Richmond Town

Richmond Town FC

Ground: Dave Clark Arena

Capacity: 1,000

Club Founded: 1945

League: Wearside League Premier Division – Step 7/11th Tier (current level)

Richmond Town FC, from the market town in North Yorkshire, eventually had to move from one of the country’s most picturesque grounds to somewhere more functional in the name of progress. Here’s their story.

Match Action at Earls Orchard
Image taken from an online source

A Brief Club History

For the first forty years or so of their history, Richmond Town competed in local league football at their stunning Earls Orchard, nestled by Richmond Castle. The pavilion was officially opened in 1975 by Jack Charlton, then manager of Middlesbrough.

Richmond advanced to the Teesside League and soon became an established club in the competition. The 2011-12 season saw the league title being won and the MacMillan Bowl lifted, leading to promotion to the Wearside League, with third place achieved in their debut season.

Dave Clark Arena
Image taken from an online source

Ground grading regulations meant that the first team needed to move from Earls Orchard to retain its status in 2021. Richmond arranged to use the artificial surface of the Dave Clark Arena on the edge of town as they continued to maintain decent league finishes.

My visits

Earls Orchard 

Saturday 6th April 1991

While I never went inside the ground or saw a game there, some fellow travelling Scarborough fans and I played a small part in one pre-match warm-up on our way to a game at Darlington.

We stopped to cheer somewhere around here!
Image from Google Maps

Rather than risk the attention of local ne'er-do-wells around Feethams, we stopped for beers in the pubs around Richmond Market Square. Leaving town, we somehow passed Earls Orchard when someone on board mentioned Eastfield FC; one of our local teams was playing away to Richmond Town.

Sure enough, down below us, the teams were traipsing out for their early kick-off. Some baffled players looked up at a gaggle of blokes singing “Scarborough, Scarborough”. I would imagine it would have been mentioned in the pub after their game!

At Stokesley Sports Club

Richmond Town 0 Scarborough Athletic 2

North Riding Senior Cup Quarter Final - Wednesday 25th January 2017

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 165 🎟️ £4

Because Richmond Town's Earls Orchard home at the time didn't have floodlights, they used the facilities at Stokesley Sports Club to host Scarborough Athletic in the county cup. My visit to the northeast kicked off six days of football in different places as I used up the remainder of my annual league. 

My day had been fun-packed in improving weather as I headed north on the train to Darlington, where I obtained a £7.80 one-day bus ticket and visited the home grounds of Darlington, Darlington Railway Athletic, Shildon, Bishop Auckland, West Auckland Town, Crook Town, and Willington football clubs.

After a quick look at Bishop’s old home at the Kingsway Cricket Ground, I took a train to Middlesbrough, where I grabbed some food before catching the 28A bus through the Cleveland Hills to Stokesley.

The ground's floodlights were visible as we approached the town. I alighted, so I never got a look at the town or its pubs, which in hindsight may have been an error. Instead, I headed straight to the ground and paid the very fair £4 admission along with a programme for another quid.

It was my first time at the ground, so I wasn’t aware that the clubhouse and bar were outside the entrance. The kind lady at the gate let me back out so I could head for the warmth on what was becoming a very cold evening.

The clubhouse was neat and tidy, even though there was no real ale. I plumped for a bottle of Newcastle Brown after a warming cuppa as the room began to fill up with Boro fans. The travelling support supplied the majority of the crowd.

Once back inside the venue, I took in the scene. There was a neat seated stand down the near side with two low covers behind the goal by the entrance. The rest of the ground consisted of open flat grass and concrete standing areas.

It was lovely to catch up with old friends: Boro directors Nick and Andy, along with Col, who was giving me a ride to Scarborough after the game, and Nigel, along with the unpredictably entertaining Steve Dixon.

This turned out to be my only Boro game of the season. I really should have made more of an effort, but I didn’t want to attend a home game. This was because I didn't want to test my emotions too far. Queensgate in Bridlington, where Boro were still tenants, was the last place I’d gone to a game with my dad before he died.

Naturally enough, I was unfamiliar with the Boro team and was interested to see what Steve Kittrick’s outfit had to offer. At the time, they were in a mid-table berth. Their opponents were riding high in the Wearside League.

It turned out to be a very testing evening for the Seadogs as underdogs Richmond flew into challenges and were not prepared to leave anything out on the pitch. Callum Robinson came close for Boro after sixteen minutes, but his drive was saved by Karl Latcham.

The visitors suffered an injury blow shortly after when full-back Scott Brown was poleaxed with a shocking challenge. He departed with a suspected broken leg. Scott Ryan was proving a handful up front for Town. He twice got round the back of the visiting defence but couldn’t score.

