Bremer SV 1, Habenhauser 1 (02/12/2017 13:00) - Bremenliga (Oberliga - Tier 5)

When visiting friends in Germany I try to catch a game if I can. The consensus was, however, that 50 euros to watch a poor Werder Bremen team was way too expensive. This left me looking around for other games to watch and so I settled on catching an Oberliga game. For a brief discussion on the German football pyramid - see below.

After seeing friends in Bremen, myself and my Hannover based friend made way to the Stadion am Panzenberg, to see a 'Bremen Premier League' game. Unfortunately, due to the the wet playing surface, a sign at the turnstile told us that the match had been relocated to the plastic pitch of their training ground, some 10 minutes away. Thankfully we had given ourselves plenty of time and we made it to Hohweg with sufficient minutes left prior to kick-off to grab a gluwein from the club bar.

Having paid our €6 to enter 'the ground' we stood with our backs to the wire fencing, 3 metres from the unbarriered playing surface. From this vantage point it was clear to see that this facility would not be of sufficient standard to host an English Step 7 game.

The home team, sitting proudly at the head of the table, were hosting a mid-table team, but we were initially confused as to which team was which as Bremer were wearing their red away strip.

The match itself was quite entertaining with lots of chances for both sides. Bremer looked like the better footballing side throughout but had to come from behind to get a well deserved point.

The first corner of the game on 20 minutes brought the visitors their goal. Near post, and unmarked, a player confidently glanced a header past the 'keeper.

It took Bremer a further 50 minutes to get their equaliser. A lovely ball was dinked into the box ahead of the onrushing striker who slotted the ball past the 'keeper from 9 yards out, slightly to the left of centre.

It is always difficult to make comparisons, but the standard looked like an English Tier 9 equivalent.

After standing in near freezing conditions for 90 minutes we were happy to get back to a warm car. Unfortunately on the way back home our warm car was pranged by a driver of a Volkswagon.

The German football pyramid is different from the English system. It is complicated by the German federal state system.

The Bundesliga and Zweite Bundesliga equate to our Premier League and League Championship respectively but then significant differences are seen.

The Dritte Liga (our Football League 1st Division (tier 3)) can contain the second teams of bigger clubs. And second teams, and even third teams, of bigger clubs can appear in the two steps below this level.

The Regionalliga sits at tier 4. As the name suggests it is regionalised (unlike the English tier 4). It is made up of 5 leagues (4 regional leagues and the de-facto Bavarian federal state 'premier league'). If this were the case in England an English Regionalliga would consist of teams from League 2, Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South and the second teams of bigger clubs.

Sitting below the Regionalliga are the 14 Oberliga leagues (some of which are the de-facto federal state premier leagues).

End of season play-offs decide promotions from the Regionalliga. Winning a league is not enough to guarantee promotion.

Some Oberliga league winners get automatic promotion to the Regionaliga, while others have to enter a play-off competition. This is due to the fact that some Oberliga are weaker than others.

Below tier 5 the system is even less clearly defined than the English system, as each federal state run leagues under their jurisdiction. Typically there are the Verbansliga, Landesligas (federal divisions), Bezirksligas (county leagues) and Kreisliga (district leagues).

Derbyshire Teams and their Grounds 2017/2018

By the end of 2015 I had seen all the Derbyshire teams that play in the top 9 tiers of the English football pyramid, at home, in league action.

By the end of 2016 I had seen all Derbyshire (first) teams that feature in the top 11 tiers (professional and semi-professional standard) play some sort of competitive fixture (either home or away).

For the sake of completeness I thought that watching a game on all of the grounds, that the tier 10 and 11 teams call home, would be a fitting way to wrap up my Derbyshire odyssey.

But just what is a Derbyshire team?

From my point of view here are the determining factors:

1) Do the team play their home games within the ceremonial county boundary? and, if not,
2) Does the team have an affiliation to a Derbyshire location AND are affiliated the Derbyshire Football Association?

My definition makes Sheffield FC a Derbyshire team as criteria 1 is satisfied. My definition makes Ashbourne FC a Derbyshire team as criteria 2 is satisfied (although they play their home games in Staffordshire).

