Grier's Guide to Ashford Town (Middlesex)
When: Saturday 12 December 2020, 3.00pm
The club: Formed in 1958, eventually adding (Middlesex) to their name to try to avoid confusion with the Kent club. They dominated the Combined Counties League in the late 90s, eventually taking promotion to the Isthmian in 2000. They had a spell in the Premier Division, during which they also won the Surrey Cup in 2009, but are now back in Division 1 South Central.
The town: Suburbia wedged in between Staines and Heathrow. Famous people who were born or lived there include astrologer Russell Grant, comedian Bobby Davro and England cricketer Toby Roland-Jones.
The ground: Robert Parker Stadium, Short Ln, Stanwell TW19 7BH. There's no cover behind either goal but there's usually plenty of opportunity to get a close-up view of planes taking off and leaving from Heathrow. Fireworks are specifically banned from the ground due to it being next door to some massive aviation fuel cylinders.
Ticket prices: £5 adults, U16s free
Covid security: Tickets are available online at https://www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com/tc-events/ashford-town-vs-kingstonian/. Measures include track and trace forms at the turnstiles, a one way system and an expectation of social distancing.
Directions: Although not far as the crow flies, traffic is likely to be heavy with plenty of Christmas shoppers on the route through Hampton Court and Sunbury - allow up to an hour. Public transport is also awkward - the 216 bus from Kingston gets you to within a 20 minute walk. Ashford station is about 1.5 miles away, needing a change in Twickenham.
Our record there: Our last visit was a 2-2 draw early in Leigh Dynan's reign, Tom Collins and Tom Derry getting us out of a hole as we came back from 2-0 down before winning the replay at Fetcham Grove.
Recent form: It's not clear how much form counts for anything right now but they're eighth in the league, outside the playoffs on goal difference. They won through two rounds of the Trophy before exiting on penalties to Hastings.
Players to watch: Winger Steven Duff has scored four from midfield already this season. Before joining Ashford this summer he helped Hartley Wintney win back-to-back promotions from the Combined Counties League to the Southern Premier.
Crowd: They used to make a bit of noise when we played them in the Ryman Premier about ten years ago. This season's average is 225, including a Covid-capacity 400 for the local derby with Chertsey.
Drinking: Drinking with other households is only possible outdoors and with a substantial meal. The Bulldog Harvester, just off the A30 near Ashford Hospital, has some outside tables.
Food: There's a McDonald's by the Harvester but little else near the ground by way of food. Food and drink will be available at the ground though, 'in line with tier 2 restrictions'.
