Last updated 09:48, Thursday, 04 September 2008

IF YOU didn’t know where it was, you might struggle to find the County Ground in Whitehaven. Nestled adjacent to the Recreation Ground (or ‘Recre’), the town’s Rugby League facility, a turning off Coach Road, could be easily missed.

Thankfully the fixture board proclaiming ‘Whitehaven Amateurs v Darlington Railway Athletic’ points the way. A short drive up the narrow roadway, and I’m greeted by a smartly dressed man in a wooden booth.

The entrance fee paid, and with programme in hand, I make my way to the small stand at the side of the neatly manicured pitch.

This is the latest return to my roots. Whitehaven born, bred and proud, I now live in Bristol, so I am reduced to making regular pilgrimages to my home town to visit family.

Just as the harbourside has been transformed, so too (and perhaps, judging by the small attendance, overlooked by the people of Whitehaven) has the football team been transformed. As a youth, I often wished for a Whitehaven football team worthy of the town. I looked up the A595 enviously at Workington, who somehow managed to host Rugby League and League Football side by side. The loss of football league status in Workington was a sad day, and I’m privileged to have been in attendance at the last football league game to have been played at Borough Park, when the Reds succumbed 1-0 to the ‘might’ of Newport County.

If Workington could have the two sports on adjacent pitches then why couldn’t Whitehaven?

As a child, I attended Monkwray Junior school, who frequently used the County Ground for sports days, games lessons and football matches against other schools. The annual seven-a-side competition for junior schools saw the Monkwray team, of which I was a member, fall at the semi-finals to Montreal from Cleator Moor – a defeat which was so distressing at the time that not only do I remember it vividly, I’m sure I still bear the mental scars today!

The renaissance of the County Ground facility in isolation is probably of secondary importance when compared to the changes within the town, but it should not be dismissed as irrelevant. In fact, to me anyway, it is a symbolic microcosm of the re-birth of the town since the loss of its mining industry and its chemical capability.

As I eagerly awaited the entrance onto the field of the two teams, the light rain and cold wind bore testament to the fact that this was August. I am well aware that winters in Cumbria can be harsh, but it now appears that summers are in direct competition for the mantle of ‘coldest season’.

As the teams emerged, with the hosts in their resplendent yellow shirts and blue shorts, one could be forgiven for comparisons to Brazil, but any thoughts of gentle waves lapping up against the Copacabana beach were soon dismissed, as the elements brought forth by the Irish Sea intensified.

Comparisons with flamboyant South American Samba-style of football were further dismissed as the first crunching tackle came within moments of the referee’s shrill whistle signalling the start of play. The pace was fast and furious. The more skilful players were quickly closed down by their opponents, and space in which to play was at a premium.

Football is a strange game. The higher the level, the faster it gets, and yet the top players seem to have more space and time. The amateur level is slower by comparison, but players seem to have less space and time.

The game itself was punctuated by free kicks. The smiling referee, with collar turned up against the wind and rain, seemed to be enjoying himself, as were his two assistants.

Midway through the first half, the Haven team took the lead, when a through ball found the left sided Robson, and he somehow managed to squeeze the ball under the advancing goalkeeper who had looked favourite to get there first. High fives all round, and the sparsely populated ground showed their approval with some mild applause.

Shortly afterwards a deep cross was headed into the net by Dixon, and the Haven team looked comfortable at 2-0. As the half time whistle blew, I made my way to the small clubhouse to catch up on half time scores from around the country. Alas this wasn’t to be, as the large screen in the club house was populated by a few people watching table tennis from the Beijing Olympics.

A cup of tea complemented by a strange-looking, but very tasty, sausage roll, was consumed. The few minutes’ shelter from the elements were a welcome relief. All too quickly the break was over, and it was back outside for more football.

The second half was, if I’m being honest, dull. Whitehaven were in full control and never looked like letting their lead slip, however, they never looked like scoring a third goal either. Their red-shirted visitors from the North East contributed little, apart from a crude challenge on the Whitehaven right back just in front of the dugouts. This agitated the home bench for a few seconds until justice was seen to be done, as the perpetrator of the incident rightly saw red.

As the culprit made his crestfallen way to the dressing room, there was some banter with the few hardy souls populating the small stand, who seemed intent on reminding him of the scoreline. Credit to the referee, order was quickly restored and the game re-started with a free kick to the home side.

The final whistle signalled a comfortable 2-0 victory, which maintained Whitehaven’s place at the very summit of Northern League Division Two, and condemned Darlington RA to the very bottom, leaving them plenty to contemplate on their long journey home.

This is Whitehaven’s first season at this level. Most of the teams are in the North East, which leaves them with arduous journeys to most away fixtures. The teams who visit Whitehaven will do well to remember that, as they embark on their once-a-season sojourn to the town. Teams visiting the County Ground will find a well- drilled football team, and will no doubt have some harsh elements to tackle, as well as their opponents, once the Cumbrian winter sets in.

I always enjoy visits to my home town, and will certainly take in more Whitehaven football games when I am there in future. I found a friendly, welcoming club who are clearly trying to do things in the right manner. The local players seemed to have the commitment and pride in wearing the shirts, which I was delighted to observe are adorned with the town’s crest on the left breast.

They have a fantastic youth policy with teams ranging from under 8s upwards, giving young talented footballers the chance to progress to a decent level with their home-town club, and simultaneously allowing mass participation with a view to unearthing some real future stars.

With the right finances and some sound management, there is no reason why Whitehaven cannot progress further up the football pyramid, and I only hope that their hopes, ambitions and facilities are incorporated somewhere into the Pow Beck development scheme.

I know that Marras are proud people, because I am one.

There are lots of things to be proud of in the town. The history of Whitehaven, its mining industry and its Rugby League club are well documented in many publications.

Don’t overlook the facilities and the team representing the town at the County Ground.

There is plenty to be proud of there too.

Another season at this level, or higher, and Whitehaven FC will be able to enter into the FA Cup. Now that would be some achievement for such a young club and definitely something to make us loud and proud...