‘Hopping Nightmares - some of the joys of Groundhopping!

 

21/11/05 from WebEd: On Saturday 14^th December 1996 I attended the FA Vase 3^rd round tie between Hucknall Town (NCEL) and Newcastle Town (NWCL) at the Watnall Road ground. After about thirty minutes, with the visitors leading 1-0, the referee stopped the game for reasons that were not immediately apparent. The home physio ran across the pitch and crouched down on the far touchline. He was seen giving the linesman treatment. After ten minutes the players left the pitch and went back into the changing rooms. Some came back out and wearing sweat tops started to warm up again. This lasted for about five minutes before they left the pitch for a second time. An announcement was then made to say that the game had unfortunately been abandoned (after 33 minutes). The linesman had torn a calf muscle and due to his injuries could no longer continue. A replacement could not be found and so the game was called off! My mate Sloppy had gone off in the car to take in a game at neighbouring Kimberley. I managed to grab a lift there with another 'hopper. A week later and in true ‘hopping style I went back up to Nottinghamshire for the ‘replay’ (another 200 mile round trip). The game saw a conclusion this time with the final score being Hucknall 2 Newcastle 1 and thankfully no stoppages!!