Richmond’s no-nonsense approach was rattling the Boro team, not to mention the supporters. Dan Caisley forced a good save out of Seadogs keeper Jordan Porter from distance. Boro replied with efforts from debutant Matt Lucid, Dave Merris, and Jacob Hazel.

At the break, it was time to head back to the warmth of the clubhouse before returning to enjoy the excellently priced catering. A Bovril was only 80p, while an excellent cheeseburger with onions was great value at £2.

We stood in the shelter behind the goal in the second period. Some of the stuff coming from the away support had to be heard to be believed. Referee Wood was having a weak game, but I still think some fans in red and white were watching a different game.

Merris had a free kick turned over the bar, while Hazel saw a volley deflected inches wide of the post. There was an amusing incident when home keeper Latcham began to limp. A teammate took over the gloves, but no substitute came on. Latcham reappeared a few minutes later, having been to the loo to relieve himself!

The match was showing all the signs of ending goalless and going to penalty kicks. Latcham wasn’t the same keeper after his adjournment, as he flapped at crosses. Boro piled on the pressure without breaching the Richmond defence.

As the game entered its final minutes, Boro went ahead when forward Benny Igiehon glanced a header towards goal. Latcham should have saved it, but he could only parry the ball into the corner of the net. It was well deserved after a period of positive football.

Home forward Ryan was shown a second yellow card as Town were reduced to ten men. Jason Newall then fouled Boro’s star man, Robinson, in the box. Hazel stepped up to score from the spot and secure a passage into the semi-final.

Richmond had played their part, if at times in an aggressive fashion. Their fans went home disappointed, but proud of their team.

After the game, my mate drove as marvellously as ever, and I was checking into the Premier Inn in Scarborough around midnight, ready for a good sleep. I needed it for what the next few days had in store, as a weekend trip to Germany lay ahead.

After a very pleasant morning and lunch in the town, including magnificent fish and chips at Mother Hubbard's, I headed down to Hull for the second match of my extravaganza: the EPL Cup semi-final between Hull City and Manchester United.

England, Messi, the World Cup, and What’s Next?

Spain, World Champions
Extra Credit for Airbrushing Trump from their Official Photo

Spain: Worthy World Champions

So, the 2026 World Cup has come to an end. Spain were worthy World Cup winners, overcoming an Argentina side that relied on the only tactics that ever looked likely to bring them success.

Many England fans took pleasure in seeing the team that beat them in the semi-final turn to tears after a display in which Argentina employed all the dark arts. But love or loathe them, they did what they had to do. 

England versus Spain would probably have produced a better spectacle, although it may also have been far more one-sided. Had Argentina tried to match Spain in an open game, the final could easily have been even more comfortable. Their best hope was always that Messi would produce a moment of magic, or they would take the match to penalties.

Argentina: Graceful until the End

Argentina and Messi

It wasn’t Argentina’s fault in the semi-final that when 1-0 down and Messi hardly having a worthwhile kick, England committed tactical suicide and offered them a golden opportunity. The Three Lions gave them the only chance they had by defending so stupidly, more of which later.

Talking of Messi. There's a reason Messi is playing in MLS rather than one of Europe's elite leagues, just as Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney are in Saudi Arabia. In my view, at this stage of their careers, they are no longer at that level. Yet teams, in the case of Messi, stood off him, paralysed by fear rather than denying him space, the one way he could still cause havoc.

Messi received lots of vitriol throughout the tournament. It was claimed he was getting preferential treatment from FIFA with lots of memes and cartoons on the go. I don’t think he did, although he could easily have received a red card in his opening game. I think the reason for his dislike is that his career can be split into two.

Don't Cry for me Argentina

The two Messi Careers

The first half was when everyone loved the young genius at Barcelona, who was selfless and always got up after a challenge; then came post-2020. Lionel Scaloni had been appointed as Argentina's head coach, and Diego Maradona passed away. 

Until then, many Argentinians had little time for Messi. He never played pro football in the nation of his birth, with many considering him Spanish. He was too nice for the national psyche, whereas Maradona was loved because he would do anything to win and create national pride. The pride that perhaps explains the ill-judged Malvinas banner after the England game.

Anyone wanting to understand Argentine football, how much it matters, and why they are the way they are should watch the outstanding Once in a Lifetime YouTube series surrounding the 2022 World Cup.

To cut to the chase, Scaloni got Messi to become nastier, show more passion and integrate with the team. His popularity grew, becoming the type of player Argentinians admire. Which brings me very neatly around to England.

