Silver Jubilee Park 2017-18

Silver Jubilee Park is a football venue in Kingsbury, north west London that had previously been the home ground of Kingsbury Town and then Kingsbury London Tigers; until that club departed to find a home of their home and dropping Kingsbury from their title.

In 2014 business partners and football coaches Rob Morris and Dan Manzi approached Brent Council and negotiated a lease on the venue; initially as a home for a reformed Edgware Town FC.

Morris joined the board at Hendon FC who were in exile since the sale of their Claremont Road home and being tenants at first Wembley and then Harrow Borough. Working closely with the directors, it was hoped that Silver Jubilee Park could become a permanent home to The Dons.

Edgware Town moved into the ground in October 2014 following the installation of a new artificial surface, so that the ground could be used by several teams and community groups.

Gradual improvements were made in the first season, mainly under the watch of facility manager Tom Stockman. Hendon held a couple of functions at the ground while grants were sourced for the further development of the function.

Edgware won promotion to the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division in 2015-16, as the venue began to be redeveloped in the hope of Hendon moving in full time for the following season. Throughout the campaign two new covers were added down the park side and a new pitch fence was erected.

Hendon staged their London Senior Cup tie against Croydon at the ground as developments continued apace, including the erection of a new seated stand at the park end, to try and meet the demands of the ground graders.

In April 2016 it was confirmed at the Hendon awards evening at the ground that the club would be moving in for the 2016-17 season.

The application had been dogged throughout by a small minority of local residents, which led to the seated stand having to be taken down and rebuilt at the entrance end as it was claimed that it blocked the view of the park in its previous location.

A new smaller cover for standing spectators took its place and was named the Ken Batten Stand in honour of the Edgware Town stalwart. Each stand at the ground is named after deserving people; which is a lovely touch.

Other stands and areas are named to honour Simon Lawrence, Tom Stockman, Gary McCann and David Bedford.

You can read about the history of Hendon football club and my initial visits to watch the team here, while their 2016-17 home campaign is covered on this page. A background of Edgware Town and my visits to their home matches until the end of the 2016-17 season can be viewed here.

My visits from July 2017
Edgware Town 2 Southall 2 (Monday 10^th July 2017) Pre Season Friendly (att: 53)

My brother Nick was down for the evening, so we decided to take in some action down at Silver Jubilee Park. It was a warm day, so we enjoyed a couple of Magners from the bar.

Wares went 2-0 up with goals from the impressive Ethan Mooney and Daniel Pett in a competitive work out. The visitors got one back soon after the break before grabbing an equaliser just after we set off to walk back to the pub.

Hendon 4 Hitchin Town (Sunday 16^th July 2017) Silver Jubilee Park Community Cup Final (att: c60)

I’d been on early shift at work before heading across by tube and bus to the final; still in good form after being in attendance at the opening of Scarborough Athletic’s new Flamingo land Stadium the previous day.

Enjoying a beer I was joined by Steve Barnes to enjoy a very decent performance from the Dons. Trialist defender Andrew Iwediuno put the home side ahead on fifteen minutes before an error at the other end allowed Hitchin to draw level.

Josh Walker put the home side back into the lead on the half hour mark. In the second half a further goals from Daniel Uchechi rounded off the win. The visitors battled hard, despite not having a regular goalkeeper available; thus putting a centre back between the posts.

An enjoyable post match couple of pints were enjoyed in the bar while watching the sport and listening to some good music. The football season was well and truly back!

Hendon 3 Enfield Town 0 (Tuesday 15th August 2017) Isthmian Premier League (att: 292)

It was a lovely evening as I left work after a twelve hour shift ready to have some fun and be entertained. Hendon weren't to let me or the home fans down. The beer was decent in the bar and there was a good vibe, helped by a good away following.

It was good to catch up with other home support. The ground really did feel like home. Hendon played some scintillating football in the early periods as veteran Enfield defender Darren Purse and his colleagues were put to the sword.  

Nico Muir had returned to the club from a spell at Leiston. He had a particularly stellar night which began on seven minutes when passes were exchanged with the impressive Uchechi before the forward slotted home.

