South West Peninsula League secretary Phil Hiscox has revealed details of next season’s Easter Ground Hop, which takes in Cornwall and Devon for the last time under the current arrangement.
With the Hoppers’ annual convention due to head elsewhere from 2026, the South West Hop has a bigger and longer schedule, with eight games over a four-day period.
Mr Hiscox said: “The hop features four grounds never previously hopped and four grounds which were all last hopped between 2000 and 2002.
“The weekend is based in Newquay for coach pick-ups, though those driving to games can stay anywhere in Cornwall.
“Easter in 2025 is very late, (April 17-21) so the weather and daylight times suit much better.
“We start on Maundy Thursday with the opening game at Mount Wise where Newquay host Wendron United (7.30) followed by a social event after in the Peppermints clubhouse.
“Good Friday sees a trio of games; first we have an 11.30 kick-off at SWP West newcomers St Day, with Penzance the visitors to Vogue Park
“The afternoon is the first of two ‘guest spots’ as we head up to Step 2 and a National League South game at the new Truro City stadium at Threemilestone.
“And we finish the day back in the SWP West with a Friday nighter at Wadebridge Town v Camelford; the last time Bodieve Park was visited the pitch sloped side to side!”
Mr Hiscox revealed that Saturday sees three more games; first up will be the day’s ‘guest ground’, dipping into the St Piran League for a match at Nanpean Rovers, a ‘bucket list’ ground in the heart of China Clay country.
He went on: “The other two games will be in the SWP West as we take in Bodmin Town v Dobwalls in the afternoon, followed by a tea time kick-off at Launceston v Callington Town, with Pennygillam last hopped some 25 years previously!
“Unusually for an SWP Hop we then have a Sunday game, this is to enable ‘for the third time lucky’ a visit to Mountbatten Park and an SWP East clash between Honiton Town and Sidmouth Town at midday, The timing has been chosen so that hoppers can stop off on way home from Cornwall.
“As Easter Sunday is a major family holiday both Honiton and Sidmouth will not be scheduled any other games over the whole Easter weekend.”
He added: “All host clubs will be producing printed programmes and will have badges etc for sale.
“Price details for adult and concession tickets will follow, along with coach prices and details. The official booking window is likely to be mid-January to mid-March 2025.”
KJM SPORTS 