Yeading

Yeading FC

Ground: The Warren

Capacity: 3,500

Club Founded: 1960

Club Dissolved: 2007 - Merged with Hayes FC to form Hayes & Yeading United

Yeading FC made a real impact, winning the FA Vase and then being selected for live TV coverage in the FA Cup against Newcastle United before deciding to merge with near neighbours.

Wembley Winners

The club played many seasons in intermediate and junior football before they were granted senior status in 1984, becoming a member of the London Spartan League, moving into The Warren at the bottom of an industrial estate on Beaconsfield Road near Southall.

Three years after winning promotion to the Isthmian League, the 'Ding' went up a level in 1989-90, as well as winning the FA Vase against Bridlington Town in a replay at Elland Road after a scoreless draw at Wembley. Future Football League star Andy Impey was in their lineup. 

FA Cup Third Round

The following season, they reached the Isthmian League Premier Division, where they lasted for seven years. After a relegation, Yeading returned to the top division by 2004 when Johnson 'Drax' Hippolyte took over the reins as Yeading, with future Premier League star DJ Campbell in the team, drew Newcastle United in the FA Cup third round. 

The match was switched to Loftus Road, where a crowd of over 10,000, plus millions watching live on TV, saw the Geordies end the dream. The Isthmian Premier League championship was secured as the club was promoted to Conference South.

The Merger

In 2005-06, Yeading were soundly beaten 5-0 by Nottingham Forest in the first round of the FA Cup. Talks had been progressing regarding a merger with near neighbours Hayes, with the plan to use The Warren. The merger finally took place on 18th May 2007, leading to the formation of Hayes & Yeading United FC.

The Warren was demolished, although the cover behind the goal remained in place for several years, in what became the car park of the newly constructed SkyEx Community Stadium.

Yeading 0 Aylesbury United 5

FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round - Saturday 27th October 2001

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I had passed The Warren at high speed on many occasions, as it could be viewed from the main Great Western line out of Paddington station, and I thought it was about time that I attended a match.

My drawing of The Warren, along with some former team kits.
Click on the image to enlarge it.

The ideal opportunity came in the FA Cup. The competition was receiving increased radio coverage for a change, and I had quite a selection. I really fancied the game at Yeading against their Buckinghamshire opponents, who were a level above in the pyramid.

I caught a bus from Willesden to Acton, where I took a service that travelled through the heavy traffic on Uxbridge Road through Ealing and Southall before I got off at the top of Beaconsfield Road. It was a good ten-minute walk down the desolate and windswept road to the stadium.

The Warren was a tidy enough venue, but nothing spectacular. There was a small cover behind the goal at the near end. The entrance side had a covered seating and standing area with the clubhouse on the second tier offering a splendid view. Unfortunately, the blinds were drawn at kick-off to satisfy FA rules. 

I had a couple of pre-match beers before going out to join the large away following, who brought flags and balloons to give the game a real atmosphere. Any chance of an upset was soon dispelled as the Ducks were simply far too good for their hosts. 

They ran out easy 5-0 winners, with veteran forward Dwight Marshall bagging a hat trick. Stuart Maynard and Dwain Clarke added further goals for the side managed by former playing hero Cliff Hercules.

I went back upstairs at full time and got chatting to some jubilant visitors who were waiting for the first-round draw, which was to be screened live at the end of BBC Grandstand, while the excitement built in the room.

I was somewhat less enthralled, as it transpired Scarborough had gone down 3-1 in their local derby at Whitby Town. Reports were bad, and my dad later described it as the worst Boro display that he'd ever seen.

The Ducks fans weren't overjoyed at being drawn away to Port Vale, but I reasoned with them that it was better than not being in the Cup! I left and walked back and reversed my journey home. I needed a few beers to try and cheer myself up, but the result was still the same the next morning!

Friday 20th October 2006

I had a day off work, so I decided it was time to update my photo collection and get around to visiting some West London grounds. I took the tube to Uxbridge and then caught a bus before walking down Beaconsfield Road.

It was a pleasant enough day, and I was happy to find a gate open past the stands. Another pitch behind the ground, which was later transformed into a 3G training pitch, looked in decent condition, as did the ground and clubhouse of another amateur club further up the road on the way back.