It was 2-0 on nineteen minutes when more slick passing saw the Dons in on goal. The ball ricochet with Keagan Cole and Muir trying to force the ball home. The referee could have easily given a penalty for a foul on Cole before Muir fired in.

The excellent performance continued before the visitors had a real opportunity to get back into the game following a Arthur Hill clumsy challenge in the box. Heroic goalkeeper Tom Lovelock saved the spot kick from Drew Roberts.

The Dons quickly capitalised on this lifeline. Sam Murphy worked hard to get involved in the move before Muir rolled Purse with ease before firing into the near corner past Joe Wright to complete his hat trick.

Further chances fell to the home side, while either side could have been awarded penalties late in the game. It was a very happy bar after the match; especially as Darren, one of our regulars and one of the young fellas behind the bar both won big on the fixed odds.

Hendon 6 Harrow Borough 0 (Monday 28th August 2017) Isthmian Premier League (att: 316)

This was a brilliant performance by The Dons on Bank Holiday against league leaders Harrow. I stepped up to assist on the main gate and enjoyed speaking to so many lovely people around the place.

I was joined to watch the game by Jeff Cards and Steve Barnes and we had a good afternoon as Hendon ran riot from the first few minutes as Matt Ball opened the scoring after twenty five seconds, before Niko Muir converted a first half hat trick.

Harrow gave a better performance after the break before goals in quick succession from Zak Joseph and Keagan Cole rounded off brilliant passing moves and put the gloss on a deserved scoreline.

David Bedford kindly made a donation to enable fans to enjoy beers for £1 after the game; apart from me as I was on night shift so I had to satisfy myself with a Lucozade. It was a small price to pay for such an entertaining afternoon.

Hendon 1 Wingate & Finchley 1 (Saturday 2^nd September 2017) FA Cup First Qualifying Round (att: 298)

This was an absorbing FA Cup encounter between two very well organised sides. I was fortunate to be attending. Thankfully a colleague at work agreed to cover for me for three hours.

The visitors were in the ascendancy in the early stages before the Dons had efforts from Stanislaus, Muir and Ball. Hendon were probably on top as the half came to a close. Wingate & Finchley scored straight after the break through a fantastic free kick from ex Don Spencer McCall.

The visiting defence proved hard to breach. The whole team were strong and quick, but Hendon stuck to their task. The game was very even, but the Dons got stronger towards the end; aided by the introduction of substitutes Maclaren and Ibe.

Despite having more of the play the Gate team looked solid and determined to go through to the next round. With just three minutes remaining Niko Muir crossed for centre back Rian Bray to head home.

Hendon came mighty close to a win in stoppage time as they bombarded the Wingate goal. A half chance was spurned before the ball was carefully worked across to third sub Ashley Nathaniel-George who somehow missed the target.

A draw was probably the correct result at the end of a good old fashioned tough FA Cup tie.

Hendon 3 Staines Town 0 (Tuesday 26^th 2017) Isthmian Premier League (Att: 147)

Once again I took on the job on the main gate among some really smashing people.

It was not a 3-0 game; but one with a lot of very good football being played.

Staines were on top for the first fifteen minutes or so until the Dons battled their way in. A tremendous first goal from outside the box from Niko Muir before the Swans battled back after the break.

Hendon were still to concede at home in the league as they defended as required. Goals towards the end following good moves from Zak Joseph and Muir sent the majority of the crowd away happy and fired Hendon into second place in the league.

Hendon 4 Tooting & Mitcham United 0 (Saturday 30^th September 2017) Isthmian Premier League (att: 219)

This was another fine display from Hendon as Tooting were put away in the second half. The visitors had started brightly and promised to offer a stiff test to the Dons; until they had a player sent off for serious foul play.

The decision split opinion among the home fans, though the Terrors vocal support left the ref in no doubts of their take on it. Hendon were simply too quick and clever as the match progressed as Arthur Lee, Matt Ball, Zak Thomas and Josh Walker netted.

I was on nights, restricting any drinking, so I volunteered and got a first go on the turnstile as well as manning the gate. I also decided to sample the burgers; which I have to say were absolute top class. A top afternoon all round; especially after Scarborough stayed in the FA Cup by courtesy of a stoppage time leveller.

