About The Charity Blog

The Charity Blog, we have chosen is SAMS WORKPLACE, which supports both adults & children with special needS. Every goal, I see during the year , I will donate 25p in to the aroundthegrounds charity bank account. Any donations how ever how small are always very grateful. Many of the Non League world know my son Shawn with autism.

Saturday, 14 February 2026

CITY CONTINUE WINNING STREAK

 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League: Division Three

CITY UNITED FC 6 EAST LEAKE ROBINS RESERVES 3



Having not been to a match for nearly a month, due to illness, I was greatful to get out and about and back of the side of a pitch. City United were chosen as January's 2026 Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Team of the Month and with so many fixtures called off, they play on a 3g pitch on Glebe Lane at South Nottinghamshire Academy in Radcliffe on Trent.

On arival, I was greeted by the City's Chairman/player Damiloma Sanusi and did the team of the monthn video for the Notts Senior League Facebook Page and then the team photo.



I met the match referee Curtis Bowles and his match observer(who stood with me at pitchside throughout the match Adam Orchiston), also spoke to a chap who had caught 3 buses from Burton Upon Trent.

The match kicked off and it was City on the front foot, playing some fast football and after just 8 minutes, they made the breakthrough, when a cross from the right wing, came in to the box and OLABOYE ALEGBELEYE.

The Robins pressed forward but on 15 minutes were caught and OLABOYE ALEGBELEYE beat the offside trap to finish to put his side 2-0 up.

On 23 minutes, things got worse for the visitors, when OLABOYE ALEGBELEYE completed his hat trick.

Half time came and it was time to drink my flask of tea, before drinking it all and early in the second half, infact in the 49th minute EMMANUEL UYIOSA curled a lovely shot past the Robins keeper, but then from kick off East Leake lost the ball and Chairman/player of City United made it 5-0 with a low struck shot from 25 yards.

In the 57th minute, FRASER HOLDEN won the ball in his own half and sprinted down the left wing before netting his side in to a 6-0 lead.

I was wondering how many it would be, but to the visitors credit in the 63rd minute, REISE LILL tapped home from inside the six yard box. This seeemed lift the Robins as in the 65th minute, they scored again, when CAMERON ROBERTS scored after a scramble in the area.

East Leake then had several chances to reduce the arrears and a few dangerous free kicks thaat went wayward, but in the 87th minute from the visitors free kick, the home keeper spilled the ball and ZAC MADDEN was at hand to poke the ball home to make it 6-3 to City United.

A good game played in the right respectful manner and the referee in my opinion had a good game.

The Charity Blog is in aid of SAMS WORKPLACE which helps and supports young adults will alsorts of special needs, helping with work experiance, D of E, mixing with the community on local farms etc.

After todays match, the City United Chairman Damiloma found £5 on the pitch and the East Leake manager also agreed to donate it to the charity blog, so with the 9 goals scored, it now takes the Charity Blog's running total to a AMAZING £3,196.32p

If you would like to make a donation, no matter how large or small, you can do a bank transfer to

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

To view the 102 photos from the match, please click the LINK

Saturday, 20 December 2025

COLTS SHOOT IN TO TOP THREE FOR CHRISTMAS

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE

MEDEN VALE COLTS FC 2 GRANTHAM TOWN RESERVES FC 0



Before todays match, the presentation of Eurosoccer Team of the Month for November was made to Meden Vale Colts FC,  who have been on a impressive run of form and discipline, this continued today and helped them climb in to the top three in the Division with a 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Grantham Town Reserves.

The game began very even with both sides cancelling each other out, with both young goalkeepers not really being forced in to action. The game altered when the visitors seemed to lose their discipline a bit and had their captain sent to the sin bin, closely followed by a sub and then their manager seeing red.

Whilst down to nine players, Vale got a corner on the right hand side that wasnt cleared and the ball was drove in by GEORGE CAMPS in the 36th minute, at this stage, Grantham had their backs to the wall, as the homesters pushed forward and the 17 year old keeper was in fine form pushing a few excellent efforts round the post.

