Friday, 4 April 2025

Langford - Forde Park


Langford FC
Forde Park
Langford Road
Henlow
Bedfordshire
SG16 6AG


Ground Number: 370
Friday 9th May 2014
Ampthill Town 0-1 Barton Rovers
North Beds Charity Cup Final






LANGFORD FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 1908 although they did play friendlies against other local villages for years before that. They joined the Biggleswade & District League upon formation and would finish runners-up here on three occasions. They then joined the Bedford & District, winning titles in 1932 & 1950. In 1951, they joined the South Midlands League for the first time. Starting in Division 1, they won promotion in 1955 following a 3rd place finish. They'd only last one season in the Premier Division before relegation. Langford would remain in Division 1 until 1969 when they would finish 3rd and spend another two seasons in the Premier Division. Yet another 3rd place finish in 1973 would see them enter the top tier again.


Langford finished as high as 3rd in the Premier Division in 1975 but were relegated after finishing bottom in 1980. Once more a 3rd place finish would see them promoted again in 1985. This time they would win the Premier Division in 1989. Langford would last until 1998 in the top tier before relegation. By now the league had merged with the Spartan League to become the Spartan South Midlands League. The club would finish as Division 1 runners-up to Haywood United in 2004. Langford finished 6th in the SSML Premier in 2008 but was relegated in 2011. They have been in Division 1 ever since, their highest finish being 4th in 2017.
Langford have twice reached the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round - losing 4-1 to Purfleet in 1993 and 3-0 at Wembley in 1995. Their best FA Vase run came in 1995 as they beat London Colney and Hoddesdon Town before losing 1-0 to Whitstable Town in the 2nd Round. Local Cup honours include the South Midlands League Trophy in 1989, the SML Challenge Trophy three times, the Britannia Cup in 1950, the Bedfordshire Intermediate Cup in 1969, two Bedfordshire Junior Cups, eight North Bedfordshire Charity Cups, seven Biggleswade & District Knock-Out Cups and the Hinchingbrooke Cup in 1973. Their record attendance of 450 came for a 1985 friendly against QPR to celebrate the opening of Forde Park. They previously played at various venues including The Leys, Vicarage End and King George V Memorial Playing Fields.


Langford is a village in Bedfordshire, about ten miles south-east of the county town of Bedford. It has a population of just over 3,000. The village is of Saxon origin, first mentioned in 944 AD and at one time it had one or more fording points across the river. The name is based on the words long ford from the length of the settlement. On Wednesday 16 November 1960, BAC Jet Provost G-AOUS crashed. The aircraft hit the village playing field after the wings had snapped beforehand. 34-year-old Lt-Cdr John Richard Stanley Overbury, the company test pilot, at Luton, was killed. He was married and lived at 'Bircham' on Old Wood Road, in Whipsnade. He had been at Luton as a test pilot since 1957. The Plough, Church Street, first licensed in 1846 is the one remaining pub. The building was formerly a farmhouse. The late A.W. Lawrence, Professor of Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, youngest brother of T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), lived in Langford with his wife for a time in the 1980s



MY FIRST VISIT

 As I have stated before on here, I really do like a Friday night game of football, especially when it is local-ish. I had seen two Cup Finals already this week, one excellent, the other not so good and was happy enough to see another, even if I would be doing it without Anwar who decided to save money for tomorrow's mammoth trip to Wales. A nice little bonus was a good pub that I had been to before - the Engineers Arms - which did up to seven real ciders. I could go early and have a pint or 2 with some food before the game. I had a hard day at work the day of the game, and it will only get busier so I heard. I finished at 1 and went home, having a bath and doing the preparation work for tonight's blog after I had some lunch. I had some bad news when Anwar phoned to say that Carmarthen Town's game tomorrow had been moved to Port Talbot's ground which we had already been to. So plans were hanging in the air with my favoured plan being Bangor City if my fellow groundhopper was up for it.

