COLLINGHAM WIN BIG BUT ITS ALL ABOUT THE CHARACTERS

RENISHAW RANGERS 0 COLLINGHAM 6
CMFL NORTH @ STONE CLOSE
29 SEPTEMBER 2018 --- 3PM

RENISHAW RANGERS V COLLINGHAM

No clarity needed on this game Collingham won hands down by a margin that could have been much bigger but sometimes from a Renishaw point of view you have too look for the benefits a stable management team, hard working Chairman and secretary wife, plus a collection of a small band of supporters all doing little bits to try to help this club along its path.  So todays its time to look at the game yes but also blog about some of the characters at Stone Close including the superb story of Richard and Doreen.

RICHARD AND DOREEN OVER THE INTERNATIONAL AND COUNTY BOUNDARY THEY COME

The usual stuff first the train to Sheffield then an X5 bus to Kiveton Park due to the ongoing Northern Rail strike reducing the service to every two hours.  Departing at the western edge of the village for a change with two hours to spare a wander along to The Fat Fish to sample the delights saw me spotted by follow traveller Peno of the Spital and Italian parish, luckily the delicacy was just about finished and by the front of The Saxon pub a small historical walk followed.  Previous blogs last season on Kiveton Park will reveal the necessary discussions of colliery, largest pit head baths in Europe etc. 
All things discussed we arrived on the approach to the ground and home of Renishaw Rangers, the village of which is approximately 5 miles south west of here over the border in Derbyshire.  The interest in clubs playing outside their home spans Derry City from the north of Ireland playing in the Southern Irish league, Berwick Rangers in England playing in bonny Scotland and of course more interestingly TNS playing in Oswestry in England while competeing in The Welsh Premier League while ground sharing with the big boys are Fc Oswestry Town and St Martin plying their trade in the English pyramid by the NWCFL.  The ultimate occurs here with Kiveton Park vacating Stone Close, then Hard Lane, to move to play in Wales, that's Wales the adjoining village to Kiveton Park not the country!
Character number one then an hour before kick off Chairman Baxter is on the gate and with admission and new style, and fast improving, programme purchased there was a jaunt to the tea bar to catch up with his better half and secretary Sharon.  The amount of work and investment these two carry out running the step 7 team alongside men's Sunday teams and junior sides is enough to exhaust you just thinking about it.

AS YOU CAN SEE SENIOR GUARD DOG GEORGE WAS IN PARTICULARLY MENACING MOOD THIS AFTERNOON

By this stage Peno had gone for a bacon cob and mug of hot stuff so a wander to the officials room for the teams found Chesterfield official Gareth Carlile assisted today by the blues brother of the former CMFL League Secretary Mark Senior and Mick Webb who would both today officiate in dark sunglasses to avoid the low bright thing, although it may have been to avoid recognition, you decide!

REFEREE CARLILE ASSISTED BY THE BLUES BROTHERS

Characters are not always of the two legged variety and non league dogs would have been delighted today that in a small crowd three four legged supporters were in attendance however George [Baxter] was playing the role of attack dog barking at most things that moved and patrolling any gaps in the fence, there aren't any before you look, for free loaders.  Outside the snack bar was Maximus [Bates] manager Steve's and Mrs Bates family dog who was taking a more laid back approach to proceedings and then a bundle of French bulldog fun new pup Ronnie [Dixon] who was fellow manager Simon's pooch, he seemed more interested in wrapping up in the warm blanket that Megan was shielding him in however.

CLUB PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD AT GROUND LEVEL

During the afternoon a brief catch up with Richard Goddard who is the clubs new photographer for the season was undertaking duties not to be interrupted and you can connect to his pictures on the clubs twitter page.  During the game grounds man Paul was in attendance and a smart job he has made of the pitch and surroundings after a terrible summer for all observers of the green stuff, plus from a spectator point of view you can now wander all the way around the ground with the hard standing now exposed at the railway end too.

SIMON DIXON [L] AND STEVE BATES ABLY ASSISTED BY MARK GRAYLING

As we mount up the characters it was good to have a brief catch up during proceedings with physio Mark Grayling who joined last season and was looking resplendent in the new Renishaw tops and alongside the dugouts an entertaining chat with the Collingham official, Graham, compiling the match report about all things footy.
Characters in a crowd of around 20 people on the day but many contributing so much to this little club who lets be honest are no Manchester City and cannot profess even a modicum of their results over recent times but good people enjoying grassroots involvement and that brings me to Richard and his mum Doreen.
I first met the pair after taking their picture sat in the former dug outs for the game last season versus Appleby Frodingham just before the famous Headingley seats were added to the large typical former mining stand.  Richard has developed the Renishaw International Supporters Twitter page, for while he is away in Austria, which is well worth a read for its obscure pictures, humorous commentary and original giveaways including recently Renishaw Rangers liveried table top game style footballer.  An additional contributor to the impressive programme with his column interviewing people around the club has added another string to his bow.  I asked Richard who lives around 20 miles away south of Chesterfield why Renishaw?  He explained "Along with mum we liked to go to local football games and having visited a few we looked at Renishaw who last season were struggling at the foot of the table and thought I bet they could do with some support".  Having decided to take a look at the club Richard continues "upon arrival the Chairman greeted us and even got mum to a seat so she was comfortable".  Richard added that it was more than any other Chairman had done and they decided this would be a club to follow and through thin and thin they are now witnessing some steadier times as the 'work in progress' sign swings a little more convincingly.
Football I hear you ask, I know but I think so often we overlook supporters, volunteers, before we go on about managers and players who also it has to be said bring so much to the game at this level no glory hunters here just people trying to do their best at the grassroots of the beautiful game.

COSTA OPENS THE SCORING FOR COLLINGHAM

High flying Collingham had taken Renishaw for a stack of goals last season including an embarrassing late teens at their place and today would be an equally difficult task as their young side wold visit the developing youngsters at Stone Close.
It started badly well Sidnei Costa slotted the ball past Daniel Hartshorn after just five minutes, it was all Collingham but mid way through the half the home side did have a triple strike on goal in the same move.  Aiden McTighe, Luke Manlove and Daniel State saw their efforts to level the scores blocked and then finally saved.  As hopes were raised Collingham shattered them by immediately going up the other end and doubling their advantage thanks to Sean James.  So it continued with Chris Funnell had a couple of good efforts on the Renishaw goal which was leading a charmed life but was also being aided, as it was throughout the game, by the heroics of home keeper Hartshorn.
Within eight minutes of the re-start the third was added Liam Moore was adjudged to have fouled Costa in the box referee Carlile appeared not to be giving it but assistant Webb flagged and following a caution for the Renishaw player the offended against player notched his second of the game.
Hartshorn was back in action to deny Collingham saving from James and then Roy Bescoby before Ryan Rushen made it 4-0 when he lashed home a 25 yard effort.

THOSE FAMOUS HEADINGLEY SEATS AND WE CAN SEE YOU RICHARD AND DOREEN

In the closing stages Collingham took advantage of some tiring limbs from the home side by adding two further goals which saw Frasier Cooke bag a brace on 83 and 89 minutes.
A comfortable win for visiting Collingham but the work in progress has clearly started and is well down the road for a young Renishaw Rangers side under the more than capable management pairing of Simon Dixon and Steve Bates but like everything it takes a little time especially with the young uns.
Returning journey went very smoothly with train to Sheffield being complimented by and immediate connections to base station arriving back just over 1 1/2 hours after the final whistle.