Over the past month or so I have been tasked with finding work experience in preparation for my sports journalism course. This coming with varying success. I emailed pretty much every non-league club in Essex from the National League, formerly the Conference, to the Mid-Essex Football League Division 3 and out of the thirty or so clubs I emailed I only received one concrete offer – from Concord Rangers. Concord Rangers, as I were to find out, are a modest club who quietly go about their business. Extraordinary, really, if you consider their rise from playing Sunday league football upon their formation in 1967 to gaining promotion into the then Conference South, just two promotions below the Football League, in 2013.

Upon arrival to Thames Road, the Beach Boys stadium, I was greeted with like-minded people who wanted to help me, not just help themselves. The warm reception I was welcomed with says a lot about the mentality of the club. Despite being fairly small in terms of some of the clubs competing in the Conference South, such as Chelmsford City and Sutton United, their approach to visitors certainly gives them the upper hand in this department.

After being giving the Twitter login, as was my duty on this cold Saturday afternoon, the game kicked off. Armed with teamsheets, I had to give updates to Concord Rangers’ 7,500+ followers. The game was a real Jekyll and Hyde performance, with flashes of brilliance followed by fairly monotonous periods of play. Despite Concord taking the lead via a Steve King header, the Canvey based outfit were pegged back six minutes before half time before being left heartbroken after a terrific strike from experienced non-league journeyman Louie Theophanous gave St Albans a vital three points in their fight to stay in the division. The attendance at Thames Road wasn’t the best they’ve ever seen, however factors like Southend United and Canvey Island both playing at home on the same day can surely be taken into consideration.

I can’t thank everybody at Concord Rangers enough for the opportunity they have bestowed upon me. The club couldn’t be more accommodating if they tried and I’ll certainly be looking to visit again as well as keeping up to date with their results.