By autumn 2017 I had seen all current Derbyshire teams play and had seen games played on the grounds that they call 'home'. Below is a list of the Derbyshire first teams, their current league and level (as of the 2017/18 season) and their 'home' grounds I have seen games on.

Derby County (T2 - Football League Championship)
- Pride Park and The Baseball Ground
Chesterfield (T4 - Football League, League 2)
- Saltergate and The Proact Stadium 
Alfreton Town (T6 - National League, North)
- The Impact Arena, North Street
Buxton (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
- Silverlands
Mickleover Sports (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
- Don Amott Arena
Matlock Town (T7 - Northern Premier League, Premier Division)
- Causeway Lane
Glossop North End  (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division North)
- Arthur Goldthorpe Stadium, Surrey Street
Sheffield FC (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division South)
- Coach and Horses Ground, The Home of Football
Belper Town (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division South)
- Christchurch Meadow
Gresley (T8 - Northern Premier League, First Division South)
- Moat Ground
Heanor Town (T9 - Midland Football League, Premier Division)
- Town Ground
Long Eaton United (T9 - Midland Football League, Premier Division)
- Grange Park
South Normanton Athletic (T9 - Midland Football League, Premier Division)
- Lees Lane
Staveley Miners Welfare (T9 - Northern Counties East League, Premier Division)
- Inkersall Road
Shirebrook Town (T10 - Northern Counties East League Division One)
- Langwith Road
Dronfield Town (T10 - Northern Counties East League Division One)
- Stonelow Fields
FC Bolsover (T10 - Northern Counties East League Division One)
- Langwith Road
Ilkeston Town phoenix club of Ilkeston FC (T10 - Midland Football League, Premier Division One)
- New Manor Ground
Belper United (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
- Christchurch Meadow and Anderson Electrical Arena (Asterdale)
Graham Street Prims (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
- Asterdale
Borrowash Victoria (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
- Anderson Electrical Arena (Asterdale)
Stapenhill (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
- Edge Hill
Holbrook Sports (T10 - East Midlands Counties League)
- Shaw Lane
New Mills (T10 - North West Counties League, First Division)
- Church Lane
Clay Cross Town (T11 - Central Midlands League North Division)
- Mill Lane
Tideswell United (T11 - Central Midlands League North Division)
- Tideswell Sports Complex
Mickleover RBL (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
- Poppyfields
Hilton Harriers (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
- The Mease Pavilion and Etwall Leisure Centre
AFC Kilburn (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
- Kilburn Welfare
Swanwick Pentrich Road (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
- Highfield Road
Pinxton (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
- Van Elle Welfare Arena
Holbrook St Michaels (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
- Holbrook Park
Ashbourne (T11 - Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division)
- Hillsfield (Rocester)
Sandiacre Town (T11 - Nottinghamshire Senior League)
- St Giles Park
Whaley Bridge (T11 - Cheshire Football League)
- Park Road

In addition I have seen:

South Normanton Town (T11 - Central Midlands League South Division)
Technically the second team of South Normanton Athletic that play on the same ground

But not:

Staveley, Dronfield and Matlock 'official' reserve teams who also play in the CMFL.

Teams that have either fallen from Tier 11 or have disbanded since 2014 are:

Chapel Town (now play in the Manchester League at Tier 12 - not seen)
Mickleover Royals (disbanded - not seen)
Gamesley FC (disbanded - seen in the Derbyshire Senior Cup in Belper)
Glapwell FC (disbanded and became FC Bolsover - not seen)
Allenton United (disbanded and reformed to play in the MRA for a season - saw in the MRA at Moorways in Derby)
Aston United (left the Nottinghamshire Senior League - seen in the Derbyshire Senior Cup and used to play at Ilkeston's ground)

Dronfield Town 0, Grimsby Borough 2 (04/10/2017 19:45) - NCEL Division 1

I watched Dronfield play previously in a Derbyshire Senior Cup game at Hilton's Mease Pavilion ground. I had never been to their Stonelow ground but a midweek game in the Step 6 Northern Counties East League Division One allowed me to rectify this oversight.

Although I had already seen all the Derbyshire first teams that play in the top eleven tiers of English football, I had not seen games played on all of their grounds. Today allowed me to complete a fairly unique double.

