Are you going on Thursday night?

A number of our fans will have been to the Cray Valley (Paper Mills) ground, as we have played several pre-season games there over the last few years, plus we were knocked out of the London Senior Cup at the semi-final stage against them back in April. At least we had the scant ‘consolation’ of being beaten by the competition winners as they went on to beat Metropolitan Police in the final staged at our own Champion Hill Stadium. They compete at Step five, two below The Hamlet, and in 206/17 finished a creditable fourth in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.
For the travelling fan this is as local as it gets really. The ground is Badgers Sports ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, SE9 5HT. Just type the postcode into your SatNav if you're driving.
There should be enough car parking at the ground for this fixture. The stadium itself is nowadays in the colours of Greenwich Borough FC, who are the primary tenants. There’s seating of the far side, with some cover on the near side. The bar is modern, with plenty of comfortable seating, and from several visits last season I personally can vouch for the burgers in the tea bar inside the ground!
If you can’t wait for them there’s a McDonalds at the Yorkshire Grey roundabout, out on the main road. Which is where, incidentally, you jump of the buses, if travelling on them.
The nearest station, if heading from work in central London, is Eltham, from there just jump on any bus from the bus station outside, turning left up to Eltham High Street. Either alight at the church, or stay on if the bus turns right along the high street. It would take around twenty minutes to walk it.
From Lewisham you can get a 321 bus, to the McDonalds. Likewise with a 122 bus, with goes from Crystal Palace, via Sydenham, Forest Hill, Brockley & Lewisham.
There’s no pubs in the immediate locality really, so I’d suggest the club bar. If earlier, go up to Eltham High Street, where there’s the ‘Bankers Draft’ Wetherspoons outlet. For those of the craft ale persuasion there’s also the ‘Long Pond’ at 110 Westmount Rd, London SE9 1UT, though I’ve not been there, so cannot vouch for it personally.
If you’re early & don’t fancy a pint, there’s plenty of food outlets on Eltham High Street, ordinary cafes & chains. Lots of shops to wander about in, and quite a few charity shops, if you like pottering about in them, if you’re like me!
Culture wise, in truth, there’s only one place to go when in Eltham, & that’s the
English Heritage maintained Eltham Palace & Gardens. It does cost, but if you’ve got the spare cash, more than worth it.
Alternatively, if you want to make a day of it, there’s so much to see, most of it free, in nearby Greenwich, with the added bonus of being able to stop at Goddards for your food!

Updated 10:55 - 2 Sep 2019 by Mishi Morath