TT No.110: Paul Roth - Sat 10th November 2007; Hellenic Lge Div1 East; Ascot United vs. Penn & Tylers Green Res:3-0 Att:40 Programme:£2 (16 Pages) with entry. Weather: Autumnally pleasant!
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My Dad loved horse racing and, when I was a young lad, took me on several occasions to race meetings; but all I can recall of those events was the vivid colour and the spectacle. Never got the racing bug myself.....perhaps because I'm not a gambling man, but I know today, if Dad had still been around he would have enjoyed his visit to Ascot, despite despising the game of football .
Why? Well because Ascot Utd FC is located right along side the 'NEW MILE' of the famous racecourse, and is set in a stunning location surrounded by trees and open land, made even more beautiful today by the glowing autumnal colours that emblazoned the arena.
Located half a mile off the Winkfield road, just outside the town of Ascot itself, the venue is in the middle of rolling countryside. There's masses of car parking! Enter through a mesh gate and pay £2 for entrance and programme: not a bad 16 page effort this, with quite a lot of information therein. Pass into the ground and the changing rooms are on the right hand side and a rather basic clubhouse-cum-tea bar on the left. From within this pavilion 'Vernon' dispenses tea, coffee, chocolate bars, filled rolls and his own unique,idiosyncratic brand of cooked comestibles! No booze is proffered.
The playing field is a delight to the eye, being immaculately railed and posted off, and that gallop behind the far goal draws you over to peak and see if a set of fillies is racing t'ward you. In the distance is the stunning vista of the enormous course grandstand, quiet today, as there was no meeting unfortunately, as the sight and sound of racehorses thundering past would have been added drama to the already colourful scene. Access to the pitch is via numerous gates, all painted in the clubs' colours of yellow and blue, and this adds even more brightness to a lovely venue. There is NO covered accommodation for spectators.
The yellarmen, their nickname, are on a great run at present and are now undefeated in their last eight games after this very comfortable 3 nil win over their Buckinghamshire visitors. Penn & Tyler, I don't think, had one shot at goal!
Yes, Dad would have half approved of this venue, if only it been taking place on the other side of the fence, and he'd been installed in the bar in that grandstand beyond.
FGIF 5* For the setting alone!
contributed on 11/11/07