Blackstones 4 Grantham Town Academy 1 - United Counties League, Division One
Blackstone & Co was a farm implement
manufacturer based in Stamford, Lincolnshire. The business was established in
1837 as Smith & Ashby, later known as Rutland Iron Works. In 1877 Edward
Christopher Blackstone was admitted to the partnership. A limited company,
Blackstone & Co was incorporated in 1889 to take ownership of the business.
Examples of Blackstone engines can be seen at the Anson Engine Museum near
Manchester. Although the company is no longer in business, the name Blackstone lives
on through the football club, still playing in Stamford.
Formed as the works team of Blackstone & Co
in 1891, the club won the Peterborough & District League in 1918-19. After
dropping into local football in the respective Stamford and Bourne District
Leagues, the club won the former immediately before World War II. Following
further spells in the Peterborough & District League, the club joined
Division One of the United Counties League in 1984. Promotion to the Premier
Division came in 1988. In 2003 victory in the Premier Division Cup was achieved
with a 4-0 against Buckingham Town. Relegation to Division One occurred in
2013.
A midweek jaunt to Lincolnshire
was facilitated by the offer of a lift (much appreciated Phil). The journey via
A10 and A1 to Stamford was relatively straightforward and we were parked up at
Lincoln Road at 18:30 with plenty of time for refreshment ahead of the 19:45
kick off. Conveniently Birdy’s Fish and Chip shop is located immediately opposite
the ground and would be our first port of call. The clubhouse bar was also welcoming
and although there was no real ale available, a bottle of Proper Job proved a refreshing
option on a scorching evening.
Lincoln Road is an extremely tidy
and smart venue. The folks involved at the club are very proud and this is reflected
in the appearance of the entire ground. The club colours are painted on all the
buildings and structures providing a corporate identity. Both sides of the ground
are hemmed by enormous rows of trees, that sometimes prevent flying footballs
from encroaching on domestic dwellings.
A decent sized covered seated
stand straddles the half way line. Next to this is a covered standing area. In
the winter months these structures will provide a welcome retreat from adverse
weather. On the opposite side of the pitch are the dugouts which are of the
solid traditional variety. Both ends of the ground are open and the entire
perimeter is available for spectator viewing.
Additional structures include a toilet
block, tea bar and the entry kiosk which backs on to the reasonable sized car
park. That said, there is also a bowling green within the complex and the
parking facilities are likely to become stretched. All in all, this is a
perfect venue for a club playing at this level of football, with space to
expand should the need arise.
The visitors, in their first
season at this level, did not get the rub of the green on a couple of occasions
where decisions went against them. However, the result is a true reflection on
the balance of play in this game as Blackstones continued their fine start to
the season. The Southbound carriageway of the A1 was closed at Stamford meaning
a detour through rural Lincolnshire for a while post match. Our driver’s
playlist kept us entertained and it was still Wednesday when I got home!
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