THE AROUNDTHEGROUNDS CHARITY BLOGS LAST ANNUAL DAY ENDS IN A HIGH
It aims is to get more people to come and look at the Non League game in the Nottinghamshire Senior League and do clubs in the league their first ever progreramme and badge, but most of all, its raise awarenss of small charities and raise as much as I can each season.
Saturdays games were arranged a year ago, with Jess Munroe kindly offering me Basford United FC's ground free of charge for the day, then it was a matter of getting 2 squads and 2 team,s to play the selection of Nottinghamshire Senior League players from all different clubs, the emails to different companies for raffle and tombola prizes.
This year Basford Reserves stepped up to the plate and said they would play us in the morning a Under 23's team, I didnt know unntil later on that they were the best youth team in England winning the National Youth Cup beating several football league teams, then I went along to a charity match and saw a newly formed team called Edwalton FC, a team where the majority of their players had lost babies.
Edwalton's cause hit me hard, as we buried a 5 day old grandson some years ago, so of course this was one team I said yes straight away to.
In January this year, I had a couple of health set backs and I knew thast this years event would have to be my last, but that doesnt mean I will be giving up the Charity Blog, it just means Ive got slow down alot and have more rest and less stress.
The prizes began to come in and the poster was kindly done by the programme Editor Jon Knight of Retford FC, people soon responded they were coming, but I was struggling to get players as they were on holiday or wanted a rest or was working, but the management team of Arnold Town FC, esp Ash Marshall who has been my sidekick as the manager all the years through, pulled in other Arnold Town managers from the newly formed Development Team that has just entered in to the Nottinghamshire Senior League Development Division, most of the players it would be their first ever game as a adult.
The crowd arrived 1 by one from as far as Isle of Wight to Kent to Manchester and even more north, east and west for a fun packed day.
Hickory's Smokehouse a local business arrived with a stall selling their world famous sauces that they put on their steaks, also giving out free popcorn and flags to the kids and hopefully putting their business on the map. HIckory's Smokehouse have supported us with a prize every year and it was really good for them to turn up on the day with their stall and actually meet them
The 1st match kicked off at 11am and at half time, I was quite pleassed as on the turnstitles Id only seen Basdford score once, so I said that wasnt a bad half with us only losing 1-0, then someone said, ermmm its 5-0 Rob lol Well the game gave the lads a run out and Basford ran out 9-1 victors.
The Second Match was a much closer game with the over 23's from many clubs in the Nottinghamshire Senior League, Edwalton ran out winning the match 3-2 with their keeper being named as player of the match, but from all reports the game had everything in it, but I was so pleased to see some of the comments about the goal of the game on Twitter and through word of Mouth for Will Cox, Will like myself had a heart attack early last season and was at death door and we have stayed in touch, he has played in every charity match, but I didnt want to bother him this year as he hasnt played for Calverton, out the blue he rang me to ask if the charity match was on, as I guess he had this feeling of in future years of what if I could have played one more season well like all the other players from ther Nottingamshire Senior League, he paid his donation and was there with a smile on his face and a post he did on Facebook a few days before was coming down and support the event and it was a place he never thought he would be. When I got home, I realised he hadnt stayed for his medal but when I contacted him, his reply was well that goal was my medal.
After the Edwalton match, I gave them their share of the gate and their manager/organiser took over the mic to say how thee club was only formed last year and expressed his thanks to everyone.
So whats next you may ask, well on Saturday 16th August, Elston United FC moved to their new ground and I will be doing their 1st ever programme and badge, I will still be taking donations from clubs and players and people if they wish to do a bank transfer to keep the Blog going. Im thinking of doing a video with a round up of the Nottinghamshire Senior League results at about 5.30pm or on the way home from a match Ive attended and get them on to the Nottinghamshire Senior League Facebook page and Twittere page and also on here, maybe the odd interview as long as some people dont act daft or swear, we will have to see.
We havent counted up as yet but we think we have raised around £1,400 to add to the running total, as I did a quick count last night but it was late and I was tired and counted 2 different totals out by around 20 odd pounds, so going to recount it all to add to the running total in theee next few days when Ive been done to the bank.
Again thankyou for everyones support, I just cant name everyone from players, clubs, refs, supporters, parents, hoppers etc
