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Welcome to our third outing, This time we travelled to see Gresley F.C. in the South Derbyshire town of Swadlincote.
The Match
Gresley marched on into the third round of the FA Vase with something of a shock victory against a strong Kings Lynn side who reached the last four in last years competition.
The breakthrough came in the 31st minute, Midfielder Dean Oliver playing a neat ball over the defence for Richard Hounslow to race clear of the perusing pack, Finishing into Lynn keeper Alex Street's far post.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play, the East Anglian visitors had edged the game up until the goal, Having several chances but not being able to convert any, They thought they had an equaliser almost immediately from the re-start but were denied by the linesman's flag.
Gresley almost added a second five minutes before half time, A goalmouth scramble was not well dealt with by the Lynn defence, The 500 strong crowd prepared to cheer several times before the ball was eventually hacked off the line by a defender.
The home sides assault continued after the break, Jamie Barrett's header clipped the post before James Jepson forced Street into a good save with his long range effort.
Commanding centre back Michael Nottingham was on fine form and was almost rewarded with a goal, His header from a corner was just turned away.
The visitors did however come back and began to take charge of the game, Winning almost twenty corners, Despite dominating the possession in the final 25 minutes or so Lynn didn't really test Gary Hateley between the posts on many occasions as the defence held strong time and time again.
The result was assured in stoppage time, Dean Oliver skipped away from his marker and raced away down field with substitute Royce Turnville in support, With all his team mates still caught out of position Street was powerless to prevent Oliver squaring the ball for his team-mate to make it 2-0.
Gresley F.C.
Nickname: The Moatmen
Founded: 1882
Ground: The Moat Ground, Moat Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9RE, Map
Capacity: 2,400
Contact: (01283) 216315
Website: http://www.gresleyfc.com/
Gresley FC was formed in 2009 following the liquidation of Gresley Rovers due to financial troubles. They initially joined the East Midlands Counties League, Still using Rovers's Moat Street ground. where they finished as runners up to Dunkirk and therefore narrowly missed out on promotion in their first season.
The home sides assault continued after the break, Jamie Barrett's header clipped the post before James Jepson forced Street into a good save with his long range effort.
Commanding centre back Michael Nottingham was on fine form and was almost rewarded with a goal, His header from a corner was just turned away.
The visitors did however come back and began to take charge of the game, Winning almost twenty corners, Despite dominating the possession in the final 25 minutes or so Lynn didn't really test Gary Hateley between the posts on many occasions as the defence held strong time and time again.
The result was assured in stoppage time, Dean Oliver skipped away from his marker and raced away down field with substitute Royce Turnville in support, With all his team mates still caught out of position Street was powerless to prevent Oliver squaring the ball for his team-mate to make it 2-0.
Gresley F.C.
Nickname: The Moatmen
Founded: 1882
Ground: The Moat Ground, Moat Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9RE, Map
Capacity: 2,400
Contact: (01283) 216315
Website: http://www.gresleyfc.com/
Gresley FC was formed in 2009 following the liquidation of Gresley Rovers due to financial troubles. They initially joined the East Midlands Counties League, Still using Rovers's Moat Street ground. where they finished as runners up to Dunkirk and therefore narrowly missed out on promotion in their first season.
After several changes at boardroom level the club is looking into moving to a new stadium to help the club progress.
The 2011/12 season saw Martyn Rowntree become manager after coaching the reserves,
Rowntree narrowly missed out on promotion last season, most of the players have returned to the club. Brian Woodall (30 goals) and Royce Turville (21 goals) both featured prominently in the end of season awards and return as does popular club captain Carl Slater who is about to start his ninth season at the Moat Ground.
The 2011/12 season saw Martyn Rowntree become manager after coaching the reserves,
Rowntree narrowly missed out on promotion last season, most of the players have returned to the club. Brian Woodall (30 goals) and Royce Turville (21 goals) both featured prominently in the end of season awards and return as does popular club captain Carl Slater who is about to start his ninth season at the Moat Ground.
The Ground
Entering through the Moat street turnstiles which are housed in what appears to be a shed with both ends missing you are immediately greeted by the programme lady who along with her daughter welcome you to the club and sell one a good quality programme for £1.20.
Behind her you have the option of going to your right and joining the small terraced area in the corner where the more vocal Gresley support seems to be housed or going left and taking a seat in what is a rather impressive stand at this level with around ten rows of seats, Home and away supporters mingle freely here, exchanging opinions and banter amongst one another .
