NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP..ALL GOING WELL

Well no football this last two weeks but plenty to have been done, Doctors and Nurses appointments plus a visit to the hospital has kept me more than busy, whilst the snow has tried to keep me stuck in.

As you can see Shawn went out and bult a snowman, but after it had rained during Saturday throughout the night, Shawn got upset Sunday Morning as he said his snowman had died! I think he had run off and eloped with Miss Snowgirl myself!

The football break of 2 weeks has given me plenty of time to advertise the Notts Senior League Groundhop that is taking place with one match on Friday 19th April and Four matches at different venues on Saturday 20th April..Ticket sales have been going very well and better than expected, but what has shocked me is the sales for the coach, as coach one is now full. Advanced ticket sales have been going well and have sold as far as Germany & Sweden and across the four corners of the UK.

I have also found that a lot of clubs have helpers that they wish to reward in some kind way and have bought them a ticket, this is how I first went on a Groundhop back in 1993 when Dunkirk FC bought me a Northern League ticketas a thankyou for doing their programme.

 This season the Matches are:

Friday 19th April 2013: 

Attenborough FC v Wollaton FC (6.30pm)

Saturday 20th April 2013: 

Selston FC v Bilborough Town FC(10.10am)

Underwood Villa FC v West Bridgford FC(12.45pm)

Awsworth Villa FC v Cotgrave FC(3.30pm)

Kimberley MW FC v Keyworth United FC(6.15pm)

Intending spectators can obtain a five-match advanced package ticket for £15, which includes admission and 5 home club programmes for all FIVE matches at the different venues.
I have debated the last few days to whether I run a second coach and worked out if it could be viable, to run a second coach, I would have to have at least 27 people on board for it to break even, as I wouldnt want any club to make a loss, as that would be unfair on the clubs and I couldnt justify running a coach with say only 10 booked on it.

I have decided to give to give it a go and offer a second coach but will need to know if people are interested in booking or not, if they are, can you please e-mail as soon as possible on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk then I can decide if the coach could run or not. coach travel is £15 per seat.
 
For more information and Booking Form can be obtained from me, if you drop me a e-mail on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

Please dont try and book at the last minute, as I do need to pay for the coach at the end of February, so will need the 27 paid by then..The coach will run on and first pay, first seat basis. 

Hero & Inspiration

A fellow Blogger asked me if I would like to do a article on my Hero & Inspiration which I jumped at the chance of doing...I would like to link the article so you can all have a read.

I have already had some feedback saying how touching it is

http://noclashofcolours.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/my-hero-my-inspiration-rob-hornby.html

UPDATE ON THE NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE GROUNDHOP

Friday 19^th April – Saturday 20^th April 2013

The Notts Senior League will host the Annual Football Bonanza Groundhop in April, with fans flocking from all over the world.

Having been hosted by numerous leagues in the past, the Football Groundhop has a proud and famous history of providing non-league football fans from all over the globe with a unique and well-organised experience.

This year’s Groundhop will feature five games between clubs from the Precision Notts Senior League over two days from Friday the 19th of April to Saturday the 20th.

Rob Hornby, the man behind the event’s thorough organisation, knows only too well the prestige and history behind it: “Bonanzas, or as the fans sometimes like to call them, groundhops, began in the Northern League in 1990. Since then, the Devon League, the South West League and others all around the country have hosted their own event.

“It has gathered quite a bit of a following over the years. I have organised the past nine years for the Central Midlands Football League myself and it’s an extremely fulfilling experience.”

Perhaps the biggest aspect of participating for the clubs is the potential revenue. Advance tickets to see all five games and get all 5 programmes can be booked for £15, with proceeds being split between the clubs.

The event also has a far-reaching appeal, boosting a club’s publicity above and beyond the British Isles.

“Home clubs make quite a bit of money,” says Hornby. ”All clubs make a bit as well through Advanced Ticket sales.

“Through advertising the event, it is well-known worldwide. It puts clubs on the map and brings football fans to clubs that they wouldnt usually come and see. Already booked we have far from as far as Sweden & Germany as well as from all over te UK.

