Match : Stamford AFC vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
Squad : Bowen, Quincy, Richo, Laddso, Laddsy, Beebs, Kenny, Carol (plus non cap winning appearances from Tracey Bird, Caroline Bird and Amie Bird).
Let's go somewhere for Christmas we said. Let's go somewhere local we said. Let's wear Christmas jumpers we said. Let's invite the girls we said. So that's why we had Christmas time in Stamford.
Stamford is always a favourite destination for birthday drinks, anniversary drinks, let's have a drink drinks. So it was an easy choice of venue for the Christmas trip. First up after a taxi ride (no trains for most of us) was the lunch stop.
Tatum's Bistro has not been open a year but was offering a tasty looking Christmas menu at a very reasonable price. So we pre-ordered and turned up hungry. Tatum's is just off the High Street, through a courtyard and into a lovely old character building. We were seated upstairs in a mezzanine type area with lovely decor and character.
 |
| It's a sign |
 |
| Lovely courtyard |
The trouble with pre-ordering is that there is always someone who forgets what they ordered and then there's always someone who's changed their mind. However it all seemed to pass swimmingly. Personally I started with a lovely thick butternut squash soup, then had the Christmas dinner which was beautifully done. I think everyone else enjoyed as much - a step up from the normal fare on a footy day out.
On a beer note we were treated to Adnams Ghost Ship - from a bottle and a tad cold but all the same there's never a bad Ghost Ship (or Goat Shit to give it it's proper name).
After a lovely meal it was a stomp down the hill to Paten & Co - a smart place in the modern rustic wood style. Great beers on tap too so a swift but very enjoyable pint there. Then it was on to the square to find a couple of taxis.
 |
| The very narrow Paten & Co |
 |
| Inside Paten & Co |
Stamford AFC have a long history having been formed in 1896 and even had a stint in the Peterborough League. They are called the Daniels after the fattest man in England Daniel Lambert - something I guess all Stamford folk are happy with.
The ground these days is on the way out of town towards Ryhall. it's a modern sports complex, with the main ground plus a 3G and grass pitches behind. There's a covered stand to one side and covered terracing at one end. All in all a nice looking tidy ground.
 |
| Man with no friends watches football |
 |
| "Come on you fatties" |
Stocksbridge Park Steels hail from the Stocksbridge area of Sheffield and were formed from a merger of two other clubs in 1986. They were famously the springboard for a young Jamie Vardy in his early career and even Chris Waddle played for the Steels once (no actually just once).
 |
| Some say Christmas spirit, some say low self esteem... |
As for the football that wasn't at all bad. It was a lively, if scrappy affair with both teams forging chances and testing the opposition keeper. Some people had already retired for a smooch in the bar when the game's one moment of quality occurred. Ryan Seal was put through and smashed the ball past the Steels keeper. Luckily you can see it here....
Ryan Seal's goal for the benefit of Laddsy and Kenny
A half time pint was welcomed and then back out for the second half. Considering the time of year the weather wasn't too bad - cold but ok.
The 2nd half continued in a similar vein and both sides huffed and puffed but to no avail. We took a tour around the ground, enjoying as always the banter around the dugouts - always so polite and respectful!
Ultimately a decent game with one great goal and lots of effort.
So back to the bar to watch the results and the Club Christmas draw. Richo forced a beer down him despite obviously the worse for the debilitating man flu. From there it was taxi back into town and onto No12 All Saints.
 |
| Number Twelve |
 |
| "Beer sir? We're out of that one." |
Still we did manage to get a great photo of the team in there.
 |
| Next Year's Christmas Card |
To finish off we headed to The Stamford Post, the obligatory 'spoons offering. Some good beers on tap and much cheaper than pretty much anywhere else. It was a decent end to a very good day.
Stats
Match
Northern Premier League Division One East
Stamford 1 Stocksbridge Park Steels
Stadium – The Zeeco Stadium. Capacity – 1,500
Attendance – 265
Pubs - 4 plus football club
Best - Paten & Co
Worst - No12 All Saints
Lunch - Excellent (Tatum's Bistro)
Dinner - n/a
Pies - n/a
Marks
Ground - 9/10
Match - 7/10
Beer - 7/10
Food - 10/10
Pie - 0/10
Enjoyment Factor - 9/10 - Merry Christmas