Be warned however the view of the North side of the pitch is obstructed by a fence if you sit in the first few rows of the stand on the right.
At the back of the stand are the players' dressing rooms, Their gangway onto the pitch divides the terrace and seated areas. Immediately to the right of the changing rooms is the refreshments bar, Serving some decent food and soft drinks.
Up above the stand is the hospitality area, It seems precariously perched on a scaffold structure which looks as if a strong gust of wind could blow it over, However we are informed it has now stood there for a number of years and is indeed safe.
Leaving the enclosure of the covered stand you come to several portable offices, One of which is the club shop, Selling all manner of merchandise emblazened in Gresley red, Including a range of vintage programs and other memorabilia.
The supporters club lies in the South-East corner of the ground, It caters for both sets of supporters, serving reasonably priced alcohol.
Behind the South goal is a small covered area where the standing away support seems to have set up camp, Decorating their patch with several Kings Lynn flags and banners.
The opposite side of the pitch has another covered area with a single row of seats At the end of the row is a small shed selling hot an cold drinks.
The ground has a very cosy and laid back feel to it, Several supporters from both sides strike up conversation with us, They also share out snacks smuggled in in their coat pockets amongst each other whilst exchanging memories of their clubs whilst stadium announcer blasts out Elvis Presley's hit Hound-dog and other rockabilly classics to humour the clubs mascot Elvis Gresley, A large brown dog wearing the red and white who is parading around the stadium.
The ground in enclosed by housing on three sides, There are several residents hanging out of upstairs windows or sitting on their garden fences for a view of the game, A father and son even appear to have climbed onto the corrugated steel roof of the West stand with a blanket and sat down to take in the action from the rooftop, The later play the part of ball boys as a defensive clearance sails into their garden.
Getting to the Moat Ground
By Car;
From the South
Follow the M42 northbound to Junction 11, turn off onto the A444 toward Burton Upon Trent. Turn right onto the A514 (Castle Road) toward Gresley and follow the road up the hill to the traffic island at the top. Continue on the A514 over the island and take the second road on the left (School Street), the next left into Moat Street where the Moat Ground is located.
From the North-East
Follow the M1 south to junction 23a, turn off on to the A42 southbound. Continue on the A42 to Ashby-de-la-Zouch then turn off onto the A511 toward Swadlincote. At Woodville turn off the A511 onto the A514 toward Church Gresley, follow the road signs to Gresley, the School Street turn off is second on the right after the Gresley island. Take the first turn on the left in School Street to take you to the ground.
From the North-West
From Stoke-on-Trent follow the A50 toward Burton-Upon-Trent, turn on to the A511 and continue through Burton. Turn off the A511 onto the A444 toward Nuneaton. Follow the A444 until you reach the turn off for the A514. Turn left onto the A514 (Castle Road) toward Gresley and follow the road up the hill to the traffic island at the top. Continue on the A514 over the island and take the second road on the left (School Street), the next left into Moat Street where the Moat Ground is located.
By Train:
The nearest station is Burton-on-Trent (Approx 6 miles) which has regular services to and from many major cities including Birmingham, Nottingham and Cardiff.
By Bus:
There are several buses which stop close to the ground, Arriva's #4 and Midland Classic's #19 both stop outside the Maurice Lee memorial park on Common Road, Just a short walk to the ground.
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| The Moat Ground |
Entering through the Moat street turnstiles which are housed in what appears to be a shed with both ends missing you are immediately greeted by the programme lady who along with her daughter welcome you to the club and sell one a good quality programme for £1.20.
 |
| Programme |
Behind her you have the option of going to your right and joining the small terraced area in the corner where the more vocal Gresley support seems to be housed or going left and taking a seat in what is a rather impressive stand at this level with around ten rows of seats, Home and away supporters mingle freely here, exchanging opinions and banter amongst one another .
Be warned however the view of the North side of the pitch is obstructed by a fence if you sit in the first few rows of the stand on the right.
 |
| The offending fence |
At the back of the stand are the players' dressing rooms, Their gangway onto the pitch divides the terrace and seated areas. Immediately to the right of the changing rooms is the refreshments bar, Serving some decent food and soft drinks.
Up above the stand is the hospitality area, It seems precariously perched on a scaffold structure which looks as if a strong gust of wind could blow it over, However we are informed it has now stood there for a number of years and is indeed safe.
