Walton & Hersham

Walton & Hersham FC is a non-league football club from Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, around sixteen miles to the south west of central London. The football club was formed in 1945 when they became founder members of the Corinthian League.

The formation of the club came about after World War II following the merger of Hersham FC and Walton FC, who had been established in 1895. The new club quickly made an impact, lifting the Surrey Senior Cup as well as the Metropolitan League title on three consecutive occasions between 1946-47 and 1948-49.

This led to the 'Swans’ joining the Athenian League for 1950-51, finishing as runners-up in their debut season. In 1951-52 and then 1952-53, the team reached the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals, but lost out first to Walthamstow Avenue and then Harwich & Parkeston. A crowd of 10,000 had flocked to the home tie with Crook Town in 1952.

In 1957-58, Walton & Hersham reached the first round of the FA Cup but went down 6-1 at Stompond Lane in front of a crowd of 6,000. The late 60’s and early 70s led to halcyon days for the club with Allen Batsford as team manager. 

The Athenian League title was secured in 1969-70, followed by two runners-up finishes. The FA Cup first round was reached in 1969-70 and once again in 1970-71, but both home games ended in defeat to Barnet and Telford United.

In 1971-72, Walton & Hersham joined the Isthmian League, before embarking on the most successful campaign in the club's history the season afterwards. Football League Exeter City were beaten in the FA Cup, but Margate ended the run in round two. 

The Surrey Senior Cup was lifted for the sixth time, with the team ending the league season in second position. However, the pinnacle came in April 1973. After defeating Highgate United 4-0 in the semi-final at Selhurst Park, Walton & Hersham lifted the FA Amateur Cup at Wembley with a 1-0 win, as a Roger Connell goal defeated Slough Town.

The 1973-74 season saw The Swans pull off an amazing result in the FA Cup. After drawing 0-0 at home to Brian Clough’s Brighton & Hove Albion side, Walton & Hersham won the replay 4-0, with Clive Foskett netting a hat-trick. The team bowed out in round two, 3-0 away to Hereford United.

Unfortunately, Batsford moved on to Wimbledon along with much of his squad, including future top-flight manager Dave Bassett. Crowds dropped as Walton & Hersham were relegated in 1974-75. Surprisingly, the FA Cup first round was reached the following season. Crystal Palace won the tie 1-0 at Selhurst Park on their way to the semi-final of the competition.

In 1993-94, the club was promoted back to the Premier Division as well as reaching the first round of the FA Cup once more, before bowing out 2-0 to Swansea City at Stompond Lane. Relegation followed in 1996, although The Swans regained their place following a successful 1996-97 campaign. However, their seat at the Isthmian League top table only lasted three seasons.

The old Main Stand at Stompond Lane

Long-serving player Alan Dowson was appointed as team manager, going on to take his side to promotion in 2004-05. Dowson departed in 2006 before Walton & Hersham were relegated once more. Former Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis joined the club's board of directors as the club strived for success under several different managers.

The local council announced plans to develop a new Sports Hub, including the Waterside Stadium, home of neighbours Walton Casuals, and the adjacent Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre around the same time. The word was that Walton & Hersham could be invited as tenants as Stompond Lane started to show signs of decay.

Steve Baker was appointed as team manager for the 2013-14 season as floodlight problems led to early kick-offs or the moving of a fixture. Baker resigned as problems showed no sign of clearing in October 2013.

The next manager, James Cameron, resigned ‘for various reasons, not all football related’. In March 2014, Former Swans player Tony Reid took over and remained in charge before departing during the 2015-16 season, with Mark Hams replacing him for a short spell.

The season ended in relegation to the Combined Counties League, with players Gary MacDonald and Mark Corbett looking after the team until the demotion was confirmed. Simon Haughney was charged with the task of restoring the club's Isthmian League status. The club left Stompond Lane and moved into the newly built Elmbridge Sports Hub to share the facilities with Walton Casuals in August 2017. 

Haughney lasted the 2017-18 season before being replaced by Gary Taylor, who only lasted a few months. Perry Gough was the team manager as Walton ended 2018-19 bottom of the table and was relegated to Division One of the competition. A new broom swept through the club in the summer of 2019 as a new consortium took over.

Previous owner Alan Smith and his son Toby were given honorary places at the club while seven nineteen-year-old students sealed ownership, unveiling a new badge replacing Gough with George Busumbru and installing a new under-18 team.

The consortium consisted of Thomas Bradbury, Reme Edetanlen, Jack Newton, Sartej Tucker, Ben Madelin, Calogero Scannella, and Stephan Karidis, who set about looking to improve things on and off the pitch and rebuild its profile in the community.

