A successful Groundhop weekend
Sun 10th March 2019 | General | By Ian Templeman
The 2019 Groundhop weekend ended a little earlier than planned, but was none the less pronounced a success by both the organisers and all those who attended games.
Unfortunately, the final scheduled game of the weekend, between Irlam and West Didsbury & Chorlton fell foul of the weather, meaning that the curtain came down on the weekend at Rylands on Sunday lunchtime.
From the opening game at Barnton on Friday night, through Saturday at Bootle, Litherland REMYCA, Lower Breck and St Helens Town, and finishing up at Rylands, all the host clubs enjoyed their highest attendances of the season.
Groundhop UK's Chris Berezai and Lawrence Reade both said that the hundreds of non-league fans who travelled from across the country to attend the games had really enjoyed the event.
Chris said: "It's been brilliant and the clubs have done really well. The crowds have been excellent and it has shown the league in a very positive light.
"Groundhoppers tend to go to games at Steps 1 to 6 of the pyramid, and there is a very definite divide between Step 6 and Step 7, so new clubs coming in to Step 6 are a big appeal to groundhoppers.
"So having Lower Breck on Saturday, and Rylands on Sunday, and perhaps to an extent Litherland REMYCA because they haven't been in the league very long, has been really good.
"We have been really impressed at how good the clubs have been, and I think the attendances averaged out at around 300 per game, which is really good".
Lawrence added: "We have tended to find over the years that often it's the smaller clubs, that aren't used to getting a big crowd like you can get on a groundhop weekend, that really put the effort it.
"Every club needs a financial boost, and we've given them a boost, and more power to their elbow, because they really put the effort in and have reaped the rewards.
"I think it would be very remiss of us not to mention the efforts of Lower Breck especially, whose attitude and hospitality was at times humbling.
"I've gone to enough grounds in my life, but they are one club whose results I will now always look out for.
"One of their committee men was shaking everyone's hand as they left, which is a great impression to make, but I have to also say that there isn't a single club who took part that hasn't covered themselves in glory".
A successful Groundhop weekend
Sun 10th March 2019 | General
By Ian Templeman
The 2019 Groundhop weekend ended a little earlier than planned, but was none the less pronounced a success by both the organisers and all those who attended games.
Unfortunately, the final scheduled game of the weekend, between Irlam and West Didsbury & Chorlton fell foul of the weather, meaning that the curtain came down on the weekend at Rylands on Sunday lunchtime.
From the opening game at Barnton on Friday night, through Saturday at Bootle, Litherland REMYCA, Lower Breck and St Helens Town, and finishing up at Rylands, all the host clubs enjoyed their highest attendances of the season.
Groundhop UK's Chris Berezai and Lawrence Reade both said that the hundreds of non-league fans who travelled from across the country to attend the games had really enjoyed the event.
Chris said: "It's been brilliant and the clubs have done really well. The crowds have been excellent and it has shown the league in a very positive light.
"Groundhoppers tend to go to games at Steps 1 to 6 of the pyramid, and there is a very definite divide between Step 6 and Step 7, so new clubs coming in to Step 6 are a big appeal to groundhoppers.
"So having Lower Breck on Saturday, and Rylands on Sunday, and perhaps to an extent Litherland REMYCA because they haven't been in the league very long, has been really good.
"We have been really impressed at how good the clubs have been, and I think the attendances averaged out at around 300 per game, which is really good".
Lawrence added: "We have tended to find over the years that often it's the smaller clubs, that aren't used to getting a big crowd like you can get on a groundhop weekend, that really put the effort it.
"Every club needs a financial boost, and we've given them a boost, and more power to their elbow, because they really put the effort in and have reaped the rewards.
"I think it would be very remiss of us not to mention the efforts of Lower Breck especially, whose attitude and hospitality was at times humbling.
"I've gone to enough grounds in my life, but they are one club whose results I will now always look out for.
"One of their committee men was shaking everyone's hand as they left, which is a great impression to make, but I have to also say that there isn't a single club who took part that hasn't covered themselves in glory".