Hendon 2 Tonbridge Angels 1 (Saturday 14^th October 2017) Isthmian Premier League (att: 265)

It was a bittersweet day for me as Scarborough Athletic went out of the FA Cup against Hyde United, but Hendon went a little along the way to temper my mood after I’d completed an early shift at work.

It was a tough game against a team, who were anything but Angels at times. Centre back and skipper Sonny Miles stood out for his fouls, moaning and lambasting of team mates. Ashley Nathaniel-George missed with a powderpuff penalty on the stroke of half time as some visiting fans whined along.

Tonbridge went 1-0 up with a thunderbolt from Chris Kinnear but Michael Corcoran levelled things up with an excellent header. The game looked destined for a draw before Miles fouled substitute Danny Uchechi in the box. Niko Muir stepped up to slot away the spot kick in the very final minute.

Hendon 1 Needham Market 0 (Tuesday 17^th October 2017) Isthmian Premier League (att: 153)

Another home win and clean sheet and a decent match; and game performance from the visitors. The only goal came on twenty five minutes when Zak Joseph followed up his shot to head home the rebound.

I went to the game with ex Boro chairman Simon Cope and we enjoyed ales in the Midland Hotel pre match. He seemed to enjoy the friendly atmosphere, as we were joined by Mick Devereaux. We even got chatting to a Needham Market fan originally from Guisborough.

Those North Yorkshiremen get everywhere!

Hendon 3 Burgess Hill Town 0 (Saturday 11^th November 2017) FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round (att: 165)

My good pal and relief Mick McCarthy arrived bright and early so I could escape my early shift at Uxbridge to get to SJP by tube and bus. My Scarborough supporting pal Russ Westwood joined us for the game before heading to his son’s gig in Camden that evening.

The Dons put on another spellbinding first half performance to tie another defensive unit in knots. Zak Joseph was brought down in the box for a clear a penalty as one would ever see, with Niko Muir dispatching the spot kick.

Joseph made it 2-0 with a superb shot from outside the box on twenty five minutes. The Hillians were defending far too deep and invited pressure as wave after wave of attack arrowed in on their goal.

A brilliant move including Joseph, Arthur Lee, Dave Diedhiou saw top scorer Muir finish with aplomb. Both sides made several changes, with Burgess Hill making a better fist of things as the game ran to a natural conclusion.

Hendon 1 Slough Town 1 (Saturday 25^th November 2017) FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round (att: 251)

I’d returned from the heat of Bangkok and the 2017 Thailand International Cricket Sixes with my Beer Battered Seadogs team the evening before and was keen to get back down to SJP to cheer on Hendon.

Some English ale was also on my radar, so Steve Barnes and I had a pint in The Greyhound in Hendon and then the Midland Hotel before the bus to the ground and some Portobello Market Porter.

Slough were cheered on by a good following in a decent proper cup tie with plenty of quality on show from both sides. The Rebels probably should have been ahead as they hot the post and Tom Lovelock made a fine save.

Zak Joseph hit the post for the Greens in the second half before Town took the lead as James Dobson finished a fine move on the hour mark following a couple more top saves from Lovelock.

It didn’t look as though Hendon were going to breach the firm Slough defence. The visitors nearly doubled the lead as the game entered stoppage time as a fierce drive from Matt Lench rocketed back off a post.

Arthur Lee nearly levelled from a scramble following a corner before Kezie Ibe eventually found the net in the dying seconds with a clever back flick after another cross had been slung into the area to spark mass celebrations and set up a replay the following Tuesday.

Hendon 3 Hanwell Town 3 - Hendon won 6-5 on penalties (Tuesday 12th December 2017) London Senior Cup Round Two (att: 102)

My colleague Andy Robertson kindly took me off my late shift extremely early, so I headed to SJP by tube and bus and even had time for a pre match beer. Some of my regular drinking mates were also in attendance.

Gary McCann gave plenty of fringe players a run out, including seventeen year old goalkeeping hero from the Slough FA Trophy replay; Dan Purdue. All looked relatively straightforward as the Dons went in at the break with a two goal lead thanks to a Zak Joseph brace.

