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August 2025
Northern Premier League
Briggers Road trips to Warrington Rylands
and Cleethrpes Town.
The
new NPL season is up and running. After a superb home 2-0 victory
over Guiseley on opening today. The Brig fans looked forward to two
away trips. Well looking forward to a trip to Warrington is perhaps
overstating it a bit. 😂 but Cleethorpes Town on the other hand was
definitely one to wet the appetite.
So a sweltering Tuesday night relatively short drive down the M6 and we are soon parked up at the Gorsey Lane Ground, (formerly The Hive Arena). A quick two minute walk down the road and we’re in The Orford Hotel, a fine watering hole with a pleasant court yard at the rear for an al fresco scoop.
So a sweltering Tuesday night relatively short drive down the M6 and we are soon parked up at the Gorsey Lane Ground, (formerly The Hive Arena). A quick two minute walk down the road and we’re in The Orford Hotel, a fine watering hole with a pleasant court yard at the rear for an al fresco scoop.
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Poor Andy didn't know we were in the pub and was doing his Billy no mates impression at the ground 😂
A couple of pints
of Madri
later and of course Guinness Zero for the driver, we amble back to
the ground to Join Andy and in readiness for the match. It has to be
said that Rylands Ground is starting to look a little worse for wear.
The pitch looked poor, The bar ran out of beer before kick off,
and the ground just looks a little bit shabby. The toilets weren't the
best at all.. To be fair to the hosts, we've heard that they are
looking to move to a new venue quite soon and aren't spending any more
money on their current home.
Anyway, as for the game. Not the spectacle or result we’d hoped but in fairness it was over 25 degress at kick of time and the pitch it’s fair to say did not help Bamber Bridge one bit. A Brig mix up at the back, led to the only goal of the game and we left Warrington slightly deflated but already anticipating our trip to the east Coast and Costa del Grimsby at the weekend.
strange looking markings on the pitch but a fine sunset later on.
Anyway, as for the game. Not the spectacle or result we’d hoped but in fairness it was over 25 degress at kick of time and the pitch it’s fair to say did not help Bamber Bridge one bit. A Brig mix up at the back, led to the only goal of the game and we left Warrington slightly deflated but already anticipating our trip to the east Coast and Costa del Grimsby at the weekend.
 Moggy and Adam |
 Briggers anticipating a scorcher of a game |
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So
it’s Saturday morning and an early (ish) 10:15am start from
Irongate and our 3 hour drive east towards Lincolnshire. Fun fact of
the day, Cleethorpes Town play their home games at The Linden Club in
Grimsby. While Grimsby Town play their home games at Blundell Park in
Cleethorpes.
Three hours, 15 minutes later, following a short stop at Ferrybridge Services on the M62/A1(M) junction we arrive at the Linden Club, now also known as The HPS Plant Hire Stadium. A really nice set up, with The Clubhouse overlooking the Cricket pitch, a nice sun terrace, and also a beer garden next to the Football pitch, on what looks like it used to be a bowling green.
Happy looking Briggers in The Cleethorpes Town Clubhouse 😂
No driving, so no worries about the refreshments, and quite unusually we opted for Red Stipe Jamaican Lager, very nice. The locals were incredibly friendly and genuinely interested in Bamber Bridge FC. In to the ground and it’s a cracker. Modern, clean, smart and the pitch looked superb.
Nick and Kev looking for the toilets !!! 🤣
The Brig Ultras, under The Stewardship of their new leader....Sean Kemplay 👍😂
The HPS Plant Hire Stadium
Three hours, 15 minutes later, following a short stop at Ferrybridge Services on the M62/A1(M) junction we arrive at the Linden Club, now also known as The HPS Plant Hire Stadium. A really nice set up, with The Clubhouse overlooking the Cricket pitch, a nice sun terrace, and also a beer garden next to the Football pitch, on what looks like it used to be a bowling green.
Happy looking Briggers in The Cleethorpes Town Clubhouse 😂
No driving, so no worries about the refreshments, and quite unusually we opted for Red Stipe Jamaican Lager, very nice. The locals were incredibly friendly and genuinely interested in Bamber Bridge FC. In to the ground and it’s a cracker. Modern, clean, smart and the pitch looked superb.
Nick and Kev looking for the toilets !!! 🤣
The Brig Ultras, under The Stewardship of their new leader....Sean Kemplay 👍😂
A fine Bamber Bridge performance, possibly deserving of all 3 points having led form a first half goal until 10 minutes from the end. but a 1-1 draw and a terrific performance. Three games into the season and the there is much to be enthusiastic about. Ewan Bange already has two League goals under his belt and some of the attacking play was a joy to watch.
The HPS Plant Hire Stadium
A
thoroughly enjoyable day and every point on the road is a good point.
Fabulous place to visit and great hosts. So it was only fair to have
one for the road before we set off on the 135 mile drive back to Bamber Bridge
Drinks on The Lawn !!
Drinks on The Lawn !!
Three
home League games on the spin now as we welcome Leek Town, Ilkeston
Town and Workington. With an FA Cup date before the Workington game.
The draw is on Monday 18th
August, so it hopefully will be four home games on the bounce.
