Chris Berezai

45 Walton Street

Long Eaton

Derbyshire

NG10 1PB

Tel : 0115 – 973 - 1439

Mobile : 0775 – 1604755

WELSH AND HELLENIC LEAGUE GROUNDHOP

28 – 31 August 2009

Dear all

The eighth Welsh Groundhop, to be held in conjunction with the tenth Hellenic League Groundhop, will begin on Friday 28 August 2009. This year the weekend will feature eleven matches; the Welsh hop will be our last with the South Wales Amateur League for a few years as this season sees us complete the League. Next year sees us in the Mid-Wales league area, but we hope to be back with the SWAL in a few year’s time. The Hellenic League hop has six matches split between the Premier and Division One East. Yet again prices have been kept as low as possible, with prices frozen on both coach and accommodation costs. Overall, a full weekend – that’s match tickets and programmes for all eleven games, three nights accommodation, and four days travel on the coach – will cost you £163, just £2 more than last year AND with an extra game! In a recession, with soaring fuel costs, that’s no mean feat.

Please note that the schedule at this point is still subject to final confirmation due to FA Cup commitments.

We kick off on Friday evening with a trip to Ynysddu Crusaders (6.30pm). On Saturday, our opening match is at Ferndale Boys Club (10.30am), followed by Cardiff Draconians (1.30pm), Rhoose (4.30pm), and finally a “re-visit” to the White Tips Stadium, home of Treforest (7.30pm). We’ve slipped this in as an extra game, as it’s walking distance to the accommodation, is a fantastic ground, and one lots of hoppers moan that they missed when Treforest were the first SWAL club to host a hop game in 2003.

Sunday sees us begin the Hellenic leg by heading across the Severn Bridge (just!) to Almondsbury Town (11am - which MAY be an FA Cup match!), before moving on to Newbury (2.30pm) and Ascot United (6.15pm). Monday begins at Chalfont Wasps (11am) before we travel to South Kilburn (2.30pm) and the hop rounds off at Flackwell Heath (6.30pm)

Coach – IMPORTANT!!

Last year’s coach use was very encouraging, but we need to keep that going, particularly on the Hellenic leg where the cost is greatest. Using one base for the weekend is a great idea and encourages take up, but puts hundreds of pounds on the coach bill. This year, we’ve again chosen to stay away on the Sunday night, and not return to the University until after the last game on the Monday. Still, it’s a chance to leave the car behind for two days and let the coach take the strain! I am also repeating last year’s ticket discount, so book the coach for the two days of the Welsh leg, get £2 off your ticket. Book the coach for both days of the Hellenic leg, get another £2 off your Hellenic ticket. Bargain!

The coach will pick up at set times on the Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday mornings from the University, and will go back to Treforest in the evenings (except for the Sunday evening). On Monday evening, the coach will drop off at Reading Railway station after the final match at Flackwell Heath before returning to Treforest. Arrangements have been made for anyone wishing to leave their cars at Treforest, and car parking, with 24 hour security, will be free. The cost of the coach will be available at a daily rate, but priority will be given to those booking for the full weekend. Bookings will not be accepted for coach transport only (with no accommodation or ticket).

Accommodation

For the eighth – and final - year, we will be staying at the University of Glamorgan at Treforest, and accommodation is at the price of £31 per person per night for Friday and Saturday, which includes full cooked breakfast. Sunday night will be spent at accommodation in Berkshire – you will need to ring me to book a place there as prices vary. Please remember that priority booking is given to coach users. There is an option of Wednesday, Thursday and Monday nights for those who wish to come down early or go home on the Tuesday (remember that the coach will return to Treforest after the Hellenic Hop). This will be done on a “room only” rate of £25, with no breakfast included.

Programmes etc

All clubs will be made aware of the number of programmes that will be needed on the day. The number will be based on the bookings we receive, so reserve your copies by booking tickets! Packs will be made up in advance for the Welsh leg ticket holders. Extra programme packs are not available. Programmes will be available inside each of the grounds. Programmes will be included in the price of your advance ticket on both hops. Club badges will be available on the day at all clubs, and no doubt lots of other people will be selling things at the grounds too!

Trading

Several traders will be in attendance at the hop. As usual, all the unofficial trading that is part and parcel of a hop is not only welcome, but encouraged!!.

Match Tickets

Tickets are available in advance for both parts of the hop, and these of course guarantee you a programme at each game. Admission is available on the day for those who do not wish to buy tickets in advance. Tickets can be bought for both or either part of the hop.

SAEs

When booking, remember to include an A5 Stamped addressed envelope (That’s the normal size of a programme) for your tickets and information to be sent out to you. Please remember to put the correct postage on your envelopes, especially if you use anything bigger than A5. NO SMALL ENVELOPES PLEASE!! Remember – no SAE, no tickets.

Booking and Payment

You may book for either or both of the hops, by completing the attached Booking form. May I look forward to seeing you on the Bank Holiday Weekend!

Chris Berezai

Organiser, Welsh Groundhop, and Administrator, Hellenic Groundhop

Welsh and Hellenic Groundhop – Booking Form

Please give the name, address, contact number and email address of the party leader, along with the names (and email addresses if possible) of the others that form the remainder of your party.

a) Party Leader…………………………………………………. Tel: ……………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………E-mail:…………….………………………..

b) Others booking:…………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..…

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Match tickets: Joint hop tickets Number………….@ £40…………. Total : £………..

Welsh hop tickets Number…………..@ £15…………. Total : £………..

Hellenic Hop tickets Number…………..@ £25………….. Total: £………..

NB: Those booking Coach transport on both days of the Welsh Hop pay £13 for the ticket. Those booking coach travel for both days of the Hellenic hop pay £23. Book coach travel for all of the hop and save £4 (you pay £36 for a joint ticket).

Coach Travel: Friday Number………….@ £7 …………………….£……….

Saturday / Sunday / Monday Number.………….@ £11 per day…………..£……….

Accommodation: Friday / Saturday (B&B) Number………….@ £31 per night……….…£……….

Thursday / Monday (Room) Number…………..@ £25 per night.……..….£……….

Sunday (B&B): Single Number…………..@ £45…………..…SOLD OUT…

Twin/Triple Number………… @ £25 / £30……………...£……….

YOU MUST CHECK AVAILABILITY BEFORE BOOKING SUNDAY ACCOMMODATION

TOTAL: £………..

Please make cheques payable to “Welsh Groundhop”.

Please remember to enclose an A5 Stamped addressed Envelope. Your booking will not be accepted without one. Please return this form to Chris Berezai, 45 Walton Street, Long Eaton, Derbyshire NG10 1PB . E-mail enquiries to groundhopuk@yahoo.com . Telephone enquiries welcome (no calls after 10pm), on 0115 – 973 – 1439 or the mobile number, 0775 - 1604755.