Uxbridge

Uxbridge FC

Ground: Honeycroft

Capacity: 3,770

Club Founded: 1871

League: Southern League Premier Division South (current level)

Nestled on the edge of West London, Uxbridge FC has long been a proud part of the local football scene. This post takes a look at the club's history, its home ground, and my visit to one of Middlesex's traditional non-league clubs.

Club History

Early Years

Based in West Drayton in the far west of London, Uxbridge FC has a proud history going back to 1871. After playing friendly games, they entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1873. Financial difficulties led to the club folding before it reformed six years later. Uxbridge players Hubert and Francis Heron both made full appearances for England. 

A merger with Uxbridge Crescents FC followed, keeping Crescents colours. In 1898, the side reached the FA Amateur Cup final, where they were defeated by Middlesbrough at Crystal Palace. This was four years after becoming a founder member of the Southern League.

New Ground

A short spell in the Middlesex League followed before folding once again with a debt of £130. In 1902, the club reformed once more and joined the West Middlesex League and then the Great Western Combination League two seasons later. After World War I, Uxbridge entered the Athenian League. 

The Reds became a member of the Corinthian League after World War II, moving into a new ground on Cleveland Road called Honeycroft. The team was crowned champions in 1959-60, rejoining the Athenian League when that league disbanded three seasons later. 

My drawing of Honeycroft, with former Uxbridge team kits.
Click on the image to enlarge it.

World Champions at Honeycroft

In 1966, the team faced a full England side at Wembley in their World Cup preparations, losing 8-0. Once again, financial worries troubled the club as Honeycroft was mortgaged. In 1978, Uxbridge moved into a new ground a few miles south in West Drayton, which they also called Honeycroft, with the old ground becoming part of Brunel University.

In the early 80's, the team was promoted to the third tier of the Isthmian League, winning promotion in their third season. They remained at that level for the following twenty seasons.
Following the reorganisation of the non-league pyramid, Uxbridge were placed in the Southern League. In the debut 2004-05 season, Maldon Town defeated them in the playoffs.

Mid-Table Stability

George Talbot departed as manager after fifteen years in the job to be replaced by former player Tony Choules. After seeing off Fleet Town in the 2007-08 playoffs, Oxford City ended hopes of promotion in the final. Four years later, Bedworth United won their playoff semi-final tie. 

Several seasons of mid-table stability followed, with the club playing in the retitled Division One East. A sideways move to Division One South Central of the Isthmian League ensued in the season before the pandemic disruptions under manager Danny Edwards.

New Impetus

A new artificial surface was installed at Honeycroft during the summer of 2023, while the whole venue received a facelift. The new surroundings paid dividends as the Reds reached the playoffs in 2024-25. Victories against Kingstonian and Hanworth Villa sealed promotion to the Premier Division South of the Southern League.

Crowds increased as the club maintained their low pricing policy, while the side consolidated on the pitch.

My Visits

Stadium Visit - Wednesday 6th April 2005

I was using a day off from work to exercise by walking while visiting several clubs in Middlesex. After returning to Uxbridge bus station from Harefield, I caught a bus to West Drayton railway station, then walked the mile or so along Horton Ground past light industries to Honeycroft.

The car park was being used by workers, but the gate was open. I found quite an impressive venue inside, with a small cover and terracing behind both goals, with seated stands facing each other across the touchlines. 

There were a couple of steps of open terracing around much of the ground. The clubhouse was outside the ground, but the boardroom and refreshment hut were across some grass behind the Main Stand inside.

I left the ground having finished my day's groundhop and took a bus to Boston Manor tube station for a ride home via central London.

Uxbridge 2 Wembley 2

FA Cup Preliminary Round - Sunday 26th August 2012

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Uxbridge on Live TV

Having been to Wembley’s win over Langford in the Extra Qualifying Round in front of the live ESPN cameras, I was keen for another look, and I also wanted to see a game at Honeycroft. With ESPN covering the game, it was put back to Sunday afternoon. 

This suited me fine as it was my day off before I headed to Scarborough for a week of football and cricket. Uxbridge looked like they would offer a stern test to Terry Venables, and the superstars and regulars of Wembley. The hosts had made a good start to the new season after reaching the playoffs a few months earlier.

Friendship Reunited

I desperately needed to see a good game. The previous day, I’d seen an absolute stinker in a storm of Biblical proportions at Step 6 South Kilburn, which featured a twenty-stone ref and a home boss whose language would have embarrassed Chubby Brown. 

I’d also met a local programme collector and competition judge called Phil at the game, who also assisted Scarborough Town with their badges and asked after a man I knew from my hometown. He was also heading to Honeycroft for the cup tie. As it happened, I was on the same train as him on match day.

