FROM THE AWAY END Q&A WITH DANNY BEDDOWS

Firstly, what encouraged you to get into football and more importantly VM?

I have been into football since a very early age as my dad got me a season ticket for Everton aged 4, and I then played myself up until I was 24 for Sunday teams.

What makes non league unique to you?

I love the small grounds, low priced tickets, and still some quality football gets played despite lower level, always entertaining games, big tackles and no VAR to ruin anything.

Can you give us your all time 5 a side for Vauxhall Motors?

Ciaran O’laughlin

Marcus James

Craig Mahon

Michael Burke

Leighton Mcgivern

Your first VM match? And your most memorable ones?

First match was at home to Solihull moors in 2011.

Most memorable would have to be Fc Isle of Man away in January this year 3-0 win or congelton away last season we won 2-0 and was a good day out.

Favourite grounds to visit?

Goodison Park, The Vaneupen arena

What's your matchday routine? Do you prefer home or away games?

My match day routine is to get to the ground about 45 mins before KO to get a pint and a sausage butty & soak up the atmosphere.

I prefer away games as love visiting new grounds but you can’t beat home games at the vaneupen.

Best footy scran in the NWCFL? Your go to matchday scran?

The pies at FC ISLE OF MAN were unreal, pinewood social club get onit!

Pie or sausage butty, although the ones at vauxhalls aren’t the best unfortunately.

Players to watch today?

Micheal Burke, tricky winger and always scores worldies & Big Marcus James nothing gets past him at the back.

VM are in with a chance of going up, especially after beating Bury on Tuesday. Do you think you can do it? What positions do you think you'd need to strengthen next season if you were to go up?

I think we have a great chance although we do still have 5 tough games but the team is probably the best I’ve seen at vauxhalls for years so I have faith that we will go on to win it now.

I think the team we have this season would still be good enough at the level above, maybe just a few for depth.

Prediction for the game?

3-0 to motors hopefully.

Words byJames Ashton

Our most recent away trip came a couple of weeks ago as we took the short trip to face Longridge Town. Well, actually we travelled to Clitheroe FC where the game took place due to floodlight issues at Longridge’s ground.

Dan picked up Laura & I after work before picking up Helen on the way, before we set off on the short trip up the M55 and on towards Clitheroe. Dan turned into what was a very small and full car park, so had to reverse out and find a space just a few yards down the road outside a nearby shop.

We got in all okay and made our way towards the Food hut, which thankfully had some shelter from the heavy rain that continued to pour all night. I grabbed a sausage roll for myself and a coffee for Laura, while Helen got herself a cheese burger. It was very decent food, but as it was at the home of Clitheroe, we can’t credit Longridge in their Away

Day score as youll see on the next page!

We made our way inside to the very smart and comfortable bar/ clubhouse, before I braved the rain again to meet Luke to find out the Team News and conduct my pre-match interview.

I edited down the video and made my Team Sheet graphic while I sat in the sheltered dugout, before getting set behind the goal for kick off. Dan joined us - Pie, peas & Gravy in hand, as a disappointing first half saw us trail 2-0.

We nipped inside for the half time hospitality and had a warm welcome. We discussed the first half performance and what changes we would make, although we don’t really hold that power.

Me and Laura went behind the other goal for the second half, which turned out to be a bad move in retrospect as 4 young Clitheroe fans were chanting

Longridge songs non stop for 50 minutes and laughing at themselves.

A disappointing evening ended with a 3-0 defeat. The continuing rain summed up a pretty miserable night all told, but a Maccies on the way back and looking ahead to the upcoming Non League Day brought a bit of positivity back on the car ride home.

Onto the next one!

Jay and Dan are going to Longridge tomorrow so the score may be amended for the next game in terms of the food & drink available, programme and stadium* and didn ’ t see anyone with a copy.

Sorry Longridge, this is 0 points.

SCORE: 0/10 one. was a programme. No one asked at the turnstile

As it was hosted at Clitheroe, I wasn ’ t sure if there

SCORE: 8/10 food and drinks were pretty decent so I think it ’ s worth a 6/10 on this

The committee we saw at half time were friendly and the selection of nice cup of tea.

Some friendly people in hospitality who were part of Longridge, and a

Programme Hospitality

SCORE: N/A

SCORE: N/A leagues above and had plenty of seating. nice little ground though, expected for a team really give Longridge the points for this. It was a

As it was played at Clitheroe, I ’ m not sure we can and it was fantastic. Also got a reusable cup with Clitheroe on. 9/10. get hold of them. Settled for a meat and potato with peas and gravy

I proper fancied a Chicken Balti pie; however, they said they couldn't there was some great choice of food available in the food hut.

Score for Clitheroe8/10. Again, we can ’ t really give points to Longirgde for this one either but

STADIUM FOOD & DRINK

RATING: 13/30

frustrated trip back after a 30 defeat.

6/10 tunes and Gate chat on the way down but a bit of a SCORE: there wasn ’ t much to complain about. The usual

Accompanied with Helen, James and Laura and and easy one for a midweek game.