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Horsham 1
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Brivio (56')
0 Kingstonian
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Horsham

Grier's Guide to Horsham

The match: Horsham v Kingstonian, Isthmian League. Saturday 15 October, 15:00

The club: The Hornets were founded in 1881 but spent their first century or so in the Sussex League and the lower reaches of the Isthmian, only reaching the Premier Division for the first time in 2006. The following year they reached the 2nd round proper of the FA Cup for the first time, drawing live on TV with Roberto Martinez's Swansea side that won League One that year. They had a difficult period after selling their ground in 2008 and struggling to get planning permission for the new one but they're now in their new home and thriving in the Isthmian Premier.

The town: Market town between London and Brighton that allegedly saw Britain's last ever wife sale in 1844, for a price of 30 shillings. Famous residents include Harry Enfield, Holly Willoughby and pop/rock band The Feeling.

The ground: The Camping World Community Stadium, Worthing Road, Horsham, RH13 0AD. They sold their town centre Queen Street ground and then, in a cautionary tale for Ks, endured 11 years of groundsharing while fighting for planning permission for the replacement. Like many modern grounds it's out of town, is tidy but compact, and has a 3G pitch. It won Groundtastic magazine's best new ground award for the 2019/20 season.

Ticket prices: £12 adults, £8 over 60s/students/U18s, £2 U16s, U5s free. They're available either on the gate or from https://horshamfc.ktckts.com/

Directions: The ground is a mile and a half south of the town centre, just off the A24. With engineering works taking place there are no trains from Clapham Junction as there'd usually be. A long ride on the 465 to Dorking followed by a 22 minute ride might be an option for some, otherwise you'll need to go from London Bridge or East Croydon. The 23 or 98 buses then go to the ground. Only players and officials can park there unless you have a blue badge, in which case you can contact Horsham to reserve a space. For everyone else, parking is at the Hop Oast park and ride site a five minute walk away, RH13 0AR.

Our record there: Three losses out of three so far, with two FA Cup exits and a 4-0 defeat in the league last season.

Players to watch: The ranks of their ex-Ks is now four - the summer signing of Dan Ajakaiye adding to Tom Kavanagh, Tom Richards and Chris Sessegnon, whilst Eddie D’Sane has just left to join Margate.

Recent form: After a promising start to the season they've stumbled in recent weeks, going five league games without a win. A 4-3 FA Trophy win over Aveley at the weekend will have restored confidence.

Crowd: Like many clubs, getting their own ground after a long period of groundsharing has been a huge boost for them. Some 945 were at our game last season and they felt very much like a club on the up.

Drinking: The ground is well outside the town but is near to the Boars Head, a country pub with a small outside terrace and typical pub food. There's plenty of choice in the town centre including spacious gastropub The Black Jug, the craft beer focused Anchor Tap and traditional boozer The Bear.

Food: The Boars Head and a 24-hour Shell garage are the only options near the ground. 


Published Friday 14th October 2022