Wessex League
Alton is a small market town in Hampshire, to the southwest of Farnham. The River Wey has its source in the town, and the name Alton comes from an Anglo-Saxon word "aewielltun" meaning "farmstead at the source of the river". The Treaty of Alton was an agreement signed in 1101 between William the Conqueror's eldest son Robert, Duke of Normandy and his brother Henry I of England. Henry had seized the throne while his elder brother was away on the first crusade. Robert returned to claim the throne, landing in Portsmouth. The two brothers met in Alton and agreed terms which formed the Treaty of Alton. Part of the main street through Alton is called Normandy Street, probably reflecting this event.
Originally known as Courage & Co, this works football club based in Alton, Hampshire enjoyed a long and distinguished history before joining forces with neighbours Alton Town in 1991. In 1992 the club became known as Bass Alton Town and continued played at the Bass Sports ground where they made further steady progress. In 1998 the club became known simply as Alton Town and after twice winning the Hampshire League title they took their place in the Wessex League in 2002 where they have remained since.
Alton (Bass) Sports Ground is visible from the train just before you reach Alton. The railway station is also a terminus of the Watercress Line – a steam railway. The official title being the Mid Hants railway which runs 10 miles from Alresford to Alton, on the way visiting Ropley and Medstead & Four Marks. The football ground is little more than a five-minute walk from the station.
On arrival at Alton for this midweek post work jaunt, This Pieman and a colleague adjourned to the conveniently located Railway Arms. This delightful freehouse stocks the full range of ales from the local Triple fff Brewery. We sampled Moondance (4.2%) and Alton’s Pale Ale (4.8%). Both in perfect condition and justified our visit.
Visitors Bournemouth have had a decent season, whereas their hosts have struggled for the majority of their campaign. It was clear from the start that Bournemouth posed the greater threat. A couple of goals midway through the first period proved sufficient to clinch the points for the Dorset club. This was a fairly tame encounter and certainly had the feel of an end of season match.
Alton Town FC mascots - Flysouth Bysouth, Michael Harding, Sylvester and Tweety Pie
The close proximity to the railway station enabled this pieman to catch the 21:44 service after the match, arriving at London Waterloo at 23:00.
Alton Town: Craig Atkinson, Duncan Bray, Stephen Brown, Ben Dillon, Conor Geoghegan, Stephen Graham, Jonathan Gray, Ian Humble, Curtis Hunter, Lee McGavin, Simbarashe Mlambo. Substitutes: Richard McCann, Mack Phillips.
Bournemouth: James Bates, Jonathan Blake, Daniel Cann, Jordan Cole, Wayne Crutcher, Andrew Culliford, Jason Harvell, Daniel Jones, Joseph Kittle, Oliver Phillipson-Masters. Substitute: Daniel Wilson.
Referee: D.Berry Assistants: M. Ridge, P. Cunningham.
Attendance: 41
Admission: £5.00Programme: £1.00
Cheeseburger with onions: £2.50
Tea: 50p
Fare: 11-95 (All Zone Travelcard £5-00 + Day Return Zone 6 - Reigate £6-95. Both with Goldcard discount)
Photographic Archive
2 comments:
The reason the changing rooms look like a cricket pavilion is that they were! Cricket was played there until around 5/7 years ago, I guess, and there was only the most temporary of barriers on the far side. The dugouts were in front of the stand. I think it was the floodlights that put an end to cricket there. Glad you liked the pub, I usually go to Alton once a season as an excuse to visit the pub.
Promotion to the Wessex League necessitated floodlights and a permanent barrier/hard surround and hence the terminal end of Bass Cricket Club.The cricket club had already folded several years before. As Alton Cricket Club play at excellent facilities at the other end of town (Jubilee Fields) with 5 teams, this was not a problem. The old Bass tennis club has also gone leaving just the bowls club.
The ground is a perfect location for a top level non-league club with space to improve the stand, parking, clubhouse and also a full-size floodlit training pitch. It is owned by the brewery however and is under threat as they look to sell the land for housing.
Alton Town continue to ply their trade in the Wessex League with increasing success - they are in the top 8, with the reserves top of the Wyvern East Division.
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