In 1972 Amersham joined the London Spartan League, remaining there until moving to the newly formed South Midlands Spartan League South Division in 1997. In between times they added floodlights to the ground and a brick extension to the clubhouse. Unfortunately the stand blew into a nearby allotments in 1989 during a gale with a smaller replacement being erected in time for their move to the new league, with it being kindly formally opened by Graham Taylor.
In 2003 Town embarked on a fine run in the league and FA Vase. However, it transpired that had fielded two ineligible players under false names. The club had to hand back their prize money, were deducted seven points and banned from the FA Cup and Vase for three years.
Amersham Town will play in the South Midlands Spartan League Division One in season 2014-15.
Wednesday 6th April 2005
My route had a severe hill and no path! I was well and truly in the sticks. It seems the station covers the new part of town whereas the club are based over the hill in the charming old town, which would be a treat on match days with it's traditional pubs and shops. It's a short walk from there along School Lane to the ground.
The ground was refurbished after my visit while the club decamped elsewhere for a season. At the time I was there the pitch had a huge slope across it. The changing rooms and clubhouse were behind the goal where the entrance five bar gate was situated. Along the road side there was a small stand with maybe 100 seats.
Over the road the club has two training pitches. It's certainly nothing spectacular but has room for development if it's ever required. It's a pleasant venue (or it was on my visit) but I'm not sure I'd want to be there in hostile weather.
On my way back I found a more conventional main road back to the station which had a bus service for the less energetic.
Amersham Town 5 Sun Postal Sports 0 (Saturday 22nd October 2011) Spartan South Midlands League Division One (att: 22)
I was on my final day of annual leave after abandoning a trip to a cricket tournament in Bangkok owing to the floods out there. I wanted a nice venue that was near to home but just a bit too awkward for a midweek visit in winter. I made an inspired choice.
I had forgotten just how far the Metropolitan line stretched as I arrived around 2.30 at Amersham. I got my skates on and walked past the huge Tescos and into Old Amersham. It was much further then I remembered. I walked past some very smart and expensive looking pubs and went past a local league game being played on a school field before arriving at Spratley Meadow where the gateman gave me a warm welcome as he took my £3 admission, which included a basic but decent quality programme.
It was about 2.55, but I still popped into the clubhouse. The barman kindly sold me a bottle of Pedigree and put it in a plastic glass so I could take it out with me. I headed for the raised stand which was named in the honour of two men Mike Gahagan and Graham Taylor. Since my visit, the slope on the pitch had more or less gone as land had been dug out, forming small banks around three sides of the pitch. The surface looked in great condition, which was as well as Town were hosting the home games of Tokyngton Manor in the same league from the start of the season.
The game lacked quality in the early stages, particularly in the two defences. There were plenty of opportunities being squandered through poor finishing or the lack of a decent final pass. It was pretty even until the hosts went one up after about twenty five minutes.
I had a lovely view looking down on the very picturesque venue while enjoying my beer and keeping abreast of action elesewhere by radio and text. At half time I went back to the clubhouse for a rewarding top up. I was really impressed with the friendliness of the place. There were lots of smiles and hellos.
In the second half Town pushed their left back forward and this made a huge difference as they quickly took control. I felt quite sorry for the Sun keeper as he looked round while commenting, obviously looking for a bit of sympathy. He was under siege and gradually the goals came, some with cracking finishes. Sun were bottom of the league and it wasn't hard to see why.
My team Scarborough Athletic were having a torrid day at Parkgate with a defeat and sending offs at the hands of an alleged cheating referee so my texts were coming in thick and fast. I took the short cut back up the steep Rectory Lane as traffic whizzed past. It was far quicker and I got some good exercise in. A train was waiting as I reqached the station meaning a quick return home.
It had been a lovely afternoon out, which would have been even better had Stevenage not missed a late penalty which would have completed my fixed odds coupon. Still, you can't have everything!
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