The Swans ended the aborted 2019-20 campaign in third place and were set for promotion when the Coronavirus pandemic took hold, as Basumbru stood down as manager to be replaced by Scott Harris. The following campaign was also aborted. When things returned to normal, previous performances saw the club placed in the Premier Division South of the extended competition.

The 2021-22 season saw the Swans finish as league runners-up to win promotion to the South Central Division of the Isthmian League. Crowds returned in drives to watch the team defeat Northwood and then Hanworth Villa in the playoffs to win promotion to the Premier Division South of the Southern League in 2022-23.

Interest in the club was no doubt helped by the demise of Walton Casuals, leaving Walton & Hersham as the sole tenants of the Elmbridge Sports Hub Stadium. Harris departed, along with many of his players, in April 2024 to be replaced by Billy Rowley. His side was defeated by Gloucester City in the semifinals of the playoffs in 2024-25.

Rowley moved to Yeovil Town with Jakub Pietrzak been promoted from within to take his place in December 2025. The side raced to the league title to win promotion to the National League South as the pairing of Dawid Rogalski and Johl Powell led the scoring. Manager Pietrzak departed at the end of the season.

Walton & Hersham FC will play in the National League South in the 2026-27 season.

My visits

Stompond Lane

Tuesday 6th September 2006

I was out and about in Surrey on a free day from work, trying out my new digital camera in a quest of visiting football clubs and get some exercise. It was a fine day and a good idea for walking. 

I arrived at Stompond Lane after walking from the Metropolitan Police ground in East Molesey, onto the home of Molesey, and then to Walton Casuals along the Thames Path before cutting through the streets of Walton-on-Thames.

The charismatic arena was thankfully open. I’m no fan of venues with running tracks surrounding the pitch, but the cinders at Stompond Lane only had six lanes, and the spectator facilities were right up to the track. 

The Main Stand was a raised seating deck across the halfway line. Opposite was a good-sized, full-length covered terrace. There were a few steps of open terracing around the curves at the ends. Tennis courts were behind the Hersham Road goal at the council-owned municipal facility, which was also used by Walton Athletic Club.

Having finished taking my photos, I headed to Walton-on-Thames station to catch a train to my next point of call, Alwyns Lane, the home of Chertsey Town.

Walton & Hersham 2 Worthing 1 (Saturday 19th April 2014) Isthmian League Division One South (att: 135)

For the first time in several years, I found myself in the UK over Easter owing to its lateness in 2014. I had returned ten days earlier from Thailand, where I usually found myself around the Chiang Mai and Phuket International Cricket Sixes tournaments. I intended to take full advantage of the extensive bank Holiday period, despite finding myself on night shifts.

Seeing a match at Stompond Lane was high on my agenda. Rumours were circulating that Walton & Hersham may not have much more time left at their venue of ninety years. A fault earlier in the season, meaning switched venues and early kick-offs owing to problems with the floodlights, heightened my urgency.

It was a pleasant afternoon when the train from Waterloo arrived at Walton-on-Thames. The walk to the ground took just over ten minutes along pretty roads with expensive commuter belt housing on either side.

It was the most unlikely approach to a football ground. One can only imagine how the residents took it when large crowds trooped along during the clubs’ glory days.

A pleasant pair took my £8 admission fee along with another quid for a golden gamble ticket. The programme from a cheerful chap in the programme hut set me back a further £2. My initial impressions were most favourable. Sadly, the old covered terrace on the far side had been boarded up for much of the season and remained so. 

However, I could still get arounI passed yet another cheerful chap who retrieved wayward shots from the subs as they warmed up, while lamenting about their stray shooting. He also threw back some tennis balls to players on the court over the fence with similar abilities. I moved to that side and stood in front of the boards to take some photos. 

After a few minutes, I wandered back around and had a chat with a fellow ‘hopper’, John, AKA Kewps, from the excellent and most helpful Non-League Forum. He hadn’t done too many games of late and had concentrated on QPR games instead, so it was nice to catch up. I continued around where the mature ball boy was standing.

Tony turned out to be yet another real gent. He told me how the club was reluctant to move from their home, but how the council was most keen that they move from their rented facility and shared with rivals Walton Casuals, so housing could replace the ground; even though the local residents didn’t want this. 

He had the impression that Casuals were keen on a merger, but Walton & Hersham were against it, with their proud history. Apparently, the cover was boarded up as the council declared it a fire hazard. Presumably, they thought the same of the wooden fence that blew down during the storms, but they had failed to repair it. The floodlights, however, had been fixed.

It was good to hear that Tony had selected a visit to York and Scarborough for his previous birthday with his wife. The man had good taste! It was also good to hear about the glory days at Stompond Lane. Scarborough had won the FA Trophy a few weeks before the Swans had triumphed in the penultimate Amateur Cup Final back in 1973, so we had plenty to talk about. 

