HERE are my latest groundhops at Jarrow and Sidmouth Town – two Step 6 clubs situated 374 miles apart at opposite ends of the country…
Match Information #1
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Jarrow 1-2 Thornaby
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When: Saturday 22nd February 2025
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Perth Green, Inverness Road, Jarrow, Tyne and Wear NE32 4AQ
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Competition: Ebac Northern League Division 2
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Attendance: 142
It was my birthday and I duly set off on a 540 mile round trip to celebrate!
Jarrow FC have participated in the Northern League Division 2 at Step 6 of the national Non-League Pyramid since 2017 following promotion as champions of the Wearside League.
Jarrow itself is a town housing 28,000 people and is famous for the Jarrow March against unemployment in 1936 when 200 men marched from Jarrow to London.
Ground Description
Located behind the Perth Green Community Association and North East Sports Academy buildings.
For football spectators, two prefab structures offer 50 seats and six steps of covered terracing for 50 supporters respectively. An adjacent caged 3G artificial pitch facilitates football training and community use.
Programme Details
Priced £1 for a 24 page effort. Assorted editorial incorporated sponsorship details, a player interview, line-ups, league tables, squad pictures, Thornaby FC history/player profiles and fixtures & results.
The Match
Third entertained seventh in the Northern League Division 2 rankings so anyone possessing expert knowledge of football odds might have expected a home triumph.
As the two teams emerged on to the pitch, Alan Price’s 1974 hit ‘Jarrow Song’ reverberated over the loudspeakers including the appropriately rousing refrain:
“Come on follow the Jarrow lads,
“The joy’ll make your heart feel glad,
“They’re singing now, yes now is the hour.”
The lyrics probably inspired Jarrow to forge ahead through Benji Shoedeinde on five minutes.
However, Thornaby battled back to claim victory thanks to goals by Shaun Ryder (17 minutes) and Charlie Twinn (89 mins).
The People
I received a very warm welcome. Indeed, at least 50 people came up to shake my hand and wish happy birthday greetings.
They all wanted me to join them down the pub afterwards but I had to head home!
Special mention to Lee Hughes who presented me with a Jarrow FC metal lapel badge.
Match Information #2
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Sidmouth Town 6-0 Cullompton Rangers
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When: Saturday 8th March 2025
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Manstone Recreation Field, Manstone Lane, Sidmouth, Devon EX10 9TS
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Competition: Walter C. Parson Peninsula League Premier East
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Attendance: 113
Nicknamed the ‘Vikings’, Sidmouth Town have graced the South West Peninsula League for 14 years after previously competing in Devon & Exeter League circles.
They are looking good for promotion to Step 5 next season so I embarked on a 400 mile round trip to take a peek for myself. Sidmouth is a seaside town of 13,000 residents.
I took a pre-match drive to the beach prior to pinpointing the Manstone Recreation Field a mile and a half from the sea front.
Ground Description
A decent 50 seater grandstand lies on one touchline near covered standing provision for 50 fans.
There is also a skate park in one corner of the site which was popular amongst local teenagers throughout the afternoon.
Programme Details
A 20 page glossy production entitled ‘THE VIKING’ to reflect the club’s nickname. I liked the front cover colour aerial photograph of Sidmouth’s ground.
Other contents embraced the chairman’s welcome, meet the manager, player photos, clubhouse activities, refreshments menu, line-ups, a match report, league round-up, youth team ‘Junior Vikings’ news, and the history of Sidmouth Town FC.
The Match
This was first versus second in the Peninsula League Premier East hierarchy. Therefore betting enthusiasts would have fancied a tight affair.
Yet to my total surprise, Sidmouth Town racked up six of the best featuring a hat-trick by Louis Jagger Cane (38, 72, 88 minutes) and strikes via Liam Carey, penalty (18 mins), Louis Spalding (46 mins) and a George Russell own goal (61 mins).
I was pleased to capture a dramatic goal line technology-style photo on my phone depicting Cullompton keeper Finlay Croft clawing the ball away right in the jaws of the goal.
The People
Another extremely friendly set up - everyone exudes great pride in the facilities and supporting their team. It was nice to catch up with Peninsula League secretary Phil Hiscox at the game too.
Phil is fantastic football ambassador and always adopts common sense approaches to his league’s administration. He kindly handed me a SWPL handbook containing fascinating facts and figures about member clubs.
An excellent addition to my burgeoning collection of groundhopping memorabilia.
Football grounds visited: 2,623
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
