Welcome to the latest instalment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
We went to another non-league club in Gloucestershire for this chapter of the blog: Stonehouse Town Football Club. The Magpies play at the aptly named Ben's Takeaway Stadium, and since Magpies are known for finding shiny things, it is only fitting that their stadium be described as a diamond in the rough. The Ben's Takeaway Stadium is about a five-minute walk from Stonehouse's centre and about a twenty-minute walk from the train station. There are many charity shops, cafes, and general supermarkets in the town centre for you to enjoy. Stonehouse is also a short distance from Gloucester and Stroud. Following our exploration of Stonehouse, AFC Finners, Gloucester Groundhopper Sr, and I proceeded to the stadium.
It’s All In The Name
The Magpies is Stonehouse Town's nickname. The black and white colours of the club's kit inspired the name. Magpies are known for searching out diamonds and shiny stuff, thus the name is a play on Stonehouse Town's desire for success as a team.
Notable People From Stonehouse:
John Murdin- Cricketer
David Smith-Footballer
Augustus Clissold- Priest
Charles Wilkins- Writer
James Dimock- Historian
A History Lesson From AFC Finners
Stonehouse Town were founded in 1898 and spent many decades in the Gloucestershire leagues before joining the Western League in the early 1950s. During the 1950s and 1960s, they had their golden years, with attendances of over a thousand people on a regular basis. They also set an attendance record when 5500 people came to watch them play Gloucester City in an FA Cup qualifying round.
They were a founding member of the Gloucestershire County League in 1968, and the following season they became the division's first champions. However, after a string of bottom-of-the-table finishes, they were relegated to the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League.
In 2015, they won the Senior Amateur County Cup and the Stroud Charity Cup in a cup double. They currently compete in the Hellenic League's Division One West. Intriguingly, their current stadium, the Ben's Takeaway Stadium, was inaugurated in 1949 by legendary Wolves and England center-back Billy Wright.
They have one Western League, one Gloucestershire County League, three Gloucestershire Northern Senior Leagues, and three Gloucestershire Senior Amateur Cups to their name. Honours 🏆Western League (Champions: 1950-1951) 🏆Gloucestershire County League (Champions: 1968-1969) 🏆Wiltshire League (Champions:1967-1968) 🏆Gloucestershire Northern Senior League (Champions: 1934-1935, 1935-1936, 1936-1937) 🏆North Gloucestershire League (Champions: 1919-1920) 🏆Stroud & District League (Champions: 1908-1909, 1920-1921, 1927-1928) 🏆Dursley & District League (Champions: 1900-1901) 🏆Gloucestershire Senior Amateur Cup (Winners: 1936-1937, 1972-1973, 2015-2016) 🏆Gloucestershire Northern Senior Challenge Cup (Winners: 1953-1954) Matchday: Stonehouse Town 0-2 Studley
The stadium is located on Oldends Lane in Stonehouse, right next to a railway line, and there is a large car park right next door, so parking should not be an issue. There is a cut through from the parking lot to the ground, and there you will meet the ground. The ground has a large gate with the club logo on it, which I thought was impressive given the level at which Stonehouse play.
They have a turnstile where you can enter the stadium and purchase a pin badge for £2. We were in the ground after paying £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. The first thing that stands out about the ground is its speaker system. Lower league teams typically have poor audio equipment, but Stonehouse's speakers were loud and legible. I must say, it's a welcome change. AFC Finners and I did a circuit of the ground, as is customary for Gloucester Groundhoppers.
There are various nods to Stonehouse's farming background throughout the ground, including various pieces of farming equipment. There are two fairly large stands and two reasonably sized dugouts on the field. There is also a portakabin that sells tea and coffee. There are toilets located throughout the grounds, but finding them can be difficult. At one point, I ended up in the changing rooms with the players, looking for a urinal. One thing I must say is that the people working at the club, who are almost certainly volunteers, were extremely welcoming and kind. Due to the inclement weather, we decided to stay in the Mike 'the Spike' stand, which provided us with much-needed shelter from the rain.
Non League Hot Chocolate Chronicles It's no secret that I enjoy a hot chocolate at a football game. It is also a well-known fact among football fans that Hot Chocolate at a football match is hotter than normal and will keep you warm for weeks. I bought a hot chocolate for £1 at Stonehouse Town, and it came with a large cup of Dairy Milk Hot Chocolate (other brands are available). I carried my drink to my seat, a journey that nearly resulted in third-degree burns on my fingers due to the heat of the drink. This drink was a strong supporter of the hot chocolate franchise. It was hot, creamy, and delicious.
Teamsheets
Stonehouse Town
Manager: Chris Burns
Adam Clark Elliot King Nick Humphreys Lee Keveren Rich Thwaite Tom Palmer Alex Kibble (c) Macloud Moyo Ellis Duffus Lloyd Gardener Liam Gale
Substitutes Jed Payton Chris Earle George Callinan Chris Burns Studley
Manager: Jon Edwards
Brendon Bunn Anthony Miller Jake Bloomer Jake Donnelly ⚽ Ben Welsh Matt Edwards Jack Cresswell Robbie Bunn Dan Carter (c) Sean Brain ⚽️ Sam Jackson
Substitutes Alfie Bloomer Ben Birch Aaron Bunn Tom Fishwick Dale Edwards
The game itself began fairly evenly, with neither side getting many chances. Studley had the majority of the possession in the first few games, passing it around the team with confidence and ease. However, they seemed content to keep the ball and patiently wait for an opening against a Stonehouse side looking to frustrate them defensively. Studley's first chance came when their number 10 was played through on goal and fired straight at Stonehouse's goalkeeper.
The Studley wide men were causing problems for Stonehouse's defence, with the Magpie's keeper keeping his team in the game at times. It seemed inevitable that Studley would score at some point, and they did after about a half-hour. A right-wing corner was swung in, the Stonehouse goalkeeper failed to deal with it, and Jake Donnelly was on hand to head home. Studley were winning 1-0. In all honesty, neither side had many chances to add to this, as the adverse weather conditions made it difficult for either side to produce any patterns in their play. As a result, Studley won the first half 1-0. During halftime, I was approached by one of my social media followers, and we talked about various grounds and clubs in the area. We also talked about our future plans for our ground-hopping adventures. I wish that person the best of luck in the future, and it was a pleasure to meet you. The second half began in the same manner as the first. Neither team could establish a foothold in the game, and the weather conditions didn't help. Both teams struggled to keep possession, as the slippery surface made it difficult to create clear-cut chances. Studley eventually extended their lead. Sean Brain's good work allowed him some space on the edge of the box, where he was able to fire a stunning shot past the keeper. Soon after, the top-of-the-table team had a chance to make it three, with their striker being played through on goal, but somehow missing and firing straight at the keeper.
Studley began to close out the game with a level of professionalism that has rightfully propelled them to the top of the league. The game ended 2-0 in favour of Studley. I believe the weather played a role in what was a poor game. With a bad game came a bad atmosphere, which was exacerbated by the small number of people in attendance. Though the Magpies' fans were few in number, their passion for their club and desire to support their players was palpable.
Macloud Moyo was the standout performer for Stonehouse, in my opinion. He was a small-statured attacking midfielder who was confident on the ball, willing to retrieve it in tight spaces, and had a good eye for a pass. Lassana Diarra, formerly of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Portsmouth, is a player I liken him to.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 3/10
Food and Drink: 5/10
Stadium: 6/10
Welcome: 9/10
Overall Experience: 7.5/10
GG
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