Sadly, most of Tony’s favourites departed with boss Allen Batsford to Wimbledon soon after, with others joining Leatherhead. He was keen to point out that the mayor and councillors were keen to be seen back then, hence the disappointment with their modern stance.

On the pitch, Walton & Hersham showed promising signs. Tony Reid had recently taken over as manager and installed himself back in the side to try and secure the vital points to avoid relegation. There were opportunities at both ends in an open and entertaining encounter on a difficult, bumpy playing surface. 

I stood near the most vocal of the home fans on the slope near the stand for the last ten minutes of the half. I wasn’t let down for entertainment by their feedback towards the referee. Referees have a difficult job, and generally, I will support them. 

They all make mistakes, and the lower you go down the pyramid, the more they will make. Players are the same. It’s why they plied their trade at such a level. However, Mr. Georgiou was making a rod for his own back. 

He made Worthing kick off three times to begin the game as he wasn’t satisfied with one thing or another. Gigolo George, as I heard him being referred to, had the look of a sun-tanned Andrew Sachs, which was quite apt as he officiated in a style Manuel from Fawlty Towers would have been delighted with. 

His exaggerated signals left us in no doubt as to his interpretations. His linesmen did not help massively with some random flagging for offside. On the stroke of half-time, the visitors went ahead following a debatable award of a free kick. Brannon O’Neill swung the ball into the box, where it deflected off home defender Louis Clark and into the net.

I visited the clubhouse at halftime, where the service was again friendly and polite. It was the same from the ladies serving my hot dog on the way back to see the action. Little touches like “enjoy the game” added to the excellent matchday experience at this most friendly of clubs.

The ageing stand offered a great view over the six-lane track as I enjoyed my food as The Swans drew level. Reid justified his own selection when his header from a cross from the excellent Andy Lomas went in off the post. Reid had been a constant threat throughout, and his young side responded to his influence.

My day was getting better. I’d done two football bets, as was the norm around that time. The six-team accumulator was gradually going under, but my treble of Crystal Palace, Millwall, and Hearts was heading in the right direction.

I returned to the bank to speak to John and fill him in on what I had learned. We had a good laugh at some of the decisions on the pitch, which is considerably easier as a neutral, and it doesn’t affect your own club. If it had been a Scarborough Athletic game, I would have been getting a bit tetchy.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining, Reid scored with a fine shot from the edge of the box to secure the spoils. They probably deserved the three points, but it would have been all so different if Ben Pope hadn’t fired over for Worthing a few minutes earlier with just the keeper to beat.

The man on the mic and PA had been good all day. He played T Rex and then Hersham Boys by Sham 69, who got their name from faded graffiti remembering the Athenian League triumph of that year, as the teams came out. At full time, he plumped for That’s Entertainment by The Jam. It was apt. It had indeed been great entertainment. 

After saying my farewell, I was halfway down the pristine lane to the station when I received the news that my bet had come in, thus retrieving most of my stake money for the season! I was one happy man!

If I had lived closer, I’d definitely give Walton & Hersham more attention. Many clubs offer warm welcomes, but everyone I met at Stompond Lane was absolutely top class. I left hoping that they’d find an amicable solution regarding their traditional home to match such a proud football club.

Elmbridge Sports Hub

Walton & Hersham 3 Peacehaven & Telscombe 0 (Friday 30th October 2020) FA Vase Round One (Att: 250)

I decided on this trip out before my night shift with regular travel pal Tony Foster for what turned into a straightforward victory following a huge turning point five minutes before halftime.

I’d contemplated giving the game a miss. Those working on the roof of the house next door, about six feet from my bed, had not given me a proper sleep, but I was only too conscious of the possibility of another impending COVID lockdown and wanted to grab opportunities while they still arose.

The journey around the M25 was OK, though it was noticeable that traffic was gradually building up on our most recent adventures. Given that we were travelling at a peak time on a Friday probably added to the number of vehicles on the road.

We were still down at the Elmbridge Hub in good time with our flasks in tow as a precaution, as there had been no refreshments available on my recent visit with Hendon. Admission was £7, with the programme a very steep £3 for this level of football.

To start with, a negative. We took up a position in the stand to get a better view of the game, in which every other row was taped off, and some seats were labelled not to sit in to follow all social distancing protocols.

Just before kick-off, a fella with two women decided they’d sit in the row directly behind us. Neither of us was particularly amused with Tony pointing out that the row was taped off, they responded with “well he’s not adhering to it over there”. Ignorant or entitled?

Anyway, they moved about four seats along, only to be joined by someone else who ended up right behind me. We moved and watched from the railings by the pitch. I’m not a fussy or killjoy sort of person, but the ignorance of the situation we all found ourselves in exasperated me at times.

