I BET few people knew that in 1901, Tottenham Hotspur were the first andonly non-league club to win the FA Cup. I bet even fewer knew that thenow-defunct Gravesend United defeated Spurs the same year in a SouthernLeague match.

This and other fascinating facts about local clubs are revealed in abook entitled The Non-League Football Grounds of Kent by Mike Floate.

The Crown Woods School, Eltham, technology teacher has visited most ofthe grounds in the county in his capacity as a freelance photographer forthe Non-League Club Directory by Tony Williams.

"Three years ago I believed I'd photographed every ground and Ithought - what shall I do with them all? That's when the idea ofthe book came to me," he said.

The result was a home-produced, photocopied guide to grounds in Kent,featuring detailed maps of how to get to each club and a brief run-down oftheir histories. Descriptions of spectator and refreshment facilities madeit a useful guide for the visiting football fan. He sold 180 copies anddecided to set up his own publishing company - Newlands PhotographicServices.

Floate, who incidentally is the club secretary of Crockenhill FC, nowedits similar guides to grounds in Essex, West Midlands, Hertfordshire andDorset and this year launched the second edition of the Kent volume.Continued research has unearthed a further 24 non-league grounds and shortdescriptions.

Clubs featured include Cray Wanderers, Erith and Belvedere, SwanleyFurness, Greenwich Borough, Slade Green, Thamesmead Town and BeckenhamTown, with brief histories of now-defunct teams such as Alma Swanley,Swanley Town and Dartford Glentworth also featured.

At the recreation ground in St Mary's Road, Swanley, more than 1,000spectators once witnessed an FA Vase quarter-final where Alma Swanley FCstaged an amazing comeback to earn a replay against Windsor and Eton.

So what motivates Mr Floate? "There's something about theseplaces - they're just so bizarre. Some of them are so ramshackleand falling down. I suppose it's a bit like visiting old trainstations and fascination with the way they used to be," he said.

For example, before they merged with Northfleet United, Gravesend hostedTottenham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Reading, Swindon, Millwall, QPR,Bristol City, Bristol Rovers and Thames Ironworks (now West Ham) inSouthern League games at their ground in Central Avenue.

Perhaps one day when Cray Wanderers or Gravesend and Northfleet are inthe Premiership, we'll look back at this book and reminisce about the"good old days".

The Non-League Football Grounds of Kent is available by sending a chequefor £5.95 to Newlands Photographic Services, Newlands Cottages,Stones Cross Road, Crockenhill, Swanley, Kent, BR8 8LX.

PLAYERS WANTED

Beehive Boys FC need good U12 players for newly-promoted C Division side.Call Gary on 0181 355 6254.

Chislehurst FC need mature players for Kent County and Dartford League,all positions. Saturdays only - three teams, good atmosphere. TrainingWednesdays. Call Harry on 0181 302 3542 at any time.

Beckenham Town B, Bromley-based U13s football team, need central defenderand striker urgently. For details call Colin on 0181 290 6501.

Orpington-based U10 boys football team is looking for friendly games onSaturday mornings. Call Adrian on 01689 811 758.

The London Youth Football Association has reintroduced its Saturdaycounty youth cups. Open to all youth teams at U18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12 and11 level. Call LYFA secretary on 01959 570183 for application form -closing date November 7.

U14 boys football team wants friendly games on Saturday mornings. CallBonnie on 0181 850 3495.

Badminton - new village hall, Orpington, every Tuesday, 7pm to 10pm.Friendly, mixed club. Call 01689 826858 or 01689 878238.

West Wickham JFC U15A seeks two good players. Own ground and goodatmosphere. Tandridge League. Must be U15 before 1/8/98. Call Keith on0181 402 8433 or Richard on 0181 462 1387.

Good defenders wanted for U11 Bromley-based, Tandridge League A Divisionside. Call Bob on 0181 289 0668 or 0421 616744.

Glebe FC U10s, Bexley A, need two players. Call Rocky or Grace on 01689862 819.

Crystal Palace Bromley Ladies - girls needed for U12s and U14s.Training at Langley Park School. Call Chris on 01689 811396.

Players and managers wanted for new teams in U8,9 and 10 age groups.Training in Bromley area. Call Eve on 0181 325 2408.

Teams wanted for 5-a-side league on weekday evenings. plus darts players.Call Paul on 0181 650 6626.

Orpington Sunday first team need good, reliable players for Met Lge DivJ1. Call Glyn on 0181 325 8789.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.