In my 47 years on this planet, I’d never before been to Hetton-le-Hole, where the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground is situated. As the name suggests, there’s no such place as Eppleton, it was the name of one of the two collieries in Hetton. So fair play to Sunderland AFC for bringing a lovely old ground back to life as the home of their Ladies and Under 23 sides, as Eppleton Colliery FC has been defunct for nigh on 20 years. Latterly members of the Northern Alliance, they’d had 11 years in the Northern League immediately prior (highest position: 16th in division 1) and before that were long time residents of the Wearside League. Yet the Welfare Ground deserves to prosper.
There is one stand, but it seats over 200 and has the quirk of a terrace at the back (I believe Shrewsbury’s new stadium has similar). But the terrace and seats look brand new, though the shell of the stand, a propped cantilever, looks appropriately aged. The stand traverses the halfway line, though most is in one half. Opposite, along the whole far touchline, is a bank. Emblazoned in glorious October sunshine, it looked a picture, with fans spread the length and trees framing it from behind. A scaffolded gantry provided a perfect position for the cameraman.
Both ends were tightly enclosed, with barely enough room to pass folk. All the better for it. I came in at the sports centre end, and perhaps if I’d visited the Bob Paisley Bar in the Hetton Centre, I could have raised a glass to Hetton’s most famous son. Or been cheeky enough to go upstairs and watch the game from the balcony, for free (I presume). I came in at the turnstile at this end, a fiver. I paid by card, since the cash turnstile was at the other end of the stadium (through a charming doorway in an old stone wall).
Today’s match was a doozy – a Womens Super League 2nd division derby between Sunderland and Durham. The SAFC marketing peeps had labelled it the ‘River Wear Derby’. Why not ‘Wear Derby’? Surely more catchy? For fear of confusing southerners who’d pronounce it ‘Where’? (Mind, I’ve come across plenty of people who pronounce ‘Derby’ as it’s spelt…never work in a school!) Sunderland, one defeat in 5, were handily placed in the top half, while Durham could go top with their games in hand, 4 wins and 1 defeat thus far. The scene was set for a competitive game.
It was an even first half, with Sunderland going close with a couple of half chances, while Durham looked shot-shy despite possession. Tackles were flying in, mistimed or otherwise, but the ref let it flow and 1 or 2 obvious bookings were ignored in the name of it being a derby. So I was a bit surprised at a corner when the ref told the attacking side (Durham) ‘don’t impede the keeper’s movement’. What is this? Are you no longer allowed to stand in front of a keeper? Since when are there different rules for goalkeepers? (Ans: always.) Anyway, there’s nothing like signalling your intention to give a free kick to the home team. Half-time, 0-0.
I’d already walked round 3 sides of the ground and took my place in the stand for the 2nd half. Given the pitch slopes from side to side, upwards towards the stand, the view was tremendous. And on the halfway line too. Perhaps I’d also be unable to hear the woman / foghorn on the far side. Nope, I can still hear her, though she wasn’t as vocal 2nd half. Problies had no chords left. Otherwise, the crowd was very different from a senior men’s game. Supporters actually SUPPORTED, constant cries of ‘Come on Durham’ or ‘Come on Sunderland’. Actually, I expected more of a ‘Ho’way’ from Sunderland, but I expect everyone was from County Durham, Hetton being midway between Sunderland and Durham City. Are Sunderland fans from County Durham now duty bound to support SAFC ladies rather than Durham? Am I the only one who finds it terribly, terribly boring that the clubs dominating women’s football are the same as the men’s? All hail Durham, then, one of the few teams in the upper echelons not to have a sporting link to a senior men’s team. (Mind, their training facilities at the university put many a professional men’s team to shame.)
The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute, as Durham’s Beth Hepple hit a free kick through the wall and into the bottom corner. Sunderland keeper Moan (great name) probably did just that. Durham doubled their lead in the 76th minute as a swift break on the left ended with Lambert firing high into an empty net as the keeper ran out. Despite some fiery challenges, Sunderland’s efforts petered and Durham saw the game out comfortably. An excellent advert for the women’s game and a cracking ground to see footie. Marks too for the DJ. ‘The BOYS are back in town.’ Wrong gender!
The Damage:
£5 ent
= £5
Programme ‘online only’. No good for those of us who want something to actually FLICK through. I’d love to know the ‘viewing figures’ for online programmes. Does ANYONE read them?
The Tunes:
The Bairns (Rachel Unthank and the Winterset)
Con Todo El Mundo (Khruangbin)
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