Last week I went to a Spanish 3rd division game, and it so reminded me of Oakwell in the 70's and 80's. First of all it was 5 euro to get in. You could sit or stand, the stadium holds 2,000 Unrestricted seating too Inside the ground there was unrestricted sale of alcohol (though it was 1.5 euros for just less than half a pint) You could take the beer to your seat no problem. Also you could smoke anywhere in the ground, as did most fans in the seats around me. The toilets were clean, plenty of toilet rolls. The away supporters sat where they liked in the ground, many amongst the home fans and cheered vociferously when their team scored. There wasn't the slightest hint of trouble It was a very entertaining game, both sides going at it hammer and tongs...full blooded challenges, lots of histrionics, much rolling over 10 times after a tackle..great stuff Finished 3 all We ended up buying a home shirt and now have a second team to follow! Unfortunately the home shirt is blue
Nowt, I was driving We'd never been to a Spanish game and didn't know what to expect, interesting to discover inside the ground that about 25% of the support were British expats just wanting to see some live football
Where was this? Funny you should mention the ex-pats because I was recently part of a Costa Blanca Facebook group discussing the merits/disadvantages of living in Spain and I happened to mention that I would miss watching my team live. The responses were predictable: "There's plenty of football on Spanish television, including Sky Sports" "You can always watch your local team" (like Alicante Rovers, or whatever they are called) I was even accused of being a sad individual for letting missing my football team influence my decision, or not. Some got quite nasty about it so I left the group. People just don't understand if they have no affinity to a PROPER football club!
My second team is now Union Puerto (Fuerteventura) I suppose basically a pub team compared to the 6th or 7th tier in England. My post really was about the freedom to do what you wanted within the stadium compared to the restrictions in the UK. A refreshing and sunny enjoyable change even though I didn't partake of a drink. One thing I did think about though was that I'd never seen a non league game in the UK and I know people do watch Athersley rec etc so I am very much thinking about adding a local non league game to my itinery, trouble is I don't know which to start on Any recommendations with details and prices gratefully accepted
To be fair it sounds very similar to our non league scene with the exception of beer, even up to national league level, I watch Havant when I can’t get to the reds and it’s usually quite friendly unless an ex league team come with a Billy big balls attitude.
I've watched various levels of non league in the UK and now in Ireland. I went to see Castlegregory Celtic the other week. Tralee Dynamos last week. At Castlegregory I was the only person there who wasn't related to the players, the standard was low and the changing rooms were an old shipping container. But there were one or two lads who could play, everybody cared, they were playing because they loved it and it was an enjoyable game. I spent the match chatting to a guy who had two sons on the bench, had a great conversation and will probably go again. Football doesn't need Messis and Ronaldos to make it enjoyable. Just two teams with motivation and something to play for. Glad you enjoyed your game.
I did non league yesterday. Downfield Athletic v Kirrie Thistle. Junior League. 2-2 a sending off, a penalty. Standing in glorious sunshine. Crowd no more than 100 but 22 players giving their all. Admission was £6. Excellent value and good entertainment.
We watched Pickering Town versus Pontefract Collieries in the Evo Stik league the other week. Enjoyable evening marred only by the most obnoxious away manager and assistant you're ever likely to meet.
I have wondered how teams that low down the pyramid ( especially clubs such as these from fuerteventura) can afford the travel/ flights rtf, i love fuerteventura btw
