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Basford United

Est. 1900

Venue

Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham Tel: 01949 839412

Ground Capacity

 

Home Strip

 Away Strip

Seating  

Record Attendance

 
Who are ya? United
What Division are you in? Nottinghamshire Senior League - Senior Division
Websites http://basfordutdfc.intheteam.com

 

You must have come in a taxi

From Nottingham - Travel north on the A60 Mansfield Road until you reach the Goose Fair Roundabout. Take 1st exit off first roundabout, then 2nd exit for B682 (Bulwell). Continue up Sherwood Rise, onto Nottingham Road for 1.2 miles. Get into right hand lane & turn left at McDonalds traffic lights. Get into right hand lane, and turn right at next traffic lights. Turn right onto Church Street (the road to the north east of where you're looking, not Vernon Road, as you'll more likely to get into traffic problems that way). At end of Church Street, turn right onto Alpine Street, which becomes Percy Street. After 0.8 miles, turn right at mini-roundabout onto Mill Street, then first left into Bagnall Road. Turn 1st right into Greenwich Avenue, and the entrance to the Ground is straight ahead, with a large car park available for use.

From M1 Jnc.26 - Follow A610 to Nottingham for 1.8 miles, passing over two roundabouts. After Gateway Hotel, at next lights, turn left onto Stockhill Lane (signposted - Arnold). turn left at mini-roundabout onto Mill Street, then first left into Bagnall Road. Turn 1st right into Greenwich Avenue, and the entrance to the Ground is straight ahead, with a large car park available for use.

From Mansfield - Take the A60 southbound towards Nottingham. Upon reaching the White Horse Pub major junction in Arnold, turn right onto the B6004 for 3 miles. Head over David Lane crossing onto David Lane, and turn right onto Bagnall Road. Turn 1st right into Greenwich Avenue, and the entrance to the Ground is straight ahead, with a large car park available for use.

   Nottingham City Transport - No.70 (Assarts Farm - Nottm Victoria Centre) runs by the top of Greenwich Avenue, No.69 (Basford - Nottm Victoria Centre) terminates at Percy Street, a short distance from the Ground.

 Bulwell - 1 mile on the Robin Hood Line (Nottm- Worksop). turn right out of station up Main Street, then left onto Highbury Vale. Continue until you reach David Lane crossing. Go over the crossing up David Lane, then take the 2nd right onto Bagnall Road. then right onto Greenwich Avenue, and the entrance to the Ground it straight ahead.

  David Lane - Follow the instructions from David Lane crossing above.

For a map of the location, Click here.

 

My garden shed is bigger than this

Basford, pronounced Base-ford, is famous on the local circuit for its roots in the hosiery and knitting industries. It is also famous for its football team, Basford United, a Club who gave the author of this very site his debut as a youngster in the early 1980's. Unfortunately, as much as I gave in desire, commitment and passion, I lacked somewhat in the all important provision of ability. Alas, I was soon back playing for my junior school. Despite this, I will not forget the experience of donning the famous yellow and black of one of Nottingham's oldest non-league clubs.

Basford United were formed as the world celebrated the arrival of the 20th Century. Very little is known about the first 50 years of their existence, though it is known that their most coveted period was following the Second World War, when, having taken up a place in the Notts Alliance, United were to appear in ten consecutive F.A.Cup preliminary rounds. Whilst never making it further than the 2nd Qualifying Round, they can be rightfully proud of their achievement in a city dominated by the two heavyweights, County & Forest.   

In terms of actual trophies during their peak in the post-war years, the Club captured the Notts F.A. Senior Cup in 1947. They repeated the feat 41 years later in 1988. They also enjoyed some success in the Notts Alliance during this period, though it was their notable contribution to developing youth football within the City that really won them the plaudits, complimenting the work being done at Clifton All Whites on the other side of Nottingham. 

Following their long association with the NAA, at the end of the 2005/06 season, the Club decided to try their luck in the Notts Senior League. United ended their tenure in the Notts Amateur Alliance with a magnificent double, capturing both the NAA Premier Division title and Notts F.A. Intermediate Cup.

Their Greenwich Avenue home is located within the huge open space known as the Mill Street Playing Field. Basford's Ground is a cordoned off area on the northern-central side of the park, close to the banks of Nottingham's lesser known river, the River Lean. Also behind this end of the Ground is one of Nottingham's newest additions the route for the Nottingham Express Transit, more commonly known as the Tram. Whilst this rail line is shared with standard trains, you won't fail to distinguish the difference due to the Tram's unique 'swishing movement' and distinctive cowbell.

It has to be said that the Ground is in a bit of a state of disrepair. The fencing, goalposts & covered stand could all do with a bit of a spruce up. The entire Ground is encircled by an eight-foot high, rusty mesh-like fence. With only two ways out on either side, this can be rather inconvenient when a wasted shot, or a fine defensive tackle transcends the fence and hurtles into the park. Still, at least it should be easy enough to find, providing it doesn't head for the tram line.

The pitch itself is almost entirely surrounded by a white, metal tubular rail, 12 foot, inside the perimeter fencing. The rusty old roller in the south-west corner could definitely do with a run out as on my visit, the 12 foot gap is turning into what could only be described as a suburban jungle. Whilst it desperately needs some attention, the pitch is in a fairly healthy condition. 

Two robust dugouts sit on the west side of the pitch. These identical small structures are brick built, flat-roofed, with bench seating for three at the most. The Club have added a small nameplate to each to mark 'Home' & 'Away' dugouts - a nice touch.

On the opposite side of the pitch is the Ground's only cover area for spectators. This consists of flat standing with  a breezeblock backboard, partly painted apple green. Part of the backboard appears to be missing on both sides, and a rusty metal frame holds aloft a precariously balanced corrugated roof. If that isn't enough to discourage you from using it in all but the harshest of weather, wait until you try and reach it. There could be snakes in all that undergrowth from the gated entrance to the stand, such is its condition. 

By the entrance, there are also a couple of what appear to be electrical terminal buildings sited. Behind these buildings, on the main park area, are two unusually placed floodlights. Both are modern, single-pole steel affairs, with three clusters each, both facing away from the pitch over what I presume is a training area.

The Clubhouse is situated some distance away by the main entrance to the park. This is quite a grand two-tier structure, which sadly, like much of the location, has fallen from grace, with all of its windows boarded up. The building is entirely brick built, bar the slated roof, and decorative wooden panelling on the front. There is an additional single level building attached to the rear. It's all quite huge, and resembles more of a large residential house than a Clubhouse.

Future Plans

United are gathering quotations for the following stages of ground development:

1. New perimeter fencing for the main pitch/Car Park and around the clubhouse.

2. State of the Art CCTV surveillance to add protection to the clubhouse and pitch.

3. Security glass to replace the wooden boards on the clubhouse.

 

Additional Photography

                                 

                

      Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture.

� Christopher Rooney  - permission required for photo & text usage

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