TT No.72: Andy Gallon - Tue 21st October 2008; Hemsworth MW v Teversal; Wilkinson Sword Trophy Round 2; Res: 0-2; Att: 151; Admission: £4; Programme: £1.50 (72pp); FGIF Match Rating: *** 

I know a progressive club when I see one. There's a palpable sense of vibrancy, ambition and unity of purpose at the Fitzwilliam Stadium, home to Hemsworth Miners' Welfare, who are making a decent stab of their first season in the Northern Counties (East) League. It's all good because so much energy has gone into transforming both ground and club for their big adventure into senior football, it would have been a crying shame if the whole escapade had fallen as flat as a peshawri nan. These are genuinely thrilling times for a thriving community outfit formed in 1981 and who, relatively recently, boasted facilities little better than a park side.
 
You might think changing the name of the welfare ground to Fitzwilliam Stadium was a little pretentious. And you'd be wrong. The decision simply reflects the quality of the ground and the forward-thinking ethos of the club. That all this has happened in a largely forgotten corner of  Yorkshire still suffering from the demise of the coal industry is a surprise. Not even its loudest trumpeter would suggest workaday Fitzwilliam, a couple of miles from Hemsworth, is easy on the eye. In many respects, the football ground is the smartest, tidiest part of the village, whose enduring claim to fame is being the birthplace of former England cricketer Geoff Boycott.
 
The national summer game still plays a big part in Fitzwilliam life. The cricket and football grounds are side by side, such a common juxtaposition in the old West Riding, on the miners' welfare. A narrow metalled drive off the Wakefield road threads its way between the cricket pitch and wasteland behind red-brick terraces to arrive in the football club car park. The Wells, as Hemsworth are known, are keen to salute those selfless stalwarts who have given their time to the club. Access is through the James Hanby Gate, alongside which, on a patch of grass, is a 'Community Flag', unfurled in June this year. A plaque beneath the pole bears the inscription: "In the memory of all those who have been associated with and served this club well". The Crapper family certainly falls into this category. Paul manages the team and holds, at more than 800 games, the club's all-time appearances record, Mark is the secretary, edits the Wells' bulging matchday programme and is boss of the Sunday first team, Dick looks after the pitch and Mick and Phil are on the committee. The magnificent clubhouse, opened by Barnsley academy manager Ronnie Branson in July 2007, is dedicated to Mick. It's that sort of place.
 
Heart duly warmed, you pass through the turnstile round to the right of the clubhouse. Prepare, for those who came here in the club's West Riding County Amateur League days, to be amazed. This spotless little ground is now completely enclosed, hardstanding has been laid, a small stand built and, best of all, floodlights erected. Tonight's game is the first competitive action they have illuminated, so it's another red letter day for go-ahead Hemsworth. It's immediately apparent how enthusiastic, excited and committed everyone is. Proud officials and supporters are happy to talk about how far the club have come, while still retaining a rather charming level of surprise when discussing results and performances this season. Of particular note is the attendance level here. Imaginative pricing of season tickets (for example, £25 for a family of two adults and two kids) has led to some of the best crowds in the whole competition. It really isn't rocket science. Bigger - in the sense of size rather than spirit - clubs ought to take note.  
 
The clubhouse, located between the two penalty areas on the south side of the ground, was made possible by grant aid from the Football Foundation. Never can a handout have been so gratefully received and so carefully spent. The brick building, low and broad, contains the dressing rooms and, at the west end, an absolutely smashing bar - bright, cheery and oozing anticipation. Toilets and refreshments can also be found here. There is an overhang the full length of the structure to provide spectator cover.
 
The small stand - and the Wells want to add more cover as soon as possible - is opposite. This 10-yard structure has a gap in the roof to accommodate one of the floodlight masts. Presumably, the club are going to sort this out when time allows. The dugouts, neat in white painted brick, are also on this north touchline, either side of halfway. Here, too, is a feature unique in my experience of watching football. The wooden announcer's box is positioned outside and above the ground's concrete panel perimeter fence in the back garden of a supporter who lives in one of the adjacent red-brick semis. He certainly likes to pump up the volume but I was told, because this was an evening fixture, the music was considerably less intrusive than for weekend afternoon matches. My only complaint was that, despite having such an impressive sound system at their disposal, Hemsworth did not announce the teams - or anything else, for that matter. Netting, suspended from poles, runs the length of this north side to keep neighbouring gardeners happy and is brightened by a couple of giant flags, one of which referred to Leeds United and bore a message completely lost on me. Mature trees add a pleasing splash of green. Only the east end is without hardstanding. Here, a strip of grass fronts a line of firs, behind which is another pitch, railed off and boasting dugouts. I imagine the reserves, who play in the West Riding County Amateur League, use these facilities.  
 
The game, on a chilly night with brass monkeys lurking in every shadow, failed to do justice to the surroundings. From an early stage, extra-time looked a distinct possibility and I was immensely grateful to Teversal for obviating the need for the additional 30 minutes by scoring twice in the closing stages. Not that Hemsworth, almost all of whose players are local lads and unpaid, should feel too distressed by defeat on their debut in the Wilkinson Sword Trophy. With better finishing, the hosts would have gone through. Gary Welka sent fellow striker Damion Liddle racing clear, in the second and 60th minutes, but Tevie keeper Danny Herring twice saved superbly with his legs. The visitors, who hadn't figured much as an attacking force during an arm wrestle concentrated in midfield, broke the deadlock with 10 minutes left. The sighs of relief from the neutrals was almost audible. Neat play down the right flank ended with a cross which substitute Marc Rathbone tucked away from 12 yards after profiting from a kind ricochet off a defender. Eight minutes later, Jack Townroe smashed a direct free-kick - cross-cum-shot, I suspect - from the right touchline and into the far top corner. There was just time for Rathbone to hit the crossbar with an 18-yard volley but 3-0 would have been terribly hard on an industrious Hemsworth team.  
 
Most ground enthusiasts have their personal rules about what constitutes a venue worthy of a revisit. Whatever yours may be, I'd suggest the Fitzwilliam Stadium, given its remarkable makeover, merits a second look. If you haven't been before, you're sure to enjoy the atmosphere, the friendliness and the warmth of the welcome. The grassroots game really doesn't get any better than this. 

contributed on 24/10/08