No.21 - Sat 5th December 2015; Bedfordshire County Football League Division One;                                   2pm at Mill Lane Recreation Ground; Mill Lane; Potton; Beds; SG19 2PG

 

Matchday images (37) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/PottonTownFC

Potton Town (1) 2  Queen's Park Crescents (0) 0

'Potton on a great display'

'A goal in each half was enough for hosts Potton Town to take all three points in this eagerly fought Bedfordshire County Football League Division One fixture against a hardworking Queen's Park Crescents side. Both mid table teams contributed to what was an excellent game of end to end football played in strong swirling winds throughout on a bumpy well grassed surface making it a great advert for the competition in general. A dozen spectators including several who had travelled over from the outskirts of Bedford to support the visitors made up the small but appreciative crowd. As expected neither a programme nor refreshments were made available.  

 

Over the years the club has existed under many different guises (including Potton Wanderers Football Club). Originally playing games on a field about half a mile or so away on the opposite side of Mill Lane they were fortunate not to fold when the land was earmarked for a new housing estate in the town. As part of the package and no doubt to soften the blow this purpose built site was paid for by the developers in order to provide leisure and recreational space when the houses went up. After relocation in 2010 Potton Town Football Club was established as shown on the new club crest.

 

The ground itself is located off Mill Lane found to the north west of the town centre. An entrance on the right leads visitors to a car park with the new brick built pavilion, groundsman's equipment facility and children's playground set back on the edge of a large playing field. Surrounded by very large fir trees on three sides it has an appealing enclosed feel about it. Indeed the conifers proved quite an asset in buffeting the strong winds from spoiling the game. The main pitch (one of two on the site) marked out nearest to the club building offers very little standing room for spectators at each end with many pine needles seen liberally scattered in both penalty areas. A high mesh fence used to stop errant shots is positioned behind the goal to the right. Without any cover, dug outs or perimeter rope to speak of you could say that this is grass roots football at its best. From pitchside travellers will not fail to notice the massive TV mast from the formidable Sandy Heath transmitter dominating the skyline.

 

Although the club has only played at the Mill Lane recreation ground for a relatively short period of time I am led to believe that they may soon be on the move again. Helpful secretary Nick Armond told me (whilst running the line) that with the ever spiralling costs of renting the pitch (£30 a time) they may approach officers at UCL side Potton United Football Club with a view to sharing the ground at The Hollow (some two miles away). Apart from having a decent pitch to play on there would be added benefits in having better facilities (including a bar) as well as important investment opportunities. Watch this space for more.

 

A visit to this friendly little club comes highly recommended to all grounds collectors. For more details about the Beds County League including ground and contact information check out the links shown below. Indeed the official site overseen by hard working Pete Francis is worthy of much praise for the valuable service it provides to travellers. The joys of hopping in central Bedfordshire continues...have fun wherever you go.                        

 

   

FGIF Match Stats

Scorers: (H) Moore (43); Piper (82) and (A) N/A   

Attendance: 12; Admission and Programme: None; Match rating: 3/5; Ground rating: 3/5.

Links

http://full-time.thefa.com/Index.do?league=7195521

http://www.bedfordshirefootballleague.co.uk/

 

edited on 06/12/15