 

I left home just before 5 disappointed I had already spent a couple of hours typing up and researching both teams for the intended game. The drive there wasn't bad for a Friday night with around 15 minutes delay and I got to Langford's ground at around 6.20. So then for the main reason I came here, the mile walk to the Engineers Arms pub. There I had a Garlic Chicken pizza, a pint of a new cider - Hogan's Panking Pole and a half of one I had before - Cornish Orchards pear cider. On the way I heard of my mate John who was walking 40 miles from Barrow to Keswick. I was pleased for him and wished him luck - I found just over 20 from Wycombe to Oxford tough going and there was no way I'd be able to do double that. I got to the ground at 7.15 and paid £6 to get in, plus £1 for a programme. I walked around the ground and got some pictures before finding a place near the halfway line to watch the game from.



Ampthill Town was a club I had seen already this season when they beat Hanwell Town 3-1 in the FA Vase 5th Round. This tie was postponed multiple times and eventually played when I had a free Saturday. This represented a record progression in the competition for them as they reached the Quarter Final this season before losing to Eastbourne United. The best they could manage in the FA Cup was the 1st Qualifying Round in 1983, 1985 and 1986  when they lost to Thame United, Oxford City & Halesowen Town. It was also a best-ever league finish for them this season as they finished runners-up behind Hanwell Town in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division. The club was founded in 1881, joining the United Counties League in 1965, before switching to the South Midlands League in 1991.



Barton Rovers were a team that I had seen for the first and only time in August 2008. It was their game that ended my 7-year unbroken run watching Wycombe Wanderers home and away. I missed an away game at Chesterfield to see them beat Burnham Ramblers 2-1 in the FA Cup. Wycombe won 1-0 that day but the football was so bad under Peter Taylor that I couldn't be bothered trekking up and down the country to watch it. In 2008 they signed some well-known former Luton Town players including Tony Thorpe, Scott Oakes and Liam George. Founded in 1898, they joined the Isthmian League in 1979 after spending years playing in the South Midlands League. They switched to the Southern League in 2004 and that season had their best-ever league finish, finishing 8th in the Southern League Eastern Division. They had some good runs in the FA Vase in the 1970s, reaching the final at Wembley in 1978 before losing to Newcastle Blue Star. A few years later they got all the way to the FA Cup 1st Round before losing 2-0 to then Football League opponents Torquay United. They also had a good run in the FA Trophy reaching the 3rd Round in 2001 before a heavy 6-1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers. This season had been the best for many years as they missed out on the playoffs by a single place after three mid-table finishes in the past three seasons.



 The game started off at a pretty slow pace, the first real chance coming when Barton hit the bar on 25 minutes. Ampthill broke straight up the other end and had a chance of their own but the game still didn't wake from its slumber. Ampthill came close again on 37 minutes when the ball hit the bar and came down rolling across the line. It was a great shot from outside the area and deserved to go in. But it remained goalless at half-time. At the break, I went and put my bag back in the car and fetched myself a Bovril from the tea bar. The game continued in its same dull fashion and the first incident of note was when the referee's son fell off the wall and cut his head. An ambulance was called as a precaution, but I know from experience having cut my head open twice when I was younger that it hardly takes anything as the skin is really soft - or maybe that's just me with a soft head! Certainly, I was questioning my wisdom at travelling 100 miles round trip to see such a poor game. In the end, there was a deciding goal 10 minutes from time. Barton Rovers' number 10 ran onto a loose ball and put it into the net for a winner. It was a scrappy goal to win a scrappy game and I didn't even hang around to see the cup being presented. I left at 9.40 and after filling up with petrol was home by 11. I had a quick look online and watched TV before going to bed just after midnight.
MY SECOND VISIT 

My second visit to Langford was mainly a trip to help out fellow hopper Colin. Langford was one of the trickier ones by public transport, and I was happy to have him help pay for travel costs. It was also an opportunity to update my blog and watch some Friday night football, which is always good. Whereas it had been a slow commute home due to the schools stopping early, the trip to the game was super quick. I left at 5.40 and after picking Colin up I was in Langford by 6.50. A fiver was a fair price for entry and included a programme. We had around half an hour to kill before the game started.