Hanwell fired back after the interval as Mergin Quarri fired in with a speculative shot that Purdue could have done better with. Shortly after Nick Turner headed home at the far post to level the scores.

It was a cold evening, but we kept warm thanks to Steve Speller's supply of whisky from his hip flask. Tom Stockman and his team had done fantastic work clearing the thick snow from the pitch, before rain started to fall heavily in the second half.

There were a few raised eyebrows as Sam Pekun put Hanwell ahead, before the Hendon boss rang the changes. The introduction of Muir and Diedhiou forced pressure as Calum Duffy put into his own net.

Keagan Cole missed a good chance to win the game in normal time for the Greens, but the game went to penalties. All ten regulation spot kicks were put away. Diedhiou scored in sudden death before Purdue turned hero once more as he saved from Alfie Cain.

Steve, Mick, Richard and I were given a lift up the hill to Kingsbury by Dean as we continued our drinking at Wetherspoon's in Kingsbury. 

Hendon 2 Bath City 1 (Saturday 16^th December 2017) FA Trophy Round One (att: 256)

This was simply a brilliant afternoon and consequent evening. I’d arrived to assist on the main gate at SJP in not very pristine condition after a big night with pals in Camden. The excitement of the occasion got me through.

City brought a good and most polite set of supporters from the West Country. There were to head home disappointed; and in some cases, angry with their sides performance. That should not detract from a super Hendon display against higher ranked opposition.

Bath held sway for the first half hour, before a corner was headed back across goal from Michael Corcoran, for Arthur Lee to tap in at the back post. A busy clubhouse contained many happy and anxious home fans at the break.

Within a couple of minutes, The Romans were level, when a fine run and cross was finished by Tom Smith. The match was in the balance on a cold afternoon as heavy rain began to fall.

The ever excellent Muir was causing havoc with his strength, skill and energy. On seventy four minutes he created a chance for sub Keagan Cole to glide the ball in with his first touch. Superb game management from the hosts saw out the game with relative ease.

Relative ease could not be associated with my following day after a nursed a colossal hangover and got some much needed shut eye. We’d celebrated long and hard in the clubhouse before heading to the Midland and then Kingsbury Wetherspoon’s.

Hendon 0 Wingate & Finchley 1 (Monday 1st January 2018) Isthmian Premier League (att: 237)

This was to be one of those days for the Dons on a freezing and windy day at SJP. Wingate & Finchley once again proved tricky and well organised opponents as they stuck to their game plan of good defending with Sean Cronin and Claudiu Vilcu prominent; and dangerous breaks.

The goal came from a poorly executed short corner, which saw the home defence out of position, with a break down the right producing a low cross for Quentin Monville to slide home.

Keeper Tom Lovelock suffered a terrible gash to his kneecap as he dived at the feet of the forward and had to be carried off on a stretcher; a year to the day since making his debut.

Hendon huffed and puffed; created some decent half chances, but it just wasn’t to be. The normally reliable Muir missed a really good chance in stoppage time.

It was still a good afternoon in ever nice surroundings with good people supporting the club. It really was feeling like home as I got to know more and more Dons fans.

Edgware Town 2 Risborough Rangers 3 (Tuesday 2^nd January 2018) Spartan South Midlands League Challenge Trophy Quarter Final (att: 60)

I took another walk down the hill to SJP, despite having other options elsewhere. However, I was tired after nights and fancied a good drink with mates. I was joined by Steve Speller and Richard to cheer on the joint tenants.

Edgware looked a pretty decent outfit; certainly far better than the team I’d seen in action earlier in the season away to Hoddesden Town. At half time they were ahead through a penalty and a fine Andrew Manitou shot from outside the area.

We’d decamped to the bar on what we thought was half time; only for referee Aiden Farrelly to somehow find ten minutes stoppage time. All kind of comical theories were being put forward for his error. A comical cheer went up when he finally blew his whistle.

The game followed a similar pattern to Hendon’s home tie with Hanwell Town a few weeks earlier. The hosts took their foot off the gas, and offered Risborough a chance to get back into the match after their keeper Jack Brooker had kept them in the game with some great stops.

