Hayes & Hillingdon - Richings Park

Hayes & Hillingdon FC

Richings Park Sports Club

34A Wellesley Avenue

Iver 

Bucks

SL0 9BN

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Ground Number: 1311

Tuesday 21st May 2024
Hayes & Hillingdon 2-1 Kodak (Harrow)
Middlesex County Premier

HAYES & HILLINGDON FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 2019, making it one of the newest clubs in football. This has not stopped them from having a decent social media presence which is not always the case at this level. It was not the best time to start a club - their first season saw them join the Middlesex County League Division 2. They were in second place, behind Springfield when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. They were elevated to Division 1 South West for the following season and were in 4th place when the season was once more halted with seven games played. Hayes & Hillingdon were runners-up to Shepherds Bush in 2022 and Hillingdon last season. For whatever reason, the latter disappeared from football, so they were promoted to the Premier Division this season, a chance they've grabbed with both hands. The club was originally based in West Drayton, at Stockley Park. However, they moved to nearby Iver at the Richings Park Sports Club upon reaching the Premier Division. They share the venue with fellow Middlesex League side Slough Town JFC.

MY VISIT

I was originally meant to visit Hayes & Hillingdon last Tuesday for their game against Larkspur Rovers. However, they turned out to be more like Can't-Be-Arsed-spur as they pulled out the day before the game. This was most frustrating as I do sympathise with clubs finding it difficult to get to midweek games after work. However, with a 7 PM kickoff and the local journey, I was still disappointed. They had a huge fixture backlog and it is almost certain that a lot of their games will not be played. This is a real shame, especially at the top level of the Middlesex League. Thankfully, I was able to visit for the game the following week against Kodak Harrow, another team with a lot of catching up to do. I'd hopefully be seeing them next Tuesday too, they had taken the opportunity to produce a programme to try and attract hoppers and make themselves a bit of money.

After a good Saturday, it had been one of the most hellish Sundays in a long time with the usual screaming kids, packed store and constant questions. I was glad when 4 PM came and I could go home. I cheered myself up in the evening by purchasing a ticket for my upcoming trip to Sweden. Remarkably, the top flight ticket to Orgrtye cost less than a tenner and I was told that Sweden was expensive! Monday was another busy one at work and so I was glad to have Tuesday off. Amongst other things, I got as haircut and picked up some stuff after walking down town. I was glad to get back before the rain hit in the afternoon although it wasn't especially heavy. The weather was still spewing it's ignorant bile as I left to meet Colin at 5.40. He was there waiting for me and we were there at 6.30 after a good journey. It was reassuring to see the teams warming up and a number of hoppers were in attendance.

Hayes & Hillingdon were 4th in the table and this would be their final game of the season, They'd lost their last four games including a 3-2 defeat to London Tigers on Saturday. Kodak Harrow were in 5th and had played three games less.They'd been in mixed form and had drawn 3-3 at Camden & Islington on Saturday. It was a bright opening and Hayes and Hillingdon through their #19 on 4 minutes through a well-worked move. After 8 minutes, it was all square through Kodak's first opportunity following a quick break as the striker lobbed the keeper. Hayes and Hillingdon retook the lead on 21 minutes, a header from a corner. Hayes and Hillingdon continued to dominate, a player hit the post directly from a corner. For Kodak, their #7 was impressive down the left. The second half was scrappier but Kodak were well on top They didn't really threaten though as the game ended in gloomy and wet conditions.

THE GROUND 

RICHINGS SPORTS PARK is a basic and well-kept venue. It is located in a pleasant residential area and there is plenty of parking. There is a building with a viewing balcony with a nice bar attached. This did a good range of drinks as well as food at certain times. There is an Elizabeth Kine station a short walk away.