Colwyn Bay 3-3 Hyde

Sunday 28^th December

Conference North

Attendance:

Admission: £11/£7/£3

The Hyde Fun bus was our travel to our next game to Colwyn Bay, well we say ‘fun’ loosely. Llanelian Road is somewhere where I’ve wanted to go for some time.

Colwyn Bay were formed in 1881 and they play their home games at Llanelian Road which has 3 stands, two full stands running the full length of the pitch, one seated, one terraced along with a stand behind one of the goals opposing the clubhouse and turnstiles. The admission is £11/£7/£3 for Adults/Concessions/Children which is good value for the conference.

We parted with £2.50 just as we got in the ground for the programme and we had a read, I’d say it’s not great value for the quality and content on offer, maybe £2 represents better value. Prior to the game we decided to buy our match food which this week was the chips, was tempted by the Chilli Chips but stuck with the traditional option. They very good chips and cost us

We had a walk around the ground, a nice little stadium which amazing country backdrop, a very nice ground. I had a little peruse of the club shop prior to kick-off and brought myself a fine scarf for my collection. The weather was great especially with the amount of games called off in the Conference.

The first half was very entertaining, Hyde scored late into the half through Ted Cribley and took a lead into half-time much to the delight of the smug Scott McNiven.

The second half saw Colwyn Bay easily turn around the lead, with Frank Sinclair bringing himself on and score to put CBFC 2-1 up. Tom Bentham levelled it up for Hyde but Colwyn Bay went back in front 3-2. Cribley scored an added time equaliser to give Hyde a point.

We went in the Colwyn Bay clubhouse after the game, a great clubhouse especially with Colwyn Bay and Hyde fans not in too bad a mood.

Overall the club was great to visit, with a brilliant little ground and some decent food; would definitely recommend a visit especially when your team is making the trip there.

Price: 8pts

Programme: 6pts

Food: 10.5pts

Entertainment: 5pts

Parking: 2pts

Staff: 3pts

Facilities: 3pts

Total Score: 37.5pts

Match Pictures

Walsall Wood 2-2 (A-A) Boldmere St.Michaels

Friday 26^th December

Midlands League Premier Division

Attendance: 100

Admission: £6/£4/Free

So it was time for the second part of the double header. Walsall Wood was the most local choice from Bolehall Swifts so we made the short trip, although the weather took a turn for the worst.

Walsall Wood were formed in 1915 and play their home games at Oak Park which has just the one large white stand along the side of the pitch behind the dugouts, opposing that is the clubhouse. The admission at Oak Park is £6/£4/Free for Adults/Concessions/Children which represents decent value for the league’s standard and facilities.

 

We picked up ‘The Wood’ programme and sought shelter from the growing downpours, so we checked out their clubhouse. Walsall’s clubhouse was very nice and we picked up a drink and a great Walsall Wood pin badge. Then headed off to sample the delights that WWFC had to offer, with Burger and Chips seeming a good option as we could compare it to our tasty offerings at Bolehall Swifts earlier that day.

 

Awaiting kick-off, I read through ‘The Wood’ programme, a good quality programme which was well put together, 28 pages at a reasonable £1 expenditure.

The game began and the weather seem be continuing it’s torrential nature as we suffered the full effects of it standing out in the open.  The game started brightly, the standard of the game was very high between two very good footballing sides. At half-time it was 1-1 and we had to part with £1 for the vital cup of tea.

 

The second half maintained the same standard with both sides adding to the scores but after 64 minutes due to adverse weather, the game was called off with the score at 2-2. Overall a very good game but disappointing the weather put an end to the game.

We headed straight off after the game and back up to Manchester after our adventure into the midlands. A great day visiting two new teams with great setups; and would definitely recommend visiting both Bolehall Swifts and Walsall Wood. Overall Oak Park is a great ground with nice people running it and well worth the trip.

Price: 7.5pts

Programme: 7.5pts

Food: 11pts

Entertainment: 5pts

Parking: 3pts

Staff: 3.5pts

Facilities: 2pts

Total Score: 39.5pts

Match Pictures

Bolehall Swifts 2-3 Atherstone Town

Friday 26^th December

Midlands League Division 1

Attendance: 140

Admission: £5/£3

After asking around for ideas for Boxing Day, we had been informed by Chris Sharp (@chris_sharp18) that there was a Midlands League double header for Division 1 and the Premier Division, so after some looking Bolehall Swifts seemed like a great place to kick things off for their local derby against Atherstone Town.

Bolehall Swifts were formed in 1953 and they play their home games at Rene Road which has an amazing stand behind one of the goals, the seated stand I have been told is basically called the ‘Welcome to Bolehall Swifts Stand’. Whilst opposing the changing rooms and dugouts is another stand which is a small covered standing area. The admission is £5/£3 for Adults & Concessions/Children which is good value for this standard and the facilities, same as most NWCFL teams at the same level.

