Blog Post: “A Day at Tolkien Way — NC United vs Gobowen Celtic”

There’s something timeless about a day at the stadium —- the roar of the crowd, the fresh cut grass beneath your feet, the echo of footsteps heading towards the terraces. Yesterday, we made the pilgrimage to Tolkien Way, the proud home of NC United, to stand with our colours and watch a thrilling clash against Gobowen Celtic.

Why this match mattered

It wasn’t just another fixture. It was father-and-sons, generations of fans walking shoulder to shoulder. It was the kind of afternoon that reminds you why you fell in love with football. My dad, my brother and I all side-by-side, walking those historic turnstiles and breathing in the ambient energy of the ground.

The vibe at Tolkien Way

As we approached Tolkien Way, the chatter was already building. Flags in hand. Scarves flapping. Supporters greeting old friends. At the heart of it, there’s this raw, unpolished passion that you don’t always get in the polished arenas of modern football. Here, it feels more real. More home-grown. More you.

Inside the stadium, you could feel the hum of anticipation. NC United wearing their badge with pride, their fans ready for battle. Gobowen Celtic, formidable visitors, determined to take something away. The whistle blew, and everything amplified.

What it symbolised

For me — as a coach, as a database guy who lives in spreadsheets and logs for most of the week — this was a reminder of what football’s about: community, tradition, togetherness. The past meets the present. We might live in a world of analytics and numbers (yes, I’m looking at you, SQL logs), but on days like this it’s all about the moments that can’t be logged or quantified.

Want to watch it with us?

We captured it all on video. If you want to feel the grass beneath your boots, hear the chants rising and see the pride of NC United in full swing, check out the clip below. Dive into the match, relive those moments, and maybe share it with someone who needs a little reminder of why they love the game.