Didcot Town FC

I travelled to Didcot for the first time on 13 April 2013. It was an easy drive down the M4 although it rained for virtually the whole trip. As you probably know, it is only a few mile north off the M4 and for me, it was an 80 mile drive, but took no more than 1.5 hours. For those without cars, it’s pretty close to the railway station. The club’s nick name of “The Railwayman” is obviously very appropriate!

As you can see, it is a pretty new building and is not that far away from a rather well-known landmark. I’m not sure when the power station is being demolished, but it was in the process of being decommissioned on my visit.

Inside is a very functional clubhouse with lots of shirts and pictures displayed on the walls. As I arrived quite early, I was one of the first in and found the bar to be a bit cold and dampish. It’s also quite a dark place with very few windows and lighting that I didn’t think was up to scratch. Perhaps I’m being picky.

The Directors room was very functional and easy access straight into the main stand

Boardroom

Everyone at the club that I came across were super friendly and during the match, good banter was had in the main stand. During the reverse game earlier in the season, a Mangotsfield player suffered a badly broken leg and the match had to be abandoned early in the 2nd half. Didcot had a fund-raiser for our player that raised £300. What a fantastic gesture from a lovely bunch of people.

On the football side, it was a wet game on a wet pitch that did not look that great to me. I later found out that their groundsman died in 2011 (?) and since then the pitch has not been in as gooder shape. Despite falling behind to a goal in the 16th minute, the Mangotsfield players kept going strong throughout the game. Didcot faded in the 2nd half and lost 2-3 in the end. The winning goal was a cracking move from the half way line right out on the touch-line. Fabulous 35 yard pass, dribble, pass and shot drilled in, all in the 90th minute. That meant Mangotsfield had won 3 successive away games in just 5 days. Super job!

Mangotsfield playing in their away yellow kit:

Chippenham Town

I travelled the short distance along the M4 to watch Mangotsfield play away to Chippenham Town on 8 September 2012. This was the First Qualifying round of the FA Cup, with £3,000 of prize money to the winners. The losers, get a handshake, and a share of the gate money.

The ground is very easy to find. Just drop down off the M4, go round the ring round and it is no more than half a mile off a roundabout. As I arrived very early, parking was a doddle. Was told that on a really big crowd, people park on the main round without any trouble.

This was my very first visit to the ground, and I found everyone very helpful and friendly. The main stand is very good, with a food outlet right as you walk in – perfect positioning. A lot of the ground has covered areas and there are a lot of advertising hoardings all the way around the ground. All in all, very nicely appointed and created the right sort of atmosphere.

View from the main stand

You may be able to spot from the photo that another sports complex is outside the ground. I am not sure if this is true, but was told the football club pay a rent, so they do not own the ground. But if you know any different, let me know!

View of the main stand on a nice sunny day

Another thing that was nice was the sign below which listed everyone who helped towards the cost of the main stand.

Chippenham Town sponsors being honoured

Whilst I did not sample any offerings from the food outlet, the price list seemed very reasonable to me. Additionally, there seemed to be an awful lot of people using it. That can only be good news for everyone visiting the ground.

Needless to say, there were some excellent characters in the Board Room and all the Mangotsfield Directors were well looked after. For me, I got totally sidetracked by Robin Townsley who is a Bluenose. Lots of reminiscing about Birmingham City FC then and initial plans hatched for an away trip together. As we all know, it’s a small world!

On the football side, it ended Chippenham Town 3 Mangotsfield United 1. I thought it was a pretty decent game, but Mangotsfield do lack fire power up front and the midfield players are too easily bundled off the ball at the moment. However, we have a very young side and it was only the 5th time they have played together.

If you are interested in seeing achieved photos of Mangotsfield United along with videos – including a video of the players warming up at this match, pop along to http://www.flickr.com/mufcphotos

Hungerford Town

I went to watch Mangotsfield play away to Hungerford Town on 1 September 2012. It was an easy drive down the M4, taking about an hour. To get to the ground, you drive through the centre of Town which is littered with antique shops, then through a housing estate and you are there. Not a massive amount of parking is available, but for a big crowd, parking on the adjacent streets appears easy.

It is a nice ground with small stands on each side, so plenty of cover is available. The pitch has a steady downward slop, and on the day, there was a steady wind blowing up the slope.

Main stand at the ground

Smaller stand at the ground

As I ended up being busy talking to lots of people (!), I did not have a chance to walk all the way around the ground. Consequently, I did not spot a tea, fast food outlet. I presume they have one. On the other hand, they do have a nice sized bar with a decent selection of beers. perhaps the bar doubles as tea outlet?

Anyway, I must say that everyone I met at Hungerford was very friendly. A few of our travelling fans had tipped them off they were arriving early, and so opened the bar specially for them. Top marks all round then!

As for the game, well, Hungerford won 2 – 1. Everyone at the ground agreed that the officials spoilt the game, and I understand a complaint is being lodged. In all the years I have been watching football, I do not think I have all 3 officials have a mare of a game at the same time. Multiple bookings, 3 sending off – including the wrong player and the Mangotsfield manager – along with a player striking another player to the head in front of the ref, and being unpunished. Think that gives you a decent picture of what went on!

Whilst I try not to be biased, the Mangotsfield players never game up and easily deserved a point. It was a day for the captain to do his thing and he did a fantastic job. I really cannot speak highly enough about him.

For me the final disappointment was the crowd. a meagre 90 people and Mangotsfield must have accounted for at least 1/3rd of the gate. Given all the chimney pots surrounding the ground, and the standard of play, where was everyone? Oh yes, pawing their way through the antique shops…..