On the pitch, both sides tried to play football on the deck. The visitors from a higher level looked like the better side for the first thirty minutes. Walton’s eagerness to play from the back had to be applauded, but they overdid it and often misplaced passes.

One of the central defenders lost possession in his own box as the Peacehaven players pushed up. He got away with it as the shot on goal was weak. It looked like a matter of time before the tactic would end in disaster.

Then the Swans took initiative with a good ten-minute spell, which culminated in a visiting defender being adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity when he brought down Dominic Ogun outside the box. Referee Neil Keirs showed the offender a straight red.

The free kick was deflected wide by the wall when arrowing for goal, but from the resulting corner, Stuart Baldwin rose at the near post to head home as he got a free jump. I had a wander round the pitch to grab some snaps in the last few minutes of the half.

The match was over as a contest within seven minutes of the restart. A fierce arrowed right-wing cross was headed in by Harry Mills before Skipper Joe Hicks scored with a bullet header from a corner on the right.

The visitors' marking for all three goals was lamentable, as if they had some sort of affliction to challenging in the air. They weren’t the tallest side I’d ever seen, but even so. After that, Walton passed the ball around the pitch at will.

Peacehaven tried to the last, but it’s a long time since I saw a sending-off of an outfield player make such a difference. Their smattering of fans with an impressive display of banners could have no complaints.

In the last knockings, referee Keir showed a second red card. This time, it was to Max Hustwick of the hosts who appeared to win the ball, albeit with a strong raised boot. I had a feeling the card was going to be shown when Mr. Keir blew hard twice on his whistle.

I like his officiating. He doesn’t get every decision correct, but he controls the game, and players know that they are wise not to get involved with dialogue. The sort of man you wouldn’t want marking you if he were a player.

Both his sending-offs on this occasion could easily have been just yellow cards, but he didn’t come across as the sort of ref who handed out cards just for fun on the evidence of the previous two matches I’d seen him at earlier in the season.

We were straight out at full time, and with the traffic eerily quiet, I was back at Eastcote ready to help the travelling public by 10.20pm. To read an account of matches featuring Walton Casuals, also offering an account of the Elmbridge Sports Hub with additional images, click here. 

Walton Casuals

Walton Casuals FC was a non-league football club based in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, about sixteen miles southwest of central London. The club was formed in 1948 by a group of ex-servicemen to play in the Surrey Intermediate League before being dissolved in the summer of 2022.

‘The Stags’ won a promotion in 1952-53 before going on to join the Surrey Premier League in 1969, moving into their home at Franklyn Road. Two years later, Casuals joined the Suburban League, playing games at Walton & Hersham’s Stompond Lane.

A season late,r the club moved to Liberty Lane at Addlestone for eight campaigns before returning home to where the club's reserve side had remained. A Surrey Premier League runners-up place in 1994-95 under manager Kim Harris saw Casuals win promotion.

As members of the Combined Counties League, Casuals installed floodlights at Waterside Stadium a couple of years later to assist the club's progression. Mickie Byrne took over as manager in March 1997, to be followed in quick succession by Gary Millar, David Grindrod, and Ray Noad.

The teams struggled but improved under joint-managers Mick Sullivan and Garry Clark, who were appointed in July 1999. Noad returned for a second spell between September 2001 and November 2002 as former West Ham United star Tony Gale arrived as Director of Football.

Spencer Collins became manager as the Casuals were placed in the Premier Division of the extended competition. The Stags stormed to the Combined Counties League title in 2004-05 and were promoted to the Isthmian League. 

After a poor start, Harris was reappointed in November 2005, remaining in place until November 2007 when Luke Dowling was appointed. His short spell was followed by an even shorter one from John Morris, leading to the recruitment of the formerly successful Collins.

Former Chelsea striker Neil Shipperley arrived as team boss in 2010 after the side finished second bottom, but left after a year to be replaced by the returning Mick Sullivan. His reign lasted a year before Danny Carroll replaced him. 

The local council announced plans to develop a new Sports Hub, including Waterside Stadium and the adjacent Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre, around the same time. Carroll’s side finished bottom of Division One South in 2012-13, but Casuals were handed a reprieve owing to the extension of the Isthmian League. 

Mark Hams arrived to take over as team manager, taking the team to a record ninth-place finish in 2013-14 before leaving the club in September 2014 after a poor start to the season. Defenders Liam Collins and Simon Huckle took on the management role, leading Casuals to safety.

The club left its Waterside home in the summer of 2015 as the site was developed, with the club promised a new home as part of a sports hub. The Stags shared the Moatside ground with Merstham, as Anthony Gale, the son of Tony, took over as team manager.

