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TT No.42: Paul Roth - Saturday 7th October 2006; Kent County League Premier Division; Holmesdale vs. Fleet Leisure; Res: 5-0; Att: 42; Entry £2 including 16 page programme. |
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"Serendipity": The faculty of making happy chance finds; that is the definition of the word in my dictionary and this exactly sums up my experience today when visiting Oakley Road in Bromley Common, the home of Homesdale FC.
The rural setting of the club is at odds with the South London area and is reminiscent of the rustic setting of Rusthall FC, also in the same league. The only sign that a football club exists here is the club's signpost on the road, just past the atmospheric, GBG listed, Two Doves public house.
Arriving an hour before kick off the tiny car park was already full, so parking on the main road was the only option. Walk up the narrow lane past grazing horses on your right and arrive at the small,narrow entrance which leads onto the ground proper. Here, the lovingly produced 16 page programme, sells for £2 including admission. I commented a few weeks ago about how good the Lewisham Borough production was, but this is equally as impressive. Professionally produced with all up-to-the-minute data. I especially liked the "player profile" of Ray Tolfrey Jnr. who answered the question "favourite food/drink" in one word....STELLA .
As you enter and to your left is the clubhouse which sells all manner of comestibles and alcohol. The first striking thing about the ground is the large stand opposite. Covered accommodation in the KCL!!! This is a real Heath Robinson affair, made up of all types of scaffolding and wood to create a robust structure of redoubtable quality. The ground is fully encircled by metal perimeter fencing and, save for Canary Wharf being visible in the distance, has a complete feeling of being lost in a time warp.
The ground is not for those who have any abhorrence of the colours yellow or green; the club play in these coloured, quartered shirts. The two hues are everywhere. The clubhouse is bedecked with paintwork thus; the training ground goal nets are these shades and if you look closely the perimeter fence this has a residue of yellow paint, albeit very faded, upon it. Even the tiles in the toilets are, yes, you've guessed it....yellow and green!
Holmesdale are enjoying a great start to the season in the higher division and that is because they play lovely fast flowing attacking football. Today Fleet Leisure (formerly Bowater and latterly Beauwaters FC), couldn't live with their tempo. Two down at half time, they were extremely lucky to return home to Gravesend only having conceded five....it should have been many more. They even contrived to miss a penalty in the dying minutes.
Every person I spoke to on the ground was friendly. This included Mark Hayes, the club secretary, who had helpfully e-mailed me the night before with confirmation of a programme; he also gave me his mobile telephone number in case the heavy Friday rain had put the match in doubt and I needed to check out any postponement risk.
The club's website is also a good source of information and from it you can measure the love and care that those involved at Holmesdale FC bestow on their adopted club. Ultimately the club has ambitions to get into the Kent League but perhaps the lack of floodlight may be holding them back. I guess the lack of a decent sized car park could well be a stumbling block also. Time will tell.
A real find, a real gem, a real pleasure. "Serendipity"!
FGIF 5* |
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contributed on 07/10/06 |