“Clubs will make money through food and refreshments and the ticket sales on the day. The money non-league clubs can generate benefit them massively in terms of helping to run the club as costs can often be more than expected.”

There will be a different choice of food at each ground, all costing under the £2.50 mark and each club will have its own stall with old shirts etc on sale.

On the Saturday, the coach has been fully booked to transport the fans to four separate games in a bid to cover as many grounds in the area as possible. First on the list will be Selston FC’s 10:10 game against Bilborough Town, while Underwood Villa entertain West Bridgford later on.

Next, Awsworth Villa host Cotgrave Welfare, with the bonanza coming to a close as Keyworth United visit Kimberley Miners Welfare.

The event will kick-off at 6:30 on the Friday evening however, with Attenborough FC playing host to Wollaton FC. For the latter, Hornby’s sentiment on the revenue generated through the Football Bonanza undeniably rings true.

Bill Fishwick, Wollaton FC chairman, will welcome the financial boost with open arms: “It’s a costly venture, running a football club. Any sort of extra money we can get into the club is more than welcome.

“This is where the Football Bonanza comes in. It represents both a short-term and long-term financial boost for the clubs involved. It’s a great experience for the fans as well. Rob has been running these kinds of events for years now and he ensures that everyone has a great time, no matter where they’ve come from.”

But where exactly do the fans come from? You’d certainly be forgiven for assuming that flocks of Nottinghamshire’s non-league supporters will provide the bulk of the attendance, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

In fact, the term “worldwide” would be more than apt to describe the event, it seems.

So what’s the allure for the fans? Miles Crafton, a regular spectator at Football Bonanza events, believes it’s the offer of good entertainment at cheap prices.

“You can get tickets for all the games for £15,” says Crafton. “Factor in food prices and travel and it’s a fun-packed day for a relative pittance.”

“You won’t see the bigger clubs doing stuff like this, so to get really involved and immersed in the game it’s great to see clubs at the lower level taking part. It’s such a unique experience and I’d really recommend it.”

For more information or a booking form 
  please e-mail hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk or
phone Rob Hornby on 01623 486678  / 07973517603.

http://nonleaguenottinghamshire.wordpress.com/

UNDERWOOD SHAKE THE BOOTS

NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE

Division One

UNDERWOOD VILLA 2 BOOTS ATHLETIC 0

A phone call to General Sec of Underwood Ian told me that work at their ground would ready for the Groundhop in April but to allow the workers to continue the work at the moment, the league had allowed them to play this fixture at Hall Park in the shadows of Eastwood. A new venue for me to attend on a cold day.

Going in to the match, Underwood were 3rd from bottom, having not kept a clean sheet for 24 matches since last January, whilst Boots were 3rd from top, so surely a away win was on the cards wasnt it?

Underwood had a mixture of very young lads and a couple of the older heads on the pitch to encourage them, whilst Boot had a side that a few of the names were about when I was at Dunkirk FC in the early 90's. The game kicked off with both sides very well matched and chances at a minimum, as the soft pitch began to cut up a bit. Tackles were going in fair and sometimes solid, but both keepers seemed to not have very much to do in the first half apart from a couple of parries over the bar. The homesters very nearly took the lead after 37 minutes, when a low cross from the right avoided everyone, as it flashed along the goal line before finally being cleared to safety.

The Second Half began brightly for Underwood who pushed forward and after 54 minutes centre back TOWLSON strongly headed home the opening goal. Not long after that he had to come off with a injury and replaced by one of the young players. Boots then attacked, whilst Underwood played on the break and on 72 minutes, Boots must have thought they were level when the midfielder saw his 25 yard shot bounce off the crossbar. Boots had much of the forward play but the home defence held tight and cleared everything. Underwood then took off another experianced centre back and put another youngster on in his place on 75 minutes. On 80 minutes, Underwood broke and when the ball bounced around in the away area GARRETT stuck a fine 20 yard volley with the keeper at full stretch to increase his teams lead to 2-0.

Boots tried to pull a goal back but the Underwood defence held tight and the home side fully desreved their victory.

