Farnborough's Main Stand - the rest of the ground is no better.

More success followed with the club moving to the Isthmian League [what is it with all these Greek names? I've often wondered - digressing ed], and eventually working their way up the pyramid to the Conference for the first time in 1989. Their first stay in the non-league game's elite didn't last long however. Boro, in the first setback of their brief history, were relegated back down to the Southern League a season later.

Since then they've been up and down like a submarine's periscope. Okay a slight exaggeration perhaps, but two more promotions and subsequent relegations in the last decade tell their own story. Now Farnborough are enjoying another spell in the Conference, finishing a creditable 7th last term, their first back in the top flight this time of asking. Why should the tale be any different this time, we ask ourselves? Can Farnborough consolidate into genuine contenders, or will they revert to their so far excellent impression of a rather large and inefficient yo-yo?

Well, things have changed somewhat at Cherrywood Road, which isn't called Cherrywood Road anymore, instead rejoicing in the title of the Aimita Stadium. Former Barrow boy boss Graham Westley took over the managerial reins in 1999 and - as the saying goes - liked the club so much that he bought it, and then made everybody laugh when he said his aim was to get Farnborough into the Premiership within 10 years. The trouble is, Westley was serious - he meant what he said, but not for the first time his ambition seemed to outstrip the club's standing and potential.

Farnborough have never been the best supported club in non-league football, and the Aimita Stadium er, sorry, it's Cherrywood as far as we're concerned, has never been the biggest ground around. Both factors must have had something to do with Westley's increasingly bizarre schemes over the last couple of years, which have seen him attempting to get ground-shares going with Aldershot and Woking (both coming to nothing) and, weirdest of all, a full-blown merger with cash-strapped Kingstonian which would have seen the merged club playing in Kingston, some 30-odd miles away from Farnborough itself. In the event that plan was kicked into touch and Westley has now seemingly resigned himself to the inevitable - Cherrywood Road is to be upgraded to a Football League standard ground with the minimum 6,000 capacity, supposedly in time for the play-offs (should Farnborough reach them) this season. He has threatened/promised to leave the club at the end of this campaign unless sufficient support from the local community is forthcoming - and by that he means from fans, local business and the local council. See ya sometime then Graham!

Prediction corner:
Last time around we forecast a 9th placed finish for Farnborough but they did slightly better than that in the end, coming in at 7th place. They've improved their squad again over the summer, adding the talents of ex-Glovers hero Tony Pennock, ex-Rushden midfield man Gary Butterworth and experienced striker Ken Charlery to an already strong set-up. We still don't think they're good enough to win the league but at a price of 16/1 they're not a bad each-way bet to get into the play-offs. Final position: 5th....... and Westley to leave at the end of the season.

From south of Farnborough :
Take the A31, Guildford to Farnham road, and turn north onto the recently opened A331 dual carriageway, heading towards the M3. Go past the Farnborough exit and leave the A331 at the Frimley exit and turn left at the top of the slip-road. Then as all directions -

All directions :
Pass the Farnborough Gate shopping centre on your left and at the next roundabout turn left onto the A325. Go over a pelican crossing and at the next set of lights take the right filter into Prospect Avenue. At the end of this road turn right into Cherrywood Road. The ground is half a mile on the right.

When we were there last season Farnborough was relegation fodder in what is currently a pretty pathetic table of Conference clubhouses. Thoroughly unpleasant beer dispensed in a pretty unpleasant hovel. Ciderspace's own hardened team of alcoholic wasters seasoned tasters will be checking out this deplorable situation on March 9th 2002 and reporting back - Farnborough, you have been warned!

Local Pubs :

The Prince of Wales

The best pub in Farnborough by a long way is The Prince of Wales (pictured). Its drawback is that it is a long way from the ground - but good if you happen to have arrived in town at Farnborough North railway station a hundred yards or so away. It has an excellent and well kept range of beers, with Hogs Back TEA probably the pick of the bunch. The food was well above average, with both the obvious pub type food in good portions, and some rather more esoteric dishes too (lunchtimes only). Opening hours are 11.30-14.30 and 17.30-11.00. An entertaining group of Farnborough's more discerning fans drink there. You have to talk about beer and football in their company - what a hardship, eh! The Thatched Cottage in Prospect Road (see directions from Farnborough Main station) is not in the same league but can be recommended.

The Prince of Wales: 184, Rectory Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8AL. Tel. (01252)545578
The Thatched Cottage: 122, Prospect Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 8NU.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

High, especially if you can speak in a home counties whine. Failing that, received pronounciation will do at a pinch.

Top-Tip : Don't offer to tarmac anyone's drive.