The Second Half began with Town still down to play with 10 players for 3 minutes, but the Colts tails were up and pushing forward but Town were also pressing on the break, this left gaps at the back and  in 71st minute, they were punished when JOSHUA BRENTNALL fired home and wrapped up the points.

The game at times could have spilt over but the referee did a great job in controlling the game.

The Charity Blog is in aid of  SAMS WORKPLACE, which helps and supports all special needs youth, helping with work experiance, D of E, Help in the community etc. The running  total stands at a staggering £3,189.07p

If you would like to make a donation to the CHARITY BLOG for such a good cause, you can do via bank transfer to

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

TO VIEW THE 69 PHOTOS FROM THE MATCH, PLEASE CLICK THIS LINK

Sunday, 14 December 2025

COTGRAVE RESERVES LAST GASP DRAMITIC WINNER IN THE CUP

 NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FA SENIOR TROPHY ROUND THREE

AFC PARABELLUM 2 COTGRAVE RESERVES 3



Before the match, AFC Parabellum was presented with the Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Team of the Month for October 2025, they were a few players short as some were still in Holland after watching Nottingham Forest play in Europe on Thursday evening. After a video with the two managers and the team photo and a chat with todays ref Andrew Sargent, I went over to the far siiide of the pitch to take photos before being  joined for the game by local hopper Martin McHale.

Botth team,s came in to the tie in good form but not played for several weeks due to the poor weather we have had and the pitch was very heavy going for the tie.

The game started off frantic with bith sides pressing forward, but after 7 minutes, a Cotgrave corner kick by JORDAN HOPKINSON from the right hand side eluded everyone and clipped the back post and bounced in to the net to give the visitors the lead.

Back pressed AFC with chances going astray and Cotgrave could well have in creased their advantage, when awarded a penalty on 10 minutes, but the penalty taker hit the ball that hard and high, Ive had as look in my back garden in Mansfield, but the ball isnrt there.

This looked like it may be costly to the visitors, when 3 minute later a mix up at the back saw the home number 9 take advanttage  and shoot from the edge of the box in to the corner to level things up.

Again both teams pressed two and fro and in the 2nd minute, the visitors somehow were back in front, when HARRY ADLAM WOOD got the ball on the left side of the halfway line and just seemed to belt it one towards the home sides area, the keeper seemed to have caught it, but then did a juggling act and dropped it in to his own net, but Harry didnt mind as he claimed the goal, by doing a lap of honour around the pitch.

Half time was edging closer and Parabellum got a corner on the right side that bounced round the area before the big NUMBER 8 volleyed home the equaliser from the 6 yard box.

The Second Half saw chance after chance missed by both sides and both trainers had to enter the pitch no end of times, some players were down with cramp, others injured and trying to run them off, so there was quite a bit of injury time, so on the 90th minute at 2-2 it looked like the dreaded penalties lottery was to happen, until 3 minutes in to injury time, Cotgrave won a free kick some 35 yards out and up stepped TOM  GODWIN who bent it hit and round the home wall giving the keeper no chance of reaching it.

A really fantastic tie played in the right spirit by both good teams and must give credit to the match official Andrew Sargent who let the game run where he used the advantage and pulled it back if not and had a superb match.

The Charity Blog is in aid of  SAMS WORKPLACE, which helps and supports all special needs youth, helping with work experiance, D of E, Help in the community etc. The running  total stands at a staggering £3,188.57p

If you would like to make a donation to the CHARITY BLOG for such a good cause, you can do via bank transfer to

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

To view 79 photos from the tie, please click this LINK


Saturday, 22 November 2025

VERSION OF GROUNDHOP DAY AT THE VINEYARD

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE LEAGUE: DIVISION THREE

TRENT VINEYARD FC 1 -3 NOTTS CITY RANGERS

Att: 41 headcount

Not having seen much of the match, as we set the programme and badge stall under cover where pitch 2 was round several corners to find, I thought I would ask Hull based Groundhopper Dave Philipson to write about his day, so Id like to thank him and he has added a few photos on Facebook as well.

