The Hidden Gem

[petethegreek]

9 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

So what would be new for you then, I guess you would need to change your trademark running style though wouldn't you and where you hold out the flag at a 180 degree angle

You will have to post a visual example of what you mean.

I have yet to be told by an Observer that my running style is unorthodox or that there is an issue with the angle of which I hold the flag. 

[Rhodes]

On ‎06‎/‎05‎/‎2020 at 23:48, Karen Browne said:

Your researcher needs a refresher course, I was at both games and the first game on Saturday 27 August 1994 was the 1-1 draw at Herns Lane with the replay at Viking Sports the following Tuesday with the Citizens winning 1-0, Sean Giddens scoring for the Citizens in both games. The Citizens were to return to your so called 'Hidden Gem' on the 4th October 1997 when they won 4-3 in the FA Vase with goals from Duncan Hardy (2), Steve Gibbs and Steve Smart (pen).

Savagebee - It's interesting isn't it that our very own Karen has been to the so called Hidden Gem, on at least two occasions, to watch her beloved Welwyn Garden City in the FA Cup on 27 August 1994 and in the FA Vase on 4 October 1997, I wonder what she thought of it. That's what I mean as she could be so invaluable to this Forum with her wealth of knowledge and also being with the higher echelons of the SSML and in the know, it's such a pity she chooses to be so aloof and, as one poster so perfectly described her, 'a party pooper'.

[Big J R]

On 07/05/2020 at 11:53, Savagebee said:

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/greenford-avenue-park-owners-heartbroken-12652671

Fly tipping is massively on the increase in this area, especially as recycling centres and town tips are closed because of the dreaded COVID.

[Savagebee]

12 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Savagebee - It's interesting isn't it that our very own Karen has been to the so called Hidden Gem, on at least two occasions, to watch her beloved Welwyn Garden City in the FA Cup on 27 August 1994 and in the FA Vase on 4 October 1997, I wonder what she thought of it. That's what I mean as she could be so invaluable to this Forum with her wealth of knowledge and also being with the higher echelons of the SSML and in the know, it's such a pity she chooses to be so aloof and, as one poster so perfectly described her, 'a party pooper'.

It's a strange little ground which kind of makes it unique in a way.

A shame that it has been left to rot.

[Rhodes]

An interesting article from a 1968 issue of Amateur Soccer magazine about Viking Sports and their exploits, Roy Bartlett was their General Secretary back in the day and a founder member of the once great Club in 1945 as well as Manager for 22 years. The so called Hidden Gem isn't mentioned in the article which is a shame however that's probably because Viking Sports FC didn't move in until 1966 and after their travelling abroad had taken place as well as hosting foreign Club's at other venues including Griffin Park on Sunday 5 May 1963 against Stade Portelois from near Boulogne in France in front of a 3000 crowd:

[Rhodes]

An interesting thread on another Forum discussing a pre-season friendly fixture at the so called Hidden Gem on Saturday 4 August 1984 between Viking Sports FC and a West Ham United XI, West Ham unsurprisingly won 7-0 and put out a good side for an occasion to mark the fortieth anniversary of Viking Sports FC being founded. Savagebee may recall West Ham's First Team were playing at Brentford that same afternoon, also in a pre-season friendly, with the likes of Stewart, Allen, Martin, Gale, Dickens, Cottee and Goddard in their side, however Paul Ince played in the game at Viking Sports meaning that the ex West Ham Manchester United, Liverpool, Inter Milan and England legend has actually trodden the hallowed Hidden Gem turf at least once during his illustrious career: 

https://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forums/index.php?threads/viking-sports-v-west-ham-utd.772/#post-9288

Edited June 29, 2020 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

A nice link depicting the so called Hidden Gem in all its glory back in the day when Viking Sports plied their trade there:

https://sites.google.com/site/hellenicgroundsprogrammes/home/viking-sports

[Rhodes]

One of the last games Viking Greenford played, on Sunday 1 December 2002, against AFC Wimbledon in a Combined Counties League Premier Division fixture before the Club sadly folded at the end of that 2002/03 season when finishing bottom with just fourteen points. The game was played at Church Road to allow for the expected large attendance and not at the so called Hidden Gem in Avenue Park that had been their home since 1966, the visitors won the game 4-0. AFC Wimbledon had just been reformed as a new Club joining the Combined Counties League that season and finishing third, the following season they famously went unbeaten and gained promotion to the Isthmian League Division One which they duly won at the first attempt, losing just three games. At least Viking Greenford had a final day in the sun playing at Kingsmeadow on Saturday 19 April 2003, losing 5-0 in front of 2,738, the attendance at Church Road earlier in the season was 947:

2002/2003 Premier Div Results (ccleague.co.uk)

[Winslow Boy]

Any idea why the name ‘Viking’? 

[Savagebee]

8 hours ago, Rhodes said:

 2002/2003 Premier Div Results (ccleague.co.uk)

Chipstead 14 Viking Greenford 1 #Ouch

[Rhodes]

On 25/11/2020 at 05:43, Rhodes said:

At least Viking Greenford had a final day in the sun playing at Kingsmeadow on Saturday 19 April 2003, losing 5-0 in front of 2,738

2002/2003 Premier Div Results (ccleague.co.uk)

The match programme cover, how did Viking Greenford manage to keep the score down to only 5-0:

[Rhodes]

Check this out folks, an actual letter, dated 10 January 2000, penned by the man himself, Roy Bartlett, General Secretary and a founder member of the once great Club in 1945 when aged just fifteen as well as Manager for 22 years. Mr Bartlett sadly passed away on Sunday 12 November 2017 following ill health aged 87, see various links about him including a very interesting Podcast interview with the great man (top link):

Roy Bartlett - Veteran Stories - The Memory Project

Ealing's Local Web site (ealingtoday.co.uk)

BBC - WW2 People's War - A Little Boy's War: Evacuated to Bucks

Recollections of evacuation to High Wycombe and life on the Home Front in Ealing. | Roy Bartlett | Contributors | About us | Memories of War

Sent to unleash hell upon London: JONATHAN MAYO documents the first week of the Blitz  | Daily Mail Online

Austerity, no central heating and an outside loo: Ealing couple weathered good times and bad to reach Diamond milestone - MyLondon

Ealing Bids Final Farewell to Roy Bartlett, Author and Founder of Vikings Football Team (lodgebros.co.uk)

Edited February 22, 2021 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Lines ups from Viking Sports v Brache Sparta in a 1996/97 FA Vase First Round tie, at the so called Hidden Gem on Saturday 2 November 1996, then South Midlands League Premier Division Brache Sparta won 3-1 and were founder members of the SSML the following season:

[Rhodes]

On 24/05/2021 at 02:43, Rhodes said:

Lines ups from Viking Sports v Brache Sparta in a 1996/97 FA Vase First Round tie, at the so called Hidden Gem on Saturday 2 November 1996, then South Midlands League Premier Division Brache Sparta won 3-1 and were founder members of the SSML the following season:

Karen has been up to her tricks again deleting photographs, I see that Terry Shrieves was in the Brache Sparta line up:

Edited July 1, 2021 by Rhodes

[Savagebee]

Who owns the Hidden Gem?

[Rhodes]

14 hours ago, Savagebee said:

Who owns the Hidden Gem?

Savagebee - It's a good question as I gather the ground is owned by the London Marathon Playing Field Foundation Charity, I'm not sure how they managed to get their hands on it.