The game itself saw 18th place Dronfield host 4th place Grimsby Borough at a Stonelow ground that was quite tidy with a small stand that was filled with spectators that appeared to be, mostly, from Grimsby. The pitch slightly sloped away, width ways, from the stand and a smell of mothballs filled the air, reminding me of the gasworks clean-up jobs by company gets involved in.

The rain came down and the pitch got skiddy. Tackles went flying in and the referee was kept busy with the issuing of yellow cards.

Grimsby looked the better side throughout but it took them 'til mid-way through the second half to take the lead. A diagonal, defence splitting, pass from the right was perfectly weighted for the striker to run onto, and from 8 yards out, to the left of goal, it was calmly dispatched.

Ten minutes from time and the win was sealed. A cross from the left wing found the striker on the penalty spot and a composed finish saw the ball fly past the left hand of the 'keeper.

A stroll up hill back to the car park and an hours' drive got me home.

Holbrook Sports 1, Radford 0 (30/09/2017 15:00) - EMC League

Another trip to a new venue took me to Holbrook's APC Sealants Shaw Lane Ground to see Sports host Radford in a Step 6, East Midlands Counties League fixture.

Holbrook had started the league season better than Radford (6 wins out of 10 and 3 wins out of 10 respectively) and had a good cup win under their belt, the dispatching of Step 5 side Heanor Town from the FA Vase competition. I was therefore confident that the Derbyshire team would overcome their Nottingham challengers today.

On arrival at the ground the slope of the pitch was most notable, and then that the ground met the bare minimum Step 6 standard. We were, however, very glad of the covered areas that the requirements demand as it was a showery autumnal afternoon.

Sports chose to take advantage of the slope at the toss; a decision that paid off as they went into the interval a goal to the good. The goal for scored by the fast and skillful number 10, who, after a defensive headed clearance arrived in front of him on the edge of the box, struck an unstoppable left foot volley past the 'keeper.

Radford had the better of the second-half, with the advantage of the slope with them, but they were unable to convert the chances that they made and when the target was hit the excellent Sports 'keeper managed to keep the ball out.

Myself and my father were impressed with the skill and energy of both teams and despite the rain we were very much entertained.

Ashbourne 4, Hanley Town 2 (20/09/2017 19:30) - Staffordshire Senior County League

Ashbourne FC are another one of those Derbyshire clubs that I have seen play as an away side. I had not been to the ground that they call 'home'. Tonight was a great opportunity to rectify that.

Their former home, the 'Ashbourne Recreation Ground', was not of 'Step 7' standard and as such their progression has necessitated a 'home' venue suitable for the eleventh tier of English football; and so, for the time being, Ashbourne play at Rocester's Hillsfield Ground, seven miles southwest of 'The Gateway to Dove Dale', in Staffordshire.

Like Belper Town's Christchurch Meadow, Hillsfield sits in the shadow of a Mill, an Arkwright Mill of 1782. The ground itself is tidy and sufficient for the needs of the both Ashbourne FC and their landlords, 'The Romans', a Midland League (Step 5) team.

I was not expecting a classic by any means. Both Ashbourne and Hanley had made very average starts to the season, with the teams 5th from bottom and 3rd from bottom respectively.

A small crowd of 20 or so were treated to six goals shared, albeit unevenly, between two very youthful teams. Both teams had energy but were lacking in the strength, experience and composure that one sees in a typical Central Midlands League game.

Ashbourne had the territorial advantage for the majority of the 90 minutes but it was Hanley, playing on the break with fast moves, that had the better chances early-doors. A flicked header lead to chance from the edge of the box and a decent effort struck the crossbar. Minutes later Hanley were ahead from a free-kick.

Ashbourne deservedly levelled before the interval and then pretty much bossed the second-half.

The goals are described thus:

0:1 A free-kick in a central position, some 30 yards out, was fiercely struck and a deflection took the ball past the 'keeper's left hand.
1:1 Following some good build up play down the right, a lovely flicked pass inside the box opened up the defence for the striker to find the far corner of the goal, across the 'keeper, from 9 yards out.
2:1 A shot from 25 yards thundered against the cross bar, came down and out with the 'keeper floundering. Number 9 followed up the shot and calmly nodded the ball, unchallenged, past the 'keeper.
3:1 In a left of centre position, 20 yards out, a spinning right foot shot beat the 'keeper low down at the near post.
4:1 A good run down the right was followed by a driving cross. Number 10, running onto the cross, fired home low to the 'keeper's right from 6 yards.
4:2 A shot from a central position in a crowded box found its way through the (otherwise exemplary) 'keeper.

