We’re all for cup draws that pair you with a team you wouldn’t normally meet. And it’s fair to say that Cove Football Club are a pretty good example of that; a side from Hampshire that we reckon you won’t know much about. And that goes for older Boro’ fans who were around at the time when our paths somehow came together. But don’t worry – that’s why we’re here; to give you the lowdown on one of our less familiar opponents over the years. Our Diadora League Cup tie in August 1991 remains the one and only time to date that Boro’ and we’ve met each other.
Cove: The Facts
Squirrel Lane
Cove, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8PB
This story goes back a long way. Formed in 1897, the Wasps are the result of a group of friends playing on fields behind the local pub. But it takes a long time for that story to get going. A huge chunk of their history was spent in the Surrey Leagues. Mind you, they did deliver a fair amount of success over the years in those competitions. And this continued in the Hampshire Leagues; making the move across in 1973.
The Wasps won the Division Four title in their first campaign, before claiming the Division Three championship soon after. It wasn’t long ’til they were riding high in Division Two too. Two too? Desmond? Never mind. The cost of travel, however, was starting to bite. With a league programme taking them to Portsmouth and Southampton before the M3 came into being, it was a big ask. In 1980, therefore, they joined the Combined Counties League.
Why do we know the Wasps?
For most of the 1980s, the Wasps struggled in the Combined Counties League – though they did win the League Cup. It’s a trophy, after all. But an opportunity came about at the end of the decade to join the Isthmian League. And the 1990-1 season saw them playing at the same level as us for the first time. Well, they were Division Two South. We were in the North. So, it wasn’t the league that brought us together. It was the League Cup.
How to get to Cove – Travel Information – Distance: 58 miles
By Road
You need to get around the counter-clockwise M25 for this one, heading south on the M3. After 12 miles on the M3, come off at Junction 4 for the A331 Guildford, Farnborough and Aldershot exit. You’ll almost come back on yourself on the ramp, before taking the second exit at the roundabout for the Farnborough-bound A331
It’s only 0.4 miles until the next step, exiting the A331 for the A325 and taking the bridge over the carriageway past McDonald’s. At the roundabout, take the first exit for the A325 before turning right into Prospect Avenue.
At the next roundabout, you’d turn right for Farnborough. But, for Cove FC you are going left. The next roundabout sees you taking the second exit for West Heath Road, followed by a right turn onto Romayne Close and a left onto Squirrel Lane.
There is a small car park at the ground, otherwise it’s street parking for you.
By Rail
Station: FARNBOROUGH (MAIN)
Services to: LONDON WATERLOO
Exit the station onto Union Street and turn right, following the road around to the right. Next, turn right onto Prospect Road to cross the railway. Turn left at West Heath Road, before making a right onto Romayne Close and a left onto Squirrel Lane.
