Stotfold

[Rhodes]

Stotfold are looking forward to moving into their new Stadium at the Arlesey Road Recreation Ground as from 1 February, I gather the first game at the stadium will be on Saturday 8 February when they entertain Shefford Town & Campton in a SSML Division One fixture. Yesterday's Bedfordshire FA Senior Trophy Semi Final was the penultimate game at Roker Park, where Stotfold have played since 1965, and I am assuming that there will be a bumper gate on Tuesday evening for the visit of high flying New Salamis:

https://www.stotfoldfc.co.uk/

[Winslow Boy]

Looks fantastic. 

[Rhodes]

What a crying shame, Stotfold's final game at Roker Park this evening against New Salamis has sadly failed a late pitch inspection and is off, apparently 95% of the pitch is perfectly playable however the other 5%, in the goal mouth at the park end is still wet and deemed as 'dangerous' by the inspecting Official. Surely more effort could have been made by the Club to get the game on, taking into account the occasion and the large crowd expected this evening, as I don't believe it has rained since last night. Anyway goodbye Roker Park , it's a pity there couldn't be a more fitting farewell after 55 years.

[Savagebee]

I liked Roker Park

R.I.P. Roker Park.

[Rhodes]

Savagebee - Do you mean Sunderland or Stotfold out of interest. Regarding Stotfold's unfortunate postponement tonight, have they not heard of sand, surely they could have put loads of it down in the goal mouth area at the park end, they had all day to do so before the late pitch inspection.

[Savagebee]

On ‎28‎/‎01‎/‎2020 at 19:56, Rhodes said:

Savagebee - Do you mean Sunderland or Stotfold out of interest.

Both to be honest ? 

[Rhodes]

Good luck to all at Stotfold FC today on the opening of their new stadium for the match against Shefford Town & Campton:

[Rhodes]

A huge attendance of 644 packed into the New Roker Park last Saturday for the fixture with Shefford Town & Campton and what a game they were treated to with Stotfold winning 5-3. Two goals were scored by each side in the first three minutes, the visitors restored their lead on 24 minutes only for Stotfold to equalise again shortly afterwards. There was just no getting rid of a dogged Shefford Town & Campton side who were determined to be party poopers and they took the lead for a third time on 35 minutes holding out until the interval. Stotfold now had the wind in their favour and were having the lions share of play without success until the 67th minute when Kim Forsythe finally equalised, Robbie Buchanan made it 4-3 two minutes later and it was left to Josh Coley to finally put the game beyond the visitors reach on 90 minutes with a superb volley fitting of the occasion:

h

https://www.stotfoldfc.co.uk/results.php?id=&yr=&mr=mr080220&scr=1&pg=results.php#mrpa

http://www.bedfordshirefa.com/news/2020/feb/10/stotfold-fc-open-new-roker-park-stadium

 

Edited February 13, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

The legendary Tony Incenzo recently visited Stotfold's New Roker Park for the London Lions fixture, along with Ollie Bayliss from the BBC Three Counties Radio Non League Show, and gives his expert and very complimentary verdict here:

http://buildbase-blog.co.uk/2020/03/03/diary-of-a-groundhopper-talksports-tony-incenzo-stotfold-fc-london-lions/#.Xl7MMfZFwch

[Rhodes]

An well known groundhopper/anorak called The Wycombe Wanderer was at the New Roker Park on Wednesday 3 March for the London Lions Division One Cup Semi Final and gives more rave reviews of the stadium, I haven't heard a bad word said against it:

http://footygrounds.blogspot.com/2020/03/stotfold-jsj-stadium.html

[Savagebee]

The new ground seems to have plenty of open tarmac areas so I'm guessing that's in case they progress up the leagues and need to put in more stands. #Thinkingahead

[Rhodes]

RIP Stotfold Match Secretary Margaret Richardson who very sadly passed away in hospital last Sunday morning, Margaret will be very much missed by everyone who knew her and those who had regular dealings with her over many years on football matters:

[Rhodes]

Unlike other Club's, Stotfold appear to be keeping their Clubhouse open for the time being according to this Club statement made yesterday:

 

[Big J R]

Clubhouse's opening during these dire times is an interesting point.

Technically, at 72 years of age, I have been advised to self-isolate. For many obvious reasons, I have to visit Dorking once, or twice a week.  I do pop into my local for a lunch-time bracer.  Admittedly, not many imbibers of late.

Clubhouse or pub ??  Whats the difference ??

[Rhodes]

It didn't take the Club very long to change its mind:

In line with the Governments guidelines to combat the coronavirus pandemic we have closed our doors until further notice
You have all been very supportive and we look forward to seeing you all again as soon as we can reopen our doors
Please stay safe and take care of yourselves

Edited March 21, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Margaret Richardson's funeral was today, apologies for not posting this earlier, RIP Margaret:

[Rhodes]

An Easter Bank Holiday weekend messege from Stotfold, albeit a depressing one:

[Rhodes]

Over ninety photos from a pre-season friendly last term at the old Roker Park, on 14 July 2018, between Stotfold and a Hitchin Town XI which the visitors won 3-0 with goals from Jonny Butler, Ezra Forde and Charlie Thake:

 

 

[Rhodes]

Photographs from Stotfold v London Colney, obviously at the old Roker Park on Saturday 26 April 2014, in a 2013/14 SSML Premier Division fixture, London Colney won 4-1:  

 

 

[Rhodes]

Stotfold Development remain in Division One of the Bedfordshire County League this coming season, prior to that the Roker Park Club had an Under 25 side playing in the much derided SSML Under 25 Development Division in 2018/19 where they were the only team not to draw a league game all season: