No.22 – Sat. 21st October 2006; Kent County League Premier Division           2.45pm at the Holmesdale Sports & Social Club, Oakley Road, Bromley Common, Kent (att: 27; prog: 20pp, £2 w/a) 

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Holmesdale FC (1) 3  Milton Athletic (0) 1

Holmesdale - a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!  

A couple of weeks ago one of FGIF's ace correspondents Paul Roth penned an absolutely magnificent report following a visit to Holmesdale FC of the Kent County League Premier Division (see TT No.42 v Fleet Leisure). His words and pictures were totally inspirational and created such an impression that I decided to go there myself to find out more. The day itself was most enjoyable and certainly not without incident.

Fran, Jo and I set off from East Anglia at midday and were definitely making good time along the M11 despite busy traffic. After passing the large blue motorway sign indicating our turn onto the M25, a breaking travel report on Radio Five Live worryingly announced that a lorry had overturned close to the Lakeside shopping centre and was already causing a five mile tail back on the clockwise section of the motorway. With barely half a mile to spare we made the executive decision not to go that way but to continue along the M11 instead and use the Blackwell Tunnel to cross the Thames into Kent. Disaster averted!

After negotiating the urban jungle through Catford and by-passing Bromley town centre along the A21 we soon turned down Oakley Road and breathed a sigh of relief when the signpost for the Holmesdale Sports and Social Club came into view. At last we could relax and look forward to the game.... or so we thought.

By the time we reached the clubhouse I noticed a couple of other well-known 'hoppers standing next to the bar. We exchanged pleasantries but their expressions told me that all was not well. It appeared that the visiting side (Milton Athletic) had not yet turned up and, even worse, no one at the club knew of their whereabouts!! It was already 2.30pm and the kick-off was scheduled for 2.45pm. Things were starting to look grim for the neutrals; there was now the very real prospect of missing out on a game altogether. Hmm.

Moments later aimiable club chairman Ray Tolfrey bounded into the clubhouse and, clutching his mobile phone, announced that the visitors were finally on their way. The colour visibly returned to the ashen-faced hoppers who had just experienced their worst ever nightmare! True to his word, it wasn't long before several cars appeared in the tiny car park and a group of young players clutching kit bags made their way purposefully into the changing rooms. It was now 2.47pm! The lads from Sittingbourne had unfortunately taken a wrong turning en route which explained the late arrival. The referee was not very sympathetic to hear of their plight and was keen to get started. And so with only seven bodies lining up for Milton he blew his whistle. Game on and disaster no.2 averted!!

The game was real end to end stuff and totally absorbing. Both teams contributed to some fast flowing football played on a well grassed surface. Word has it that the man responsible for the pitch has won awards for his groundsmanship! For the record the hosts deservedly won the match 3-1 to maintain their position at the top of the table and underline their great start to the season since gaining promotion at the end of the last campagn. A magnificent 20-page programme sold for £2 and included all the essential items (news, line ups and current league table); a club history and amazingly some recent match photos coutesy of Paul Roth's digital camera. Fame at last!. Drinks and snacks were cheerfully dispensed at the bar in the clubhouse. The attendance was just over twenty and included several travellers. 

As Paul rightly states in his superb article, a visit to Holmesdale is a must for all travellers. The setting is surreal. Apart from a glimpse of Canary Wharf in the distance who would believe that this rural location is only minutes from the major conurbations surrounding London. Yes there is covered accomodation on site - what a cracking view you get too from this 'unique' stand. It even provided a welcome refuge from the heavy showers which persisted for much of the second-half! A double rainbow diverted our attention. More proof that the club colours of green and yellow can be seen everywhere! 

We found everyone at the club to be extremely friendly. Infectious club chairman Ray Tolfrey made us feel really welcome and told us that the club have plans to play in the Kent League one day; there may be the possibility that they could groundshare whilst the necessary ground improvements are being completed. He also drew our attention to a framed club shirt (in green and yellow quarters) dating back to the 1920's hanging proudly on the clubhouse wall. The lady serving tea was a real star too - not only for making a cracking cuppa' but for kindly letting me have a placement programme after my copy had got ruined in the rain. What service. Bigger clubs take note!

A visit to Holmesdale comes highly recommended. You will not be disappointed with what you find at this progressive little club based close to Bromley Common. Definitely a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Oh the joys of hopping!!     

FGIF Rating: 4* 

Links - Map l Holmesdale FC Website