REFLECTING on three very unusual cup finals I have groundhopped at quirky football locations over the past year.
Needless to say, none of these matches were embraced by football betting in the betting stakes…
Bentley Village 2-1 SJR Worksop Development
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When: Saturday 25th May 2024
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Kick-off: 2.30pm
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Where: Doncaster Knights Rugby Football Club, Castle Park, Armthorpe Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN2 5QB
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Competition: Doncaster Saturday Football League KO Cup Final
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Attendance: 201
It was FA Cup Final day but I managed to source an alternative match to keep myself occupied.
For the historic first time, football was gracing Doncaster Knights Rugby Club’s Castle Park. This staged a weekend of Doncaster Saturday & Sunday League Cup Finals.
Ground Description
I particularly liked the appropriate knight on horseback statue just beyond the turnstiles. An impressive De Mulder Lloyd Stand extends the full length of one touchline and provides 1,650 seats.
It was opened in 2008 at a cost of £3 million incorporating conference and function suites. There is really good old school 12 step terracing opposite, uncovered seating behind one goal and hospitality/dressing room buildings at the other end. Overall stadium capacity is 5,000.
Programme Details
A 20 page programme was available at a desk adjoining the entry gate for £2. It covered all five Doncaster League finals held across Saturday and Sunday and predominantly consisted of squad line-ups.
The Match
SJR Worksop Development led 1-0 at the break by virtue of Morris (14 minutes). Nevertheless a second half renaissance from Bentley Village featured Walker (61 mins, penalty) and Cairns (67 mins) on the scoresheet.
St John’s College 0-0 St Catharine’s College
(St Catherine’s won 5-4 on penalties)
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When: Friday 10th May 2024
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Kick-off: 5pm
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Where: St John’s College Playing Fields, 100 Grange Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB3 0HF
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Competition: Cambridge University League Cuppers Cup Final
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Attendance: 339
Many colleges at Cambridge University possess their own well-appointed sports grounds. They compete in a designated Cambridge University Association Football League that has six divisions.
I had previously attended matches within the home venues of Clare College, Fitzwilliam College, Girton College, Queens’ College and Trinity College.
Additionally, I have seen the main Cambridge University football team in action at Grange Road Rugby Stadium and Fenner’s Cricket Ground.
Ground Description
A tidy multi-sports complex. Changing rooms are inside the large pavilion.
There was barely anyone present until moments prior to kick-off when 300-plus students suddenly arrived en masse brandishing colourful college flags and a loud hailer.
Programme Details
An official programme sold at £3 via the Cambridge University League secretary next to the pitch.
Also, a rudimentary student-created unofficial programme offering unconventional content was distributed free of charge although I had to hunt down one of the limited copies.
The Match
A disappointing affair. Literally nothing happened throughout the 90 minutes and extra-time. So it was a relief to enjoy some goals in the penalty shoot-out! O’Brien tucked away the winning spot kick for St Catharine’s College.
Cheesy Waffles 5-1 Simpsons Malt
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When: Saturday 29th July 2023
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Kick-off: 6.30pm
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Where: The Stanks, Magdalene Fields Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 1NE
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Competition: Berwick Charities Cup Final
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Attendance: 181
The Stanks is quite simply a wonderful bucket list destination for groundhoppers. It is uniquely etched at the foot of Berwick-upon-Tweed’s rampart walls which date back to Elizabethan design amidst the 1500’s.
All the Berwick Charities Cup fixtures are hosted here in a knock-out tournament played annually between May and July since 1948. Sums of up to £8,000 are raised each year for local charities thanks to matchday bucket donation collections.
On this occasion, I spent my afternoon watching a 3pm Northern League game at Newcastle-based West Allotment Celtic FC before making the mad 55 mile dash up coastal roads to reach Berwick in time for the 6.30pm kick-off.
Ground Description
The aforementioned towering walls dominate two sides of the pitch affording little space for throw-ins and corners.
Most spectators opted for a smaller raised bank along the other touchline yet several intrepid souls ventured to the top of the walls for panoramic views.
Programme Details
The four page tournament programme was hard to find on the night. But a helpful lady thankfully produced one for me from the boot of her car at half-time.
Furthermore, an online programme was issued by Cheesy Waffles and I have printed it out for my extensive football memorabilia collection.
The Match
Simpsons drew first blood scoring through Shennan (9 minutes).
However the delightfully named Cheesy Waffles FC from County Durham valiantly recovered to comfortably clinch the cup courtesy of strikes by Maskell (27, 28 mins), Harvey (57 mins), Fingleton (59 mins) and Barron (86 mins).
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
