Bank Holiday Fixtures - Preview

By Simon Wright

Stamford

A quick return to the venue that staged the last Yeltz regular season League game in April (finished 2-2).  Being the 11^th match between the two clubs clearly meant a lot to our hosts as they still have 350 images from the game on their website.  They were fascinated by the visiting Yeltz  supporters in fancy dress. We have a decent record at the Zeeco with two defeats in 6 trips.  Given we are 16 games unbeaten in regular league we must fancy our chances of further improvement.

If you’re travelling, admission is £13 adults and £9 seniors (that’s anyone over 60).  The stadium is pretty standard with 250 seats, one covered terrace and the rest open hard standing.  Its enough. The average gate here last season was 502. According to my phone’s AI helper, away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Shed End.  That’s the same system which told me recently the Yeltz defeated Newpreload Town at Wembley. We can ignore that nonsense and conclude machines aren’t taking over just yet.

The town is the last resting place of Daniel Lambert, who, back then, was the heaviest British man ever at 52 stones.  That title might now lie with a certain Harborough defender. Stamford’s club nickname is the Daniels or more often the Dannies.  On that basis, Halesowen could, as William Shenstone is buried here. easily be called the Willies.

The Acid Bath murderer was born in Stamford.  He was hung for the murder of 6 people after World War 2 though he’d claimed he killed 9. He used a bath of sulphuric acid to dispose of their bodies.  Only last year, Frankenstein was filmed here… isn’t there a stronger argument that our hosts should be called the Murderers?

The Dannies have a 12-man board. It’s not often you see roofers, greenkeepers and a school attendance officer as club directors.  They run a tight financial ship, broadly breaking even over the last two years.  

Continuity seems to matter here.  Manager Graham Drury is having his third spell in charge. Overall, he’s been the Dannies gaffer for 13 years, probably a record at this level?  And thinking of records, Stamford AFC finished sixth last term, which I believe is their highest-ever finishing position in their long history.

 Talking of long history, midfielder Jon Challinor is 44 years old and still playing for Stamford. Over 420 games for the Dannies and approaching 1,000 matches overall.  He’s that ancient in playing terms that he was called up for the England Senior team – that’s senior as in old..   Another mature recruit is 36-year-old Elliott Durrell, now with his 15^th club.     Stamford are well known as a big team who play direct and are keen on a long throw or six. Thus far, those tactics aren’t working with only one point in 9 and no goals scored.

Stamford is an elegant Lincolnshire market town of 20,000 people.  Some 90 miles distant though it’s an easy-ish drive, taking one hour 50 minutes.  Use postcode PE9 4QN if behind the wheel.  The well rated Clubhouse is in the corner of the ground a la Evesham. If you want to roam a little, the nearest pub is the Jolly Brewer in Foundry Road, PE9 2PP (under half a mile away). The Brewer had 4 real ales, a decent food menu, a beer garden and a lot of positive reviews.   Normally, that covers all the bases but slightly further away is the famous Tobie Norris. This is a real ale mecca in a 13^th century building of seven rooms.  Five hand pumps for real ale and they have a lengthy pizza menu. Lovers of full days out will note the station is five minutes’ walk from the stadium with a regular service to New Street.  

Love to see you there but if that’s not possible, our skilled commentary team at Radio Halesowen Town will keep you up to date.

Worcester City

The Bank Holiday fixture is a novelty as the paths of the two clubs have hardly ever crossed in recent memory.  Apart from a single friendly, I can only recall joining the Halesowen supporters at St Georges Lane for a Worcestershire Senior Cup match.  That was back in 2000.

We did cover City in Podcast One though everyone’s been to bed since then. Director Simon Lancaster, who owns a local insurance company, is the majority shareholder and their major donator. His monies have turned Worcester around from heading into Step 6 to kicking off in step 3, after back-to-back promotions. If director numbers decided matches, we’d be wholly outgunned as City now have ten. Several local businessmen were added last year to promote the club across their city.  As the senior club in a city with 100,000 population, the potential is enormous.

 Worth repeating to the younger generation that Worcester used to be a non-league powerhouse. Most famously they knocked Liverpool and Coventry out of the FA Cup among others. Their old grounds’ proximity to a canal bank once prevented them from applying to join the Football League.

Their manager is 38-year-old Chris Cornes who’s had a very chequered life.  His first club was Wolves which may or may not be connected to this life.  Two promotions on his cv gives him more credibility. His assistant is Farmer Bev, a retired cattle farmer from Hereford.  In fairness, he does hold an UEFA A Licence and his day job is with the Cheltenham FC Academy.  They also have a Head of Football in Tim Harris, who’s previously managed 9 clubs to varying levels of success. According to the manager, Harris is largely responsible for their recent promotions

City do have impressive sounding fire power.  I rate Zac Guinan as a striker. His Dad Steve was also a decent EFL striker and these days he’s a senior FA coach.  I saw Zac a couple of times last season and he plays like his dad, a mobile target man. A new signing this summer is striker Dan Sweeney. Shades of Montel Gibson here.  He’s ex Yeltz, having played at the Grove on loan in 2016.  He’s pretty much ex everyone locally and the ones who missed out couldn’t afford him. Now aged 27 and with his 14^th club, having played for five of them twice.

Welcome back to former Yeltzman Nathan Hayward.  The midfielder at nearly 34 is one of City’s senior players.

Results so far include a 1-0 loss at home to Quorn thanks to a defensive cock-up in the 92^nd minute, a draw thanks to a late leveller at Banbury and a 1-0 defeat at Needham Market. Only one goal scored.

With none of the big clubs playing on the Bank Holiday, there’s every reason to expect a decent turnout. The match is segregated with the visitors housed in the ‘will these roadworks ever end” end.  Crowd appeal is the major reason we’re asking our players to perform twice in 48 hours.  If you’re amongst that big crowd, do remember the hardworking 50/50 sellers. Sales for Real Bedford were much higher than previous games.  Your chance to leave with a new bulge in your pocket while helping your club financially.

As ever Radio Halesowen Town will offer live uninterrupted coverage.