Groundhopper Andy eager for return of mid Wales football

From being barred from attending matches to entire leagues being scrapped.

For those dedicated band of football ground afficionados known as groundhoppers the last 12 months has been particular tough.

Andy Dakin of Northwich has been visiting mid Wales grounds since the mid 1980s and has since visited almost every ground in the region.

Andy said: "I’ve had a fascination with football grounds since I was very young.

The Lant, Builth Wells FC. Picture by Andy Dakin.

"The seed was planted when my grandfather took me to watch his local team, Middlewich Athletic back in 1968 and I was hooked - the highlight of Sunday afternoon family drives was always a glimpse of a floodlight or a stadium.

"I started to make a point of visit different grounds in the mid-1980s, initially keeping fairly local to my Northwich base, my first visit to a ground in mid Wales being in April 1989 when Newtown (then in NPL Division One) beat Workington 3-1, Ian and Alan Woan being amongst the scorers.

"Over the next 30 odd years I’ve managed to see a game at almost every ground in the mid Wales area, helped by a number of years when the organised Mid Wales Groundhop weekends were held.

Victoria Avenue, home of Llanidloes Town FC. Picture by Andy Dakin.

"For the uninitiated, these usually took place over August bank holiday weekends with staggered kick offs to allow fans to watch all the games which gave a welcome boost to local football with enthusiasts travelling from all over the UK and beyond, crowds of over 300 helping clubs raise much needed funds. "

Andy said the groundhopping community was a diverse one and mid Wales is among the favourite destinations.

He said: The groundhopping community has its characters with their own little quirks, I’ve known people who insisted on touching crossbars or the match ball and some will only watch a match if there’s a programme even to the extent that they would turn round and go home if there wasn’t one.

"But generally we’re a friendly bunch who enjoy watching a game of football with the bonus in mid Wales of some delightful scenery."

Bryn-Y-Castlle, home of Knighton Town FC. Picture by Andy Dakin.

Andy has several contenders for his favourite ground in the region but is also looking forward to the day he can add others to his tick list.

"If I was forced to choose, probably the Lant Fields, home of Builth Wells with it’s wonderful little stand," said Andy. "Llanidloes Town’s Victoria Park a close second.

"I was also pleased to see Corris United make a comeback into senior football as their ground is definitely on the “to do” list once lockdown is over."

Andy admitted he fears for the future of clubs in mid Wales with many not playing for more than 12 months.

Broadway, home of Llandrindod Wells FC. Picture by Andy Dakin.

Andy said: "The last 12 months have been hard for many and although football clubs pale into insignificance compared to the losses some have suffered, they are often the heartbeat of the community and to have a year with no income will test the will of most committees.

"Add into the mix the new tier system introduced by the FAW and I suspect next season will be a challenge for many.

"I’m not sure what the FAW saw in the old system that needed fixing but of course they know best.

Penbont Field, home of Newbridge FC. Picture by Andy Dakin.

"Machynlleth, Rhayader Town and Penparcau in particular should be praised for taking the step up from Mid Wales Division Two to the new tier three Ardal League but it is understandable that many clubs have chosen to remain in a Mid Wales League with more local derbies and less travelling."

In the meantime Andy is looking forward to making Corris United his 2,174th ground on an ever growing list.