Woodford Town 1 Stansted 2 - Essex Senior League
Woodford is a town in East London, located in Greater London and Essex. It is divided into the neighbourhoods of Woodford Green, Woodford Bridge, Woodford Wells and South Woodford. The town is situated 9.5 miles northeast of Charing Cross. As part of the suburban growth of
London at the turn of the 20th century, Woodford significantly increased in poulation, becoming a municile borough with neighbouring Wanstead in 1937 and forming part of the London Borough of Redbridge, a local government district of Greater London, in 1965. Woodford, as part of Epping
Forest was one of the last places in London where medieval Commoner's rights
persisted - with local farmers being allowed to graze their cattle on the
common land. These rights were protected by sections 14 and 15 of the Byelaws
passed by the Conservators of Epping Forest. Even late into the 20th century
cattle were allowed to roam freely on the forest ground (Forest, in this
instance being the term applying to the district rather than that area with
trees). The beginnings of the actual modern suburbanisation of Woodford,
however, can be traced to the opening (in 1856) of the Eastern Counties Railway Line from Stratford to Loughton on which Woodford became accessible by two stations, at Snakes Lane and George Lane.
There is some confusion over the
history of the current incarnation of Woodford Town Football Club. Wikipedia
indicates that the name is the latest in the chain involving Mauritius Sports,
Haringey & Waltham Development, Greenhouse London and Greenhouse Sports.
However, An alternative account is that provided by the excellent
Football Club History Database. That version states that the club mutated from
Goffs Oak to Bush Hill Rangers to Woodford Town in 2015. What is clearer is that
the original club bearing the Woodford Town name joined the London League in
1945. Following this, the club played in the following leagues: Metropolitan,
Southern Athenian and Essex Senior before being voted out of the Essex Senior
League in 2003. Jimmy Greaves being a notable former player. In recent seasons the
club had played home matches at Barrows Farm (Harlow Town FC).
This Pieman never got to sample the delights of Snakes Lane, the former Woodford Town ground. Therefore, it was fitting that during the walk from Woodford Station, the floodlight pylons of the former venue are still visible. The walk from the station to Ashton Playing Fields Athletics Track takes around 15 minutes and once you have walked beneath the M11, you reach the entrance to the ground. I had seen this venue many times from the motorway in the past. The running track used by Woodford Green Athletics Club was a prominent sight. These days that view is blocked by trees.
This was the long awaited first
home match for Woodford Town at this venue and as expected a bumper crowd was
in attendance. The official crowd was announced as 822, although this did seem
a bit high. The vast majority were neutrals and some of the groundhoppers fit the
celebrity description as they sought their Woodford tick. The officials were
well prepared for the invasion and 200 programmes had been printed for the
occasion.
There is a spacious car park, which although full, would be more than adequate on a normal match day. An impressive turnstile block has been erected and it is clear to the investment that has been made in getting the stadium to the right standard. All the spectator facilities are located on one side of the pitch. These include a covered 350 seat stand (full on this occasion) and an impressive clubhouse containing a boardroom and large function room with a licensed bar.
The sparklingly clean toilet facilities
are located at the end of the clubhouse. There were picnic tables between the
clubhouse and a smart looking refreshment van was also in situ, not surprisingly
doing a good trade as groundhoppers get hungry and burn off calories (well some
do). Unfortunately, stadiums with running tracks rarely afford the best views.
Some attendees took advantage of a grass slope in the corner at one of the ends
offering a raised vantage point.
Visitors Stansted were worthy
winners in a match that did not really live up to the occasion, despite the
efforts of the players. In the first period, the visitors twice hit the post
when it appeared easier to score. Hopefully Woodford Town will quickly settle
into their new surroundings. Their enthusiastic committee and singers will do
their best to make this happen. Although this match kicked off later than the
advertised 19:45, I was given a lift back to the station and via Stratford was
back at Cheshunt before 23:00.
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