Caldecote Playing Fields
Harvey Close
Upper Caldecote
Biggleswade
Bedfordshire
SG18 9BQ
Ground Number: 1413
Wednesday 16th April 2025
Caldecote 5-1 Elstow Abbey
Beds County Premier
Beds County Premier
CALDECOTE FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
There is no exact formation date for Caldecote FC, but records suggest that they were established in the early 20th century. Playing in friendlies and local leagues at first, by the 1970s, they had established themselves in the Bedfordshire County League. The 80s saw their first successful period with several titles but I was unable to find exact records. The '90s saw Caldecote playing in Division 1 and winning the Premier Division in 1997. By the turn of the millennium, they won the Premier Division title three times. Further titles in 2005, 2006, 2009 & 2013 make them one of the most successful clubs in the league's history. Tough times were ahead after their latest title win. They finished bottom in 2014 but were spared relegation. Caldecote continued to struggle until they finished 4th in 2017. However, another bottom-place finish and reprieve followed in 2019. Despite these struggles, they won the title for the tenth time last season but this one has seen a more moderate finish but with no danger of losing their 30-year run in the top division.
Local cup honours include the Bedfordshire County League Premier Cup nine times, the Division 1 Igranic Bowl in 1991 & 1994 and the Britannia Cup on seven occasions. They also won the Bedfordshire Senior Trophy in the late 90s although the exact details were unavailable whilst I was writing this. The club is based in Upper Caldecote, a small village of around 1,200 people which is located around eight miles southeast of Bedford. Most of Upper Caldecote is situated directly to the west of the A1 road, with facilities including Caldecote CE Academy (a lower school), a post office, Anglican church, Methodist chapel, antiques shop, garage, G&M Growers, cricket club, football pitches and changing rooms, tennis courts, netball court, children's park and two newsagents.
MY VISIT
Once again, it was time for a Wednesday game in the Bedfordshire County League, my third successive Wednesday. Back in 2020 during the pandemic, I had an extensive look through all of the leagues and decided that I probably wouldn't attempt to complete the league. That was back in the day when my minimum requirements for a ground were for it to have a rail around the pitch, but times has changed. Indeed, until a couple of years before that, I didn't want to visit any ground without a stand, but times change. As my list of grounds got larger and my desire to incorporate matchdays with other activities, I had to compromise. Now I'd visit just about anywhere if there was a story to tell or history to write about for my blog. The Futbology app certainly helped, though being a completionist by nature, I was concentrating on certain leagues. Although some of the distances were longer than ideal, the Bedfordshire County League fitted the bill. The best thing about it was that I went right past the door of fellow hopper Colin who was equally keen to complete the league.
From my game at the Rye on Sunday, I made my way home and had a relaxing bath as my body was a bit achy. I got disappointing news when I double-checked Monday's proposed game at Westwood Wanderers to find out it had been moved to a ground I'd already done. At least I found out early enough to avoid a wasted journey and a night in wasn't the end of the world. It was my usual day off on Tuesday and my usual walk to Wycombe and back with nothing special purchased. It rained for much of the afternoon and many games in the South West bit the dust. Thankfully, it appears to be dry over the next couple of days ahead of our trip there. In the evening, I met Colin at my local club Holmer Green for their Devs game against Watlington Town. An entertaining first half and a flat second half resulted in a 2-2 draw. It was quite nippy on the walk home.
The day of the game was my short shift at work which passed easily. I came home at 11 and caught up on Twitter which was mainly PuffPuff talking about his trip down to Cornwall. I'll be heading west tomorrow but it'll only be a few days due to the difficulty of getting time off over the chocolate-eating festival. The afternoon was spent finalising my plans for the weekend including planning backups. I left at 4, picking Colin up at 4.15. It was a good journey up, save for a bit near Welwyn and Biggleswade. We were there 40 minutes before kickoff and I had chicken and bread before getting pictures and chatting to Hertfordshire Hopper. It was windy which took the warmth of the sun away.
Caldecote were in 6th place, having won nine, drawn four and lost eight of their games so far. They'd won their last two, including a 3-1 win over Marston Shelton Rovers. Elstow Abbey were in 8th having won nine, drawn two and lost eleven of their games so far. They'd lost their last three, including last Wednesday's game where they lost 3-1 to Marston Shelton Rovers. The hosts were on top in the first half but very wasteful with their finishing. They finally took the lead on 33 minutes, a deflcted shot from inside the area. Elstow Abbey equalised a couple of minutes later with one of their first chances, Glenn Tumulty heading home a cross from the left. On 41 minutes, Caldecote retook the lead, with a drilled cross from the right, a diving header back across the goal and the ball was bundled home. A very quick halftime was taken. Caldecote made it 3-1 a few minutes into the second half with a smart finish into the bottom corner. Caldecote added a 4th on 55 minutes but I was down the other end of the pitch doing a lap. The hosts also headed against the post on 63 minutes. A minute from time, the hosts made it 5-1, with a high ball forward and a volley from inside the area.
THE GROUND
CALDECOTE PLAYING FIELDS is a smart setup. One side has a clubhouse and a load of bench seating. Inside is a bar which also serves hot drinks. There's also a couple of benches behind the goal and the pitch is roped off. There is a small car park at the ground, or street parking. From what I saw, an irregular bus service runs by although it is a small village with little more than a convenience store.
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