Casuals moved in as tenants at Whyteleafe's Church Road ground for the 2016-17 season and went on to finish in mid-table, before moving into the new Elmbridge XCel Sports Complex for the 2017-18 campaign.

After a sixth-place finish, the club defeated Cray Wanderers and then Corinthian-Casuals away from home on penalties, with Denzel Gerrar the goalkeeping hero to win the play-offs and promotion to the Southern League Premier Division South for 2018-19 after non-league reorganisation, where Casuals ended in seventeenth place. 

Manager Gale resigned in May 2019 to be replaced by Steve Conroy, who departed in January 2020. Temporary bosses were placed in charge as the season petered out shortly after, owing to the coronavirus, with Casuals sitting near the bottom of the table.

Gale was reappointed in time for the 2020-21 league campaign, which was again abandoned owing to the ongoing pandemic. In 2021-22, the side ended in eleventh, as the club looked for new owners, as the board felt that they had them as far as they could.

By this time, Walton & Hersham had sorted themselves out on and off the pitch and were attracting far larger crowds to Elmbridge. In June 2022, the board carried out a managed closure of the club, which folded debt-free.

My visits

Waterside Stadium

Tuesday 6th September 2006

My first sight of Waterside Stadium came on a fine late summer’s afternoon. I had decided to try out my new digital camera while visiting lots of football clubs and unfamiliar places on a day off work. At the same time, I took the opportunity to do some serious legwork, rather than just relying on public transport.

My previous call was to the home of Molesey FC. Rather than taking the most direct route, I decided to cut through several suburban avenues down to the footpath along the south bank of the River Thames, walking past reservoirs and several lovely views. 

Eventually, I passed the weir at Sunbury and arrived at the gates of Waterside Stadium. The venue was locked, but it was easy to see inside the neatly set-out but basic arena. The clubhouse and changing rooms were by the entrance to the ground, running along a third of the side. 

A small practice court also stood on the same side. Each end had small covers behind the goals. The far side had another small, seated cover. The rest of the ground consisted of flat, open, hard standing and grass.

I continued walking around the perimeter, past the leisure centre and on for another mile or so to Stompond Lane for a look at Casuals' neighbours; Walton & Hersham.

Walton Casuals 2 Fulham Under-21s 3 (Saturday 12th July 2014) Pre-Season Friendly (att: c250)

Refreshed with sleep after a night shift, I awoke on a glorious Saturday lunchtime in readiness for my first game of the 2014-15 season. As in the previous campaign, I was keen to tick off grounds where I’d visited without seeing a game. A trip to Waterside Stadium would complete that task from a groundhopping walk several years earlier.

The Tune In Radio app on my iPhone gave me entertainment on the train to Hersham as Jimmy Anderson and Joe Root put on a world record tenth wicket stand for Test matches. 

The 564 bus, which left from outside the station, turned up late and then got snarled up in traffic as it meandered through smart residential streets and then Walton town centre before eventually arriving at a packed Xcel Leisure Centre car park. A young couple heading to the game were relieved that I knew where we were.

The £9 admission for a friendly against an age group game had me pondering whether to choose an alternative game. The £6 return bus ticket and £8 rail fare were soon totting up the expense. 

I was not particularly impressed by charging £2 for an eight-page glossy programme either, but it was a nice day, and such fixtures were an immense help to clubs such as Walton Casuals, as well as myself, trying to tick off a previously unvisited venue for a game.

A good crowd, including many young kids in Casuals kit and families were assembled. A few had gone along to cheer on Fulham. Waterside Stadium was in fine fettle and looked at its best in the warm sunshine. I refreshed with tea and then a bottle of water, which both cost a reasonable £1.

An impeccable minute's silence was held before kick-off for a former Fulham club photographer. Once the game got underway, both sides treated the good crowd to some fine football. Attacks were launched at each end, although the visitors showed far more composure, as one would expect of full-time pros.

Kit Symons oversaw the Fulham side, which included several under-18 players as the pick of the under-21s, who reached the final of the FA Youth Cup a couple of months earlier, and were with the first team on the tour of Scotland. 

They went ahead through French winger Ange-Freddy Plumain after around fifteen minutes. Further goals from Josh Smile and a second from Plumain set up a 3-0 lead. The warm weather was leading to a steady procession to the bar. 

One or two clowns supporting each side included a home fan who found it funny to squeal at regular intervals and a visitor who shouted out instructions like it was a relegation decider. The very warm conditions and alcohol no doubt aided their display.

Casuals pulled a goal back just before the interval through Scott Day. The excellent referee had earlier stopped play for a drinks break. Despite the temperatures and the ‘friendly’ status, tackles flew in, and both sides gave it everything.

