London Lions

Maccabi London Lions FC, to give the club its full title, are a football club that was formed by the Maccabi Association London in 1995 as MALEX, looking to compete in a higher grade of football than the local Sunday League’s playing home games at the International University in Bushey.

They initially competed in Division One of the Herts County League, finishing in the top seven in their first four seasons, prior to changing to their current title in 1999, with both Copthall Stadium and Gosling Stadium being used to host home matches.

 

The change of name brought instant success with the Division One title being delivered twelve months later which was rewarded with promotion to the Premier Division, as the club remained all-Jewish, moving to their Rowley Lane in Arkley, Hertfordshire in 2002.

A period of stability followed before a runners-up spot came in 2008-09 which was backed up with the league title in 2009-10 leading to promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League as members of Division One.

 

However, this meant that the club were forced to share grounds once again as their home venue didn’t have the required facilities for the higher grade of football. The homes of St Albans City, Broxbourne Borough, and Hemel Hempstead Town were all used.

Promotion to the Premier Division was achieved in 2012-13 as the Division One title was lifted, but the team went back down after just one season. Lions rejoined the Herts County League in 2015 when Rowley Lane had floodlights installed as well as the Alan Mattey Stand, named in memory of a former player.

The county title was won in 2016-17 under manager Andy Landesberg, leading to a return to the Spartan South Midlands League Division One. Following a restructuring of non-league football, the club was placed in the Combined Counties League, where they became Division One champions in 2021-22.

Premier Division North football followed as Lions ended the 2022-23 campaign in mid-table prior to moving back to the Premier Division of the Spartan South Midlands League, which was repeated the following campaign. 

 

The Lions reached the playoffs in 2024-25, defeating Cockfosters on penalties, and then Wormley Rangers in the final to be promoted to Division One Central of the Southern League.

London Lions FC will play in the Southern League Division One Central in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

London Lions u18s 4 Concord Rangers u18s 0 (Thursday 14th October 2021) FA Youth Cup 3rd Qualifying Round (att: c160)

I had been half tempted by the women's Champions League clash at Meadow Park in Borehamwood between Arsenal and Hoffenheim, but instead went for a new ground tick in a competition I generally enjoy. 

A journey by a couple of buses dropped me outside Hadley's Brickfield Lane ground, from where it was a 15-minute walk along Rowley Lane. My first impression was of an excellent sports facility, with the main pitch in great condition.

It being cut into a bank was an added welcome feature I wasn't expecting. Everything seemed in good condition and cared for. The 3G pitch around the back was receiving usage from hirers. The stand was the only covered accommodation. It was modern and of a decent size.

 

The crowd was predominantly made up of peers of the Lions lads. Their support was appreciative and polite. Plenty of nice encouragement and applause, which was very different to the demographic at Barnet earlier in the week.

Before the match, I would have thought Concord would be the favourites, purely based on the status of the two adult sides. How wrong I was. Not that there was too much between the sides. Both played good flowing football. 

It was the Lions' incisiveness around some beautiful stuff on the eye that was the difference. The celebrations for the first goal were so jubilant that the fence in front of the stand gave way. A second goal followed not long after.

Concord came out firing, but they had no reply to some of the Lions' forward play. They even missed a sitter before a well-crafted third. It was 4-0 with about ten minutes remaining, with a lovely low curling effort. Full credit to the lads of Rangers who never gave up until the final whistle. 

They had a goal chalked off for offside, and when they did get on target, the home keeper pulled off a terrific save from a point-blank header. Also, congratulations were due to the officials on a job well done and to both sides for the respect shown.

At full time, I walked back to Elstree and Borehamwood station, retracing my steps from 1982-83 when I was a student in the town. The college where I studied has been demolished and replaced by a leisure centre and hotel.

 

A couple of pubs I used back in the day are now McDonalds and a Sainsbury's. That's the modern world, I guess. It was a bit sad seeing all the empty warehouses and lorry parks. Much had changed, but I was glad that I took the walk.

A thoroughly enjoyable night out, and what was my best match of the week, with one to go.

 

 

Silver Jubilee Park 2021-22

 

Betty's Blue Boys 6 The Peoples FC 1 (Sunday 4th July 2021) United Charity League (att: c20)

An unexpected bonus to start the season at SJP was found on Twitter on Sunday morning. The United Charity League was played since May, containing a mixture of charity sides, of which I didn't really know the standard.