Land of Confusion - England after the Semi-Final

England, Dear England

As a nation, we English are much more reserved. Anyone who resorts to foul play is quickly vilified, which is nice, but not much use when it comes to games against those who’ll do anything to win. Especially against South American teams, when a weaker or less experienced referee takes control. 

That’s because the best refs are from South America or Europe and are unlikely to be appointed. FIFA usually appoint an American, African or Asian to avoid being accused of being biased. For what it’s worth, I thought the refs did OK in the semi-final or final for their ability range.

England is missing fighters and leaders in this team, aside from Jude Bellingham. Players who upset the opposition and their supporters. They seem to be a lovely bunch who are polite to the media. The media, who incidentally then stab them in the back at the earliest opportunity.

Where’s the Fight?

It’s very similar when England play Australia in the Ashes as when England play Argentina at football. Winning at sport matters massively. Two sporting rivals with plenty of historical baggage, wanting to put one over their enemy. England either allow it to happen or then spend their time whingeing about it afterwards. Why? I think the English are pampered.

In cricket, they are likely to be from educational establishments with all the facilities, and in football, the kids are picked up at an early age and given huge riches along with their parents, meaning they don’t know the meaning of fighting for anything.

Thousands more spend years in money-making academies. Restrictions on how much football youngsters can play have also contributed to the decline of local leagues. That feels utterly nonsensical.

Compare that to the kids from barrio slums who fight and scrap for the chance to earn a professional contract, and then once more if they want to earn big money in Europe. Is there any wonder it’s ingrained in them once they play for their country? Go to any Spanish city on a Saturday, find a local club, and you’ll see games from 8 am to 10 pm at a venue with excellent facilities. 

The FA's St George's Park
What's Being Taught There?

The Cossetted Academy Kids

I don’t know whether it’s what English kids are taught in the academies or their attitudes, but something is wrong. England seems to produce lots of “ballers” but not enough winners. Right through to the national team, players love doing the things that get noticed but don't knuckle down and do the basics and the unglamorous work properly.

There is a lack of leaders who want to grab games by the scruff of the neck and hand out rough, honest feedback. I’ve seen it so often following non-league football around London. Loads of young players listing huge pro clubs in their pen-pics, despite maybe being at their academy for a couple of years.

They believe the hype and flounce if they are put on the subs bench, moving to another club within a few weeks rather than fighting for their place and proving a point. Incredibly, some players in the 8th tier of English football have agents. No wonder they’re not rounded. They’re more worried about cash and ego.

Incidentally, I feel the FA could help. Why name more substitutes than are eligible to play? I simply don't see the point. It wastes money, drains resources, and denies opportunities to others. 

Saturday Morning at UE Sant Ilfedons in Barcelona

Tuchel Dilemma 

Anyway, back to England. Third place in the World Cup shouldn’t be sniffed at, but a great chance was tossed away. I was between being livid and heartbroken. Why those substitutions? Why the lack of leadership and nous among the players? Maybe I’ve highlighted some of the reasons in my previous paragraphs?

The day after the semi-final, I wanted the FA to sack Thomas Tuchel. I have mellowed to a degree, and not because of the 6-4 victory over France, enjoyable though it was, but some of the answers that it offered.

One question is who could replace him? Many tout Eddie Howe, a man whose Newcastle United side threw away 27 points from winning positions, making them the worst team in the league at holding onto leads. Like Gareth Southgate, I think Eddie Howe is a better person than he is a manager.

Needing a New Kane

Harry Kane has been a magnificent servant for England. However, the signs were there at Euro 24. He could be excused slightly because of a back injury, but now it’s clear that his legs have gone. Tuchel must look for new options, whether that’s one player or a change in formation.

Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins showed why the coach wouldn’t replace Harry Kane, who has become somewhat of a sacred cow. Neither is up to the task. But at least they remained in their position, rather than wandering off like a frustrated quarterback, so the team kept its shape and had the option of an out ball.

Pace Kills

Pace wins games and terrifies opponents. Not just by how fast players run, but also by their speed of thought, which is arguably as important. In the France consolation game, Elliott Anderson’s and Kane’s omissions saw England play on the front foot with pace. Declan Rice looked like a different player with Eberechi Eze alongside him.

Lo and behold, after several substitutions, England nearly threw away a 4-0 lead, at times with all 11 men behind the ball until Bellingham decided he’d had enough and showed why he’s the one player who would have walked into England's Italia '90 side – another who should have won the World Cup. But who was shouting at the players to push up?

