REFLECTING on my latest very enjoyable groundhopping adventures over land and sea (yes, sea!)…
Immingham Town 0-4 Selby Town
- When: Saturday 29th August 2026
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: Woodlands, Woodlands Avenue, Immingham, Lincolnshire DN40 2JG
- Competition: Macron Northern Counties East League Division One
- Attendance: 78
Immingham Town re-formed in 2016 and are newcomers to Non-League Step 6 this season earning promotion as Lincolnshire League Premier Division champions.
The preceding Immingham Town club played within the Woodlands ground at Northern Counties East League level until they disbanded in 1995 due to financial problems. Woodlands was subsequently decimated by fire.
But the relaunched Immingham Town spent the past year bringing the long-lost venue back to life in meeting National League System grading requirements.
Distance travelled: 300 mile round trip.
Ground description: The main feature is a sturdy covered terrace area. Immingham hold plans to install seats obtained from Lincoln City FC.
Programme details: A nice 16 page glossy publication.
The match: It was 18th versus 6th in the NCEL Division One standings. Therefore anyone present possessing football betting knowledge would have fancied an away victory.
And that’s what happened. Joseph Rawcliffe registered a great hat-trick of headers (17, 28 and 57 minutes) prior to Max Bauer battering the fourth goal from 25 yards (83 mins).
Bromyard Town 1-2 Ludlow Town
- When: Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2026
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: Delahay Meadow, Stourport Road, Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4NT
- Competition: Hellenic League – “Proudly Sponsored by uhlsport” – Division One
- Attendance: 76
Bromyard Town take their place in Step 6 having clinched the 2025/26 Herefordshire League Premier Division title by an 11 point margin.
They competed at a similar tier (Step 6 equivalent) in the past as long-standing members of the West Midlands (Regional) League.
Distance travelled: 290 mile round trip.
Ground description: The ‘Cyril Bouston Stand’ contains 125 blue tip-up seats arranged in five rows. A small covered standing enclosure lies on the far touchline.
Good matchday views can also be obtained on the tall grass banking stretching around behind one goal.
Programme details: A 12 page homespun effort.
The match: It pitted 14th versus 6th so betting enthusiasts watching may have favoured Ludlow Town. Jack Griffiths-Perry drew first blood for Bromyard in the 37th minute.
However, Ludlow battled back to win through two penalties tucked away by Ryan Clarke (58, 84 mins).
Field Olympic 4-2 Leeds UFCA
- When: Saturday 12th September 2026
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: Olympic Park, Harrogate Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD10 0HT
- Competition: The FA Vase Second Round Qualifying
- Attendance: 81
Yet another team freshly promoted to Step 6. Field Olympic lifted the West Yorkshire League Premier Division crown last season.
Distance travelled: 370 mile round trip.
Ground description: There are 100 uncovered seats at the top of imposing grass banking. In addition, a converted shipping container lower down the bank provides shelter for up to 100 spectators.
Programme details: A 12 page glossy affair.
The match: Two adversaries from the Northern Counties East League Division One locking horns in FA Vase combat.
Goals via Kieron Batey (5 minutes), Junayd Cassius-Gill (44 mins) and Curtis Peters two (46, 63 mins) proved decisive for the homesters.
Marksmen for Leeds UFCA (University Football Club Alliance) were Harrison Rowley (18 mins) and Loren Matuku (69 mins).
Newport (IW) 3-1 Frimley Green
- When: Saturday 26th September 2026
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: WightFibre Park, Whippingham Road, Newport, Isle of Wight PO32 6GZ
- Competition: Wessex League Division One
- Attendance: 453
A day trip by boat to Britain’s newest football stadium which cost £1 million to build. I took the 12 noon Southampton crossing before returning from the Isle of Wight at 5.30pm.
I had previously seen Newport (IW) play on now-demolished home venues called Church Litten and St George’s Park. After seven years of groundsharing, they recently opened the splendid WightFibre Park.
Distance travelled: 260 miles round trip.
Ground description: A 176-seater grandstand sits along one side of the artificial pitch. Then identical cover terracing sections for 75 spectators are located directly behind each goal.
Programme details: A 32 page professional production which I avidly read on the car ferry back to the mainland.
Furthermore, I purchased a Newport (IW) ‘50/50 Draw’ ticket for my extensive collection of groundhopping memorabilia.
The match: The league table showed 10th entertaining 3rd although Newport had fulfilled five games less than their opponents.
The hosts shaded matters thanks to strikes delivered by Macauley Watterson (15 minutes), Ji Nash (65 mins) and Connor Kelly (90+2 mins). Dan Bone headed Frimley Green’s goal (38 mins).
I was later invited on to national Track Radio to discuss my groundhopping excursion to the Isle of Wight.
- Football grounds visited: 2,721
