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A most hospitable afternoon!
Old Roan FC play at the John Roan Playing Fields in Kidbrooke Park Road, an area which is in the London Borough of Greenwich. The 'anorak' in you might be interested to note that Premiership club Charlton Athletic and other Kent County League sides Stansfeld O & B, Cray Valley PM and Lewisham Borough are all within a few miles of here.
There are two playing areas on site and these are separeated by the main driveway and a couple of brick pavilions used for changing and as a clubhouse/tea bar. A cricket square and football pitch (used on this occasion by the third eleven) are marked out behind these buildings. The main first team football pitch, on the left, runs parallel to the main road and is bordered by a metal fence with a row of very tall trees opposite. There is also a small narrow concrete strip leading up to the dug outs. There is no cover.
Steven Walker and I drove to the game using the M11 down to London before joining the A12 on our route to the Blackwall Tunnel. We followed the A102/A2 coming off at the Kidbooke Interchange and then taking the A2213 (Kidbrooke Park Road) for the last mile of our journey. The main entrance to the club on the right is virtually opposite the Sutcliffe Park running track. There is plenty of parking behind the goal at pitch side with extra space available inside a small copse if it gets busy.
A crowd of 33 (including fellow Kent-based 'hopper Martin Hollands) attended the Kent County Football League Premier Division game which was played on a beautiful sunny autumnal afternoon. Both goals came in the second half. Bearsted who had looked the better side, took the lead before Old Roan equalised through a spectacular shot/cross struck from outside the box in a position very close to the goal line. The club officials made us feel welcome and plied us with hot tea before kick-off and again at half-time. To round things off the chairman's niece not only prepared a round of salad sandwiches and sausage rolls for us but gave us a tray so that we could consume our snacks whist watching the last ten minutes of the game. Most civilised and what great service!
A decent 16-page programme complete with a glossy blue cover and important club news and stats sold for £1.00 including admission. Travellers will be interested to note that this is a regular issue. Martin reminded us that Rusthall (from Tunbridge Wells), another club in this division, are also producing a programme this season.
A most enjoyable visit.
FGIF Rating 3* | 