tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37587721293650748122024-03-05T23:58:09.601+00:00Tims 92Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.comBlogger331125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-6572346075169863862014-02-19T20:34:00.003+00:002014-02-19T20:35:40.658+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Noose Lane, Sporting Khalsa.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday 19th February 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For those of you wondering what had happened to the blog over the last 18 months, well the good news is that, no, I'm not dead!<br /><br />Truth be told I have somewhat lost the bug a little bit of late, whilst I've still been heading to football most weeks and taking the camera, I have been following Wolves more in recent times as opposed ground hopping, partly through a bit of lost interest in and also partly in that haze of madness that us football fans get that somehow whilst they're down, my presence will make a difference to the club. It didn't work very well last season! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Still, I've not wanted to pack up the site altogether, and so it will continue to be available for archive purposes, andtonight's update I imagine will remain as a one off, what the f**k has happened to Noose Lane edition! </span></div>
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<a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2014/02/noose-lane-sporting-khalsa-normal-0.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: yellow;">Sporting Khalsa-</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;">Noose Lane</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03418335789867031457noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-23312489853619178862014-02-19T20:10:00.000+00:002014-02-19T20:10:29.240+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Noose Lane</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sporting Khalsa</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Ground No. 68 </b>(return visit)<br /><b>
Visited -</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Tuesday 18<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span>
February 2014<br />
<b>Result -</b> Sporting Khalsa 5-2 Willenhall Town<br />
<b>Competition -</b> West Midlands (Regional) League, Premier Division<br />
<b>Attendance -</b> 62 (h/c)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It’s
been nearly nine years since I first started watching Willenhall Town and in that
time the club has been on something of a rollercoaster ride that makes even
Wolves’ self-determined demise of the last few years look mild in comparison.
It had resulted in them having to sell their home of 60 years so that they
could survive, although unlike many, they were fortunate enough to find another
club to take it off their hands, which meant instead of hitting the road whilst
a Tesco or housing estate popped up in its place, they were able to continue playing
there, albeit in the form of tenants as Sporting Khalsa moved in and took over
the freehold.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
had been a welcome relief to myself especially, as Noose Lane is the venue
which in many ways I consider to be the site of my first real experience of
non-league, so it holds a special place in my heart, along with Willenhall themselves,
but after a few seasons of co-habitation, in the summer of 2013 it was
announced that the Lockmen would be leaving and instead heading north to
Essington and the much used Long Lane Park, former home of Wyrley Rangers,
amongst many others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
club had of course released positive statements regarding the switch, of it
being a new start and a way forward, but the reality is that with it being a difficult
ground to get to and a lot less developed, then it was an unwelcome move for
many, even if the last few years at Noose Lane had become a depressing
experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Not
only had the paintwork been changed from Willenhall’s red to Khalsa’s blue, but
the clubhouse had been separated from the ground, turned into a new bar named ‘The
442 Lounge’, along with the club shop and refreshment hut being boarded up, all
on top of dwindling crowds, down to the last few dozen hardy souls watching
routine hammerings week in, week out, but even taking all that into account,
Noose Lane had still been the one constant, so moving had seemed like the final
hammer blow to the club, whichever way it was badged up as a fresh start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
two sides had of course met previously with Willenhall as the ‘away’ team, but this
was the first time that the club had been back after leaving, so it was an
occasion not to miss, and I’d been looking forward to heading ‘home’ since the
start of the season, but the weather had other ideas, and the initial date of
January 4<sup>th</sup> was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, with the game
being rearranged for 6 weeks later instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Even
for the new date, there was still a doubt about whether it would go ahead with
the weather not having got a great deal better since the start of the year, rain
and wind having lashed the country for a prolonged period, but surprisingly, a
pitch inspection at 5pm gave the go ahead, and so it was a quick dash home from
work before back across the Black Country and onto a familiar route and a trip
down memory lane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
was genuinely looking forward to visiting the ground again, it felt like going
home, seeing Willenhall back where they belong. Technically it would be a new
tick, not having seen Khalsa as the home side here, but that was never going to
be the real reason for the visit, simply wanting to relive the matchday
experience since passed with the Lockmen’s move away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On
walking up Noose Lane itself, the first indication that something wasn’t quite
right came when seeing the floodlights and not quite being able to work out
what was different. Previously you always used to have a semi-decent view into
the ground with the road being higher, but the fence for the car park had been
taken down and buildings put up in its place. OK, not too much different I
thought, even having spotted another addition, with a new turnstile in the near
corner as well, so I carried onwards to the former clubhouse, which in
fairness, had been vastly improved since being re-branded as the 442 Lounge and
turned into a smart bar come restaurant. This was when it dawned that there
really had been some big changes that had taken place since the summer. The
main gates and turnstiles were gone, in their place decking and outdoor seating
had been installed, leaving nothing
remaining of the former entrance to the ground. It was a bit odd I thought, but
still no big issue, a small change of entrance from one side of the car park to
the other… That was until having finished a quick pint I headed back over to
the new turnstile block, only to go through, and be left gobsmacked! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If
you’d have blindfolded me and dropped me inside the ground without saying where
it was I’d genuinely have struggled to figure it out that it was a venue I’d
visited dozens of times before, over the best part of a decade. The change was
startling. Whilst I’d always considered Noose Lane a second home as such, if
truth be told, it was never a ground I’d really liked that much. It was a very
wide open space, with large gaps between the touchlines and barriers, and
always looking very windswept and uncoordinated with banking around the far
side and end, and the near side a bit messy with unpainted fences and rough
ground behind the hard standing. The whole ground had looked, if not uncared
for, a little run down, yet now it couldn’t be more different. Whilst the pitch
is in the same place (more or less from what I could tell), the surrounds make
it into a tight, compact ground, looking extremely neat and tidy. Along what
was the far side, now the near, sits the old Main Stand in the middle, having
been totally refurbished, with the seats replaced from fading red, half of
which had been broken/burned by vandals in latter years to a bright blue/yellow
mix, the exterior repainted black and even the hole in the roof repaired! Where
it had sat on a grass bank before, the pitchside barriers had been moved a
couple of yards forward, closing the gap between the stand and touchline, and
the old barrier had been filled in with a fence, to make the side feel
enclosed. It was the same continuing behind the far goal, the barriers having
moved closer to the pitch and the old hard standing disappeared behind fences,
whilst there was new smart looking block paving running around all four sides.
Over on the far side, the old terrace was still there, but looking quite
isolated a good 10 yards away from the barriers, whereas before they had run
right in front of it. At the near end sat the new facilities, the dressing rooms
directly behind the goal, the old clubhouse/dressing rooms barely visible, cut off behind more fencing,
the few small steps of terracing that had been at this end, now somewhere
beneath the car park. Probably helped by the night, the black colour scheme
gave a feel of intimacy and it was fair to say I wasn’t the only one wandering
around before the game started, shocked by just how much it had changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Whilst
it might not be a new ground, Khalsa themselves are a relatively new club. Formed
in 1991 as a Sunday League side, they first entered the West Midlands Regional
League in 1996, lasting only one season before returning to local football,
until 2004 when they re-entered the WMRL at Division 2 level. They experienced
a much better debut season this time around, winning promotion at the first
time of asking, and having established themselves at Step 7, the summer of 2010
was to be a big year for the club, with the purchase of Noose Lane seeing them
move in with Willenhall, allowing them to progress by achieving their second
promotion, this time to the WMRL Premier, where they’ve remained ever since,
2013/14 being their most successful year to date at the time of writing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Going
into the match, they sat third in the table, with Willenhall third bottom in 21<sup>st</sup>.
The Lockmen’s form since the financial troubles started is the stuff of
nightmares. Of the last 194 league matches (since the start of 2009/10) they’ve
lost 141 (a 77% loss ratio). Even worse, they’ve conceded 592 goals, an average
of over three per game, this measured over five seasons. A win wasn’t on the
cards, at least not for the visitors, but from the off they gave it a real go,
and looked as strong as at any time since they had a decent Southern League/NPL
side prior to the crisis. It was unfortunate then when Khalsa did take the lead
in the 28<sup>th</sup> minute thanks to Liam Hughes. The hosts, whilst looking
the more dangerous, hadn’t had many golden chances up to then, but Hughes was
able to brush past several defenders and lash the ball home inside the post to
open the scoring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Despite
this setback, it looked like the one goal would be the only difference as half
time approached, with the game still fairly even, but a corner from the near
side for Khalsa had been whipped over to the far post, where it was headed down
into the path of Robbie Holdcroft who fired home low through a crowded area in
the 41<sup>st</sup> minute to make it 2-0. With this, you could visibly see
Willenhall’s confidence slip and the hosts added a third two minutes later when
Liam Hughes put over what looked like a cross from the right hand side which
looped over everyone’s head to drop nicely into the corner of the net for his
second and to make it a harsh scoreline of 3-0 at the break.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After
the restart, Khalsa had enough opportunities to more than double their lead with
chance after chance going begging, until the 57<sup>th</sup> minute when Mark
Habbershaw made it four, tapping in a shot that had been parried by the ‘keeper
straight into his path. It looked like another rout on the cards, perhaps even
a repeat of the 8-0 victory when the sides had met earlier in the season, but the
visitors seemed to rally at this point and in the 61<sup>st</sup> minute Tony
Clift got one back, albeit with a severely deflected shot from the edge of the
area looping up over the goalkeeper and just in under the bar. It was a glint
of hope thoughm and six minutes later their luck seemed to be changing when the
home side went down to 10 men. On the break, one of Town’s strikers had been
pulled back by the last defender, with the ref making no hesitation in showing
the red card. It had caused a few arguments on the benches with the incident
happening a good 40 yards from goal and another Khalsa defender being close to
the action, but it looked a right decision by the ref, and eight minutes later
Willenhall reduced the deficit to 4-2 when Joe Noel scrambled the ball in at
the far post. At this point, if the visitors could have found a third goal, then
it could have turned interesting, but it wasn’t to be, and Khalsa wrapped
things up two minutes from time when from a corner, the ball was played to the
edge of the box where Liam Hughes stood unmarked and had time to pick his spot
to complete his hat-trick and finish the game at 5-2 for a well deserved
victory by the home side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Whilst
I’d made the journey partly with the intention of taking a trip down memory
lane, and partly wanting to dislike Khalsa as the ground stealers, it’s fair to
say that I came away with the completely opposite impression of the hosts, and
it having helped close a chapter on Willenhall’s demise that had seemed to be
dragging on with their exile from the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Whilst
technically it might be the same ground that I first discovered non-league
football at, it really isn’t the same ground at all any more in reality. Khalsa
haven’t simply taken over and kicked out the home team, they really have
improved it massively and made it into their own home. Some might view it as a
shame that Willenhall no longer play here, but in reality it has been a break
from what seemed a depressing noose (no pun intended) around the neck, a
reminder that they were down on their luck and things aren’t what they were.
More regular fans than myself might disagree perhaps or have never felt that
way in the first place, but what tonight proved to me was that the ground has
gone and there’s no point in harping back to what used to be. Khalsa on the
other hand have made a real effort and whilst having the money to do it is of
course a nice position to be in, what they are doing is a real credit and
benefit to non-league football, and with any luck they should continue to
progress up the pyramid with a ground that away fans can now look forward to
enjoying visiting as opposed having to wrap up and brave the cold of its former
windswept open spaces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Hopefully
the pictures below will show a small glimpse of those changes. As regular
readers of the site (if there are any left) will no doubt have noticed, then I haven’t
updated this site in over 18 months now, partly through a loss of interest. As
a result I’d never set out intending to do a review, so these images are only
from an iPhone camera, and of course after dark is never a good time to take
pictures, so apologies for the lack of quality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">You can see how the ground previously looked here –</span><br />
.<a href="http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/willenhall-town-noose-lane-ground-no.html">http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/willenhall-town-noose-lane-ground-no.html</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to Noose Lane</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>(or rather the Aspray 24 Arena)</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarXw3evRwQo0rs-q79d2kGXL55b-IP8yoYf7O1ZfySbdJMtMBWb1rfmB-sBn1SQ4SQTflD6uXhlQPj5XpS4km3zyDnYh7aMY5_I1VAM-6sBY2Za6t6adz3DoiEVT0fsCyGs_JShxG_NY/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarXw3evRwQo0rs-q79d2kGXL55b-IP8yoYf7O1ZfySbdJMtMBWb1rfmB-sBn1SQ4SQTflD6uXhlQPj5XpS4km3zyDnYh7aMY5_I1VAM-6sBY2Za6t6adz3DoiEVT0fsCyGs_JShxG_NY/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Bar to the left, where the former turnstiles stood directly in front</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Outside the Ground</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2upV09cgGs4HPW6sfzOsluhyByEEat5kcdfP0QWRJHaLPywqQa9p9bJMjnVbmmspdKYeg-z5hgZXAjsGPC0H5cyl57CL3LPchdZZEJxBppR0sfC4h0ynh_iDqQts-yVMp5Uz7-i7hPn0/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2upV09cgGs4HPW6sfzOsluhyByEEat5kcdfP0QWRJHaLPywqQa9p9bJMjnVbmmspdKYeg-z5hgZXAjsGPC0H5cyl57CL3LPchdZZEJxBppR0sfC4h0ynh_iDqQts-yVMp5Uz7-i7hPn0/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>New Turnstiles</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3bPcpsH09_UCL7aVIEfL2miAYvTkrwH-dkgb3pYcuSfKPFLZVIZVLp5M-MXbJpbM-upybWVKs66IW8OyBnjRScGsUP4hfuAy5BK5NIYWxEbpDwgOukMPGUc9p8HlJuiHcwQSubCb49g/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3bPcpsH09_UCL7aVIEfL2miAYvTkrwH-dkgb3pYcuSfKPFLZVIZVLp5M-MXbJpbM-upybWVKs66IW8OyBnjRScGsUP4hfuAy5BK5NIYWxEbpDwgOukMPGUc9p8HlJuiHcwQSubCb49g/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Inside the Turnstiles</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsBuxxji4OqvTCu86Dcwez8Bk7jhPxZSEMmgy52d7ociX11iPJOJKBRU7B4s4Peb-2DqzFDPcJEP1E0AjUOvOU1orm_5OrWumM2jaiGD405B-PXvwtYj_tcrHjQt2tZsPPfP-LHdPrsA/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsBuxxji4OqvTCu86Dcwez8Bk7jhPxZSEMmgy52d7ociX11iPJOJKBRU7B4s4Peb-2DqzFDPcJEP1E0AjUOvOU1orm_5OrWumM2jaiGD405B-PXvwtYj_tcrHjQt2tZsPPfP-LHdPrsA/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK21.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Along the Near Side</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1NBBcF78crfb1q6zc5a56vArNoEXLx3zm41ntTSI-W-WhCFsIwqRhSaCxPbWd8QYMS-W9apEu1V3TxXYrIhaa5CEjBiFsYYQVBbWbd4X9_Jt85IegrD7Vc-raFlg_kfzBS6hwtLIvEs/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1NBBcF78crfb1q6zc5a56vArNoEXLx3zm41ntTSI-W-WhCFsIwqRhSaCxPbWd8QYMS-W9apEu1V3TxXYrIhaa5CEjBiFsYYQVBbWbd4X9_Jt85IegrD7Vc-raFlg_kfzBS6hwtLIvEs/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PD3L4ZdB351ch3_lW1fC-PvyKJr2N_Jar5d6hPAa0EY_V7ESjy7-DV5FKB3eaiLBbSPE1sgYpBQVGgVYnVz4UVkNZQMSjjvODybBZ6sTsW-kVCcXfVrUhfwIm_pbwgMeXnPKu5CaZzA/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PD3L4ZdB351ch3_lW1fC-PvyKJr2N_Jar5d6hPAa0EY_V7ESjy7-DV5FKB3eaiLBbSPE1sgYpBQVGgVYnVz4UVkNZQMSjjvODybBZ6sTsW-kVCcXfVrUhfwIm_pbwgMeXnPKu5CaZzA/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Terrace</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFzs8y4_VHK8x7vSfD8LDZCCa6Wd77o7vPDohaHv3-8sUxDexg4CRacu7lpIEmQI1LDnFf0aS_Bi2FMt2X0N_Uor8Ysv9yRTrK0q2g1SF5mB0coJ7Org26l852bvdipGDFhwFBe92PYQ/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdFzs8y4_VHK8x7vSfD8LDZCCa6Wd77o7vPDohaHv3-8sUxDexg4CRacu7lpIEmQI1LDnFf0aS_Bi2FMt2X0N_Uor8Ysv9yRTrK0q2g1SF5mB0coJ7Org26l852bvdipGDFhwFBe92PYQ/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Terrace</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoxxCtx_ZODms9j2M6cTPXTeO3VUgj5Rd1-n8gJwyGH713PeLDavGGMJt_wKx__sPqu5z1U1jHOZb2fyUtaxob8epD0vrHz7u7lFGrJzVYeSlWHv25PpGr_AXjVq2Oy6BIJLYVoo8XJo/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoxxCtx_ZODms9j2M6cTPXTeO3VUgj5Rd1-n8gJwyGH713PeLDavGGMJt_wKx__sPqu5z1U1jHOZb2fyUtaxob8epD0vrHz7u7lFGrJzVYeSlWHv25PpGr_AXjVq2Oy6BIJLYVoo8XJo/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK9.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>On the old pitch side hard standing<br />Note the distance to the barriers now</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7qKChF_a0UAyWUAWQiPyCTtB2gVBFUOKhapcNh1icXiELtRsLs3ZXzLQCjlnqJWPSsVq4dcGSFwl7u_znSECOJ177HGkV8bNrqSCIyJnsOeGmfQGEfbtx7AOVcrZOFL9_Pz3DdK5pDg/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7qKChF_a0UAyWUAWQiPyCTtB2gVBFUOKhapcNh1icXiELtRsLs3ZXzLQCjlnqJWPSsVq4dcGSFwl7u_znSECOJ177HGkV8bNrqSCIyJnsOeGmfQGEfbtx7AOVcrZOFL9_Pz3DdK5pDg/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK10.