 

Crawley Green Sunday A were 4th in the Leighton & District Sunday League Division 4. They had a chance of the title with so many games in hand. Last week, they beat Slip End United 4-1. Ollie United were top of Division 5. They had won 12 out of 13 games so far. Last week they beat Glider (Dunstable). Distant 2nd-place Eaton Bray Rangers were the only side to beat them in the league this season. The club was set up for a noble cause, fundraising for the 'Solving Kids Cancer UK' charity. It was set up in the memory of Ollie Sweeney, who lost his life to cancer at four years old. Crawley Green played at the Crawley Green Sports and Social Club. Ollie United played at Leagrave Park in Luton. There were roughly five miles between the grounds, with both teams having travelled around 15 miles from their home venues to get to this game.

 

Crawley Green started brightly but didn't create much. Ollie United had the first real chance, a good attack down the right resulting in a fairly easy chance that was put wide from six yards out. Ollie then came close again before Crawley Green forced a great save out of the keeper following a free kick from 25 yards. Just before halftime, Ollie United headed just wide of the right-hand post and were the dominant team. Then Crawley Green created a good chance but put the ball wide from a few yards out. The second half was a bit more muted but Ollie United had a flurry of chances around the 65-minute mark with great saves and goal-line clearances. Another poor miss from Crawley Green ensured they didn't score on the break. Excellent defending denied them a minute later as a player was crowded out. The next attack from Crawley Green resulted in a handball in the box but the tame spot kick was easily saved. A header from a corner produced another chance for Crawley Green. A long period of added time failed to break the deadlock and so it went to penalties. It was Ollie United who triumphed, prompting happy celebrations for a great club.

THE GROUND - 2014

FORDE PARK is a basic ground with just 2 small stands on one side, one seating and one standing. They probably hold around 300 between them. The tea bar was fairly good and reasonably priced. I didn't try the clubhouse, but there is an excellent pub nearby called the Engineers Arms which also does pizzas for a fiver. This is probably the best option as the chippy was rubbish the last time I went and there isn't a huge range of hot food in the ground.

2025 PICTURES
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Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Queens Park Crescents -Allen Park


Queens Park Crescents FC
Allen Park
Old Ford End Road
Bedford 
Bedfordshire
MK40 4LY









Ground Number: 1409
Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Queens Park Crescents 2-1 Flitwick Town
Beds County Premier







QUEENS PARK CRESCENTS FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The exact formation year of the club is unclear, but they first competed in the Bedfordshire County League during the 2009/10 season, when they were Division 3 champions. Four seasons were spent in Division 2 before another promotion was achieved in 2014 following a third-place finish. In 2017, Queens Park Crescents were Division 1 champions and were promoted to the Premier Division. They've been there ever since, winning the title in 2021. Local honours include the Beds County League Centenary Cup in 2016 & 2017. Bedford Town FC used this ground for four seasons after their reformation in 1989, They played for a couple of seasons in the South Midlands League Division 1 between 1991 & 1993, winning the title in the latter season before moving to their current ground.


MY VISIT

I was delighted when the clocks went forward on Sunday, despite me losing an hour of sleep on probably the worst possible day of the week. I really like to make the most of my prized Saturday off which often includes a late night. Thankfully, it was a Wycombe Wanderers home game, meaning that even with my penchant for turning it into a day out, I would be in by 8 at the latest. The old days when I was a staunch viewer of Match Of The Day were gone too, just as well with a 3.55 alarm for work on Sunday. The loss of sheep for an hour was well worth it for what groundhoppers call 'Silly Season' - terminology for when step 7 and below clubs without lights have early evening kickoffs. This is manna from heaven for me with my early starts. Though it is not the nearest league, the Beds County League were the first commutable league to get in their fixtures and Wednesday was ideal with Wycombe Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday. They were not quite the first to take advantage of the lighter evenings. The Taff, Ely and Rhymney League had that honour on Monday, followed by more English leagues on Tuesday.


