August 19th 2008

Leek Town 1 Belper Town 1

Another short trip, this time to the Staffordshire town of Leek. If there was any justice then Leek would be in Wales but sadly it’s not – although it does make for a shorter drive.

We set off (once again in the Jag – I really could get used to this form of travel). The weather forcast is for a dry evening after a very wet day. As we travel past numerous speed cameras on the A5123 the weather actually gets worse. We arrive at the brilliantly named Harrison Stadium in Leek (well I think it’s brilliantly named – but then I would, wouldn’t I?) in the middle of a total downpour. After a dash to the far end of the car park to the club shop to purchase the obligatory badge, then another run across the car park to the door marked Directors and Visiting Officials. As we splash run towards it through the puddles a Steward opens it – very accommodating I thought – and advised that if we were Belper Town officials we have to show our passes at the turnstile. So, that will be turnstile at the other end of the car park, next to the shop that we’ve just splashed our way from then will it? Back across the sodden (sodding?) car park to the turnstile. Once inside we are advised to go along the front of the stand, up the steps, down the stairs, turn left at the bottom, along the corridor and into the boardroom. As we eventually make the dry sanctuary of the big stand, descend the stairs and turn left along the corridor, who should we pass but the same Steward standing by the door we were turned away from about 5 sodden minutes earlier !! Is it me????

Once inside the ground I take note of the interior. The main stand is very large and built to league standard. As with these stands there is copious amounts of room underneath that accommodate the offices and the changing rooms. Photographs adorn the walls including Leeks trip to Wembley a few years back. Maybe one day we will have photographs of some great triumph – which reminds me that we need to get a decent sized photo of Hobbo with the DSC for our Boardroom.

There is also a feature on Mark Bright taken from what looks like SHOOT! magazine showing that he started his career at Harrison Park.

After a cup of tea I wander off to snap the ground for my collection. On the way round Mickey Harcourt shouts ‘Oy I want a word with you’ but I just smile and keep walking, no doubt he will have a word at the next game (especially when he sees the Photo CD I gave his dad has written on it ‘Michael Harcourt – not posing in any way shape or form’ written on it.

I snap the ground through the drizzle and then return to the back of the stand in front of the press area – out of the rain. The Stadium announcer starts to read out the teams and has everyone in fits when he gets to Andy Rushbury (Belpers number 11) and says “Oh I can’t read that one” and then moves on to the subs, where, oddly he gets Kris Kotylo without a problem.
From the high viewpoint I get some interesting shots of the first half before we once again descend into the bowels of the stand for refreshments. Again everyone is very friendly and we chat about the first half entertainment.

Back out for the second 45 and the skies have cleared so I venture onto the terrace in front of the stand then to the open terrace on the far side. No goals in the second half so the game ends 1-1 Due to the rain on the way in we didn’t have time to do one thing but in the way out I saw what I wanted and set it up. A photo of me stood by the ‘Welcome to Harrison Park’ sign – well you have to don’t you – it’s not everyday you attend a ground with your name on it now is it?

Next up – Rushall Olympic