I will of course take back over the blog at the end of how much we raised and a running total for Sam's Workplace and if you would like to make a donation to the Charity Blog.


Trent Vineyard 1-3 Notts City Rangers, Nottinghamshire Senior League Division Three, Chilwell Olympia Sports Centre Pitch no 2, Bye Pass Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, 22/11/2025. Admission free, programme £2, metal badges (for both clubs) £4 each, 2025-26 match no 35, ground no 1,811.
The latest of Rob Hornby's excellent NSL Groundhop Days took place today, this time at Division Three side Trent Vineyard. On a damp, drizzly day, the trip didn't get off to the best of starts, with the train from Hull setting off 20 minutes late, meaning I missed my original connection in Sheffield. Changing at Sheffield and Derby, I arrived in Beeston around fifty minutes late, but still with enough time tto wandwr round Beeston, beforre making my way to the ground. The ground is part of the Chilwell Olympia Sports Centre, situated behind Chilwell School, and consists of around five football pitches. This game took place on pitch no 2, and was roped off on the far side, with hedges behind, whilst the rest was just grass standing. The game was very competitive, with both sides having chances on what was a fairly heavy pitch. It was the visitors who broke the deadlock after 25 minutes, with a fine headed goal from Connaire Seery. They doubled their lead in the 65th minute through Luke Hallam, before Trent Vineyard pulled a goal back with Samuel Ageyi scoring. However, the visitors made sure of all three points in the 75th minute , when substitute Ryan Robinson scored to give the viditors a 3-1 victory. An excellent day out, despite the weather, and thanks must go to my friend Rob Hornby for yet another well organised Groundhop Day.

Many thanks to Dave #hullhopper

The next Groundhop Day will be in a while due to my daughter having a baby around March time, so it will be next season no doubt before I choose a club to have their first ever programme and badge done.

With inks and paper taken out, the charity raised in total £81 but the running total for Sam's Workplace stands at a giant £3,187.32p, so can we hot the next target of £3,200 not too far away.

If you would like to make a donation, you can by making ba Bank Transfer to

MR ROBERT F HORNBY
Sort Code: 111324
Account: 00269688

Id like to thank everyone for their donations, no matter how small

Saturday, 8 November 2025

GRIMS UNDONE BY MANBY FREE KICK

 BRIAN TODD JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP - 1ST ROUND - FIRST LEG

GRIMOLDSBY FC 0 MANBY FC 1

Attendance headcount 24


With me and Hazel extending our midweek to a week break away, i looked in to Football Traveller for a match today and with this being a local derby, where the 2 villages actually run in to each other, though it may be a good cup tie to watch and a early finish due to the 1.30pm kick off. Whilst at Horncastle Town  FC last night I ran into the Grimoldsby Founder and Manager Rob.

The sat Nav was very good today and took us to the ground just short to the east of Louth, though did stop for breakfast in Louth at a cafe named Beverleys,  which after the match in the pub, found that one of the players mums owned it and of course served us.

The ground has plenty of parking at the front and back of the commuunity centre and houses the changing rooms and also a little room for teas and coffees.

After a minutes silence, the game kicked off and I was a bit worried that I may just see a landslide of goals, with the hosts close to bottowm, whilst the visitors sitting second in the table. I did mention that I couldnt see it going to extra time and penalties, then was told, it wouldnt as it was the first leg, so it was something different.

Last night at Horncastle, none of the keepers had to make a save, here that didnt last as the home keeper managed to push a shot around the post.

The teams were matching each other all over the pitch and reached half time at 0-0.

The Second Half both teams used subs and alter tactics to get a break through goal and both were in attack mode, but after 69 minutes, the visitors were awarded a free kick to the left hand side oif the halfway line that Luke Haagensen swung in to the home penalty and it fell to ELLIS BARKER to bungle home from inside the 6 yard box.

