THE LOST WALLET

MICHAEL GRIMES RECALLS A VISIT TO A MATCH THAT DIDN'T QUITE GO TO PLAN...

- MICHAEL GRIMES

AS A reporter for The NonLeague Paper, general groundhopper and author, 2023-24 was a pretty exciting one for me.

From watching TNS and Haverfordwest start and end their European adventures in July, to Horsham's and Ramsgate's FA Cup upsets, and finishing off in the press box at Wembley for the double-header of Wembley's NonLeague Finals day.

There was also the realisation that I prefer this to the hurly-burly of Premier League football and watching my own, beloved, West Ham... though I still got a few games in there.

On February 24, I was asked to cover the Sussex derby between Horsham and Lewes for The Non-League Paper.

Travelling from London and having already been down this season, I was a bit hesitant, especially as I was told the roads around the ground were closed off for 13 weeks due to roadworks.

I was warned to leave early. I travel by public transport, so would have to catch a bus, which was on a diversion, from Horsham train station to The Hop Oast Stadium.

I duly ended up at Horsham railway station, the bus stop to the ground was right outside in the car park. As I was queuing I spotted two young men in Lewes tracksuits. I guessed they were players, and was right.

They were heading for the game via bus. We waited and the scheduled bus didn't arrive. Though I was early, I was advised by my editor not to walk, as the roads were closed to pedestrians and the traffic had to head out of town and around in a circle to get to the ground.

Next thing I spotted the players getting into a cab, so I looked over and they invited me to share. Great I thought, so headed over.