GroundHop Weekend comes to Tameside and High Peak

This weekend sees the return of the annual North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) GroundHop Weekend, which gives non-League football fans the chance to take in seven matches across a three-day period. 

The event sees the NWCFL partner with GroundHopUK to stagger seven scheduled league games between Friday February 28 and Sunday March 2, with the aim of encouraging the groundhopping community to experience matches across all three NWCFL divisions. 

Droylsden, Glossop North End and New Mills all take part this year, with the three clubs each hosting a match across the weekend. 

The event kicks off from 7:45pm on Friday with Ramsbottom United hosting FC St Helens in a Premier Division clash. 

The action continues on Saturday morning with Sandbach United making the trip to First Division South opponents Stockport Georgians for an 11am kick off, before neighbours Stockport Town of the Premier Division entertain Cheadle Town from 1:45pm. 

The GroundHop then visits the High Peak for New Mills’ clash with fellow First Division South side Cheadle Heath Nomads at 4:45pm, before the day's action concludes with West Didsbury and Chorlton’s visit to Premier Division counterparts Glossop North End, which kicks off at 7:30pm. 

Sunday begins in the Premier Division with Abbey Hey hosting Prestwich Heys from 11:45am, before the seventh and final game of the weekend sees First Division North sides Droylsden and Darwen face off at The Butcher’s Arms from 2:30pm. 

The schedule has been designed to allow fans to travel to and from matches, with adequate time in-between should fans wish to attend all seven. 

To book tickets through GroundHopUK, who can also assist with organising hotel stays and coach travel between grounds, please email: groundhopuk@gmail.com. 

Speaking on the Groundhop, NWCFL Director Martin Fallon stated: 

“We are very excited to run yet another Groundhop weekend. It is usually a feast of football over the weekend, and I am sure the clubs that we have selected this time around will be of great interest to a number of people. Knowing the people at the clubs, The Saturday is only around a 20 mile drive to cover the four games, whilst there is only three miles that separate Abbey Hey and Droylsden. I am sure that the clubs involved will make everyone welcome. 

"Previous years have seen season best attendances at many of the clubs selected, and we have even set ground attendance records at some of the games. Last year we sadly lost two games due to the weather, but of the five that went ahead, they had an average attendance of just under 500. I am sure this year will prove just as popular. 

“The Groundhop is firmly established now as an annual fixture within the league, and this Groundhop will make it 38 clubs that we have managed to visit since our first one in 2017. The plan is to visit all member clubs over time.” 

Chris Berezi from GroundhopUK added: 

"Once again, GroundhopUK is pleased and delighted to be working with the North West Counties Football League to bring another fantastic weekend of matches for everyone to enjoy. We had a really enjoyable groundhop a few years ago in East Manchester with the two Cheadle and Wythenshawe clubs. I am sure that this one will be just as enjoyable and we are really looking forward to visiting all clubs and making new friends as we go". 

Schedule in full: 

Friday 28th February            

Ramsbottom United v FC St Helens (7.45pm Kick Off) 

Saturday 1st March 

Stockport Georgians v Sandbach United (11.00am Kick Off) 

Stockport Town v Cheadle Town (1.45pm Kick Off) 

New Mills v Cheadle Heath Nomads (4.45pm Kick Off) 

Glossop North End v West Didsbury & Chorlton (7.30pm Kick Off) 

Sunday 2nd March 

Abbey Hey v Prestwich Heys (11.45am Kick Off) 

Droylsden v Darwen FC (2.30pm Kick Off)