Bank holiday bonanza as GroundhopUK signs deal with West Lancashire League

Up to 10 matches will be staged at West Lancashire League grounds over the four days of the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Mirroring the North West Counties groundhop in March, ‘hoppers’ will be bused to each match, with fixtures arranged geographically to maximise accommodation and travelling time.

The first West Lancashire League groundhop will take place from Friday August 22 to Bank Holiday Monday August 25 with fixtures to be finalised nearer the time.

How it will work (times rough guidance)
Friday August 22 – one match, 7pm kick off
Saturday August 23 – three matches, 11am, 2pm, 5pm
Sunday August 24 – three matches, 11am, 2pm, 5pm
Monday August 25 – two or three matches, 11am, 2pm and maybe 5pm

When Euxton Villa took part in the North West Counties League groundhop in March, their attendance on the Sunday morning versus Darwen was 619 – five times their average crowd.

Charnock Richard hosted Skelmersdale on the same day.

Clubs not selected to host a match during the first West Lancashire League groundhop will be offered the opportunity in year two or year three so every eligible member club benefits.

It will only involve first teams (no reserves) with clubs who have appeared in previous ‘hops’ while involved in other leagues not able to take part.

Those who groundshare and are not the owners of the ground or the primary tenant are also excluded.

Clubs will be able to charge an admission fee and are expected to provide a match programme and offer catering.

Groundhop UK began in 2002 and organisers estimate members have injected £1.2m into local non-league football based on a conservative estimate of £7 spent by each ‘hopper’ at each match.

Clubs were informed of the link-up on Thursday night by the West Lancashire League committee.

West Lancashire League Chairman Andy Hosker said: "We were delighted to be asked about, and offered the opportunity to get involved with GroundHopUK, this provides an exciting opportunity to raise the profile of the West Lancashire League, not only as a National Feeder League but both in the North West of England and nationally overall.”

Chris Berezai of GroundhopUK added: “We are really excited about the prospect of working closely with the league to bring a groundhop to some fantastic clubs in a beautiful area of England.

"Both parties are very excited about the plans for the weekend, and we are also very happy that the tradition of a big August Bank Holiday Hop will continue for the foreseeable future.”

Euxton Villa Chairman Mark McDonnell said: “It was hugely beneficial for us and it was really well organised by the Groundhop UK team and we also had great support from the North West Counties League.

“We needed additional help on the day with volunteers but we had plenty of notice.

"The more you put into it the more you get out of it – make it the best experience as possible for them with catering and entertainment.

"It was also really great to see some of the Groundhoppers come back to us too so it helps long term.

“We probably made four-fold what we would normally on a matchday and it was great for raising the profile of the club.”