A VISIT TO THE WELLESLEY

Sea conditions - "Choppy"

The cold end has always been a big fan of the British seaside and Great Yarmouth is certainly a town which typifies this phrase. Two piers and the golden mile seafront filled with enough arcade machines you can possibly think of along with donkey rides on the beach and just a few fish and chip shops along the way!! Junior Cold End (aged 4) and Junior Cold End mark 2 (aged 2) certainly enjoyed their time on the Norfolk coast over the last week.  

Fans of the beautiful game up and down the country may not be aware that the coastal town is also home to the oldest football grandstand still in existence and use today.  It was opened in June 1892 and as well as being visually brilliant it’s also a very important piece of history for not only the Town but football across England in my opinion.

Being what some people may describe as a sad anorak type I got quite excited when I first saw the main stand which looked amazing in the Autumn sunshine last Saturday afternoon.  Without doubt it’s instantly become one of the cold end’s favourite football stands.  

Views of the main stand at The Wellesley

The Bloaters as they are nicknamed entertained Hadleigh United with both teams struggling for form in the Premier Division of the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League. Going into the game the home side had only won one game in their sixteen league and cup games losing their last two games 2-8 and 0-5. They were in bottom place by virtue of goal difference below Wivenhoe Town.

The visitors from Suffolk were five places above with six wins in seventeen league and cup games. One of the six was an opening day victory over Great Yarmouth Town at Millfield. They had also played Ryman Division One (North) Heybridge Swifts in the FA Cup losing 1-4 at their home ground.

The game, played in front of 59 spectators was a somewhat scrappy (the wind blowing across the pitch didn't help!!) but entertaining affair with all the highlights below –



Tomorrow afternoon Great Yarmouth Town visit Wivenhoe Town for a  battle of the basement boys whilst Hadleigh United make another trip to the coast but this time play The Bloater's arch rivals from across the River Yare in Gorleston.

As well as the two league derby (Boxing day and Easter Bank Holiday) games between Gorleston and Great Yarmouth Town this season there is also an eagerly anticipated Norfolk Senior Cup tie to be played on Friday 25^th November 2011. The game should hopefully attract a healthy crowd at Gorleston's Emerald Park ground.