https://archive.is/Kmrpx He's keen starting his list before completing it tonight at Harrogate. Must be pretty sure it will be better than all those he's named. I can't disagree with his picks n reasons. I reckon we will be pretty high.
I used to be in the 92 club but nowadays i've slipped down to only 81. Of the ones i've been to - top 5: Accrington Spurs Sunderland Villa Leyton Orient Worst 5: Huddersfield Port Vale Wrexham Blackpool MK Dongs
Was that watching Barnsley at those grounds too? I’m on 82 currently, a few clubs I’ve been to there old grounds but not new ones……I’m half thinking of trying to complete the 92 next season
I, along with a mate, finished the 92 clubs a few years ago (down to 91 now - Bromley, annoying as it was my ex’s local club when we lived in London), but around 10 have since moved grounds and I don’t have the inclination (or money) to be going back to them, particularly as they include Stoke, Cardiff and West Ham. We did cross off the last 30 or so over a few seasons, including a trip down to a Tuesday night game between Stevenage and Swansea City U21s in the Mickey Mouse Cup, more memorable for not once, but twice nearly hitting a deer (two different deer, a mile or so apart) on the way home, after they shut the A1 and we had to take a never ending country lane route to the M1, which we found had shut 2 lanes. Took forever to get home. My favourites of the ones we visited: Exeter City - We saved this for last, because we have a good mate who supports them and we know the bloke who used to be their chairman. A lovely club and a lovely ground, although I wish they’d stop beating us. Accrington Stanley - the only club we visited where we declared that if BFC went bust we’d happily follow this club. Since been back with my son to watch the Reds and he said it’s his favourite ground too. Luton Town - been there umpteen times, as it was only a few stops up on the train from where I used to live. In fact, we often had a pint in Luton on our way home from Oakwell (my mate who drove lived in Dunstable). An away entrance in the middle of a row of terraced houses and a staircase through their back yards to get to the stand. What’s not to like? Although I love how the fans have turned the club round, I am selfishly hoping they get relegated this season, as I want to take my son there before they move. Fulham - a place unlike any other ground in the league, where home and away fans go through the same turnstiles, although I’m informed they don’t do that every game. A lovely walk to the ground too. AFC Wimbledon - this was when they were playing at Kingstonian’s ground. The ground itself, and the view especially, was a bit rubbish. What I did like, however, was that it felt unlike any other league game I’d been too. There was a row of food stalls outside the ground that was like a food fair. Loads of stuff you wouldn’t expect outside a footy ground. And then at half-time they just opened the gates and let people out and back in. Most visited the food stalls, but some nipped to the chippy, some to the shop, some to the pub, and then back for the second half. And the horrible ones Port Vale Hull Millwall Birmingham Stoke Cardiff Portsmouth QPR - been there umpteen times and I’ve seen more trouble at QPR than at any other London ground. A shame, cos I actually like the compact nature of the ground. Apart from when I was sat on the front row of the director’s box. Great view, but I wanted to be behind the goal with everyone else. Actually, I’ve just realised that all my least favourite ones are the ones where I’ve slightly, or greatly (that Birmingham play-off game) feared for my life getting home!
A great read that. Agree with many of his feelings on the various grounds and obviously a lot of the list is based on his own experiences as a Stockport fan. He seems to dislike a lot of the modern bowls and retains fondness for the traditional old grounds. Bit like my own view….
Weird one is Accrington. The ground is woeful but the club they have at the ground is the best one I’ve been to. Also, most people first impressions was the game when we took thousands and they out the gazebo up. Right day out that was and when football was good. MK Dons is my favourite ground but how they still own that is beyond me and think Port Vale is underrated. Had a great day at the cup game earlier this season.
Done 61 on that list but another 21 where I’ve duplicated with the club’s old ground or I’ve been to their old one but not the new one. Quick scan of non-league I can see anout another 8 or so. About 90 in total but still a way behind a lot on here.
Done of the present 92. 88 teams. Lots of those old and new stadiums. (Newport. Barrow. Salford and Bromley the 4 not done. Would love em to get promoted, appears likely not this season, sadly) Another 15 + ex league teams. + non league friendlies eg Buxton, Alfreton etc Worst 2 Bell end rd The Sty. Both should be ashamed of their facilities for away fans and many home fans. Best Hard to say. Some of the modern ones may be brilliant in facilities but spoiled. Lack atmosphere and/or terrible views for away fans. Eg Newcastle. Up int gods. Kelvin. ( most will know him) I would say is hard to beat. Amazing record. 4 games missed in over 50yrs. (He told me that last week)
As an aside, did you know that Oliver Holt is the son of Eileen Derbyshire, who played Emily Bishop on Coronation Street?
Best in no order: - taking into account everything Spurs - superb ground Forest - good atmosphere and great day out Birmingham - Saturday showed how good atmosphere it can be from the home end and great day out MK Dons - one of the best stadiums in the country. Always had a good day out there, even when we drove and got smashed there that season under Danny Wilson Charlton - great day out and solid away end. Hull - good atmosphere, good away end and five miles away from me. Coventry - great day out despite it being a poor atmosphere. First experience of a ‘two Pinter’ at an away end. Worse - in no order and taking into account everything Leicester - ***** ground Pompey - no beer in ground Luton - ***** ground Derby - awful generic soulless football ground Wycombe - ***** ground Peterborough - awful view from away end Cambridge - used to be decent but now an awful view from away end Doncaster - never a good atmosphere Crewe - really average away day