Wealdstone 2 Hemel Hampstead 2 Admission £12 (£2 for the boys) Programme £2.50 but the gateman only charged me £2 for some reason. Gate 904 (best league gate so far this season) Did not go with high expectations but very impressed. I visited this venue over 20 years ago to see the former tenants, Ruislip Manor in an FA Competition reply (forget if the Vase or Cup). Think they played Harefield and lost 2-0 in front of 40 odd hardy souls on a cold night. Ground was quite simple back then. Forget how Wealdstones take over transpired and if there was an overlap withRuislip - someone will know and comment on whether it was all fair - but I know rent was increased way beyond what Manor could afford. Wealdstone however, whatever the tale, have transformed the place to the point it was almost like a new ground. I think the main stand has the same origins and the club house is much the same but I believe extended. There is also part of the cover at one end that might have survived, my memory is as hazy as the Nigerian Harmattan. From I believe yellow and black all has turned blue and white and the hotchpotch nature of the stand with bits of different cover and little areas of elevated terrace gives the place both character and charm rarely found in grounds that have been built in recent years (and much of this one has). No flat packs, prefabricated covers or bus stops here though, no this was done was thought and love. One loss Stephen Carpenter are the lights they had here when I last visited. They were four proper pylons if you know what I mean. These have been upgraded in power but are no way as impressive. I had forgotten quite how many grounds The Stones have played at since they acted Lower Mead in 1991. That was a fine old ground, also one I only got to once but it is fondly remembered by many who still follow the club in decent numbers. The Stones went to Watford but could not afford the costs involved and eventually fell on some hard times during which they played in various locations. Originally they initiated work to build a new stadium where Barnet have ultimately placed theirs. Money I believe ran out and more sharing ensued before the current solution emerged. Still tenure remains lease dependent and there was reference to this in the truly excellent programme. Best of all though was the game I witnessed. An end to end classic far better than the per three quarters of my Christmas football fix combined. I will certainly make an effort to return - even the journey out was less painful than I thought; Ruislip as posed to Ruislip Manor was marginally nearer. Question, new ground or not. I would have said not but actually I make my own rules up and it almost felt like it was. Anyway, whatever your view it was a cracker on and off the field. Both sets of fans were also a credit to their clubs.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 20:44:00 +0000
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