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI98L_IdauHqJDmnxUE_LME1kR37IQ6s3l4KEvlQy76D-s2LqK9qxFPhd0djkBX4UjhMzUx0e94CWbpBmnT_nC13Z65GKwld_N9A1zM0BMIlS70OIS-jAsW_ztVjdCpJtIK3bJK6KzfRM/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI98L_IdauHqJDmnxUE_LME1kR37IQ6s3l4KEvlQy76D-s2LqK9qxFPhd0djkBX4UjhMzUx0e94CWbpBmnT_nC13Z65GKwld_N9A1zM0BMIlS70OIS-jAsW_ztVjdCpJtIK3bJK6KzfRM/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK11.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The wall to the left was the original pitch side wall/barriers</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CfH6mTlTGGOPVH2d5TfxjJYhN9ldjAXY84n8Qvw9w002snKYUeFsrrPospNIiRQZA0B0Ry-Vy-EqsjMq4XVKS4M8USqkUyFkLngxsEgm6UCW7R18VzdvDq0CeTSI5W3YqDu5Q2U_7ew/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CfH6mTlTGGOPVH2d5TfxjJYhN9ldjAXY84n8Qvw9w002snKYUeFsrrPospNIiRQZA0B0Ry-Vy-EqsjMq4XVKS4M8USqkUyFkLngxsEgm6UCW7R18VzdvDq0CeTSI5W3YqDu5Q2U_7ew/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK13.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> The Near End</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-BZ7a4tEJ9oPGb_v38_WmcOkQwbkXfsT9yvmAoI4bO_GKn6PZ70D4H8pUBx3Tcn4sHj91FbpoGbc45ct20W90BWJgrFz8a89G4t5oWK1XiQftLfRQbVRhyphenhyphenPkU10aSwelvYyYdPgpbqY/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-BZ7a4tEJ9oPGb_v38_WmcOkQwbkXfsT9yvmAoI4bO_GKn6PZ70D4H8pUBx3Tcn4sHj91FbpoGbc45ct20W90BWJgrFz8a89G4t5oWK1XiQftLfRQbVRhyphenhyphenPkU10aSwelvYyYdPgpbqY/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK14.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The new Dressing Rooms</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39wLpNf0b_Qfksy-VipQ2Z6WDO2JFTQppZBfDHhr-qLDev-dElO_flU28u506uvrizIqkYCeaLQyk5oNEWCP2zZj31wx3FJmWBJ-rZJ7tF82gpAt0SDZOIk2x03tSIPxdgHigoV1RUEc/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39wLpNf0b_Qfksy-VipQ2Z6WDO2JFTQppZBfDHhr-qLDev-dElO_flU28u506uvrizIqkYCeaLQyk5oNEWCP2zZj31wx3FJmWBJ-rZJ7tF82gpAt0SDZOIk2x03tSIPxdgHigoV1RUEc/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK17.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>What was once the pitch edge</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepVMNA3dUWqQMJIMhAagjB7fvi1dvGU9b62yG6uBLEVBjr3RUZITpzBm3NeoSPGiQN2aMGgjXxili1pg9xnuJlU46Sz_s5hEY2bMvcBLax0gGX3gv3jrWGWuqviKnWvH68GemqKBFjMQ/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepVMNA3dUWqQMJIMhAagjB7fvi1dvGU9b62yG6uBLEVBjr3RUZITpzBm3NeoSPGiQN2aMGgjXxili1pg9xnuJlU46Sz_s5hEY2bMvcBLax0gGX3gv3jrWGWuqviKnWvH68GemqKBFjMQ/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK18.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhTmuPFTTVAcMgorwjag6mG0Q_0yw7dszpJES1iBsipOUZfxV8cdboP4H9a4N4IcYYAi9rRbnlo5v1dZzKG35Q-H9rXc247GeUk29w4oAQVX7Yy7E5PhIjmH97b_zYlGRMLBGz-RTWE4/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhTmuPFTTVAcMgorwjag6mG0Q_0yw7dszpJES1iBsipOUZfxV8cdboP4H9a4N4IcYYAi9rRbnlo5v1dZzKG35Q-H9rXc247GeUk29w4oAQVX7Yy7E5PhIjmH97b_zYlGRMLBGz-RTWE4/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK19.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOirQoGqjDV9hAKfqSm2M3rQcJI5bEW3Wn5ztOUL6JBYLzIe65UZwuI75TfgxoPD9eE7ux_TbBWh1FZVU6FabesxWAx2pHLEEoUUgJ1X4w6AiubY2Gwo8kQL05b01G1SGy3xVc8fX9fAQ/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK+Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOirQoGqjDV9hAKfqSm2M3rQcJI5bEW3Wn5ztOUL6JBYLzIe65UZwuI75TfgxoPD9eE7ux_TbBWh1FZVU6FabesxWAx2pHLEEoUUgJ1X4w6AiubY2Gwo8kQL05b01G1SGy3xVc8fX9fAQ/s1600/Noose+Lane+SK+Panoramic.jpg" height="196" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Noose Lane Panoramic</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tmdAcfTwHOqBuEVjExogfNsxoA1KZOpDNOLknTN9V-1XHxs_VSoriL85aN5GxcajmqOlAF9KtNMs7IfTdNYM5OUjc4SgoL7OpTVpYEVQYyvqiMWMaFiQRFZQZ-YmsS5X1uAsy0Gh-xc/w2044-h627-no/Noose+Lane+SK+Panoramic.jpg" target="Rasunda Stadion 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03418335789867031457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-56167397009803356542012-08-27T12:42:00.002+01:002012-08-27T12:54:28.344+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LgxUVk6GGUpHz6YPSTvEQ9v7QP9D7w-VXJUaSaXLujO-dvg92nUTPitIK_TadYuJtFFQ_9u7loKphRpVY_lpacWsQBQwG27u5VRqi9jKPuz36GNbRP1vtosw-HM0iu7k5oDU3v16HwI/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LgxUVk6GGUpHz6YPSTvEQ9v7QP9D7w-VXJUaSaXLujO-dvg92nUTPitIK_TadYuJtFFQ_9u7loKphRpVY_lpacWsQBQwG27u5VRqi9jKPuz36GNbRP1vtosw-HM0iu7k5oDU3v16HwI/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rasunda Stadion, Stockholm, Sweden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Monday 27th August 2012</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So here we are again, a new season and another age between updates! <br /><br />Truth be told I have somewhat lost the bug a little bit of late, but with a new year ahead then there's plenty of plans for grounds to visit, and an early season gem was going to the Rasunda Stadion in Stockholm to see Sweden take on Brazil in the ground's final international match (Sweden opening the new Friends Arena against England in November). Along with the Olympic Stadium (Stockholms Stadion) then two great grounds, and a beautiful, if insanely expensive city to visit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Next month will see another trip abroad, to Hamburg, with visits to Malvern and possibly Fleetwood </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in between. In the meantime.... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgslBWoyzUsNPCfaaFx47q9-TLDs7dtrgo2KJiX6u_K6zRkLlSL-lDlC1hyphenhyphentIHBCACa-Twum9BhPiY5vVPPbhk9Hl0TJr1MrFIlrdKFerGCRASqItPGUitoHv-sFzwcfGj0pziZ9uwBrk/s1600/Rasunda%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgslBWoyzUsNPCfaaFx47q9-TLDs7dtrgo2KJiX6u_K6zRkLlSL-lDlC1hyphenhyphentIHBCACa-Twum9BhPiY5vVPPbhk9Hl0TJr1MrFIlrdKFerGCRASqItPGUitoHv-sFzwcfGj0pziZ9uwBrk/s640/Rasunda%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/rasunda-stadion-stockholm-sweden-normal.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="color: yellow;">Sweden -</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;">Rasunda Stadion</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm_wINE9jB7adH9mvTOBukN81XDEaHBt0t1sceyEvocSaNoahqC_mExDQ5GbySUSlTl_04bTi3kvCUbzcU6tBFeIatz1GNkV0bVkiq3co22fTV6kqUDhKkOy2LWUw_wgbaFPHTaO3q7s/s1600/Stockholms%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm_wINE9jB7adH9mvTOBukN81XDEaHBt0t1sceyEvocSaNoahqC_mExDQ5GbySUSlTl_04bTi3kvCUbzcU6tBFeIatz1GNkV0bVkiq3co22fTV6kqUDhKkOy2LWUw_wgbaFPHTaO3q7s/s640/Stockholms%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/stockholms-stadion-stockholm-sweden.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;">Djurgardens -</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">Stockholms Stadion</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03418335789867031457noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-12764480461415825272012-08-27T12:28:00.001+01:002012-08-27T12:38:47.316+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rasunda Stadion</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stockholm, Sweden</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 247<br />
Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Wednesday 15<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span>
August 2012<br />
<b>Result -</b> Sweden 0-3 Brazil<br />
<b>Competition -</b> International Friendly<br />
<b>Attendance -</b> 32,781</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Whilst England
might be considered the home of football, it’s true to say the homes of
football in England
aren’t quite what they used to be, with bland, modern, out of town arenas
replacing the traditional terraces that were once situated in the heart of the
community and helped make the game so special to the nation. Partly down to
that, since having completed the 92 in 2007, I’ve somewhat lost the bug a
little bit for visiting new grounds in this country, but looking further afield
there are many throughout Europe that attract the eye, and none less than the Rasunda
Stadion in Stockholm, Sweden, home of not just the national team, but AIK as
well, one of Sweden’s top clubs.<br />
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The ground is most famous for having hosted the 1958 World Cup Final between
the host nation and Brazil, a match that the Brazilians would go on to win,
with a certain Edson Arantes do Nascimento making his bow on the world stage,
alas though, like across the North Sea in England, the wheels of change are in
full motion over in Sweden as well, and with the Swedish FA having
commissioned a new national stadium, then Rasunda’s days are coming to an end
and in honour of its most famous match, Brazil had agreed to play the final
international fixture there to send it off. <br />
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For some time I’d wanted to visit the ground, so with my hand forced, I’d
pencilled this game in, booking the trip late in June as an early season gem on
the groundhopping schedule to look forward to. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Setting off from
Heathrow, the flight to Stockholm went fairly well, and after arriving in the
country it didn’t take long to experience the notorious high cost of living in
Sweden, with a return ticket on the ‘Arlanda Express’ train from the airport to
the city a mere £45 for a 20 minute journey! I chose the coach option at a
relative bargain of £20, never again to complain about train prices in the UK!</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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<span style="color: black;">High prices aside, after arriving in the city and
bumping into the Brazil fans already in full carnival mood, dancing their way
down the main shopping street to the accompaniment of a samba band then there
was a treat in store practically adjacent to my hotel on Sturegatan, with the
1912 Olympic Stadium still preserved and open to the public to walk around. A
fantastic stadium, this is, or was the home of AIK’s cross city rivals
Djurgadens who like their neighbours are also moving out to a new modern arena,
but unlike Rasunda, this ground will be preserved and continue to host
athletics and music events, if not football. <a href="http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/stockholms-stadion-stockholm-sweden.html" target="Stockholms Stadion">More can be seen here about it...</a>
Having arrived though, and checked into the hotel, then I mainly spent the afternoon
exploring the city, uncharacteristically trying to avoid the bars, with half a
pint of lager typically priced at between £5-6!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Everybody I’d met beforehand who had been here had
advised how nice it was, and on a sunny August day walking around the coast you
can certainly understand Stockholm’s reputation as one of Europe’s most
beautiful capital cities, the water in particular breathtakingly clear as you
look out over it to the wooded islands and shores that make up the city. With
time getting on though, the sightseeing would have to be put on hold until the
next day as it was time to head off inland and to the game. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Stockholm</span><span style="color: black;">’s Tunnelbana system connects the city, much like London’s underground,
albeit the stations here are carved out into the underground rock giving more
the feel of entering a cave than a high speed public transport system. The stop
for Rasunda is right outside the ground, and the journey to the stadium was
made along with thousands of fans decked out in the national colours of yellow
and blue, many wearing the name of their nations star striker on their back
with Zlatan Ibrahimovic making Beckham 7 look shunned in comparison. </span><br />
<br />
Situated in Solna, a northern suburb of the city, <span style="color: black;">football
has been played on the Rasunda site since 1910, including in the 1912 Olympics
(albeit not the final that Great Britain won), but the current ground dates
back to 1937, when it was opened with a 40,000 capacity. England were the first
opponents for the Swedes, with Stoke City’s Freddie Steele grabbing a first
half hat-trick in a 4-0 win for the visitors, the following match proving to be
more to the hosts fortune with them returning the 4-0 scoreline, this time
against Finland. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Whilst three sides have been rebuilt since that time,
the ground is still largely recognisable, notable on the continent for the
proximity of the stands to the pitch, making for an intimidating atmosphere for
the players. Originally there were double decker stands on all four sides, with
only the East Stand covered, but the West Stand was rebuilt in the 1980s, with
the two end stands having a third tier added in the mid-90s, just in time for
another historic game to be held at the stadium when Chelsea beat Stuttgart 1-0
to lift the European Cup Winners Cup trophy courtesy of Gianfranco Zola’s solo
goal. This rebuilding programme somewhat helps explain the modern exterior of
the ground that has a simple, yet effective concrete and glass design, which
includes large external stairwells up to the third tier where my seat was situated.
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">With the atmosphere around the ground building, I
made my way in, disappointed to hear the news that Ibrahimovic would be missing
due to a foot injury. The Swedish team are going through a time of transition
at present, with Zlatan being the last in the line of a number of greats like
Henrik Larsson and Freddie Ljungberg, Sunderland’s Seb Larsson probably being
best known to English supporters from the current squad for tonight’s game, and
when the game got underway it somewhat showed as the Brazilian side, featuring
names like Oscar, Thiaga Silva, Ramires and David Luiz took control of the
game, limiting the hosts to half chances on the break, the pacy Christian
Wilhelmsson causing most problems for the visitors. Despite their dominance, it
took Brazil
until the 32nd minute to break a rigid Swedish defence, and it was frustration
for the home fans as their team made their first real mistake of the game,
after Leandro Damiao ghosted into the box unmarked to head home a cross from
the left to make it 1-0. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">The second half was much of the same as the hosts
continued to try and contain their visitors and the game somewhat petered out
until the 83rd minute when Brazil made it 2-0, albeit with a hint of
controversy as Pato looked offside when he headed home Daniel Alves’ chip over
the ‘keeper, and with the fans still complaining at that he enraged them even
further two minutes later when he went down fairly easily following Pontus
Wernbloom’s clumsy challenge inside the box, Pato taking the penalty himself for
3-0. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">It was a harsh scoreline for Sweden, albeit
they could have no complaints at the loss, with the side looking unlikely to
score at any point in the game, so a somewhat disappointing result to end the
grounds history on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">After the final whistle, I headed back into the city
easily, the Tunnelbana running efficiently enough and spent the next few days
around Stockholm glad to have made the decision to come to the ground, which
will be a loss to the game, and one worth going to for the remaining AIK matches
still to be played there before it’s finally demolished.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Brazil fans in samba mood</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2GgBRwU7FCrNGJi1EQ5HKK6Kqc4lz-qS8znHh8-BFzxchq-kAIKJVbdoZenYYykZg5q4eA-bMcf6QmYgxgSA_nZnDhDKTwnoE63ktDy2GODdz40oyaECbni5755uQpnzEUDoFYE874s/s1600/Brazil+Fans+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2GgBRwU7FCrNGJi1EQ5HKK6Kqc4lz-qS8znHh8-BFzxchq-kAIKJVbdoZenYYykZg5q4eA-bMcf6QmYgxgSA_nZnDhDKTwnoE63ktDy2GODdz40oyaECbni5755uQpnzEUDoFYE874s/s1600/Brazil+Fans+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Brazil Fans</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eO0ehlN8nHkSDgvybBTaSHBv_tUqmYLdajHGrxBtYju79F8qstdn_Ac7nH7jh4mZ3BBsSWYRoVmyBQwfuMC-NUN8sVBbIo8Sq1Uqbo9Jyv0nTAVLOuO8wpmcp4PcpMIMcUk5oRr8fJ4/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eO0ehlN8nHkSDgvybBTaSHBv_tUqmYLdajHGrxBtYju79F8qstdn_Ac7nH7jh4mZ3BBsSWYRoVmyBQwfuMC-NUN8sVBbIo8Sq1Uqbo9Jyv0nTAVLOuO8wpmcp4PcpMIMcUk5oRr8fJ4/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to the Rasunda Stadion</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpaFb3HyCb7TfatzqLMO4RsQIMUC91-n2O-VMbwc87pukfSlilpBdR8p2AMrlb3kt1_ctaVJhcMCHEVxndkdavP0A383rzPUkLU4GDUNENS7OmvlkVDENxKuOlFJ6dShK_qMZao83qSs/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpaFb3HyCb7TfatzqLMO4RsQIMUC91-n2O-VMbwc87pukfSlilpBdR8p2AMrlb3kt1_ctaVJhcMCHEVxndkdavP0A383rzPUkLU4GDUNENS7OmvlkVDENxKuOlFJ6dShK_qMZao83qSs/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the South Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism374esyxbuM5JFepi4uvNAncaL-mbDl0AF_6qMeo-T4T4pfIC3l2a9Cc-5yGZ4cqUuxYsKBVRq5saiBDA6W1bPwl9IE0f8X8dj20IT0eyx6_Lu5b3c_DOnM574wN67vEmvxjfKPQsOI/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism374esyxbuM5JFepi4uvNAncaL-mbDl0AF_6qMeo-T4T4pfIC3l2a9Cc-5yGZ4cqUuxYsKBVRq5saiBDA6W1bPwl9IE0f8X8dj20IT0eyx6_Lu5b3c_DOnM574wN67vEmvxjfKPQsOI/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the East Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixha7hDHr288W6gGoATOyUvhgxHm-9fTvz1Ocj5t4ngaS-6YD-EZrIp26djj7m8YTar9ujdJwNCLlWtcfT7fuoWxAes2oZQyuwXyOQGYbQMuXjTpIlutgiCgdjqXD-UKl-lCiH52MpUto/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixha7hDHr288W6gGoATOyUvhgxHm-9fTvz1Ocj5t4ngaS-6YD-EZrIp26djj7m8YTar9ujdJwNCLlWtcfT7fuoWxAes2oZQyuwXyOQGYbQMuXjTpIlutgiCgdjqXD-UKl-lCiH52MpUto/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Main Entrance</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-gCO6Y2hpswrdnehnpGIkLMpjLVOCIbTokX7WhyphenhyphenO2usrTW5GJ3TL64CDW1Fo62JsoWpx3IqIsv5Y02OopGS0TstNojZ5SRKvAJ61tYF8QfYkfy6brPmkrtTqHmIn-FTsaaPkB0-qh40/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-gCO6Y2hpswrdnehnpGIkLMpjLVOCIbTokX7WhyphenhyphenO2usrTW5GJ3TL64CDW1Fo62JsoWpx3IqIsv5Y02OopGS0TstNojZ5SRKvAJ61tYF8QfYkfy6brPmkrtTqHmIn-FTsaaPkB0-qh40/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the North Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcX4CONr_CQAFeU4LyeeoRDPrJlqsr2I0eSM1JrwaKKP_D6lgvZCvkNe-DzC8vElW0vu6mq7GlgMIKHtAm0UHrkY2BcoRIL7Uzw5f086STl2JauHQpt_kvqc1pGT20LaEBNVGaFuAygM/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcX4CONr_CQAFeU4LyeeoRDPrJlqsr2I0eSM1JrwaKKP_D6lgvZCvkNe-DzC8vElW0vu6mq7GlgMIKHtAm0UHrkY2BcoRIL7Uzw5f086STl2JauHQpt_kvqc1pGT20LaEBNVGaFuAygM/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Tack! (goodbye)</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQMEaPtAsl-RG5nAp-tKr47qElk9rZ7jJiFBh6h6tyCgdHRI8-HWR00dx_h_cA_gd04NSQt_ZHz3hhOro71natzxKcuCqEJYN8YfE2btlguZKre18e9C_iHBbn5zRFmuZ0Bcp-_9XclU/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQMEaPtAsl-RG5nAp-tKr47qElk9rZ7jJiFBh6h6tyCgdHRI8-HWR00dx_h_cA_gd04NSQt_ZHz3hhOro71natzxKcuCqEJYN8YfE2btlguZKre18e9C_iHBbn5zRFmuZ0Bcp-_9XclU/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the West Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq7KnU6dEIeOocOiX9LgYurf7GRamHBniEZXWnCHZZsZFKBG5EbpeZoIrCPkYAdjAOcVQTX9LY-YBdwfg_CpjFdp4-6u_0vL-l7MCYXH-1BLIdRPSF-c8jLv4uu24EfOVEztOsalGQg4/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq7KnU6dEIeOocOiX9LgYurf7GRamHBniEZXWnCHZZsZFKBG5EbpeZoIrCPkYAdjAOcVQTX9LY-YBdwfg_CpjFdp4-6u_0vL-l7MCYXH-1BLIdRPSF-c8jLv4uu24EfOVEztOsalGQg4/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>AIK - The main tenants of Rasunda</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQVBTferhrWUc_d1t0Th7WmV9xsAp05iu0h0Gj9kXY6AEIe6Ko9mXrCEMZ9cnpJNmOUfzIlJfJVwxToE-TaqwHoabcqbgDrSJJPi0NsUlrvJ4K4MesiJCQRUAO2OP3bS2q8FcAk-RxiM/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQVBTferhrWUc_d1t0Th7WmV9xsAp05iu0h0Gj9kXY6AEIe6Ko9mXrCEMZ9cnpJNmOUfzIlJfJVwxToE-TaqwHoabcqbgDrSJJPi0NsUlrvJ4K4MesiJCQRUAO2OP3bS2q8FcAk-RxiM/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+9.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Stairwell to seats</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncB_R-k3punUhLw8eGE77H1DWFwSzbOnsbIKmmoI4XDpdBw34nyHz9U-DX0uRCiNGV-jle24wS74rVUgocfMO3kxr_Y5yWZ-NOT4cF6-ylPgJ4n6pdqWdpjYVEusFSnJKB4EuPs88Hz4/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncB_R-k3punUhLw8eGE77H1DWFwSzbOnsbIKmmoI4XDpdBw34nyHz9U-DX0uRCiNGV-jle24wS74rVUgocfMO3kxr_Y5yWZ-NOT4cF6-ylPgJ4n6pdqWdpjYVEusFSnJKB4EuPs88Hz4/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+10.