Friendly
Sunday 2 July 2023
"Which of the 92 grounds is highest above Sea Level?"
"West Bromwich Albion."
"Which football ground in the UK is furthest from a railway station?"
"Aaahhh you're probably thinking of the fucking absurdly named Station Park, home of Forfar Athletic. Both Dundee and Arbroath stations are about 14 miles away. Station Park was once close to Forfar Station, but that was closed in 1967. However, with restructuring in Scottish leagues, Peterhead's Balmoor is now actually the furthest ground from a station. Congratulations - You Have Just Been Informed By The Carrier Bag Firm."
"Which is the largest City in England which has never had a professional football team?"
"Easy - Wakefield."
Which literary device brings us to the next installment of (this version of) Wakefield AFC's march to the top. Big ask that. This game was played at Belle Vue in Wakefield. That's Wakefield Trinity Rugby League ground. Although a new main stand is currently being built, that's surely the best ground in Step 6.
(This version of) Wakefield were only founded in 2019. They had two COVID disrupted seasons in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League, Premier Division. That's Step 7, two levels below where Hallam are now, alongside Penistone Church Reserves, Davy's and Ecclesfield Red Rose (for example)
They won that league in 2021/22. Played 26, won 20, drew 3. Pipping Swinton Athletic to the title by just 3 points. They nearly went straight through the (Step 6) Northern Counties East, Division One in 2022/23. Finishing fourth, but losing out in the promotion play offs.
They have previously played at the Dorothy Hyman. That has an S72 postcode. And at Post Office Road, the home of Featherstone Rovers Rugby League. Granted, that has a WF7 postcode. And you can argue whether it's in Pontefract or Featherstone. But, it's clearly not in fucking Wakey Field.
So, this was a Big Day for Wakefield AFC. Their first game at Belle Vue, with a WF1 postcode. First game back in Wakefield - having never fucking played there in the past.
I don't think the crowd was announced officially. But, it was certainly hundreds. I've written before about the Futbology App. Which allows Tickers, Hoppers and Carrier Baggers to keep track of their Games & Grounds. The significance of this first (current) Wakey game at Belle Vue was not lost on the Hoppers. Ninety Two of us checked in on Futbology. And, Futbology can gleefully report that as my 431st Ground Tick.
A great game, on a great early season surface. Later in the season, I forecast mud. Both teams playing through the lines at times, with accuracy, trusting the pitch. Although I thought Hallam went a bit long ball at times.
Hallam went ahead on 14 through Fearon. Wakey scored a great equaliser on 31, a move sweeping in from the right, with a calm finish at the far post. But, with time running out at 84, a great move, by Hallam this time, brought the winner.
This being a Rugby League ground, there was a lively Clubhouse Bar. Indeed, the trestle table cash "turnstile" was placed so you have to walk through the bar to get to the Terraces. No criticism, but it was just the industrial kegs, we'll have plenty of them during the Carrier Bag Firm non-league campaign. But, not today I'm afraid.
So, this week's beer adventure was another trip to Fierce Beer in Manchester. I've previously reported that the Carrier Bag Firm are willing Crowd Funders of Fierce. But, they've put the fucking flag down. And, our Crowd Funding money behind the bar had to be spent by the end of June. Not helped by the Bar not being open when we rocked up the other day at 12:40. Briefly, financial panic set in!!!
However, once open, and with some serious accounting by the CBF, I can report we left just 29 pence unspent. If you're reading this at Fierce, have that on us, spend it wisely, spend it wildly, don't care.
So, in the interests of brevity, some of that money spent on;
Fierce Beer, Pretty Juicy, Imperial IPA on Keg at 7.4%
Very much hazy New England style. Thick, opaque, chewy. The bitterness grew slowly, but stopped at "gentle". With that extra 29 pence maybe they can chuck a few more hops in next time.
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