For February 4th I'm going back 26 years to 1995 and a Southern League Premier Division game between Atherstone United and Hednesford Town at the wonderfully named Sheepy Road, my first of 3 visits there.
Atherstone Town, as the current incarnation of the club are known, have a rather chequered history. Atherstone, based in North Warwickshire, folded in both 1979 and 2004 and have had several incidents of serious crowd trouble down the years. The reformed club is currently playing in the Midland Football League Division 1 (the 10th level of English football). In 1995 Atherstone United were playing much higher up the pyramid in the Southern League Premier which was the 6th level of English football at the time.
Hednesford Town were far from sheepish at Sheepy Road and indeed were playing a very attractive brand of football in this particular season I saw them a few times on their way to the Southern League title and promotion to the Conference. In particular I enjoyed watching Steve Burr's 100% effort up front, a gnarled old pro who actually only managed a handful of Football League games for Halifax Town and therefore barely meets the definition of "old pro". Burr is presently the Assistant Manager at Hereford. Atherstone were overpowered by Hednesford Town (pronounced "Hensford") losing 1-3 in front of 425.
CRB Match No. 948
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