So, having braved the trip to Tameside in mid-week, the GNE travelling army are on the march again this afternoon. This time to Valerie Park, Prescot, Merseyside – the home of Prescot Cables FC. This is worthy of a little explanation.
As many of my dear readers will know, Prescot Cables were founder members of the North West Counties League so it would seem to be no surprise that the mighty GNE are playing here. However, it should be noted that Prescot Cables were promoted to the Northern Premier League at the end of the 2002/03 season and later went on to play in the Premier Division of what we now know as the Unibond League. They are currently in the Unibond North. So, what are we doing here? Well, this is quite a good story.
We are here for a replay of the Vodkat League cup match against AFC Liverpool, of the Vodkat League First Division, after the first match at fortress Surrey Street ended in a 0-0 draw after extra time. AFC Liverpool are a new football club in only their second season and, as yet, have no ground of their own so are obliged to “pay to play” at Valerie Park – at least for the moment as they seek opportunities to get their own ground. The links to Liverpool FC are clear and we can do worse than to quote the AFC Liverpool website to gain a better understanding:-
“AFC Liverpool is a new independent football club owned by Liverpool fans and run by Liverpool fans where everyone can buy into it and get an equal vote. A genuine grassroots, not for profit football club.
It is aimed especially at those Liverpool fans priced out of Premier League football. Same colours, same songs, same community of Reds.
It draws its support base from Liverpool fans. AFC Liverpool fans still support Liverpool and those who can afford to will still go to Anfield to support the Reds. The club is meant as a grassroots addition to Liverpool FC, not to be a replacement for it. We see ourselves very much as part of the LFC family – LFC’s little brother.
The average age of a Premiership fan is 43, so we need a way to get kids hooked into experiencing football at an actual match, surrounded by a passionate LFC community.”
Just to emphasise this last point. At the first match, your ageing scribe was in conversation with one of the travelling AFC Liverpool supporters, a passionate follower of Liverpool FC who, with his two young sons, was completely priced out of Anfield. AFC Liverpool is his way of getting his sons involved in live football and to satisfy his own wishes to be associated in some way with Liverpool FC – excellent.
There are some parallels here with other “breakaway teams” such as AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester. Although having said that, every circumstance is different. In the case of AFC Liverpool, there seems to be far less acrimony (in fact none if you talk to the supporters) towards Liverpool FC than, for example, FCUM seem to have towards MUFC even though there are certain similarities relating to foreign ownership and high ticket pricing. Without any disrespect to the supporters of AFC Wimbledon and FCUM, the story of AFC Liverpool is refreshing and to be commended.
Your ageing scribe begins matchday in Fleetwood – the day dawns, just about, after overnight frost and freezing fog. This does not look good! Anxious text messages are exchanged – good invention the text message don’t you think? – and, finally, whilst sitting in the Wetherspoons in Fleetwood with a pint of Orkney Red McGregor – a malty, flavoursome ale, highly recommended, confirmation comes that the match is on – excellent news.
Arrive in Prescot to find that the pre- determined refreshment venue is deserted. A quick exchange of text messages establishes that the GNE travelling army are located at an alternative venue – the benefits of text messaging again! Seems that the first venue refused admission to one of our younger supporters. Somewhat misguided that in that in these constrained economic times trade is important to keep cash coming in – “cash is king” as we all know. Anyway, their loss.
£5 entrance and £1.50 for a very good programme with lots of information and articles. The only “issue” is that the programme was written and printed in anticipation of this match going ahead on Wednesday 3rd February and now it is Saturday 20th February. No real criticism here as the match on February 3rd was postponed and, in these constrained economic times, you just cannot throw away the programmes and start again. The AFC Liverpool programme was Vodkat League Programme of the Year in season 2008-09. Sadly, not eligible for the unofficial GNE away Programme of the Season this season as we only consider Premier League clubs. Pies said to be “not bad” but with an unusual ratio of the “chewiness” of the pastry between the inside and the outside – excellent detail here. We are later informed that only 40 pies were ordered for the day but nobody goes hungry as there are plenty of alternative delights to tempt the always discerning palates of our supporters.
As said above, this is the Prescot Cables ground so must, presumably, pass inspections for Step 4. Excellent stand with seating above the well appointed clubhouse. Elsewhere, the ground is not fully enclosed and the grassy areas to the three sides have signs which declare that “spectators are not allowed” – wonder who or what is then? Our flags are positioned in the upper level of the stand – a six flag day - and are then deserted as the GNE travelling army of 65 or so from a crowd of 152 move around the ground.
The teams trot out onto a heavy pitch – GNE in white. Some good natured banter between the two sets of fans enlivens the first half which ends up scoreless. During half time, the question of who is allowed on the grass banks is perhaps answered as a 15 –a-side game featuring local kids kicks off. Into the second half and the stalemate is broken as “father” Young converts a penalty. A further goal late in the match secures a 2-0 victory for the Hillmen and progress in this cup competition.
As a satisfied group of supporters retire to the well appointed clubhouse, thoughts turn to New Mills on Monday night. However, as I write this, a couple of inches of snow have fallen overnight and the snow is still coming down - tomorrow's game must be in some doubt. So much for global warming, or is it? One day, I might devote one of these short narratives to the science of climate change but only by request – don’t all shout at once!
As many of my dear readers will know, Prescot Cables were founder members of the North West Counties League so it would seem to be no surprise that the mighty GNE are playing here. However, it should be noted that Prescot Cables were promoted to the Northern Premier League at the end of the 2002/03 season and later went on to play in the Premier Division of what we now know as the Unibond League. They are currently in the Unibond North. So, what are we doing here? Well, this is quite a good story.
