THE ARTHURIAN LEAGUE & OLD TONBRIDGIANS
The Arthurian League is a league for clubs comprising old boys of public schools, founded in 1961. It is affiliated with the Amateur Football Alliance and is not part of the English football league system. It takes its name, via the Arthur Dunn Cup in which all founder members competed, from Old Etonian and England international Arthur Dunn. The Premier and First Divisions are restricted to first teams, while the remaining divisions are open to all teams. Most first teams contest the Arthur Dunn Cup. Some enter cups run by – or affiliated to – the Amateur Football Alliance or other Greater London associations. In addition, the League runs two open-age knock-out cups and two veterans cups. The most successful team is the Old Carthusians, with sixteen titles, the last coming in 2023.
Old Tonbridgians won their only title back in 2016. They've also won the Arthur Dunn Cup twice, beating Old Reptonians 1-0 in 2012 and Old Salopians by the same scoreline in 2016. They also reached the final in 2018, losing on penalties to Old Carthusians in 2018 following a 3-3 draw. They are one of the newer clubs in the league, having only joined for the 2003/04 season when they finished bottom of Division 1. In 2007, they finished as runners-up to Old Bradfieldians but were relegated the following year after finishing bottom of the Premier Division. A further three seasons in Division 1 followed before they were runners-up to Old King's (Wimbledon). Again, though, it would be a single-season stay in the Premier, but they bounced back in 2014 as runners-up to KCS Old Boys. Their only championship followed two years later. They managed to remain in the top tier until 2023, when they were relegated. However, the following year, they were promoted back as runners-up to Old Johnians. Tonbridge School has a history running back to 1553. Many famous people have studied there. From the acting world, there is Tristan Gemmill (Robert Preston in Coronation Street) and Maurice Denham (Judge Rawley in Porridge).
MY VISIT
Originally, on this day, at least for this game, I was all set for a revisit to Snodland Town for their reserve team game against Cuxton 91. This would be a revisit for me but I didn't mind as it would help Colin out. It also saved me the hassle of writing three blogs in one day, as I'd recently been to Snodland. However, in the week before the game, Snodland had to pull out of the game due to their first team playing Guernsey in the FA Trophy. With plane times fixed, they had no choice but to kick off at 1 PM. Though it was no one's fault, the Channel Island teams are a pain in the arse logistically and I'd rather they weren't in the pyramid. An amazing day out, probably, but hugely risky when so many things can cause postponements. Whereas with a standard team you can decide at the drop of a hat and divert elsewhere, you have to plan the likes of Guernsey and Jersey well in advance. Then if something goes wrong with transport, the weather or the availability of officials or teams, it's a wasted journey. Monday brought double bad news with a stinker of an FA Cup draw for Wycombe, away at Exeter. Again, a lovely place that I'd really like to spend some time in. However, an hour before a game at a divisional rival on a cold November Saturday would not do it justice.
The groundhopping community were helpful and pointed out that an Arthurian League game. There were two potential places - either Old Tonbridgians or Old Sennockians. The former came recommended by hoppers as being easy to visit; they had an active Instagram and an interesting list of former pupils. The only thing that the latter had going for it was being close to a Wetherspoons, but I could save it for later. I suspected that a small gaggle of hoppers might go for it, so at least there would be extra company. The only recollection of the Arthurian League was from when I was younger. I used to check the regional results leagues on Teletext (page 178 on ITV, I think) and the Arthurian League came up. The likes of Old Carthusians and Old Etonians sounded mythical, but they were in fact ex-public schoolboys. The grounds were not the most interesting, but it was a decent angle to come from on my blog. It also provided potential doubles as some were based near London for a day out on the train.
I met Colin at my local bus stop, and we were on our way. It was a pleasant journey for our drive to Oxted. We parked in Morrisons and walked across to the Oxted Inn Wetherspoons, which was my 454th in the chain. It was an excellent place for a £2.89 Breakfast Muffin, which included a Strawberry Monster drink. From there it was over to Morrisons where I bought a Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, a cake and an energy drink in a meal deal, plus some cider for later. It was an easy drive to Tonbridge School for our first game, but finding the correct place in the huge complex was another matter. After a couple of false starts and some detective work, we found the correct pitch just as the game was starting. Of course, the lardbucket in the passenger seat contributed nothing apart from whining. It was a pleasant place, very well kept and a couple of hoppers as well as us turned up.
Old Tonbridgians were 7th in the table, having won two, drawn one, and lost three. They were in mixed form, and last week, they lost 5-3 to Old Bradfieldians. Old Alleynians were based in Dulwich and had travelled just under 30 miles to today's game. They sat 2nd in the league, having won five, drawn one and lost two. They'd won three in a row, the latest an 8-2 victory over Old Chigwellians. It was a bitty and niggly game. The exasperated referee bellowed, 'Relax, everyone needs to fucking calm down!!'. He had a couple more rants telling the players that they weren't still kids. Old Alleynians had the better possession, but it was Old Tonbridgians that took the lead on 42 minutes with a lob over the keeper from 25 yards. A couple of minutes after the short half-time it was 2-0, a close-range finish from a cross. On the hour, Old Alleynians pulled one back, a shot on the turn from ten yards. They then had a goal disallowed a minute later for a foul. They did equalise on 65 minutes; the hosts were especially vulnerable to low balls into the box. On 73 minutes, Old Tonbridgians retook the lead, heading home from six yards following a looping free kick.
THE GROUND
TONBRIDGE SCHOOL is part of a huge complex with the sports centre separated from the school. Even then, there are numerous pitches for rugby, soccer and hockey, and everything is well signposted. Everything is very well maintained and the pitch was immaculate. Futbology lists the incorrect pitch, so this is useful. Parking is plentiful and it's right near the centre of Tonbridge, which looks like a small but pleasant town.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.