Match Information

  • Denmead 3-1 Liphook United

  • When: Saturday 20th May 2023

  • Kick-off: 3pm

  • Where: Front Lawn Community Hub, Sombourne Drive, Havant, Hampshire PO9 5AN

  • Competition: Hampshire Premier League – Senior Division

  • Attendance: 45


888sport

With the Non-League season close to completion, I noticed a host of matches were being cancelled at Step 7 and below. The underlying reason seemed to be that teams were unable to fulfil commitments because their players had simply lost interest approaching the summer break.

I even heard an alarming tale of woe recently concerning a home side strenuously warming up out on the pitch five minutes prior to kick-off when they were abruptly told the opposing team were not turning up.

Such a contrast to the old days where everybody appeared desperate to participate in football activities as much as possible. Let’s give you an example. During 1987, the charismatic manager of a now defunct Step 5 club in East London offered me a lift to one of his Saturday afternoon away fixtures.

We met up at lunchtime and he revealed he only had eight fit players available due to injuries although it was apparently nothing to worry about! Incredibly, he spent the next half an hour stopping off at pubs and betting shops en route.

He marched into those respective premises and loudly announced: “Would anyone like to play senior football today? I can’t pay you but I will drive you there and back again.”

Suddenly, the car’s rear seat was duly occupied by three athletic-looking men who were total strangers! He handed them the necessary league registration forms to fill in and we were on our way.

Incidentally, the cobbled together selection subsequently triumphed 1-0 on that occasion so it was all worthwhile. Anyway, bringing matters up to date – the current spate of lethargic postponements meant I wanted to find a game which would definitely go ahead.

I eventually identified Denmead versus Liphook United as both clubs confirmed matchday arrangements to me via Twitter. Really hot sunny weather was in prospect therefore my wife and four year old daughter tagged along for a family day out.

We set off early on our 220 mile round trip and crossed over the bridge on to Hayling Island before the football. My daughter thus relished immense delights within ‘Funland’ amusement park next to the beach. From there, we drove seven miles inland to watch Denmead FC in Havant.

Ground Description

Front Lawn is a £1.5 million Hampshire County Football Association community hub. Their smart main building incorporates four changing rooms, toilets, a cafe and community space.

Meanwhile, the floodlit 3G synthetic football surface is enclosed by high cage fencing and has designated spectators’ viewing adjoining one touchline.

There are also multi-sport courts embracing tennis, basketball and netball. In addition, a children’s playground on site kept my daughter and her mum occupied while I enjoyed the Hampshire Premier League action.

Tony Incenzo Denmead Diary of a Groundhopper

Front Lawn’s funding came courtesy of the Football Foundation, Sport England and the Lawn Tennis Association. Working in partnership alongside TigerTurf, McArdle Sport Tec were the chosen pitch manufacturer/contractor.

Overall, it is a magnificent communal complex. Indeed, I always admire the altruistic work of County Football Associations around the country.

They wholeheartedly support the game at grassroots and Non-League level ensuring football is accessible to everyone thereby affording best achievable experiences.

The Hampshire FA are certainly accomplishing these aims at Front Lawn under the excellent leadership of CEO Neil Cassar.

Programme Details

Priced £2 and entitled ‘Up The Mead’. One of the finest programmes I have ever picked up at Step 7. A glossy front cover plus plenty of varied reading material accompanying nice colour photos.

All copies quickly sold out on the day. Furthermore, up to date line-ups were listed on a prominent white board next to the pitch entry gate.

The Match

Two opponents sitting above halfway in the HPL table had little to play for yet dished up decent entertainment.

A strange affair really as visitors Liphook United dominated across long spells and could easily have notched three goals in the scoreless first half.

Diary of a Groundhopper Denmead May 2023

Nevertheless, Denmead stepped things up after that and mustered well-worked strikes through Ryan Chandler (54 minutes), Owen Milne (73 mins) and Seniya Senanayake (90+8 mins).

Liphook’s scorer was Marcus Bedford (90+5 mins).

The People

A pleasure to meet Simon Strickland who really is ‘Mr Denmead FC’ diligently holding the important roles of secretary and programme editor.

When I arrived with an hour to spare, he was already busy submitting an obligatory handwritten teamsheet to the referee. Simon then furnished my pre-reserved programme and spoke proudly to me about Denmead’s 90 year history serving local footballers.

He spent the rest of his afternoon retrieving stray footballs inadvertently booted off the pitch and my last sighting of Simon was whilst he continued this never-ending task by nimbly clambering into some thick bushes.


*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*

Tony is an experienced football broadcaster who has worked for Clubcall, Capital Gold, IRN Sport, talkSPORT Radio and Sky TV. 

His devotion to Queens Park Rangers saw him reach 50 years without missing a home game in April 2023.

Tony is also a Non-League football expert having visited more than 2,500 different football grounds in his matchday groundhopping.

You can follow Tony on Twitter at @TonyIncenzo.