Tuesday 22nd August 2023

Calthorpe Park, Fleet GU51 5FA

Fleet Town v. Abbey Rangers 

Any football ground that you can walk to from your house is a special place; even more so when the ground has the same as that of your old school.

Fleet Town celebrated 100 years playing at Calthorpe Park in March 2023, now called The Mustard Seed Stadium thanks to charity partnership agreement started in October 2022.

I have been watching matches off and on at Calthorpe Park for best part of 50 years, so after my forever love (Aldershot) -  Fleet Town is my next most visited club.

I rediscovered my local team during the COVID years when football fans were not allowed to go to matches with big crowds, but the bonus was I was able to attend games at Fleet whilst The Shots were playing behind closed doors.

Early memories of attending matches in the 1970s when our PE teacher Mr Adams was the Fleet Town goalie (where we learnt his first name was Dave - but woe betide anyone using that name in lessons!). School pupils were allowed in free, a tradition that continues and always helps to swell the crowd.

Tonight is not a school night so there's a decent turnout of local youngsters happy to enjoy the atmosphere.

If you are train hopping to the ground it will take you approximately 30 minutes to walk from the mainline station down Fleet Road (which has plenty of food and drink options for you) over The Oatsheaf crossroads and you'll find the ground a quarter of a mile down Crookham Road.

My own walk is a very pleasant stroll past the cricket ground and tennis courts towards the tree lined Mustard Seed Stadium.

The pitch has a concrete path all the way around. One stand straddling the halfway line ,whilst the grass pitch is on a slope downhill to the left as you sit in the grandstand. There are small covered terraces behind both goals, where the "Fleet Massive" gather.

The clubhouse is very good for this level, plenty of tables, Sky TV, all mod cons. It hasn't changed that much since the days my sister had her 18th birthday party there in 1979!  

On the pitch Fleet have struggled to maintain their level in the past couple of seasons. Young manager (ex Aldershot Town player Jermaine McGlashan) has assembled a squad of youthful players and hopes are high for progression.

Tonight's game had a breathless first half which saw Fleet stride into a three nil half time lead courtesy of a Connor Young hat-trick in the space of just 20 minutes. A slightly more subdued second half ended with a late fourth goal from veteran player coach Chris Zebroski on as a late sub.

A very enjoyable evening. At a lovely community centred club.

Do yourself a favour - have a little trip down there one day soon. You won't be disappointed. It's fun, friendly and I'm proud to call it my hometown club. 

[Final Score: Fleet 4 Abbey 0]