They made no mistake. Goals from Marcus Wylie, Samuel Ward and a last minute strike from Lamar Mason-Williams sent Rangers through. Their delight was obvious at full time, having pulled off a bit of a shock, as they competed in the division below Edgware.

We headed back to Wetherspoons as the wet and windy weather increased to storm level. We enjoyed fine ales while watching Match of the Day as I celebrated a winning fixed odds coupon.

Hendon 9 Spelthorne Sports 1 (Tuesday 16^th January 2018) Middlesex Senior Cup Quarter Final (att: 82)

The wind blew fiercely from the west, making Silver Jubilee Park a very cold place; especially monitoring the main gate; but I wouldn’t have been anywhere else. The loyal fans in attendance were to receive their full monies worth.

The visitors from two divisions down the non-league chain in the Combined Counties League Premier Division fully played their part and won many friends with their attitude and willingness to play football without complaints until full time.

It was to be quite a night for Joe White, a loan signing from Dagenham & Redbridge who celebrated his nineteenth birthday by netting five goals. His fellow loanee Liam Gordon also got on the scoresheet.

Spelthorne had reduced the arrears to 2-1 when Jamil Saleh scored a beauty past Corey Addai; who was on loan at the Dons from Coventry City. However, the goal purely kick started the home performance who went to town in the second half, with Ashley Nathaniel-George also bagging a hat trick.

Hendon 3 Folkestone Invicta 3 (Saturday 27th January 2018) Isthmian Premier Division (att: 326)

This was an eventful day and cracking game. I assisted Steve Lytton in the car park as news broke that the Folkestone coach had broken down a couple of miles away. Players, officials and fans arrived by lift, taxi and even on foot!

A bumper crowd was treated to a really good game. Hendon missed early opportunities before Ade Yusuff missed a penalty for the visitors. However, they went in 1-0 up at the break after Ian Draycott capitalised on a defensive howler.

The Seasiders took control of the game after the restart before defender Callum Davies was given the freedom of the park to add two further goals. The excellent away following were in raptures, and must have thought they would return home with maximum points.

Joe White gave the Greens slender hope with a tidy finish with just nineteen minutes left on the clock. The goal inspired the hosts, who poured forward and started to beat their defenders with skill.

Substitute Zak Joseph wriggled through a mass of defenders on the edge of the box before scooping under the ball to score an exquisite lob over keeper Tim Roberts. The home side tried everything to grab a leveller, but it looked like Invicta had done enough to hold on.

In the third minute of stoppage time Casey Maclaren soared to powerfully head home after Keagan Cole had recycled a previous set piece with a ball into the danger zone. Maclaren's passionate celebration said it all as the Dons fans celebrated before giving the team a well deserved ovation at full time.

Hendon 1 Leatherhead 4 (Tuesday 30^th January 2018) Isthmian Premier League (att: 181)

I’d managed to persuade friends from Hampstead CC; John Mennis, Steve Jarvis and Steve Williams along to the game. We were joined by Rob Lawrence, Keith Brighthope and Scarborough Athletic director Nick Finch for pre-match ales in the Midland Hotel.

The convivial nature continued at the ground. I think my pals making their debuts seemed impressed enough; at least with the bar! Some of us went outside to brave the inclement weather to cheer on the Dons.

Unfortunately, Hendon weren’t up to the task, with on loan keeper Corey Addai having a night to forget as Leatherhead went in at the break 2-0 ahead. The visitors built on their lead in the second half when awful defending and keeping failed to deal with two crosses.

Solace came in the shape of Ashley Nathaniel-Walker as he wriggled past a couple of defenders before firing in an absolute blockbuster past keeper Zaki Oualah. The Greens pushed on but failed to breach The Tanners defence any further.

Several of us rounded off the evening in the warm back at JJ Moons in Kingsbury.

Hendon 0 Dorking Wanderers 0 (Saturday 10th February 2018) Isthmian Premier League (att: 175)

Luck was on my side as I got away from work early, in time to assist with the car park before the game. Hendon started the game in fine form and looking a different side at the back after keeper Tom Lovelock made his comeback after injury.

