HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE
The Vanarama National League
Saturday 27th April
Kick Off: 12:30pm
Stadium: Westleigh Park, Martin Rd, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 5TH
Telephone: 02392 787822
Club Colours: White and Blue
Nickname: The Hawks
Key Personnel:
The Hawks have today appointed former Bee Shaun Gale as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.
Gale, who made over 100 appearances for Barnet between 1994 and 1997, takes over from Lee Bradbury who had been in charge of the Hawks for seven years and had overseen back-to-back promotions from the Isthmian League to the National League prior to his departure on Monday evening.
Brief Directions by Road:
M25 to junction 10 and onto the A3, head south until the road becomes the A3(M). Take the B2149 which is signposted to Havant and Horendean. At the top of the junction slip road turn left and onto a roundabout and turn right towards Rowlans Castle. After a couple of miles at a double roundabout, go straight over the first and right at the second. You will then reach a dual carriageway and at the first set of traffic lights turn left into Bartons Road. You will see the ground to your right but proceed up the hill turning right into Martin Road. The ground entrance will be on your right.
Car Parking:
There is a small car park at the ground, otherwise plenty of street parking is to be found.
Directions by Train:
Havant station is just over a mile (20 minutes walk) away served by London Waterloo.
Eating and Drinking Locally:
At the ground you will find the Westleigh Social Club, entrance is behind the main stand, away fans are made welcome. The Heron Pub is close to the ground and part of the Hungry Horse chain. Close to the station is Wetherspoons Parchment Makers or the Robin Hood which is recommended by my spies. The Old House at Home on South Street about 10 minutes walk from the station south is the Reckless recommendation.
The ground catering is reasonably priced and offers burgers, dogs and chips with the usual range of hot and cold drinks.
Ground Description:
The main stand has room for around 570, with both ends covered with similar terraces to that at the South end of The Hive. Opposite the main stand is another covered terrace which runs the full length of the pitch.
Admission Prices:
Adults £16.00 Concessions £12.00
Our Last Meeting & Memories:
The existing club is the result of a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville in June 1998. Waterlooville sold their Jubilee Park ground and the new club set up shop at a rejuvenated and revamped Havant ground. Some while ago a thread on the Club Messageboard threw up a question as to the behaviour of some Barnet fans at a Southern League game in New Year 1977 versus Waterlooville involving a toilet seat (1-0 to Barnet the result). I can recall that day but more vividly for standing outside Waterloovile’s old Jubilee ground in a monsoon and waiting for the referee to actually confirm the game was on. The Barnet fans sung defiantly throughout the game huddled together under a little shed with a leaking roof on the halfway line. Those are the sort of days when you try to imagine what it must be like to have a season ticket at Southburied Road.
Our only visit here was in October 2001 in an FA Cup 4th Qualifying game which finished 1-1 thanks to a Wayne Puser goal. The replay at Underhill was a comfortable 3-0 victory with Wayne scoring his hatrick within 4 minutes!
Overnight Stay Factor:
Unlikely as I want to get away to somewhere hot, with a pool and all inclusive!
Celebrity Watch:
1960’s wizard dribbling ladies man of Chelsea and England fame, Bobby Tambling started his career at Havant and was apparently a target for Barnet at one time, we couldn’t afford his wages! Whilst Waterlooville’s greatest son is probably the much travelled striker Guy Whittingham. Bees fans will remember him from a certain 5-0 FA Cup mauling by Portsmouth at Underhill – enough said.
Fred Dineage, the TV personality famous for hosting the kids know all show ‘How’ and ghost wring a book on the Kray Twins apparently comes from the area. I seem to remember him as an ITV football reporter who got lumbered with the matches in the trifling South West region that most of the country didn’t give a flying Roger Figg about. Timothy “Tiff” Needell the racing driver was born here as was gorgeous actress Susannah Fielding.
I would like to thank everybody who has thanked me for compiling these guides, and hope they have been of some use and haven’t got any body lost or in trouble?
Have a great Summer,
Reckless.
