Hyde: Ewen Fields

Glad you like the pictures, Dave. They're all taken on a phone and do suffer when the light worsens. But Saturday afternoons are becoming longer so the results should be better.

I've being doing some research about Hyde's ground and part of the main stand is older than I thought. It dates back, in fact, to 1986/87 when Tameside Council took possession of the ground and put down one of the first artificial pitches (since removed) in senior non-league football. The stand was extended around ten years ago before the whole place had a "blue make over" when Manchester City came on the scene. This actually saw Hyde changing their colours to blue for a while. Now they're back to red but in a blue stadium.

Interesting to note we played that FA Cup game against Forest Green Rovers at their former ground. We've since played them in the Conference at their new place. And, on yesterday's performance, it's not outlandish to think that we may be playing them in League 2 next year. And, yes, thirty-odd years ago they would have been where Buckland are now.

It's tempting to think of FGR as a phenomenal little club but I guess they've been professionally-run for a long time now with some recent serious investment from an environmental power business. This, and the veggie food on offer, neatly befits the Stroud area.



To watch anything higher you'd be talking about Taunton, Tiverton or Bridgwater at one level above Buckland; Bideford or Weymouth at two levels above. Unless, of course, you were happy to travel as far as Truro, Dorchester or Weston for an even higher standard. All of these, of course, cost proportionately more with each step up.

I enjoy those levels because the players are better, the play is more absorbing and there's a greater sense of occasion. But, if you're seeking a value-for-money/entertainment link, you may well decide to stick with step 5 (Buckland's level) anyway where the style of play is more open and attack-minded. That may because football is naturally like that at "grassroots level". It may be due to mentality - football is secondary and still enjoyable to these players - and, where money is involved, it's more of a "cash in hand" arrangement. If a player wants to bugger off elsewhere - because he's not getting picked, isn't enjoying it or gets a better offer - another club merely needs to give seven days notice that he's joining them instead.

Go up a level and it becomes a bit more serious. Football is still secondary in the lives of the players and it's still predominantly cash-in-hand. But the players possess that extra commitment and regard themselves as a "cut above". It's becoming a different game.

Up again and the players are demonstrably better. They'll still have a "day job" but their football employment may now be on a formal contract basis and form an important part of their income. The game is different again: greater preparation; more tactical; more appreciation of the defensive side of the game.

Indeed, Buckland have succeeded by being more serious and thoughtful about their game than most of their opponents were in the Peninsula League. Mind you, if you want an example of "mentality" take a look at Bodmin who stand out in that league.

All in all, as I've suggested, I'm not watching much step 5/6 football at present unless invited to as part of a package involving transport, eccentric company and pub stops. There's simply other football to watch and places to explore.

But football at Buckland's level is definitely worth the effort and it's particularly good in Devon and Cornwall. That's due to the absence of too much football at the grades immediately above. Good players stay at that level rather than travel; interest surrounds clubs and leagues because they're not overshadowed. But one thing I'm loathe to do is make too many comparisons with Torquay United's level. It's like comparing apples and bananas and, ultimately, I know what I prefer.

Finally, I wouldn't want offend anyone at Buckland but the one "stand out" game that I'd travel to see is Bodmin's forthcoming FA Vase tie against Ashington from Northumberland. That might have been worth a few people's effort were we not at home to Chesterfield that day. And, higher up the ladder, now's the time to be catching Bideford fresh up into the Southern Premier. Why, they even beat the likes of Weymouth these days.