We picked up our programme on the way in and parted with £1 which was simply designed but packed with information, that neutrals especially, would want to know. Although it was black and white, an alright purchase.

The first half we decided to go down the end Bolehall were shooting, with the thinking they are likely to win after briefly looking at the league table. You can imagine our thoughts at half-time when they found themselves 0-3 down to Atherstone Town. Bolehall has dominated the game but Atherstone had counter effectively and only really had 4 or 5 chances, mainly due to the keeper playing the Manuel Neuer-esque role and well…not playing it very well first half.

At half-time we picked up the last burger and got some chips, got to say a great Burger at Bolehall, whilst the chips were decent: very important. We spent £3.50 (£2 on Burger & £1.50 on Chips) and I have to say it was very much worth it. Good to meet Mark Brooks from Bolehall Swifts who runs the @BolehallSwifts account I had been talking to on twitter before going, and gave me a copy of the December ‘Swifts Fanzine’.

Bolehall played a lot better in the second half (including their keeper), and managed to claw back 2 of the goals but couldn’t muster the win in quite an entertaining game. We headed straight off after the game to get to Oak Park for Walsall Wood v Boldmere St.Michaels.

Overall a great ground to visit, with a cracking stand. Great people at the club; but most importantly very good Burger & Chips, what a great way to kick-off the double header especially with decent weather.

Price: 7pts

Programme: 5.5pts

Food: 11pts

Entertainment: 4.5pts

Parking: 2.5pts

Staff: 4pts

Total Score: 36.5pts

Match Pictures

Northwich Flixton Villa 3-2 Atherton Collieries

Wednesday 26th November

NWCFL Division 1

Attendance: 67

Admission: £5/£3/£1

Valley Road is another ground which has eluded the Away Chips schedule for the past year and a half. Atherton Collieries visited Northwich Flixton Villa on a Wednesday night. Northwich Flixton Villa were formed in 2005 when Woodley FC were renamed Northwich Villa when they linked up with Northwich Victoria. They relocated to Flixton in 2013 and adopted the Flixton name.

 

Northwich Flixton Villa ground-share Valley Road with Northwich Victoria. There are 2 stands at Valley Road along the length of the pitch; one seated stand next to the clubhouse and opposite that a long covered stand. The admission at Northwich Flixton Villa is £5/£3/£1 which is the norm of the league.

We turned up at the ground and basically walked in due to the fact there was no one there charging admission. We had a look around the ground and went in the clubhouse prior to kick-off; we picked up a very basic, unstapled, 12 page programme. Which was a quite poor programme as it was black & white with very little original content so definitely not worth the £1 paid for it. We also picked up a Cornish pasty before the game which was not that nice, just a bit warm. Cannot believe we parted £1.50 for it. It also seemed every beer tap was out of order.

 

The match was an entertaining affair, Atherton Colls came into the match on the back of 13 straight wins. Northwich Flixton Villa started brightly going into half-time 1-0. Northwich played well in a more tightly contested 2^nd half, and NFV won the game 3-2, to be the 1^st team to beat Colls in the league.

Overall the ground is an alright place to watch football. There is so much that Flix’wich could do to improve their club, simple things. It wasn’t a great experience and I wouldn’t go out of your way to go there.

Price: 6pts

Programme: 2.5pts

Food: 5.5pts

Entertainment: 3pts

Parking: 2pts

Staff: 2pts

Facilities: 1.5pts

Total Score: 22.5pts

Match Pictures

Chorley 3-2 Hyde

Saturday 22nd November

Conference North

Attendance: 1125

Admission: £10/£7/£5

So, time again for another new ‘Away Chips’ ground. Chorley was the destination with one of the clubs I follow, Hyde FC. A renowned ground of traditional stands and quality food, it seemed a perfect place for an Away Chips.

 

Chorley FC were formed in 1883 are compete alongside Hyde FC in the Conference North after winning the Northern Premier League last season. They play their home games at Victory Park, a ground built in the 1920’s. There are three stands at Victory Park, two large terrace stands behind each of the goal, and to the side of the pitch there is an elevated seated stand with terracing in front of it. The admission at Chorley is £10/£7/£5/£2 for Adults/Concessions/12-16/8-12, which seems very good value for the league and standard of ground and football.  Before going into the ground, we picked up the ‘#MagpieReview’ for £2.50 which is a great, colourful programme packed with content which is better than many of the Football League programmes we have seen especially for the price. Well worth the money, great job by those who work on the programme each matchday.