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The West Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUE7Xm_Z6OQl5dz_4PIBYOoNfLu4gKOZpMuDVeIm2vBoxsqHJa89OHtCmX2PaJ0OfqAbRsql4K0WkvejswqCkpSKJ83GG-5285C4OKbq0YrXBQ2h0VlWXj-G5MJHmJuDrYpI5USbNRZm8/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUE7Xm_Z6OQl5dz_4PIBYOoNfLu4gKOZpMuDVeIm2vBoxsqHJa89OHtCmX2PaJ0OfqAbRsql4K0WkvejswqCkpSKJ83GG-5285C4OKbq0YrXBQ2h0VlWXj-G5MJHmJuDrYpI5USbNRZm8/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+11.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The East Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TeGoW8tim7AjAsiTtXIr61YfnyY1QbUAtlLtJgaxZfMCF4vD1ij2F7sh_VdRAsr-9FD6OGJe3eNIUeovnpmk-yugrL1RIf48m3kmOQxugYnIBhx3HFwb87u-PMAVW6nBny32MU-Vs8k/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TeGoW8tim7AjAsiTtXIr61YfnyY1QbUAtlLtJgaxZfMCF4vD1ij2F7sh_VdRAsr-9FD6OGJe3eNIUeovnpmk-yugrL1RIf48m3kmOQxugYnIBhx3HFwb87u-PMAVW6nBny32MU-Vs8k/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>National Anthems</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpn5cttOU1wO0Z9I0tQ_Tuez8Gv84MQIid2exzA-eiHe2GkrIdzHjSE9Bu56PzkIqmBsJcvQnNWtn9cELNciOhM5kC1qrdPoUyM1NZupAMTq1YS1px1-rX4XjIQMRqt4AzWXjkKTVjyk/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpn5cttOU1wO0Z9I0tQ_Tuez8Gv84MQIid2exzA-eiHe2GkrIdzHjSE9Bu56PzkIqmBsJcvQnNWtn9cELNciOhM5kC1qrdPoUyM1NZupAMTq1YS1px1-rX4XjIQMRqt4AzWXjkKTVjyk/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+14.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The East Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The South Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl65kKneH_jVKIqCInTXmyIFeXZnZcH46VJqFAE171Fpv-9-9TlOiVVgiDlTNrQ5Ql7_bvwOJ0bNn2JMInHMSUlLX1PqusgymIxR1HsaijVoWbGnuye87P8e9kVvbcAd6cVmrqtKjpfg/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOl65kKneH_jVKIqCInTXmyIFeXZnZcH46VJqFAE171Fpv-9-9TlOiVVgiDlTNrQ5Ql7_bvwOJ0bNn2JMInHMSUlLX1PqusgymIxR1HsaijVoWbGnuye87P8e9kVvbcAd6cVmrqtKjpfg/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+16.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NoxGtv-nolBnADdfKA7-LRUqt0S5fRx2psMIAwylCQuibt7nbdEROPs8EVfYFji9CHPSu7Xrd3boMOd_Y76Of7rxyBkE-Fc0kuX7gHDbbKhELHZktlz3uSsrNUDl58NFvew3o12Igf8/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NoxGtv-nolBnADdfKA7-LRUqt0S5fRx2psMIAwylCQuibt7nbdEROPs8EVfYFji9CHPSu7Xrd3boMOd_Y76Of7rxyBkE-Fc0kuX7gHDbbKhELHZktlz3uSsrNUDl58NFvew3o12Igf8/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+17.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The West Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The South Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm5PcciJcIXsVC0XSDY_jF60uariyeTm74_Bh4On-za4L7R2LpCinVww0Z-Re-Upb7cQ12BPyPiB66Q6QQR814qP4VDESGYhHtrQFyP2bFihAY86ewo52-2yNDzx-iAC9qXIOAgTnTSg/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm5PcciJcIXsVC0XSDY_jF60uariyeTm74_Bh4On-za4L7R2LpCinVww0Z-Re-Upb7cQ12BPyPiB66Q6QQR814qP4VDESGYhHtrQFyP2bFihAY86ewo52-2yNDzx-iAC9qXIOAgTnTSg/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+19.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXGV2JQ3pnuaomQlhY_zIXVxw99702o5qskQHTVl0hJAD-WJz_at7tHPgklmzXduUztmU6geOGu2q-Ia10yfW_Z8QIE4GYFvhFrcfw9iJ1i4XmGqDqN8zGpKELUqmoCzmPk17NxHf10w/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXGV2JQ3pnuaomQlhY_zIXVxw99702o5qskQHTVl0hJAD-WJz_at7tHPgklmzXduUztmU6geOGu2q-Ia10yfW_Z8QIE4GYFvhFrcfw9iJ1i4XmGqDqN8zGpKELUqmoCzmPk17NxHf10w/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+20.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The South Stand</b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgslBWoyzUsNPCfaaFx47q9-TLDs7dtrgo2KJiX6u_K6zRkLlSL-lDlC1hyphenhyphentIHBCACa-Twum9BhPiY5vVPPbhk9Hl0TJr1MrFIlrdKFerGCRASqItPGUitoHv-sFzwcfGj0pziZ9uwBrk/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+Panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgslBWoyzUsNPCfaaFx47q9-TLDs7dtrgo2KJiX6u_K6zRkLlSL-lDlC1hyphenhyphentIHBCACa-Twum9BhPiY5vVPPbhk9Hl0TJr1MrFIlrdKFerGCRASqItPGUitoHv-sFzwcfGj0pziZ9uwBrk/s640/Rasunda+Stadion+Panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rasunda Stadion Panoramic 1</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgslBWoyzUsNPCfaaFx47q9-TLDs7dtrgo2KJiX6u_K6zRkLlSL-lDlC1hyphenhyphentIHBCACa-Twum9BhPiY5vVPPbhk9Hl0TJr1MrFIlrdKFerGCRASqItPGUitoHv-sFzwcfGj0pziZ9uwBrk/s0/Rasunda%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" target="Rasunda Stadion 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CP_CVymE8Rq0fN7FoEn3dHdmzc1rECKaHgP6U6tt06jRbZWdpfhOjtowCWWiRz340hKMe35V4AjgIMVmRKInd9zb802K1jl6hT2-vM1ssp3ue2qqYlaQ4LwrAd2cmBDEJf1jvHbGTo/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+Panoramic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CP_CVymE8Rq0fN7FoEn3dHdmzc1rECKaHgP6U6tt06jRbZWdpfhOjtowCWWiRz340hKMe35V4AjgIMVmRKInd9zb802K1jl6hT2-vM1ssp3ue2qqYlaQ4LwrAd2cmBDEJf1jvHbGTo/s640/Rasunda+Stadion+Panoramic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rasunda Stadion Panoramic 2</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_CP_CVymE8Rq0fN7FoEn3dHdmzc1rECKaHgP6U6tt06jRbZWdpfhOjtowCWWiRz340hKMe35V4AjgIMVmRKInd9zb802K1jl6hT2-vM1ssp3ue2qqYlaQ4LwrAd2cmBDEJf1jvHbGTo/s0/Rasunda%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic%25202.jpg" target="Rasunda Stadion 2">click here for full size picture</a>) </b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8BRf_bvqiEpzihTqFWBKxPu-gGSEvWcmsTqmr4WnnBY-EdmBcDRH5gftO4NpWul086Q1tXS6oHamPyqCiEvBi1X2NJ2CdWyNphZFaG7w7xMiAGoH0-xbxu6GZPgjQFaky_YWM7elhFM/s1600/Rasunda+Stadion+Panoramic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8BRf_bvqiEpzihTqFWBKxPu-gGSEvWcmsTqmr4WnnBY-EdmBcDRH5gftO4NpWul086Q1tXS6oHamPyqCiEvBi1X2NJ2CdWyNphZFaG7w7xMiAGoH0-xbxu6GZPgjQFaky_YWM7elhFM/s640/Rasunda+Stadion+Panoramic+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rasunda Stadion Panoramic 3</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8BRf_bvqiEpzihTqFWBKxPu-gGSEvWcmsTqmr4WnnBY-EdmBcDRH5gftO4NpWul086Q1tXS6oHamPyqCiEvBi1X2NJ2CdWyNphZFaG7w7xMiAGoH0-xbxu6GZPgjQFaky_YWM7elhFM/s0/Rasunda%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic%25203.jpg" target="Rasunda Stadion 3">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03418335789867031457noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-24110145469040595612012-08-27T12:26:00.000+01:002012-08-27T12:40:11.890+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stockholms Stadion</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stockholm, Sweden</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiXmvh3JSTvvE8g8yUyUp3X4oz7DDlIOoJINFON8ABUi-JkeSj1GzXMyHj0DMylOedJmISL7s7Tww46D8BH9C-9vHfOycPMeauTjtIGY11CIDcUZpiMypVpv09RvZTzReGvtsnGVVqks/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiXmvh3JSTvvE8g8yUyUp3X4oz7DDlIOoJINFON8ABUi-JkeSj1GzXMyHj0DMylOedJmISL7s7Tww46D8BH9C-9vHfOycPMeauTjtIGY11CIDcUZpiMypVpv09RvZTzReGvtsnGVVqks/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Although the
primary reason for my trip to Stockholm
was to see the last international match held at the Rasunda Stadion, it was
nice to notice that close to the hotel I’d be staying at was the Olympic
Stadium, or Stockholms Stadion as it’s more commonly known. Not having done
much research beforehand, then it was a pleasant sight walking up Sturegaten
and seeing the solitary floodlight standing over the one end of the street in
the distance, however that’s merely a small taster for after arriving, then the
stadium itself is nothing short of stunning.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Opened in 1912, whilst one of the smallest Olympic
stadium’s of all time, it’s also noted for having had the most world records
broken at any one tournament, and was host for the football final, which saw
Great Britain win gold after defeating Denmark 4-2. Since then it has remained
home to a number of sports and music events in the city. It’s also the
traditional home of Djurgadens IF, who will be moving across the city to the
new 30,000 capacity Tele2 Arena at the end of the 2012 season. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">From the outside, the brickwork is more akin to a
stately manor house and the entrance reminiscent of a medieval castle, complete
with battlements atop. Inside the stadium, this creates the main feature at the
south-west end of the stadium, with around the south, west and eastern sides a
single tier stand running continuously except for this part, whilst at the
north-eastern end of the ground sits two towers either side of a steep open end
which was originally two tiered, the second tier being removed shortly after
the Olympics. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Due to it’s historic architecture, it’s meant little
can be done to improve the ground and bring it up to modern standards, which
has seen Djugardens having to play European games across the city at Rasunda,
and is the main reason for the club leaving. It’s a shame never to have seen a
football game here, but with it remaining open for other uses, then Stockholm will still be
able to boast one of the most picturesque stadiums in the world amongst its
sights.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOal5pf8TW6Lzjix591r8Ev-7WpEqksvUzxa6N1koA2lpRNtJrcldACkaj7scTlXULlV15xddEFaoBOtKzhMmr1K41WvaRcMlY1x2mggn6guKsuXF9Oxp_RVRgirIZMyKqtk-y5Ib-ZE/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOal5pf8TW6Lzjix591r8Ev-7WpEqksvUzxa6N1koA2lpRNtJrcldACkaj7scTlXULlV15xddEFaoBOtKzhMmr1K41WvaRcMlY1x2mggn6guKsuXF9Oxp_RVRgirIZMyKqtk-y5Ib-ZE/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to Stockholms Stadion</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZEkL_E_IPgYbNzgaqBq1A6nZwtVsz0kF90OQvP1OjAQsQC7FazQDnh1UTNg7cSEc2-Y_wQtCHgrYxL7x9WAsdu8qGS6RI2M_diTquPan8_uVEqT9AmD1K5czhdR9DDtLG3aCJzKDtyQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZEkL_E_IPgYbNzgaqBq1A6nZwtVsz0kF90OQvP1OjAQsQC7FazQDnh1UTNg7cSEc2-Y_wQtCHgrYxL7x9WAsdu8qGS6RI2M_diTquPan8_uVEqT9AmD1K5czhdR9DDtLG3aCJzKDtyQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Main Turnstiles and Exits</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TtbnEH3pGxk98XDiXo1hhM8lHMhMCx73dv0EdkgRtOah2eD28Nhr7KdgnVS69l4W52EOxVYb1NAnuYfaIftspHF4y68nvPChe8K-jm2f7BMwzjPFEmnPFRsOwpUF4LbTvkzxgOEeb8Q/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TtbnEH3pGxk98XDiXo1hhM8lHMhMCx73dv0EdkgRtOah2eD28Nhr7KdgnVS69l4W52EOxVYb1NAnuYfaIftspHF4y68nvPChe8K-jm2f7BMwzjPFEmnPFRsOwpUF4LbTvkzxgOEeb8Q/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">South End of the Stadium</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5d3hmQ8BE0iTkW2MZzJ9XKVf5N5a5la3XkBInhNfk0jO1uerFV6HNOAlCHJqV1icVGzBXIH-u8KOmmzW2iiND1L-xBLnnPmUfOWlS5WTAzTFzrdrFQwEldqNf4bK1xPz_3NyGK6IOOQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5d3hmQ8BE0iTkW2MZzJ9XKVf5N5a5la3XkBInhNfk0jO1uerFV6HNOAlCHJqV1icVGzBXIH-u8KOmmzW2iiND1L-xBLnnPmUfOWlS5WTAzTFzrdrFQwEldqNf4bK1xPz_3NyGK6IOOQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Main Entrance</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT2QCVQCk_-1i6MixWNHBHQDdJKfw3HegEOJzx24O_66Z6knrvYhkgsTcUk1zVulDYQpZGqIGUMQkTISc2FH1mksFaJlG0KqKTFA7vXZOTPAnjB2LeBgXlQbqxgxc1thgt2-A6ZdpmPQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT2QCVQCk_-1i6MixWNHBHQDdJKfw3HegEOJzx24O_66Z6knrvYhkgsTcUk1zVulDYQpZGqIGUMQkTISc2FH1mksFaJlG0KqKTFA7vXZOTPAnjB2LeBgXlQbqxgxc1thgt2-A6ZdpmPQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North End Turnstiles</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75eO0paypTBldKoCkF2r8yXA7zPmOnMg7P_MQKF-kX8o7AraJ94xPOzlgAe4OhH5ZnDBgUbBTaactjUyZzlafQNWtw8yG4fKKmWkF614wN6ptTeebCMvXT8fO0L8CYOSXCLMcsqzGswE/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75eO0paypTBldKoCkF2r8yXA7zPmOnMg7P_MQKF-kX8o7AraJ94xPOzlgAe4OhH5ZnDBgUbBTaactjUyZzlafQNWtw8yG4fKKmWkF614wN6ptTeebCMvXT8fO0L8CYOSXCLMcsqzGswE/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+6.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North West Tower</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQedkjzNxMQzv1AJbI0JYJVewzoSY1d7rM-WeQovMvR3YOzm8HX6qmy0zqElI8bbNnGpSp_Pvp7eDHhpxeDJtr3WE9Ps-a-rOOu2ixro5ZkY_wr-Ha4ILHGMGvw4m0-m_-CleJ965ivQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQedkjzNxMQzv1AJbI0JYJVewzoSY1d7rM-WeQovMvR3YOzm8HX6qmy0zqElI8bbNnGpSp_Pvp7eDHhpxeDJtr3WE9Ps-a-rOOu2ixro5ZkY_wr-Ha4ILHGMGvw4m0-m_-CleJ965ivQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+7.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North End of the Stadium</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZUPkFZaUbl7iNqTZJTcJyPCcRtvW4Bh1skzpZxzzcKpKG5iRhDQ7ZpLxuqPrAQJqvfwqwcSU4MnGmSRO69CxkvmH6VZonuhSOQzBvENJ-Y5AMD01szoKLhjv0l8Z_nOwzzms6c0sntQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZUPkFZaUbl7iNqTZJTcJyPCcRtvW4Bh1skzpZxzzcKpKG5iRhDQ7ZpLxuqPrAQJqvfwqwcSU4MnGmSRO69CxkvmH6VZonuhSOQzBvENJ-Y5AMD01szoKLhjv0l8Z_nOwzzms6c0sntQ/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Entrance to the seats</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4CqUduVhwTbwCuKJ0r_xYNrWNncWzHdIDmAjGy7q5o_TL4wCc7L9bgO0EBNJDlxcJilFe6scW2NIevLwwE_G6dJzAAXvMVS_FbGoFsco7dDrT0TDNq7Y2jhXFZr8DlYIeU4OjSuJPqw/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4CqUduVhwTbwCuKJ0r_xYNrWNncWzHdIDmAjGy7q5o_TL4wCc7L9bgO0EBNJDlxcJilFe6scW2NIevLwwE_G6dJzAAXvMVS_FbGoFsco7dDrT0TDNq7Y2jhXFZr8DlYIeU4OjSuJPqw/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+9.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North East Tower</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHnXrpR49EWseewpk__lccHdZvZyqu_Qb7QhDvwSaXhf6sQohRKdjyx-NDLssPghjzxka01K6ZtoGpA492CEPNngYTrhVUQ-fRt6LtjRwEWhQdJyJCGUgu4muj7D4eBHQ0VhtW1lp97s/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHnXrpR49EWseewpk__lccHdZvZyqu_Qb7QhDvwSaXhf6sQohRKdjyx-NDLssPghjzxka01K6ZtoGpA492CEPNngYTrhVUQ-fRt6LtjRwEWhQdJyJCGUgu4muj7D4eBHQ0VhtW1lp97s/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+10.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eastern Side of the Stadium</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0XGAkwmEVkBGmg4MyWs_7g1EL9od5korsAc1FqBi6-Xt1s-84Q3fOnPzPQ-hBeOFtb-Y51cx1Q1kZS3fkYI_kdBX50EpoB9l2_OugOREmIGV2OeCvqnEJwcFnAf4J-B7IbGH1JCDJCU/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0XGAkwmEVkBGmg4MyWs_7g1EL9od5korsAc1FqBi6-Xt1s-84Q3fOnPzPQ-hBeOFtb-Y51cx1Q1kZS3fkYI_kdBX50EpoB9l2_OugOREmIGV2OeCvqnEJwcFnAf4J-B7IbGH1JCDJCU/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+11.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Telephone Box</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpztOnKTecxAUNO5HVQQ0_AVFl2-6aXwy1cH9ST-6VLyKDp1B9CoiMUDj0Xq354lh_TcG4zQJUBWS0vrfNd1rS69k15hgS_3EEYnaUFVnIAx2EnuNQr8GxRMMa_oEUztVbn1chCHMLdU/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpztOnKTecxAUNO5HVQQ0_AVFl2-6aXwy1cH9ST-6VLyKDp1B9CoiMUDj0Xq354lh_TcG4zQJUBWS0vrfNd1rS69k15hgS_3EEYnaUFVnIAx2EnuNQr8GxRMMa_oEUztVbn1chCHMLdU/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+12.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of many statues outside</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidX9qs6JLKc_kC25XAUr8oU3u07HvAm302KI3NcJuNb7Yq1huYvOH6Dlf-QZ4TxMR992DwtP3iC-_OKp2LNI5PqYsne5YSvv185-0XsfplCcoQzzM5HmR0Yb3BrMdvpO-SuwgHQzXNgDw/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidX9qs6JLKc_kC25XAUr8oU3u07HvAm302KI3NcJuNb7Yq1huYvOH6Dlf-QZ4TxMR992DwtP3iC-_OKp2LNI5PqYsne5YSvv185-0XsfplCcoQzzM5HmR0Yb3BrMdvpO-SuwgHQzXNgDw/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+13.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Stand</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZCyiPXTyiuD7SjrFqhLUfwtZxAd71zG6zBMqHf0iOVg9jpoYVf-huTm1GBqdu-C7BTy-ra7kM551nZ3lCNNkK7c6ivPWIjfMEvtGoQ0F8bHaBPTWEMV5YDi1T6Tl_uuVt24HT3i2yG4/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZCyiPXTyiuD7SjrFqhLUfwtZxAd71zG6zBMqHf0iOVg9jpoYVf-huTm1GBqdu-C7BTy-ra7kM551nZ3lCNNkK7c6ivPWIjfMEvtGoQ0F8bHaBPTWEMV5YDi1T6Tl_uuVt24HT3i2yG4/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+14.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">South Stand</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hkeb776BFY0pr22I60HJGfuPSNCcFIYjmM1WLr71CB-xvEGLHAQMT8JBMiGfEllwbtnvSWrnLRHJkqMn74AK7Yw-jsNbOIp67A6JZIsGA63hzZI168zoQ3QYDKh13_xpEYBXuDX4CSU/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hkeb776BFY0pr22I60HJGfuPSNCcFIYjmM1WLr71CB-xvEGLHAQMT8JBMiGfEllwbtnvSWrnLRHJkqMn74AK7Yw-jsNbOIp67A6JZIsGA63hzZI168zoQ3QYDKh13_xpEYBXuDX4CSU/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+15.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">East Stand</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXUg1PgX5VzgXo5vwpzm6NhUwtHrzKm0xBKLr70i_2yS4obFMlwFgBmluehttxSwlbMcmyYhu49LonJlv61is8yVYiMt3YoTgX3SYQZYWvxhDfu7YAWRejvRz2_Bt2kcb77b43rJKoyI/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXUg1PgX5VzgXo5vwpzm6NhUwtHrzKm0xBKLr70i_2yS4obFMlwFgBmluehttxSwlbMcmyYhu49LonJlv61is8yVYiMt3YoTgX3SYQZYWvxhDfu7YAWRejvRz2_Bt2kcb77b43rJKoyI/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+16.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Stand</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKwMjoMt6H2hrOGRo0l4P_Qj0UXM5HGMVnHXR_PR5s13R5_ojDs7DBU9DD8vvRw7VdFt2Abo1NPbXoK10MouduTlTvP_c94fmZq47lhteteY-JVw0pwPKjntdShoa5RLpEoZgKxLpESc/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKwMjoMt6H2hrOGRo0l4P_Qj0UXM5HGMVnHXR_PR5s13R5_ojDs7DBU9DD8vvRw7VdFt2Abo1NPbXoK10MouduTlTvP_c94fmZq47lhteteY-JVw0pwPKjntdShoa5RLpEoZgKxLpESc/s1600/Stockholms+Stadion+17.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stockholms Stadion Panoramic</span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm_wINE9jB7adH9mvTOBukN81XDEaHBt0t1sceyEvocSaNoahqC_mExDQ5GbySUSlTl_04bTi3kvCUbzcU6tBFeIatz1GNkV0bVkiq3co22fTV6kqUDhKkOy2LWUw_wgbaFPHTaO3q7s/s0/Stockholms%2520Stadion%2520Panoramic.jpg" target="Stockholms Stadion">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span></span></span></div>
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Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03418335789867031457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-62532595398560857302012-04-09T10:24:00.003+01:002012-04-09T10:26:30.762+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxgknPAQIbc/T4KoKmyeDMI/AAAAAAAAFw4/4m4ktwLnPu0/s1600/Swindon+Supermarine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VxgknPAQIbc/T4KoKmyeDMI/AAAAAAAAFw4/4m4ktwLnPu0/s1600/Swindon+Supermarine.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hunts Copse, Swindon Supermarine</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Monday 9th April 2012</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A new year then, or at least for me, only four months in!<br />
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True to form there's been a criminal lack of activity on the site recently, due to various reasons, work, moving, general lack of enthusiasm, the messages are appreciated, I have been going to grounds, albeit nowhere near as many as previously. This review is only the fourth new ground I've been to so far in 2012, a figure which would have accounted for a slow month in the past, but hey ho.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have got a fair few reviews to add (11 after today), so stay tuned, highlights so far have been a weekend in Scotland (Elgin and Aberdeen) along with Hemel Hempstead and a few still to add from last year, Burscough and Camel Laird amongst others, so at some point I'll get around to putting them up, with hopefully some new Rugby League ones to come with the RL season now in full swing (not to mention a host of Championship reviews for next season...) </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HvvsUVmajsM/T4Kd0-Z0CvI/AAAAAAAAFwc/t2KT3A4fRgc/s1600/Hunts%2520Copse%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HvvsUVmajsM/T4Kd0-Z0CvI/AAAAAAAAFwc/t2KT3A4fRgc/s640/Hunts%2520Copse%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HvvsUVmajsM/T4Kd0-Z0CvI/AAAAAAAAFwc/t2KT3A4fRgc/s0/Hunts%2520Copse%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="background-color: blue;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/swindon-supermarine-hunts-copse-ground.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Swindon Supermarine -</span><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red;">Hunts Copse</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: blue; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-76584626457070569982012-04-09T09:57:00.008+01:002012-04-09T10:07:54.690+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Swindon Supermarine</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hunts Copse</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-To16dNOmX6Q/T4Kd4T4tsQI/AAAAAAAAFws/nob_G4O1wXQ/s1600/Swindon+Supermarine+programme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-To16dNOmX6Q/T4Kd4T4tsQI/AAAAAAAAFws/nob_G4O1wXQ/s1600/Swindon+Supermarine+programme.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 245</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 7<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> April 2012<br />
