Feeder League Photo Diaries

[Nomad]

Following a visit to East Dean's wonderfully rustic Gasson Meadow ground on Saturday, I'm looking to visit similarly photogenic grounds from the WSL, MSL and ESL next season. These grounds don't necessarily have to be 'scenic' but ideally should have a focal point to include in the pics, such as a local landmark.

Nominations please ... or email me at

Thanks

David

[Geoff]

A few off the top of my head from my WSFL days...

Lavant - a near neighbour of East Dean in the equally beautiful surrounding downs and Goodwood type area.
Petworth - nestled in Petworth Park, need I say more?
Steadham Utd - for interest just look over the fence into Mr Abromovich's back yard!
Watersfield - over the Bury Hill and into another smashing bit of countryside with a lovely local village pub, if it's still there.

Disclaimer: It was many years ago and grounds may have changed!

[Nomad]

Thanks Geoff. I was told about Petworth on Saturday and Watersfield was another on my radar. Didn't know about the other two though.

Any more ... ?

[stringz]

Wisborough Green cricket pitch and village setting
Harting beautiful setting nestled into the downs
Grafham in the heart of the village
Stedham
Alfold is not too bad
Henfield when they play on the common
also there is a team that play at Poynings right under the Devil's Dyke which is one of my favs

[octopus]

Battle rec................not great but there is an Abbey just down the road

[Nomad]

Thanks chaps, keep them coming

I'm going to try and undertake some 'reconnaissance' missions during the summer, but of course these 'grounds' sometimes 'disappear' when there is no football being played due to posts being taken down, dugouts moved etc.

One I've never been able to find is Hooe Sports ... and does anyone know who plays on the pitch adjacent to Mad Jack Fuller's 'Sugarloaf' folly near Brightling?

[Mightymiller]

Hi there!

Unless things have recently changed I don't think anybody currently uses the pitch near the sugarloaf.

It's facilities were upgraded years ago by Broadoak & Horam JFC who had one of their junior age groups using it on a Sunday morning.

When the pitch at Punnetts Town was being worked on best part of a decade ago the club used it for several friendlies, from memory it was a very 'interesting' surface!lol

[been there done it]

As Dallington fc folded I don't think any club use it now

[been there done it]

Hooe Sports play at Hooe Common which is just off the A259 between Bexhill & Pevensey
Hooe Recreation Ground Mill Lane Hooe TN33 9HR

[Nomad]

Thanks, shame about the Sugarloaf though as it would make a great pic with a match in front of it

[Mike May]

Young man, you must try Smallfield FC currently setting the pace in Mid Sussex Div 1, played there (when i was a lad) back in the mid fifties, mainly for the reserves unless the first team were really desperate, at the same time an outsider from London moved to the village and played in goal for the reserves, and sixty odd years is still there (not as keeper i hasten to add) but as secretary (John Hodkinson), saw him only last week.

The ground itself hasn't changed in all those years (makes one wonder just how many games have been played and goals scored during that time) the pitch still slopes but the surface is pretty good for the standard played, the problems still exist of balls over the hedge behind each goal, plus the Pub now the Plough and Furrow has lost that little bit of intimacy from years ago, but still warrants a nicely struck six from the adjoining cricket pitch!

[Nomad]

Thanks Mike

[pinkflamingosfc]

Hooe Sports play at Hooe Common which is just off the A259 between Bexhill & Pevensey
Hooe Recreation Ground Mill Lane Hooe TN33 9HR

Who?

Clayton Rec (home of our 2nd and 3rd team on a Sunday) is very nice, with the Jack and Jill windmills looking over us!! I believe Ditchling play there on a Saturday.

[Nomad]

Cheers. I know Clayton Rec, but don't Ditching have their own ground, just next to the main road?

[pinkflamingosfc]

I may be wrong but I think that's Village of Ditchling FC. I believe that the two are different teams. Worth checking before heading down to Clayton though.