REPORTING on my two consecutive Saturdays of football groundhopping around the country…
Shirehampton 1-2 Devizes Town
- When: Saturday 6th September 2025
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: Penpole Lane, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 0EA
- Competition: Jewson Western Football League Division One
- Attendance: 101
Shirehampton had appeared on my groundhopping radar because they are now in the first full season playing back at their traditional Penpole Lane headquarters. Before that, ‘Shire’ had groundshared for three and a half years with nearby Bristol Manor Farm FC of the Southern League.
It meant Shirehampton had the required facilities to gain promotion into Step 6 of the National League System in 2021/22 on finishing second in the Gloucestershire County League. Yet having become Western League Division One members, the ambition was to get Penpole Lane up to scratch.
This was always going to be tricky because it was basically a park pitch in an open space for local people. Nevertheless, the club received permission to carry out the improvements and £146,000 from the Premier League Stadium Fund.
Overall, approximately £200,000 was invested to install floodlights, spectator facilities and to enclose the ground. Bearing all these fascinating details in mind, I departed on my 320 mile round trip utilising the M25, M4 and M5 motorways. Shirehampton itself is a village housing 6,000 residents.
I had previously covered Shire for 888sport on Boxing Day last year in a 2-2 draw away to close rivals Avonmouth which attracted an impressive Step 6 crowd of 528.
Ground description: The club car park was filling up when I arrived so they helpfully opened an overspill parking area at a school across the road.
Inside the Penpole Lane venue, there is a 120-seater stand on one side of the pitch plus covered standing for 50 spectators next to it. The players’ changing rooms are in the pavilion beyond a cricket square.
Programme details: A 24 page online programme entitled ‘Up The Lane’.
The match: On a sunny day, it was eighth hosting second in the Western League Division One table so anyone present holding expert football betting knowledge might have fancied an away win.
Accordingly, Devizes edged matters thanks to strikes by Jamie Walters (52 minutes) and Ben Ford (own goal, 69 mins). Shirehampton replied via Aladji Sambou (79 mins) but couldn’t fashion an equaliser. This recompleted visits for me to all the current Western League grounds.
The people: I enjoyed chatting to Shirehampton president Kelvin Gordon and chairman Pete McCall. Two real stalwarts who have given the club more than 100 unstinting years of combined service.
FCV Grace Dieu 1-0 South Normanton Athletic
- When: Saturday 13th September 2025
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: FCV International Football Academy, Grace Dieu Manor Park, Thringstone, Leicestershire LE67 5UG
- Competition: GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League Division One
- Attendance: 75
FCV Grace Dieu are newcomers to Step 6 of the National League System after winning the Nottinghamshire Senior League Premier Division by a 10 point margin during 2024/25.
They are partnered to FCV International Football Academy - the UK’s first private football academy where “our mission is to elevate the football careers and academic dreams of talented individuals aged 14 and above” in a residential setting.
Interesting stuff so I set off on my 240 mile round trip up the M1 motorway with eager anticipation.
Ground description: As soon as I drove through the entry gates, I realised I was venturing into a truly unique football set-up. The picturesque 66 acre Grace Dieu Manor Park includes a 19th century Grade II listed office building, three accommodation blocks for students, a gym and swimming pool facilities.
The artificial football pitch has raised banking for spectators along one side and sturdy cover behind one goal.
Programme details: A colourful online edition conveying all the necessary information.
The match: Amidst scattered rain showers, sixth entertained fourth in the United Counties League Division One rankings. Therefore betting enthusiasts would have expected a keenly contested game.
South Normanton Athletic – nicknamed the ‘Shiners’ - were roared on by some noisy fans who brandished flags proclaiming “NORMO LOYAL” and “THE SHINERS ONE LOVE”. However, I felt FCV shaded possession and chances ultimately scoring four minutes into added time at the end whereby Hassaan Farouq fired in off the post.
The people: FCV head coach Shane Clarke and his assistant George Zuerner gave me a very warm welcome and explained their team’s past, present and future in meticulous detail.