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 as possible and see games wherever I could.

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 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. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement along with my wonderful wife, Taew.

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. 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.

Rob Bernard Sisaket, Thailand, May 2024

Sunday 17 January 2010

Horsham YMCA




Horsham YMCA FC are a non league football club who were formed in 1898. They come from the town in West Sussex of the same name, thirty one miles south west of London.












"The YM" played local league football before joining the Sussex County League in 1959. They plugged away for many seasons before lifting the title in 2005. Unfortunately promotion was denied as their home since 1929, Goring's Mead didn't meet the grading requirements.

Good news was not far away though as YM won the title again the following season with the ground being passed by FA inspectors so that the club could move into the Isthmian League. Relegation soon followed but the team fought back to regain their place the following season.















YM managed to reach the FA Vase Fourth Round in 1999-00. From 2009 Goring's Mead was shared by Horsham FC.

YM were relegated from the Isthmian League at the end of the 2010-11 season.

The club will compete in the Sussex County League Division One for the 2014-15 season.



My visit


Saturday 22nd December 2007 

I arrived at lunchtime in the very pleasant market town of Horsham. I was going to watch the match between Horsham and Maidstone United that afternoon after I had a wander around the town centre and called in on Goring's Mead for a photocall.

I walked past the lane leading down to Horsham FC and turned right off Brighton Road, down to the dead end at the bottom of Goring's Mead. The gates were locked, but the fence was easy to see through. Straddling the half way line on the far side was the raised Victor Gladwish Stand complete with blue seats. The changing rooms and clubhouse were also alongside. The near touchline had a basic cover for standing spectators. The Queen Street home of their neighbouring club were behind the fence on this side. The rest of the ground consisted of open flat grass and pathways.

It seemed a basic, but quaint venue.












Since my visit

A small covered terrace and seated stand have been added along the near side to allow Horsham FC to use the ground in the Isthmian Premier League.






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