Match Information
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Brook House 2-2 Abbey Rangers Development
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When: Thursday 13th July 2023
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Kick-off: 7.45pm
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Where: 3G Pitch, Alec Reed Academy, Bengarth Road, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 5LQ
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Competition: Pre-season friendly
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Attendance: 17
Pre-season friendlies often give groundhoppers the valued opportunity to visit unusual venues which wouldn’t normally host senior football teams.
Thanks to extensive central funding by the Football Foundation, 3G artificial pitches are being installed all over the country – particularly at schools.
So after I spotted advance notification of this Brook House friendly arranged at the relatively new 3G within Alec Reed Academy in Northolt, I decided to go along to watch. In fact, it evoked some vivid personal memories.
Back in my teenage era straddling the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, I used to travel to many matches on ‘football special trains’ to cheer on my beloved Queens Park Rangers in action.
I got friendly with a fellow R’s supporter called Graham Bundy and he used to pass those long rail journeys by telling me about the local Sunday League team he was involved at as club secretary – Brook House FC.
During that period, I went to grounds like Notts County, Swansea City, Oldham Athletic, Sunderland, Bristol Rovers, Preston North End, Burnley, Shrewsbury Town and Wrexham on the ‘specials’.
And throughout, I was fascinated by Graham’s various tales concerning Brook House’s Sunday morning exploits. He made sure they played in the QPR colours of blue and white hoops too. Sadly, Graham died quite young following health complications.
However, Brook House switched to Saturday football in 1982 and eventually came to my attention again when progressing to the Spartan League. I subsequently visited their Farm Park ground in Hayes on 16th August 1989 for a 2-0 home defeat versus local rivals Hanwell Town (attendance 125).
Interestingly, Brook House changed name to AFC Hayes in 2007 before reverting to the original title 15 years later. They currently compete at Step 6 of the national Non-League Pyramid in the Combined Counties League Division One.
Ground Description
Like all 3G surfaces, a high surrounding fence is in place to protect against pitch damage. There is no spectator viewing area at Alec Reed Academy.
Nevertheless supporters of these two sides were able to observe outside the cage from some grass banking affording an elevated view of proceedings.
Programme Details
Programmes were not produced but some teamsheets listing the Brook House squad were available and much appreciated.
The Match
Brook House were originally going to oppose Estudiantes London FC except this fell through and so Abbey Rangers Development (members of the Suburban League Premier Division) stepped in instead.
Kick-off was scheduled for 7.30pm although it was delayed by 15 minutes due to the late completion of a preceding small-sided training session on the 3G pitch featuring players from another club.
In the end, four goals were shared amidst a decent friendly.
On target for Brook House were Effy Ngung (9 minutes) and Emmanu El Okoroji (59 mins) while the Abbey Rangers goals came via Bailey Tanner (22 mins) and Louis McGrane (67 mins).
The People
Chloe on the Brook House official Twitter account was very helpful in confirming the fixture. In addition, it was good to chat to Brook House manager Rob Russell and his enthusiastic coaching staff.
They told me some 90 players arrived for pre-season training sessions which was a nice headache to have when firming up the compact 2023/24 squad.
In terms of Non-League managers, Rob has an unusual day job as a paramedic community practitioner. Consequently, he said he sees his team’s fitness and injuries etc in a different light to other coaches.
Rob is also building strong community links at Brook House including free season tickets for their numerous youth team footballers and reduced matchday admission prices for the respective parents.
He asked me if it would be possible to coordinate a club linked partnership with Queens Park Rangers and I have since spoken to the QPR in the Community Trust to set wheels in motion.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
