Sadly, my trip to Cherrywood Road, home of Farnborough FC, was to be born more out of necessity than the impulse adventure I would have preferred it to have been. For a number reasons that I won't bother to bore you with, in the most part because I don't actually understand what's going on, Farnborough are financially teetering on the edge once more. As I sit writing this now, I read that their first four competitive games of the season have been postponed whilst they fight an appeal against a Ryman League sanction. It's a sorry situation for anybody to be in, but it presented a groundhopping opportunity to myself, something I'm naturally thankful for. To Farnborough lads!
As I was being picked up in Southampton by Andy and Ross, I had the simple task of getting to Southampton airport before allowing Ross to play chauffeur for the day whilst I watched football and drank beer in the sun. As ever, the trains decided to play games with me. Thankfully, it wasn't late for once, but every bugger and his dog must have got on at Bournemouth, and they were all dressed up looking all posh and horrible. I think they were going to watch some sport in some big city in this country, a sport that can be best described as mildly tedious. Wimbledon or something, I don't know, get off my back alright?
As I was being picked up in Southampton by Andy and Ross, I had the simple task of getting to Southampton airport before allowing Ross to play chauffeur for the day whilst I watched football and drank beer in the sun. As ever, the trains decided to play games with me. Thankfully, it wasn't late for once, but every bugger and his dog must have got on at Bournemouth, and they were all dressed up looking all posh and horrible. I think they were going to watch some sport in some big city in this country, a sport that can be best described as mildly tedious. Wimbledon or something, I don't know, get off my back alright?
Having arrived in Farnborough just as the clock struck midday, we headed for a Wetherspoons before heading back out towards the ground. Having ordered a pint of Tuborg and been handed a pint of Thatchers, I feared the worst going into the rest of the day. Could the rest of Farnborough really be this useless? I quickly amended the situation and we headed out for Cherrywood Road, reaching the ground with enough time to enjoy another beer each, and rather brilliantly, Honduras vs Panama on the TV. I awarded myself some extra hipster points, naturally.
We entered the ground to an impeccable minute's silence in memory of Junior Dian, who tragically lost his life playing in a pre season game in the days beforehand. The silence was broken only by me stupidly walking through a particularly loud turnstile, as I'd mistaken the referee's whistle for the one to call in the captain's. Sorry lads.
What struck me about the ground immediately, was that surely Farnborough can't afford to remain at Cherrywood Road. It's certainly a Conference level standard, and for that there must be a degree of high maintenance costs that come with running the place. What with all the financial nonsense surrounding the club at the moment, the only way I can imagine they are still there is through the help of Reading Women, who also play their home games in the ground The near goal has an entire seated stand as its backdrop, with further seating along the near touchline. On the far touchline, opposite the dugouts, are some standing terracing i what is a fully enclosed ground.
What struck me about the ground immediately, was that surely Farnborough can't afford to remain at Cherrywood Road. It's certainly a Conference level standard, and for that there must be a degree of high maintenance costs that come with running the place. What with all the financial nonsense surrounding the club at the moment, the only way I can imagine they are still there is through the help of Reading Women, who also play their home games in the ground The near goal has an entire seated stand as its backdrop, with further seating along the near touchline. On the far touchline, opposite the dugouts, are some standing terracing i what is a fully enclosed ground.
We wandered over and enjoyed the game stood in the terracing on the far touchline, contemplating how the roof was staying in place. 'Wingardium Leviosa' quickly became the shout of the day. Our laughter certainly made the game a more bearable affair, as, once again, this pre-season game was a typical pre-season game.
Kicking myself for hoping it might be anything different, visitors Slough Town cruised to a 4-0 victory in the blistering heat, against a Farnborough side that really lacked any quality. Their one piece of quality came from a substitute right-back, as a challenge later than most buses in this country from his right-winger left him questioning where the referee had seen a foul. Great lad, he had me in stitches on the touchline.
Kicking myself for hoping it might be anything different, visitors Slough Town cruised to a 4-0 victory in the blistering heat, against a Farnborough side that really lacked any quality. Their one piece of quality came from a substitute right-back, as a challenge later than most buses in this country from his right-winger left him questioning where the referee had seen a foul. Great lad, he had me in stitches on the touchline.
Farnborough are due to play their football in the Ryman League this season following relegation from the Conference South in 2014/15, but as aforementioned, that's going to be delayed until their appeal is heard and a decision is made. It's sad to see a club going through financial trouble, I've been there myself with Bashley, and I for one sincerely hope they work everything out.
There wasn't anything particularly special about Cherrywood Road, nothing that screamed out to me and made me want to go running back at the next opportunity, but I did certainly enjoy the couple of hours I spent there. I found nothing wrong with the place at all, and wouldn't begrudge a return in the future if the opportunity arose.
I have to wish the club all the best going through this difficult spell, and I certainly hope they find a way to get through this time. Friendly enough, I hope it all works out for them. My visit may have been because I wanted to get there before it was too late, but nobody wants to see a club disappear.
There wasn't anything particularly special about Cherrywood Road, nothing that screamed out to me and made me want to go running back at the next opportunity, but I did certainly enjoy the couple of hours I spent there. I found nothing wrong with the place at all, and wouldn't begrudge a return in the future if the opportunity arose.
I have to wish the club all the best going through this difficult spell, and I certainly hope they find a way to get through this time. Friendly enough, I hope it all works out for them. My visit may have been because I wanted to get there before it was too late, but nobody wants to see a club disappear.