No.53 - Sat. 12th April 2008; Bedfordshire Football League                             2.30pm* at the Recreation Ground, Rectory Road, Campton, Beds. (Att: 32; Admn & Prog: N/A) 

 

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Campton (1) 4  Luton Borough (0) 0 

A game that nearly wasn't ... 

After watching an exciting match earlier in the week at Caldecote FC (see R No.52) and discussing the merits of the Bedfordshire Football League with super 'hopper Brian Buck, I decided to watch another game in this worthy competition on Saturday. My destination today was Campton, a small village situated on the outskirts of  Shefford and only a few miles from Baldock along the A 507. At the time of my visit the club was sitting proudly at the top of the table. With only a few matches left they looked to be on course to lift the Bedfordshire Football League title. In truth the trophy was literally theirs (to lose)!

After a hassle-free journey we arrived at the ground well before the scheduled 2.30pm kick-off time. This made a lovely change and we even had time to enjoy a cup of tea sitting pitchside with the warm sunshine on our backs. Heaven. It really was too good to be true. And it was! After a couple of minutes things suddenly took a turn for the worse. The Campton manager called his players back over to the pavilion where the referee and a couple of committee members had gathered. It was now 2.30pm. It soon became clear that the away team, Luton Borough FC and not yet arrived. In fact they hadn't even made contact with the club as to their whereabouts. The referee, with a wry smile on his face, then explained that this particular team were notoriously late in turning up for games and that it didn't surprise him at all that they hadn't got here on time!

A glance at my watch (again) revealed that it was now 2.40pm. My hopping gremlins had seemingly returned and it looked more than likely that I was going to miss out on yet another game. In a season dogged by bad luck I really did feel frustrated to put it mildly! My enthusiasm and passion for groundhopping was now being severely tested as this game was going to be the latest in a season of missed hoppertunities: here goes - 08/12/07 - Bedwell v Sarratt (HSCL1) - abandoned at half-time after a thunderstorm; 05/01/08 - Farnborough OBG v Eltham Palace (KCL2W) - abandoned 76 minutes after fighting broke out; 22/12/07 - Corby Pegasus v Corby Madisons (NFCP) - road traffic accident prevented reaching our intended destination; 05/04/08 - Chadlington v Worcester CO/B (OSLP) - roadworks and heavy traffic...gave up and turned back. And now this! Another gut churning moment!

Re-assessing the situation the referee then told the Campton players and officials that the match would be called off at three o'clock if the visitors hadn't arrived by then. Looking on the positive side this gave us fifteen minutes to either wait here hoping that they would turn up or...find another game nearby and watch that (in other words make a re-visit). It was a real dilemna which posed some difficult questions: what else was on? would we have time to get there? would it be better to risk it and just wait? Fran and Joey still enjoying their cuppas were much more realistic suggested that we wait. After all, the away side hadn't phoned up to cancel the game had they? It was now 2.50pm. I quickly jogged back to the car and hastily grabbed the Football Traveller and the A-Z Road Atlas in search of an alternative...just at that moment a car with four young passengers inside pulled up. Leaning out of the window the driver asked: 'Is this Campton Football Club?' 'Yes mate!' I replied. There was an obvious collective sigh of relief as the occupants climbed out, grabbed their kit bags and followed me towards the changing rooms. Like a young kid at Christmas my heart raced and I sprinted ahead to deliver the news to the referee. After another wry smile the official dressed in black muttered something (rude) under his breath before blowing his whistle and then exclaiming in a loud, gruff voice: 'Game on lads!'. It was now 2.59pm! 

The decision to stay put had been a good one! The visitors eventually (three cars later) reached a full complement of players by 3.07pm* and the match was underway five minutes later! The Campton gaffa was not happy having to go through the whole warm up routine for the second time in a hour. But at least his lads had the chance to do some purposeful stretching. The Luton boys simple strolled onto the pitch and the match started by an impatient referee who had probably thought he was going to have a more relaxing afternoon doing something else! Campton quickly got into their rhythm and played the better football in the opening minutes. Despite all of their possession the hosts only managed to take a 1-0 lead into the half-time break. After the proverbial half-time rocket from the vexed manager (who clearly was not in the mood for messing) Campton showed why they are a top of the table side by adding three superb second half goals to win comfortably. The Luton Borough boys proved to be a skilful team but unsurprisingly their lack of discipline and organisation seemed to let them down. Say no more!

The game was attended by 32 spectators and 1 dog. However, readers must appreciate that this was no ordinary hound, more a unique character and therefore one who deserves a special mention. You see, Zeus (taken from Greek mythology: meaning - King of the Gods), is a larger than life Rottweiller. He is also a season ticket holder and attends all of the Campton FC home games. In fact he even wears a specially-tailored black and gold jacket bearing his name and that of his beloved club on the sides. The popular 10-stone pup who has not reached full-size yet has made headline news in all of the local papers. He simply loves his football. His owner (or should I say handler) Richard explained that once the game has started the burly framed beast sits 'blinkered' behind the touchline and unstintingly follows the path of the ball throughout the entire game. His gaze does not wander. When the ball goes out he suddenly begins to bark loudly with impatience and only stops when play is resumed. It really is an amazing sight to see. And where does Zeuss sit? Anywhere he likes. 

The club is based at the local recreation ground. A narrow path off the High Street leads you to the playing fields which are bordered by tall hedges and open fields. Facilities are basic. Amazingly for this level the club pavilion in the far corner has a purpose-built tea bar from where you can but hot drinks and snacks.

Travellers here will receive a warm welcome by a friendly, hard-working group of committee members. Although Campton FC do not issue programmes, don't be put off because the standard of football more than compensates for this. To avoid disappointment beware matches involving Luton Borough FC though. The joys and tribulations of hopping definitely continue!!       

                                                                FGIF Rating: 3*                                       

edited on 15/04/08