In an excellent moment soon into the second half, the marauding Fulham right back was chopped down with an awful challenge on the edge of the box. While the ref wasn't looking, he appeared to take retribution and deck the Casuals offender. 

While he stayed down holding his jaw, his skipper grabbed him up by his collar and told him to get on with it. I hoped to see more old school like that as the season commenced. With around ten minutes left on the clock, Casuals further reduced the arrears through substitute Jamail Okai. 

I decided to catch the hourly bus back, which was scheduled to leave at 4.47. I left the ground but saw much of the last few minutes over a fence. The bus arrived on time, and I was back at home in Kingsbury for a siesta before work at 6.30.

It had been a very decent start to the new season, but it could have done with being just a few degrees cooler.

Walton Casuals 2 Guernsey 2 (Tuesday 6th February 2018) Isthmian League Division One South (att: 112)

It was the end of my set of night shifts, and thankfully, the horrendously wintry weather and snow had eventually gone. I’d had a tough week and was ready to enjoy a match and a few beers, knowing I could sleep in the following morning.

Therefore, I was delighted when my pal, Tony Foster, suggested the match at the Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex. I’d been to Casual’s old home but wanted to tick off their new place. It had been on my list of maybes a few days earlier, but the game had fallen foul of the weather.

I was in good form after a good sleep and an online chat with a pal in Australia, as I took the tube to North Harrow. There was time to grab my first food of the day at the local chippy, before my mate picked me up at just gone 6pm.

The journey was smooth once we’d avoided some rush hour traffic around Ruislip. Tony was in his wife’s car without the usual Sat Nav, so I was left to navigate via the Google Maps App on my phone. Thankfully, I called it about right.

Admission was £10, with a very average match programme, a couple of quid more. There was time to head upstairs to the top of the stand to enjoy a beer and take in the impressive new facilities.

The bar looked out over the football ground at one side, and the athletics track on the other. The leisure complex also included an upgraded sports centre and several outdoor floodlit artificial pitches. It was indeed a facility that the town could be proud of.

We went back outside, where Tony grabbed a seat, while I went for a look around. The raised seating deck had plentiful leg room and a standing area at the back. The rest of the ground had open flat standing all the way around, with the far side having extra space for an extra stand if required.

The match kicked off over five minutes late. This was something that infuriated me with the Isthmian League and its midweek fixtures. Far too many were not sticking to the appointed start time. Fortunately, I wasn’t relying on public transport on this occasion.

The match had been meant to have taken place the previous Saturday. Guernsey must have had a good understanding with the airline that transported them to the mainland every other week. The team flew to Gatwick and then by hired coach to the ground. The visitors were struggling at the wrong end of the table and arrived with a weakened side, including several teenagers.

Casuals were in a playoff position and looking to push for automatic promotion. The hosts got off to a flying start, with appeals for a penalty for handball being turned down by referee Mr. Greaves, who adjudged that Alex Le Prevost had made a legitimate block. The players surrounded the official, screaming their displeasure.

I commented to the senior linesman on how over-the-top modern players were. He agreed! Walton looked like a top-quality outfit as they played fast-passing football. The Green Lions were under the cosh from early on, with Josh Kelly and wide man Youseff Bamba causing havoc as he tormented his markers.

On the way back round to the stand, I bought a decent sausage in a bun for £3. The catering outlet was like I'd seen in Germany, with the van opening out on three sides and having a large griddle in the centre. 

The defenders somehow held out before Paris Periera tried an audacious lob for Guernsey that floated just over after noting that home goalie Denzil Gerrar was out of position. Callum Stanton pulled off a top stop from a Daryl Coleman drive as Casuals poured forward.

It was somewhat of a shock when Guernsey went ahead after twenty-four minutes. A fine move from a short corner routine saw Glyn Dyer send the ball into the box, where Jamie Dood teed up Le Prevost to fire home.

The twenty or so away fans were jubilant and then relieved as Stanton tipped over a Coleman header. There was disbelief among the crowd as Guernsey doubled their lead after half an hour, as an unmarked Charlton Gauvain volleyed home a Ryan Zico-Black free kick.

The action then swung to the other end as Stanton made terrific stops from Jack Sammoutis and Bamba before Dodd headed a rebound from Sonny Black off the line. Sammoutis then rattled the bar with a fierce shot, and Coleman saw another header go narrowly wide.

Kelly had a goal chalked off for offside just before the interval. I remained in my seat during the break, trying to comprehend the awful bullying handed out to Dulwich Hamlet by their owners and to catch up on my fixed odds coupon. We were thoroughly enjoying the match, which had taken on a type of attack against a defence training session. 

Guernsey were doing all they could to protect their lead while under massive pressure. Black dragged a shot wide of the post as the action continued. Casuals pulled a goal back in the fifty-third minute as Sammoutis finished smartly. The same player then saw a drive go narrowly over and later had a powerful effort come back off the crossbar after Samba had hit the foot of the post.