The hosts are named in honour of the young daughter of Hendon manager Lee Allinson, who raised lots of money for charity with bike rides during lockdown for the North Herts Garden House Hospice. The visitors, a Mental Health awareness club from Plumstead.

A smattering of non-league players, along with several veterans, took the stage for the slightly delayed kick-off as Mrs Allinson was despatched back to Stevenage for the forgotten kit. Lee Allinson rolled back the years as he bagged a hat-trick, with Hendon forward Joe White also netting a brace.

Edgware keeper Charlie Patmore was between the sticks for the side, also fielding another Don and an Arlesey Town youngster. The game was closer than the scoreline suggests, as The Peoples drew level before conceding a second just before the interval.

The match was refereed by the veteran Hendon programme editor, who did his best to keep control along with his assistants. There was certainly no charity shown between the sides in what at times was a niggly and naughty contest. Raising money by way of a swear box would have certainly swelled the coffers.

Decent enough entertainment and a few quid for a worthwhile cause through donations instead of an admission fee.

Edgware Town 4 Athletic Newham 2 (Tuesday 20^th July 2021) Friendly (att: c25)

Entertaining enough fare with free admission. Wares had lots of new players, some of whom I call 5-a-side players with lots of skill and fancy touches, but would they have the nous and guts against bigger and better-organised sides? Time would tell as they embarked on their debut Combined Counties season. I had my doubts.

Regardless of which, they scored a couple of absolute pearlers among their four. The first was a swerving drive from outside the box from left back and my star man, Liam Magwood. The second, a brilliant free kick from Anthony Atilola, which no keeper would stop.

3-0 at half time after Novell Bruce beat the oft lamentable offside trap badly organised by the visitors, who were mysteriously clad in a yellow and green kit of Cricklewood Wanderers, not ideal with the hosts in all green.

Newham pulled two back after the interval to set up a decent finale before the epitome of an individualist, or greedy bugger, Moe Kahdum put the game to bed with a fine goal. My intention had been to accept a ride from Stanmore to Kings Langley v Slough Town, but the torrential downpour changed my mind.

A late kick-off at SJP owing to the usual faffing about. Some of these modern 'ballers' or whatever they called themselves, needed a rocket up their rear. A bottle of Magners at the game, followed by several ales in the Kingsbury JDW in convivial company.

Nice to see old faces and have an interesting, volatile discussion on football finances with someone of a polar opposite viewpoint.

Hendon 1 Arsenal u18s 3 (Friday 30th July 2021) Friendly (att: 947)

I managed to attend this auspicious occasion after a change of flight back down from Glasgow following a fine previous day in Edinburgh. It was wonderful to see such a big crowd inside SJP. Good organisation, I think, without trying to be biased. Former World Record runner David Bedford, selling the 50/50 draw tickets, offered a unique feature.

Arsenal's first touch and that little bit of extra pace were too good in the first half, though Joe White missed a good opportunity to put the Dons ahead, and the excellent Sean Lucien hit the bar for the first time as he lobbed the keeper just before the interval.

A good second-half performance from Hendon. A brilliant curling shot from a short free kick made it 3-0. The consultation from Hamza Semakula had a huge suspicion of offside about it, but so did the Gunners opener, so the benchside linesman evened things up. A good evening, the only dampener being another three injuries picked up by the hosts.

Hendon 2 Hayes & Yeading United 6 (Tuesday 17th August 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 315)

Back to life, back to reality, as the song went. An entertaining match for a neutral, I guess, as I got back into the car park duty routine.

The Greens went 2-0 up after 20 minutes with goals from Jayden Clarke and one from the halfway line from former Missioner Christian Smith, the second time Hendon have scored from that distance in three years, past keeper Jack Smith, brother of home defender Tommy.

All good with confidence high on the pitch and in the stands after a 4-0 opening day win at Truro. Hayes, however, proved dangerous at the same time. Omar Rowe's free kick came back off the post to Hassan Jalloh, who finished. It was 2-2 when Moses Emmanuel smashed home a beauty.

