United Counties League

Division 1

Tuesday 21st October 2025

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.49

F.C.V. Grace Dieu 1 Radford 0, attendance 111

39’ 1-0

@ F.C.V. International Football Academy

Grace Dieu Manor Park

Ashby Road (A512)

Thringstone

LE67 5UG

£5 Admission

No Programme.

I was aware during last season that F.C.V. Grace Dieu were looking to make the step up to Step 6 this season, so held off my visit to see them playing at the higher level. The ground isn’t much to shout about. It’s a 3G pitch, with spectator access behind the entrance end goal and along the right hand side, although a raised viewing area along towards the halfway line on this side does improve matters. Toilets and a tea bar, which did hot and cold food, are also situated along the top of the bank, whilst the dugouts are on the far side. There’s no evidence whatsoever of any seated stand being added yet, which is crucial to them remaining at this level.

The match was 3rd versus 16th (out of 23) and was pretty poor stuff and a game that we were lucky to actually see a goal produced. It came six minutes before halftime, when a cross from the right was partially cleared and returned with a looping header that just eluded the ‘keeper to give Grace Dieu the lead. They also hit the crossbar just before the hour mark, but that was about it. Not a great advert for this level of football.

Problems at the M25/M1 interchange meant SatNav took me via M40/A43/M1 instead, with the return via the more direct M1/M25. The only delay was caused by the closure of the M25 from J10-J9 and would have been home for midnight had the game not kicked off four minutes late and then having a second half that lasted exactly an hour, which meant the game didn’t finish until 21.55.

So, that completes the United Counties League for me once again and Step 1 to 6 grounds required is now down to three…..Darlington Town, Guernsey and Jersey Bulls.