Referee Steve Seers had a good match and tried to let the game flow as much as he could.

After the match, it was back to Underwood Villa Social Club and it was nice to see all the Boots Players and Officials go back for a drink and some chips.

I had a good Groundhop meeting with the Underwood Sec Ian and Chairman Nigel and the club are really looking forward to greeting and looking after the hoppers on Saturday 20th April with a 12.45pm kick off.

For more info and booking form for the Notts Senior League GroundHop, please see http://www.thefootballtraveller.com/hops.htm or contact me directly on hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

Underwood Villa FC Website

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/underwoodvillafc/

Boots Athletic FC Website

http://bootsathletic.intheteam.com/modules/page/page.aspx?type=home&mid=12075&pmid=0

Photos from this match

http://s1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc460/Midlandsman/Underwood%20Villa%202%20Boots%20Athletic%200/?start=all

Follow me on twitter

https://twitter.com/robhornby

Brodsworth 0 Pinxton FC 4

CMFL LEAGUE CUP

BRODSWORTH WELFARE 0 PINXTON FC 4

Abandoned after 72 minutes

Brodsworth Welfare FC Website

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/brodsworthwelfare/

Pinxton FC Welfare

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/pinxtonfc/

Photos taken from this match

http://s1212.beta.photobucket.com/user/Midlandsman/library/Brodsworth%20Welfare%200%20Pinxton%20FC%204?

Advanced Tickets are on sale for the upcoming Notts Senior League Groundhop..Please read this article about the Groundhop

http://nonleaguenottinghamshire.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/football-bonanza-coming-to-nottinghamshire/

WRENS FLY PAST CARLTON

EVO STIK LEAGUE

SOUTH DIVISION

RAINWORTH MINERS WELFARE 2 CARLTON TOWN 0

Last night, I was getting ready to go out to see the New Year in, I tweeted that I was unable to go to a match today as no buses running here in Mansfield and Hazel wouldnt drive the day after having a drink. Out of the blue came a message on my facebook from Fareham Town Secretary Paul Splodge Proctor to say he was going to Rainworth Miners Welfare and had a spare seat, so after a phone call to Paul on directions to my house, the kind lift was arranged.

Got up this morning with no hangover, so rang Rainworth Secretary Les lee just to double check the game was on, to which he replied it was.

Paul arrived with Sussexhopper and his friend and we headed to the Kirklington Road ground, going part Sherwood Colliery FC and AFC Mansfield on route. 

On arrival at the ground a kind greeting from the two gatemen and also Mrs Wright who sold me a couple of  golden goal tickets..It was then inside to see the two Anns who run the refreshments building and whilst I had a cuppa, the three guests from the south tucked in to pie and peas for a modest £2.20.

It was outside for me to chat to Malc who write the excellent blog http://ontheroad2012-2013.blogspot.co.uk/ and Heanor Town Supporters Club Man Tony Squires.

The teams entered the pitch, so I took my seat in the stand along side some familiar faces including Mr Gordon Rainworth Foster, who was marking a load of dots on a pad of paper.

Both teams seemed very matched and not of goal action was seen, infact the only shot worthwhile in the first half saw HOLMES slot home after 32 minutes in front of the 128 crowd.

The Second Half belonged to the home side, with the visitors very rarely threatening the home keeper. On 53 minutes, HIGGINSON popped up at the back post to double Rainworth's lead. Rainworth looked the more likely to score but in the end the better of the sides took the points.

Rainworth MW FC Website

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/rainworthmwfc/

Follow Rainworth MW FC on Twitter

https://twitter.com/RainworthMWFC

Carlton Town FC Website

http://www.carltontownfc.co.uk/ 

Follow Carlton Town FC on Twitter

https://twitter.com/CarltonTown

Photos from todays match

http://s1212.beta.photobucket.com/user/Midlandsman/library/Rainworth%20MW%202%20Carlton%20Town%200

Article on the NOTTS SENIOR LEAGUE BONANZA GROUNDHOP

http://nonleaguenottinghamshire.wordpress.com/2012/12/29/football-bonanza-coming-to-nottinghamshire/