Leaving the enclosure of the covered stand you come to several portable offices, One of which is the club shop, Selling all manner of merchandise emblazened in Gresley red, Including a range of vintage programs and other memorabilia.
The supporters club lies in the South-East corner of the ground, It caters for both sets of supporters, serving reasonably priced alcohol.
Behind the South goal is a small covered area where the standing away support seems to have set up camp, Decorating their patch with several Kings Lynn flags and banners.
The opposite side of the pitch has another covered area with a single row of seats At the end of the row is a small shed selling hot an cold drinks.
The ground has a very cosy and laid back feel to it, Several supporters from both sides strike up conversation with us, They also share out snacks smuggled in in their coat pockets amongst each other whilst exchanging memories of their clubs whilst stadium announcer blasts out Elvis Presley's hit Hound-dog and other rockabilly classics to humour the clubs mascot Elvis Gresley, A large brown dog wearing the red and white who is parading around the stadium.
 |
| Elvis Gresley and mascot |
The ground in enclosed by housing on three sides, There are several residents hanging out of upstairs windows or sitting on their garden fences for a view of the game, A father and son even appear to have climbed onto the corrugated steel roof of the West stand with a blanket and sat down to take in the action from the rooftop, The later play the part of ball boys as a defensive clearance sails into their garden.
Getting to the Moat Ground
By Car;
From the South
Follow the M42 northbound to Junction 11, turn off onto the A444 toward Burton Upon Trent. Turn right onto the A514 (Castle Road) toward Gresley and follow the road up the hill to the traffic island at the top. Continue on the A514 over the island and take the second road on the left (School Street), the next left into Moat Street where the Moat Ground is located.
From the North-East
Follow the M1 south to junction 23a, turn off on to the A42 southbound. Continue on the A42 to Ashby-de-la-Zouch then turn off onto the A511 toward Swadlincote. At Woodville turn off the A511 onto the A514 toward Church Gresley, follow the road signs to Gresley, the School Street turn off is second on the right after the Gresley island. Take the first turn on the left in School Street to take you to the ground.
From the North-West
From Stoke-on-Trent follow the A50 toward Burton-Upon-Trent, turn on to the A511 and continue through Burton. Turn off the A511 onto the A444 toward Nuneaton. Follow the A444 until you reach the turn off for the A514. Turn left onto the A514 (Castle Road) toward Gresley and follow the road up the hill to the traffic island at the top. Continue on the A514 over the island and take the second road on the left (School Street), the next left into Moat Street where the Moat Ground is located.
By Train:
The nearest station is Burton-on-Trent (Approx 6 miles) which has regular services to and from many major cities including Birmingham, Nottingham and Cardiff.
By Bus:
There are several buses which stop close to the ground, Arriva's #4 and Midland Classic's #19 both stop outside the Maurice Lee memorial park on Common Road, Just a short walk to the ground.
Local Area Info
Pubs;
Pubs;
The Rising Sun: The closest pub to the ground, Located on Common road. The staff are friendly and the beer cheap, A darts tournament was in progress as we visited making for a good atmosphere as the football supporters filed in.
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| Travellers Rest |
Travellers Rest: Situated about a ten minute walk from the ground across the Maurice Lee memorial park, The Travellers offers a selection of real ales as well as servings some good quality food.
The Sir Nigel Gresley: Named after the famed railway engineer who also lends his name to the Swadlincote districts of Castle and Church Gresley (And of course Gresley FC) This Weatherspoons is always busy, It has a conservatory style restaurant area overlooking the bustling high-street and a bar which serves the chain's normal plethora or British and international beers and spirits.
Food;
Millennium Fish Bar: Located close to the ground on Common Road this chippy is ever popular in the area serving up one of the best portions to be found in Swadlincote.
To Do;
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| Conkers |
Conkers Discovery Centre: Situated two miles away in Moira is Conkers, The centre offers a fun day out for all ages, With an adventure playground for kids, A narrow-gage railway transporting visitors around the vast site, An assault course for big kids and adults and several miles of scenic walks around the National Forest's flagship site.
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| Tobogganist |
Swadlincote Ski Centre: The former mining town is the last place you would expect to find a ski slope, But yet the towering hill overlooking the town has been converted into an exhilarating course, Offering ski and snowboard lessons, For the less brave you can also go down in inflatable tubes whilst sitting. A ski lift up the hill takes you to the fantastic Toboggan run which gives you a fantastic view over Swad (Before being launched down the hill at gut-wrenching speed)
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