Lessons Learned?
England Hanging On 
10 Men Behind the Ball After Being 4-0 Ahead

The Future

Tuchel has most of the resources he requires if he stops being stubborn and picks talented players rather than those who make for a comfy environment. Maybe try Rashford and Saka through the middle or hope someone emerges from the age-group sides. Whoever it is needs to be athletic, brave and disciplined enough to hold their position. Build around players who can keep possession, such as Palmer and Foden. Perhaps it's time to consider a 4-4-2 or even a 3-5-2.

England's next test comes against the newly crowned world champions, Spain, at Wembley in September in the Nations League. Whether Thomas Tuchel is still in charge remains to be seen. If he is, we'll soon discover whether the lessons of this World Cup have truly been learned.

West Ham United and the Cost of Leaving Upton Park

West Ham United supporters were promised a “world-class team in a world-class stadium” when the club left Upton Park for Stratford in 2016. A decade later, many fans believe the move changed the club forever — and not for the better.

London Stadium

Football Supporters Matter

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a club at the lowest level of the domestic game or a big Premier League outfit. It is not easy being the owner or overseeing the running of a football club. It’s very easy to throw insults and sit in the pub moaning, without really thinking about what it takes to create a successful operation.

However, it is undoubtedly easier if those in such positions tell the truth to fans. Whether it’s an administrative error, the wrong managerial appointment, or the finances being in a state, genuine supporters will accept this if the mistakes are addressed and learned from.

Fans also have their part to play. Rather than having unrealistic expectations, fired by wall-to-wall media coverage, firing the emotions, there are times when they are not nearly fair enough to the ownership or the team manager.

Likewise, there are occasions when those running the show get away with whatever they like by telling the loyal, often lifelong supporters, what they want to hear, to stave off any protests, which is exactly what the fans should be doing.

The Best View at the London Stadium

West Ham United. What's Gone Wrong?

Which brings me very nicely to the plight of West Ham United. Many of their followers think that if they hadn’t been relegated on the final day of the season, then they surely would be in twelve months. The reason? The owners.

Just three years ago, the Hammers lifted the Europa Conference League trophy. Now they face playing second-tier football in the Championship after an amazing fall from grace. 

Star man Declan Rice was sold for £105 million, adding to the finances. Their latest accounts recorded a loss of £104m. This is despite selling out the London Stadium for most home games. An even greater deficit is expected next time. This, along with a loss of TV revenue, which will be softened by parachute payments.

The Much Missed Boleyn Ground

London Stadium Woes

Indeed, a reduction in the amount West Ham must pay to play at the stadium will fall to an estimated saving of £2.5m, offering a benefit of relegation. This is causing concern among those who were hoping that the relegation would lead to a change of ownership.

It’s the stadium that is one of the biggest moans among the Hammers fans. Previously, the club played at the Boleyn Ground in the heart of the East End community. While the ground had its faults, the club had earlier received permission to extend it so that it could remain somewhere steeped in tradition with great memories.

David Sullivan, the late David Gold, and Baroness Karren Brady had taken control of West Ham United in January 2010. Supporters of Birmingham City, where the trio previously had control, warned Hammers fans what was to come, with the departure in the second city generally being welcomed.

The Trek from Stratford Station

Broken Promises

The move in 2016 was far from what they were promised. They were told that their seats were no further from the pitch than at Wembley, and it would be the most successful transition in football club history. 

Of course, by then it was too late. There were no protests when the plans were announced. It was only when the remodelled stadium was open that things became apparent.

After the 2012 London Olympics, the city needed a viable, permanent anchor tenant for the billion-dollar stadium, with the deal being attractive to the West Ham owners. It was subsidised by a heavily discounted 99-year lease agreement with the public London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). 

Argentina v Croatia at Upton Park in November 2014

My Matchday Experiences

The athletic track remained, meaning the seats were a long way from the pitch. The club put some seating in so that it was square behind the goals. However, it left a huge gap between them and the upper tier at both ends, meaning the atmosphere was lost, while the views were distant.

I have been to the stadium several times, which I cover in this post. I went to the Paralympics, which was a magnificent experience, as it was staging what it had been built for. Likewise, when I attended the World Athletics Championships.

Since the conversion, I have sat in the upper level down the side, which was fine, but upstairs behind the goals is a different story. I sat in the away section as a Hull City fan and still don’t know why a penalty was awarded at the far end, as I was simply too far away. If the WiFi had worked, I might have been provided with an answer.

Happier times at the London Olympic Stadium in 2012

The concourses, fine during the summer for athletics, are cold and windy. The walk from Stratford station, through or around Westfield Mall, is soulless and takes a long time. Especially after games, when crowd control is in place. All a rather different experience from one walking down Green Street at Upton Park.

