But it was still only early afternoon, so how would I wile away the hours before dark? Check the local football action in the Flintshire Chronicle in WHSmith of course. The nearest action to my location was at Hope Sports Centre, where Castell Alun Colts FC (Hope) were in a top of the table clash with Mold Alexandra. I'd not seen "The Alex" in my time in the locality, and as this league is a feeder league to the Cymru Alliance (Conwy's league), that was my game of choice. I park up at Hope Sports/Leisure Centre, also twinned with the high school in Hope, Ysgol Castell Alun, I amble over to the pitch with the activity of players and a few spectators. I presume the school and football club is in someway named after the looming ruins of Caergwrle castle overlooking the village.Whilst making this amble over to pitchside, dodging puddles and trying not to slide on the mud, an old man with moustache, hearing aid, wearing a light brown trenchcoat and donning a trilby hat and carrying a stack of perhaps 100 paper cups, caught me up in the mud (I was wearing slippy shoes, he was in boots, ok). I asked "Is this where The Alex are playing today?" as he passed me, "Yes" he replied slightly excited, and immediately suspected 'I wasn't from around here' by asking "Where have you come from today?"... we quickly descended into a full-on football conversation.
Turns out he is the founder of Castell Alun Colts FC, "I set this club up in 1972" he exclaims as we approach the 'roped off' pitch. Imagine your old school football pitch with a lame rope around it propped up by iron pegs... "We have to be called Castell Alun, as the school demanded it - if we are to use their pitch and facilities, we were to use their name also". Fairly harsh. "We have to put this pathetic rope around the pitch too, we're not allowed to put fixed railings around the pitch, because of health and safety!".
Within 1 minute of chatting to him about the Clwyd / Flintshire / Wrexham lower league setup (of which his team was flying high in the areas Premier League), he told me how Castell Alun have won this league twice in the last 10 years, but on both occassions had to forfeit promotion because the schools refusal to line the pitch with railings (a basic requirement of Cymru Alliance clubs). If they win the league again this season, he said that he'll be moving the club away from the school. From a distance he proudly introduced me to the coaching staff and players, pointing out the manager used to be a member of the Wrexham FC coaching staff until recently, and a few of his teenage 'stars' he asked me to keep an eye on. He disappeared into the gaggle of coaches players and avid (perhaps 40) fans; he was something of a local character, that was obvious.
I was wanting Castell Alun FC to turn Mold over before the game had begun following the conversation with their founder. It took 2 minutes for Mold to get ahead. Full match report here (which confirms an attendance of "38", nice!). It was seriously windy, seriously cold pitchside, and no refreshments in miles... But half-time brought up a slightly embaressing situation, the raffle. The founder, who i'd spoke to at length was the one walking around selling the raffle tickets at half-time, i'm sure he banked on my contribution, i had 45p in my pocket, and knew it wouldn't be enough, so I slipped and slid back over to the car park and re-emerged for the second half - well, it was cold! The game finished 1-2 to Mold, good stuff, i'd be back somewhen (and will buy two raffle tickets next time).
Night was drawing in. I leave the village of Hope and head towards Wrexham...
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