Match Information
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Redcar Athletic 5-2 Padiham
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When: Saturday 23rd September 2023
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Green Lane, Redcar, North Yorkshire TS10 3RW
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Competition: The Isuzu FA Vase Second Round Qualifying
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Attendance: 207
As mentioned before, the Isuzu FA Vase is my favourite tournament on the entire football spectrum since every team entering enjoys a fair chance of winning it.
In particular, the Northern League has a special associated love affair here providing an abundance of success stories. For example, Whitley Bay are the most prolific Vase side having been victorious four times.
Therefore when I was intently studying this season’s Second Round Qualifying fixtures, I decided to pick out a tie featuring a host club within the Northern League parish. Redcar Athletic versus Padiham fitted the bill very nicely.
Consequently, I set off on my 460 mile round trip chiefly via the A1. Redcar itself hugs the North Yorkshire coastline and houses 37,000 residents.
I noticed Redcar Athletic are nicknamed ‘The Steelmen’ whereby a rousing statement on their official web site reads: “We are Redcar Athletic. We are Redcar and Cleveland. Born of Iron, Made of Steel.”
It was my second journey to the area in 2023/24 after earlier watching local rivals Redcar Town FC play Sunderland West End on 28th July.
Ground Description
On arriving in Redcar following a four and a half hour drive, my phone navigation system directed me into Green Lane. Except it seemed the wrong part of Green Lane.
Indeed, I frustratingly found myself on a dead end dirt track right in the middle of nowhere! I duly reversed back out and spotted a friendly postman who advised me to take the coast road to reach my intended destination.
This short detour led me to Redcar Athletic – situated next door to Redcar Rugby Union FC and just 150 yards west of the picturesque seafront. The football ground has decent spectator facilities.
On one side of the pitch, two adjoining prefab stands allocate 100 seats. In addition, there are two further sections of covered standing. A strikingly colourful mural and numerous club flags convey homely vibes of identity.
Programme Details
Appropriately entitled ‘BY THE SEA’ and on sale at the main entry gate for £2.
A fantastic 36 page read incorporating thought-provoking columnists, match reports, stats, interviews, history and colour photography.
Redcar Athletic’s community involvement really shines through in the pages. Overall, this programme is a great credit to enthusiastic editor Ash Stone.
The Match
On a breezy day speckled by watery sunshine, two Vase hopefuls from the national Non-League Pyramid’s Step 5 locked horns.
Redcar Athletic sat amidst the top half of the Northern League Division One whilst North West Counties League Premier Division opponents Padiham languished towards the bottom of their respective table.
Based near Burnley, Padiham had undertaken a 95 mile cross-country trek. In truly invigorating fashion, the home side raced into a commanding 5-0 lead with young ‘Steel Army’ ultras making impressive non-stop noise brandishing drums and flags.
I also liked the public address systems’ goal music that is somewhat unusual at this level. Scorers for The Steelmen were Liam Jarvie (2 minutes), Anthony Bell (12 mins), Isaac Walker 2 (24, 55 mins) and Mathew Tymon (69 mins).
Tymon’s stunning 25 yard whiplash half-volley was definitely the pick of the bunch. Beyond that though, Padiham suddenly sprang into life and Joel Brownhill determinedly supplied two late consolation strikes on 78 and 87 minutes.
The People
Everyone I met at Redcar Athletic FC was exceptionally friendly including:
Ash Stone: Ash was my first point of contact on Redcar Athletic’s media team and confirmed all the important matchday arrangements for me in advance.
Alongside the aforementioned programme, Ash edits the club’s excellent Twitter feed delivering plentiful punchy posts.
Ryan McKnight: I first got to know Ryan when he was previously editor of the football industry magazine ‘fcbusiness’ which I have regularly written articles for during the past 15 years. Yet I had never met Ryan in person until today.
He is now Redcar Athletic’s managing director and revealed his ambitions to me ultimately embracing promotion up to the Northern Premier League. Ryan added: “There is tremendous potential because we can tap into a big catchment area in Redcar.”
Mike Amos: Mike is the Northern League’s former chairman and a top football man. He initiated the first ever specifically designated groundhopping weekend in 1992.
Now retired, Mike still attends plenty of games. I hadn’t seen him for maybe 10 seasons so it was good to shake his hand. Mike told me: “I always like visiting Redcar Athletic as they are constantly improving their facilities year on year.”
John Wilberforce: A club board member who gave a warm welcome at the entrance and showed me around. John passionately said: “It would be the greatest day of my life if Redcar Athletic reached Wembley in The Isuzu FA Vase.”
Once the final whistle sounded, he asked me to present the man of the match award to home keeper Jack Norton.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
