Billingham Town v Heaton Stannington

Hosts: Billingham Town FC

LOCATION REPORT

Venue: Bedford Terrace, Billingham, Cleveland TS23 4AE
Geo: Google Maps

SatNav: TS23 4AE
Parking: on-site carpark for c.100
Public transport: train to Billingham rail station (12 mins walk); buses along Cowpen Lane incl #34 (to Middlesbrough) & #52 (Stockton)

Entry: £5, concessions £3, kids free
Programmes: £1

Refreshments: 'Canteen' portakabin with wide choice of food/drinks (eg chips £1.50 hot drink £1)
Licensed bar: clubhouse adjoining
Toilets: in ground (accessible from near main gate and via canteen) + clubhouse
Other Facilities: n/a

Covered Stands/Terraces:
Main stand = safe seats for 176;
additional covered standing for 600
Open Terraces:
open hardstanding to all sides, lean-on barriers all round

Floodlights: 4 (corners)

MATCH REPORT

Kickoff: 3pm Saturday 27 October 2018
Competition: Ebac Northern League Division Two
Weather: dry, cold wind, wintry sun

Team colours:

Billingham Town = all blue
Heaton Stannington = black/white stripes

Official crowd: 225

Final [h/t] score:

1 [0] Billingham Town
1 [1] Heaton Stannington

Sent Off: 0

Official League Report

Home team viewpoint 

Away team viewpoint

NORVENMUNKI's COMMENTS

It's late October. The clocks go back tomorrow (and there's rumours possibly for the last time ever?) and the end of summer time is signed-off by an overnight blast of wintry weather.
Unlike Joni Mitchell, we woke up to an arctic morning as flurries of sleet and snowfall had clothed parts of the region in a blanket of white at dawn, but by mid-afternoon the sun has melted this into pools, rippling in the chill wind and reflecting the occasional silver cloud gambolling across the chelsea-blue sky.

Arriving in Billingham, and after slaloming around the neighbouring housing estate one-way system, I dodge the massive puddles in the car park and find the last remaining dry corner!

Today's trip is subtitled "The Adventures of Billy and Stan", starring two of the hottest performers on current form: 

Billy, aka Billingham Town, are unbeaten all season (beware the blogger's curse!) and sit pretty atop the league; and The Stan, aka Heaton Stannington, are on a winning streak of their own and fresh from a midweek Cup upset against the mighty Whitley Bay. 

Billy moved here to Bedford Terrace in 1981, after previously playing at Mill Lane which, so they say, had "sloped to the extent that the crossbar was level with the top of one of the corner flags". 

This is where Gary Pallister started, moving on to Boro in 1984 (apparently in exchange for a set of kit, a bag of balls and a goal net) and then on to further fame and glory. 

This is where Billy's record attendance of 1,500 was set (for an FA Youth Cup match versus Manchester City) in 1985.

A freight train rumbles by, closely followed in the opposite direction by a passenger train towards Billingham station, just round the corner. 

For the hosts, recent times have witnessed a remarkable change in fortunes. Their outlook not so long ago was as bleak as this wintry Cleveland morning, as their long-standing chairman retired and Billy survived an 'annus horribilis', but a renaissance on and off the pitch has put the beat back into the club's drum.

After a wander around, I settle in the western half of the main stand. For a while, I'm the only one there. The overnight showers have left a lot of the painted wooden benches soaked, so I retire to the highest row which is perfectly dry.

The playing turf is a lush green, it glows in the winter sun: its lustre is beautiful, a credit to the groundskeepers.

Here's a trivial challenge: can you spot the black cat?

The other half of the stand gradually fills up: I'm not sure it's much more protected from the breeze, but maybe slightly, and it seems that the local 'Barmy Army' may just prefer proximity to the Canteen?
I'm joined eventually my some more people, so I don't feel like a freak. A lovely visitor from Newcastle introduces herself and remarks supportively upon my being "one of those 'groundhopper' people!"

At this level, you often sit in silence until a crackly PA system scratches a few mumbles into your ears.
Not here, though. Instead, we enjoy a fantastic soundtrack (everything from Elvis and Van Morrison to Major Lazer to Oasis, Kasabian and notably The Fratellis) in glorious crystal-clarity. It's curious how the power of the music also helps to warm you up.

The perimeter is neatly barriered with attractive wooden fencing, which some youngsters sit on, dangling their little legs over, and some of the taller thistles peep over.

The timber and metal work everywhere is generally well-maintained and painted in blue-and-white livery.

As the kick off approaches, the Barmy Army's drummer warms up the sticks with a few drags and rolls. The teams come out and, as the PA reads the home team, the drummer accompanies every name with what possibly sounds like a flam.

Billy are kitted in all-blue, like the men from Stamford Bridge, and The Stan in Toon-like magpie stripes.
Handshakes. We're game-on.

The atmosphere is fantastic. A rasping siren wails out over the hubbub of the crowd, punctuated by the occasional drum roll and stomping of feet on the wooden boards.

After 7 minutes, a wicked combo of keeper  clumsiness and the weather conspire to hurt Billy. Stan have a free-kick. It's curled into the danger zone and the keeper, blinded by the low winter sun despite his cap, can only parry against the strong wind. The second ball is punted home, to faint cheers from the away fans on the opposite flank.

On 19 minutes, Billy hit the net themselves. The fans and drums go wild and the PA blasts a bit of The Fratellis' Chelsea Dagger... but just for three seconds only, as it turns out that it was offside!

It's a full blooded competition. Nobody is shy and the tackles are flying in, both sides maybe guilty of being a tad headstrong. The swirling wind doesn't help, and lofty kicks are almost uncontrollable. The referee has kept his card in his pocket. The near side linesman is getting a fair amount of flak from the home fans.

At half-time, the Canteen snack cabin is very popular. Rightly so, as it boasts an impressive extensive menu of hot and cold snack and drinks, all served with friendly efficiency by the trio of staff. A hot coffee is enough for me... but the chips looked good.

A Grand Central train rumbles past, probably on its way from Sunderland to London. Footie fans thoughts are with Glenn Hoddle who has been rushed to hospital today from the tv studio.

The second half begins.
Within a couple of minutes, we're all square. Chelsea Dagger and the drummer fire up again, this time legitimately.

I wander around to the covered terrace on the opposite side, amongst the visiting fans and other groundhoppers, so as to take advantage of the meagre heat of the sunshine on my face.

The game is full-throttled. After around 74 minutes, there's a booking for either side within a few minutes of each other. The tackles are flying in and it's all to play for. The crowd offers its opinion to the ref, as one might expect!

Game over. A solid round of applause echoes through the mighty stand as the assembled faithful acknowledge a quality game. 'A fair result' is the consensus of the passers-by. Both sides trudge off knowing their respective unbeaten runs continue.

The sun dips low. The stadium clock ticks off the lingering minutes of summer. The packed car park empties as the Geordies depart, navigating the puddles.

And yes, I spotted the black cat.

Personally, I'm now sixty-per-cent of the way through Step 6 and loving it. There's an extra hour in bed tomorrow to reflect upon a good day out. I just hope that I can get the sound of Chelsea Dagger out of my head!

(*With apologies to the Barmy Army's drummer if those rudiments are the wrong way round, I just forgot to note it down at the time!)

MORE INFORMATION

Club Twitter @BillinghamTown
Club Website

History of Billingham Town