The main thing I want when going to a game, is to see good football with a at least a couple of bits of outstanding class. This game gave me all that, both teams playing good football, both wanting to pass the ball and both the Wingate goals were outstanding, but what stood out today was the ground - the main stand and mix that up with a great football game plus the history of the clubs Jewish roots then your left with a day to remember.
The game was great and after it I was surprised how poorly Wingate had been playing over the last 4 weeks, they were hanging on at the end and Tonbridge did improve in the second half when they had the slope with them but in the end Wingate did deserve the win.
But to visit here and get the full benefit of the day you need to k now the history of the club, of its Jewish roots, of mergers and moves, success and failure. Whilst currently my own political party struggles with its connection to the Jewish community, here you still have an example of the Jewish community being such an integral part of the whole area.
When you arrive you are met by the youngest turnstile operators around, guess they are junior players with the club, then your met with two senior citizen fans, jacket and tie on, selling the draw tickets. This is a club that ahs dedicated supporters plus a youth set up that is one of the best in North London - but unfortunately, crowds of just over 100 each week means they do not get the support of local residents they should and deserve to get.
The turnstile block and the gates give you a sense that you are walking into stadium with character, then you see the main stand - it is just magnificent and to top it off, an almost matching stand is built on the back of it, for sue by the neighbouring rugby club. It is slightly more ramshackle but does have similarities to its North London rivals ground at Enfield.
The rugby stand
So get yourself on the North Circular and visit this lovely club, learn its history ( I for one, thought Wingate was some part of North London suburbia not knowing the club took its name from General Orde Wingate) and just stand and stare at this fabulous example of a footballs stand.
