Messages

211

The B-Ark / Re: Travelling to Skem

« on: November 25, 2012, 03:18:49 PM »

Great stuff Skem - should make finding the ground easier. I'm actually not too far away between Bolton & Manchester - Google maps reckon 23 miles. You say you are on an Industrial Estate - how is it for parking near the ground? Assuming all the businesses will be closed being a night game and it should be fairly easy?? (I do something similar near the DW Stadium when I go to Wigan Warriors matches).

Morning all, bad head

Just to help any travelling up

FROM M6

At junction 26, take the M58 exit to Skelmersdale/​Liverpool/​Southport

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto M58

At junction 4, take the A5068 exit to Skelmersdale

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Glenburn Rd/​A5068
Go through 1 roundabout

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Neverstitch Rd/​A577

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Staveley Rd

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Statham Rd

Turn left onto Selby Pl
Destination will be on the left


Skelmersdale WN8 8EF, UK

Go directly to the ground, the nearest pub (Busy Bee) is a good 5 minutes walk, the Club house serves very decent beer and is very reasonably priced. Im sure you will be given a warm reception.
Food in the Canteen has very good pies and burgers as well as hot drinks...If you are after something a little more substantial then I suggest a Mway services, there are a few good chippies around but are quite a way from the ground. (Im sure if your desperate one of the locals will show you the way) The town is notorious for roundabouts and it easy to get lost...Im not kidding.

We are on an industrial estate and are quite a way from the few ammenities that the town offers- in their wisdom when they built the new town the planners somehow forgot that people need something to do. They removed the railway station and the bus services are appaling thus
any travel by public transport is NOT recommended, anyone wishing to brave the travel.. the train from Manchester going to Wigan, stay on the train to Parbold (5 miles away), when leaving Wigan phone a local taxi firm 01695 50005 and ask for a taxi to Parbold station for 15 minutes...It should be there when you arrive. Costs about £6
(If you embark at Wigan there is an hours bus ride and a 10 minute walk from the nearest stop)

Traveling back will be a nightmare, unsure what time last train is, and if the game goes to ET and pens your basically in the deep !!!!


It took us just over 3 hours on the coach, without a stop on the way back

It would have been easier if we could have played next saturday. I dont think any of our fans would relish that journey mid week.

Hope you enjoy your trip up and that you go home disapointed !!!!!


I think the result could depend on who we are paired with in the next round. I dont think we would fancy a trip to deepest South Coast

See you there

212

The B-Ark / Re: what a crackin game

« on: September 21, 2012, 11:46:17 AM »

correct me if im wrong and how can it be a record for 100 years i thought chester went bust and chester fc were new club

You're right - but it seems the done thing for all these 'new' clubs to claim the history of the one just gone bust. I think the first might have been Accrington Stanley a few years ago now - but more recent ones like AFC Telford, Nuneaton Town and AFC Halifax all seem to be doing the same. And, of course, Chester fans were singing 'C'mon City' at York Street last Saturday.

Perhaps there are no hard and fast rules about being able to claim an old club's heritage. It didn't happen up here though in Ice Hockey when Manchester Storm went bust and Manchester Phoenix came into being and started playing at the MEN Arena - the same venue as Storm had played at. Storm won quite a few things in  their relatively short history, but I don't think Phoenix ever layed claim to any of it.

213

The B-Ark / Re: what a crackin game

« on: September 16, 2012, 06:16:12 PM »

After travelling home and away this year I told my Mrs that after the Workington match I wouldn't go again this season.  So glad I changed my mind!

As underdogs, the team totally proved (pretty much) everybody wrong and showed real character, drive and determination today.  In my opinion I think that was the best game I have seen SWD play; Ben Fairclough was great, as was Stainfield.  Haystead also looked a totally different player compared to recent performances.

Games like this are what football is all about!  You can't give up on a team just because of some drab performances and dire results as you never know what is around the corner!  Well done to all the players and backroom staff. 

Absolutely spot on - I couldn't agree more. I would have actually given SWD the man-of-the-match just ahead of Ben, but there were both great. And a good mention for a change for the referee - one of the better ones we've seen for a quite a while.

