Handsworth FC

[patch]

I thought we should start a new topic.

England Band Director Steve Holmes commented " We are so proud to have been asked to play at Handsworth, who typify all that is good in non-league football - they have made a great start to their NCEL first ever campaign, and with their tie up with the back the bid campaign and Sean Bean's appointment as director, the club is making great strides...something that everyone connected with Handsworth FC should be very proud of."

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/#_

http://www.ncel.org.uk/

[Sable899]

Found this little blog with some pics of the field. Looks like Sean has his work cut out for him.

http://reynardshuntinggrounds.blogspot.com/2010/08/handsworth-v-glasshoughton-welfare.html

[patch]

Handsworth director Sean Bean had been hoping to make the trip over from Northern Ireland where he is on location filming, but a midnight film-shoot ruled it out.
But the film star would have been delighted to hear that Handsworth made it three wins from three at home without conceding

http://www.thestar.co.uk/football/Handsworth-sparkle-at-home-again.6514432.jp

[patch]

Some famous footballers have passed through the ranks of the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association’s leagues. They include:

.....Sean Bean who starred for Handsworth Boys.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/lifestyle/features/dream_job_after_dissertation_1_3752520

[lighty]

Some famous footballers have passed through the ranks of the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association’s leagues. They include:

.....Sean Bean who starred for Handsworth Boys.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/lifestyle/features/dream_job_after_dissertation_1_3752520

Knew there had to be more of a connection then it just being his local club!

[patch]

On Friday 27th April 2012 I received correspondence from the BarisNCEL that, at the end of this current playing season, we would be relegated from the competition and be placed at a level of football determined by the Football Association.This due to the fact that our home ground at Olivers Mount does not meet the required ground grade of the Football Association to continue playing at their level of football. 

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/news/chairmans-statement-573439.html

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/

[versusterminus]

Found this little blog with some pics of the field. Looks like Sean has his work cut out for him.

http://reynardshuntinggrounds.blogspot.com/2010/08/handsworth-v-glasshoughton-welfare.html

I'd say the pitch looks like its in excellent shape? Or was it mostly the area around it that were sub-standard?

[Annie]

This sort  of thing doesn't  just mean the state o the pitch but the ground as a whole.

ie -- adequate toilet facilites (for both sexes), catering, car parking  or even changing facilities. Meeting Fire regs etc can also come into play.

If they don't come up to scratch or visiting teams have complained, their status would probably have to be reviewed - it's in the Rules probably.

[lighty]

This sort  of thing doesn't  just mean the state o the pitch but the ground as a whole.

ie -- adequate toilet facilites (for both sexes), catering, car parking  or even changing facilities. Meeting Fire regs etc can also come into play.

If they don't come up to scratch or visiting teams have complained, their status would probably have to be reviewed - it's in the Rules probably.

Good points, Annie.  A Google of the club shows that it is very close to a major road - I suspect there is a barrier beyond just a line of trees, but that seems like it would be a little problematic.  The parking is small, though probably adequate - but the clubhouse/toilets/changing rooms are quite a hike away (and judging from that blog posting, uphill from the pitch).  That could be an issue for people with disabilities.  The covered stand looks pretty frail, too.


On edit - curiosity getting the better of me (as usual), I looked up the grading standards.
http://www.thefa.com/Leagues/NationalLeagueSystem/GroundGrading
I'm not sure what level they would be considered.

This comment from supporters (May 1st):

"They've been unfairly treated. The ground improvements the league want are based on the fact that the distance from the current changing rooms is 'too far' and may be a H&S risk. Absolute tosh IMO.
The facilities at Handsworth are probably the best in the league. They have a purpose-built clubhouse, changing rooms, parking etc. etc.
They have agreed to build pitch-side facilities but it is taking longer than expected to secure the £250k required (as you would expect). In the interim they have agreed a ground share. They're in the cup final tonight so may win the league and the cup and be thrown out of the league (not relegated BTW). It's pathetic.
The league committee must be trying to emulate the actual FA, i.e. completely out of touch.
I'm hopeful the appeal will be successful. "

[Annie]

Spot on Lighty

Gone are the days when a corrugated iron shed for changing, no showers and  a cubby hole for men to have a pee in  were the norm.

There's a raft of legislation covering all aspects both on and off the pitch.. I'm not a footie fan but I have seen clubs denied promotion in my own, preferred sport simply because although they've won their league, they don't meet the criteria laid down for the higher league - it can even be as simple as the number of seats in a stand.

[najinboulder]

Perhaps I should already know this but has Sean turned his back on the Blades?  I know he had a blow out a couple of  years ago with a manager but has he really turned his back on the Blades for Handsworth?

[Sable899]

Depends on what you mean by 'turned his back'.  He's still a Blades fan but sold his shares in the club and gotten as far away from the management of the team as possible a few years ago.  I think it just wasn't fun being involved in the business end of it anymore. His involvement with Handsworth is as a supporter/patron/shareholder, mainly for the purpose of adding weight to their fundraising and makes for good publicity for himself, being that its his old neighborhood club. How involved he is in the club's daily goings-on is unknown.

[lighty]

Seems downright criminal to throw them out of the league because their clubhouse isn't directly next to the pitch - I could understand it from a H&S aspect, but it appears to be more about toeing the line of the rules.  Apparently they filed an appeal; I hope wiser heads prevail.
They have the entire summer to raise the money they need for the pitchside facilities - and they did make quite a few changes (seats in the covered stand and a ticket gate, for example).  I would think that shows a good faith effort.

Maybe we need to help them write a "History of Handsworth FC" or something . . . to raise money.  Maybe they could get Sean to flog it at the mall!

[najinboulder]

Thanks Sable.  I knew he had a falling out with folks but am glad he is still a fan.  Yes being involved in the running and management of the team would not be a lot of fun.  Hopefully he can help raise money for Handsworth.

[patch]

The Final Nail in our development programme was delivered by the FA at Wembley when the appeal against the expulsion of our first team was rejected.

Despite being offered The Don Valley Stadium to stage our home games for season 2012/2013, the FA have rejected the appeal by Handsworth Junior Sporting Club to exercise discretion and grant Handsworth FC a further window of opportunity to have their final plans including the notification of a football stadia grant in place to bring the ground up to the required grade before the AGM of the Baris NCEL. If we do decide to continue with open age football, we now await the FA in their wisdom to place our team in a league suitable for our facilities, obviously being able to play the game takes a back seat.   

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/handsworthfc/news/rip-grassroots-football-584671.html