It is no coincidence that all the German stadiums that hold top-level football that once had tracks around the pitch have now been rebuilt so that they are rectangular in shape, so that supporters are near the pitch. The same is gradually happening in Italy.

Daniel Levy, the executive chairman of Tottenham Hotspur when the Olympics were staged, was interested in purchasing the Stratford site for his club. He wanted to knock down the stadium and start again. He knew.

Demolition of the Academy of Football. December 2016

It's the Fans Who Suffer

The ones who are suffering out of all of this are the fans, who are among some of the best in the country. While they sing about fortune always hiding, I don’t suppose they thought that it would be caused by those who were meant to be the responsible custodians of the club.

West Ham United donated £9,000 of club money to the Conservative Party in September 2022, eight years after Brady was made a Conservative life peer in September 2014. This angered fans, with its conflicts of interest, when a deal was thought to have been trying to be made to own the stadium.

Gold passed away in 2023. Brady resigned in April 2026. Sullivan remains as co-owner with Daniel Křetínský, a Czech billionaire whose company purchased the parent company of the Royal Mail, taking the 500-year-old British postal service into private ownership.

Fur Coats and No Knickers at the London Stadium

What's Next?

What West Ham’s future ownership model holds remains to be seen. Most hope Sullivan sells. Many want whoever takes control to build the club a new stadium that is suitable for top-level football rather than what is often referred to as “The Toilet Bowl.”

Most of all, they want experts in charge of running their beloved football club rather than someone who is perceived as a person who does things as cheaply as possible while interfering in football affairs, without having much knowledge. The fans deserve much, much better.

New Ownership Desperately Required

The owners have been complacent that the fans would keep attending, and that there would always be three teams that finish below the Hammers in the Premier League, so that the money would keep coming in. 

They have made some shocking managerial appointments, signed the wrong players with little or no resale value and have been found out. The reality might strike home next season, but nothing is likely to change until Sullivan departs.

West Ham United’s story, and indeed that of Tottenham Hotspur, a few miles away, is a lesson that sometimes dreams sold by owners need proper scrutiny and just how important it is for fans to stand up, protest, and be united when required. 

Article published 25-5-26

Arundel

Arundel FC is a non-league football club, formed in 1889, which represents the historic Sussex town of the same name. ‘The Mullets’ became a founder member of the West Sussex League in 1896, where they were placed in the Senior Division, remaining in the league until joining the Sussex County League in 1949.

The league title was won in 1957-58 and retained the following season before relegation to Division Two came in 1965-66. Promotion back to Division One was achieved twelve months later, before the side finished as runners-up in 1968-69. 

Another relegation came in 1975-76, but once again, the club’s top-tier status was regained after just one season, before dropping back down in 1982-83. Remarkably, one year later, Arundel was duly promoted, going on to become Sussex County League champions for a third time in 1986-87.

1997-98 saw the side drop down a level, before they recovered to win the Division Two title in 1999-00 to go back up. Vic Short was the team manager at Mill Road before he was replaced by Richard “Kilroy” Towers in 2007. His team ended up as league runners-up in 2008-09.

Gary Wheatcroft was appointed as manager in 2010-11 before being succeeded by his assistant, Simon Butler. The Sussex County League changed its name to Southern Combination, with Division One renamed Premier Division for the 2015-16 season, with Towers returning for a second spell twelve months later as team boss.

Arundel was relegated to the second tier of the competition in 2018-19 under Simon Hull. Jason Mines was appointed as manager in 2021, as his side finished consistently just outside the playoffs before reaching them in 2024-25, where they lost to Forest Row on penalties in the semi-final.

Mines departed to be replaced by Dickson Gill, who quickly departed. Joss Parsons was then appointed as the new team boss.

Arundel FC will play in the Southern Combination League Division One in the 2026-27 season.

My visit

Wednesday 5th March 2008

With a day off work and pleasant weather, I was ready to take full advantage of my pre-purchased Southern Rail Day Saver, which entitled me to unlimited travel for the day on their services for just a tenner. As ever, I had an itinerary in mind as I set off from Victoria Station.

First port of call was Arundel, which looked beautiful as I alighted and headed over the bridge over the River Arun, as I gave Leftfield’s Leftism a listen on my iPod. Life was good, looking up to the castle and wandering through the town towards the High Street and Mill Road.

The walk went past Arundel Museum and a bowling green, to the entrance to the pretty ground where the gates were open. A seated stand had a view of the castle behind it, up on the hill, while the opposite corner had a small cover for standing spectators, next to the clubhouse and changing rooms.

Once complete and having had a walk around, I headed back to the station and took the train to my next destination, the Nyewood Lane home of Bognor Regis Town.