There were knowing, worrying nods among the home fans at the break. Hayes went into overdrive. Home keeper Fred Burbridge made a dozy challenge to bring down Emmanuel, who picked himself up to put the penalty straight down the middle.

Dons skipper Tommy Brewer hobbled off shortly after, and that sealed any doubt as former Hendon loanee Francis Amartey made it 4-2. Burbridge made amends with a few good saves on either side of Brewer's replacement Tommy Smith going off injured, leaving the hosts with 10 men.

Hayes made hay as Emmanuel scored another couple, while other chances were wasted. It was somewhat of a relief when the final whistle sounded. We hung around, wishing to applaud the visitors off the pitch. It was the best performance from an away side I'd seen at SJP.

Unfortunately, they decided to have a huddle on the pitch, and were still at it for 5 minutes when we left for beers at Colindale JDW and to somehow try and pick an England team for the Third Test. The best we could come up with was hoping there are some openers among the Afghan refugees.

Hendon v Wimborne Town (Saturday 25th September 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 198) 

A belting day out. Brother Nick was down with his mates from York, meaning getting up early for a fry-up at West Hampstead before meeting them at Kings Cross. We were quickly on a bus that dumped us at the excellent Southampton Arms, followed by the Magdala, with all impressed by both pubs and the beers on offer.

We’d been joined by John Rogers, then the two Steves at the second boozer, on their route to watch Orient. Only, that’s where Mr Barnes’ journey ended as he got in a taxi with us back to SJP, with our driver proudly telling us that his son plays for one of Hendon's youth sides. His knowledge was handy too, finding a quick route to avoid petrol snarl-ups. 

The Dons should have been 2 up before they gave a free header to Callum Chugg, who put the visitors ahead. The hosts were denied a clear penalty before the break, with the linesman close to the incident continuing to give an erratic performance towards both sides.

After the interval, Liam Brooks soon levelled. Kyen Nicholas, a beast of a forward who suffered a bad injury 10 months previously, came off the bench as he gradually gets minutes under his belt. He scored an absolute beauty.

If I were analysing the cause of the goal from a Wimborne viewpoint, I'd put it down to the defenders being petrified of the big man. The visiting goalie will have been disappointed to let a low Hamza Semakula effort beat him before the end.

A happy crew decamped to The Midland by Hendon National Rail Station, where the JHB and Citra from the Oakham stable both proved popular. The lads headed towards St Pancras for their train home, while a couple of us were stuck in Kingsbury High Road on the bus because of the aforementioned petrol queues. 

Chicken masala and onion bhajis for tea. A nice surprise too, having an old article I penned featured in the match programme. As I said, a proper day out with Radio 5 later awakened me from my slumber with its boxing commentary.

Hendon 1 Tiverton Town 2 (Saturday 9th October 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 193) 

In between night shifts as the realisation that I would soon be heading to Thailand began to hit home. Naturally, many thoughts ran through my head as the move gradually got closer. I was in a contented mood and reflected on just how good supporting Hendon had been for me.

I bought a 50/50 ticket sold by Dave Bedford. I don't suppose many clubs have a world record holder helping in such a way. A lovely man. Then there was admission by season ticket, which the club had kindly decided could be used from the previously interrupted campaign.

A late kick-off by twenty minutes as the visitors were hit by delays near the end of their ridiculously long journey on the North Circular Road. I suppose at least it allowed for an extra pint and extended chatter in the beautifully refurbished clubhouse.

Tiverton got off to a good start, but the Dons gained control and scored through Joe White and were generally in command. The away bench was angry with the far side lino. I thought he wasn't so bad. At least in comparison to referee Stephen Parkinson, whose interpretation of the laws seemed to be that defenders could do as they pleased but forwards could hardly fart without being pulled up.

Tivvy equalised with a fine effort from Dan Hayfield, taking advantage of a poor clearance. I found the game entertaining, if a little truncated by Mr Parkinson's whistle. After the break, it looked like a case of whoever scored next would win. Both sides created opportunities with the visitors gradually looking the most likely. 

Indeed, the side from Devon sealed the points with a belter of an effort from outside the box from Louis Morrison four minutes from time. Yet the main talking point of the afternoon was still to come. Hendon debutante Kendall Atagyamfi was introduced from the bench. The game had been tetchy in parts. 