Prior to the match we went to investigate the food at Chorley FC, and it was time for the important question, ‘Pie or Chips’. Chorley twitter account responded on twitter suggesting both and we just couldn’t resist. So we parted with £3 for Pie and Chips, which gave us a large, quality pie (£1.80) and some great chips (£1.20) which went down a treat ahead of the match.

The match was very good; Hyde took an early 0-2 lead through a Tom Bentham brace and should have had a hat-trick not long after. Chorley found their rhythm before half-time and took Hyde into the break level (resume normality). Chorley struggled to put away their chances until the 73^rd minute when Darren Stephenson scored to give them a win. Although disappointing for Hyde to give away a 2-goal lead, they played quite well so not too bad.

 

Overall Chorley FC, well worth the visit. The club has a stunning ground, great fans and staff and very much a club on the up. We hope to back next season as it was a great visit.

Price: 8.5pts

Programme: 8.5pts

Food: 12.5pts

Entertainment: 4pts

Parking: 1.5pts

Staff: 4pts

Facilities: 3pts

Total Score: 42pts

Match Pictures

 

West Didsbury & Chorlton 0-0 AFC Blackpool

Saturday 15^th November

NWCFL Premier Division

Attendance: 106

Admission: £5/£3

So, Away Chips is back. After a break from blogging, we’ve decided we must get back to searching for the best club out there. The question will remain the same, who will come out on top and will anyone beat last year’s winners Knutsford. We were off to West Didsbury & Chorlton for our return.

West Didsbury & Chorlton were formed in 1908 and play their NWCFL Premier Division games at Brookburn Road. This small ground has 3 covered areas in the ground. Behind the two goals there are two newly built stands, one terraced, one standing. Whilst just in front of the clubhouse there is some additional seating as well.

The admission at Brookburn Road is £5/£3/Free for Adults/Concessions/Children which is very much the norm at this level, particularly with the facilities on offer, this represents decent value of this club and the level. Upon arrival we picked up a programme which may seem pricey at £2 but when reading it, you realise that price is justified, a full colour, packed with content programme. Definitely worth the £2 spent.

 

We went into the clubhouse to see the food they had on offer, and we parted with £1.50 for a meat pie. We sat in the great clubhouse, decorated with a large history timeline of the club which brings the room together.

Although the game was 0-0 between WD&C and AFC Blackpool, it was one of the more entertaining 0-0 draws I’ve seen with the AFC Blackpool keeper most certainly ensuring the draw.

Overall it’s a ground worth visiting for the friendly atmosphere of the club from the fans, staff and players.  

Price: 7pts

Programme: 7.5pts

Food: 11pts

Entertainment: 3pts

Parking: 2.5pts

Staff: 3pts

Facilities: 2pts

Total Score: 36pts

Match Pictures

Cammell Laird 1907 1-2 Atherton Collieries

Saturday 2nd August
NWCFL Division 1
Attendance: 72
Admission: £4/£2

So the new NWCFL season was upon us, and torrential downpours threatened our excitement, but nonetheless all the fans from all the teams travelled in numbers to support their side. We were off to follow Atherton Collieries west to Cammell Laird in their opener.

For the game I went via the Atherton Colls ground to small armada of Colls fans travelling in their cars to Cammell Laird. We went to the clubhouse upon arrival which is on the other side of the road to the ground, a nice little gathering point for the fans before and after the match.

 

Cammell Laird 1907 are a new club formed this year and are competing in the NWCFL Division 1 after resigning from the Evo-Stik league. Lairds play their home game at The Kirklands stadium which has two covered stands along the side of the pitches. The ground also has a food stand and club shop behind one of the stands.

The admission at Cammell Lairds was £4 for adults and £2 for concessions which is £1 less than most teams at this level making it decent value fair representing of the level and the facilities. Just past the turnstiles we picked up a ‘Laird Review’ costing £2 but this seemed over charged, positively it was in colour but it overall didn’t seem worth the money which we were parted with.

The match was a really entertaining affair, an end to end match between two teams many are tipping to be up near the top of the NWCFL Division 1 table this season. At half-time we sampled the foods on offer at the ground, picking up a ‘Scouse’ pie which is basically a meat and vegetable pie. It was a decent pie costing £1.50; a nice pie to kick-off this season’s delectable delights we will be sampling. The torrential downpour just after purchasing the pie meant we had to run for cover in order to fully enjoy the pie.

The rain was very much torrential for large parts of the second half but it was still a very much enjoyable experience with the large Colls contingence. Overall the ground is worth the visit especially for the value but the programme is not near the standard of some of the ones at this level.

