[spireitematt]

Fairfield Venturers in January or February was a cold place to keep goal - that's Buxton, don't suppose they exist nowadays.

My dad used to run a team so I can remember how it was over fifty years ago and stuff happened that would never go on today. I can remember us going to Youlgreave convinced the game would be off, because there was snow everywhere. We struggled even to get there, but the whole village had been out to clear the pitch ...... and most of the village was there to watch. And perhaps I was ten, but I know my dad's team were bloody excellent that year. They always won. I know they won easily that day too .... but everyone had a great time. Youlgreave knew they were playing the best team in the league ...... and still they came out to clear the pitch to get the game on. These days the FA would give them a sportsmanship award. Those days were wonderful, there were some hard men in that league who led tough lives, but it was competitive football without much nastiness!

Yeah I know Fairfield in Buxton. Fairfield still have a team but its called Fairfield FC. There's three divisions in the Hope Valley League (Premier Division, A Division and B Division) Some teams in the Premier Division or A Division have Reserve sides which play in the A Division or B Division. Two local teams near me used to play in the Hope Valley League but they left and joined the Manchester League and the Cheshire League.

Don't Youlgreave play cricket on the football pitch as well?