The youngster tangled with a Tivvy defender within two minutes of his introduction. No foul was given. The pair were on the floor tangling. It often happens for some reason. The Tiverton player stopped Atagyamfi getting up by forcing his elbow into his neck while on the floor. They both got up. Atagyamfi pressed his chest into the other man, Gary Warren, who went down like he'd been shot.

A huge melee broke out, including benches and subs. Warren sneaked away. The ref gave Atagyamfi a red card with a yellow to a Tiverton player in the brawl. Nothing to the original offender. I've not seen as many placid middle-aged home fans so angry. I was angry typing it several hours later.

It was probably a fair result. A decent game, which would have been a good one but for shocking officials and some players with awful attitudes. With a big bag of food from the beautifully named Wok & Roe at Wembley Park, I headed off for another 12-hour shift at work.

Hendon 1 Hanwell Town 2 (Tuesday 9th November 2021) Middlesex Senior Cup (att: 112)

 

An evening with friends at SJP, and another wonky Hendon performance after taking the lead early on through Leone Gravata. Several senior players were given a rest, with those filling in also showing a lack of how to manage a game.

Goals from Ogo Obi, from the spot, after he’d been fouled, and then Harry Rush, a few minutes from time, ended Hendon’s hopes at the first hurdle of the competition. Obi, who did little in a Hendon shirt a season or so earlier, inevitably looked decent.

Hendon 0 Chesham United 3 (Tuesday 23rd November 2021) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 136) 

A nice evening in a way, as friends had kindly decided to come along with me to SJP, for what would be my final visit before heading to Thailand. Some of us assembled in the Midland by Hendon station for fine ales before being dispatched by taxi at the ground.

It was a hectic day for me, as I was in great demand, not that I should complain. I was extremely flattered, if truth be told, as some mates wanted me to head to the Market Porter at London Bridge for drinks at lunchtime.

The frivolities continued on the terraces as our gaggle tried to rouse the boys in Green, several of whom would have been better off going on the lash with us. It was a desperate home performance, and one which I thought some other previous managers would have come under pressure for.

Eoin Casey headed Chasham into the lead with a close-range free header halfway through the opening half. Former Hendon player Zak Joseph was brought down in the box clumsily by Kyron Richards. Bradley Clayton put away the resulting penalty kick. 

Jayden Clarke, one of the Don's better players, decided to get into the act as he brought down Joseph in the box. Again, Clayton beat keeper Fred Burbidge, one of several players who gave their best but struggled in a struggling team that lacked cohesion and leadership.

We continued our festivities up the hill at Wetherspoons in Kingsbury. A somewhat limp farewell to SJP on the pitch. Thankfully, those behind the scenes were as reliable and brilliant as ever. I would certainly miss them.

 

Ryde Saints

 

Ryde Saints FC is an amateur football club representing Ryde, on the Isle of Wight. Saints took over as the town’s senior club following the demise of Ryde Sports FC in 1997, having been put together by Dr Des Murphy, who at the time ran Ryde Youth Club.

Dr Murphy wanted a club that youngsters could progress to from underage football. Many joined up from the weaker youth sides, as Saints naturally struggled in the early years of their formation after gaining acceptance to Division 3 of the Isle of Wight League for the 1995-96 campaign.

Saints played their matches at Pell Lane without threatening to gain promotion for their first decade as league members until they were elevated to Division 2, with the team finishing in sixth place in 2014-15.

Saints' momentum continued with a runners-up spot in 2015-1,6, which saw promotion to the top tier Division 1 as the club also added several trophies to their list of honours, as more sides were added to the throng.

The club continued their ethos of all being made welcome, with training remaining free for adult players. However, Saints were relegated in 2017-18 prior to finishing third in Division 2 in 2018-19.

Despite this setback, Ryde made great strides off the pitch as the first team moved into Smallbrook Stadium, as the club were awarded the Isle of Wight Club of the Year award for their general structure and efficiency.

The club also took on Salters Park in the town for junior football, which was landscaped with the pitch at Smallbrook being given a full new drainage system. The club was promoted back to Division 1 despite the 2019-20 season being declared null and void under manager Andy Brown. The side struggled in the intervening seasons before being relegated in 2022-23.