<b>Result -</b> Swindon Supermarine 2-1 Stourbridge<br />
<b>Competition -</b> Southern League Premier Division<br />
<b>Attendance - </b>178</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As you might have guessed, the unusual name of Swindon Supermarine can be traced back to the famous aircraft manufacturer who were responsible for producing the legendary Spitfire fighter plane that won so many accolades for its role in the Second World War. Ironically though, the Supermarine company themselves were based in Hampshire, and the Spitfire itself is more renowned for being built at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham, however Supermarine were owned by Vickers and with the wartime effort requiring maximum output, not to mention protection from German raids, factories throughout the country were set-up to keep the production line rolling, and South Marston just outside Swindon was one such site, mainly building Masters and Stirlings before late in the war the first Spitfire rolled off the line in 1943. As was custom for most large factories at the time, the Swindon branch had a well organised sports and social arm, which included a football side, Vickers Armstrong, who were founded in 1946. Changing their name to Vickers FC and later Supermarine FC, the club joined the Hellenic League in 1982, having a great first season after stepping up from local football, losing the Division One title only on goal difference to Rayners Lake, with that disappointment being offset by still being enough to see them promoted to the Premier. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">At the time, one of their local rivals were a club known as Penhill FC, who themselves had stepped up to the Hellenic League in the 1980's, the two clubs most notably meeting in the 1985/86 Wiltshire Senior Cup Final, which Supermarine won 1-0. Having been formed in 1968, Penhill couldn't boast quite as long a history as Supermarine, but they trod a similar path, finishing runners-up in their first season in the Hellenic League to go straight up to the Premier Division, where they would remain until 1992, when after having changed their name to Swindon Athletic three years previously, a merger was agreed with their South Marston rivals to form Swindon Supermarine, the clubs agreeing to use the site just outside the town to develop and push for promotion with Athletic having issues in being able to redevelop their own Southbrook Ground.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After merging, the new club consolidated until winning the Hellenic Premier in 1997/98, but unfortunately the ground was considered inadequate and so they had to wait another three years before the club were able to step-up, winning the title again in 2000/01. Promotion to the Southern League Premier came in 2006/07 when having suffered play-off heartbreak the previous year, the club bounced back and knocked out Burnham in the semi's before beating Taunton Town 2-0 in the final to reach the highest level they'd played at, which is where they remain today, the play off promotion success having only since been bettered by their 2010/11 FA Cup run which saw them reach the second round before succumbing to Colchester United with a narrow 1-0 loss. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">So, onto the present day and whilst 2011/12 had seen Swindon fighting relegation, 80 miles north, West Midlands side Stourbridge had been having a season to remember, knocking Plymouth Argyle out of the FA Cup in front of the TV cameras, before gallantly losing to Stevenage in the second round. The Glassboys had been going for promotion, and rolled into town heavy favourites to win, having won the home fixture at Amblecote 4-1 in December. I've got a bit of a soft spot for Stour, so when Chris the Albion fan mentioned the game, then it didn't take too much persuading to tag along. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Originally known as Hunts Copse prior to sponsorship, the ground is part of a sports complex that includes Rugby, Bowls and Archery. It was opened in 1990 after the original Vickers Sports Complex was sold to build an industrial estate, the developers building this site as part of the agreement to sell. Cricket was originally hosted here as well, but disbanded some time ago. On entering, it's actually a little difficult to spot the football part, with the Rugby ground seeming to be more prominently signposted, however after parking up, a small passage leads down to the turnstiles which are situated just adjacent to the halfway line. Heading in, a small hut operates as the clubshop, whilst an attractive looking clubhouse, complete with a traditional gable stands to the left. To the right is the Main Stand, which was brought with the club from their previous site, and features a unique looking roof along with three rows of seats that look like, along with many similar ones around southern grounds, they may have originated from the old Wembley. Adjacent to it is a newer, more basic seated stand which was built for ground grading reasons when the club were promoted to the Southern League, whilst around to the far end is hard standing that runs for most of the far side as well except for in line with the near penalty area where sits a small terrace of metal construction. The near end is hard standing as well, with a cover in the centre whilst back round along the near side sits the dressing rooms in the corner adjacent to the clubhouse. With trees on all four sides the ground has quite an enclosed feel, and so all in all, quite a nice backdrop to watch football in. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Having spent pre-match in the clubhouse, when the game got underway Stourbridge came out wearing their change strip of green and yellow, colours considered to be unlucky in some circles, which might have gone someway to explaining the Stour performance. The first 15 minutes looked promising enough for the visitors, and they put the home defence under pressure with it looking inevitable that they'd be the ones to take the lead, however it was against the run of play when the hosts went 1-0 ahead courtesy of Max Etheridge who took advantage of a shaky defence to fire home from close range, and as they say, goals change games, with 'Marine taking the initiative and making it 2-0 just before the break, Etheridge again firing home from within the box. Half time saw a bit of argy-bargy in the near corner as the home players strolled into their dressing room whilst the away team were forced to wait outside, the key to the door having been conveniently lost, but despite that they still came out first having received an earful from manager Gary Hackett, which seemed to go unheeded, the second half being a dull affair, but for a sending-off when Linden Dovey received a straight red much to everyone's puzzlement, the ref having a generally poor game, never quite getting in control of the players, with the home side being aptly nicknamed Swindon Supermoan by the travelling away support! Stour's man of the match, Leon Broadhurst curled home a free kick in the 83rd minute, but despite some late pressure from the Glassboys it was to prove only a consolation as the home side held on for a much needed three points.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving, the journey home went quick enough, stopping off in Redditch to watch Wolves' customary loss on the TV, before getting back having enjoyed the day out. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Whilst the result might not have been quite what was hoped for (nor the off-tasting beer in the clubhouse), the ground itself is a great little set-up, and whilst having the downside of being miles from the town (to the point that we never even made it into Swindon), it’s one of the more pleasant ones in the league, along with a friendly welcome from the club officials, which is always worth a mention and a welcome feature of non-league.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trVnCwmmONo/T4Kdd_z7FPI/AAAAAAAAFuE/_QPZb5VtwOI/s1600/Hunts+Copse+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-trVnCwmmONo/T4Kdd_z7FPI/AAAAAAAAFuE/_QPZb5VtwOI/s1600/Hunts+Copse+1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to Swindon Supermarine</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Game of the Day</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Outside the Ground</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHZ_jKoKKY8/T4KdtcCZ-wI/AAAAAAAAFvs/ISmaz3K-31o/s1600/Hunts+Copse+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHZ_jKoKKY8/T4KdtcCZ-wI/AAAAAAAAFvs/ISmaz3K-31o/s1600/Hunts+Copse+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Turnstiles</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uz11km_4QnM/T4KduVDDkvI/AAAAAAAAFvw/HC_nwvSqDUc/s1600/Hunts+Copse+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uz11km_4QnM/T4KduVDDkvI/AAAAAAAAFvw/HC_nwvSqDUc/s1600/Hunts+Copse+5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Club Shop</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5ouPSzs-LE/T4KdveVvPKI/AAAAAAAAFv8/TVHSfvr8A7o/s1600/Hunts+Copse+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5ouPSzs-LE/T4KdveVvPKI/AAAAAAAAFv8/TVHSfvr8A7o/s1600/Hunts+Copse+6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side and Clubhouse</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zi_mn3WyiM/T4KdfXA38XI/AAAAAAAAFuM/_EqfKarqaRo/s1600/Hunts+Copse+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zi_mn3WyiM/T4KdfXA38XI/AAAAAAAAFuM/_EqfKarqaRo/s1600/Hunts+Copse+10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Far Side Terrace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End Cover</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bK41vX0s9e4/T4Kdpr4duhI/AAAAAAAAFvU/mO_h9NtAHd0/s1600/Hunts+Copse+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bK41vX0s9e4/T4Kdpr4duhI/AAAAAAAAFvU/mO_h9NtAHd0/s1600/Hunts+Copse+19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvvsUVmajsM/T4Kd0-Z0CvI/AAAAAAAAFwc/t2KT3A4fRgc/s1600/Hunts+Copse+Panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvvsUVmajsM/T4Kd0-Z0CvI/AAAAAAAAFwc/t2KT3A4fRgc/s640/Hunts+Copse+Panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Hunts Copse Panoramic 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HvvsUVmajsM/T4Kd0-Z0CvI/AAAAAAAAFwc/t2KT3A4fRgc/s0/Hunts%2520Copse%2520Panoramic%25201.jpg" target="Hunts Copse 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6-RdqCqlmg/T4Kd3Xkwi4I/AAAAAAAAFwk/bOqQ1_wYgZI/s1600/Hunts+Copse+Panoramic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m6-RdqCqlmg/T4Kd3Xkwi4I/AAAAAAAAFwk/bOqQ1_wYgZI/s640/Hunts+Copse+Panoramic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Hunts Copse Panoramic 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-m6-RdqCqlmg/T4Kd3Xkwi4I/AAAAAAAAFwk/bOqQ1_wYgZI/s0/Hunts%2520Copse%2520Panoramic%25202.jpg" target="Hunts Copse 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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</b></span></div></div></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com2Supermarine Sports And Social Club, Swindon, UK51.605086460383205 -1.730127113548292151.603241960383208 -1.7337426135482921 51.6069309603832 -1.7265116135482921tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-90796602481303697612011-12-12T21:37:00.001+00:002011-12-12T21:38:27.207+00:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6I3wOoFprA/TuZxPTc6m3I/AAAAAAAAFss/E4nrTpF3zpc/s1600/Hitchin+Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6I3wOoFprA/TuZxPTc6m3I/AAAAAAAAFss/E4nrTpF3zpc/s1600/Hitchin+Town.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top Field, Hitchin Town</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Monday 12th December 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Not sure where I'll be next week, but it's likely to be somewhere in Yorkshire/North"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">True to form then, I ended up in Hertfordshire to see Hitchin Town vs St Albans! I don't know why I even bother to say where I'm going as it usually ends up being somewhere completely different! Still, an enjoyable weekend spent in Hitchin with a great ground and a nice little town.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This will probably be the last new ground until 2012 now unless I can get to Bangor on the 27th to see Farrar Road (fingers crossed), so until then, merry everyone... </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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</a></div><div style="background-color: green;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/12/hitchin-town-top-field-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: yellow;">Hitchin Town -</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;">Top Field</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: green; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNRibG-jz9I/TuZXBah_WsI/AAAAAAAAFoM/gKsILL7ezXI/s1600/Sharpenhoe%252520Road%252520Panoramic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNRibG-jz9I/TuZXBah_WsI/AAAAAAAAFoM/gKsILL7ezXI/s640/Sharpenhoe%252520Road%252520Panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNRibG-jz9I/TuZXBah_WsI/AAAAAAAAFoM/gKsILL7ezXI/s0/Sharpenhoe%252520Road%252520Panoramic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="background-color: blue;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/12/barton-rovers-sharpenhoe-road-one-of.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Barton Rovers -</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">Sharpenhoe Road</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: blue; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-46282746239225150432011-12-12T21:00:00.000+00:002011-12-12T21:00:27.005+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hitchin Town</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Top Field</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ground No. 240<br />
Visited -</b> Saturday 10th December 2011<br />
<b>Result -</b> Hitchin Town 0-3 St Albans City<br />
<b>Competition -</b> Southern League Premier Division<br />
<b>Attendance -</b> 418</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">With winter well and truly settling in then it's always a good idea when visiting grounds that you have several back-ups planned in case of bad weather causing postponements, but in the case of this weekend it was misinformation that caused me to have to resort looking elsewhere when going on to Bangor City's website to plan a trip to Farrar Road only to see their game with Bala had been moved to the Friday night. Looking around the fixtures then the next most attractive game was some 250 miles away from the Welsh coast, with Hitchin Town playing host to St Albans City in the Hertfordshire derby.<br />
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As anyone with an interest in football grounds will surely know, then Top Field is an absolute must for groundhoppers, and it had been one I'd wanted to visit for a long time, so was in a good mood setting out on a chilly morning with the icy conditions already having seen several games further north fall victim to the weather. The grounds history dates back to 1871 when it was used by the forerunners to the present club, Hitchin FC who played there in the first ever FA Cup competition, hosting Crystal Palace (themselves forerunners of the current club) in front of 750 spectators who saw a 0-0 draw, a replay being unnecessary with both sides advancing to the second round due to teams dropping out! The original Hitchin club went bust in 1911, but when the present side were formed in 1928 they moved straight into Top Field, joining the Spartan League, where they had much early success, including winning the title in 1934/35 and only once finishing outside the top six in their eleven years in the competition before moving to the Athenian League. The clubs' stay in this competition lasted slightly longer, for eighteen years altogether, although they never quite enjoyed the same level of success, with the high point coming in the mid-fifties, finishing second in 1953/54, recording the grounds highest attendance two years later, with 7878 turning out to see the FA Amateur Cup tie against Wycombe, the hosts winning 1-0. In 1963 the club decided to step up to the stronger Isthmian League, and other than for a couple of brief spells in the first division, this was where they would stay until 2004 when re-organisation saw them move to the Southern League for the first time in their history. Despite relegation, things recently would seem to be going well, having amassed 100 points in their first year back at Step 4, before winning promotion the following season, but off it they have been wracked by legal battles over the future of the ground. In 1880, the land had been purchased by a group of townspeople known as the Cows Commoners' Trust, to replace common land that had been lost to the railways. Their relationship with the club had been good for most of the twentieth century, allowing permanent structures to be built in the form of the clubhouse in 1963 along with the Main Stand and far terrace around the same time, however in recent years the trust has changed their standpoint, which has left the club in a difficult situation of not being able to improve the ground, with wooden terraces along two sides in need of constant attention to withstand the effects of weathering. It's led to a legal battle that drags on to this day with both sides in limbo seemingly unable to come to an agreement. <br />
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Having set off early, we’d made good time down to the home counties, negotiating the A and B roads from the M1 fairly well, with time to stop off at nearby Barton Rovers on the way to have a quick look around Sharpenhoe Road (<a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/12/barton-rovers-sharpenhoe-road-one-of.html" target="Barton Rovers">see here</a>), before carrying on and arriving at Top Field for midday, getting the chance to pop in and have a look round first of all. <br />
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One of the groundsmen confirmed that the structures are wooden because they have to be temporary. He went on to say that some people have apparently told him because of this that the ground is a dump ("but our dump"), well, to quote Jeremy Clarkson, you can only say they should be taken outside and shot! <br />
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It probably wasn't a surprise hearing that, but how anyone can honestly dismiss it is beyond me. This is the kind of ground that is the raison d’être for travelling halfway around the country every other weekend instead of watching Wolves away (rip off prices in the Premier League having an equal part to play in that as well!). Sitting a 10 minute walk from the town centre, the clubhouse is the first thing you come across, with the clubs name emblazoned over the door in large letters, and the FA's badge quite prominent for some reason. Beyond is a small car park behind the near side stand, notable for having the floodlights sitting on the outside of the ground behind it, reminiscent of Boothferry Park or Old Trafford as once was. Inside you come into the corner with the club shop and refreshment hut to your left, painted brightly in the clubs colours of green and yellow, and carrying on behind the near goal sits wooden terracing, which to continue comparisons to league grounds is reminiscent of Molineux's Steve Bull stand, cranked to mean the middle section is sitting furthest away from the action as both sides angle inwards towards the corners. A small roof provides cover in the centre, with the main turnstile block, and club offices immediately behind the stand. On the far side is the Main Stand, which has several sections of seating, the nearest portion having come from the old Wembley Stadium. A mural painted on the near side of it adds character, whilst the stand is split with the players tunnel in the middle, the changing rooms to the rear. At the far end is a good sized open terrace, cranked like the near end, but concrete with crush barriers, whilst back to the near side is wooden terracing like the near end, with several open sections flanking the covered middle. All in all, a fantastic venue then, made better by the clubs colours being prominent to add to the character which leaves you wondering how anyone can honestly describe it as a dump (Shoot them. Shoot them in front of their families... *joke, morons) It's worth noting as well (as the groundsmen were so friendly) that the pitch is in superb condition, as good as anything you'll see in non-league, better than many in the league even, which is pretty good going for the middle of December!<br />
