Welcome to my blog covering clubs and stadiums in the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for keeping them going and their maintenance.

Since I was a little lad I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds and see games wherever possible.

I was fortunate that my Dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches. As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look.

I hope this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and maybe one day set you on the road to adventure. If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends and stories to pass on to future generations.

Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!

Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my Dad, Bob Bernard and my Mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul who gave me the chance and encouragement to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement and Sally and Stan who inspire and give me great pride. Stan is showing a keen interest in my hobby as he grows into a young man!

Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. If you want to see any ground reviewed please let me know. It will take quite some time for everywhere to appear, but make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated.

If you click on a lot of the pictures you will get a larger version on your screen.

I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.

Click here to see Volume Two of HAOTW, which covers everything non English.

Rob Bernard

London

May 2020

Thursday 2 January 2014

Ashby Institute

Ashby Institute FC was a non league football club located in the Ashby district of Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire. The Institute was formed in 1908 as an educational and social organisation for local men. It was located on Ashby High Street.

In 1917 the football club was formed, starting out playing on several local pitches. In 1930 Ashby joined the Scunthorpe and District League, before moving to the Lincolnshire League in 1949, moving into a new ground called The Screeds a year later, close to the Institute.

In 1968 Ashby progressed to the Midland League, where they remained until 1982 when the league was disbanded. The club turned down the opportunity to join the newly formed Northern Counties East League, instead returning to the Scunthorpe & District League.


The club folded in 1989 with The Screeds being demolished for new housing in 1993. The old Main Stand was dismantled and re-erected at nearby Bottesford Town.

  

My visit

Ashby Institute 0 Scarborough 2 (Saturday 4th October 1969) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round (att: 1,323)

This match marks one of my earlier football memories. My Dad took me along for a ride in the car with his good pal Ray Gough and other regulars. I believe it’s the day they discovered I suffered from car and coach sickness!

Naturally enough my memories are pretty hazy, but I do recall the players coming from a clubhouse behind the goal. Apart from the small stand there was shallow grass banking in parts.

I do remember one of my earliest Boro heroes Gerry Coyne running out to play. The game ended in a 2-0 Boro win, with Alan Franks and Alan Cooper netting the goals.

My Dad later regaled me with the story that the Scarborough Evening News and Mercury sports reporter Bill Jenkins  having to run down to the High Street to find a public telephone to ring in his match report for the sports edition as there was no phone at the ground!

Boro went on to defeat another now defunct club; Hull Brunswick, in the next round.

Many thanks must go to Colpic from the excellent Non-League Matters website forum, and Martyn Girdham, who supplied him with information following my requests.

http://nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum/gforum.cgi?




2 comments:

Ancient Brit said...

My memory of the Asby Institute 'The Stute' goes back befor the war , when I used to go and watch them play.
They used the ground at the at the back of the Co-op Store at the bottom end of Ashby. The land belonged to Co-op, who used it to graze their horses, in those days they delivered groceries to homes by horse and cart.

Anonymous said...

I also remember going to the game verses Scarborough, I lived locally to the ground and watched the first half over the fence. I was only 12 years old and didn't have the money to pay to get in. The gates were opened in the second half so I could get in and see more clearly, don't remember much about the game itself, but there was a reasonable turnout and a good atmosphere !!