should be said that this activity could raise the interest of the Health and Safety police but I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. Having said that, these ladders could double up as emergency exits from the ground in case of flash flooding – not unknown around here as Bacup must have one of the worst records in the Vodkat League for postponements due to waterlogging – an award possibly challenged for by New Mills but, sorry New Mills, second again! Some work is going on which appears to be related to reducing the tendency of the ground to flood. This works seems to be the digging of trenches – strategically placed perhaps but mere slit trenches when a full scale Anglo-Saxon moat would be more appropriate. The likely winner of the worst outside toilet award is still in place in the bottom left hand corner of the ground – words fail me.
£1.50 gets a programme which contains a crossword on sporting themes described as “for fun”. This is a good idea but fails in that the crossword is too hard. For example,
3 down. CS ----- Ardennes to give this French Ligue 2 club it’s full name (5).
If you don’t know, the answer is on page 24 of the programme, if you do know – without cheating - then, yet again, words fail me but go to the top of the non-existent class for footballing anoraks.
Pie and peas are indeed good – homemade tray style pie. However, one connoisseur comments on a lack of seasoning. It is true that condiments are available on a side table but this displays a certain lack of confidence perhaps in that would Heston Blumenthal give the eater such a choice?
The teams enter the arena to be greeted by around 50 of the GNE travelling army in a crowd given as 117. No Rhodri Giggs this time – he is back at Salford – so focus switches to the Bacup goalkeeper. Well, reference to eating pies would be appropriate here and, should he be able to find a GNE pink goalkeeping shirt which would fit, he would certainly be the image of “Mr. Blobby”. For once, the Trenches chant of “you fat bastard”, as aimed at opposing goalkeepers, would be spot on in regard to the “fat” bit. I could go on but, having said that, he’s a good bloke and a pretty decent keeper.
After a minor pitch invasion by two GNE supporters, not really – they just leaned too heavily on a perimeter gate which was not well secured, and after 45 minutes, it’s half-time. 0-0 and an injured Bacup layer limps off having been seemingly abandoned by the Bacup Manager/Physio following treatment for an injury sustained just before half time.
The second half starts and the Supporters Club Chairman of Vice spots the newly established “GNE Official Photographers Fan Club”. Fame indeed but short lived as they disperse after 5 minutes – must have been something you said Jim!
After 15 minutes Martin Parker returns to action in a GNE shirt to a ragged chorus of “Oh Martin Parker …” from behind the goal at the “outdoor toilet end”. Thus confirming the rumour, which reached your ageing scribe somewhere “East of Ipswich”, that Martin had returned – welcome back.
At full time, the score remains 0-0 and the ladders are rapidly removed from the stone walls. Not quite the military precision we saw when the goalposts and everything were removed after the recent match at Abbey Hey (Gorton). Suspect that the local decorator has a job on…
Such changes are reflected in music – recommended listening “Autumn Leaves” from the album Portrait in Jazz (1959) by the incomparable trio led by the jazz pianist Mr. Bill Evans. This album is available on amazon.com and, if purchased through fundraising.org, can bring valuable revenue into the Glossop North End Official Supporters Club for the benefit of GNE in general – end of adverts, promise. This version has no words but is redolent with the feelings of the season in question – if slightly up-tempo.
Great art recognises the season as in the glorious painting entitled “Autumn Leaves” by John Everett Millais. Well worth a visit to the Manchester Art Gallery on Mosley Street just to see this one.
And in poetry, we have “To Autumn” by the romantic poet John Keats. The first 4 lines of which are:
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
A much analysed poem from 1819. In effect, a melancholic tome reflecting upon not only the fruitfulness of the season but also, with foreboding, on the seasons to come – we know what he means – brrr – it’s cold in Bacup.
Romantic and romanticised versions of Autumn perhaps and so far so good, if my dear reader is still with me at this point, but what has this got to do with football? “Not a lot!” I hear the cries from the Trenches – of which more later - and that would be true. However, now we are in Autumn, the GNE travelling army need to prepare. No more the T-Shirts of our “glorious” summer. No more the clink of delicate glasses half filled with perfectly chilled Sauvignon Blanc (with overtones of elderflower and freshly mown grass). No more the sound of leather on willow on a balmy, if slightly damp, evening in Rammy. The choice of headgear goes from the merely fashionable – remember the green Swiss Fusiliers cap with the dangly black bits at the back – to the purely functional. Big coats are dusted down, the moths dispersed and, in dark funereal style colours, we set off, on the Supporters Club minibus – ably piloted by Shifty - for Bacup, looking forward to nothing more than Bovril in Styrofoam cups and the highly reputed pies.