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So, after a quick look round, we headed back into town to have a walk around and stop off in both The Victoria and the Half Moon, the latter especially being worth a visit if you're into real ales, before heading back to the clubhouse to meet Brian and Alison who had travelled up from Kent to tick the ground as well. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Going into the game, neither side were in the best of form, the hosts without a win in six, whilst St Albans had lost eight of the last ten, both sitting in the bottom half of the table, if comfortably enough away from relegation. The visitors had bought a fair few fans with them on the short journey to North Hertfordshire and they were dotted around the ground as we headed in, and as the game kicked off it was their team who started to take control early on, helped by having ex-Watford and Jamaica international Micah Hyde making his debut for them in central midfield, pulling the strings which saw them take the lead after 20 minutes thanks to former Chelsea striker Paul Furlong who picked up a long throw and turned to fire low into the corner for 1-0. Despite confidence clearly being low, the hosts weren't going to lie down, and within five minutes they'd nearly bought the game level when firstly John Frendo hit the post, before Saints keeper Neil Jupp turned away a good free kick that looked to be going in, the resulting corner seeing Marc Leach's header cleared off the line. If any of those chances had gone in, then who knows, but just before half time the hosts collapsed after the visitors made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute, James Gray hitting home a good effort from a corner, before he got his second and St Albans' third bang on the whistle when unmarked he ghosted into the area to head home a free kick from the right for a goal that Hitchin's manager Carl Williams will have been disappointed in such was the poor defending. <br />
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The second half was a bit of a non-event, notable only for a nasty injury to St Albans winger Sean Shields which meant a lengthy delay, the game going on until gone 5pm as a result of added time, but with the result already as good as done at half time then the visitors were content to sit back, the hosts being unable to really break them down and get back into the game.<br />
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After leaving we headed home with the journey going well, glad to have come, despite the falling temperatures making for a chilly afternoon out. Not only is it a pleasant town to visit, it's also a cracking ground with character in abundance. Apparently there are hopes to build permanent structures here should a legal dispute with the owners be resolved, which would be a shame, as whilst the stands are technically temporary, they really are special, with little like them around the country, most clubs opting for the tedious flatpack designs that are of course more financially attractive. Not wishing the club ill in their fight, which seems to revolve around whether the ground was ever common land in the first place, but should they win the case, then hopefully any developments will remain in keeping with its current feel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpjG20OQHA0/TuZj6CqJScI/AAAAAAAAFoc/7IYG9Zhhz4g/s1600/Top+Field+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpjG20OQHA0/TuZj6CqJScI/AAAAAAAAFoc/7IYG9Zhhz4g/s1600/Top+Field+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Clubhouse</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZchaQM-z74/TuZj8qXZLLI/AAAAAAAAFok/JlahO8mACqk/s1600/Top+Field+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZchaQM-z74/TuZj8qXZLLI/AAAAAAAAFok/JlahO8mACqk/s1600/Top+Field+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Turnstiles</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWko1MkMJ9E/TuZj9XDLGdI/AAAAAAAAFoo/_rWjeNZnGEU/s1600/Top+Field+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWko1MkMJ9E/TuZj9XDLGdI/AAAAAAAAFoo/_rWjeNZnGEU/s1600/Top+Field+3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to Hitchin Town!</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1J5QCr0PNA/TuZj-JyY29I/AAAAAAAAFow/LnwXM5o-uY8/s1600/Top+Field+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1J5QCr0PNA/TuZj-JyY29I/AAAAAAAAFow/LnwXM5o-uY8/s1600/Top+Field+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Floodlights</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IvoFdRSymE/TuZj_WUI4fI/AAAAAAAAFo8/egf8G-vzokM/s1600/Top+Field+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IvoFdRSymE/TuZj_WUI4fI/AAAAAAAAFo8/egf8G-vzokM/s1600/Top+Field+5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Club Shop/Refreshment Hut</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSTUxFqnPSI/TuZkBM07a7I/AAAAAAAAFpE/TBIM3eaxq-k/s1600/Top+Field+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uSTUxFqnPSI/TuZkBM07a7I/AAAAAAAAFpE/TBIM3eaxq-k/s1600/Top+Field+6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qe15EfLps2g/TuZkCRPzsdI/AAAAAAAAFpM/5_WNZg5C4wA/s1600/Top+Field+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qe15EfLps2g/TuZkCRPzsdI/AAAAAAAAFpM/5_WNZg5C4wA/s1600/Top+Field+7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpwK4aodGvE/TuZkDmAznfI/AAAAAAAAFpU/Cyjs4Bq349Q/s1600/Top+Field+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IpwK4aodGvE/TuZkDmAznfI/AAAAAAAAFpU/Cyjs4Bq349Q/s1600/Top+Field+8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt-vFQn0VrM/TuZkFlzW0mI/AAAAAAAAFpc/M5uZ4IENFaY/s1600/Top+Field+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vt-vFQn0VrM/TuZkFlzW0mI/AAAAAAAAFpc/M5uZ4IENFaY/s1600/Top+Field+9.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktipF7zdoKE/TuZkHIg7rsI/AAAAAAAAFpk/p1hXq9-cm30/s1600/Top+Field+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ktipF7zdoKE/TuZkHIg7rsI/AAAAAAAAFpk/p1hXq9-cm30/s1600/Top+Field+10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hicTqYSY53s/TuZkIyysAWI/AAAAAAAAFps/yUsuiExFTog/s1600/Top+Field+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hicTqYSY53s/TuZkIyysAWI/AAAAAAAAFps/yUsuiExFTog/s1600/Top+Field+11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Old Seats from Wembley</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tBZ6kKbCSAU/TuZkJ4a_-RI/AAAAAAAAFp0/ZDR0-ZIuvIs/s1600/Top+Field+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tBZ6kKbCSAU/TuZkJ4a_-RI/AAAAAAAAFp0/ZDR0-ZIuvIs/s1600/Top+Field+12.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Far end of the Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7C0T4_UzCE/TuZkLNh-qVI/AAAAAAAAFp8/tmWGNtnAFQY/s1600/Top+Field+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O7C0T4_UzCE/TuZkLNh-qVI/AAAAAAAAFp8/tmWGNtnAFQY/s1600/Top+Field+13.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3U4lba1oOI/TuZkMKbna4I/AAAAAAAAFqE/NcHmlIUMEGE/s1600/Top+Field+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3U4lba1oOI/TuZkMKbna4I/AAAAAAAAFqE/NcHmlIUMEGE/s1600/Top+Field+14.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o7PZh3pCG7M/TuZkNFJkWTI/AAAAAAAAFqM/-EwfqAynv9Q/s1600/Top+Field+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o7PZh3pCG7M/TuZkNFJkWTI/AAAAAAAAFqM/-EwfqAynv9Q/s1600/Top+Field+15.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOKAZgxTuzs/TuZkOlx8kVI/AAAAAAAAFqU/CEYdd8xAIgY/s1600/Top+Field+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tOKAZgxTuzs/TuZkOlx8kVI/AAAAAAAAFqU/CEYdd8xAIgY/s1600/Top+Field+16.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Terracing on the Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QFLqloQlh0/TuZkPMLX2zI/AAAAAAAAFqc/yOIkFduC2pI/s1600/Top+Field+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1QFLqloQlh0/TuZkPMLX2zI/AAAAAAAAFqc/yOIkFduC2pI/s1600/Top+Field+17.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MkQVEvuQFg/TuZkQE_RuEI/AAAAAAAAFqk/wLyr1yHXBx0/s1600/Top+Field+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MkQVEvuQFg/TuZkQE_RuEI/AAAAAAAAFqk/wLyr1yHXBx0/s1600/Top+Field+18.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Time of the year!</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--jnwEvk9KXA/TuZkQ-EyaZI/AAAAAAAAFqs/7fpBoYMsKCg/s1600/Top+Field+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--jnwEvk9KXA/TuZkQ-EyaZI/AAAAAAAAFqs/7fpBoYMsKCg/s1600/Top+Field+19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytNNsghN4MQ/TuZkRsMfDGI/AAAAAAAAFq0/meW9SaTai48/s1600/Top+Field+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytNNsghN4MQ/TuZkRsMfDGI/AAAAAAAAFq0/meW9SaTai48/s1600/Top+Field+20.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tizGNtDLuZo/TuZkSu-CxaI/AAAAAAAAFq8/KI8fc1H5bwg/s1600/Top+Field+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tizGNtDLuZo/TuZkSu-CxaI/AAAAAAAAFq8/KI8fc1H5bwg/s1600/Top+Field+21.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFwHthGW1zs/TuZkTRX4ShI/AAAAAAAAFrE/frFkW1AlhX0/s1600/Top+Field+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFwHthGW1zs/TuZkTRX4ShI/AAAAAAAAFrE/frFkW1AlhX0/s1600/Top+Field+22.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIkwimU28d4/TuZkU2c3uUI/AAAAAAAAFrM/B7_7OvAzI8A/s1600/Top+Field+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BIkwimU28d4/TuZkU2c3uUI/AAAAAAAAFrM/B7_7OvAzI8A/s1600/Top+Field+23.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoSXXV4zfHI/TuZkV5gnCBI/AAAAAAAAFrU/MQvuTLgc5A4/s1600/Top+Field+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoSXXV4zfHI/TuZkV5gnCBI/AAAAAAAAFrU/MQvuTLgc5A4/s1600/Top+Field+24.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qRRHf8bXcY/TuZkXHIzF7I/AAAAAAAAFrc/33wPWaL4bKM/s1600/Top+Field+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5qRRHf8bXcY/TuZkXHIzF7I/AAAAAAAAFrc/33wPWaL4bKM/s1600/Top+Field+25.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWCXj1Lgm1Q/TuZkX4mNZYI/AAAAAAAAFrk/_U49SlxTTb0/s1600/Top+Field+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWCXj1Lgm1Q/TuZkX4mNZYI/AAAAAAAAFrk/_U49SlxTTb0/s1600/Top+Field+26.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cY-U7HeNZe0/TuZkYbssPNI/AAAAAAAAFrs/0fTeX7rkGBU/s1600/Top+Field+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cY-U7HeNZe0/TuZkYbssPNI/AAAAAAAAFrs/0fTeX7rkGBU/s1600/Top+Field+27.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwWIS5xDwE8/TuZkZcm8sFI/AAAAAAAAFr0/qOpPCQpVvrY/s1600/Top+Field+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwWIS5xDwE8/TuZkZcm8sFI/AAAAAAAAFr0/qOpPCQpVvrY/s1600/Top+Field+28.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-QOEjaYiIg/TuZkaL3Br4I/AAAAAAAAFr8/9_xHemmfkT4/s1600/Top+Field+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-QOEjaYiIg/TuZkaL3Br4I/AAAAAAAAFr8/9_xHemmfkT4/s1600/Top+Field+29.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Top Field</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHrnLVHX6vM/TuZkbNHWc6I/AAAAAAAAFsA/H8JAV1mCX5I/s1600/Top+Field+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHrnLVHX6vM/TuZkbNHWc6I/AAAAAAAAFsA/H8JAV1mCX5I/s1600/Top+Field+30.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Floodlights</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQrpUaS3oBQ/TuZkcJoGgpI/AAAAAAAAFsM/7wlxestJlJg/s1600/Top+Field+panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQrpUaS3oBQ/TuZkcJoGgpI/AAAAAAAAFsM/7wlxestJlJg/s640/Top+Field+panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Top Field Panoramic 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WQrpUaS3oBQ/TuZkcJoGgpI/AAAAAAAAFsM/7wlxestJlJg/s0/Top%252520Field%252520panoramic%2525201.jpg" target="Top Field 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM206sWiOIY/TuZkdXsKhWI/AAAAAAAAFsU/aD_JJ-q6XVs/s1600/Top+Field+panoramic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mM206sWiOIY/TuZkdXsKhWI/AAAAAAAAFsU/aD_JJ-q6XVs/s640/Top+Field+panoramic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Top Field Panoramic 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mM206sWiOIY/TuZkdXsKhWI/AAAAAAAAFsU/aD_JJ-q6XVs/s0/Top%252520Field%252520panoramic%2525202.jpg" target="Top Field 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-om-RVuXmeko/TuZkeieMSkI/AAAAAAAAFsc/JWS-hvg_Gbw/s1600/Top+Field+panoramic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-om-RVuXmeko/TuZkeieMSkI/AAAAAAAAFsc/JWS-hvg_Gbw/s640/Top+Field+panoramic+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Top Field Panoramic 3</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-om-RVuXmeko/TuZkeieMSkI/AAAAAAAAFsc/JWS-hvg_Gbw/s0/Top%252520Field%252520panoramic%2525203.jpg" target="Top Field 3">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_mgnQy6Rss/TuZkfpxEFKI/AAAAAAAAFsk/jA6UIlwURjo/s1600/Top+Field+panoramic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_mgnQy6Rss/TuZkfpxEFKI/AAAAAAAAFsk/jA6UIlwURjo/s640/Top+Field+panoramic+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Top Field Panoramic 4</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E_mgnQy6Rss/TuZkfpxEFKI/AAAAAAAAFsk/jA6UIlwURjo/s0/Top%252520Field%252520panoramic%2525204.jpg" target="Top Field 4">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b> </span></div></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK51.954529742606915 -0.2841321403656138551.935962742606918 -0.31524614036561383 51.973096742606913 -0.25301814036561387tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-232998519356961562011-12-12T19:49:00.000+00:002011-12-12T19:49:23.162+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Barton Rovers</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sharpenhoe Road</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jaN6PPR8CY/TuZWyrtJO7I/AAAAAAAAFmM/9YY1U1C34oI/s1600/Barton+Rovers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jaN6PPR8CY/TuZWyrtJO7I/AAAAAAAAFmM/9YY1U1C34oI/s1600/Barton+Rovers.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">One of the bonuses of going to games by car as opposed train is that it gives you the opportunity to stop off and see other grounds on the way. Generally speaking I don’t like doing it as a rule though, leaving the ground as a ‘surprise’ for when seeing a game itself, but whilst on the way to Hitchin, then passing by Barton Rovers’ Sharpenhoe Road then we couldn’t resist the temptation to pull up and have a quick look around. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Situated in the village of Barton-le-Clay in Bedfordshire, the ground stands on the road that gives it its name and runs into the centre, the floodlights visible for a distance around, although the entrance is somewhat less easy to find, tucked away un-signposted down the side of what at first glance looks like somebody’s drive. After discovering it though, you come out into a reasonable sized car park, with the turnstiles in the left hand side corner and a large gate adjacent. Beyond, is hard standing at the near end, which runs up to the halfway point of the near side where the Main Stand sits. It looks a bigger structure than it really is, with only four rows of seats, but ‘The President’s Lounge’ to the rear has big glazed doors opening out to a hospitality area built into the back of the stand, which lends a more substantial feel. Behind the stand is the clubhouse, named the ‘Ball and Jack’, which looking around to the right is explained with a picturesque entrance to the bowls club adjacent, the two sports sharing the same site. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Carrying on and there is more hard standing up to the far end, where a small two step terrace sits behind the goal to offer a mixed treat of a slightly elevated view, countered by either the net in the way or the chance of being hit by wayward shots! In the far corner is the grounds most surprising piece, a large electronic scoreboard, already switched on well before midday, with Barton’s match later that afternoon still in doubt due to the frosty weather. It’s an interesting touch, but looks somewhat out of place at a ground of this level, but then that’s what groundhopping is all about, seeing something new! Finally, the far side is again hard standing at each end, with five separate terraces in the middle, all identical with two steps, and brick built. Viewing from a distance they help make the pitch’s slope more evident (see pano), stepping downwards back towards the car park.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">All in all a pleasant, tidy venue and whilst we had to leave to carry on to the days planned game a few miles east at Hitchin, then it’s somewhere I’ll be quite happy to find myself back at in the future to tick off for a match. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFqRFO7zZ8I/TuZWzKnS6lI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/70-1AXqFLbo/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFqRFO7zZ8I/TuZWzKnS6lI/AAAAAAAAFmQ/70-1AXqFLbo/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Turnstiles</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I8x1tGorPOM/TuZW0m4nmqI/AAAAAAAAFmc/3_NJ7cIMnoE/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I8x1tGorPOM/TuZW0m4nmqI/AAAAAAAAFmc/3_NJ7cIMnoE/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Side of the Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Clubhouse</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk3eHxXzpOc/TuZW3Hlu5bI/AAAAAAAAFm0/vZotY9LNQLk/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rk3eHxXzpOc/TuZW3Hlu5bI/AAAAAAAAFm0/vZotY9LNQLk/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Bowls Club</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Looking across the Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Press Box</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZMUCrNK-gU/TuZW6pQD8_I/AAAAAAAAFnQ/BKRahzUcreA/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZMUCrNK-gU/TuZW6pQD8_I/AAAAAAAAFnQ/BKRahzUcreA/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+9.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Car Park End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side Stands</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPxjunRtRa8/TuZXAIkCsCI/AAAAAAAAFoA/Bci7xx0haVA/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vPxjunRtRa8/TuZXAIkCsCI/AAAAAAAAFoA/Bci7xx0haVA/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+15.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNRibG-jz9I/TuZXBah_WsI/AAAAAAAAFoM/gKsILL7ezXI/s1600/Sharpenhoe+Road+Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tNRibG-jz9I/TuZXBah_WsI/AAAAAAAAFoM/gKsILL7ezXI/s640/Sharpenhoe+Road+Panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Sharpenhoe Road Panoramic</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNRibG-jz9I/TuZXBah_WsI/AAAAAAAAFoM/gKsILL7ezXI/s0/Sharpenhoe%252520Road%252520Panoramic.jpg" target="Sharpenhoe Road">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b> </span></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com1Barton-le-Clay, Central Bedfordshire, UK51.964213679967216 -0.4289124185714854351.942493179967215 -0.45794091857148544 51.985934179967217 -0.39988391857148542tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-8007678537231666792011-12-04T23:47:00.001+00:002011-12-04T23:48:29.782+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beU-zcp33-w/TtwEPfTS30I/AAAAAAAAFl0/V62kURMJC6s/s1600/Stourbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-beU-zcp33-w/TtwEPfTS30I/AAAAAAAAFl0/V62kURMJC6s/s1600/Stourbridge.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The War Memorial Athletic Ground, Stourbridge</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 4th December 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, Christmas fast approaching, and with it another year gone as we move closer to 2012. There's a lot of games left in store yet though, and this weekend has seen two of the better ones, firstly yesterday and a return trip to Amblecote, home of Stourbridge as they hosted Stevenage in the second round of the FA Cup. I'd been really looking forward to this one, having had a soft spot for them ever since I'd started to get in non-league, so to go to the biggest match in their history (debatable, but the furthest they've been in the FA Cup anyway), was a great experience to be part of. Unfortunately Stevenage proved too strong on the day, but they did the town proud. </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today saw a trip to equally familiar territory in the shape of Molineux for the visit from Sunderland in an end to end game which the good guys ran out winners, despite being 1-0 down and Wayne Hennessey facing a penalty to keep us in the game. He did, 25 seconds later it was 1-1, and the rest is history. It's good to see the North Bank coming increasingly complete, with it now possible to appreciate what it will be like once finished (<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OoyMHjeitBM/TtwFz9bG1yI/AAAAAAAAFmA/O3NyGLVkCKA/s0/Molineux%252520Panoramic%252520vs%252520Sunderland%25252004.12.11.jpg" target="Molineux">click here for obligatory panoramic picture</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not sure where I'll be next week, but it's likely to be somewhere in Yorkshire/North, so until then... </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aBlhzmzFeJs/Ttt26dCrBYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/kIJqg_YDerQ/s1600/War%252520Memorial%252520Athletic%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%252520FAC2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aBlhzmzFeJs/Ttt26dCrBYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/kIJqg_YDerQ/s640/War%252520Memorial%252520Athletic%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%252520FAC2-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aBlhzmzFeJs/Ttt26dCrBYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/kIJqg_YDerQ/s0/War%252520Memorial%252520Athletic%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%252520FAC2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/12/stourbridge-war-memorial-athletic.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Stourbridge -</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">The War Memorial Athletic Ground</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-80440794573092747722011-12-04T13:55:00.005+00:002011-12-05T20:55:37.531+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stourbridge</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The War Memorial Athletic Ground</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VEgoVypjrc/Ttt29mgTf4I/AAAAAAAAFjQ/BrPsNUgvGm4/s1600/Stourbridge+FAC2+programme+and+ticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9VEgoVypjrc/Ttt29mgTf4I/AAAAAAAAFjQ/BrPsNUgvGm4/s1600/Stourbridge+FAC2+programme+and+ticket.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 140 (return visit)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 3<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>rd</sup></span> December 2011<br />
