TT No.118: Paul Roth - Saturday 17th November 2007 Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup Willesden Constantine v East Fulham FC; Res: 3-0; Att: Who cares! Admn: free; Prog: 8pp; free; Weather: cold and dreary.
God in his infinite wisdom has blessed Mankind with the gift of concrete, and as one walks from Alperton underground station to the Alperton Playing fields, the home of Willesden Constantine FC, you realise we have badly abused that gift. The area can be summed up in one word......HIDEOUS! Two words would actually be more appropriate, but I won't swear.
The playing fields are found in a sports complex called 'Goals', situated on Alperton Lane, which has a large pavilion of the same name, and has one of those awful 'sports bars'. Liquor, crisps and chocolate are all that is available therein.
On arrival at the ground I did get a programme from the Team Manager, but none were on sale pitchside - you have to ask. All 8 pages are read in a twinkling of an eye, but I'm grateful the club even bothered to do one at all.
The 'Constantine' part of the club's name derives from them evolving from a cricket club some years ago, and with there being such a large West Indian community hereabouts, the name was adopted as a tribute to that great Trinidadian cricketing legend, Leary Constantine.
The field of play has floodlight pylons around it, but by the jaunty angle some of the bulbs are facing I doubt they have been in working order for many a year. There are no other facilities for the spectator.
This Middlesex Intermediate Cup game against East Fulham was a one sided affair that Willesden won easily by three goals to nil and, if truth be told, EF had only one real chance throughout. The play was ruined by an over-officious referee that constantly called play back and didn't let the match flow.
Nearing the end of the 90 minutes it started to tip with rain, which just about summed my day up, but I thank the Lord there was no extra time. No, it aint great on the Alperton Playing fields, so my advice to the prospective traveller thinking of coming here.....fill yourself up with strong booze; it'll ease the pain.
I was offered a lift to go and watch Oldland Abbotonians the day before.....why oh why didn't I accept?
FGIF Rating: 5* (for the sound of that blessed final whistle alone!)
Train day, 12117 steps.....1770 steps =1 mile, Therefore 6.84 miles walked today.
contributed on 18/11/07