The Bees head to Wealdstone FC in Vanarama National League on Saturday afternoon (15:00 KO) and we’ve created this Away Guide to take you through everything you need to know if you’re making the short trip to Grosvenor Vale.
STADIUM
Grosvenor Vale Stadium, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, HA4 6JQ
NICKNAME
The Stones
COLOURS
Blue & White
KEY PERSONNEL
Stuart Maynard, 42, took over as manager here when our own Dean Brennan left the club in February 2021.
Stuart had been working as Dean’s assistant whilst he was at the Stones.
Maynard started off at Watford’s youth system and has since played for many clubs in non-league including Hemel Hempstead Town, Aylesbury, Barton Rovers, Chesham United, Dunstable Town, Hitchin Town, St. Albans City, and Wealdstone FC.
BRIEF DIRECTIONS BY ROAD AND TRAIN
There are lots of directions and options to approach the area, although the Underground is the most convenient. From King Cross or Moorgate, the Metropolitan line takes about 40 minutes to the area.
Close to Ruislip Manor Station is Shenley Road. If you follow this, take the third right onto Cranley Drive. From Ruislip station follow West End Lane A4180 and turn into Grosvenor Vale.
CAR PARKING
Car parking should not a problem as there is a very large Car Park at the ground, in addition to local streets if required.
GROUND DESCRIPTION
The ground used to belong to Ruislip Manor and has since been the home of Wealdstone FC after taking over the tenancy in 2008.
There are a number of stands and terraces with plenty of cover and seating, although for this game the segregation will mean the Social Club side and a small area of covered terrace will be given over to us on the day.
EAT AND DRINK
Food in the ground is reportedly excellent, albeit from a mobile van.
The local pubs are close to Ruislip Manor Station, the Manor Bar and JJ Moons (Wetherspoons). Ruislip High Street offers the Smugglers Cove bar and a very rare commodity in cuisine these days – a Wimpy Bar!
PREVIOUS MEETINGS AND MEMORIES
Where do I start? Our most memorable was a game at Underhill in 1985 which was a 7-0 win – Nicky Evans scored four and Steve Mahoney bagged three.
In the 1987 season, the Bees secured another commanding win – this time beating Wealdstone 5-1 at Underhill. Robert Codner and Nicky Evans both scored two, with Noel Ashford rounding off a ruthless victory.
A very early Jimmy Greaves game for the Bees was at Wealdstone in December 1977. It was memorable, not only for the jaw dropping performance by Jimmy, but he scored both in a 2-0 win and put about 600 on the normal attendance.
CONNECTIONS
Tom Champion, Elliott Charles, Medy Elito, Sam Cox, Paul Fairclough, David Gipp, Shane Gore, Tony Lynch, Scott McGleish, John Margerrison and Steve Brinkman.
CELEBRITY WATCH
Ian Dury used to hit people with his rhythm stick in Wealdstone High Road and Actor Andy Serkis lived close by.
Katie Price was a regular in the aforementioned JJ Moons when she was a teenager.
Sue Holderness, (Marlene Boyce in Only Fools and Horses) and Astrologer Russell Grant would grace any autograph book.
Enjoy the match, ‘Reckless’