Thanks to a very large car bill and four weekends away, March had been extremely expensive. But I'd had a good time, even so, I was happy that I'd be doing some cheaper revisits for the next ten days. I'd had a good time in Belgium & France but was happy to get home so I could catch up and start winding down for my return to work on Wednesday. Not before though having to decide my entire time off for the next year before 6th April. It's long been a requirement in my job and I have to gamble with the hop dates not being decided yet. I am hoping that the 'first weekend in March' for the North West Counties Hop isn't the one that has two days in February as it could cause issues should I wish to attend. On Tuesday evening, I made a trip up to Holmer Green for their home game against runaway leaders Windsor & Eton. I was not expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised when Holmer comfortably won 2-0 with the best performance I've ever seen from them.
Three days back at work was a return to reality. With no viable Friday night football, I stayed in with a few Belgian beers, which were excellent. I got ahead of myself, starting work on my blogs for the South West Hop in a few weeks. Saturday brought Wycombe Wanderers v Lincoln City. The football was poor, the lunch a disappointment but at least we won. Sunday was a tiring one with a loss of an hour's sleep and I was glad to see the match was confirmed as going ahead. Being an Asian team, they had designated it as an 'Eid Special'. I'd seen plenty of clubs inviting the Muslim community to celebrate on their pitch including Wycombe Wanderers. Amongst the decent well-wishers were the usual bigots and idiots complaining about something that doesn't affect them. Hopefully, it will attract more of their community down to Adams Park to see a game one day.
It was my usual day off on Tuesday and the standard walk to town and back. The afternoon was spent at home before I headed out to Wycombe Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town. It started nicely, a pleasant walk, a couple of pints with Colin and an excellent Parmo for dinner. The match itself saw Wycombe play welly, have 32 shots and dominate. But wasteful finishing meant we could only draw 0-0 in front of a disappointing attendance of 3,806. At least I got over 17 miles of walking in. The day of the game saw my easiest shift of the week at work - six hours. It was disappointing to be paid below the minimum wage for the next two weeks, due to a technicality endorsed by the HMRC - all legal and above board apparently due to 'pay cycles'. I came home and spent the afternoon updating my Langford blog. I left at 3.45 in glorious sunshine. After picking Colin up at 4, we had a slow journey over to Bedford, getting there at 5.35. We headed straight to Ghost Kitchen, our pre-planned takeaway where I had a Smoky Burger meal for £9. It was busy, so it took a while. It was great when it came, very tasty. We headed back to the ground, arriving just as they kicked off.

 

Queens Park Crescents were in 5th place having gained 34 points from 17 games. They'd won three of their last four, the latest game a 2-0 win over Riseley Sports on Saturday. Flitwick Town were bottom with 14 points from 18 games. They'd been involved in some high-scoring games lately, going down 6-4 at Crawley Green Development on Saturday. They were three points behind Biggleswade Reserves who were a place above but had seven games in hand. Queens Park Crescents were well on top, the Flitwick keeper making some great saves and defenders some great clearances. Just before halftime, a good ball forward found #11 who took it down well and slotted past the keeper, 1-0 to the hosts. Flitwick rallied and started the second half well. The QPC keeper could only parry #7's shot and the same player followed up after another good through ball, 1-1 on 58 minutes. It was still the hosts well on top though, though Flitwick really had their keeper to thank for some great saves in the first half. A QPC player was pulled down outside the area and from the resulting free-kick, they took the lead from 20 yards on 75 minutes. Another great free kick on 85 minutes was tipped over by the Flitwick keeper to keep them in the game. As we lost light, the game ended with a bit of handbags following a foul on a QPC man before finishing at 19:56.

THE GROUND

ALLEN PARK is a very basic setup. Just a pitch with a removable rope surround. There's a changing room block but not much else. At least there is a load of parking and lots of takeaways within walking distance. A decent place is Ghost Kitchen, although allow time as they get busy and service takes a while.
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