We are here for a replay of the Vodkat League cup match against AFC Liverpool, of the Vodkat League First Division, after the first match at fortress Surrey Street ended in a 0-0 draw after extra time. AFC Liverpool are a new football club in only their second season and, as yet, have no ground of their own so are obliged to “pay to play” at Valerie Park – at least for the moment as they seek opportunities to get their own ground. The links to Liverpool FC are clear and we can do worse than to quote the AFC Liverpool website to gain a better understanding:-
“AFC Liverpool is a new independent football club owned by Liverpool fans and run by Liverpool fans where everyone can buy into it and get an equal vote. A genuine grassroots, not for profit football club.
It is aimed especially at those Liverpool fans priced out of Premier League football. Same colours, same songs, same community of Reds.
It draws its support base from Liverpool fans. AFC Liverpool fans still support Liverpool and those who can afford to will still go to Anfield to support the Reds. The club is meant as a grassroots addition to Liverpool FC, not to be a replacement for it. We see ourselves very much as part of the LFC family – LFC’s little brother.
The average age of a Premiership fan is 43, so we need a way to get kids hooked into experiencing football at an actual match, surrounded by a passionate LFC community.”
Just to emphasise this last point. At the first match, your ageing scribe was in conversation with one of the travelling AFC Liverpool supporters, a passionate follower of Liverpool FC who, with his two young sons, was completely priced out of Anfield. AFC Liverpool is his way of getting his sons involved in live football and to satisfy his own wishes to be associated in some way with Liverpool FC – excellent.
There are some parallels here with other “breakaway teams” such as AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester. Although having said that, every circumstance is different. In the case of AFC Liverpool, there seems to be far less acrimony (in fact none if you talk to the supporters) towards Liverpool FC than, for example, FCUM seem to have towards MUFC even though there are certain similarities relating to foreign ownership and high ticket pricing. Without any disrespect to the supporters of AFC Wimbledon and FCUM, the story of AFC Liverpool is refreshing and to be commended.
Your ageing scribe begins matchday in Fleetwood – the day dawns, just about, after overnight frost and freezing fog. This does not look good! Anxious text messages are exchanged – good invention the text message don’t you think? – and, finally, whilst sitting in the Wetherspoons in Fleetwood with a pint of Orkney Red McGregor – a malty, flavoursome ale, highly recommended, confirmation comes that the match is on – excellent news.
Arrive in Prescot to find that the pre- determined refreshment venue is deserted. A quick exchange of text messages establishes that the GNE travelling army are located at an alternative venue – the benefits of text messaging again! Seems that the first venue refused admission to one of our younger supporters. Somewhat misguided that in that in these constrained economic times trade is important to keep cash coming in – “cash is king” as we all know. Anyway, their loss.
£5 entrance and £1.50 for a very good programme with lots of information and articles. The only “issue” is that the programme was written and printed in anticipation of this match going ahead on Wednesday 3rd February and now it is Saturday 20th February. No real criticism here as the match on February 3rd was postponed and, in these constrained economic times, you just cannot throw away the programmes and start again. The AFC Liverpool programme was Vodkat League Programme of the Year in season 2008-09. Sadly, not eligible for the unofficial GNE away Programme of the Season this season as we only consider Premier League clubs. Pies said to be “not bad” but with an unusual ratio of the “chewiness” of the pastry between the inside and the outside – excellent detail here. We are later informed that only 40 pies were ordered for the day but nobody goes hungry as there are plenty of alternative delights to tempt the always discerning palates of our supporters.
As said above, this is the Prescot Cables ground so must, presumably, pass inspections for Step 4. Excellent stand with seating above the well appointed clubhouse. Elsewhere, the ground is not fully enclosed and the grassy areas to the three sides have signs which declare that “spectators are not allowed” – wonder who or what is then? Our flags are positioned in the upper level of the stand – a six flag day - and are then deserted as the GNE travelling army of 65 or so from a crowd of 152 move around the ground.
The teams trot out onto a heavy pitch – GNE in white. Some good natured banter between the two sets of fans enlivens the first half which ends up scoreless. During half time, the question of who is allowed on the grass banks is perhaps answered as a 15 –a-side game featuring local kids kicks off. Into the second half and the stalemate is broken as “father” Young converts a penalty. A further goal late in the match secures a 2-0 victory for the Hillmen and progress in this cup competition.
As a satisfied group of supporters retire to the well appointed clubhouse, thoughts turn to New Mills on Monday night. However, as I write this, a couple of inches of snow have fallen overnight and the snow is still coming down - tomorrow's game must be in some doubt. So much for global warming, or is it? One day, I might devote one of these short narratives to the science of climate change but only by request – don’t all shout at once!
Another excellent away day.
ReplyDeleteIf we had 65 fans then AFC had less than 100 for a cup game against a team from a higher division. Their fans seem to deserting them in large numbers and having to hire Valerie Park must be hurting them financially. How long do we give them before they go out of business?
And if Vakerie Park can pass a ground grading at step 4 we've got every chance!
From what one of the AFC supporters said at the first match at Surrey Street, it costs them about £350 per match to play at Valerie Park so they have to generate a significant amount of cash before paying any other expenses or, even, the players.
ReplyDeleteYes, the gates are down and that will be a problem. Not in the best of positions for promotion this year either although not sure what extra revenue that might or might not bring.
Hope that they can keep going as they have a good spirit around the club.