Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 10:29:37 GMT
On Tuesday evening I went to see Maidenhead United play Welling United in Conference South at York Road in Maidenhead. You may have noticed this ground from the train - it's a few hundred yards on the left beyond Maidenhead station heading towards Paddington. How much you can view depends on the extent of foliage on the trees. At this time of the year you see very little.
Maidenhead have played at York Road - with trains thundering along Brunel's embankment throughout - since 1871. This makes it one of the oldest football grounds in England (although I'm none too sure which may be longer-established) and I dare say Queen Victoria always looked out for the ground on her way back to Windsor. The club itself was formed in 1870 but - like ourselves - there's been some dispute. Maidenhead's current badge says 1870 but earlier versions - as illustrated in Tuesday's programme - say 1869:
Maidenhead's long history - and location close to London - means that, together with neighbours Marlow, they entered the very first FA Cup in 1871/72. It was a small competition in those days but Maidenhead had some early success and this section of the club's honours board looks pretty impressive:
I liked York Road because it's a mish-mash and still has some character (although I believe it's lost some of its best features). By far the best feature is the quirky, rather quaint refreshment building which has a wonderful big "TEA BAR" sign and serves fine bacon rolls. The ugliest feature is the shell of the social club which was started twenty or so years ago but was never completed. From the railway line it looks like one of those agricultural barns we've seen at places like Wisbech but, once you get inside the ground, you realise it isn't used for spectator shelter. Instead it merely serves to provide Maidenhead United with a covered car park. Here's several shots of York Road from Pyramid Passion with more at www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/maidenhead_united.html:
As for the actual game, Maidenhead won a surprisingly good bottom-of-the-table match (early days, isn't it?) by 2-0 with a goal in each half. In spite of keeping a clean sheet Maidenhead looked like a team which can't defend; Welling a side which can't score. Neither side looked desperate - it'll be interesting to see how they fare - but each may have weaknesses which could mean they'll struggle. Of the players Merse mentioned, Loui Fazakerley of Welling looks the part - great balance - but also resembles a player who is steadily losing interest after having too many clubs; St Aimie against Mambo was a fair contest which the forward just shaded. Bradley Quamina - who played against us for Woking - had a good game im midfield for Maidenhead (it was his debut and he wasn't fully fit) and I was impressed by Michael Deane, Welling's left back.
All in all, it's a decent standard but - poor start for the home club or not - how can a club make Conference South football work on a gate of 187? It was a glorious evening with no football on the box. It's probably one of those clubs where the same numbers would turn up even if they were playing a level or two below. And - as a reminder of how clubs go up and down - Maidenhead's next two opponents are two of ours from last year: Woking and Lewes.
Lastly, the Blue Square advert from Tuesday's programme. Any familiar faces?
Maidenhead have played at York Road - with trains thundering along Brunel's embankment throughout - since 1871. This makes it one of the oldest football grounds in England (although I'm none too sure which may be longer-established) and I dare say Queen Victoria always looked out for the ground on her way back to Windsor. The club itself was formed in 1870 but - like ourselves - there's been some dispute. Maidenhead's current badge says 1870 but earlier versions - as illustrated in Tuesday's programme - say 1869:
Maidenhead's long history - and location close to London - means that, together with neighbours Marlow, they entered the very first FA Cup in 1871/72. It was a small competition in those days but Maidenhead had some early success and this section of the club's honours board looks pretty impressive:
I liked York Road because it's a mish-mash and still has some character (although I believe it's lost some of its best features). By far the best feature is the quirky, rather quaint refreshment building which has a wonderful big "TEA BAR" sign and serves fine bacon rolls. The ugliest feature is the shell of the social club which was started twenty or so years ago but was never completed. From the railway line it looks like one of those agricultural barns we've seen at places like Wisbech but, once you get inside the ground, you realise it isn't used for spectator shelter. Instead it merely serves to provide Maidenhead United with a covered car park. Here's several shots of York Road from Pyramid Passion with more at www.pyramidpassion.co.uk/html/maidenhead_united.html:
As for the actual game, Maidenhead won a surprisingly good bottom-of-the-table match (early days, isn't it?) by 2-0 with a goal in each half. In spite of keeping a clean sheet Maidenhead looked like a team which can't defend; Welling a side which can't score. Neither side looked desperate - it'll be interesting to see how they fare - but each may have weaknesses which could mean they'll struggle. Of the players Merse mentioned, Loui Fazakerley of Welling looks the part - great balance - but also resembles a player who is steadily losing interest after having too many clubs; St Aimie against Mambo was a fair contest which the forward just shaded. Bradley Quamina - who played against us for Woking - had a good game im midfield for Maidenhead (it was his debut and he wasn't fully fit) and I was impressed by Michael Deane, Welling's left back.
All in all, it's a decent standard but - poor start for the home club or not - how can a club make Conference South football work on a gate of 187? It was a glorious evening with no football on the box. It's probably one of those clubs where the same numbers would turn up even if they were playing a level or two below. And - as a reminder of how clubs go up and down - Maidenhead's next two opponents are two of ours from last year: Woking and Lewes.
Lastly, the Blue Square advert from Tuesday's programme. Any familiar faces?
