Fire United Christian - Terence McMillan Stadium

Fire United Christian FC
Terence McMillan Stadium
Prince Regent Playing Fields
281 Prince Regent Road
Newham
London
E13 8SD

07472 525666
Official Website
Twitter (irregular updates)

Ground Number: 829
Saturday 16th February 2019
Fire United Christian 1-0 Wivenhoe Town
Eastern Counties D1







TERENCE MCMILLAN STADIUM - A BRIEF HISTORY

There's not a great deal of information on the stadium on the internet, but the stadium track in its current form appears to have been built in 1985, though there was a cinder track before then. It's possible that this existed as far back as 1965 as the ground is named after the first mayor of Newham, who was in the role for the year of 1965. That said, there is no record of it on a 1971 Ordnance Survey map. He had died the previous year after serving as a Labour Party member for the Greater London Council from 1964 to 1967. The stadium was primarily an athletics venue and had an 8-lane track as well as a 664 seater stand at the start of its life, though this is now a newer structure holding 200. It's part of the Newham Leisure Centre, which incorporates Prince Regent Playing Fields.

The first record of a football match being played at the stadium was on Sunday 15th February 1976. Though East Ham United had their own ground at Manorway (the previous September had seen a game played at that venue), this game was played at the presumably larger capacity Terence McMillan Stadium. Entrance (including programme) was 45p (£3.60 in today's money) In a game that was a fundraiser for East Ham United and Frank Lampard's testimonial fund, a crowd of 4,250. Amazingly, Spartan League side East Ham United featured George Best in their lineup, whilst West Ham had a string lineup including Trevor Brooking, Mervyn Day, Harry Redknapp, Jimmy Greaves, Alan Taylor and Alan Sealey. It was the Football League sides' Past & Present XI that ran out 8-7 winners in a thrilling game. The West Ham United Programmes website was a huge help in finding out information on this fixture. Since then, Woodford Town and London APSA (later to be called Newham) would have played stints at the venue. Local side Canning Town also used it in the Essex Olympian League for a time.



Following the expansion of the Non-League pyramid last summer, a step 6 league for Essex of sorts was created, named the Eastern Senior League Division 1 South. Two of its new clubs needed a ground to play at, and for Fire United Christian and Lopes Tavares, the Terence McMillan stadium was a convenient venue. I'd be going to see the former. The club was founded in 2012 as Fire United Christian by Gustavo Ferreira, and is owned by the Yehoshua Ministries, a Christian group of which Ferreira is the founder. The club has a Christian ethos, with the club's motto being "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power", which appears on the club badge. The club mainly contains players from the Brazilian community in London. They joined Division One Central & East of the Middlesex County League for the 2012–13 season. In 2013–14 the club were runners-up in the division. However, they finished bottom of the table the following season and were inactive in 2015–16. After returning to Division One Central & East for the 2016–17 season, they won the Jim Rogers President's Division One Cup in 2017–18. The club subsequently successfully applied to join the new Division One South of the Eastern Counties League. It's been a difficult season so far, with the team sitting at the bottom of the league at the start of the game, but still well in touch with the teams around them.



MY VISIT

I'd originally intended to visit the Terence McMillan Stadium last Saturday for a Lopes Tavares game, but the weather put pay to that visit, and I ended up going to Wormley Rovers instead. It was less than ideal as I'd been planning to go there by car, and it had cost me more than I intended due to having to pay extra for a bus. Thankfully, this week leading into the weekend looked a lot drier and so, there should be no issues. Fire United was one of two clubs playing at the 'TerryMac', and neither maintained a regularly updated Twitter account. This made planning slightly harder than usual, though Fire United's website was a bit better and they seemed a friendly enough bunch.  The night before was a quiet one for me, and I was in bed by 9 and asleep by 10. As a result, I woke around 6, after a good 8-hour sleep. At least it gave me the chance to add the finishing touches to my day, confirming that it would be the Harp In Trafalgar Square rather than Borough Market that I’d be visiting pre-match. After killing time and getting ready, I left at 9.20, stopping at Tesco for some Irn Bru and crisps as well as a few bits for later. I arrived in good time for my train, which was late, so I ended up leaving at 10.15. After a change at Marylebone, I arrived at Charing Cross at 11.20. From there, it was a walk to The Harp, where I had a pint of DuckChicken Easter Hill Dry, which was exceptional and full of flavour. A couple of halves of different Millwhites cider were enjoyed before I left at 1.15.