214

The B-Ark / Re: v Colwyn Bay

« on: September 09, 2012, 07:05:14 PM »

very good result-- but dont get carried away yet happy clappers

much easier only playing against 10 men.

At least JL left out Miller and brought back in Stokes to the team -- something us so called moaners have been calling for for several games. It helps that Tom Ward is fit again and playing in his proper position rather than midfield.

having said all that it was a great result and well done to all concerned

Interesting to see where we would have been if we had lost the game --eg Where Colwyn Bay are in the league.

We will get a reality check next Saturday against an obviously very good Chester team. Somehow though I dont think we will lose the game-- you heard it here first--football is a funny old game

Agreed - it was good to see Ward back in central defence and I thought Stokes played pretty well. I took along a couple of mates (a Bolton Wanderers fan and a Plymouth Argyle fan who both see BUFC 4 or 5 times a season) and they thought Stokes looked pretty useful. Both also felt that we shouldn't be too disappointed that Kevin Holsgrove was playing for Colwyn Bay and not us!!  Pretty busy, saw lots of the ball but no real end product. I'm not sure, though, the team would have agreed it was easier playing against 10 men - at times it wasn't so easy to see which of the two teams was down to 10 men.
On our way back home to Kearsley we detoured into Chester for a bite to eat, and took our Bolton fan friend to see Chester FC's Deva Stadium - a ground he'd never visited before. It was interesting to note that all the road signs to the ground still show Chester CITY FC and that the sponsorship deal now has the stadium called The Exacta Stadium. The place is obviously buzzing with their start to the season - it was now about 6pm and there were still lots of fans milling around the ground all in their replica kits. Although very happy with our win yesterday I do think we'll need to play somewhat better next week against the Chester team. The Bolton fan is making the journey with me to Boston next Saturday - so here's to him seeing another BUFC win!!

215

The B-Ark / Re: Abysmal !!

« on: September 02, 2012, 03:09:50 PM »

Highilghts of yesterdays game should remind players and fans alike that especially for the first hour we played some good stuff and created plenty of chances. But for some poor finishing the came should have been finished as a contest before Workington got their second http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RjrXnBZAxY&feature=plcp

Agree Carl. Haven't looked at the highlights, but from being at the game I believe we should have had it won by half-time. The Workington goalie made several good saves - but better finishing would have seen the ball in areas that would have beaten him.

216

The B-Ark / Re: Abysmal !!

« on: September 02, 2012, 03:06:40 PM »

Haystead's fault not a fan of him so far.

I agree with the sentiment !! Wasn't happy at all when he was signed again. I remember an abysmal game he had at Stalybridge one night in his first spell with us. Just hope he improves and shows us what Shorty, Shouty and Jason Lee must have seen in him when they signed him.

217

The B-Ark / Droylsden & another Football Attraction this Saturday

« on: August 16, 2012, 01:04:16 PM »

Further to my other thread re: National Football Museum, those coming up to Droylsden might also be interested in taking in the 'Barclays Premier League Trophy Tour' which is visiting Albert Square in Manchester City Centre this week (16 -19 August). I'm making a visit with some work colleagues later today.

Check the website for more details:-

barclayspremierleaguetrophytour.com

218

The B-Ark / Droylsden & National Football Museum this Saturday

« on: August 14, 2012, 10:21:01 PM »

On another thread others have talked about the National Football Museum and I’d certainly recommend a visit too. As I work in the centre of Manchester I have already made a few short lunchtime visits, as well as an extended one. As already reported it is free admission, but there is quite a nice little Visitor Guide available at £1 and the Football Plus + ticket which allows you to join in various activities (two examples being the Penalty Shoot-Out and the Match Of The Day Commentary Challenge). I’m really enjoying the museum and, on the extended visit, my wife came along (a Mancunian, but not really a footy fan) and she enjoyed it too. She spotted the Ilkeston v BUFC ticket stub before I did – and brought up Boston United on one of the interactive gadgets which has details of every club that has been a member of the Football League. Our section includes a picture of Bazza as the holder of the record number of appearances.