It looked like Hendon had been awarded for a crude challenge on Niko Muir in the first minute, but the referee changed his mind after consulting with his linesman, who was stood thirty five yards further away from the incident.

The officials didn’t really cover themselves in glory all afternoon, as Hendon piled on lots of pressure against the visitors who carried on their whinging, time wasting and play acting that had been in evidence in the reverse fixture.

It wasn’t to be Hendon’s day, despite putting in a decent performance against a brave and stubborn defence. Post match beers were taken in the bar while watching England defeat Wales in the Six Nations Championship.

Hendon 2 Leiston 1 (Tuesday 13^th February 2018) Isthmian Premier League (att: 147)

It was yet another rainy occasion at SJP as I carried out gate duties. My brother Nick was in town so came along to enjoy an entertaining encounter. The Greens went ahead on just three minutes after Zak Joseph pounced on an awful clearance from Leiston keeper Marcus Garnham to score.

Leiston played some really attractive football at pace on the slick surface and equalised through Joe Marsden on nineteen minutes while I was retrieving a stray clearance from outside the ground.

The visitors probably had the better of the remainder of the half, before Hendon came out to take control after the interval. Joseph was having a superb game up front, but the game was settled by a soft Arthur Lee header as Garnham and a defender failed to communicate.

Some of the Hendon attacking play was a joy to watch, with the visitors from Suffolk having to resort to foul play. The Dons should have really added to their tally in the closing stages as two real chanced following excellent moves were wasted.

It was a happy clubhouse after the game, with our usual gang helping Tom out by disposing of his barrel of Portobello Chestnut Bitter, as Steve Speller poured straight from the barrel on our won table. Happy days!

Hendon 2 Barnet 0 (Wednesday 21^st February 2018) Middlesex Senior Cup Semi-Final (att: 211)

This was an excellent cup tie, enjoyed after I had completed car park and then gate duties. A decent crowd gathered, including a good turn out of Bees fans, with their side including seven of their squad from the previous evenings League match against Carlisle United.

Hendon were still struggling with injuries, but those on show put up a brave effort. Shaquile Coulthirst was prominent for Barnet as they put the hosts under early pressure. The Dons took the lead on nine minutes after Muir hit the post and Uchechi saw his follow up blocked.

The ball went out to the edge of the box to Harley Wise who fired in an excellent low shot to make it 1-0. Muir continued to torment the visitors, with tall defender Tin Plavotic having a particularly torrid time. George Legg saved his defence on more than one occasion.

Lovelock was at his very best after the break making some fine stops and generally giving his defenders confidence as they made some brave blocks. On fifty five minutes Harold Joseph made it 2-0 when he slotted home an excellent Ollie Sprague free kick.

Barnet had two penalty appeals turned away before they turned on the pressure for the remainder of the game. Somehow the ball stayed out of the Hendon net through a mixture of poor finishing, brave defending and excellent goalkeeping.

Hendon had moments of their own on the break, with young substitute William Murphy looking a real talent. Barnet continued to hammer away, but it wasn’t to be their evening, as the Greens reached their first Middlesex Senior Cup final for nine years.

Edgware Town 3 Harpenden Town 1 (Saturday 3^rd March 2018) Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division (att: 86)

Heavy snow and freezing temperatures had hit London throughout the previous week, with me on night shift. I was worn out by Friday, but still had a small list of possible matches. In the end common sense prevailed and I headed down to SJP.

I was joined by Steve Barnes, as we sheltered from the bitter wind and enjoyed a decent game of football as mid table Wares overcame fourth place Harpenden. The hosts went into a fourth minute lead through a clever solo effort from Luke Durnin.

Harpenden had plenty of play without really looking like scoring. Big centre forward Omololu Onabolu made it 2-0 just after half time; with James Ewington reducing the arrears a couple of minutes later.

The visitors piled on the pressure on a Edgware defence well marshalled by player boss Fergus Moore. They had their share of luck as one effort came back off the woodwork, but they worked hard. Rio Beach and Hani Berchiche offered decent attacking outlets.