I was at Plaistow 30 minutes later, getting a £4.50 meal deal that filled me up. From there, it was a fair walk to the ground, with me getting there 10 minutes before kick off. £6 included entry and programme, but the first half wasn’t up to much with both sides utterly inept in attack, though a poor pitch didn't help. The second half was not much better, barely any chances. The winner came a few minutes from time, Gabriel Dias chasing down a clearance which I half got on film. A scrappy goal to win a scrappy game. I got the first bus that I could find, which went to East Ham station. I ended up getting off at Beckton and getting the DLR to Canning Town, the Jubilee to Waterloo and the Bakerloo to Piccadilly Circus. I went out to get some pictures that I wanted. I had planned to go to an off-license in Fulham to get some drinks, but I was fairly well stocked up from earlier and could nip down the local shop if needed. With good connecting trains back home, I decided to head off, and by 7.40 I was back at the station and back home before 8. The evening was spent sorting photos, typing this blog and playing games on my Android box before Match Of The Day came on at 10.30. It was ever a late night, but it had been a decent weekend before work at 4 am the following morning.

View this post on Instagram

The goal from today, Fire United 1-0 Wivenhoe Town. Apologies for the poor quality, goalscorer was Gabriel Dias.

A post shared by Russell Cox (@russ_wwfc) on Feb 16, 2019 at 12:56pm PST

THE GROUND

The TERENCE MCMILLAN STADIUM is a fairly basic venue football-wise, with just the one area of seating. The view from this is not great due to the running track, but I've seen worse. The rest of the ground is open, aside from a small shed-like structure on the edge of the running track. Food and drink choices at the ground are limited, though there are plenty of stations nearby with good takeaways. Pubs in the area are poor in my opinion, so I'd stop in central London if I were on the train.

Wormley Rovers - Wormley Playing Fields

Wormley Rovers FC
Wormley Playing Fields
Church Lane
Wormley
Hertfordshire
EN10 6LB

07919 227793
Official Website
Twitter

Ground Number: 828
Saturday 9th February 2019
Wormley Rovers 0-1 Harwich & Parkeston
Eastern Senior League - D1 South





WORMLEY ROVERS FC - A BRIEF HISTORY

The club was established in 1921 and moved to their present home in 1954. They played in local leagues up until 1976 when they joined the Herts Senior County League. They won Division 3 at the first attempt and then in 1981 a runners-up spot was good enough to see them earn promotion to Division 2. By 1987, they had won Division 1 and earned promotion to the top tier. Wormley Rovers remained here for a couple of seasons before being relegated back to Division 1, earning promotion back up in 1991 after a runners-up spot. They'd remain here until the end of last season, finishes ranging from 2nd in 2000 and 2010 to 15th in 2016. Despite finishing 5th last season, their application to join the newly-formed Eastern Senior League D1 South was successful. They currently sit in a safe mid-table position of 12th and are enjoying a solid first season at step 6. They are yet to play in the FA Cup but made their FA Vase debut this season with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Biggleswade United. Former Premiership player David Bentley began his career at the club as a youth player. The village of Wormley has a population of less than 5,000 and is located near Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.



