AFC Hayes

Back in early September, and with no Torquay game to go to, I drove the massive 30 miles from my home to watch Torquay "old boy" Matt Hockley and his new employers Truro City on their visit to AFC HAYES - and their ground "FARM PARK" (capacity 1500).

Formed as recently as 1974 - and springing from local Saturday sides Charville and Hayes North, their original name (up until last season infact) was BROOK HOUSE FC.

Starting life in the lower divisions of the Hayes and District Sunday League, "The Brook" as they are known, now do battle in the BRITISH GAS BUSINESS LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE SOUTH AND WEST!!

As is the case with many small clubs like this, crowds are very low - as I post this, home crowds for the season average a measly 66.
Thus, their playing budget PER WEEK is in the region of £100!

Anyway, here's my "tour"of the set up:



THE CLUB HOUSE - SMALL AND ANTIQUATED, BUT ADJOINING ROOMS HOUSE SUCH THINGS AS TABLE TENNIS FOR THE YOUTH CLUBS THAT USE THIS FACILITY.



THE FAR CORNER OF THE CAR PARK - FOLLOW A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE TREE LINED STROLL FOR 20 YARDS, AND YOU'RE AT THE ONE AND ONLY TURNSTILE!!



THROUGH THE TURNSTILES - THE VIEW THAT GREETS YOU IS A BREEZE BLOCK CHANGING ROOM WITH A BURGER BAR ON THE END.
ACCESS TO THE SEATS FURTHER ALONG IS VIA A SMALL PATH AROUND THE REAR OF THIS BLOCK.



THE SMALL SEATED STAND - VIEWED FROM BEHIND THE GOAL.



AND IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, THE DUGOUTS!!



A SMALL COVERED STAND STANDS ALONE - APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN THE ARC ON THE EDGE OF THE PENALTY AREA, AND THE CENTRE CIRCLE.



CLOSE UP OF THE COVERED STANDING AREA - ONE A "GOOD" DAY, YOU'D PROBABLY GET ABOUT 30 PEOPLE IN HERE!!



THE COVERED TERRACING BEHIND THE GOAL.





THE NEXT 3 PICTURES ARE FROM THE "MINI" STAND.


VIEW 1.
THE COVERED TERRACE, CHANGING ROOMS AND THE TURNSTILE IN TO THE GROUND.



VIEW 2.
TRURO WARM UP AT THE FAR END,WHILST IN THE FOREGROUND STAND THE DUGOUTS AND ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WOODEN FENCE, LAND USED FOR TRAINING.



VIEW 3.
AFC HAYES WARM UP WITH THE SEATED STAND AND THE CHANGING ROOMS IN THE BACKGROUND.



BEHIND THE FAR GOAL - JUST A PATH, NO TERRACING - AND COMPLETELY OPEN TO THE ELEMENTS!!





THE LAST 3 PICTURES ARE THE VIEWS FROM BEHIND THE FAR GOAL.


VIEW 1.
THE DUGOUTS AND A NEAR CAPACITY CROWD IN THE STAND!!



VIEW 2.
THE SEATS ARE STARTING TO FILL UP!!



VIEW 3.
END TO END SHOT OF WHAT IS QUITE FRANKLY A SURPRISINGLY WIDE PITCH. NOTE HOW THE WHOLE GROUND SEEMS TO BE HIDDEN IN AN "ENVELOPE" OF TREES.