Whatton United Football Club was formed in 1932 playing in the Nottingham Spartan League where it remained for 60 years until it moved to the Grantham League. The club took its first major honours in 1983 lifting the Spartan Senior Cup and finishing runners-up in the First Division. As a member of the Grantham League, Whatton later won the Division One title in 2006-07 going 26 games unbeaten, with 25 wins and 1 draw as well as lifting the Junior Knock-Out Cup, Memorial Cup and Smith Carrington trophy. Last season the club finished as runners up (to Buckminster United FC) in the league and in doing so won promotion to the Central Midlands League.   

‘Hoppers turned out in force to attend this eagerly awaited Central Midlands League fixture at Premier Division new boys, Whatton United Football Club, on Saturday. The crowd of just over seventy fans, gathered pitch side at the basic but homely Orston Recreation Ground, was treated to a superb game of football which could be best described by the old cliché: one of two distinct halves. Heavy showers reigned (or should that be rained) as the hosts totally dominated the opening 45 minutes and looked to be cruising with a more than comfortable two goal lead going into the break. The second period (played in beautiful warm sunshine) was a totally different contest as the visitors from Doncaster completely dictated possession and spent most of the half camped in the United penalty box. Despite hitting the woodwork no fewer than four times, having a clear penalty turned down, two shots cleared off the line and a very unfortunate bounce which saw Callum Smith denied of a clear goal scoring opportunity, Bentley couldn’t reduce the deficit. To rub salt into the wounds Whatton added a third on the counter late on.

The goals separating the sides were all scored by the skilful United centre-forward Jay Kirby, a young striker built more for strength than speed. His first goal, coming on 18 minutes, was a wonder strike; cutting inside his marker, he unleashed a superb left foot shot that curled beyond hapless ‘keeper Peter Smillie from the edge of the box. The second (31) came courtesy of a Dave Smith free kick which he met at the back post with a pin point header sending the ball back across the goal and beyond Smillie into the far side of the net. Kirby completed his hat trick very late on in the game (90+3) after running onto a long clearance, controlling the ball and placing a low left foot shot inside the near post. It certainly was the perfect way to mark the occasion and went down really well with the locals.

Located right out in the sticks, the Orston Recreation Ground is situated in what is a most rural location. Entirely surrounded by hedges it’s a basic but homely venue. The ground which has a marked side to side slope shares its facilities with the Orston Cricket Club in Spa Road. A number of mobile pitch covers and sightscreens occupy land just inside the main entrance and grassed car park. Most of the main facilities found on the left hand side of the field. Pride of place must go to the old pavilion found in the bottom left hand corner; with its distinctive and ornate clock face projecting from the roof gable, this building houses the players' and officials' changing rooms as well as providing public toilets.  From here the players have to walk around the central cricket square to reach the football pitch which runs lengthways on the far side of the field. The playing area currently has a post and rail fence on three sides (to accommodate the cricket); two dug outs and some hard standing (mostly sand based) running along the furthest side.  

Since gaining promotion from the Grantham & District League at the end of last season the club has worked tirelessly over the summer months to bring the ground up to the required standard. Indeed several committee members acknowledged that much building work had actually taken place during the last few days leading up to the match. A low wooden standing cover has been erected behind (and to the right of) the left hand goal. A new tea bar positioned alongside this has also been added. The pitch however looked like it had been subjected to drainage work and in places was quite rutted due to soft soil and holes in places.

The game was attended by 71 spectators, possibly a club record. The vast majority of this number was made up of a large contingent of appreciative travellers who had come from all points covering the country to attend the game and tick off the ground. On a personal note it was great to meet up and spend time with popular travellers and old mates Pete and Frank from Sheffield. Enjoy the rest of the season fellas!

Available at the gate on arrival, a basic but nevertheless well-received glossy 8 page programme was issued for the game, priced at £1. Although lacking in content this first edition covered a history of both clubs, team line ups and sponsor's advert. A limited number of club badges priced at £3 were also on sale from the young programme sellers at the main gate. Interested travellers can find further details about the club, including full travel directions, from the informative club website (see link address below). It's certainly worth a visit. A range of hot and cold refreshments was available from the tea bar throughout the afternoon. A long queue of hungry neutrals, in search of sustenance, had formed at the interval.   

A visit to the Orston Recreation Ground comes highly recommended. We found everyone at the club to be extremely helpful, polite and welcoming. Rumour has it that the local cricket club may fold in the not too distant future. If this is the case the football club may move the present pitch nearer to the main entrance and pavilion. Does that mean a re-visit is on the cards? Decisions...decisions. The joys of hopping in remote football outposts continues... cheers.                                    

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) J Kirby (18; 31 & 90+3) and (A) N/A

Attendance: 663; Admission: £3; Programme: £1; Match rating: 5/5; Ground rating: 4/5.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/whattonutdfc/