MY VISIT

It was always going to be a trip to London for me on this day, I was looking forward to letting the train take the strain. For a long time, my target was Peckham Town, but then I heard that the Menace Arena would be hosting Cascadia v Chagos Islands on 25th May. A replacement was quickly found and I put a lot of work into researching the Terrence McMillan Stadium for Lopes Tavares v Brightlingsea Regent. The day of the game came and it was all a bit of a rush, I’d had a late night the night before and woke just before 10. I had a freshen up and slung some clothes on before getting my things together and leaving shortly after. Parked up near the station I got the 10.36 train out of Amersham. By then, I knew that my original choice of game was off, thanks to my mate Pete. The league and club were useless, the Eastern Counties website was down and their Twitter had not been updated since April. The lazy Lopes Tavares had not tweeted for even longer and after they turned up 20 minutes late to the game I saw at White Ensign, I hope they go back to where they come from. It grates that Mickey Mouse clubs like this were admitted to step 6, whilst decent, honest clubs were relegated due to ground grading. So I had to source an alternative, but first for a pint. After a 15 minute delay at Marylebone station due to a defective train, I got to Charing Cross at 11.50. From there, it was a short walk to The Harp. A decision was made there to travel to Wormley Rovers, who had declared game on.





I’d originally been planning to do this one by car, as it was out of the London Travelcard area. It wasn’t perfect, but a couple of pints Turning Japanese Perry and Naughty Horsey Cider took the edge off of things. I’d have happily stayed in the pub forever, but there was football to be watched. I headed back to the station at 12:45, getting the Northern Line to Euston. After trains to Tottenham Hale and Waltham Cross, it was a £5.20 return to Wormley on the bus. Getting there at 2.20, I got some Irn Bru from a local shop as well as a burger and chips from Wormley Fish Bar. From there, it was only a 5-minute walk to the ground. I unintentionally got In free, so went back to the gate to pay the £5 entry. After getting some pictures, I settled on halfway for the game. Wormley Rovers started brightly, shooting narrowly wide within the opening minute. Harwich soon replied in a lively start but it remained goalless. The opening goal came on 18 minutes, a long ball forward found Callum Griffith who controlled and finished well. Both sides had chances but Wormley were toothless up front, Harwich good value for their lead at half time. The second half started slowly, but in the last 15 minutes, Wormley had a real go at equalising, coming close on a number of occasions. It wasn’t to be though, and Harwich, who almost confirmed the win at the end, shooting narrowly wide, held on. I walked back to the bus stop, waiting a few minutes before stopping in Cheshunt, as there was a Wetherspoons. Number 183 in the chain, The King Harry was good enough, average, but better than the Wycombe one. I had a half of Old Rosie whilst catching up with things. Despite the smells of various tempting takeaways permeating the air as I walked to the station, I wasn’t really hungry until I got to the platform. I got to the station at 6.05 and had to wait 10 minutes for my train to London. I put on the phone-in on Radio 5 for as long as I could get a signal. That soon went as I got on the underground, so I had a podcast about 90s footy on. That kept me entertained until I got back to Amersham at 8. I called in at the Co-Op on the way home and got some bits for dinner. I was back home just after 8:30 and spent the evening relaxing, catching up on TV and updating my blog. Of course, Match Of The Day ended my weekend as ever, it had been enjoyable if uncertain one at times.





THE GROUND

WORMLEY SPORTS CLUB is a pleasant venue, though its very basic. Not enclosed, the only stand is a small covered terrace on one side of the pitch. There's a tea bar and clubhouse on site, though I didn't try either. The programme is online only and is basically a small webpage. Don't let that put you off though, it's a nice place o visit, entry is good value and everyone is friendly. You can get a bus from Cheshunt or Waltham Cross train stations and in Wormly itself, there are pubs, a cafe, a chippy and if you are there for an evening game, a Chinese and Indian takeaway too.