Slightly Lost

I was trying to correct my dehydration accumulated from watching Yorkshire’s T20 final in the pub the night before. Phil seemed very confident, indeed, much more than I, that he had the right directions to the ground from Uxbridge station. My chum assured me that TFL had offered him the correct information.

In short, we caught the wrong bus and were heading in the wrong direction. He had a hilarious, at least for me, animated discussion with someone from TFL, which ended in him lambasting the company and calling the telephonist some very impolite things. I thought it better not to reveal my occupation. 

Pride

A similar chat also ensued with a taxi company before our cab arrived. I thought poor Phil was going to blow a gasket at any moment. He made me look calm! We arrived at a busy ground as the bar staff was being put under the severest pressure. We sat outside with our very ordinary ale and were joined by a senior Uxbridge committee man. 

He was so proud that they hadn't changed their admission fees. They were still letting in under-16-year-olds for free. He came out for a rest from the chaos. I laughed as someone offered advice on how to deal with such an occasion, and he retorted with something along the lines of everyone having great ideas but no one wanting to carry them out. I felt right at home!

World Cup Stars

Inside, we looked for a space by the fence to enjoy our snacks and tea. There really was a good crowd in the excellent little ground. Wembley took the field with just Ego Ehiogu and Claudio Cannigia of their original stars starting the game. Martin Keown, who was subjected to an awful song about his looks from some local rascals, sat on the bench next to El Tel.

In the previous round, Wembley’s Darryl Atkins stood out, as he did in the opening half of this encounter. My only criticism was that he may have tried to impress the TV audience a little too much, but the general consensus was that the lad was heading for bigger things. 

FA Cup Action

Uxbridge were probably the better side, but found themselves two down at the interval thanks to strikes from Paul Shelton and an absolute beauty from Atkins. Chatting among the fans, no one could really see a way back for the home side. Wembley had been excellent, with Ehiogu turning back the years with a heroic performance at the back. 

Despite much huffing and puffing, the Reds looked no nearer to unlocking the Lions' rear guard. Then, with twenty minutes remaining, Kevin Warner grabbed Uxbridge a lifeline with a superb free kick. Barely a minute later, Chris Moore found himself space and finished with aplomb.

A Fair Result

Wembley’s large, charismatic keeper Lee Pearce feigned injury to buy some time to calm his defence as the crowd offered him some dietary advice. The atmosphere was at fever pitch by this point as the locals smelled blood. Atkins could have won it late on, but he missed a gilt-edged opening, while Pearce denied Moore with a great save at the other end. 

The referee, who could not have been described as camera-shy, brought proceedings to an end. I walked back with Phil and an elderly Wembley fan to the bus stop, enjoying a lovely chat about football and how times have changed.

The experiment of fielding the stars was good in my opinion, bringing plenty of positive publicity for non-league football, while the clubs received valuable income. It was just a shame that ESPN didn’t show the next round live as well. It would be interesting to see whether Budweiser, which funded the stars' appearances, would continue with its experiment. 

Post-Match in Uxbridge

It had been a really good day out, but the icing on the cake was still awaiting me. I fancied catching the end of the Liverpool v Manchester City game over a quiet pint, but I couldn’t find anywhere in the vibrant Uxbridge town centre showing it. Instead, I made do with a cask marque establishment called The Three Tuns. 

It was the first pub I’ve found within the M25 that served Tetley’s Cask. It was in perfect condition and only £2.50 a pint. A really good day out went up a couple of notches to absolutely superb over the following hour or so. I missed the replay in person and on TV, as Uxbridge ended Wembley’s run at Vale Farm with a 5-0 hammering. 

Hendon 0 Staines Town 0 - 5-4 on pens 

Middlesex Senior Cup Final - Tuesday 17th April 2018

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Cup Final Build-Up

Hendon had been enjoying a tremendous season, and their final appearance fitted in nicely for me before heading to Ruislip for my night shift. Memories were still ripe of Staines’ 4-0 victory between the two sides a few weeks previously.

This was a great opportunity to lift silverware and add confidence among the squad ahead of the playoff campaign.

Easy Journey

I’d been offered a lift by Gerry, who was another Silver Jubilee Park volunteer who’d got into following the Dons. I met him at St John’s Wood for the ride along the Western Avenue on a dry evening. We arrived around 7.15 after a trouble-free journey.

The match programme was a little light on content for the £2 price. Officials of the Middlesex FA were in abundance around the ground. We headed straight to the tea bar for some sustenance.

Nice Ambience

It was run by a friendly Asian chap in a white jacket, offering little touches like those found at county cricket. He gave friendly personal service and goodies on sale. A sausage roll and tea cost £3.50. Everyone seemed impressed with the facility.

It was good to catch up with some old faces for a chat. I’d been away for a few weeks for my annual cricketing holiday in Thailand. The cup was on display on a plinth near the players' tunnel. The players all seemed to be in good form. Everything was set up nicely.

