Beverley Town Football Club this week hosted their first home game since joining the Northern Counties League and it was some what fitting that the match was played under the lights.
For many, this moment was long overdue. But the perseverance of those in the background has against the odds given this town a ‘real’ football club.
Over recent years Beverley Town has gone through many changes. The pitch at Norwood has been updated, the Ivan Usher Stand opened and the addition of floodlights. Gone are the days of standing on the touchline with the introduction of new purpose-built dugouts.
These investments by the club have helped them climb the football pyramid. While their first game ended in defeat, it did not overshadow the occasion.
On the way to the game, there were people coming from all directions to the ground. Along Norwood you could feel the excitement you feel at a real football match.
Wednesday night, 334 people passed through the turnstile for this historic night. The club itself ensured that the experience of the supporters who came was a good one too.
On the pitch, the standard of football has certainly been raised. There really is a noticeable difference in the quality of players on the field.
While Beverley lost 3-2 to Rossington Main, it was poetic justice that it was a local lad, Joe Norton, who opened the scoring. Furthermore, he got a second after the break.
People Come Out In Numbers To Support Beverley Town
Stepping back on Wednesday and just observing it really felt you were at a ‘proper’ football match. That is to take nothing away from those who have pulled on the blue shirt in years gone by. This was a totally different experience for all the right reasons.
But this is about the future, this is about how a market town in East Yorkshire has finally got a serious club with the opportunity to climb the leagues.
It is very hard to sum it up but it just felt ‘real’ in so many ways. This of course was helped by the fact that so many people made the effort, put their hands in their pockets and supported the team and club.
Over the coming weeks, more games will be played at Norwood and if the level of support continues at this volume there is no end to what can be achieved.
Beverley’s next game at Norwood will also be played under the lights on 30 August against Swallownest. While the first Saturday afternoon game occurs in mid-September which will also be another landmark and historic moment for the club.
