Match Information
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Clay Cross Town 1-3 Parkgate
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When: Saturday 12th August 2023
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: The Adalynne Haye Stadium, Mill Lane, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S42 6AE
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Competition: Northern Counties East League Division One
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Attendance: 103
I wanted to visit one of the teams newly promoted into Step 6 of the national Non-League Pyramid.
For clarification, clubs making this leap of faith are moving up from local competitions to what is best described in layman’s terms as “spectator football”.
Consequently, their previously basic facilities must be upgraded to include floodlights, grandstand seating, covered accommodation, hard standing, plus fully railed and enclosed pitches.
Grants are available from altruistic organisations like the Football Foundation and a dispensation period is given to get the work done - a deadline of 31st March 2024 in the current campaign I believe.
Therefore with torrential rain widely forecast for this particular Saturday, I was worried about heading to a venue which might not yet have any shelter in place.
Indeed, I sent a few Twitter direct messages to identify grounds best equipped for a wet day. The most positive reply came from Clay Cross Town who said: “Shelter wise - there’s enough if we get the rain as planned.”
That made my mind up! So I set off on the 250 mile round trip to Clay Cross. It is a Derbyshire town housing 9,200 residents south of Chesterfield.
The club gained promotion being champions of the Central Midlands League Premier Division South during 2022/23 losing only two of 30 games played.
Ground Description
I needn’t have fretted regarding covered accommodation because Clay Cross already possess plenty and easily fulfilled many aspects of the Step 6 grading inspection
Their ‘Andy Kime Memorial Stand’ sits alongside the pitch and affords a mix of seats and standing. An uncovered prefab seating area has been positioned on the opposite touchline.
Then there is further cover behind one goal providing standing and seats in the ‘Geoff Allen Pallets Stand’. I noticed building materials are stacked up in readiness to construct new £90,000 dressing room and toilet facilities courtesy of an ongoing extensive fund-raising drive.
Meanwhile, refreshments for spectators were available from a serving hatch called ‘The Tunnel Cafe’ displaying a picture of Clay Cross’ historic railway tunnel.
Programme Details
An excellent 24 page glossy colour production. On sale at £2 from gateman Lee at the main entry hut.
The contents incorporated an interesting blend of statistics, match reports, histories of both teams and a guest article outlining the art of table football.
I can see why this programme has won numerous awards over past years!
The Match
Weather conditions were initially good before heavy rain arrived beyond half-time and everyone scurried towards covered areas.
As for the action itself, Clay Cross Town drew first blood on 18 minutes through Michael Williams.
But the unbeaten opponents from Rotherham stormed back to win via Ross Duggan (44 minutes), Connor Williamson (59 mins) and Silas Valladolid-Collins (86 mins).
All of Parkgate’s goals were greeted by an enthusiastic toot from a travelling supporter on what appeared to be his recently acquired plastic trumpet.
When their third strike rattled the net, he triumphantly held this rudimentary instrument aloft and loudly declared: “I’m going to bring it every week now!” Additionally, it is worth noting the fixture was sponsored by snooker professional Michael White.
The People
Clay Cross Town secretary Dave ‘Nobby’ Clark is one of Non-League’s great army of volunteers. He spent the afternoon buzzing around on matchday duties whilst expertly taking photos for various club outlets.
Nobby spoke to me passionately on the subject of old football programmes and he seemed surprised I have a (now defunct) Clay Cross Works FC programme in my personal collection.
Also present was the Northern Counties East League’s hard–working director and general manager Matt Jones.
Really impressive that such a high-ranking league official would visit one of their new member clubs early in the season to offer invaluable words of advice and encouragement.
Matt’s post-match tweet amused me too: “Weird weather today to say the least, wind, rain and sun, sometimes all 3 at the same time.”
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
