No.42 - Sat. 16th April 2011; Anglian Combination League Div 4;                            2.30pm at Hoveton Village Hall, Stalham Road, Hoveton, Wroxham, Norfolk.

 

Matchday images (50) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/HovetonWherrymenFC

Hoveton Wherrymen (0) 0  Waveney (1) 2

Wherrymen steer off course...

Isn't this an exciting time of the year?! With only a few weeks of the season left to play, the race for promotion is certainly hotting up. In every league throughout the country, teams are ebroilled in a heated battle for honours and with it a place in the perceived promised land. It doesn't matter what competition you're in, the feelings are just the same for all the players, committe members and fans of those clubs involved. Take just one division in the Anglian Combination League for instance. 

 

After a superb season the UEA FC has broken clear and established a comfortable lead over the other clubs beneath them in Division 4. Barring all disasters the title looks certain to be theirs. The chasing pack, currently ten points adrift, consists of four other clubs namely (in order) Waveney, Hoveton Wherrymen, Sheringham Reserves and Hemsby. With only a handful of matches remaining all of these clubs (separated by just three points) still have a realistic chance of going up into Division 3. With this in mind my stategic choice of game today saw me attend the 3rd v 2nd placed teams as Hoveton Wherrymen took on Waveney in an extremely mouth-watering potential six-pointer at the Village Hall in Stalham Road. Game on!

 

Ah, Hoveton Wherrymen. Don't you think it's a cracking name for a football club?! For those of you who religiously scour the fixture lists and league tables each week you may may well have come across this unique title in your perusal of The Football Traveller magazine or Non League Paper. If you're not already aware Hoveton is a picturesque village (very close to neighbouring Wroxham) in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. It's a vibrant bustling place that attracts thousands of visitors to its delightful location where boating across the River Bure and surrounding waterways has become an uplifting way of life.

 

The wherry (meaning 'boat') is a type of vessel that was traditionally used for carrying cargo or passengers on rivers and canals. In the late 18th century the name was also given to a Norfolk Wherry, a unique boat with large sails, developed to replace an earlier much heavier cargo boat, called the Norfolk Keel. Wherries, featuring the distinctive gaff rig with a single, high-peaked sail and the mast stepped well forward, are an important part of the fabric of daily life that makes local history here. 

 

There were two main types. The Trading Wherry was able to reach larger boats just off the coast at Great Yarmouth or Lowestoft and take their cargoes off to be transported inland through the broads and rivers. The last trading wherry, Ella, was built in 1912. The Pleasure Wherry evolved as railways took on the cargo business that had supported the traders. Enterprising owners realised that conversion to carry passengers was a way to replace the lost income, especially as the Broads were at the same time being discovered as a destination for tourism and recreation. Some were fitted out to a very high standard indeed; for example, Hathor, built for the Colman family (of mustard fame), features highly detailed marquetry in Egyptian designs below decks. The wherry eventually became uneconomic to run, but a small number have been saved either by private individuals or charities. Most of the survivors can be seen sailing up and down the rivers and broads today, although some are awaiting full restoration.

 

The club plays on a large recreation field located behind Hoveton Village Hall. The site, bordered by the local seconday school is a well maintained, tree-lined venue. An entrance next to the bowls club leads visitors to a large car park with further space on the playing field (where there are two pitches) close to a childrens' playground. A quirky changing pavilion (made up of a series of portakabins) is found on the far side of the field. Access via a row of concrete steps and through a red door, takes you to the main changing rooms and an adjoining utility area (with seats) used for equipment storage. This also doubles as a small kitchen where refreshments are served throughout the afternoon. Look out for the collection of club trophies and a series of old framed club photos arranged on display. Pride of place must go to the large painted oval club plaque affixed to the facing wall which bears the words: 'Fortress Hoveton - home of the Broadland lads'. Most inspirational!! A large wooden hinged panel at the front of the pavilion can be opened to create a viewing window and so make it possible for spectators to watch the game from under cover. A most ingenious idea!!

 

As expected the game was a tense, nervous encounter with little to choose between both sides. Played on a beautifully manicured pitch (the largest I've seen for ages), the visitors from Lowestoft won the game scoring a goal in each half. The first came from Alex Salmon (22) who converted from the penalty spot after being bundled over following a surging run into the area. Leading scorer Tom Aldis (58) was fortunate to get his name on the scoresheet after toe poking the ball through a group of players and beating keeper Johnny Sommerfield at his right hand post. Although the Wherrymen may see this as a wasted opportunity, they still have three games in hand over second placed Waveney who now find themselves five points ahead. There's still lots to play for in what is a really tight contest.

 

The game played on a lovely sunny afternoon attracted just ten spectators including fellow traveller Spanner (aka Youngster on the excellent NLM Forum) from Felixstowe. It was a great hoppertunity to chat about our respective football stories, anecdotes and sightings of mutual hopping pals especially since it was just over a year ago since our paths had last crossed (incidentally whilst watching an ACL Div 3 match at Foulsham!). He's a smashing bloke and it's always lovely to catch up and share our latest news and gossip. See you next year!

 

I was made to feel very welcome by everyone at the club. In particular club Chairman Ray Gates and former committee member Alan Royal could not have been more helpful in passing on information about the team. They told me that the club was formed back in 1992 when it was decided to add the Wherryman suffix and in doing so give it a name that was distinct from other sides playing locally in the area. They originally joined the North East Norfolk League and immediately achieved much success in this competition. After winning Division 3 (1991-92); Division 2 (1993-94) and the treble (Division 1 title, league cup and county cup in 1995-96), they joined the Anglian Combination League in the late 1990's where they have played ever since. All the present facilities have been developed from scratch being funded solely by the club itself. Although the club doesn't issue a programme Roy told me that a lapel badge bearing a Wherry logo is available for purchase. You can also check out a wealth of information (fixtures, results, tables, reports and a map with directions) from the club's excellent website (see the link below). It's definitely worth a visit. Ah the joys of watching football at clubs with most unusual names! Have fun wherever you go....                    

 

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) N/A and (A) A Salmon (22pen); T Aldis (55)

Attendance: 10; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 3/5; Ground rating: 3/5.

Hoveton Wherrymen FC website - http://www.webteams.co.uk/Home.aspx?team=hovetonwherrymenfc

 

edited 17/04/11