No.34 - Sat 28th January 2012; North West Norfolk League Div 1;                              2.00pm at the Heacham Club, Station Road, Heacham, Hunstanton Norfolk; PE31 7EX.

 

Matchday images (66) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/HeachamFC

Heacham (3) 4  Redgate Rangers (0) 1

Heacham rock in seaside derby!

Call it great enthusiasm or just plain madness. Whichever way you look at it only the hardiest of hoppers would venture anywhere near to the exposed north Norfolk coast in the middle of winter. With temperatures dipping close to zero and a strong windchill in the air it's not the most conducive place for football watching at this time of year but for the obsessive traveller it has to be done.

 

Today we are off to Heacham, a popular Norfolk coastal holiday resort, situated three miles from Hunstanton and eight miles from Sandringham on the A149 in Norfolk. Heacham derives its name from its 12th century overlord Geoffrey de Hecham, and its river, the Hitch. Over the years the word and spelling have become Heacham meaning 'The Home in the Thicket'. It has existed as a settlement since before the Romans and has recorded evidence even as far back as the stone age. The beach at Heacham is situated on the east banks of The Wash; this means it is one of the few beaches in eastern England where the sun sets over the sea instead of over land. As such, with the right weather conditions, beautiful sunsets can be viewed. 

 

My trip to the seaside of course coincides with the eagerly awaited North West Norfolk League fixture at Heacham Football Club who are today entertaining their Hunstanton-based local rivals Redgate Rangers in a mid table Division 1 encounter. It's not the first time I have ventured up to the outskirts of King's Lynn (being the local catchment area for clubs in this competition) to take in a game. Indeed it was only last season that I saw two superb matches, both Norfolk Junior Cup ties, featuring Reffley Royals and Lynn North End who, at the time, were the top two sides in Division 1. The standard of football was terrific and I couldn't wait to return for more.

 

The club headquarters is found at the Heacham Sports & Social Club in Station Road. The charity running the family members club aims to promote a wide range of heavily subsidised sports activities for children and adults.
The extensive range of facilities provided by the Charity are actively supported and include bowls, football, judo, cricket, petanaque/boules, table tennis and floodlit tennis. The large split site is clearly visible on the sharp bend in the road. A public function hall offers patrons entertainment and catering for those using the facilities for leisure, meetings and conferences. A large green plastic advertising banner attached onto the fencing alongside the beautiful bowling green invites new members to join. You'll be impressed by the facade of the lovely main building with its oval windows and clock. To the left a long gravel driveway leads you to a large car park with access to the enclosed playing fields beyond through a narrow gate.

 

The facilities here are excellent and offer the traveller much to salivate over. Two parallel full-sized football pitches separated by a cricket square are marked out on the field. Several mini pitches used by the many junior teams are also marked out on site. A small brick built building set back at an angle in the left hand corner of the field provides changing facilities for both teams and the match officials. Interestingly a large transparent club crest has been affixed onto the inside of pitch-facing window bearing the legend 'HFC Centenary 1907-2007' to commemorate the club's incredible milestone. To the right a delightful low brick built stand with a shallow step of terracing catering for up to fifty spectators is set back from the nearside touchline - the club name can be picked out in the brickwork on the lower front wall. A number of local advertising posters are displayed along the front fascia board to add a bit of colour and interest. Beyond in the right hand corner is a wooden shed containing maintenance equipment. Incidentally the main pitch (nearest to the pavilion) which benefits from having the services a full-time groundsman is in terrific condition and must surely be one of the best in the entire league.

 

From pitchside it is possible to see the neighbouring Church of St Mary the Virgin (behind the stand). It is the most ancient building left in the village dating from 1230 and is Norman in design. In the cupola on the tower hangs a bell (circa 1100), the oldest in East Anglia, and the seventh-oldest in the country. Beyond the furthest  goal visitors can also catch a glimpse of the elevated water tower from Hunstanton.            

 

It is clear that Heacham FC is a most proactive club. Affable club chairman Henry Hornsby told me that they run many junior (or mini as they like to call them) sides ranging from under nines right through to under sixteens. The development of youth is vital for the future of the club. Since winning the league and cup double back in 2007 (ironically their centenary year) the club has enjoyed a great reputation. Indeed they received an award from the Norfolk FA earlier this season for their sporting attitude shown during a Norfolk Junior Cup second round defeat over at Sprowston Wanderers. I was also informed by Mark Bishorn, the assistant manager whose son plays in goal, that the club may apply to join the Anglian Combination League for the start of next season. Watch this space as they say.

 

The derby game played in bright sunny but very chilly conditions attracted just over thirty fans to Station Road. Having each lost their previous matches (played last Saturday) both had something of a point to prove today. It was a young Heacham side who took full control of the game racing into a comfortable 3-0 lead by the break. A low well struck shot from Matt Wright (24) and a brace from Chis Turner (a close range header on 28 and a cheeky lob on 35) shocked the visitors who couldn't wait for half-time to come. Although Rangers pulled one back ten minutes into the second half when Mark Sainty's (56) swerving long range direct free kick evaded 16-year old keeper Sam Pishorn, the hosts manage to wrap things up just after the hour mark through Wright's (61) perfect acute angled shot. Finally, I would just like to thank young referee Peter O'Conor (who had a superb game by the way) for allowing me to copy the team line ups on my FGIF Match Stats Card before kick-off. Nice one!  

 

Although there were no programmes or refreshments it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment with both clubs contributing to a cracking game of football. It will certainly give Heacham plenty of confidence ahead of their important league cup tie against Reffley here next Saturday. It was also a great advert for the league.

 

If you haven't taken in a game in this league yet I can thoroughly recommend the experience. The standard of football is really very good indeed. A visit to Heacham Football Club with its beautiful well maintained ground is a must for those hoppers who love watching football in remote (seaside) outposts. It is a most friendly club and you will definitely receive a great welcome..oh and don't forget to pack your bucket and spade. Ah the joys of hopping by the sea...have fun wherever you go!!                                  

 

 

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) M Wright (24; 61); C Turner (28; 35) and (A) M Sainty (56)

Attendance: 33; Admission: None; Programme: None; Match rating: 3/5; Ground rating: 4/5.

Links

http://heachamfc.co.uk/

http://full-time.thefa.com/ProcessPublicSelect.do;jsessionid=3C1DE92FE11BD6EEC1F4624FDDFB4E0C?psSelectedSeason=364525&psSelectedDivision=3413325&psSelectedCompetition=0&psSelectedLeague=1051983

 

edited on 29/01/12