<b>Result -</b> Stourbridge 0-3 Stevenage<br />
<b>Competition -</b> FA Cup, Second Round<br />
<b>Attendance - </b>3067</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">They say the magic of the cup has gone these days, but when your local team knock out a league side in the shape of Plymouth Argyle to reach the second round, then the buzz around town certainly suggests otherwise. Stourbridge aren't strangers to the competition proper, having reached the first round two seasons previously before bowing out to Walsall with a narrow 1-0 loss, but after having travelled down to Devon they'd secured a replay, with a 3-3 draw at Home Park, beating the Pilgrims 2-0 back at Amblecote in the second game, a match where you'd have had difficulty telling which side was three divisions beneath the other such was the quality of Stourbridge's display on a chilly night in front of the ESPN cameras. The reward for the victory was another home game, this time against Hertfordshire based Stevenage (nee Borough). <br />
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Whilst the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Sheffield United, etc. had been in the bag, this was about as tough a draw as the Glassboys could expect, Stevenage flying high in League One, manager Graham Westley having won his team a large amount of respect in their rise from the conference, including giant killing acts of their own, having knocked Newcastle United out of the cup last season at Broadhall Way. Despite the tough prospect though, the mood of the locals around town in the run-up to the game was of high hopes for their Plymouth-conquering heroes, and a record crowd for recent times looked to be on the cards, with a third temporary stand set up behind the near goal. <br />
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Situated on the south-western edge of the West Midlands, Stourbridge has a population of just over 55,000, but lying in the wider borough of Dudley the club can claim to be the biggest side in the area, Dudley Town having sadly long since disappeared off the radar, whilst Halesowen Town to the east might dispute that claim, but have their own issues, which sees them beneath Stourbridge at present. Formed in 1876, the Glassboys (taking their name from the town's historic glass industry) have a long history, spending most of their early years in the Birmingham League, before stepping up to the Southern League in 1971, having their most successful season shortly afterwards in 73/74 when they won the Division One (North) title, Merit Cup and also reached the final of the Welsh Cup in the era that English clubs could enter the competition. It was the first leg of this game that saw the grounds record attendance reached, 5726 somehow cramming in to see the team, having already knocked out both Wrexham and Swansea, unable to overcome Cardiff City, losing 2-0 on aggregate. Since then, they've spent most of their time between the Southern Premier and various forms of Division One, but they were in the Midland Alliance when I first started to get into non-league, and seemed to make up a number of my early experiences of this level of the game, yet they were back in the Southern League when I first visited Amblecote, in a big win for the home side, beating Cinderford by a massive 8-1 scoreline! Since then it's been a ground I've enjoyed going back to several times a season, a warm welcome usually guaranteed in the clubhouse, which would unfortunately be closed for today’s game. <br />
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Lying just north of Stourbridge town centre, it's often referred to by the suburb it's in, Amblecote, as opposed the more lengthier ‘War Memorial Athletic Ground’. The site was first laid out in 1888, with cricket on one side, and football on the other, but it was the purchase by the local council in 1927 that saw its first major developments. The cricket pavilion was erected in that year, with the grounds key feature coming one year later, when the famous arch was built at its entrance, designed in the style of the Thiepval Memorial in France which commemorates the lost soldiers of the Somme, the ground being renamed as its present title in similar respect. Around the same time, the football stands were added, with a good sized covered terrace behind the western goal, now known as The Shed End thanks to its cavernous roof, and the Main Stand in the centre of the southern side also built with terraces flanking either side. The Main Stand itself, like the Shed End, is also notable for its roof, being a strange mix of styles of not quite a barrel roof and not quite a pitched roof thanks to a multitude of angles in the central section. 1929 saw the now little used Church End turnstiles added with their ornate gates, whilst the more frequently operated turnstile block in the car park was added in 1932. Since then, a small wooden stand was built, and subsequently demolished at the near end, and also the clubhouse added in the 1970s with the changing rooms incorporated within. As far as football goes, the grounds one weakness is the cricket pitch, which renders it three sided, which is always a shame, however with the pavilion and the perimeter lined by trees, then it's not the worst possible backdrop, feeling more enclosed than it perhaps ought to. Today though, this wouldn't be such an issue, two temporary stands (added for the Plymouth game) had been erected at each end of this side, with scaffolding in the centre for the TV cameras, whilst at the near end, the third temporary stand, to the side of the clubhouse, added extra height, already known for a pleasant view with the tower of Holy Trinity Church on the opposite side of the road providing a picturesque backdrop.<br />
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Tickets had of course been like gold dust, with the local papers doing the usual stories of loyal fans who'd been watching the side for 227 years home and away, never missed a game, etc. being unable to get one because they'd all been reserved for the prawn sandwich brigade at inflated prices of £236,000 per ticket, but thanks to the increased capacity they were still on general sale even on the morning of the game, so everyone had had their chance, and I'd managed to obtain four to be accompanied by Duncan from the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.footballgroundguide.co.uk" target="FGG"">Football Ground Guide</a> website, along with forum contributors Chris and his son Stuart, all making their first visit to the ground. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6VmcA7_7Yw/Ttt28-RXEgI/AAAAAAAAFjI/OFhjglaUoiw/s1600/Stourbridge+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6VmcA7_7Yw/Ttt28-RXEgI/AAAAAAAAFjI/OFhjglaUoiw/s400/Stourbridge+card.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
This was the teams seventh game of the season in the FA Cup, having disposed of Bewdley, Barwell, Evesham, Rushall and of course Plymouth in earlier rounds, but from the off you could tell that that wasn't going to make the side look any more worn down than the visitors. Stevenage had the best of the opening moments, forcing a couple of early corners, which were routinely cleared, and the home side hit back with chances of their own, the game looking fairly even, albeit ex-Wolves 'keeper Lewis Solly being the busier of the two stoppers, pulling off a number of great saves to keep it 0-0 at half time. <br />
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After the break, in the 58th minute it looked like it was 1-0 to the hosts, when Leon Broadhurst swept home a free kick from the edge of the box with the net bulging. Unfortunately it had fooled even those behind the goal at the Church End with it being the wrong side of the post, and seven minutes later it really was 1-0, unfortunately this time to the visitors. Lewis Solly had made another good stop from Luke Freeman's stinging effort, but the rebound had fallen straight to Chris Beardsley who tapped home to give Stevenage the lead and it was game over 12 minutes later when Beardsley got his second, with the Stourbridge defence being stretched as the league side started to dominate. Thankfully this time he at least had the grace to celebrate in front of his own supporters instead of classlessly doing it in front of the home fans for his first. Solly was again performing heroics shortly after when he tipped a Beardsley shot just round the post to deny the ex-Derby striker a hat-trick, but he could do nothing in injury time when Robin Shroot made it 3-0 to the visitors, Solly having the final say shortly afterwards when he denied them making it four with another shot saved late on. <br />
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So, a harsh scoreline for the home side, but there was no doubting that Stevenage were the better team and deserved the win. Still, that didn't stop the players being roundly applauded on a lap of honour after the full time whistle, having done themselves and the town proud to have reached this stage of the competition. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving we headed back into town for a small pub crawl, before heading home, hoping that it’s a similar atmosphere in the Wetherspoons two hours after the clubs next game, with fans still chanting RED ARMY long after the floodlights had been turned off and thoughts of a possible trip to Old Trafford had been forgotten.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Entrance to the Ground</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>A flurry of big games for the club</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Crowds flock to the action</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>It's like this every week...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Nearly in</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Shed End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Cricket Field side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Church End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Shed End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>View from the Main Stand </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Cricket Field side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Church End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9QKPe_BttI/Ttt3CApdzAI/AAAAAAAAFj4/w6xdWFKArOY/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I9QKPe_BttI/Ttt3CApdzAI/AAAAAAAAFj4/w6xdWFKArOY/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-15.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Defeated, but not ashamed</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7JEGXXv7Nk/Ttt3Aub2PhI/AAAAAAAAFjo/utZ2Sry3l0c/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x7JEGXXv7Nk/Ttt3Aub2PhI/AAAAAAAAFjo/utZ2Sry3l0c/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-17.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1G8aeRAV5wI/Ttt2_pWHMrI/AAAAAAAAFjk/h5w59-uP-3w/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1G8aeRAV5wI/Ttt2_pWHMrI/AAAAAAAAFjk/h5w59-uP-3w/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-18.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Shed End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6N8IsnUpj7w/Ttt2_OZYggI/AAAAAAAAFjc/PshkebAWqNU/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6N8IsnUpj7w/Ttt2_OZYggI/AAAAAAAAFjc/PshkebAWqNU/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+FAC2-19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Cricket Field Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LclQUAKh3y0/Ttt28CImW0I/AAAAAAAAFjE/eVNY4t_5was/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+Panoramic+FAC2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LclQUAKh3y0/Ttt28CImW0I/AAAAAAAAFjE/eVNY4t_5was/s640/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+Panoramic+FAC2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The War Memorial Athletic Ground Panoramic 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LclQUAKh3y0/Ttt28CImW0I/AAAAAAAAFjE/eVNY4t_5was/s0/War%252520Memorial%252520Athletic%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%252520FAC2-1.jpg" target="The War Memorial Athletic Ground 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ-88t6A0f0/Ttt27b7kgmI/AAAAAAAAFi8/6w6pQrHSqL0/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+Panoramic+FAC2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TZ-88t6A0f0/Ttt27b7kgmI/AAAAAAAAFi8/6w6pQrHSqL0/s640/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+Panoramic+FAC2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The War Memorial Athletic Ground Panoramic 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TZ-88t6A0f0/Ttt27b7kgmI/AAAAAAAAFi8/6w6pQrHSqL0/s0/War%252520Memorial%252520Athletic%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%252520FAC2-2.jpg" target="The War Memorial Athletic Ground 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBlhzmzFeJs/Ttt26dCrBYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/kIJqg_YDerQ/s1600/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+Panoramic+FAC2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBlhzmzFeJs/Ttt26dCrBYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/kIJqg_YDerQ/s640/War+Memorial+Athletic+Ground+Panoramic+FAC2-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The War Memorial Athletic Ground Panoramic 3</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aBlhzmzFeJs/Ttt26dCrBYI/AAAAAAAAFi0/kIJqg_YDerQ/s0/War%252520Memorial%252520Athletic%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%252520FAC2-3.jpg" target="The War Memorial Athletic Ground">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0Dudley, Worcestershire, UK52.462501134466052 -2.151212471214307752.398532634466051 -2.2184654712143077 52.526469634466054 -2.0839594712143077tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-47934227290144654122011-11-20T14:35:00.001+00:002011-11-20T14:36:41.959+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUEacE2ZpVM/TskORHkH8mI/AAAAAAAAFis/l36xG7gPV70/s1600/Wothorpe+Road.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eUEacE2ZpVM/TskORHkH8mI/AAAAAAAAFis/l36xG7gPV70/s640/Wothorpe+Road.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wothorpe Road, Stamford</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 20th November 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, one week on from the first groundhop in ages, a second in quick succession! Meeting up with Duncan from the Football Ground Guide, we should have been heading northwards to Guiseley, which I was quite looking forward to stopping off on the way to have a look around Park Avenue in Bradford, but after getting onto the motorway the matrix signs soon put paid to that idea with the M1 closed between J25-26. A quick diversion then and we ended up in Stamford, Lincolnshire. A nice town, and a nice ground as well, although we spent most of the game in the clubhouse, which kind of felt missing out on it a little bit. Still, it was good to stop off at Nene Park on the way as well, a ground I've wanted to go to for ages, right since Rushden & Diamonds were in the league. With Kettering supposedly struggling a little bit at the moment, then who knows what might happen, it could end up with AFCRAD back there anyway, time will tell.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In other news, Wolves are back to losing, the cracks appearing through the wallpaper again. Only Chelsea away next weekend, what could possibly go wrong.... </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X31M4oRwvsQ/TskDzrj3i4I/AAAAAAAAFic/A8EeC2Fr8rU/s1600/Wothorpe%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X31M4oRwvsQ/TskDzrj3i4I/AAAAAAAAFic/A8EeC2Fr8rU/s640/Wothorpe%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X31M4oRwvsQ/TskDzrj3i4I/AAAAAAAAFic/A8EeC2Fr8rU/s0/Wothorpe%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/11/stamford-wothorpe-road-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Stamford -</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">Wothorpe Road</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-36872176709358181502011-11-20T14:03:00.002+00:002011-12-05T21:58:49.118+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stamford</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wothorpe Road</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 239</span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 19<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> November 2011<br />
<b>Result -</b> Stamford 4-1 Romulus<br />
<b>Competition -</b> Northern Premier League, Division One South<br />
