On The Home Front
Next up at Hillgrounds…
Opponent Arlesey Town
Competition Southern League South East
Arlesey’s Current League position 22/22 officially relegated on Tuesday 17.4
Last Time They Were Here… The game ended one all in January 2017, Robbie Goodman scoring for Kempston on the night.
Arlesey’s Current League Form (six games) LLLLLL
Did you know… Mentioned in the Doomsday Book, Arlesey was made famous by the brick making industry. In 1900 there were five such works in the town. Renowned Arlesey White Bricks were made from the local Gault Clay. Bricks have not been made in the town since 1992 and the clay pits are now either landfill sites or lakes. There were also two chalk pits in the town, both are now lakes one used for fishing, one for sailing.

Arlesey was the site of two air crashes during WW2, in December 1943 a Halifax bomber came down after colliding with a chimney at the brickwork factory, then in March 1944 a Hudson went to ground on the Arlesey to Stotfold road. Both aircraft were on training flights from RAF Tempsford.
In the bar afterwards The FA Cup semi final between Manchester United and Tottenham will be live on the big screens
On this day in Rovers history… On this day in 1977, Rovers played host to the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, in a friendly. The game was to act as preparation for the Yorkshire side and their up-coming trip to Wembley for the FA Vase Final. The game finished 1-1. The minutes of the Sheffield FC committee AGM for the season make reference to the game, saying it was a “Well meant endeavour, but we do not wish the events to be repeated”. Having spoken to the Sheffield FC historian on the matter, no further light can be shed on what they are referring to. Incidentally, Sheffield FC went on to lose the FA Vase Final in a replay to Billericay Town.

Rovers take to the field against already relegated Arlesey Town in the penultimate home game of the season in this game. The visitors have had a real struggle this season, with a succession of poor results and horrendous luck. We would like to wish Arlesey all the best for next season as they will undoubtedly re-build and look to come back stronger.

In April 1928 (next week to be exact, on the 28th) the scheduled game between these two was cancelled at the request of the visitors in the light of “suspected crowd troubles”. Ye Olde Nuts on tour sound like right scallywags don’t they?

Kempston Rovers would like to take this opportunity to thank their fans for all their support at home games this season. After this game, Kempston have one more home game on Tuesday evening against Hartley Wintney before they make the trip to Thame for what should have been the last game of the season, we hope as many of you that can will make the trip. The season for Kempston officially ends on Tuesday the first of May away at Hanwell Town.