Day Trip To Hallam by Pete Goringe

At Cray Wanderers we are very proud of our long history, particularly the fact that we commenced playing in 1860, which makes us one of the three oldest clubs in the world still playing. The oldest club is, of course, Sheffield F.C. (founded 1857), who we welcomed for the official opening game at Flamingo Park last July. They beat us 4-0 to take home the Heritage Cup.

One other club claims a foundation date of 1860. It’s Hallam F.C., one of Sheffield’s first opponents, and I went to their ground on a very wet day in September. Hallam, located on the hilly outskirts of the city, not far from Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough, were promoted to Step 4 (Northern Premier League East) at the end of last season, ironically taking the place of Sheffield F.C., who were relegated. That was something of a surprise to me, as Sheffield looked a decent side when they came to Flamingo Park.

Like the Wands, Hallam set great store by their longevity. Unlike Cray, they have played on the same ground, Sandygate, ever since they started. I was left in no doubt that they hold the official record for the “World’s Oldest Football Ground” as it was frequently mentioned in announcements over the PA. They also claimed in their programme that they are “Officially, the second oldest club in the world.” We have also laid claim to that title. I’m not sure which body, if any, has bestowed this honour on Hallam.

When Cray went north in 2010 to play in the Heritage Tournament against Sheffield and Hallam, some of the Wands contingent were taken to Sandygate. This was my first visit and to be honest, I was not enormously impressed. It seems first and foremost a venue for cricket. The football stand and clubhouse are on one side and there’s a small covered shelter behind the goal at the top of a very pronounced end-to-end slope. The side opposite the stand is on the cricket outfield and is out of bounds to spectators. The far end is also mainly given over the cricket paraphernalia. In fact, the practice nets are right next to the pitchside rail. A few spectators actually stood inside the nets to watch the game! I was surprised the place has the necessary grading for Step 4.

The visitors were Blyth Spartans, well-known to many of us old ‘uns for their exploits in the F.A Cup in the 1970s in particular. They have had their troubles recently and have suffered two successive relegations. Although Blyth is north of Newcastle, they brought a good following. In fact, there was insufficient covered accommodation for the healthy crowd of 585. Many spectators had to brave the rain, whilst behind the goal Blyth and Hallam fans stood shoulder to shoulder under the cover. This proved no problem at all and there was plenty of good-natured banter between the two groups.

The game was not a classic. The increasingly sodden pitch and the slope made it difficult for two sides in the lower half of the table to play much beautiful football. There was a marked difference in standard to what we are used to in the Isthmian Premier. Hallam looked slightly the stronger side, but they fell behind in the first half. I thought they may well turn things round kicking downhill after the break, but they had to be satisfied with just one goal. So, it was a point apiece and both teams were cheered off by their supporters, at the same end, before they trudged out of the world’s oldest football ground dodging the ever-growing puddles.

Pete Goringe