So if you're coming up to Droylsden on Saturday why not include a visit to the museum? The best way would be to drive to Droylsden, park your car and then take the bus into the city centre. From Droylsden’s ground to the bus stops on the main road is less than a 5 minute walk and buses are every 10 minutes. Look for the No. 216 service as this takes the most direct route and is just a 20 minute ride to Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre. The route passes through sportscity and the Ethihad Stadium. Ask for a DayRider ticket which is the cheapest option for the return journey – it costs £3-90.

On arrival at Piccadilly Gardens head for Market Street – look for and go between Primark and Debenhams and then keep going straight along Market Street passing, amongst others, HMV & Tesco Metro on your left and Aldi and the Man City Store on your right. Just after the Man City Store you’ll reach Marks & Spencer. Turn right here onto Corporation Street towards The Printworks (bars, restaurants & cinema complex) and the oddly shaped Urbis Building (the home of the museum) – you’ll pass the iconic Post Box that survived the 1996 IRA bomb, the Corn Exchange (shopping) and the big screen in Exchange Square on your left and then the Museum is directly infront of you. From leaving the bus to getting to the museum is only a walk of 10 minutes or so.

If you’ve not driven towards Newark recently be aware that there are roadworks which can result in long queues near Newark Golf Club and, if you’re planning to use the M62, also be aware there is a fairly long stretch of 50mph speed limit. I use this route and can normally drive from Kearsley (a few miles further on than Droylsden) to Boston in 2 hours 30 minutes, a week last Saturday though it was 2 hours 50 minutes. But, by leaving Boston around 8-00am, you could feasibly make a 2 hour visit to the museum – with Man City not playing at home on Saturday you can leave it as late as 2-00pm before getting a bus back from Manchester to Droylsden. If you’ve plenty of time on your hands you can grab something to eat and drink in The Printworks or there’s a handful of pubs just the other side of the Exchange Square big screen facing Selfridges. A 2-00pm bus will get you into the ground by around 2-30pm and so, if you’ve not had time to eat elsewhere, you'll have have time for a pie & pint before taking your position to, hopefully, see us reverse recent fortunes in Tameside and open the season with a win. See you there!!

219

The B-Ark / Re: BUFC on TV in the 1960's

« on: August 14, 2012, 10:03:11 PM »

Which was won by pilgrims Mike Alexander one year.

... and the following year BUFC urged United fans to try and retain the title by voting for centre half Alex Gibson.

220

The B-Ark / Re: BUFC on TV in the 1960's

« on: August 12, 2012, 08:16:54 PM »

Andy,s programme was dated 1969.  A long time before matches mentioned by Carl and John .   
I attended the match but cannot recall any TV transmission ,  maybe it was just highlights on the local TV news.

Back in the days when Lincolnshire received Anglia TV rather than Yorkshire TV, we were on the TV fairly regularly. The local nightly news programme was called 'About Anglia' and each Monday they had a sports desk section. It included around 30-45 seconds highlights of several non-league local matches played on the Saturday - I think BUFC and Grantham would probably have been the furthest north (can't recall if Gainsborough were featured) and maybe it went as far south as Chelmsford - but besides those already mentioned you'd get teams such as King's Lynn, Bedford Town, Cambridge United, Bury Town and even Bourne, Holbeach, Stamford and Spalding featured if they were involved in FA Cup or top-of-the-league matches. Anglia's regional Sunday afternoon programme was called 'Match-Of-The-Week' and, in the absence of top flight teams in our region, teams like second tier Hull City, Norwich City and Ipswich Town seemed to be on all the time.

221

The B-Ark / Re: Death of a Scarborough player against Boston

« on: August 12, 2012, 06:42:23 PM »

It was at the end of the 1976/7 season. The NPL title was going to go to either Boston or Northwich with Scarborough due to play both sides. Boston were to play their final game of the season at Scarborough on the Monday then Northwich would play them on the Wednesday. Boston were one point in front of Northwich with a much better goal difference, so a single point against Scarborough would virtually assure them of the title. However they lost the game 2-1. This left Northwich with the task of beating Scarborough but they could only manage a 1-1 draw. They had led at half time but an 85th minute equaliser denied them the point they needed. So Boston won the title because of their better goal difference. The Boston rejoicing was tempered however by the tragic death of 21 year old Scarborough striker Tony Aveyard who had died after leaving the pitch in the game against Boston complaining of double vision before being taken to hospital.