The homesters pressed forward and in the 78th minute, ttwo players went for the ball in the Manby penalty with the home team appealing strongly for a penalty but the young referee was having none of it and waved play on.

At Full Time, Manby FC knew they'd been  in a tough match and The Grims could well have been going in to the Second Leg on level terms, but it is advantage to Munby FC and result I will be looking out for.

The Charity Blog you are reading, if you click down to the bottom and click web version, you will see the running total and donators for SAMS WORKPLACE which supports and aid young adults with all special needs, if you would like to do a donation, no matter how small, you can do it via Bank Transfer

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

To view the photos I took at the match, please click this LINK  Please use any of the photos or report if you wish.

Friday, 7 November 2025

ALL ENDS LEVEL AT THE WONG

 LINCS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION

HORNCASTLE TOWN FC 1 FULBECK UNITED FC 1

Att Headcount: 204

Badges £3



Both sides went into the match sitting towardss the lower position of the Division, so every point counted for them.

Before the match was a minutes ssilence for remembrance weekend.

The game kicked off with the homesters pouring forward and the visitors defending well, but after 18 minutes, a scramble in the visitors area wasnt cleared far and AIDEN WILLERTON fired home a low shot from the edge of the penalty area to the deiight of the Castle's supporters.

The game then went from box to box with both sides cancelling each other out, until on the half hour, when REECE HARBUCKLE burst inbetween two home defenders to hit a shot from 25 yards in to the net to make it 1-1.

The Second Half followed a similar p[attern to the first half, with both team failing to make either keeper in to a save, both teams were both trying to play through balls but it was a defenders night as they were cutting out any chances.

Horncastle FC is a worthy ground to visit and run by friendly people.

I felt the Referee and his  two assistants had good matches and I felt that Fulbeck's sweeper BILLY STUBBS was man of the match.

The charity Blog is in aid of SAMS WORKPLACE that helps young adults with special needs, if you would like to make a donation, no matter how small, please do a bank transfer to

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

The running total so far stands at £3,106.07

To see some photos from this evening, please click this LINK






Saturday, 1 November 2025

SHEEN SENDS GINGERBREADS TO THE TOP

 EUROSOCCER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE

CLIFTON ALL WHITES RESERVES 0 GRANTHAM TOWN RESERVES 1



Grantham Town Reserves were awarded the Eurosoccer Nottinghamshire Senior League Team of the Month for September before this game.

Clifton All Whites Reserves have a very young 16 to 19 year olds team, so how would they match up to todays opponents?

The game kicked off and within 7 seconds, the ball was cleared off the home sides line after the winger and attacker had gone up  for the ball and the winger laid on the pitch for quite a few minutes, but he was taken to the side ad treated and came back on after about 5 minutes.

Both sides were having chances but not really calling either goialkeeper in to action as shots and headers were going wide at both ends.

It was really a battling display by the homesters and as time ticked on, it looked like they were going to earn well deserved draw, but in the 70th minute, ALFIE SHEEN broke loose on the right wing beating the offside trap and slammed home a curling shot from just outside the area to give the visitors the lead.

The match Referee Phil Hale had a outstanding game, letting it flow end to end and using the advantage well.

If anyone would like make a donation to the Blogs Charity, which is in aid of Sam's Workplace, you can do a bank transfer to

MR R HORNBY

Sort Code: 111324

Account: 00269688

To see the 184 photos, please click this LINK

Please remember Saturday 22nd November Trent Vinyard FC v Notts City Rangers 2pm, Trent Vineyards' 1st ever programme and badge, you can pre order from me to collect at the match or be delivered by post by contacting me at hornby60uk@yahoo.co.uk

METHODISTS SURVIVE THE WARRIOS FIGHTBACK

 NOTTIGHAMSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE DEVELOPMENT CUP FINAL HELD AT HUCKNALL TOWN FC QUORN METHODISTS FC 3 AFC WARRIORS 2