<b>Attendance - </b>220</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">"M1 Junctions 25-26 closed" This was going to be a review of Guiseley's Nethermoor Park, hopefully with a few pictures of Bradford Park Avenue's former home thrown in for good measure, but after meeting up with Duncan from the Football Ground Guide and heading out onto the M42 then the news from the matrix signs wasn't good, even with it having only just gone 9:30am. A quick debate about what to do ended up with abandoning the plans for Yorkshire and instead settling on a trip to Lincolnshire, destination Stamford.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Nestled on the River Welland, the town is renowned as being one of the most picturesque in England, holding the honour of having been designated as the first conservation area in the country in 1967. After arriving, you can see why. As a small market town, the obvious comparison would be Stratford, although it reminded me more of Oxford with the 17th-18th century stonework that makes up most of the buildings in the centre, five church spires/towers dominating the skyline. The town's most famous resident was Daniel Lambert, born in 1770, he's known for being Britain's heaviest man, weighing in at a hefty 52 stone, 11 pounds. It's him who the football club take their nickname from, calling themselves 'The Daniels'. They were founded in 1896, although can trace their history back to the 1870's, with various clubs in the town taking up the sport, before two of the most prominent teams, Stamford Town and Rutland Ironworks merged in 1894, carrying on the latter's title, before switching to the formers name two years later. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Wothorpe Road</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">, or Handson's Field as it was known, has been their home since this date, having a claim as one of the oldest grounds in the country, with the game having been played here since the 1870's. Sited on one of the main roads into the town, as with many grounds, it's the floodlights that you notice first of all, however despite spotting them, you have to look twice, with the club having had to sand blast them to fit into the town’s architectural style, no steel pylons allowed here! Still, it adds character, and after a brief look we headed into the centre for a walk around. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Before we’d arrived though, with the trip to Bradford off, it left us with a bit more time than we’d planned, so on the way here we'd made a slight detour via firstly Coventry to see the new Jimmy Hill statue at the Ricoh Arena, the former Match of the Day pundit and ex-city manager standing proudly outside the club shop, and from there we headed into Northamptonshire to see Kettering's new home at Nene Park, before finally making Stamford at just gone midday. We headed first to the Green Man, as known for its real ales as the town is for its architecture before on to both the Jolly Brewer and Lord Burghley, time eventually catching up before having to make our way back to the ground. From the outside, there isn't a great deal to see, a small car park with the turnstiles at the rear of the of the Main Stand and a sign proudly proclaiming that the ground is no longer known by its traditional name, but instead is the Premier Kitchen's Arena. Somehow this didn't get the same amount of press coverage as Newcastle's recent renaming of St James' Park! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Inside, once through the turnstiles you come in right in the middle of two stands, which together with their roofs having being joined makes up the Main Stand, one half of which dates back to the early 1900's, with the extension having been added in the 1970's, the roofline, whilst quite uneven is integrated enough to make it difficult to notice that it isn't one complete stand. At the near end is hard standing, with a small grassed area behind, before a small terrace is on the far side, running half the length of the pitch. Apparently it did once extend the whole length, but was partly demolished for safety reasons, the passing trains from the line that runs directly right behind perhaps shaking it too much! At the far end is more hard standing, with one step of terracing to give a slightly elevated view, before in the corner are the toilets, a second unused turnstile block and the clubshop which has as good a selection of badges and merchandise as any at this level (better than half the League 2 clubs in fact). Finally, in the corner of the near side, running back up to the Main Stand sits a good sized clubhouse, which after a walk around, we retreated to ready for the game to begin. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Romulus</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> were the visitors today, travelling the same route as us from Birmingham as opposed the far side of the galaxy that their name might suggest. I'd seen them not so long before, only a couple of months previously, losing a close game to Bridgnorth in the FA Cup, and sitting 15th in the league then it was the hosts who you had to fancy, with the Daniels only three points off the top of the table. Unsurprisingly then, it was Stamford who made the most of the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead in the 17th minute courtesy of Jake Barnett, who headed home a good cross into the box from the left. Despite looking good, their advantage didn't last long though, and the visitors were level again just four minutes later after a mix-up in the home defence. Goalkeeper Mario Ziccardi was caught off his line when the ball came out to quick thinking Mitchell McPike, who lobbed it over him from distance, the defenders almost entranced watching it drop into the net for the equaliser. After that, the remainder of the first half was largely even, the home side looking slightly stronger, which in the second half they really pressed home, taking the lead again on the hour mark thanks to Nick Ghislanzoni who headed home for 2-1. Romulus, whilst still creating chances were starting to look tired and they succumbed seven minutes from time when Bruno Holden got the third, turning home a cracking effort that had rebounded off the bar, before they wrapped it up late on in injury time with Ghislanzoni getting his second of the afternoon to make the final score 4-1 to the home side. It was harsh on the visiting Romulans, who had given a decent account of themselves, but in the form of a good Stamford side they had met their match and the result, if not the scoreline, wasn't one they could have too many complaints about.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving, we made our way back with no problems, the journey passing by quickly, happy to have chosen this game instead of taking the risk of tailbacks on the M1 as could have been. The ground itself is full of character, although it’s perhaps best viewed from standing at the clubhouse end, where the backdrop of the Stamford skyline sets it apart from other grounds at this level, the other end not giving quite the same effect with it’s corrugated metal fence instead of church spires!</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Jimmy Hill Statue, Coventry</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Jimmy Hill wearing a cravat</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Nene Park, <s>Rushden & Diamonds</s> Kettering Town</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Nene Park</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to Wothorpe Road</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Yeah....</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>St James' Park, Newcastle United</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Turnstiles</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Looking across the Near End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Tea Hatch</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Dugouts</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Looking across the Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Church Spires/Tower in the background</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Club Shop</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Clubhouse</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>SAFC</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X31M4oRwvsQ/TskDzrj3i4I/AAAAAAAAFic/A8EeC2Fr8rU/s1600/Wothorpe+Road+Panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X31M4oRwvsQ/TskDzrj3i4I/AAAAAAAAFic/A8EeC2Fr8rU/s640/Wothorpe+Road+Panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wothorpe Road Panoramic 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X31M4oRwvsQ/TskDzrj3i4I/AAAAAAAAFic/A8EeC2Fr8rU/s0/Wothorpe%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" target="Wothorpe Road 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM8OO2Kl28s/TskD0pe7K2I/AAAAAAAAFik/Tti6w_65NkQ/s1600/Wothorpe+Road+Panoramic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rM8OO2Kl28s/TskD0pe7K2I/AAAAAAAAFik/Tti6w_65NkQ/s640/Wothorpe+Road+Panoramic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wothorpe Road Panoramic 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rM8OO2Kl28s/TskD0pe7K2I/AAAAAAAAFik/Tti6w_65NkQ/s0/Wothorpe%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525202.jpg" target="Wothorpe Road 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><s><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></s></div><div style="text-align: center;"><s><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b> </b></span></s></div><s><br />
</s></div></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com1Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9, UK52.647290831567652 -0.4794559652481211752.632818831567654 -0.51623096524812118 52.66176283156765 -0.44268096524812117tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-46165421357199954472011-11-14T21:32:00.004+00:002011-11-14T21:36:35.046+00:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6ox9SFw5xM/TsF69ZVWJsI/AAAAAAAAFd8/s3_J5bsoBkE/s1600/Pickering.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P6ox9SFw5xM/TsF69ZVWJsI/AAAAAAAAFd8/s3_J5bsoBkE/s640/Pickering.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mill Lane Recreation Ground, Pickering Town</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Monday 14th November 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well from two updates in the space of a week, to two months</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In fairness I haven't actually been on a groundhop in that time, partly thanks to work, partly to a lack of inspiration, but the chance to visit Pickering changed that, having wanted to go there for over five years since seeing them visit Jackson Avenue to take on Nantwich in the FA Vase Quarter Final. They'd bought a good 200 fans, which had left an impression on me, and I'm pleased to say still have only good things to say about the club since visiting them on Saturday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In other news, Wolves are doing reassuringly poorly again. It's always a bug to see us on a winning streak, it's only stressful waiting for it to end! A long season ahead appears to wait, but we'll see. At least news off the pitch is going well, with the new North Bank rising at both an impressive rate and height. There are some issues, having sat there against Man City in the League Cup the rake of the terracing is disappointingly shallow, not uncommon these days unfortunately, and restricted views are a real let down from a design perspective, the seats next to the upper disabled box being a real oversight. Still, I won't be sitting there once it's fully open, so it's not all bad! </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've got a number of images to eventually get round to posting in a revamped Molineux section, but until then.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DaQv7ENduos/TsF65V4ypMI/AAAAAAAAFdk/fWokU8_aWfs/s1600/Mill%252520Lane%252520Recreation%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DaQv7ENduos/TsF65V4ypMI/AAAAAAAAFdk/fWokU8_aWfs/s640/Mill%252520Lane%252520Recreation%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DaQv7ENduos/TsF65V4ypMI/AAAAAAAAFdk/fWokU8_aWfs/s0/Mill%252520Lane%252520Recreation%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="background-color: blue;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/11/pickering-town-mill-lane-recreation.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Pickering Town -</span><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">Mill Lane Recreation Ground</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: blue; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-55022414947871641582011-11-14T21:10:00.000+00:002011-11-14T21:10:51.369+00:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Pickering Town</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mill Lane Recreation Ground</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAjyJDB30K0/TsF692lARAI/AAAAAAAAFeE/RV4CvrFl2gA/s1600/Pickering+Town+programme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oAjyJDB30K0/TsF692lARAI/AAAAAAAAFeE/RV4CvrFl2gA/s1600/Pickering+Town+programme.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 238</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 12<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> September 2011<br />
<b>Result -</b> Pickering Town 5-0 Lincoln Moorlands Railway<br />
<b>Competition -</b> NCEL Premier Division<br />
<b>Attendance - </b>113</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Five years ago I'd never heard of Pickering Town FC, or even the town of Pickering itself, so it was quite impressive to see the number of fans who had come down to cheer them on in their FA Vase quarter final at Nantwich when I made the trip to the Dabbers' old Jackson Avenue ground back in March 2006. Unfortunately for the visitors, they lost 2-0, with Nantwich going on to win the competition, but a good 200 had made the long trip down from North Yorkshire, showing their colours and leaving a good impression, plus the inspiration to make the trip up to Yorkshire to see if this support was replicated at home.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Five seasons and several half planned trips later, then I eventually got around to it, arranging to double up the trip with the opportunity to meet a friend from Scarborough and spend the weekend catching up. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Described as the gateway to the North York Moors, Pickering is a medieval market town, as picturesque as you'd expect from the tourist board's description, with a population of just under 7000. The club were formed in 1888, and spent most of their first centenary playing in local leagues until joining the Yorkshire League in 1972, quickly moving up from Division Three to Division One by the end of their third season. In 1982 they were founder members of the NCEL, which is where they've remained ever since, climbing up to the Premier Division in 1992, and remaining at this level for all but a stint of two years after a brief relegation back to Division One. Unfortunately for the Pikes, the 2011/12 season hadn't been the happiest, and their game against Lincoln Moorlands Railway was already billed as a relegation six pointer, with Town sitting second bottom, yet to win a league game at home so far. Lincoln themselves sat only two places above, but with more than double Pickering's points total, then it was going to be a difficult task ahead for the Yorkshire side. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Driving the short 20 mile trip from Scarborough we arrived at the ground to be greeted by a sign declaring "Pickering Town vs Lincoln MR: Games don't come bigger than this!" A bit tongue in cheek perhaps, with England at home to Spain later in the day more likely to attract the greater attention of the national media, but it was debatable whether the likes of Rooney and co (himself having conveniently picked up a nice little suspension to avoid the drag of having to represent his country) would be as committed as the 22 on show here, and so I was happy to have made the choice of this game instead as we headed first into the town for a wander around and a pint in the Horseshoe Inn before back to the ground. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Donated to the towns people for recreation, the football section of Mill Lane makes up only a small part of the Recreation Ground, with bowls and cricket catered for as well. It's the latter that means the football ground is only three sided, with the club forced to play elsewhere in the early parts of the season, a temporary fence put up along one side when the cricketers take their winter break, making it feel more enclosed than it might otherwise be. There's a good sized car park outside, with turnstiles on both sides of the ground, which was a bit confusing, the main sign pointing us at first down to the set that was closed, meeting a similarly disorientated fan from Grimsby who was wondering if they were waiting to open or to try around the other side instead. We opted for the long walk, which was speeded up by a wasp with a grudge, chasing me halfway down the road before finally giving up and allowing us to continue unhassled into the ground!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The main set of turnstiles allow you in at the near corner, with a covered terrace running immediately to the right for half the width of the pitch, providing cover and a few steps for an elevated view, before the clubhouse and changing rooms take up the rest of this end, picturesque with their ornate design more suited to the bowls and cricket clubs who share them than what you expect to see at football venues. To the left runs hard standing truncated in the middle by the Main Stand which sits centred on the halfway line, raised from the ground and offering good views. At the far end, to the near side of the goal, is another all seated stand, with hard standing running up to the corner where the cricket scoreboard stands next to the unused turnstiles and a set of toilets. Even with the fence in place, the far side is inaccessible for supporters, but with the rest of the facilities well maintained, it doesn't detract from the ground like elsewhere, and a noticeable slope downwards from the cricket pitch helps add a bit of character. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Having had a look round then we popped into the clubhouse for a quick drink before the game began, and speaking to the home fans, none seemed too confident of their chances, their league form to date giving rise for concern. They needn't have worried though, and after a quarrelsome start, the referee awarding several debatable decisions, the home side weathered the early pressure from Lincoln and took the lead in the 12th minute. Picking up the ball on the right hand side Jonathan Birbeck strode into the visitors penalty area as they claimed the offside before firing the ball home off Lincoln defender Stuart King who ended up adding to the misery of an own goal by getting himself booked thanks to being a bit too persistent in his protests against the linesman’s decision. It gave the Pikes the confidence they had presumably been lacking so far this season, and they forced a number of corners before doubling the lead just before the half hour mark thanks to Joel Ramm, who fired home unmarked in the area after good work from Stuart Rice to give the hosts a 2-0 lead, which they carried into the break. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Clearly buzzing from the first half performance, Pickering manager Pete Vasey presumably hadn't needed to say much to his team at half time and they came out early, a good five minutes before Lincoln and the officials made their way back onto the pitch. Waiting around in the cold didn't seem to seize them up though, and 10 minutes after the restart they were 3-0 up, thanks to Jonathan Brown, who forced his way through the Lincoln defence to fire home, the visitors again being vocal in their protests claiming overly physical play by the hosts (nothing wrong in my view, even if it was from down the other end of the ground at the time!). In the 73rd minute they made it 4-0 when Stuart Rice slammed home a deflected free kick, although the biggest talking point came several minutes later when Russell Parker made a two footed lunge on the visitors' Mark McDonagh, being lucky to escape with only a yellow, Lincoln again not being too shy to cause a fracas by surrounding the ref (even if somewhat justified this time). With the night sky having well and truly fallen then the hosts wrapped it up with four minutes left on the clock thanks to substitute Chaz Wrigley who got on the end of a long ball and outpaced the weary visitors' defence to stroke the ball home and seal his sides first home win of the season in emphatic style. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving, we made our way back to Scarborough with no problems at all, catching the England game, which predictably generated more headlines the next morning, contrary to the claims beforehand </span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Overall, it had been good to finally make my way here. Having held the club in high regard for a good five and a half years since that FA Vase game, then visiting didn't change that opinion at all. Even if at 113, the crowd was probably less than those who had followed them down to Cheshire, it didn't detract from what is a genuinely friendly club with a great setup, and a pleasure to have ticked off.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohZtWt7Ee2E/TsF6uf4pzQI/AAAAAAAAFb0/zF1dUffQ70c/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohZtWt7Ee2E/TsF6uf4pzQI/AAAAAAAAFb0/zF1dUffQ70c/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to Pickering!