We’d assume that you were more familiar with the city’s ‘other’ team from London Road – but don’t be ignoring the folks at Peterborough Sports. In recent years, the Turbines have climbed up the pyramid to take their place in National League North in 2022. So, they’re not exactly a side to be written off as one from the murky depths of the minor divisions. We’re going to have to wait to see how far they can actually go. In the meantime, however, let’s get things cracking between us with a nice, amiable pre-season friendly or two…
Peterborough Sports: The Facts
651 Lincoln Road
Millfield, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 3HA
Peterborough Sports have been around a good number of years – but kicked on in more recent times to reach National League North. Their tale starts long ago in 1908; formed as Brotherhoods Engineering Works and competing mainly in the Peterborough and District League for much of the time that came after. In 1999, the Turbines changed their name to become known as Bearings Direct. Mind you, that was a short-lived decision; their current moniker adopted a mere two years later. We’ve all done things we’ve come to regret shortly after…
In 2013, the Turbines joined the United Counties League and had some big successes in the coming years. After scoring 150 goals in the 2016-7 season (beating the previous campaign by 10 goals), they moved into the Northern Premier League. It was another decision that didn’t stick; opting to move onto the Southern League a year later. Mind you, they’d prove that to be the right call. In their debut campaign, they won the Division One Central title. Three years further on, a second-placed finish in the Premier Central Division saw them into the playoffs.
The Turbines were a good four decades behind us in joining the United Counties League. And their progress up the pyramid is only a recent one. So, it’d take a very specific set of circumstances for us to ever come up against them. So, perhaps it’s no surprise that our first-ever encounter with the club was down to a pre-season appointment
How to get to Peterborough Sports – Travel Information – Distance: 57 miles
By Road
More or less a straight line up the A1(M) from Stevenage, we’ll try not to make the directions too hard for this one. Go north, as you might expect, until you come to Junction 17 of the A1(M). This is the last junction of the Peterborough section of the motorway before it reverts back to the A1. Here, exit onto the A1139 Fletton Parkway as if you were on your way to Wisbech or a place like that.
After just short of two miles, get in the left hand lane and follow the A1260 slip road. The signpost will point you in the direction of the city centre, Yaxley, and Sleaford. Go left at the roundabout onto the Nene Parkway and continue along for just over two miles. At this point, you’ll come to another roundabout; this time where it meets the A47. Take the fourth exit to join the A47 and head for Junction 17.
Here, you’ll come off and end up on the roundabout that makes up Junction 18. Don’t worry about this too much. You do want to be off the A47 here. With a Marks and Sparks on your left as you enter the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A15. After about 0.3 miles, bear left onto Lincoln Road. It won’t be long until you need to take a proper right turn to stay on Lincoln Road. A Hand Car Wash will appear on your left. Just past this is a left turn for the ground.
It looks like there’s a car park at the ground. But we don’t know the rules for using it.
By Rail
Station: PETERBOROUGH
Services to: STEVENAGE
Our pals at Google Maps tell us that you’ll want bus service #1 when you arrive in Peterborough. The walk is quite a hefty one if you’re tempted to try it.