The pressure eventually told as the referee decided that Seb Skillen had brought down Bamba halfway through the second period. Harry Mills made no mistake from the twelve-yard mark.

The Stags' constant attacking abated to a degree as the islanders tried to retake the lead. Periera had a decent effort, just wide, and continued to work hard. The game gradually calmed down, which was no surprise given the efforts being put in by all the players.

The home fans were becoming irate at some of the time-wasting tactics being employed by one or two of the Guernsey players. Keeper Stanton was pushing his luck, in all fairness. Mr. Greves blew for full-time after extended stoppage time.

Several visiting players collapsed with exhaustion at the end. Many were inexperienced, and this would surely have been a massive leap in their learning curve. We enjoyed the game thoroughly, undoubtedly helped by having a fantastic view of the proceedings. I was in an even better mood after cashing out one of my bets and making a healthy profit from the evening. 

Tony had me back at North Harrow with plenty of time for me to head to JJ Moon’s at Kingsbury to meet up with Steve Barnes for beers and to catch some ODI cricket. It had been a thoroughly rewarding and profitable evening!

Walton Casuals 5 Hendon 1 (Saturday 15th December 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 163)

It was a bitterly chilly day with Storm Diedre hitting the country north of Birmingham as I headed out to attend the match that had been brought forward a couple of weeks owing to both clubs’ inactivity in the FA Trophy.

Bob was also on the 183 bus heading towards Harrow-on-the-Hill, where we were to meet up with Lee Cousins, who was driving us along with Gerry Maguire, my car park colleague at Silver Jubilee Park. The weather got worse as we travelled through heavy traffic towards our destination.

By the time we’d made Walton, the wind was blowing, and rain was falling heavily. We dashed from the car to the turnstile to pay £12 for admission and purchase a programme for £2. We took refuge in the bar area at the top of the stand to keep warm. Unfortunately, I had to head to work after the game, so there was no beer for me, sticking to tea instead.  The unwelcome news was that the burger van was closed and was not to be opening, at least until half-time. 

This was a blow as I was relying on grabbing some food at the game. Hendon had signed a new defender, Taofiq Olomowewe. We were hopeful that this would see the start of a meaner, less leaky rearguard. The Dons fans had travelled once again in decent numbers. 

We went out to stand at the top of the stand as near to kick-off as possible. The wind was blowing in Hendon’s face as the sides kicked off. Within a minute, Stags skipper Joe Hicks set up Dan Bennett, whose low drive narrowly missed the far post. However, the hosts would only have to wait a further four minutes before they took the lead.

I’d seen James Ewington score a hat-trick for Harpenden Town away to North Greenford United the previous season and had been impressed by him. Some neat passing in the box on the slick surface saw him finish by firing past Danny Boness. Sixty seconds later, Walton nearly doubled their lead when a cross hit the side netting. 

The conditions were obviously difficult for the visitors, and Casuals were determined to take full advantage. An excellent Jack Battie cross saw Ewington head against the bar after fifteen minutes. Hendon countered when a Lee Chappell set piece was flicked towards goal, but was pushed around the post by Denzil Bennett. Visiting forwards Ricardo German and Shaq Hippolyte-Patrick were both clattered by then and were hobbling. 

Howard Hall was forced off with a muscle injury. It was to get worse for Hendon as Max Hustwick played a ball through the middle for Ewington to beat any attempts at an offside trap to carry on and smash the ball past Boness. Dons showed signs going forward, but were giving the ball away far too easily.

Just past the half-hour mark, it was 3-0. Left-back Tanasheh Abrahams was exposed not for the first time, with Battie getting in behind him to fire a hard, low cross past a slipping Boness, where Ewington completed his hat-trick. German limped off and received further feedback from a normally calm, knowledgeable Dons fan, with Connor Calcutt replacing him. 

Despite struggling with a back injury, the sub allowed a more pressing game led by the non-stop Matty Harriott. The pressure paid dividends right on half-time as Hustwick was closed down and dispossessed by Harriott, who calmly finished. The goal offered a lifeline as Hendon finally showed signs of getting into the game.

The weather worsened after the break, although the wind started to swirl rather than blow down the pitch, which summed up Hendon’s afternoon. The visitors had lots more possession without creating any clear-cut chances.

Credit must go to a gaggle of Casuals' youngsters who stayed behind the goals without cover to cheer on their team. Their team showed some excellent game management, with right-back Harry Mills looking very solid. The Stags played some fine football. Don's substitute, Shaun Lucien, put in a couple of good free kicks that just needed a touch to convert into goals, but it wasn’t to be. 

