'Around the Grounds' Edition 4: Nelson
Mon 19th August 2024 | Nelson | By Ben Wilkinson
The latest stop on the 'Around the Grounds' tour of the League is First Division North high-flyers Nelson and their Victoria Park home, commonly referred to as 'Little Wembley'. Nelson boast an impressive history, having beaten Real Madrid 4-2 in 1923 and played in the Football League between 1923 and 1931. They have played at Victoria Park since 1971 and they were founder members of the NWCFL in 1982. Barring a short spell in the late 80s and one season in the early 2010s, the club have remained in the League ever since. The Admirals finished 18th and last in the First Division North last season, but were spared relegation to the West Lancashire League by the FA, meaning they continue to play in the division this season.
The ground has undergone some fairly major renovations this summer under the ownership of Chris Price and Stewart Fort, with the construction of a new stand behind the near goal, new hardstanding around the perimeter of the pitch and a new clubhouse and toilet block at the top end of the ground. The improvement in the facilities at the ground really has been immense in such a short space of time - a testament to the £250,000+ that the new owners have invested so far. A novelty at this level is the large screen placed on top of the new clubhouse, giving the club the ability to display replays of the action on the pitch, which is something that plenty of Football League clubs don't have the facilities to do!
The new stand caters for standing spectators and is split into two, with the area directly behind the goal left flat. This stand was well used on our visit, when Droylsden came to town on Wednesday 14th August. This fixture was destined to be a cracker, as the two sides involved are widely tipped to both be at the right end of the table come mid-April. Nelson had won five out of five heading into this clash, while Droylsden had won three, drawn one and lost one of their opening set. The game started brightly but both teams cancelled each other out to some extent and there wasn't much in the way of big chances during the opening exchanges. Nelson did have the ball in the net after the half hour mark through a Sefton Gonzales header but the linesman ruled that the number 9 had strayed offside. The Admirals suffered a double blow as the away side went 1-0 up shortly after as some smart play was finished off from close range by Nellson Van.
Droylsden controlled the play and were comfortable in their slender lead, missing a golden chance to double their advantage midway through the second half when Joel Ankers couldn't keep his effort on target with only the keeper to beat. Shaquille Lewys came on for the Bloods and caused Nelson's defence some problems but the score remained 1-0 going into the final ten minutes when Harry Jackson stole the ball off a Droylsden defender before coolly slotting the ball beyond Jordan Latham to restore parity. The game wasn't over yet though and it was Nellson Van at the double to deny his namesake any share of the spoils with just five minutes left on the clock. The Admirals couldn't find another leveller and they fell to their first defeat of the season.
'Around the Grounds' Edition 4: Nelson
Mon 19th August 2024 | Nelson
By Ben Wilkinson
The latest stop on the 'Around the Grounds' tour of the League is First Division North high-flyers Nelson and their Victoria Park home, commonly referred to as 'Little Wembley'. Nelson boast an impressive history, having beaten Real Madrid 4-2 in 1923 and played in the Football League between 1923 and 1931. They have played at Victoria Park since 1971 and they were founder members of the NWCFL in 1982. Barring a short spell in the late 80s and one season in the early 2010s, the club have remained in the League ever since. The Admirals finished 18th and last in the First Division North last season, but were spared relegation to the West Lancashire League by the FA, meaning they continue to play in the division this season.
The ground has undergone some fairly major renovations this summer under the ownership of Chris Price and Stewart Fort, with the construction of a new stand behind the near goal, new hardstanding around the perimeter of the pitch and a new clubhouse and toilet block at the top end of the ground. The improvement in the facilities at the ground really has been immense in such a short space of time - a testament to the £250,000+ that the new owners have invested so far. A novelty at this level is the large screen placed on top of the new clubhouse, giving the club the ability to display replays of the action on the pitch, which is something that plenty of Football League clubs don't have the facilities to do!
The new stand caters for standing spectators and is split into two, with the area directly behind the goal left flat. This stand was well used on our visit, when Droylsden came to town on Wednesday 14th August. This fixture was destined to be a cracker, as the two sides involved are widely tipped to both be at the right end of the table come mid-April. Nelson had won five out of five heading into this clash, while Droylsden had won three, drawn one and lost one of their opening set. The game started brightly but both teams cancelled each other out to some extent and there wasn't much in the way of big chances during the opening exchanges. Nelson did have the ball in the net after the half hour mark through a Sefton Gonzales header but the linesman ruled that the number 9 had strayed offside. The Admirals suffered a double blow as the away side went 1-0 up shortly after as some smart play was finished off from close range by Nellson Van.
Droylsden controlled the play and were comfortable in their slender lead, missing a golden chance to double their advantage midway through the second half when Joel Ankers couldn't keep his effort on target with only the keeper to beat. Shaquille Lewys came on for the Bloods and caused Nelson's defence some problems but the score remained 1-0 going into the final ten minutes when Harry Jackson stole the ball off a Droylsden defender before coolly slotting the ball beyond Jordan Latham to restore parity. The game wasn't over yet though and it was Nellson Van at the double to deny his namesake any share of the spoils with just five minutes left on the clock. The Admirals couldn't find another leveller and they fell to their first defeat of the season.