The Match

We headed around behind the goal for the first half. Hendon had lots of the play and created several shooting opportunities, but preferred an extra touch or a pass too many. It was frustrating as the Swans were there for the taking.

Ashley Nathaniel-George and Daniel Uchechi were having fine games for Hendon, with the former going on a jinking run through the defence. However, keeper Conor Hudnott was able to smother his effort as he went just too far with the ball.

A Tight Encounter

Staines had a couple of breaks, which ended in shots flying high over the bar. Tom Lovelock was forced into a good save from one effort on target. Hendon certainly had the better of the game as the half drew to a conclusion.

I joined my mate Tony to watch the second half along the side. Dons weren’t as threatening, and the Swans gained the initiative, without going too close. Lovelock pulled off a dramatic treble save a couple of minutes from the end of normal time from Ben Martin, Mohamed Bettamer, and Emmanuel Udoji.

The narrow escape seemed to press Hendon into action for one last foray at the other end. They broke away and came close to forcing a breakthrough. Substitute Josh Walker was causing problems, as the attacks continued, with Staines defending well.

The pitch was drying out throughout the match, and it was becoming more difficult towards the end. Both sides pushed forward one last time but couldn’t find the net. It had been an entertaining enough 0-0 game, but penalties were required to separate the teams.

Penalty Prize

Both sides were clinical with their spot kicks, with Sam Murphy, Walker, Nathaniel-George, Uchechi, and Niko Muir all successful for Hendon before Lovelock kept out the effort of Elliott Buchanan to set off wild celebrations behind the goal.

Tony offered me a ride to work, so we got straight off to beat the traffic. I’d have loved to have hung around to enjoy the celebrations, but this was a good option. I’d had a super evening, coupled with Scarborough Athletic’s vital away win at Colwyn Bay, which virtually sealed promotion.

Uxbridge 0 Hendon 2 

Friendly - Saturday 28th July 2018

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New Season Hopes

New Hendon manager Jimmy Gray was continuing to monitor those on trial with the club and his new signings to find the right combination ahead of the Southern League campaign as the heatwave continued.

I was on night shift at work and awoke wondering whether to bother going to watch football. I had time to get to Uxbridge, so I couldn’t really contemplate going anywhere else. The tube took me out to the terminus station I knew well. 

Journey to the Match

The A10 bus took me through the sprawling Stockley Park business estate, where a few years later the VAR studio would be located, before dropping me at Iron Bridge Road. From there, it was a five-minute walk along Horton Road and up the drive to the ground.

Once inside, I had chats with some of the regular Dons fans before kick-off. It was another bright and warm day, but a strong wind blew down the pitch from the clubhouse end. One of the reasons I was slightly reluctant to make the effort was the attitude of one of the new senior players, who I thought looked for a row every time he took the field.

Difficult Conditions

I was struggling with my own demons and didn’t want the hassle. As it transpired, the said player was on the bench and would be exemplary when he came on. The wind was playing havoc with any passing from Hendon as the ball ran away when the forwards were chasing. 

A couple of moves promised opportunities dealt with by the Reds' defence. Junior Osborne and Lee Chappell were decent at the back for the Dons. Keeper Zaki Oualaha nearly put the visitors ahead with a clearance that had Paul McCarthy in a panic as the ball went over him, but just wide.

Good Impressions

On the half-hour mark, Uxbridge created a decent chance for Tyrone Pink, who brought a good stop out of Oualaha with his low shot. At half-time, I retired to the clubhouse with Gerry, my car park colleague at Silver Jubilee Park. Uxbridge is a well-run club, with staff all wearing white club jackets with a photo guide to who was who on the wall. 

I settled for a soft drink while a couple of players' girlfriends went by. One asked the other how long half-time lasted, and whether it was half an hour? We had a bit of a laugh at that. We’d be in a bit of a mess by the end of a match if we had that long for drinks at the interval.

Improved Performance

The second half saw an improved performance from Hendon. Six changes were eventually made, and the ball was played to feet. Cole Brown was having a good game against his former teammates. Marvin Morgan made a positive difference after being introduced. Two unknown trialists were among the Hendon substitutes. 

Trialist A dribbled past substitute keeper, Yahya El-Khabouche, before beating him again and then rolling the ball across for Triallist B to tap home at the back post on eighty-four minutes. The Greens made it 2-0 with the game's final action. A fine passing move ended with Taishan Griffith firing in an excellent cross that was chested home by Trialist A at the far post.

Reflections

Gerry kindly gave me a ride back to Staples Corner after the game, before I took two buses home. I was glad I’d made the effort to attend. It had been a decent match, particularly the second half, and it was always good to be around decent football fans.

It later transpired that one of the trialists was Ricardo German, who would later sign for Hendon after trying out for Hampton & Richmond Borough the Monday after the Uxbridge game.