Match Information
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Wombwell Town 2-2 Staveley Miners Welfare
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When: Saturday 16th March, 2024
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Wombwell Recreation Ground, Station Road, Wombwell, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S73 0BJ
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Competition: Northern Counties East League Division One
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Attendance: 115
I had repeatedly heard that Wombwell Town play at a delightfully quirky football arena. I also needed to go there to recomplete visits to all current Northern Counties East League clubs. Wombwell Town were formed as recently as 2018. Indeed, only four players turned up for the initial training session.
Yet having defied football odds in gaining three promotions since then up through the respective Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League divisions, they are presently 2023/24 newcomers in the NCEL Division One at the national Non-League Pyramid’s Step 6.
Accordingly, I set off on my 300 mile round trip. I was temporarily delayed en route due to a serious fire on the A1 dual carriageway before Newark. Two fire engines completely shut the road to extinguish huge plumes of smoke billowing from the bonnet of a stricken vehicle.
Even so, it was quickly under control and the firemen removed lines of safety cones within 15 minutes. I therefore continued on to Wombwell - a town housing 15,000 residents situated five miles south-east of Barnsley.
A previous Wombwell team had played at the Wombwell Recreation Ground prior to folding in 2000 after holding NCEL membership during the 1980’s.
Ground Description
Every now and again I stumble upon a football venue exuding what I call the “wow” factor! Step forward Wombwell Recreation Ground!
I loved this oval shaped site which offers a totally unique blend of old and new. It was originally opened in 1964 and a former cinder athletics track surrounds the football pitch.
When modern day Wombwell Town FC moved in six years ago, existing football facilities were sadly derelict. But club officials and volunteers subsequently worked extremely hard to spruce things up.
The clubhouse was extensively refurbished and extended to deliver an inviting social space for fans in attendance. Perimeter fencing and the floodlights were replaced. In addition, the main stand has been rebuilt, painted and fitted with 184 seats.
On my visit, the opposite side of the pitch was out of bounds for spectators and unusually featured an ancient-looking eight feet high white wall running full length behind the dug-outs.
A pleasant freshness is afforded everywhere via vibrant contemporary signage including that on the colourful matchday food van.
And the quirkiness I alluded to is topped by an 865 metre long kart racing track directly behind the top goal adjoining a ‘South Yorkshire Kart Club’ building. I understand both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button raced there as youngsters!
Programme Details
A very good 20 page in-house effort selling at £1.
The contents incorporated editorial notes, match reports, away team history, player profiles, fixtures & results, player stats, league table and the line-ups.
I noticed Wombwell Town’s largest home crowd of the campaign had been 542 for the local derby versus Athersley Recreation on 8th September
The Match
Amidst bright but damp weather conditions, Staveley Miners Welfare twice took the lead through James Gregory (18 minutes) and Jack Allerton (50 mins).
However, any in play betting would have been confounded once Wombwell Town grabbed two equalisers by Kane Reece (23 mins) and Jordan Kershaw (90+4 mins).
I must admit I had to stifle some inappropriate chuckles of amusement at times because match referee Declan O’Regan bore a striking resemblance to Gary Windass in Coronation Street – both facially and in terms of hair!
The People
Wombwell Town’s enthusiastic club secretary, programme editor and media officer Alan Percival was really helpful in confirming the game would definitely go ahead following all the preceding rain.
Like everyone else present, he took great pride in their ongoing ground improvements and expanding community reach.
Looking ahead, Alan told me new pitch barriers and hard standing were imminently about to be installed allowing supporters to stand on the dug-out side of the pitch.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
