MY recent groundhopping adventures took me to opposite ends of the country for two matches in Devon and two games in the North-East…
Torrington 1-2 Ilfracombe Town
- When: Tuesday 28th October 2025
- Kick-off: 7.30pm
- Where: Vicarage Field, School Lane, Torrington, Devon EX38 7AJ.
- Competition: Walter C. Parson Peninsula League Premier East Division
- Attendance: 119
I had already been to the market town of Great Torrington (population 6,000) earlier this year on Saturday 16th August 2025 when I reported for 888sport on Torridgeside 1 Bishops Lydeard 0. Therefore now was my chance to return to the area to watch their other local team Torrington FC.
Ground description: Situated in a lane next to the town’s swimming pool. The focal point for football spectators is a sturdy 100-seater stand along one touchline. There is some uncovered seating on the far side.
Programme details: A 20 page online edition called ‘The Super Greens’ to match home club colours.
The people: It was great to catch up with the Peninsula League’s super-efficient secretary Phil Hiscox who kindly gave me an official handbook for my massive collection of groundhopping memorabilia.
Apart from being one of Non-League football’s most respected administrators, I really like how Phil makes the effort to visit all of his member clubs each season.
The match: Divisional standings revealed 11th versus 5th so anyone possessing expert football betting knowledge might have expected an away win.
Ilfracombe raced into a 2-0 first half lead in this North Devon derby thanks to strikes by Jack Jenkins (22 minutes) and Jake Chesworth (36 mins). Callum Deemer netted Torrington’s goal with four minutes to go.
Honiton Town 1-5 Bridport
- When: Wednesday 29th October 2025
- Kick-off: 7.30pm
- Where: Mountbatten Park, Ottery Moor Lane, Honiton, Devon EX14 1AW
- Competition: Walter C. Parson Peninsula League Premier East Division
- Attendance: 124
Following an overnight stay, I headed for my second Devon groundhop adventure. Honiton is a market town housing 12,200 residents.
Ground description: Two stands adjoin one touchline offering 100 seats. There is also a covered standing enclosure for 50 supporters at the top end. Mountbatten Park is shared with cricket meaning one side of the pitch is out of bounds on football matchdays.
Programme details: Entitled ‘THE HIPPOS’ to reflect Honiton’s unique nickname. This 12 page production was on sale at the entry hut.
It explained how the aforementioned Hippos legend was created when bone remains of a hippopotamus were found locally whilst constructing a new road back in 1965!
The people: An incredibly friendly club - from photographer Gary House warmly greeting me on arrival to chairman Roger Doble racing across the pitch to shake my hand before kick-off.
The match: It was 10th entertaining 2nd. Bridport took control through Solomon Ayunga’s hat-trick (3, 19, 49 mins) plus Harley Brook (53 mins) and Sam Fisher (60 mins). To their credit, Honiton kept battling and deserved the last minute consolation goal by Kyle Howell.
AFC Newbiggin 2-3 Newcastle University
- When: Saturday 15th November 2025
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: Holcim Park, Newbiggin Sports and Community Hub, Woodhorn Road, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland NE64 6HG,
- Competition: Ebac Northern League Division 2
- Attendance: 55
Extremely wet weather was imminent for most of the country but the North-East was due to be dry. Thus I set off on my 540 mile round trip straight up the A1.
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea is a seaside town embracing 6,300 residents. AFC Newbiggin are newcomers at Step 6 of the National League System this season having won promotion as the Northern Alliance Premier Division runners-up in 2024/25.
Ground description: Located beyond the community hub sports centre building. There are a pair of 50-seater prefab grandstands on one side.
Programme details: A 16 page homespun publication. Sold at £1.50p by the cheerful ladies at the entry hut which also serves refreshments.
The match: Northern League Division 2 rankings showed 13th taking on 12th encouraging any betting enthusiasts present to anticipate a closely fought game.
In near gale force winds, two goals via Ethan Smith (39, 44 mins) gave Newbiggin first half ascendency.
However, Newcastle Uni stormed back to notch three times within an astonishing four minute purple patch courtesy of Matthew Foster (58, 62 mins) and Kane Morris (59 mins).
Durham United 0-3 Alnwick Town
- When: Saturday 29th November 2025
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: Maiden Castle, The Graham Sports Centre, Stockton Road, Durham, County Durham DH1 3SE
- Competition: Ebac Northern League Division 2
- Attendance: 37
Once again horrendous rain was forecast affecting most parts of the country. So it was time to find a 3G artificial pitch fixture to ensure I would carefully avoid any late postponements. Accordingly, I embarked on my 480 mile round trip utilising the A1.
Durham United enjoy strong links to Durham University and are freshly promoted to Step 6 this season after clinching the Wearside League Premier Division title by a nine point margin in 2024/25.
I had previously ventured to the area twice before to see former Northern League outfit Durham City FC play on different home grounds. Durham itself is a famous cathedral city of 50,000 residents.
Ground description: Part of a sprawling Durham University sports complex. The 3G football surface is surrounded by a running track and shared with high profile Durham Women FC of the Women's Super League 2. The predominant feature is a 300 seater grandstand.
Programme details: An online edition but Durham United print out a limited number of hard copies – priced £2 - for interested spectators. An up to date colour teamsheet was available at the entry turnstile too.
The match: It pitted 11th against 7th. Amid incessant torrential rain, visitors Alnwick chalked up goals by Antonio Agostinho (7 mins) and Max Anderson (46, 50 mins).
Football grounds visited: 2,677.
Footnote: I now have seven grounds left to visit in the entire National League System to complete my life’s ambition of watching a football match at every Non-League ground in the country.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