The club finished at rock bottom of Division 2 in 2023-24 under manager James Williams, which was slightly improved upon twelve months later. 

Ryde Saints FC will play in the Isle of Wight Saturday League Division 2 in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Tuesday 21st July 2020

I was desperately in need of escaping from London for a couple of days after the tough times of lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions were being lifted gradually, which afforded me the opportunity with three days off after completing my set of night shifts.

I’d really enjoyed my brief visit to the Isle of Wight the previous year, so a return to adventure further and do plenty of walking with the weather set fair seemed a marvellous idea. I got booked up and headed down by train and hovercraft.

Ryde seemed a good place to stay, with its excellent travel links and plenty of pubs and places to eat. Shanklin on my previous trip was pretty, if a bit limited in choice last time. I selected to stay in The Crown Hotel on St Thomas’ Square in the heart of the town.

After an early start and little sleep, I was ready for a nap to let my tea settle and so I could enjoy the evening. The staff seemed friendly enough, and my room was comfy. All was good in the world as I set out on a lovely evening for a stroll to Smallbrook Stadium.

My pal Steve Barnes said he had been across and visited the arena to watch the Isle of Wight Islanders speedway team with his son George in the past. I was keen to have a look, even though it looked a little bit out of the way.

The size of the town surprised me as I headed south up High Street. There was certainly enough for all my needs. I didn’t realise, but I went past where the old Partlands' home of Ryde Sports FC once stood. They folded not long after leaving and heading to Smallbrook.

The walk continued as I had to be at my most vigilant along Ashey Road, which didn’t have footpaths, not too far outside the town boundary. I was more than happy to see the floodlights across some fields and signs advertising the speedway team.

The venue had The Premier, a large social function suite, along with a couple of workshops. Thankfully, the stadium was open. It was decent enough with a long, low seated stand above banking down one side. The rest of the venue was open but with catering facilities for events.

There was also a gym behind the main stand, which is probably why the stadium was open. The pitch looked to be in good condition thanks to the investment from the Saints. Once done, I decided to head back to town via a different route.

Again, I had to be most careful. The location of Smallbrook would surely restrict Saints if they wanted to attract crowds and advance up the football pyramid unless transport could be provided to games, as the speedway team did.

Smallbrook Lane led me down over the Island Line railway past a vineyard where a footpath led back towards Ryde alongside it, going past a skate park and coming out on Slade Road, where I was hoping to take in some more local football culture.

Unfortunately, the small enclosed ground of fellow Isle of White League club Oakfield FC was locked up. Not to worry, as I wanted to walk back in that direction to start my mini pub crawl around the corner.

Sadly, the Railway was limited to two average ales when they normally had a good selection. They were in transition mode after the lockdown. It was still probably a better option than the Crown underneath my room, as it transpired.

The London Pride was just about passable, and it had Arsenal getting beaten on the big screen, so it obviously had its attractions, before I crossed over the square to the S. Fowler & Co branch of Wetherspoons.

It turned out to be a good choice with some steady ale in the wonderful building that was once a large store. It certainly did its job for me. While I’ve undoubtedly been in better pubs, it would pan out that I’d have given a limb for it by the end of 2020.

Unprecedented times, but I was so glad I had made the effort to return to the Isle of Wight.

London Groundhop Walk

100 miles on foot from 29th November - 4th December 2020

With a week of leave from work imminent and not lots to do because of the lockdown, I decided to put my time to good use. I wanted to do something to aid my health and help others at the same time.

I am on the committee of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes, in Thailand, an annual amateur event that has been going for over 30 years. The tournament does a fine job of raising money, which is put back into junior cricket development. One such beneficiary is The Sawasdee Cup, a softball tournament that gives young Thais their first taste of cricket.

The 2020 event had to be cancelled owing to the pandemic stopping people from travelling, thus also meaning no fundraising activities. I decided to do something about it.

After meticulous planning, I worked out that if I walked from my flat in Kingsbury and visited all football clubs in Greater London in the top five tiers, it would come to around 100 miles, by the time I returned home each evening and then went back to recommence from wherever I finished the day before. The plan was to do it in six days, so I would be free on the Saturday to go to watch some football.

