Handsworth (19-04-2024)

Handsworth U21 0 - 3 Emley U21 (North Midlands Development League), Friday 19 April 2024

Warrington Rylands (13-04-2024)

Warrington Rylands 1 - 2 Lancaster City (Northern Premier), Saturday 13 April 2024

Anstey Nomads (09-04-2024)

Anstey Nomads 2 - 1 Walsall Wood (Northern Premier League Division 1), Tuesday 9 April 2024

Aston Villa U21 (08-04-2024)

Aston Villa U21 0 - 4 Chelsea U21 (Premier League 2), Monday 8 April 2024

York (07-04-2024)

York City Ladies 0 - 4 Barnsley Ladies (Fa Women's National League Division 1 North), Sunday 7 April 2024

South Liverpool (06-04-2024)

South Liverpool 0 - 1 Ashton Town (NWCFL Division 1 North), Saturday 6 April 2024

I've always had a love-hate relationship with Liverpool, ever since I went to university there in 2004. Its only recently that I've acknowledged how difficult I found the first semester in particular - it was definitely one of the lowest periods of my life. It was also one of the most important in shaping my personal determination, even when things get tough. 

Despite the lows of that time, Liverpool is actually where I started my groundhopping activities (Runcorn Halton at the Widnes stadium in October 2004), and this hobby has endured for nearly 20 years.

I started out by referring to that great reference wor....One of the grounds not in the book in 2004 was Holly Park, previously of South Liverpool FC, and a short distance from our student halls. I had also unwittingly passed their Jericho Lane ground when I used to wander down to Otterspool Promenade. 

As I learnt more about the non-league scene on Merseyside, South Liverpool's name came up time and time again. They still existed but just not in the same form as their illustrious past. At one stage, the club were a significant footballing force in the city, playing in the Lancashire Combination and then the Northern Premier League. They repeatedly applied for membership of the Football League but were unsuccessful on each occasion. Their ground (Holly Park) hosted the first match in the UK under permanent floodlights and was also honoured to have Puskas play there in a friendly. It turned out that in my first year of university, a transport interchange (Liverpool South Parkway) was being built on the site of Holly Park.

I finally managed to see the club in 2007 at their Jericho Lane (North Field) ground. They lost 1-0 in a Liverpool Combination match against Quarry Bank in a thick fog. The game proved a turning point for me. A week later I met my future wife (on Valentine's Day no less!) and the rest is history.

Almost 20 years on from starting university, South Liverpool were back on my groundhopping radar. I must admit I'd missed their application for promotion during the pandemic and only noticed when I was checking out the NWCFL table last season. We actually come to Liverpool fairly often - to see the other Liverpool on the North side of the city (the ones who refer to themselves as 'European Royalty'). But I've rarely been back in this neck of the woods since my student days.

Liverpool (04-05-2024)

Liverpool 3 - 1 Sheffield United (Premier League), Thursday 4 April 2024

Newark (01-04-2024)

Newark and Sherwood United 0 - 4 Lincoln United (United Counties Premier North), Monday 1 April 2024

Liverpool (31-03-2024)

Liverpool 2 - 1 Brighton (Premier League), Sunday 31 March 2024

A nervy Liverpool win against a tidy and patient Brighton side. Liverpool still top...

Rossington (13-03-2024)

Rossington Main Reserves 2 - SJC Worksop (Central Midlands North), Wednesday 13 March 2024

Liverpool (10-03-2024)

Liverpool 1 - 1 Manchester City (Premier League), Sunday 10 March 2024

A high quality tussle to end the Klopp-Guardiola rivalry (in the Premier League at least). No knock out blow yet in a 3-way title race.

Penistone (28-02-2024)

Penistone 0 - 0 Stocksbridge (Sheffield Senior Cup), Wednesday 28 February 2024

(Penistone win 5-4 on penalties)

My first penalty shootout in a long time, after a stalemate semifinal. 

Anstey @ Quorn (10-02-2024)

 Anstey Nomads 1 - 2 Cambridge City (Evostik Division 1 Midlands), Saturday 10 February 2024

Handsworth (12-01-2024)

Handsworth U21 1-1 Thorncliffe Villa U21 (North Midlands Development League), Friday 12th January 2024

Staveley (10-01-2024)

Staveley 0 - 6 Doncaster City (Central Midlands), Wednesday 10th January 2024

Gainsborough (01-01-2024)

Gainsborough Trinity 2 - 0 Worksop Town (Evostik Premier), Monday 1 January 2024

A shock win for Gainsborough against 3rd placed Worksop. A proper no nonsense Northern match. Only my 2nd visit to Gainsborough, after a game in November 2010!