I last visited the Holt House ground in Colne about 25 years ago to watch Colne Dynamo's who were the pre runner of the noveux riche clubs who had a rich benefactor who hoped to bring league football. The Dynamo's rapid rise through non league came to a juddering halt when they were refused entry into the Football Conference on the sole basis that their ground was shite. They were also hit by the other major factor, the sugar daddy who bankrolled the club also went bust, therefore the Dynamo's were wound up. Colne Royal British Legion took over the ground they lasted a couple of seasons before they went under. Colne FC were founded in 1996 and have slowly worked their way back to the North West Counties.
The ground hasn't changed much there is still a mammoth slope on the pitch and there is still a ramshackle feel about it. Today though was about local pride as the home side faced local rivals Nelson in the Pendle classico.
Given that I've now reached a certain age the entry fee was £2.50 plus a £1 for a programe, a bargain compared to the £40 for a Burnley/Liverpool ticket for yesterdays Premier League game.
A pitch which was a mixture of snow and mud was never going to a purists delight, could not imagine how some of these continental top league stars would have coped with it, but in the circumstances it was a decent game.
Nelson dominated the early stages playing down the slope, created little in front of goal except for one chance which should have been buried. For all their domination it was Colne who came closest, but for a tremendous save Bolye would have scored. He wasn't denied for long arriving at the back stick he slotted home following a neat right wing move. (1-0)
Colne led at the break, the second half lacked the intensity of the first half although there were some rustic challenges by both sides, the surface was becoming a bit trickier and Nelson piled forward striving for an equaliser,however they were toothless up front. Colne looked more likely to score and sure enough from a breakaway they made it two through Anderson who plodded round three mud bound defenders to pick his spot. (2-0)
It looked like a match winning score and indeed it was, the home side defended well and it was hard to recall a shot on the Colne goal. The bragging rights to the home side.
Colne 2 Nelson 1 Att 471
The ground hasn't changed much there is still a mammoth slope on the pitch and there is still a ramshackle feel about it. Today though was about local pride as the home side faced local rivals Nelson in the Pendle classico.
Given that I've now reached a certain age the entry fee was £2.50 plus a £1 for a programe, a bargain compared to the £40 for a Burnley/Liverpool ticket for yesterdays Premier League game.
A pitch which was a mixture of snow and mud was never going to a purists delight, could not imagine how some of these continental top league stars would have coped with it, but in the circumstances it was a decent game.
Nelson dominated the early stages playing down the slope, created little in front of goal except for one chance which should have been buried. For all their domination it was Colne who came closest, but for a tremendous save Bolye would have scored. He wasn't denied for long arriving at the back stick he slotted home following a neat right wing move. (1-0)
Colne led at the break, the second half lacked the intensity of the first half although there were some rustic challenges by both sides, the surface was becoming a bit trickier and Nelson piled forward striving for an equaliser,however they were toothless up front. Colne looked more likely to score and sure enough from a breakaway they made it two through Anderson who plodded round three mud bound defenders to pick his spot. (2-0)
It looked like a match winning score and indeed it was, the home side defended well and it was hard to recall a shot on the Colne goal. The bragging rights to the home side.
Colne 2 Nelson 1 Att 471
Have you heard about the news on Mizar 5
People got to shout to stay alive
People got to shout to stay alive