Sunday 29th November

After a nap following a night shift in cold and dull conditions, at lunchtime. My first port of call was The Hive, where announcements and music were the backdrop to the behind-closed-doors FA Cup tie between Barnet and MK Dons.

It was then on through fairly mundane residential streets of Kenton, Wealdstone, and Harrow. An important part of the plan was not just to finish at a ground but to walk as far as Rayners Lane, Eastcote and Ruislip to the Grosvenor Vale home of Wealdstone.

I could, afterwards, meaning the next morning, would be a bit easier. Although tiring, I knew that staying up as long as I could would help recover my sleeping pattern after shift work.

I managed to make my way to Ealing Broadway by 6pm while listening to the Chelsea v Tottenham game after England's T20 victory in South Africa. 

The walk took me past Northolt RAF, McGovern Park GAA ground, the Rectory Park HQ of the Middlesex FA, Greenford and Hanwell. I finished for the day in the dark before taking a couple of buses back to Kingsbury.

Sunday Total: 13.4 miles

Monday 30th November

I took the bus back to recommence in Ealing, walking past some beautiful closed pubs for a bonus trip to Griffin Park, which was still standing but boarded up. The four corner floodlights in the distance from Ealing Road, a stunning sight, which was soon to be no more.

It was then a simple ten-minute walk along the side of the M4 motorway with new developments springing up around the new Brentford Community Stadium, which, while hosting matches for both The Bees and London Irish RFC, was still being developed in its surroundings.

Getting a view was at a premium as the club were required to build lots of accommodation in the deal to get planning permission. Works on them blocked off access to get too near the stadium.

After a brief look at the Thames and longing for days when it would be possible to go into the Express Tavern for some fine ales, I headed via Gunnersbury, Turnham Green and Ravenscourt Park to Uxbridge Road past even more cracking pubs.

The familiar streets led me to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, AKA Loftus Road, before cutting through back to Shepherd's Bush and then down to Earl's Court, where the old halls were now rubble being prepared for housing and then on to Chelsea where security men stopped anyone getting any nearer than the street.

Google Maps on my phone was my friend as it offered a quicker way than I would have naturally taken to Fulham, where it was possible to see just how high and how the new Riverside Stand was coming on. It was going to be big!

Another look at the river followed with a crossing over Putney Bridge onto Wandsworth and then Earlsfield, as Hawksbee & Jacobs on TalkSport took over from my iPod music as my form of company.

I'd been past the new AFC Wimbledon stadium a couple of weeks earlier on a training walk south of the river. Like the new Brentford stadium has its impact taken away by being surrounded by tall flats, but needs must, I guess.

It was more of a hobble than a walk back to Wimbledon station, where I cannot recall a warm Gregg's sausage roll ever tasting so good before I did my final video of the day, which like all others went straight onto the designated Facebook page as proof as to where I was and so donors could chart my progress.

Monday total: 18.4 miles

Tuesday 1st December

An early departure saw me return to Wimbledon station, before I set out south on the long trek past Morden and over Rose Hill to Sutton United, where I had a drinks and snack break, regathering energy in Collingwood Park.

TalkSport offered further listening as I'd downloaded some excellent old editions of Danny Kelly's My Sporting Life. Kerry Dixon's story helped me up hill to Mitcham Common. Some of my regular viewers asked for some flora and fauna as well as football, so I was able to oblige on a most pleasant leg.

The tiring natural paths led me round the back of AFC Croydon Athletic and onto Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace, on what seemed to be continuous hill walks. I decided to walk up the hill to Crystal Palace Park, past the National Sports Centre, to offer a bit of history to my video reports.

Thankfully, it was downhill through Penge to eventually finish at Beckenham Junction. 

Tuesday total: 16.5 miles.

Wednesday 2nd December

A return to Beckenham saw a rise over a hill towards Bromley, as far in that direction as I would reach. If nothing else, the walk sent me on lots of new routes, and this was no different as I discovered a shortcut back to Bromley town centre, though I wouldn't fancy some of the paths by night.

It was a long old trek to Millwall, initially up the A21 with the eclectic stories of Bobby George and then Curtis Woodhouse helping me as I passed through Downham, Catford, Ladywell, Brockley and New Cross.

