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No.18 - Sat. 27th October 2007; Suffolk & Ipswich League Division 1 2.30pm at Rock Barracks, RAF Woodbrige, Bordeswell, Woodbrige, Suffolk (Att: 13; Admn: N/A) |
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View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 Woodbridge Athletic (1) 2 Old Newton United (0) 2 Newton confine Athletic to barracks! Whilst flicking through the pages of the new TFT Directory (Part 2), I noticed that the ground address listed for Woodbridge Athletic Football Club had changed from the entry given last season. The excellent Suffolk and Ipswich Football League website also confirmed on its pages that the club was now playing its home matches at Rock Barracks (RAF Woodbridge), a venue situated about three miles to the west of the bustling Suffolk Market town. And so on a rather overcast but mild afternoon I made my way with eager anticipation to the other side of the county to take advantage of this rare 'local' opportunity and tick off a new ground.
After a relatively stress free journey along the A14 and A12 (north), I by-passed Woodbridge town centre by taking the B1152 (to Orford) travelling through the village of Melton and then followed the B1084 towards Hollesley and Bawdsey. At Bromeswell a sign directs you to the MOD site situated about 3 miles away in beautiful open countryside. As you would expect security* here is very tight and before reaching the ground I was asked by two officers (one sporting a loaded rifle!) to sign the visitors book and collect a special pass from the main gate confirming the purpose of my visit! Once the formalities had been completed I made my way with some trepidation through the barrier and continued along Aldershot Avenue towards the gymnasium car park. Phew!!
In reality I had arrived two weeks early! My own (self-imposed) groundhopping rules were about to be tested. As I walked towards the gynasium changing area I was greeted by one of the club officials who welcomed me to the new home of Woodbridge Athletic FC. But as I looked across to the pitch I noticed that the goalmouth had been cordened off with some red and white marking tape. He explained that the main pitch was temporarily out of action as it was being re-seeded and that the second pitch was to be used for today's game against Old Newton instead (hmmm). My request about a programme drew a negative and revealed that the club was hopefully going to produce their first issue for the next home game in couple of weeks time (v West Row Gunners in the Suffolk Junior Cup on Saturday 10th November). Now I imagine at this point some 'hoppers (who have stricter rules about pitches and programmes) would begin to feel their stomachs churning at hearing such news; a few might even beat a hasty retreat in search of an alternative game. Each to his own. With kick-off time fast approaching I had no intention of leaving and made my way over to the 'second' pitch in preparation for this intriguing Suffolk and Ipswich League Division 1 encounter. Would you still count this as a proper tick? The problems of being a groundhopper!
Now to the game itself. At the start of play Athletic were in second place in the table having made an encouraging start to the season being the only unbeaten team in the First Division with fifteen points; by contrast Old Newton had, by their own high standards, made a poor start having managed only two wins so far this campaign. Perhaps they were feeling the effects of a disastrous 'run in' at the end of last season when the club missed out on promotion by one goal after picking up one win in the final six matches!
Athletic took a first half lead only to be pegged back by two cracking goals from the visitors who made a tremendous second half come back. The game looked to be won by the boys from Stowmarket until Athletic snatched an equaliser late on. It was a smashing game of football with plenty of entertaining fast flowing action played in front of only 13 spectators. Particular mention must go firstly to a couple of players - Mark Francis (Woodbridge) and Nick Zarkos (Old Newton) who showed their class having both played previously at Eastern Counties League level, and secondly to the referee Ian Smillie who officiated impeccably earning the respect of both players and spectators demonstrating a calm, cheerful disposition throughout. Well done fellas!
RAF Woodbridge is home to the 23 Engineers Regiment (Air Assault). Although the air field and main landing strip is still in place, it has (like nearby RAF Bentwaters) not been used for over twenty years now. The site occupies a large area in open forest land near Rendlesham, a place popular with ramblers and orienteers. The clean but rather bland modern buildings have replaced the old nissan huts to provide accomodation for officers. The frequent passage of khaki-coloured military vehicles still serves as a reminder that you are on MOD land.
The football pitches can be found on a large playing field running along one side of the aptly-named Aldershot Avenue with an impressive floodlit all weather facility (used for training) opposite. The main pitch backs on to a large building which incorporates a gymnasium, weights area and changing rooms. The unroped second pitch (used for this game) runs beyond this at ninety degrees. There is no spectator cover or refreshment outlet on site at present. Despite this the club has ambitious plans to develop its facilities in the future. Affable PR and communications officer Barry Parker told me that there is scope to install a proper permiter fence and to erect floodlights meeting ground grading criteria required to play further up the pyramid. Since losing the annex at Woodbridge Town Football Club some time ago and having to share with Willis (also members of the SIL) at the Greshams Club in Ipswich last season, the club is in truth enjoying these new facilities; hopefully Rock Barracks may provide a more permanent home from now on.
Woodbridge Athletic Football Club is well worth a visit. 'Hoppers will be made to feel very welcome by this friendly club who are keen to establish themselves in local football. With the promise that matchday programmes might soon be issued travelling here would certainly be worthwhile.
*if you are planning a visit it is probably wise to phone ahead first and let either the club secretary Claire Driver (01473 747125) or Barry Parker (PR officer) (07775777057) know about your plans. Arrangements can be made with personnel at the barracks to provide you with the necessary security passes on arrival. Over and Out!
FGIF Rating: 4*
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edited on 29/10/07 |
