NPL Division One East
Jonathan Rimmington says he was stunned by the size of the crowd for unbeaten leaders Liversedge’s New Year’s Day spectacular with Pontefract Collieries.
Almost 900 people attended the 1-1 draw but the most incredible aspect of the crowd size was the fact the kick off had to be delayed to the queues at the turnstile.
“It was unreal and they were queuing right up to the top of the lane at five to three,” Rimmington told Non League Yorkshire.
“At quarter to three we’re walking up (to the changing rooms) and one of the stewards came up to me and said ‘do you think we can get the kick off delayed’
“I went to see the referee and when I came back (the steward) said ‘you won’t believe it, they’re right back to the street’.
“I went ‘what’!
“I don’t get overawed by stuff but the crowds are unreal.
“Hopefully the crowds will keep growing.
“If we can get to having 400 or 500 fans every week from where we were it would be unbelievable.
“We had 40 or 50 people coming when I first took over.
“One hundred was a good crowd.
“We once got 150 against Garforth and we were said ‘blimey we’ve had a lot here today’.
“It is mad (when you think of the recent attendances).”
The draw was the only disappointment for ‘Sedge who failed to capitalise on nearest challenger Marske United’s defeat to Stockton Town.
Rimmington agrees but pointed out that the league is no walk in the park and that their trip to Yorkshire Amateur is a tricky proposition.
“Ponte was tough,” he said.
“Everybody’s gone ‘oh, you dropped points against Ponte’.
“I’ll be honest, I thought we should have won the game, they didn’t have many chances.
“But you know something, they’re awkward (to play against) now.
“They’re all together and (Craig Rouse) has rallied them.
“They’re all fighting for each other.
“It is a missed opportunity though (because of Marske dropping points) as we’ve got to go to Shildon, Dunston, Stockton and Marske.
“Let’s not kid ourselves, there’s no easy games and the Ammers on Saturday will be a hard game.
“We beat them 5-0 at home and they’re a different team now.
“(Nathan) Cartman will probably starting his first game and they’ve added Marko Basic who is a good player.
“I look at the form table and Stockton are top with 18, we’re second with 16, Pontefract are sixth, Brighouse are eighth and Ammers are ninth.”
Captain Jack Stockdill starts his five-game ban tomorrow.