Match Information
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Sporting Club Inkberrow 4-0 Cheltenham Saracens
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When: Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Sands Road, Inkberrow, Worcestershire WR7 4HJ
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Competition: Hellenic League Division One
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Attendance: 141
I was intrigued by the entirely unique scenario of a reserve team who have progressed to a higher standard of football than their club’s first team! Let me explain.
Inkberrow FC were founded in 1978 and currently play in the Midland League Division Two at Step 7 of the Non-League Pyramid. Contrastingly, “Inkberrow Reserves” launched in 2016 beginning life in the Stratford-upon-Avon Alliance.
The new team subsequently changed name to Sporting Club Inkberrow, reflecting the title of their overall sports club charity at Sands Road - also catering for cricket and athletics.
SC Inkberrow made swift advancements before gaining promotion at the end of 2022/23 as Herefordshire FA County League Premier Division champions to secure Hellenic League Division One status.
They thereby attained Step 6 football for the current campaign…surpassing the original first team! Bearing such fascinating details in mind, I set off on the 220 mile round journey.
My wife and daughter joined me for a Bank Holiday day out. Inkberrow is a Worcestershire village housing 1,800 residents. Famously, it is the inspiration for fictional ‘Ambridge’ in BBC Radio’s iconic series ‘The Archers’.
Ground Description
SC Inkberrow have developed a railed and floodlit playing area next to the sectioned-off cricket square within their multi-pitch complex.
I watched my Hellenic League action atop elevated banking that stretches adjacent to one touchline and behind the top goal. I noticed two concrete bases had been laid in readiness for the installation of a pair of prefab grandstands (I believe both arrived a few days later).
Some covered standing was available in the overhang of the pavilion which contains bar and dressing room provision. Great pride pervades throughout the club regarding their sparkling new facilities.
It was typified by an altruistic volunteer who appeared pitchside brandishing a black bin liner bag during the second half cheerfully shouting “ANY EMPTIES?” as she collected discarded beer bottles and other litter to keep everywhere spick and span.
Programme Details
Home club officials helpfully tweeted an advance photo of their box of published programmes. A good 16 page glossy production selling for £2 at the entry table.
Nicely varied contents incorporated chairman Eddie Hobson’s welcome notes, histories of both teams, colour photos, league tables and the line-ups.
The People
SC Inkberrow manager Neil Guy told me: “We’ve been working hard to officially meet Step 6 ground grading requirements including floodlights, stadium seating and perimeter barriers.
“This undertaking has been well received among local football followers bringing attendances above 100 for every league fixture so far in 2023/24 at Sands Road.
“In total, more than £100,000 was needed to achieve the necessary upgrades. However, Inkberrow FC were able to utilise Football Association support to partly pay for the funding.
“With our ethos to continue growing the quality of what we offer our surrounding area, the club are identifying further beneficial projects.
Result of my @HellenicLeague match in Worcestershire today:@SCInkberrowFC 4 @SaracensFC 0
— Tony Incenzo - football reporter (@TonyIncenzo) August 28, 2023
Attendance 133, programme £2. Football grounds visited - 2,525@fcbusiness @NonLeagueCrowd @WorcsFA @nonleagueshow @NonLeaguePaper @hellenicupdates pic.twitter.com/tmhdFYpGEC
“Therefore we will invest in improvements to the playing surfaces on our four full-size pitches and we plan to establish an onsite 3G artificial training pitch next year too. We recently acquired ownership of half of the land our club’s amenities are located on.
“The immediate aim is to secure ourselves in the Hellenic League. In addition, we want to enhance the matchday experience, the quality of facilities and coaching for players, plus promoting youth set-up pathways into the first team. We’ve established progress on each aspect but there is still more to do.
“Then the future focus is to see how we can rise towards Step 5 football in remaining true to our core club values ensuring we operate sustainably.
“The rise of Sporting Club Inkberrow has been testament to these vital ethics since more than 50 per cent of the current playing squad graduated via Inkberrow FC’s junior section.”
The Match
Amidst repeated cries of “Come on Berrow” from enthusiastic fans, SC Inkberrow were too strong on the day.
Four goals were racked up courtesy of Harry Grant (2 minutes), Bill Coughlin (21 mins), Joel Steer (62 mins) and Louis Crook (90+2 mins).
I sensed wholesome community vibes all afternoon and my daughter thoroughly enjoyed an impromptu football kick-about alongside other youngsters while the main game was taking place.
Incidentally, this trip completed visits for me to the full set of Hellenic League grounds across their top two divisions. So I headed to nearby Alcester after the final whistle for a celebratory meal with my family.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