Price: 8pts

Programme: 6pts

Food: 11.5pts

Entertainment: 5pts

Parking: 1.5pts

Staff: 3pts

Facilities: 2.5pts

Total Score: 37.5pts 

Match Pictures

New Season brings Changes

We have decided to change our scoring for next season's reports with less points for entertainment, and food, programme and price having a larger importance. In the 2013/14 season this is what we used:

Price: - 10pts
Programme: - Content 5pts
                   - Colour 2pts
                   - Price 3pts
Food: - Wait 1pt
          - Price 3pts
          - Condiments 1pt
          - Taste 3pts
          - Variety 2pts
Entertainment: - 10pts
Parking: - 5pts
Staff: 3pts
Facilities: 2pts


This is what we are using next season:
Price: - 10pts
Programme: - Content 4pts
                   - Colour 3pts
                   - Price 3pts
Food: - Wait 2pt
          - Price 4pts
          - Condiments 2pts
          - Taste 5pts
          - Variety 2pts
Entertainment: - 5pts
Parking: - 3pts
Staff: 4pts
Facilities: 3pts

Away Chips Awards 2013/14

So the end of the Away Chips season is upon us. We will announce the different nominations for each award we will be presenting to different clubs.

Overall 'Away Chips' Award
1st: Knutsford - 40.5pts
Joint 2nd: AFC Liverpool, Irlam & Glossop North End - 40pts

Best Pie Award Nominations:
AFC Liverpool
Ashton United
Glossop North End - Winner
Irlam
Knutsford

Best Chips Award Nominations:
Ashton United - Winner
Droylsden
Mossley
Winsford United

Best Overall Food Award Nominations:
Abbey Hey
Droylsden
Glossop North End - Winner
Knutsford
Mossley

Best Programme Award Nominations:
AFC Liverpool
Atherton Collieries
Ashton United
Glossop North End - Winner
Hyde FC

Best Staff Award Nominations:
Atherton Collieries
Atherton Laburnum Rovers
Hyde FC
Irlam
Knutsford - Winner

Best Facilities Award Nominations:
Atherton Collieries - Winner
Ashton United
Irlam
Knutsford
Trafford
Winsford United

Best Value Award Nominations:
AFC Liverpool - Winner
Droylsden
Irlam
Knutsford
Trafford
Winsford United

Over this week on twitter, we will reveal the award winners (@AwayChips) and this article will be updated with the winners so keep checking our twitter feed. This is the week's schedule

Monday: Best Pie Award
Tuesday: Best Chips Award
Wednesday: Best Programme
Thursday: Best Facilities
Friday: Best Staff
Saturday: Best Value
Sunday: Best Overall Food

Atherton Collieries 0-0 Atherton Laburnum Rovers

Monday 21^st April

NWCFL Division One
Attendance: 251

Admission; £5/£3

Atherton Collieries were formed in 1916 and play their home games at Alder Street. There are two covered stands at Colls with both at the sides of the pitch. The one to the side of the dugouts is a larger seated stand and the other stand has both standing and seating.

So Bank holiday Monday brought fans the abundance of football derbies and the Flatcap derby was one of many which stood out, Atherton Collieries v Atherton Laburnum Rovers, who both play in the NWCFL Division one. With little in the league to play for, it was the Atherton pride to play for. The admission is £5 for adults and £3 for concessions which is the standard NWCFL standard so reasonably price and anticipated. On the turnstiles we also handed over the £1 for the programme with a very well designed ‘Welcome to Atherton’ front cover similar to iconic sign in Manchester which makes the presentation of the programme seem great. The programme has good content with articles from various staff from the club and good detailed stats which makes it very well priced and value.

The clubhouse is great, nice bar area which seemed very good place to spend time prior and after the game. We picked up our meat and potato pie prior to the game and all I can say was that it was nice but was a grey mush, so the presentation was not a very good representation of the pie’s taste, it’s cost was £1.60. There didn’t seem to be a huge variety on offer but at least the taste was good. The entertainment on offer for the derby game on the pitch really wasn’t great, as the traditional derby banter seemed much more entertaining. The game offered very little chances but LR could have snatched late on but for a great save from the Colls keeper.

There are many small streets outside the grounds turnstiles but there is a car park behind one of the stands so there is enough car parking to cater the larger crowds but the big derby crowd  will have just taken the short walk. Positively the ground isn’t far away from Atherton train station and is easy to find which is positive. Overall the trip was good, £4.20 return from Hyde, the game experience was good and the Admission/Programme/Pie combo was £7.60 and Alder Street is definitely a great place to watch traditional non-league football made better the sun shining.

Price: 7pts

Programme: 7.5pts

Food: 7pts

Entertainment: 6.5pts

Parking: 4pts

Staff: 3pts

Facilities: 2pts

Total Score: 37pts

Match Pictures