I was 19 at the time, still living in Boston and working at Pilgrim Hospital. Four of us from different departments at the hospital took the Monday afternoon off work (including Craig Singleton's Mum Barbara) and drove to Scarborough for the match. I can remember Tony Aveyard leaving the pitch but I'm sure we didn't know about his tragic death until the following day (no email, mobiles, Sky TV etc back then). I do remember feeling absolutely gutted at losing and then being stopped by the police at Tadcaster on the way home. I can't remember why we were stopped, but can recall one of the officers was a Leeds Utd fan and he was amazed that we were making such a journey on a Monday night. My other memories of the week are a bit hazy now, but I do remember our celebrations at winning the league being very muted indeed.

Thinking of that trip has also reminded me of another last game of the season in the 1970s when we needed to win to take the NPL title. Again it was on a Monday night and again a car load of us took time off work to go to the game. This time our destination was Mossley and United duly wrapped up the League title with a 2-1 win. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the game as we broke down on the M62 and were towed to a garage on the outskirts of Huddersfield!!

222

The B-Ark / Re: Stripes it is then.

« on: July 07, 2012, 11:14:26 AM »

Maybe I'll be in a minority - but I don't like it!! Don't like the white piping and, although I'm grateful to the sponsors, that big block of red looks horrible. The shirt doesn't seem to 'hang' well across the shoulders and down from the chest - and you'd have thought that, as the shirt is being modelled for us all to see, someone would have made sure the whole of the club badge was visible!! Moan over but, if we're winning on a regular basis, I won't care how horrible the shirt looks!!

BUFC wore this type of shirt when we "won" The Conference.....

And more recently, the UniBond Play Offs...

...and, imo, both looked much smarter than this new offering. We seemed to have swapped between plain and striped (of various sorts) shirts in the 45+ years I've been watching BUFC and I don't really mind either - I just don't like the overall design of the new shirt, but that's just me.

223

The B-Ark / Re: Stripes it is then.

« on: July 04, 2012, 07:16:06 PM »

Maybe I'll be in a minority - but I don't like it!! Don't like the white piping and, although I'm grateful to the sponsors, that big block of red looks horrible. The shirt doesn't seem to 'hang' well across the shoulders and down from the chest - and you'd have thought that, as the shirt is being modelled for us all to see, someone would have made sure the whole of the club badge was visible!! Moan over but, if we're winning on a regular basis, I won't care how horrible the shirt looks!!

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The B-Ark / Re: The fixtures are out...

« on: July 04, 2012, 07:04:13 PM »

Stalybridge on a Tuesday. Wicked.

Its been Tuesday for the past two or three seasons - selfishly ok for me as its only about 16 miles away - but have we ever even taken a point from Bower Fold no matter whether Saturday or midweek? It was a 1-2 defeat in the season we won the Conference and the last two seasons its been 0-3, albeit one of those defeats did flatter Celtic somewhat. Still I'll be there again - maybe this season things will change??

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The B-Ark / IS THERE A TAMESIDE / GREATER MANCHESTER CURSE?

« on: April 22, 2012, 07:13:36 PM »

It must be something about playing within the boundaries of Tameside Metropolitan Borough - three visits this season and three defeats at Droylsden, Stalybridge and Hyde.
Last season, although winning at Hyde, there were heavy defeats at Droylsden and Stalybridge with the 4-0 defeat at the Butchers Arms Ground bringing an end to that long run of clean sheets. Going back further there was a 3-0 defeat at Ashton United when we were in the Unibond Premier League but, thankfully, we did avoid defeat to a Unibond First Division club when leaving Curzon Ashton with a win in the Unibond League Cup.
Infact, visiting Greater Manchester as a whole hasn't been too productive in recent times, the 6-1 defeat at a wet Altrincham this season or, again back to the Unibond League days, that rather frustrating 0-0 draw with Leigh RMI played at Radcliffe Borough's ground at a time when RMI were getting some real drubbings. Things were only slightly better in the Football League era with visits to Bury producing some mixed results but defeat on most visits to Rochdale and a defeat at Stockport.
Then perhaps it might be me or my choice of transport. I was at all these games and travelled by bus / tram rather than drive the short distances.