First Played: 1989-90
Win Rate: 100% (from 1 games)
It’s almost as east as east gets for Boro’ when it comes to a football match; Great Yarmouth Town serving up some past opposition. The one and only time (to date) we came up against the Bloaters came at the 1989-90 FA Cup Preliminary Round stage. It was, fortunately, a game that Boro’ won 2-0. Our chances of a rematch aren’t helped by the fact they’re members of the Eastern Counties League. And they have been ever since being a founder member in 1935.
Wellesley Recreation Ground
Sandown Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1EY
www.pitchero.com/clubs/greatyarmouthtown
A quick look at the records suggests that Great Yarmouth Town have – to date – only ever come up against a team from either the old or new towns of Stevenage once in their 120-year history. And now that ‘historic’ moment is almost three decades behind us – September 1989, to be exact. It was the FA Cup Preliminary Draw that put us together. Us, of Vauxhall Opel League Division Two North; them of the Eastern Counties League. Boro’ ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a Gary Williams brace, and we went on to face Cambridge City.
For the Bloaters, it was back to the Eastern Counties League – and the Premier Division, if anyone’s counting. The club has been a member of the competition since being a founder member in 1935-6. It has, however, just the one title win to show for it (1968-9), plus a spattering of runners-up medals. Other notable achievements include an FA Vase semi-final (1982-3) and two appearances in the FA Cup First Round (Proper) in the early 50s. And, as things stand, it’s likely to be the FA Cup that will bring us back together. If, indeed, that ever happens…
| Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts* | WR% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Away | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | n/a | 100% |
* league points only
| Harry Draper | Profile |
| Dylan Switters | Profile |
This is one of the more unusual trips you’re likely to be asked to make to support Boro’. But variety is the spice of life. Go north from Stevenage and follow the A505 all the way across past Royston and Duxford; joining the A11 for almost nine miles after this.
Continue onto the A14 for over 6.5 miles until you reach Junction 38. Here, you need to join the northbound A11 that’ll take you towards Thetford and Norwich. It’ll be 42.5 miles until you reach the junction with the A47.
Join the A47 eastbound for 15 miles around Acle; remaining on the A47 for a further 7.3 miles after taking the second exit at the roundabout by the BP and Travelodge. The next step is to take the A149 into Great Yarmouth.
After you’ve crossed the River Bure and passed a Staples store, turn left into Northgate Street and then right into Kitchener Road.
Tools: AA Route Planner | Highways Agency
Just before you reach the ground on Sandown Road, turn right at the end of Kitchener Road and there’s a car park on the left. At the end of Sandown Road is a seafront car park. So, there are two options to be starting with.
Station: GREAT YARMOUTH
Services to: NORWICH (for CAMBRIDGE)
Leave the station and come out onto Acle New Road (A149); turning right to go across the River Bure. Head across North Quay and cut through to Northgate Street, then turning left. At the Coach and Horses, turn right and continue straight along.
Tools: National Rail | TfL Journey Planner
© BoroGuide 2002-present
