Shugborough Hall - 22nd August

 Kitchen in the Farm House

A few more days down at Stafford - no football this time though !  A day out at Shugborough Hall instead.

Shugborough Hall - 22Aug17
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Matlock Town v Altrincham - 19th August

No-one would have stopped this !! Dwayne Wiley scores the only goal..

The summer tour continued with a trip to Causeway Lane (OK the DCJ Group Insurance Arena if you want to be pedantic !).  A close-fought encounter with the two teams separated by one bullet header by Dwayne Wiley and an outstanding last 10 minutes performance by Matlock 'keeper Phil Barnes.  Pics from the game at

Matlock Town 1 Altrincham 0
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Stafford Rangers v Sutton Coldfield Town - 15th August

Joe Thomas finds a gap ...

A few days staying down at my Mum's gave me a chance to catch a game at the Rangers - I could talk till the end of time about Stafford Rangers and the 1970s (I WAS THERE !!!) but viewings have been few and far between since the mid 80s.  

Hey ho - they'd got off to a flyer beating Alty on the Saturday - Sutton Coldfield had also won on the opening day so something had to give ... and it was the away team.  Stafford started slowly, but got the opening goal just before half-time - and following the cup of tea and slice of lemon it was easy street in the second 45.  

A crowd of 615 (OK a far cry from the 2,500+ gates of the "good old days") created an excellent atmosphere as well.  A comfortable win - with pics at

Stafford Rangers 4 Sutton Coldfield Town 1

Next stop ... Matlock Town (QED) ...
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Kendal Town v Mossley - 12th August

Get in !!!! Jack Tuohy makes it 2-2 ...

Let the season begin !!!

... and one of the joys of not now working on Saturday - awaydays are available - not forgetting the "Senior Citizens Railcard" which knocks a few bob off as well.  Good day out - good weather - good beer - good everything - and then the footy.  Mossley started like a house on fire, early lead etc ... only for Netherfield Kendal Town to go in 2-1 up at h/t.  Was I worried ?? No.

A second half blitz (downhill !) saw Mossley comfy winners at the end - a perfect start to the season ... pics from the game at

Kendal Town 2 Mossley 5

Next stop ... Marston Road, Stafford ...

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Here and There - early August

Derbyshire - Wolfscote Dale ...

 Herefordshire/Worcestershire - The Malvern Hills ...

A few days at the caravan - followed by a few days at friends in Herefordshire (which included a "booze cruise" round the Weston's Cider Mill !!) - naturally walks at both venues ...

Derbyshire/Herefordshire Aug 17

Westons Cider Mill Tour 06Aug17

Can recommend the Weston's Perry (always liked perry !!) and also a rhubarb cider called "Flat Tyre" (available in Tesco's Stalybridge !!).
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Droylsden v Stalybridge Celtic - 01Aug

"Part" of that free-kick from Oli Roberts - check out album for more ! 

Emphatic win for Celtic - beginning with a belting free-kick from Oli Roberts - and a good defensive performance to keep out what was a lively Droylsden fromt line.

Droylsden 0 Stalybridge Celtic 5
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Belper Town v Mickleover Sports - 29th July

Will Dennis on the chase ...

Family party down Belper way - so a chance to check out the Nailers pre-season ... well-deserved draw against higher-level (and rougher !!) opposition ...

Belper Town 1 Mickleover Sports 1
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Stalybridge Celtic v Huddersfield Town - 25th July

First view of Jake Charles (for me anyway) - John Charles' grandson

Fairly even game against a very good Terriers under 23 (?) team ...

Stalybridge Celtic 1 Huddersfield Town 1
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