Isthmian League, North (Step 4)
Saturday 27 August 2022
There's been a bit of pragmatic recalibration of my ground ticks. Essentially to make my records easier and more compatible with the Apps I use, as the Carrier Bag Firm move deeper into the digital age. So, Coles Park Stadium, home of Haringey Borough, and ground share for New Salamis, is my 400th ground. (227 of those watching a Sheffield United XI)
Anyone out there at Beautiful DownTown Bramall Lane on Sunday 17 May 2017? Just five years ago. United hosted the FA Sunday Cup. As on the tin, that is a national cup competition organised by the FA for Sunday League teams. Incidentally, the trophy had been presented to the FA by the Shah of Iran in 1963 - FFS.
At the time, New Salamis were the reigning holders of the Sunday Cup. But, at The Lane, Hardwick Social (from Stockton) beat them three one on pens after a one each. Today, New Salamis, that losing Sunday League team, are playing in the Isthmian League North, Step 4 of the National League System, the same level as Sheffield. And, one level above "my team" Hallam.
New Salamis were formed in 1974 by fans of Cypriot club Nea Salamis Famagusta, who acted as a sort of Parent Club. They played in KOPA, a league set up for Cypriots in London. After their visit to The Lane, they played 2018/19 in the Herts County Senior League, finishing runners up and promoted to the Spartans South Midlands League Division One (Step 6).
After Covid null & voided a hitherto successful 2019/20, and a truncated 2020/21, New Salamis were promoted to the Spartans Prem. And, they only went and fucking won that. Three promotions in four Covid disrupted seasons. And here they are - from Sunday League to Step 4. And. Oh. They play in Red n White Stripes.
I'll admit, therefore, to some disappointment in a piss poor crowd of just 78. Even that was six better than their earlier first home game at Step 4.
Their rapid rise and the (presumed) need to ground share was brought home starkly just before kick off;
"I've just been in the away dressing room, all the shower heads are missing"
Step 4 Problems…
There was a home made sticker pumpclip over one of the kegs in the (Haringey Borough) clubhouse proclaiming - Haringey Borough IPA!!! We couldn't really work out the provenance, so we swerved it. Besides, we'd had more than enough in;
The Goodness Brewing Company
5a Clarendon Yard, Coburg Rd, London N22 6TZ
I liked that place, although I did find it a lot frayed at the edges. There are ever more flat and apartment developments down the road. Indeed, actually out the back of the long and thin brewery space. Hopefully, that'll stand 'em in stead and future proof them. There were oodles of kegs stacked around. And, the brew kit (down there on the right as you walk the long walk) is serious and substantial. Bar on the left, sort of DJ table, dance area. And lots and lots of needing some paint battered trestle tables and benches - indoor and out.
The chalkboard needed a pragmatic recalibration with the pump clips. But, let's say eight of their own on Keg. There was also an empty cask handpull. The best of them was;
The Goodness Brewing Co, A Love Supreme, Double Dry Hopped IPA on Keg at 5.6%
Hazy, nice and hoppy, but not much bitterness. Amarillo and Citra with a touch of Columbus in the whirlpool (I'm told). Then early dry of El Dorado and a massive dry hop of Amarillo Cyro, El Dorado and Citra. Twice. I'm making that Triple Dry Hopped. But, fuck it, they know their business.
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