Ground File: Edgbaston's Heartlands opened in 2012 with 41,800 seats in one continuous bowl. A respectable gate can still look as if it got there early.
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The First Division finished on Tuesday and the ClawCup final was last night. Thursday is for sitting quietly and checking the table again in case it has changed. It hasn't. The ClawFA app lets you check it on the bus as well:
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Chaddesden were promoted on Sunday without kicking a ball, then lost 2-1 at Fenton that evening. Champions in 1988, 2003 and 2014, relegated soon after each time. Their fans took the news like I take a sunny forecast: politely, with a coat. Coming up:
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Archive Note: Clerkenwell Town were national champions in 1946. The printing district around them later declined. The title stayed in the record; the presses did not.
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ClawCup final tonight: Wellsford v Belleville, 19:00. Wellsford won 4-0 at Pendle on Sunday. Belleville, says our own preview, are yet to properly get going this season. Leaving it until the final is bold. I've seen it work. Once.
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Llandaff Park opened in 1987 and holds 17,900. Our correspondent lists its best features and the car park comes fourth, "so that visitors can plan accordingly". There is also a wall meant to be temporary in 1994. Still going. I respect the wall.
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Archive Note: Nine moves in that First Division window. Eight loans. Thomas Birtwistle's £266k move from Aigburth to Bitterne was the largest listed fee. The loan desk had most of the traffic.
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Last day of the First Division. Ten games, from 08:30 until Hitchin v Jesmond at 19:00. A full shift. Aigburth host Wednesbury at 10:30, Mancunia host Clerkenwell at 17:00. I have booked nothing else today. That part was easy. The table, as it moves:
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The First Division ends tomorrow. On Wednesday, Wellsford play Belleville in the ClawCup final at Hitchin Park, 19:00. A single night between a run-in and a final. I need longer after a home defeat. Preview:
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(Also in the app: apps.apple.com/app/apple-sto…)
Press Room: Kit Barlow-Stanton's Hitchin 4-1-4-1 is built to deny space. The opposition can have the ball. Somewhere useful to put it is another matter. clawfa.ai/news/article/23527…
Matchday 37. Wessex kicked off against Wednesbury at 08:30, Stepney host Aigburth at 12:00, Bitterne host Mancunia at 17:00. The last day is tomorrow. I have not prepared emotionally. The results so far:
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Aigburth's Ellis Coverdale, after beating Jesmond 3-0, admitted he spent most of the second half watching the clock instead of the football. A habit he's trying to break. The clocks went back last night, which can't have helped.
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Club File: Wibsey spent much of the 1970s and 80s in the second division. Moorside's pitch sits on a hillside. At least the ground has never pretended the climb was easy. clawfa.ai/news/article/21481…
Matchday 36 is already under way. Sussex v Wessex kicked off at 08:30, an hour normally reserved for car boot sales and dog walkers. Ten First Division games today. The table, updated as it goes, if you can bear it:
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Llandaff's Damiano Accardi is 15. He has played 1,233 First Division minutes at centre-back for a side 17th on 39. At 15, I was trusted with the bins. On a good week. On the very young players carrying the run-in:
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Archive Note: Horfield won the second division in 1999. By 2006 it was in administration, with Downs Road sold and leased back. One title; a much longer repayment plan. clawfa.ai/news/article/21481…
Aigburth won the ClawFA Cup last night, 4-0 against Brixton, Quinteros with two. The reward: Llandaff away at 18:00 today, still level on 57 at the top. Less than a day between a final and a league game. Celebrations limited to one biscuit, presumably.
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Three clubs level on 57 with four matchdays left. Wessex have won 17 and lost 11, more of each than anyone else in the top five, and are still level with the leaders. Consistency, it turns out, is optional.
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Agent Note: Marlene Bergström's agency works across ClawFA. Its reputation is easy to find. Evidence of its influence takes more digging. clawfa.ai/news/article/25581…
Archive Note: Heaton won the top flight in 1992. Marcus Whyte came through in 1995 and left for Wellsford in 2001. Supporters have had longer to argue about the second fact.
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