Before arriving at The Den, I called in on Bridgehouse Meadows, the site of the old dog and speedway stadium, after walking through the estate where the Old Den used to stand on John Williams Close. 

From there, it was onto Greenwich, where I did a bit of a tourist thing. My attitude is that the customer is king, and so many made kind donations, so I wanted to please as many as possible. I was also mindful that just doing the grounds would have left me a little light of 100 miles, so it helped me as well.

Charlton Athletic was the final football port of call where they were preparing to allow a limited number of 2,000 fans in for the first time since March for their game against MK Dons. TalkSport spoke to someone from the club just as I arrived.

That was before walking along the gloomy A206 via before crossing the Thames via the Woolwich Foot Tunnel to an even gloomier and then dark North Woolwich and continuing to Beckton around London City Airport. 

Wednesday total: 18.8 miles.

Thursday 3rd December

 All my starts and finishes were designed to be near shops and near toilets to make things easier. It was already a dismal day with rain falling as I patched myself up at Beckton Asda with painkilling gel for my troubling right foot and knee.

The first leg of the day matched the weather as I walked along the A13 before cutting through the seemingly endless matching housing and streets of Barking, Becontree and onto Dagenham to visit Victoria Road.

It was now a question of how far I could walk back towards the city to make my final day a little bit easier. Some friends from Blythswood CC who compete each year at Chiang Mai had been in touch and wanted to meet up and offer some support.

I made my way to Goodmayes Park, their former home, where a couple arrived and arranged to pick me up if I called them a little later when I neared Upton Park. At this point, the weather caused chaos as it gradually got into my phone, not helped by my poor orientation.

I got lost and walked past Ilford FC when aiming for Barking town centre. Eventually, I reached my destination of the 1966 Sculpture on the junction of Green Street and Barking Road, close to where the Boleyn Ground stood, and more flats are now going up.

My pals, Prit, Raj, JP and Randy re-joined me to take me for socially distanced beers and a substantial stew, which really lifted my spirits, followed by a visit to their social club for more camaraderie, Indian snacks and beers. 

Unfortunately, the weather completely drowned my iPhone and iPod, meaning it would be a far costlier walk than I anticipated with repairs and new items required.

Thursday total: 15.4 miles.

Friday 4th December 

The final day. I was aching but given a boost by being joined by my regular walking pal Jeff Cards, who was waiting at the monument to walk socially distance with me and offer support.

We went via the Greenway to the Olympic or London Stadium, the home of West Ham United, prior to continuing through Olympic Park to Leyton Orient after going past the Velodrome and Hockey Centre and then the multiple pitches of Hackney Marshes and then taking a look at the beautiful Lawrie Cunningham sculpture in Coronation Gardens.

Heading west, we were offered an additional bonus as the gates were open to the Hare & Hounds Ground, the former home of Leyton FC. The ground was being used as a car park, but could still be brought back to use with plenty of cash.

Across Lea Valley and along the banks of the River Lea, going past Springfield Park where I'd batted several times without any great success, we stopped for a welcome cuppa at the highly recommended Markfield Park Cafe, alongside the Beam and Engine Museum, which is on my list for a return visit.

We continued onto Tottenham Hale and then to the New White Hart Lane at Tottenham Hotspur before re-treading our path down the High Road to Seven Sisters. We noted just how many kids seemed oblivious to the dangers of passing on C19 as they happily mucked about on leaving school as kids did, worrying times as it transpired.

The walk over the hill took us to Finsbury Park and then along to Gillespie Road before I jubilantly climbed the steps and crossed the bridge to arrive at the Emirates Stadium after the temptation of going via Highbury was declined. 

By now, my right foot and knee were suffering. While I wasn't Arsenal's biggest fan, I was delighted to have reached their home. 

On completion, it was time for Guinness and bangers and mash round at the Alwynne Castle, where Jeff had sorted us a socially distanced table! My, was I ready for it!

Friday total: 17.6 miles

My total walked over the 6 days was 100.1 miles.

My target for donations was easily beaten. The Thailand Junior Cricket Development Fund was set up with two colleagues based in Chiang Mai so that we can allocate funds when designated projects or bodies apply for funding after the Sawasdee Cup has been paid for.

If any wishes to check out the photos and videos of the walk, they’re available here. 

The full walk video is available here.