Ground Hop : Carlsberg SWPL Press Release

[Dave Deacon]

Carlsberg South West Peninsula League Press Release

Easter Ground Hop 2016

The Ground-Hoppers are heading back to the South West with organized Easter Hops scheduled for 2016 and 2018. (The 2018 event will be based in Devon)

This event attracts hundreds of “Ground-Hoppers”, serious aficionados of the game whose hobby sees them watch the beautiful game at as many different grounds as possible. Many of them have seen football at over 1,000 different venues & more.

They travel from all parts of the UK and also from Europe with the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden in particular seeing a strong interest in the pastime.

We expect around 300 hoppers to descend on us at Easter, with some games expected to attract at least double that attendance as a lot of local derby matches are included.

Although there are many Ground Hops staged throughout the year, the Easter event is the main one and started in the Northern League 22 years ago. It transferred to the old Devon & South Western Leagues for 6 years from 1997 to 2002 and has visited occasionally since, the last time being in 2011.

This year’s event is sure to attract high numbers as the fact the grounds are so far off the beaten track only adds to the appeal. Also six of the seven venues have never previously been on a ground hop.

The host clubs all stand to benefit from bumper crowds with most hoppers also keen to purchase programmes and badges as souvenirs as well as admission money & refreshments.

The main base for accommodation & coach travel will be St Austell – chosen for its central location, range of accommodation and being on the main rail line. In addition Wendron United have opened up there Underlane ground to campers (contact Wendron direct to book this, Kevin138956@hotmail.co.uk ) Two full sized coaches will also ferry around hoppers who don’t wish to drive, departing and dropping off each day from St Austell railway station.

The event starts on Maundy Thursday (24th March) with a Premier local derby between St Austell and St Blazey (7.45pm kick off to allow people to travel down).

Good Friday sees us go West as we start with Illogan RBL v Penryn Athletic with an 11am kick off and then at 3pm we take in Wendron United v Porthleven before completing the day with a 7pm start at Helston Athletic who host near neighbours Falmouth Town in a Premier Division game under the new Kellaway Park floodlights.

Saturday sees the coaches head East as we start off at Sticker for a 10.30am kick off with Wadebridge Town before a short journey to St Dennis who host Millbrook at 1.15pm. We then trek to Bude Town to complete the weekend as they host neighbours Holsworthy with a 4.45pm kick off time, allowing those wishing to go straight home to be on the A30 by 7pm !

Hoppers wishing to attend are asked to purchase an advance ticket which costs just £30 and includes admission to all seven matches as well as an information pack with directions etc. In addition a coach ticket for the weekend costs just £33 with booking of that in advance being essential. Coach spaces are limited to 100 spaces (2 coaches) and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

A booking form is below, this must be returned by 1st March at the latest.

Schedule:

Maundy Thursday 24th March:

7.45pm SWP Premier St Austell v St Blazey

Good Friday 25th March:

11am SWP West Illogan RBL v Penryn Athletic

3pm SWP West Wendron United v Porthleven

7pm SWP Premier Helston Athletic v Falmouth Town

Saturday 26th March:

10.30am SWP West Sticker v Wadebridge Town

1.15pm SWP West St Dennis v Millbrook

4.45pm SWP West Bude Town v Holsworthy

Edited November 12, 2015 by Dave Deacon