A chance to take on an unfamiliar foe in summer 2019; Boro’ giving themselves a pre-season date with Wingate & Finchley of the Isthmian League. At least half of the club did have some previous with us, though. Wingate (as one half of the club here) were originally part of Leyton Wingate, who provided us with league opposition during the 1991-2 campaign. The Blues simply haven’t come up the ladder far enough to ever tease the notion of a first-ever competitive meeting between us and them. Of course, we must caveat that with a “yet” for futureproofing.
Wingate & Finchley: The Facts
Maurice Rebak Stadium,
Summers Lane, London, N12 0PD
A relative newcomer to the world of football (even by our standards), the Blues’ history goes back as far as 1991. Of course, there’s a story that stretches back further. Formed after the merger of (wait for it) Wingate and Finchley, the club didn’t actually take Finchley’s place in the league pyramid – despite it being higher. It meant the newly-formed club would start life in the South Midlands League; eventually working its way from here up through the Isthmian League to reach the Premier Division in 2011.
How to get to Wingate & Finchley – Travel Information – Distance: 28 miles
By Road
There’s always more than one way to skin a cat and, in the case of getting here, that’s true of your road options. The quickest route is normally the most straightforward. By this, head south on the A1(M) and A1 until you reach the A406 North Circular Road.
It doesn’t get complicated from here, don’t fret. After 1.5 miles on the A406, come off at the exit for the A1000 towards Barnet. Follow the slip road around to the left. At the top, turn right at the junction to head northbound on the A1000.
Not even half a mile later, you’ll be turning right. This takes you onto Summers Lane, with the ground down here on the right after just under a quarter of a mile.
The club is quite clear about parking at the rugby club. Basically, don’t. Apparently, you’ll get locked in and won’t be going anywhere far when you want to. Instead, look for nearby street parking. The advice in this sense is don’t park on the kerbs and stay away if you see a yellow line. Otherwise, you should be fine to rock up at the side of the road.
Wingate & Finchley do have a car park, but it’s for staff and players only. Oh, and VIPs. And, while we think you’re a VIP, they probably won’t.
By Rail
Station: NEW SOUTHGATE
Services to: WELWYN GARDEN CITY (for STEVENAGE)
New Southgate. It’s on the same line, but not at the end of a direct service to Stevenage. And that’s not helpful. So, you’ll have to get a service down to Welwyn Garden City and change trains there.
After getting to New Southgate, the walk will take you around 35 minutes to cover the one-and-a-half-mile distance. Turn left out of the station and go up to the main road at the top. You should see a Co-op Food store opposite you. Go left here onto Friern Barnet Road.
Keep on walking down this road – even after it becomes Woodhouse Road. Shortly after this bit, you’ll come to a roundabout. You next want to follow Summers Lane, which means taking the second exit of the roundabout. Not too difficult, really.
After two more roundabouts and 0.6 miles, you’ll end up at the stadium on your left. If you need more points of reference, you ought to have gone past The Compton School and the way in to the Barnet Civic Amenity Site. If not, you may need to ask Google.
