Match Information
-
Stapenhill 1-4 Dudley Town
-
When: Saturday 22nd April 2023
-
Kick-off: 3pm
-
Where: Edge Hill, Maple Grove, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire DE15 9NN
-
Competition: Midland League Division One
-
Attendance: 115
This completed visits for me to all the grounds in the Midland League’s two divisions within our National League System at Steps 5 and 6.
Groundhopping folklore deems it a “Champagne Job” - specific terminology coined in the 1970’s and 1980’s when travelling around the country to attend different football grounds originally became popular.
If someone managed to finish off the venues in a particular league, the idea was they would then go into the clubhouse afterwards to purchase a bottle of champagne before offering a celebratory glass to everyone else present around the bar.
I don’t know if any person actually bought the bubbly in such circumstances but it is a nice concept.
Anyway, another personal milestone in my groundhop adventures so I set off on the 240 mile round trip via the M1 motorway. Stapenhill is a village housing 8,000 residents on the Burton upon Trent outskirts.
Result of my @MidlandLeague match today -@StapenhillFC1 1@DudleyTownFC 4 Attendance 115, programme £1.50p. Football grounds visited - 2,504@NonLeaguePaper @nonleagueshow @NonLeagueCrowd @Spooleypoole pic.twitter.com/ZQJEzVAN7F
— Tony Incenzo - my 50th football season (@TonyIncenzo) April 22, 2023
I picked an attractive fixture because opponents Dudley Town were already crowned Midland League Division One champions. However, three points and three goals were needed in this final game of 2022/23 for them to reach 100 points and 100 goals respectively.
I’ve always held a soft spot for Dudley Town ever since I initially went to see them play in 1984 at The Sports Centre in Dudley. It was easily the largest Non-League stadium throughout Britain at that time possessing a 30,000 spectator capacity incorporating the splendid 1,500 seater grandstand.
Sadly, it subsequently closed down amidst safety fears due to an adjacent mining collapse. But bringing the story up to date, despite lengthy ongoing groundsharing episodes Dudley Town are currently enjoying their first league title triumph in 38 years.
Ground Description
Edge Hill is based just over three miles from local Football League outfit Burton Albion FC. I liked the traditional old-style Non-League setting at Stapenhill. There is a sturdy covered terrace potentially accommodating up to 100 spectators in the corner behind one goal.
Meanwhile, the ‘Freddie Sleigh Stand’ is named after a past club stalwart and provides seating for 200 alongside the pitch.
I noticed some seats have Burton Albion’s stickers and logos on them so these may well have been donated by the neighbouring team once they left their old stadium at Eton Park in 2005.
Incidentally. Stapenhill FC reformed in 2009 - recovering from a devastating fire which ravaged the social facilities and dressing room block.
Programme Details
On sale at the entry gate, price £1.50. Twelve pages comprising the Stapenhill chairman’s notes, match reports, statistics, a quiz, a player Q&A, away club history and the line-ups.
The Match
The home players gave Dudley Town’s title winning team their well-deserved guard of honour prior to kick-off. A tight first half saw Dan Jones put the visitors in front (35 minutes) followed by Alex Weir equalising for seventh placed Stapenhill eight minutes later.
Dudley Town eventually stepped things up to register further strikes from Daniel Danks (67 mins), Harry Crook (73 mins) and Connor Archer (82 mins) thereby amassing the desired 100 points target.
I felt it was totally fitting their much-anticipated 100th League goal came via Harry Crook’s tremendous 30 yard free-kick into the top left hand corner.
The pick of the bunch.#UTR https://t.co/mHy1qp3blk pic.twitter.com/E7vBo9lH9l
— (C) Dudley Town FC (@DudleyTownFC) April 22, 2023
Dudley Town’s noisy travelling fans displayed several colourful flags whilst belting out a varied song repertoire including “Wonder goal m’lord, wonder goal…”, “Dudley Town are massive everywhere we go…” and “Dudley Town FC from the Black Country…”
I witnessed some lovely scenes at full-time when Dudley Town’s players climbed over perimeter pitch barriers to have a commemorative photo taken amongst supporters and family members standing behind the magnificent Midland League Division One shield trophy.
The People
Stapenhill’s social media editor Adam Drew was very helpful in answering my miscellaneous matchday queries.
In addition, it was legendary reporter Brian Train’s 83rd birthday. He is rightly known locally as ‘Mr Stapenhill’ thanks to attending games week-in week-out, home and away, writing his match reports.
I also had a long chat with Dudley Town director Jon Edwards where I listened intently about his club’s newfound renaissance and future ambitions.
Jon even pointed out their most loyal devotee Ian Stanley who has amazingly watched every Dudley Town fixture since 1986.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
