Goole AFC v Eccleshill United
Tuesday 7.10.25 - NCEL League Cup 2nd Round -At the Victoria Pleasure Ground, Goole.
For tonight’s short and sweet trek, we were heading a mere 40 (ish) miles from home, in a north-easterly direction, to the East Riding of Yorkshire; for a game of Association Football, in which Eccleshill United of the NCEL Premier Division visited Division 1 club Goole AFC, at the rapidly changing: Victoria Pleasure Ground, for a League Cup 2nd Round fixture. In the previous round the Vikings successfully negotiated their way past Glasshoughton Welfare, on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in front of a home crowd of 178, while the Eagles had a bye.
An ‘international break’ in my busy EFL Championship schedule afforded me the opportunity to get over to the VPG tonight, to check out what’s been going on in my absence, at one this humble scribe's regular old stomping grounds.
I took the four ‘how we used to live’ pictures posted below, on a few of my previous visits to the Marcus Street enclosure, to watch both Goole AFC (formed in 1997) and Goole Town AFC (formed 1904) who were dissolved as a club in 1996.
Here is a link to an article from the Goole Town Deal website pertaining to the current ‘work in progress’ development: https://www.gooletowndeal.co.uk/projects/victoria-pleasure-ground/
Eccleshill United used to play in Wrose, but they have relocated eight miles due west this season, where they now groundshare with Keighley Cougars Rugby League Club. In recent times Silsden FC and Steeton AFC also shared those same facilities. If you like traditional old-school grounds, assuming you haven't been before, then I highly recommend that a visit to the 7,800 capacity Cougar Park, should be on your ‘to do’ list anytime soon.
At the weekend Eccleshill United saw off the bottom club in the NCEL Prem, Horbury Town, by two goals to one at home, while Goole thrashed Appleby Frodingham 1-6 on the road, with their returning former striker and prolific NCEL marksman (he’s been around a bit) Nathan Perks bagging himself a hat-trick at Brumby Hall.
Tuesday 7th October 2025 - NCEL League Cup 2nd Round - Goole AFC (0) 1 James Eyles 55 v. Eccleshill United (3) 5 Hamza Diallo 4, 31, Mark Ferguson 32, 64, Zackary Sangster 80 - Attendance: 105
So there you have it. Introductory pre-amble, full-time details… and not much else. Where for art thou blow by blow account of the match itself, pictures from the game, ground development updates and photos etc?
No such thing exists, because it's like this you see: it was just over a hour ‘til kick-off and I could clearly see the Goole landmarks just a short distance away from the M18/M62 junction as we slowed down on the approach the motorway exit. Where an overhead warning sign advised us: ACCIDENT: M62 JUNCTION 35 AHEAD CLOSED.
So, we’ll just come off at the next one and plot our way back then, err… no! There's a whole load of stationary traffic ahead of us, the entire motorway is shut, not just the junction. And we’re all being funneled, painfully slowly onto the M62 westbound. No problem! Thinks me, I’ll just leave this carbuncle of a situation at the A19 and head across via Snaith and Rawcliffe. It’s a bloomin’ good job I’m familiar with the area though, innit?
Alas, the anticipated local knowledge versus. rush-hour snarl-up contest, was a non starter. A wide-load, straddling two lanes with accompanying escort vehicles was moving at crawling speed adding to the chaos, a broken down lorry in the middle lane and a looooong static queue of traffic, at least a couple of miles long, all trying to squeeze out of this mess via my intended route was going nowhere fast… and it was now ten minutes after kick-off time anyway. If I was lucky and could get out of this barmy situation, I wasn't going to arrive until half-time at the earliest. FFS!
There was only one thing for it… and though I was very reluctant to give up and head home there was really no alternative. I abandoned my quest to reach the VPG, managed to reach the outside lane, via a few people blasting their horns at me (Get f*cked! I’m in the midst of an escape plan here) and I was eventually on the move again. The next exit wasn't until Ferrybridge Services and the A1 southbound is, of course, a single lane only affair at the moment, during some overly long-running roadworks. It’s a stretch of road to be avoided at all costs, but needs must.
More delays ensued. I pulled into a Macdonald's for a coffee and a ‘personal needs break’. Checking my phone, I discovered that Goole were currently 1-4 down. The latest scores page also taunted me by listing the details of a whole load of other games, being played nearer to home, that would’ve been easier to travel to tonight. Including one that is walking distance from my humble abode. “You live and learn eh mate!?”, said my travelling sidekick. “No pal! And I probably never will!”
It was 1-5 by the time I got home. “You're back early, were the roads clear tonight?”
I just about resisted the urge to swear.
I’ve pencilled in another attempted visit to Goole in the near future, but I won't tempt fate by mentioning the date and opposition herein just yet.
*Footnote:
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