Keeper Bennett was extremely fortunate to get away with dropping a cross, which Harriott couldn’t turn in. Bayley Brown missed a good chance from a header. Another good move saw Cole Brown lay the ball inside to Calcutt, who saw his shot find Bennett, who saved comfortably. Hendon were pushing further forward to try and score what could have been a pivotal second goal.

However, the game was done when the excellent Battie, who’d earlier turned Abrhams inside out for the umpteenth time, crossed for Ewington to score from close range. That was enough for our carload. We’d got back and were driving away when news came of the fifth goal from the penalty spot scored by Reece Robins.

The driving conditions were awful, but Lee did a brilliant job as we made good time before dropping Gerry and me in Ickenham. My pal went for the tube, and I found a chip shop I didn’t know about while searching for a supermarket. My relief colleague was pleased to see me ahead of schedule, and I was delighted to get the kettle on and to enjoy some hot food. 

It said everything that it was the highlight of the day, but that’s football and the life of a supporter. A team isn’t just for Christmas. When things go wrong, it’s time to dig in and show some fortitude. Fortunately, Hendon had some great fans. We’d be back for the next game. If only every one of the players reciprocated, and not just when they were winning, or the weather was nice.

Walton Casuals 1 Hendon 3 (Tuesday 29th September 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 187)

Initially, I wondered whether to bother with a return to Elmbridge. I’d nothing against the venue, but I did consider whether ticking off a new ground while the opportunity arose would be more enjoyable. Alternatively, there is nothing like camaraderie and friendships. Lee was driving down with Bob in tow, so I decided the Dons were deserving of my support. 

We were picked up at the usual spot at Harrow-on-the-Hill. The traffic continued to be light post lockdown, and we found ourselves in Walton at 7pm, despite having to take an earlier diversion near Spelthorne owing to a road closure. We eventually found a parking spot on Church Street in the town centre.

The Regent, like all other pubs, had to serve customers at their tables. We were easily accommodated in the pub by a fun barmaid who put me in my place when I said I had the App to order. “We are not a Wetherspoons”, she correctly pointed out to me. In a humble mood, we ordered three steady pints of Tribute. 

There was still time for a second pint in the excellent boozer, which had multiple TVs showing sport. It was nice to be somewhere that felt something like normal. Up the road at the ground, we arrived in perfect timing. Admission was £12, with the programme an extra £2. Sadly, things were not like normal, with no refreshments available for fans and strict social distancing being administered after we’d scanned for track and trace.

The Dons needed a performance after being systematically dismantled at home by Truro City the previous weekend. They bounced back to deliver in style. Toby Byron made his second debut after a return from Hertford Town and put in an exceptional performance at the back. Adam Coombes and Tayshan Hayden-Smith both had early opportunities for the bright starting hosts. 

However, Joe White opened the scoring for Hendon after he nodded in at the back post after fine work by Sean Lucien and Simeon Olalerin. I was 100% behind anyone doing their best to aid the fightback against Coronavirus, but the COVID steward doing a passable Keith Lard of Phoenix Nights impression was a bit over the top at times. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Both sides created half-chances primarily from set pieces. Eddie Oshodi made a brilliant, brave block to snub out Casuals forward Kyen Nicholas. The Dons doubled their lead in twenty-six minutes when Lucien’s low deflected shot beat home keeper Denzel Gerrard. Matt Ball had a couple of efforts go perilously close while a Kieran Forbes cross nearly dropped in as the visitors looked to extend their lead before the break. 

If things were going well on the pitch, I got a contrasting tale chatting to club officials about the upcoming FA Cup tie. Hendon were to host Maidstone United, but as the Stones were deemed an “elite club” from the National League, their fans would not be admitted. Only tickets were already on sale online. It was causing a bit of a panic. I knew it would make my role interesting at the game.

After the restart, the Dons continued to press and looked the most likely to score, though Walton continued to threaten. Zidan Akers produced a save out of Jonathan North as he followed up when Coombes had been tackled. It was Hendon who scored next with a beautiful goal. Oshodi headed a corner clear to Liam Brooks. 

He fed Lucien, who in turn picked out the marauding full-back Olalerin, who produced a sumptuous lob which left Gerrard stranded. It was particularly rewarding for the youngster who’d had a torrid afternoon against Truro. We thought at this point that more goals would arrive for the visitors. Perhaps, they became complacent and thought credit must go to Casuals, who continued to give their all.

Impressive substitute Gabriel Odunalke reduced the arrears after beating the offside trap and then scored with a low shot. It led to Oshodi and Byron needing to be extra vigilant. They were in top form when another goal back would have made things interesting.

With pubs sounding last orders at 9pm, it was a journey straight home after the game with no opportunities for libation. The three points would have to be discussed over beer later.