Going to Whyteleafe on Tuesday?

On the 1st of August we head to the Bostik League Division One South side. Here's some information that may help you...

Tuesday night, 1st August, sees The Hamlet return to Whyteleafe for a 7.45pm kick off, the small commuter town nestled beyond Croydon, close to Caterham.

It’s a friendly enough club, surrounded by trees, where you can barely see a single neighbouring dwelling from inside the ground, their website proclaiming that it is ‘set in the leafy hills of East Surrey’. It’s a delight of a ground, if you haven’t been there before. Covered at both ends, a small low stand along the side, with a decent bar just outside the stadium. CLICK HERE to see a few pictures of it, from a few seasons ago.

One of the easier local grounds to get to, they were regular opponents during our long stint in the Ryman League division one & and division one south. If driving, the ground is in Church Road and lies alongside the A22 between Purley and Junction 6 of the M25. Using your SatNav just type in CR3 0AR

By rail, the ground is within easy walk of either Whyteleafe or Upper Warlingham stations and is in Travelcard zone 6. I, personally, have always found going to Whyteleafe station the easiest. Basically, turn right coming out of the station, going over the level crossing. Turn left at the school, and walk up along Church Road, ground on the left. Less than half a mile from the station.
Trains go from London Victoria at 18:08 (arriving at 18:47); & 18:38 (19:17) & they go through Clapham Junction six minutes later.
From London Bridge the departures that suit arriving for kick off are the 18:14 (arriving at 18:59) and the 18:49 (19:25). These stop at New Cross Gate.
Alternatively just head to East Croydon on any service going there, and change for both the Victoria & London Bridge services. You can also jump onto local services to East Croydon from Brockley, Honor Oak Park, Forest Hill & Sydenham, if they are convenient for you.

So you’ve got no excuses not to cheer on The Hamlet, and if you needed another reason to go it’s also a cheaper than usual night too, as their prices for all of their friendlies are fixed at £5 for adults, £2 for people over age 65 and for teenagers from 13-16. 12 and under go free.

Drinking wise in all honesty your best bet is their clubhouse, and if things haven’t changed, they always have a decent tea bar inside the ground as well. For the more discerning drinker look no further than the local micro-brewery boozer, The Radius Arms. For your basic, but amenable to the pocket, Wetherspoons fix, either get off the train at Purley for The Foxley Hatch; or try The George, in Croydon.

For early bird daytrippers, to be honest there’s nowt much for the football tourist, despite the proximity of the Anne Summers headquarters! At the bottom of Church Road there is a very peaceful small churchyard, around St. Luke’s Church where there are a number of War Graves, due to the close proximity of the Kenley Airfield, which played a major part in the Battle of Britain.

Otherwise I’d suggest going into to Caterham, which is pleasant enough for a small stroll, if not raining. Unfortunately the local East Surrey Museum is not open on Tuesdays, but perhaps you could note it for another day.

To be perfectly honest, I’m happy enough to walk around the not very loved East Croydon area, pottering through various charity shops, in my continuous hunt for raffle prizes when I help out on the ‘Dooley Bus’ to away games!