£6 entrance to a ground where the pitch has a pronounced side to side slope. Ground is surrounded by a traditional stone wall similar to that surrounding many well appointed Lancashire League Cricket grounds but that’s where the similarity ends. Step ladders are seen leaning against the wall at a number of points around the ground. These turn out to be for the benefit of the ball boys when retrieving footballs which have been kicked out of the ground – it should be said that this activity could raise the interest of the Health and Safety police but I won’t tell anyone if you won’t. Having said that, these ladders could double up as emergency exits from the ground in case of flash flooding – not unknown around here as Bacup must have one of the worst records in the Vodkat League for postponements due to waterlogging – an award possibly challenged for by New Mills but, sorry New Mills, second again! Some work is going on which appears to be related to reducing the tendency of the ground to flood. This works seems to be the digging of trenches – strategically placed perhaps but mere slit trenches when a full scale Anglo-Saxon moat would be more appropriate. The likely winner of the worst outside toilet award is still in place in the bottom left hand corner of the ground – words fail me.
£1.50 gets a programme which contains a crossword on sporting themes described as “for fun”. This is a good idea but fails in that the crossword is too hard. For example,
3 down. CS ----- Ardennes to give this French Ligue 2 club it’s full name (5).
If you don’t know, the answer is on page 24 of the programme, if you do know – without cheating - then, yet again, words fail me but go to the top of the non-existent class for footballing anoraks.
Pie and peas are indeed good – homemade tray style pie. However, one connoisseur comments on a lack of seasoning. It is true that condiments are available on a side table but this displays a certain lack of confidence perhaps in that would Heston Blumenthal give the eater such a choice?
The teams enter the arena to be greeted by around 50 of the GNE travelling army in a crowd given as 117. No Rhodri Giggs this time – he is back at Salford – so focus switches to the Bacup goalkeeper. Well, reference to eating pies would be appropriate here and, should he be able to find a GNE pink goalkeeping shirt which would fit, he would certainly be the image of “Mr. Blobby”. For once, the Trenches chant of “you fat bastard”, as aimed at opposing goalkeepers, would be spot on in regard to the “fat” bit. I could go on but, having said that, he’s a good bloke and a pretty decent keeper.
After a minor pitch invasion by two GNE supporters, not really – they just leaned too heavily on a perimeter gate which was not well secured, and after 45 minutes, it’s half-time. 0-0 and an injured Bacup layer limps off having been seemingly abandoned by the Bacup Manager/Physio following treatment for an injury sustained just before half time.
The second half starts and the Supporters Club Chairman of Vice spots the newly established “GNE Official Photographers Fan Club”. Fame indeed but short lived as they disperse after 5 minutes – must have been something you said Jim!
After 15 minutes Martin Parker returns to action in a GNE shirt to a ragged chorus of “Oh Martin Parker …” from behind the goal at the “outdoor toilet end”. Thus confirming the rumour, which reached your ageing scribe somewhere “East of Ipswich”, that Martin had returned – welcome back.
At full time, the score remains 0-0 and the ladders are rapidly removed from the stone walls. Not quite the military precision we saw when the goalposts and everything were removed after the recent match at Abbey Hey (Gorton). Suspect that the local decorator has a job on…
Friday 9 October 2009
Halloween Party
Family Halloween SpooktacularFriday 30th October
GNE Clubhouse
7pm-Late
Bar-Music-Games-Prizes-Fancy Dress
Tickets only £2 Adults £1 kids
No costume, no entry, no excuses!
Tickets are available from the clubhouse on matchdays and from the Market Stall on Saturday mornings.
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Martin Parker re-signs for GNE
Martin Parker put pen to paper tonight and has returned to Surrey Street after his short spell at Maine Road. Welcome back Martin.
Sunday 4 October 2009
Now it's Nathan??
Although not yet confirmed by the club, we believe Nathan Neequaye has left GNE. If true, he would be the 6th striker to leave since the start of the season.
If anybody else fancies having a go at filling the striking role please contact Steve Young!
If anybody else fancies having a go at filling the striking role please contact Steve Young!
Friday 2 October 2009
All time top goalscorer
As well as being a much needed last minute winner, Darren Hamiltons goal at Flixton on the 23rd of September took him above Steve Morgan in the GNE all time goalscoring charts.
Darren has now scored 121 goals for Glossop and to mark this outstanding achievement the Supporters Club presented Darren with an award during the game with Bootle.
September Player of the Month - Danny Yates
Congratulations to Danny Yates on being voted the Supporters Club Player of the Month for September.
Danny received over 50% of all votes cast and was presented with his award by Steve Dyson at the home game with Bootle.
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