Match Preview

MIDLAND LEAGUE PREMIER DIV'N/b]

[b]TUESDAY 15th AUGUST 2023 7.45pm KICK OFF

STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS v NORTHWICH VICTORIA

Tuesday sees Vics' first away League match when they travel the relatively short distance to visit Stone Old Alleynians.
Stone Old Alleynians FC was founded in 1962 by Dave Bonnet, a teacher at, and a former pupil of Alleyns Grammar School in Stone. The Club started in division 4 of the Stafford Amateur League, gaining promotion to division 3 in their second season. The following season saw them promoted again, and further promotion followed as they finished Champions of Division 2. The 1970/71 season saw the Club win the top League for the first time, to be followed by winning it again a further 3 times. The 2019/20 season saw the Club make their debut in the FA Cup and in 2021 they were promoted to the Premier Division of The Midland League based on their results in the abandoned 2019/20 and 20/21 seasons. Last season they finished 13th in the Midland League
Stone went out of the FA Cup last weekend when they lost 3 - 0 to fellow Midland League side Atherstone Town, but then grabbed a last minute equaliser against Shifnal Town in the league this Saturday.
Vics will be looking to continue their improving performances and come away with the 3 points as the new look squad continue to gel. Anton Smith, Seydou Bamba, Samual Unwin, Max Van Der Laan and Malakai McKenzie all made the Vics' debuts against Studley so there is plenty to build on as the new season progresses.
Your support is massively important as we go through the season and we hope to see you down at Stone.

Kings Park itself is the former home of Meir KA FC and is described by many groundhoppers as of a good standard which is good news considering that from 2010 to 2022 the ground has been unused by a men’s side. As you enter the ground which is behind one of the goals, there is a pitch-wide stand with two rows of seating which could accommodate 200. Uncovered hard standing is available behind the other goal. There is a further covered stand on the side of the pitch with no seating which could easily hold 100 and provide a better view of the pitch.
The clubhouse, like the ground is a bit “ramshackle”. It seems to appeal to groundhoppers who appreciate that it’s all a throwback to about 30-40 years ago. Food and drink are available in the bar

TICKET PRICES : Pay on the Gate
Adults : £8.00
Concessions : £5.00
U16s : FOC

ADDRESS :
Kings Park
Hilderstone Road
STOKE ON TRENT
Staffordshire
ST3 7NT

DIRECTIONS :

Take the M6 to J15 and go left at the exit before quickly taking 2nd exit at the roundabout onto the A500 Queensway. In 1.7 miles, take the left exit for Derby, Uttoxeter following signs for the A50. At the roundabout , take 2nd exit A50. In 3.4 miles, take the A520 exit SP Leek, Stone. At exit roundabout, take 3rd exit A520 Sandon Road. In 1.4 miles, take the 2nd and then the 1st exit at the 2 roundabouts onto Hilderstone Road. B5066 where the ground is.

Thanks to Phil Harrison and Mark Tonge for help with this article.