Binfield FC head in to the unknown on Saturday when they head to Southern Counties East League Premier Division Deal Town in the FA Vase Fourth Round.
The Moles are the only Berkshire side left in the competition, and equally the only Uhlsport Hellenic League side so will have a lot of eyes on them.
Anyone with a working knowledge of the Vase over the last couple of decades will know that Deal won the competition in 1999/00, beating Chippenham Town 1-0 in the Final, meaning they are currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of that success.
You may also be aware it won’t be the Moles first visit to the town having been beaten 5-2 in the Second Round of the Vase in 2012/13.
Football in Berkshire, ever intrigued by proper away days (and we’re going on this one!) decided to find out a little about The Hoops by speaking to support Peter Van Walwyk ( @PedzVW on twitter).
Where is Deal?
The club play at the Charles Sports Ground in Deal, a Kent town that sits on the East coast of England on the border between the North Sea and English Channel, eight miles north east of Dover.
It’s approximately a three hour one way trip to Deal around the M25 – 146 miles through the Kent Downs.
Tell us a little bit about the club house
To be honest there’s not a lot around the club as it’s about 15 minute walk outside the town but the bar is very big and plenty of seats, proper function bar and TVs with sports on as well as food – sausage chips burgers and the like.
I’m going to be biased but have to say it’s one of the best clubhouses in our league. I’ve only been following the hoops a couple of years but it’s a really friendly atmosphere and they have disabled groups and youth teams in regular attendance.
What about the ground?
You can get all the way round it, there’s a seated stand on one side opposite the clubhouse.
The clubhouse runs along the other side and has an area covered so people can stand outside underneath. There’s cover behind the goal as you come in but then other end is open
We have a double decker bus at that end – seriously – our chairman is turning it into a museum to celebrate when we won the Vase. It’s 20 years this season and so far were the only team in Kent to win it.
That’s great, big question is what beers will be on?
Lager is Amstel or Fosters, bitter is John Smith’s I think and there’s a selection of spirits and bottled beers – some good local brews for the CAMRA fans.
If anyone was to venture out, what’s the best pub around?
If heading out, the town is about 15 minutes away and the Hole in the Wall is the first pub you’d hit followed by the Wetherspoons – the Sir Norman Wisdom. Closer is The Farrier (90 Manor Road CT14 9DB) about 10 mins walk and a nice large friendly pub which also does food and has a garden.
How’s parking at the ground for anyone driving?
Parking is usually fine as we have on site parking but if not there’s very few restrictions outside the ground.
What’s the regular crowd like attendance wise?
We’re generally getting about 150-200 for league games but were just shy of 300 for the last FA Vase match so hoping to break that 300 this weekend.
Finally.. ticket prices?
Its £7 for adults £4 concessions (over 60 I believe) and accompanied under 16s are free. There’s a programme which is £1.50 and often a raffle to win box of chocolates, wine etc at half time.
Appreciate this very much. What’s your full name and is there anything you’d like to plug? Oh and do you have a pic of the ground?
Football in Berkshire will be on the Binfield away day, make sure you follow @fiberkshire on twitter for the latest from the game and probably some live video on the coach.
