Brixham in Peninsula League?

No discussion of local football on TFF this season. I guess that's partly because of a change in administrative personnel; partly because of more pressing concerns and worries. But, to flag up the subject of this thread, it does look as if Brixham are nicely-placed to qualify for the Peninsula League. Mind you, half of the season is yet to be played!

It's a good point. You often find areas as populous as Torbay have a "second club" playing at, say, Western League level or equivalent. I think it's something we've discussed before especially in terms of a lack of a prominent "town team" in Paignton. Mitigating circumstances I guess: the quality of local pitches; the significance of rugby union in the area.

But let's not forget Galmpton United who do play in the Peninsula League. Indeed, stretch it a little, and I'm sure Torbay can lay claim to Stoke Gabriel (cue dissenting voices from the South Hams).

As for AFC Brixham, I may just pay them a visit this afternoon.

If you think it's choppy times at Plainmoor you should have been on the mid-morning Greenway Ferries vessel to Brixham on Easter Saturday. It was probably the final crossing of the day before sailings were cancelled.

A greater sense of tranquility at Wall Park where Brixham AFC were playing Ivybridge Town Reserves in the South Devon League. 2-1 to Brixham which, assuming the appropriate ground grading has been obtained, keeps them on course for promotion to the Peninsula League. From what I can gather there are four promotion places with six feeder leagues able to apply. Five have done so but the East Cornwall's applicant is off the pace. That should ensure a place for Brixham providing they maintain their current form.

Wall Park has lost its' two rather box-like stands since my previous visit five years ago. This means spectator access is pretty much confined to the perimeter of the half of the pitch which is nearest the road and entrance. You can't get beyond the halfway line on the allotments side; there's a few extra yards of hard standing and wooden seating on the clubhouse side.

I'm not sure if there are intentions to develop Wall Park. It's probably adequate for non-league step 7 (next season's aim) but may not pass muster further up the pyramid. I wonder if that allotments access road is a problem? 

I was looking forward to seeing Western League football back at Exmouth. SWPL secretary says it's a ground grading issue but no detail has been given.

Remarkable achievement by Watcombe Wanderers. I take it that there are no ambitions to progress higher? There don't have to be of course, that's their prerogative. Does this already trump those Torquay United "A" teams of long ago and anything achieved by Upton Athletic?

SDL site says Brixham 3 Upton Athletic 1.

The Peninsula League is usually one of the quickest to release its' fixtures for the coming season. The complete list for Brixham's division can be found at

www.swpleague.co.uk/Div_1_East

The final league tables for the Peninsula's six feeder leagues have been appearing in the Non League Paper recently; a fantastic service for those outside the Sunday Independent circulation area.

Looking at the South Devon League you wonder which clubs are likely to be interested in Peninsula football in future. Unless new facilities materialise, I can only think of Dartmouth if they fancy another go. Pretty much the same in Plymouth and East Cornwall; future applicants to the Peninsula are probably going to be concentrated on West Cornwall and East Devon with a couple of possibilities from North Devon.

Was talking about Watcombe Wanderers last week to somebody who has been away from Torquay for many years. Without prompting he mentioned the tale of the Americans offering to level King George V during WW2. Was this a serious offer or is it an urban myth?

If only; if only. It could have been a Field of Dreams.