The game was made secure in the first minute of stoppage time by substitute Steven Benavides, before Wares missed an absolute sitter on the counter attack. I was glad to get my legs moving for a walk across the fields for the bus at full time!

Hendon 1 Margate 1 (Saturday 10^th March 2018) Isthmian Premier League (att: 309)

This was a tough encounter for the Dons, despite going 1-0 up after just four minutes through Josh Walker. Margate were on a fine run of form. Their side was made up of big strong individuals.

Eventually they drew level just before the break when a deflected Jay May shot bounced into the deck before going over Tom Lovelock. Gate deserved their equaliser. Their play wasn’t pretty on the eye, but it was effective.

Lovelock made some vital saves in the second half, before the Greens carved out a few half chances as they got back into the game. A draw was the right result. Margate brought a decent sized following, including the loudest female I’ve ever encountered.

Hendon 4 Billericay Town 1 (Saturday 24^th March 2018) Isthmian Premier League (att: 462)

There are occasions when you follow a football team that you know exactly why you bother. This was one of those days. It could not have possibly gone any better, both as a club organisation or as a team.

I was designated car parking duties, with a full squad of helpers. We fitted in the maximum amount of vehicles, despite it being incredibly busy and chaotic. The parking of the Billericay fans bus brought humour to proceedings.

The crowds were attracted on an international break weekend to see the big spending visitor’s and to greet their controversial chairman and team manger, Glenn Tamplin. Indeed, the action had begun well over an hour before kick off.

Tamplin had told some players that they weren’t worth their wages and would have to collect them from ‘his boys’ if the result was not to his liking, after Billericay had hit a blip in form. This led to an altercation, with two players walking out and driving away.

The first half of the game was a tight affair. Hendon were holding their own, with Town not looking the best in defence. Billy Bricknell had a couple of efforts for the visitor’s, with Ashley Nathaniel-George and Niko Muir causing problems in Hendon colours.

The match was decided in eight second half minutes soon after the restart. Zak Joseph was brought down by keeper Jack Giddens. Muir put away the penalty, before swivelling when a corner wasn’t cleared to plant the ball home.

Josh Walker made it 3-0 when he collected a square pass on the edge of the box, before taking a touch and smashing the ball into the top corner of the net. The jubilant scenes were incredible and atmosphere like nothing previously seen at SJP.

Tamplin walked around the pitch before vaulting the fence and then leaving the ground. It was later revealed that he had always intended to depart at that point on business. In fairness, he smiled and shook hands with some Hendon fans. It was funny nonetheless.

Substitute and former Premier League star Jamie O’Hara pulled a goal back with a fine free kick, before Walker finished off the scoring with a neat end to another brilliant Hendon attacking move. The players received a tremendous ovation shortly after at full time.

Gerry, a car park colleague kindly dropped me at Kingsbury station so that I could get a nap before my night shift, after which saw me head to Heathrow for my annual cricketing holiday in Thailand. I still had a huge smile on my face as I boarded the flight.

Hendon 3 Merstham 0 (Saturday 21^st April 2018) Isthmian Premier Division (att: 273)

This vital home game had been brought forward to a 2.30pm kick off to allow for the huge expected traffic build up for the 5.15pm kick off at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final. This meant a short nap after night shift.

Once I’d completed my admin work for the ongoing Phuket Cricket Week I headed down to a humid SJP to carry out gate duties. The place was a hive of activity with the outdoor club shop and food hut ready to greet fans.

The Dons put on another scintillating display of football, even if some of the finishing left a little to be desired at times. They took the lead on eleven minutes after a fierce free kick across the area was parried by keeper Ashlee Jones straight to Michael Corcoran who made no mistake heading home.

Merstham played some nice football without any of the penetration shown in the match at Moatside a month or so earlier. It seemed a matter of time before the Greens added to their tally. The bar was nervous at half time keeping a check on the other scores in the division.

Ashley Nathaniel-George added yet another contender for goal of the season with a breathtaking run and finish on sixty four minutes before Josh Walker half volleyed the ball home across the keeper two minutes later.

Big Dave Diedhiou would have broken the net with an effort that went narrowly wide as Hendon saw out the game in comfort. The result meant they needed one point from two games to secure a position in the play-offs.

