Written by Max
Ground #63
Monday 26th August 2024
UCL Premier League South (Step 5)
Leicester Nirvana 3-2 Northampton O.N. Chenecks
Attendance: 53
Entry: £7
Leicester Nirvana FC are a new club founded in 2008 as a merger between Thurnby Rangers and FC Nirvana. The club were initially called Thurnby Nirvana and won promotion from the Leicestershire Senior League to Step 6 in 2010. In the 2013/14 season the club were promoted once again after winning the league and followed promotion with a 2nd place finish in the clubs 1st ever season at step 5. Unfortunately for the club only the champions were promoted and so step 5 is where they remained and have stayed ever since.
In 2015 the club became known as Leicester Nirvana Football Club. Nirvana are the biggest multi-cultural club in Leicestershire and have a large youth section. They pride themselves on their inclusivity and include the words ‘No Racism’ on the back of the clubs shirts.
Today saw Nirvana take on Northampton O.N. Chenecks in what would be the 2nd time the clubs have met this season after they did battle in the FA Cup last month. The visitors took the spoils on that day with a 6-0 hammering so we went into this game expecting a one sided affair. It was a warm day and I wasn’t sure whether I should bring my jacket or not. Emma told me to just Come As You Are.
As the game unfolded though, it would be the hosts that looked the stronger side with a number of chances early on. The Chenecks keeper made a great 1 on 1 save to keep the scores level before another chance was scuffed wide.
On 27th minute the hosts would take a deserved lead as a fantastic cross from deep was headed in at the back post.
The first chance then came the visitors way but a tame header was easily caught by the Nirvana keeper.
Northampton were then caught messing around at the back as a good press from the hosts saw them win the ball back high up and a through ball saw the number 11 through on goal. His shot found the back of the net for his, and Nirvana’s 2nd of the game as they went into the half time break with a very much deserved 2 goal cushion.
Into the second half we went and it was the visitors this time on top. They won a number of corners and the inswinging delivery was causing mayhem. From one of these a player went down in the Heart Shaped Box, but the referee waved away shouts for a penalty. Nevermind.
Another corner was won and this time Chenecks would get a goal back with a bullet header at the back post. Game on with 20 minutes to go!
Nirvana were wasting time at every opportunity and were sitting all 11 men behind the ball. This was a risky tactic and when a long throw was allowed to bounce in the box, a forward was brought down and this time the referee pointed to the spot. The penalty was dispatched confidently into the bottom corner and the comeback was complete.
With the scores level, Nirvana remembered that they could go forward and for the 1st time in the second half went on the attack. A great cut inside and shot from the winger and within 2 minutes of being level the hosts were back in front!
The game was end to end now and with another counter attack Nirvana thought they had sealed it but the linesman’s flag was up for offside.
Northampton would throw everything at it in the remaining 5 minutes but couldn’t get that all important equaliser. In the end it was a first 3 points of the season for Nirvana who got revenge for the FA Cup hammering a month ago.
Now to rate our Bank Holiday Monday at Hamilton Park:
Location: 4/10
Hamilton Park is located next to a local park from which the ground gets its name. Hamilton is a new suburb of Leicester located around 4 miles from the city centre.
Parking at the ground is quite limited, although there is plenty of on street parking in the new build estate opposite the ground as well as a small car park for the park which can be used. As is often the case with new build estates there is little in the way of amenities built so there is no pub within walking distance of the ground.
Kit: 5/10
The Leicester Nirvana kit was a classic combination of a red and black striped shirt with black shorts and socks. The shirt was sponsorless which is a shame for the club as this is usually a good source of income for a club at this level, and it also made the kit look a little plain.
Facilities: 3/10
The clubhouse at Hamilton Park is a fairly modern building from the outside which, as well as an area for spectators, also contains the players changing rooms.
Inside it is a fairly basic layout. A small room with temporary fold out chairs and tables with a hatch at the end where you order your food. The decor is plain with photos of the Leicester Nirvana squads from over the years partly filling one of the walls.
We thought there would maybe be some Nirvana lyrics adjourning the walls to tie in with the clubs name, but instead in the window was a ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ sign. I’m sure Kurt Cobain would have approved!
Look: 3/10
The ground contains hard standing around all 4 sides. Along one side of the pitch are the 2 covered stands. The seated stand is a pre built ‘arena’ stand which contains all of the grounds seats. Next to this is a covered standing area which appears to be made of scaffolding. Not the prettiest stand we have ever seen but it does the job!
The rest of the ground is just flat railed standing meaning this is one of the most basic grounds you will find at this level.
The whole ground is very well kept with all areas clean and tidy and there is a nice backdrop of trees behind the 2 stands.
Food and Drink: 7/10
As we walked into the clubhouse pre match it smelt like teen spirit. It turns out it was just burgers though as a limited menu of burgers, chips and samosas were on offer from behind the counter.
We decided to go for a burger each with a portion of samosas to share. The burger itself was surprisingly nice and spicy with chilli’s within the patty itself. This was really tasty and it was a shame therefore that the floury bun let it down. The samosas were a tasty addition and it was good to see something slightly different to usual on offer too.
There was no bar as such within the ground with a small selection of cans available from the food counter. We both opted for a thatchers haze. Unfortunately no dark fruits today so no bonus point!
TOTAL SCORE: 22/50
We both enjoyed our Bank Holiday Monday trip to Leicestershire and although the ground wasn’t the most interesting we will come across on our travels, this was more than made up for by the entertaining 90 minutes on the pitch.
We couldn’t end this blog without mentioning the low crowds that the club get. Today’s attendance of 53 is actually above average with the club often struggling to break 30 fans through the gate. For a step 5 club this is extremely low and is such a shame. Everyone we came across today was friendly and welcoming and we saw an entertaining game for just £7 on the gate. If you are in the Leicestershire area we would recommend a visit to this club as we hate to see a club struggle and it would be great to see the attendances improve.
We hope you got some of the Nirvana references sprinkled into this one. If they were too cheesey for you, All Apologies!
If you would like to see where this score puts Leicester Nirvana in our Leaderboard click here: NON LEAGUE
If you’d like to see our football league grounds visited click here: The 92
Emma’s Ground Guide 