Appleby Frodingham - Brumby Hall Sports Ground

Appleby Frodingham FC

Brumby Hall Sports Ground

Centenary Way

Scunthorpe

Lincolnshire

DN16 1AA

Official Website

Twitter (irregular updates)

Facebook

Ground Number: 827
Friday 8th February 2019
Appleby Frodingham 2-0 Thorne Colliery
CML North







APPLEBY FRODINGHAM - A BRIEF HISTORY

The current incarnation of the club was established in 1990 though there was another club of the same name that existed until 1986, playing latterly in the Northern Counties East League. The new club started out in the Lincolnshire League and enjoyed a couple of mid-table finishes before a 3rd place finish in 1993. The following year, they were champions. After a few more mid-table finishes, they transferred to the Central Midlands League Premier Division in 2003. They enjoyed a 4th place finish in the first season which was good enough for promotion to the Supreme Division. They remained here until 2008, when they successfully applied to join the Northern Counties East D1. Their debut season saw a 12th place finish, but that was as good as it got. Performances and finishes gradually declined and in 2014, a bottom place finish saw them relegated. This meant a return to the now regionalised Central Midlands League. They've played in the North Division ever since finishes ranging from 4th in 2016 to 10th last season. Before today's game, they sit in 7th, with it being pretty cerian that they will remain in the league next season. Appleby Frodingham have yet to play in the FA Cup and the FA Vase has proved frustrating with exits at the first hurdle in each of their seven campaigns.



MY VISIT

It had been a long while since I had done a Friday night game with Milton Keynes based Chris, thanks to a combination of lack of fixtures and poor weather. But this Friday provided an opportunity, albeit one that was a fair while away. Scunthorpe based Appleby Frodingham had a game against Thorne Colliery that had been moved to the Friday night in an attempt to attract a bigger crowd. When I checked with Chris, he was up for it, and the weather appeared as if it would play ball, proving their pitch was decent. The day of the game came and I filled up my car with fuel in the morning and also got a new tyre fitted after work, which thankfully was an easy day, as I had stuff to do. I came home and had lunch, spending the early afternoon researching the club history and trying to see whether the game was on or not. This was easier said than done, with an unreliable home Twitter, although their Facebook page seemed to offer positive news. I got my stuff together and left at 1.55, planning to meet Chris from work. The journey over there was a right pain, 25 minutes delay due to roadworks on the A413,  but I eventually arrived to meet him at 3:10. It was slow getting out of Milton Keynes and then there was a lengthy delay on the A1 due to a broken down van.  It could have been a different story if I'd just taken the directions offered by my Sat Nav that tried to direct me to Appleby in the Lake District rather than the team in Scunthorpe.



We eventually got to the ground at 6.20 and took a stroll into town. The ground was really near Scunthorpe itself and so it was a good opportunity to 'tick' the town's Wetherspoons, the Blue Bell Inn. After a swift pint, we went in search of food as there were no tables available. A Peri Peri Pizza was enjoyed before we made our way to the ground. Entry was £3, plus a basic programme was £1. The hosts took the lead on 4 minutes, Daniel Boulton got ahead of the Thorne defence and slotted home. Appleby Frodingham were well on top and they hit the post before doubling their lead on 28 minutes. This time, a pinpoint cross found Caine Mawer and he had an easy finish to make it 2-0.  The home side also had a goal ruled out for offside before half time. The second half passed without much incident, though Thorne Colliery had their number 16 (and possibly another player) sent off for unknown reasons. It capped a miserable night for the visitors who dropped to the bottom of the league after the weekend's results. We left at 9.40, with me stopping at a cash machine for Chris so he could get some money out. We made swift progress, perhaps too swift as going back via the M1 I might have been done for speeding through the roadworks. It was unclear to me with poorly signed speed limits, especially in the dark where the signs were just shoved behind a barrier on normal sized lanes with no cones. It remains to be seen whether anything will come of it, but with a clean licence for around 15 years, its something I want to avoid. I dropped Chris off at 12:20, getting home myself 50 minutes later. After catching up on Twitter, it was straight to bed, with me heading off to London on the train for a game the following day.



THE GROUND

BRUMBY HALL SPORTS GROUND is a decent venue for step 7, having been used at step 6 in recent times. All the cover is on one side and includes a terrace for around 150, plus a metal stand with 100 seats. The rest of the ground is open hard standing. I didn't check out the clubhouse or tea bar, but the ground is 10 minutes from the edge of Scunthorpe town centre which has a good choice of places including a good Wetherspoons.