My day got better as Scarborough Athletic mathematically secured promotion with a win away to Colne with Hull City drawing a remarkable game 5-5 at Bristol City. A few hours later I cashed out to secure another healthy profit on the fixed odds. If only all matchdays were the same as this!

Hendon 4 Folkestone Invicta 0 (Thursday 3^rd May 2018) Isthmian Premier League Play Off Semi Final (att: 722)

The Dons saved arguably their best home performance until last as they swept Invicta aside with a tremendous first half as they went up the tunnel 4-0 ahead. It was a tremendous evening to be connected with the club as queues formed for the two turnstiles forty five minutes before kick off.

I was on gate duty, and it was apparent that the players were determined as they arrived, while all my fellow colleagues were confident. The volunteers were out in force and the match day operations went off tremendously well to cater for a SJP record attendance with queues forming forty five minutes before kick off.

The Greens flew out of the blocks and should have gone ahead before a brilliant Niko Muir pass put Josh Walker in to lift the ball over Tim Roberts to score on six minutes. Muir missed another guilt edged chance shortly after while Invicta tried to attack without success.

The Kent side arrived with an excellent following of around 200 fans but they were to be disappointed further after a quarter of an hour. Walker crossed for Muir to flick on to Ashley Nathaniel-George who bundled the ball home.

The Folkestone defence did well not to concede further until a brilliant Zak Joseph effort three minutes before the break made it 3-0 before Muir added a fourth with another fierce shot into the same corner past a motionless Roberts.

The second half was always going to be an anti climax for Hendon fans. The team consolidated their lead while looking the more likely side to score. Invicta’s former Hull City forward Johan Ter Horst hit the outside of the post with a header.

If the ball had gone in I would have celebrated long and loud as I’d had a bet on a 4-1 final score to Hendon. That would have netted me £72. The team got a long and deserved rapturous ovation at the end of the game to seal a place in the final away to Dulwich Hamlet the following Monday.

Steve Barnes, Nick Finch and I headed off over West Hendon Playing Fields in happy mood to catch the bus to The Midland where we continued the celebrations with other mates before grabbing last orders in Kingsbury with yet more Dons fans.

I still had a big smile the following morning as I boarded the train to go and watch Yorkshire on the first day of their County Championship class against Essex at Chelmsford. That turned out into another brilliant day!

Balham 4 Cray Valley PM 1 (Wednesday 9^th May 2018) London Senior Cup Final (att: 317)

The final senior SJP match action for the 2017-18 campaign was a nice accolade for the facility and the hard working staff at the ground as they were awarded the London Senior Cup final. It was only right to support it, and I was joined by Steve Barnes.

Some Hendon regulars were in attendance as we put a brave face on the previous Monday’s play-off final defeat. A few Dulwich Hamlet fans, including the stalwart Mishi Morath, had come along and they were given a warm welcome.

I’d arrived back from an overnight stay to Wuppertal and then a look around the German Football Museum in Dortmund ready to support Balham; who had knocked out AFC Wimbledon, Hendon and Hamlet on their road to the final.

We were treated to a fine game as Balham were too quick and inventive for holders Cray Valley who included former Premier League forward Kevin Lisbie in their line up. I’d missed their earlier appearance at SJP but those in attendance had been impressed, and rightly so.

They were ahead in five minutes when defender Cem Tumkaya brought down Jordan Alonge. Tomasz Wocial slotted away the spot kick. Tumkaya atoned for his error by heading in a free kick a few minutes later as the game flowed from end to end.

A fine move on twenty minutes allowed Balham’s James Gallagher to beat his man in the box before firing home. At half time we bumped into Anthony, the Dulwich fan who’d bought our large congregation a consolation round in the Trafalgar after the play-off game.

The Blazers increased their lead ten minutes after the break in fortuitous circumstances as Ibz Olutade blocked an attempted clearance, with the ball ricocheting into the net. The same player rounded off the scoring as he lobbed The Millers keeper.

We grabbed an opportunity to have a look at the majestic old trophy in the clubhouse before heading over the fields to enjoy a pint in the Midland Hotel. We were glad we’d made the effort to attend the match.