Pinxton 2, Linby Colliery Welfare 1 (16/09/2017 15:00) - CMFL South

With the addition of Kilburn, made the other week, I have seen all Derbyshire (first) teams (that feature in the top 11 tiers of the English footballing pyramid) play competitive fixtures. Some of teams I have seen play have been as 'away teams' and as such I have not seen their home grounds.

The grounds missing from my 'hop' list are Dronfield's, Ashbourne's and Holbrook Sports'. I have been to South Normanton's ground (albeit for an amateur game) and Aston United (who have dropped out of competitive football this season) used to ground-share with Ilkeston, and so these have been ticked off my list.

The game today allows me to tick off Pinxton's Van Elle Arena.

Here, I should mention Renishaw Rangers. Renishaw is a Derbyshire village; their Chesterfield and District Sunday League side has been allowed into the CMFL North Division because they have managed to get the keys to a ground beyond the Derbyshire border. The fact that they do not play home games in Derbyshire and also as they are affiliated to the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA, I am discounting them as a pukka 'Derbyshire' team.

In addition to seeing Pinxton's ground I was looking forward to seeing a decent game. Both teams had made good starts to the season (Pinxton 2nd and Linby 3rd in the table prior to kick-off).

I was very impressed with Pinxton's ground; a very flat surface cut into the hill behind the social club. The match attracted a decent sized crowd on this intermittently sunny and overcast day.

In the first half Pinxton had the territorial advantage but Linby took the lead shortly before half-time. Pinxton looked dead and buried on 50 minutes when the substitute was shown a straight red for kicking out at an opponent who had put in a good tackle against him.

Pinxton were now the team playing on the break, soaking up pressure and thanking their lucky stars for some poor Linby finishing. But, with their Heanor Town recruits of Cooper and Keano, Pinxton pulled the game out of the bag with two good goals.

The goals are described thus:

0:1 The tricky number 10, on the angle of the box, played a lovely ball through to the big number 9, out left at an angle 8 yards out from goal. The low shot went under a defender and beat the 'keeper at the near post.
1:1 A similar goal to the first. A ball from the right to the unmarked number 15 was nicely controlled and passed into the net across the 'keeper.
2:1 A poor clearance from the 'keeper left him stranded on the edge of the box as his cleared ball landed at the feet of a Pinxton player, some 40 yards out. The 'keeper could just watch as a looping shot sailed back over his head and into the net.

AFC Kilburn 2, Aslockton & Orston 1 (02/09/2017 15:00) - CMFL South

As Kilburn had applied to play in the Central Midlands League, from the Midlands Regional Alliance, and had been accepted, it meant that this was a team that I needed to see, having seen all Step 7 + Derbyshire teams to date.

I drove up to the Leedale Park ground in Kilburn, on a lovely late summer afternoon, to watch their clash with their Notts. visitors. Both clubs are new to the league (from lower standards) and as such I wasn't expecting a classic to be played out at this lovely little ground.

The game started out quite evenly but as the visitors tired Kilburn began to dominated (and they could have won more comfortably if they took their two good late chances) and eventually deserved their first win out of the four they had played to date.

At the ground I bumped into Groundhopper Chris and it was, as always, nice to catch up with the league gossip.

The goals are described thus:

1:0 Ball cleared from the Aslockton box, only as far as the Kilburn defensive midfielder, number 6, who, with a lovely right footed volley from 25 yards, found the top corner beyond the right hand of the 'keeper.
1:1 A foul in the box, on the Aslockton right, gave the visitors a penalty. A right footed strike found the back of the net to the right of the 'keeper.
2:1 Poor defending, following a cross from the Kilburn left, resulted in the Kilburn number 7 being handed a good shooting chance. From 10 yards out , to the right of goal, number 7 struck the ball sweetly over the 'keeper.