</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmHQReyYtd8/TsF6vCzY3PI/AAAAAAAAFb8/QNu4d7QPESM/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmHQReyYtd8/TsF6vCzY3PI/AAAAAAAAFb8/QNu4d7QPESM/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Turnstiles</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfckGi0_ANo/TsF6vx2JhdI/AAAAAAAAFcE/M4UVBKeNOPc/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfckGi0_ANo/TsF6vx2JhdI/AAAAAAAAFcE/M4UVBKeNOPc/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aad2lp1lLMQ/TsF6wXAqFnI/AAAAAAAAFcM/taXUxnzn5ak/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aad2lp1lLMQ/TsF6wXAqFnI/AAAAAAAAFcM/taXUxnzn5ak/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Looking across the Near End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsL4T4xUl88/TsF6xL7X7YI/AAAAAAAAFcU/8YoaPg-hqEo/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsL4T4xUl88/TsF6xL7X7YI/AAAAAAAAFcU/8YoaPg-hqEo/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Clubhouse</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slL_S5AWNhw/TsF6x9GlABI/AAAAAAAAFcc/4KluFt56zrU/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slL_S5AWNhw/TsF6x9GlABI/AAAAAAAAFcc/4KluFt56zrU/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Changing Rooms</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-DJAgxYpt0/TsF6yzKSOjI/AAAAAAAAFck/_k-m7ly6rPg/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-DJAgxYpt0/TsF6yzKSOjI/AAAAAAAAFck/_k-m7ly6rPg/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxoBcix__kg/TsF60L53ZhI/AAAAAAAAFcs/PLAaq8wvSb8/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxoBcix__kg/TsF60L53ZhI/AAAAAAAAFcs/PLAaq8wvSb8/s1600/Mill+Lane+Recreation+Ground+8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Second Half</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Mill Lane Recreation Ground Panoramic 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DaQv7ENduos/TsF65V4ypMI/AAAAAAAAFdk/fWokU8_aWfs/s0/Mill%252520Lane%252520Recreation%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" target="Mill Lane 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Mill Lane Recreation Ground Panoramic 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IKWSFU7CfRA/TsF66A4evjI/AAAAAAAAFds/DhFC0aBn0uc/s0/Mill%252520Lane%252520Recreation%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525202.jpg" target="Mill Lane 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Mill Lane Recreation Ground Panoramic 3</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6vnOx2W3HHw/TsF67B9RthI/AAAAAAAAFd0/19N5VAZuyhY/s0/Mill%252520Lane%252520Recreation%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525203.jpg" target="Mill Lane 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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</div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0Pickering, North Yorkshire, UK54.242716857267531 -0.77853836366273354.158764357267529 -0.840095363662733 54.326669357267534 -0.716981363662733tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-32509857181492741142011-09-04T19:29:00.002+01:002011-09-04T20:38:47.693+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJppQn4Qjvs/TmO_kU0rjSI/AAAAAAAAFbw/p2Ce1tP-UKo/s1600/Cammel+Laird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AJppQn4Qjvs/TmO_kU0rjSI/AAAAAAAAFbw/p2Ce1tP-UKo/s1600/Cammel+Laird.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kirklands, Cammel Laird</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 4th September 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm not sure what's going on, but this is the second update to the site in the space of a week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today is a Rugby League themed update, with reviews from Dewsbury and the Challenge Cup Final last week at Wembley. Hopefully I'll be at the Willows next week for Salford's final game at their ground, and I'd like to pencil in a visit to Featherstone if possible depending on play-off dates with them due to do work at Post Office Road with the removal of stands from Scarborough's McCain Stadium being re-sited there. Not too hopeful on that one though, but with any luck...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the football front, a very good vist to Cammel Laird yesterday on Merseyside. It's the one thing about non-league that I love, when you find a genuinely friendly club, and in Laird's there's got to be few more so in the country. It might be a bit of a barren month for seeing games in September with Wolves games taking priority, but there's more than enough of a backlog already building to try and add some more updates on, so until next time... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</a></div><div style="background-color: black;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/09/dewsbury-rams-ram-stadium-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: red;">Dewsbury Rams -</span><span style="color: orange;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">The Ram Stadium</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: black; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npTanOmnF18/TmOzvG1oRWI/AAAAAAAAFbo/uMUJdfAOiQI/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+Panoramic+4-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npTanOmnF18/TmOzvG1oRWI/AAAAAAAAFbo/uMUJdfAOiQI/s640/Wembley+Stadium+Panoramic+4-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-npTanOmnF18/TmOzvG1oRWI/AAAAAAAAFbo/uMUJdfAOiQI/s0/Wembley%252520Stadium%252520Panoramic%2525204-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="color: red;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/09/wembley-stadium-2011-challenge-cup.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Wembley Stadium - The 2011 Challenge Cup Final</span></span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-12991077721073885672011-09-04T18:54:00.001+01:002011-09-04T18:56:47.061+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wembley Stadium</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2011 Challenge Cup Final</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilc_bORxsCo/TmOzX52u_qI/AAAAAAAAFaA/vnc8CMvYH_I/s1600/2011+Challenge+Cup+Final+programme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilc_bORxsCo/TmOzX52u_qI/AAAAAAAAFaA/vnc8CMvYH_I/s1600/2011+Challenge+Cup+Final+programme.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 20</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 27<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> August 2011<br />
<b>Result -</b> Leeds Rhinos 18-28 Wigan Warriors<br />
<b>Competition -</b> Carnegie Challenge Cup Final<br />
<b>Attendance - </b>78,482</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">It’s ironic to see that since Rugby Union turned professional, the authorities have almost systematically emulated nearly everything that Rugby League had the foresight to set out and do over a century ago, the latest idea amongst their one-upmanship to be holding games at Wembley Stadium, the traditional home of the Challenge Cup Final. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When the two codes split in 1895, one of the first decisions to be made by the Northern Union was to instigate the Challenge Cup as a rival to football’s FA Cup, offering clubs the chance at a nationalised competition to progress the game, the RFU at the time having restricted all competitions to local events only in the name of amateurism/short-sightedness. It was popular from the off, the first final being held in 1897 at Headingley, Batley the winners against St Helens in front of a crowd of 13,492. Attendances continued to grow, doubling in the second year’s final alone, and by the end of the 1920’s, with there being few RL grounds big enough to cope with demand, together along with the reputed excitement of Huddersfield Town fans in getting to have a day out in London when they reached the 1928 FA Cup Final, then the RFL board voted to move the venue of the final to Wembley to showcase the biggest game of the season at the best ground in the country. It was a huge success, 41,500 turning out to see Wigan beat Dewsbury 13-2 giving the game a national focal point that it had lacked in the face of the RFU’s ongoing campaign against the sport, and except for 1932, the war years and during Wembley’s rebuilding phase the final has stayed there ever since, giving RL some of its highest attendances to date (yet ironically not the highest, the replay of the 1954 final attracting the record with 102,564 cramming into Odsal to see Warrington beat Halifax). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">So, to see union clubs describing their moves of playing at Wembley as innovative is laughable, yet frustratingly they still seem to command the media attention whilst RL remains the poorer cousin, all but ignored, that is until the recent resurgence of Wigan. Most RL fans will probably hate admitting it, but the truth is that Wigan command media attention in the way that the rest of the game put together can struggle to, and most of this is probably down to the club dominating the one London based game of the season for so many years during the late 80s/early 90s. The 29 finals that the club have appeared in is a record by some distance, as is the 18 wins, eight of which were recorded in a row between 1988 and 1995. Winning the Super League Grand Final in 2010 many fans were asking the question of whether they’d swap it for a Challenge Cup win, the famous trophy having eluded the club for nearly a decade since last winning it in 2002, but showing some great late season form in 2011, then they’d get the opportunity to compare after reaching the final having defeated St Helens in the semi’s. Their opponents, Leeds, had lost to Warrington the year before, and suffering a poor (by their standards) campaign in the league, were somewhat fortunate to scrape through their own semi against Castleford, thanks in part to the boot of Kevin Sinfield (how many times has that been said!) who had not only converted a late try to make it 8-8, but scored a sudden death penalty in extra-time to send his side through when in truth Cas fans had probably watched the better side lose. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’d first been to a Challenge Cup Final in 2006, ironically given the opening to this, at the home of the RFU, Twickenham, to see St Helens beat Huddersfield, but going back to one supporting a side is different and of course being at Wembley, an experience in itself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">They say a clubs name is written on the cup long before the final, and looking back over this seasons results, perhaps it is. Destroying Barrow 52-0 in the fourth round, a close fought win over Bradford in the next round was that little bit of luck needed, whilst what should have been difficult games against Warrington in the quarters and Saints in the semi turned into relatively easy wins, only a late, but fruitless St Helens fightback proving a slight worry along the way. Leeds on the other hand had conceded 20 or more points in every game until reaching the semi-final against Cas, and even then were fortunate not to be knocked out, with Rangi Chase missing an easy last minute drop goal in front of the posts that would have sent them to Wembley, still you can never write a side of their quality off, and leaving early for London, whilst clear favourites, the discussion on the journey down was far from confident, with a tight game expected.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve been to Wembley several times since it’s been rebuilt, so knew what to expect from the ground, but even so, after coming out of Wembley Park tube station, it’s always impressive looking down the steps and seeing Wembley Way stretching out in front of you with the ground itself at the bottom. We spent some time before the game walking around, sucking up the atmosphere before heading to the Green Man a 10 minute walk away, which promised to have the Villa-Wolves game on, which conveniently was the early kick-off and televised! Despite the claims of Sky on its website, it didn’t have it on, so downing a pint we headed on to the next pub, The Parish, where before buying a pint this time we were advised yes, they have Sky Sports. Flicking through the channels a few minutes later, they didn’t have Sky Sports 2! The game near kicking off at this point, another quick downing of the pint, and a dash over the road to the Mesopotamia, where thankfully they had it on, even if at £4 a pint it was tempting not to bother! With that game over though, then it was time to head on over back to the ground for the main event of the day, and walking up Wembley Way for a second time, the atmosphere was really starting to build up. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_vA6aVPjXg8/TmOzYc5dycI/AAAAAAAAFaE/-IpbIOshxmM/s1600/2011+Challenge+Cup+Final+ticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_vA6aVPjXg8/TmOzYc5dycI/AAAAAAAAFaE/-IpbIOshxmM/s1600/2011+Challenge+Cup+Final+ticket.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When I’d booked the tickets online in the run-up to the game, the Wigan end had seemed largely sold out except in the more expensive areas, so it was a bit disappointing after going in to see how empty the ground was. Even with the game having kicked off and the stragglers having arrived then it still didn’t look anywhere near the 78,482 that was later announced. We were in the upper tier, a bit high up for my liking, but with a still reasonable view of the game, and the scoring got going early on thanks to Josh Charnley with a mazy run down the right before crashing over, Pat Richards unable to add the extras. Jeff Lima made it 8-0 fifteen minutes later, Richards having an easier kick for the two this time and shortly afterwards in the 27<sup>th</sup> minute came the moment of the match. Leeds, kicking on the fifth saw Sam Tomkins collect the ball around the 10 metre line before crossing the field and offloading to brother Joel, who swerving challenges ran nearly the full length off the pitch before going over beneath the posts unchallenged for what will surely go down as one of the greatest tries in a Challenge Cup Final ever. 16-0 and going to form, but write off a team like Leeds? Never. In the 34<sup>th</sup> minute they got one back with some good passing movement down the left which fed Ryan Hall to go over right in the corner, Kevin Sinfield uncharacteristically missing the conversion when he hit the post, and if that was a sobering reminder to how dangerous a side they can be, then three minutes before the break the game turned right on its head when after a good surge by Jamie Jones-Buchanan, the Rhinos move upfield with Ben Jones-Bishop powering his way over in the opposite corner to Hall, Sinfield back to usual self to make it 16-10 at the break and game on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Assuming the interval had come at the right time for Wigan would be one way of considering it, but far from giving the players time to regroup, it was Leeds who came out strongest in the second half, and helped by mistakes from Warriors, they scored the next try thanks to Carl Ablett who just about got over the line, the video ref having the last say to make it 16-14 in the 59<sup>th</sup> minute. Thankfully, Sinfield missed again, and the comeback was thwarted only four minutes later thanks to Jeff Lima who got his second of the game, sliding in after what looked a suspiciously forward pass from Lee Mossop. In a topsy turvy affair, it was Leeds who scored next, with nine minutes left making full use of the width of the pitch again when Ryan Hall made it 22-18, but with nerves slightly frayed then it was all over three minutes from time, Thomas Leuluai bursting through the Rhinos defence with a surge from the 10 metre line to slide over and win it, Pat Richards adding the two to put it beyond doubt and make Sean O’Loughlin the first Wigan captain to pick up the famous trophy at Wembley in sixteen years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After staying behind to watch the trophy presented and players do the lap of honour, then it was time to head off home, more glad of the win than visiting the ground. <br />
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Whilst you can’t knock the history and significance of Wembley, one of the problems with the newly built stadium is how big it is. Not so much the capacity, just the height of the upper tier and the design with the middle tier separating fans. It’s been knocked endlessly since being built, but that isn’t enough reason not to go on about it even more! Whilst the view is fine enough from the upper tier, there is a feeling of being separated from the players and fans below. It’s the second time I’ve sat there, and it’s the same for football as well. The Conference play-off final I went to in 2008 had the right idea when they closed the upper tier and sold the middle tier to fans, making it seem a better atmosphere, and whilst games like this need the bigger capacity, it would be better to release the upper tier tickets only as and when the lower and middle sell out or reaches at least 80% capacity. As it was, the crowd did feel a bit sparse in the end, and it was notable how few shirts of other clubs there were compared to 2006, perhaps due to the recession and there not being so much money around any more, but despite that, a good day out all the same, hopefully to be repeated in 2012! </span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Click pictures for full sizes</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Extra-large Cup Final special version!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5HqwSS5h68/TmOzZMW7F2I/AAAAAAAAFaI/TwqfXTHh3fU/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5HqwSS5h68/TmOzZMW7F2I/AAAAAAAAFaI/TwqfXTHh3fU/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>View from Wembley Park</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HUWqmN4xvGE/TmOzZ06OIzI/AAAAAAAAFaM/s9u2yn2M9SE/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HUWqmN4xvGE/TmOzZ06OIzI/AAAAAAAAFaM/s9u2yn2M9SE/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Walking down Wembley Way</b></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-639LIe0_pQ4/TmOzagF9GvI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/45zyCl5IQS8/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-639LIe0_pQ4/TmOzagF9GvI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/45zyCl5IQS8/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Carnegie Challenge Cup</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q455BOiuL7s/TmOzbbHo3_I/AAAAAAAAFaU/VnLoyFJtLtA/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q455BOiuL7s/TmOzbbHo3_I/AAAAAAAAFaU/VnLoyFJtLtA/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wrong Sport...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nTb1EpNCyU/TmOzcGNMsPI/AAAAAAAAFaY/5KEX5BPMXfs/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nTb1EpNCyU/TmOzcGNMsPI/AAAAAAAAFaY/5KEX5BPMXfs/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the North Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--riIjsL99sY/TmOzcxaBQLI/AAAAAAAAFac/YoB_Gw13OII/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--riIjsL99sY/TmOzcxaBQLI/AAAAAAAAFac/YoB_Gw13OII/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Club Wembley Entrances</b></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7Y2G1R6fcY/TmOzd9iYwuI/AAAAAAAAFag/uB7S0iMRgeE/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7Y2G1R6fcY/TmOzd9iYwuI/AAAAAAAAFag/uB7S0iMRgeE/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the North Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8Ghx2p_Vyk/TmOzegOMOpI/AAAAAAAAFak/-DXJ6NM-qCM/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8Ghx2p_Vyk/TmOzegOMOpI/AAAAAAAAFak/-DXJ6NM-qCM/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the East Stand and Arch</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4_vxEk--Gc/TmOzfVBZESI/AAAAAAAAFao/k0r6sPJPScw/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4_vxEk--Gc/TmOzfVBZESI/AAAAAAAAFao/k0r6sPJPScw/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the South Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kR8D4air_30/TmOzgPA5koI/AAAAAAAAFas/W38tIRsuF7E/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kR8D4air_30/TmOzgPA5koI/AAAAAAAAFas/W38tIRsuF7E/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the West Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rs4yAGX6FkM/TmOzg9275HI/AAAAAAAAFaw/xWLZdVCuyvk/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rs4yAGX6FkM/TmOzg9275HI/AAAAAAAAFaw/xWLZdVCuyvk/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Cup Final Merchandise</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7mecIfS5z4/TmOzhmB9Z2I/AAAAAAAAFa0/1hiojYru3U0/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7mecIfS5z4/TmOzhmB9Z2I/AAAAAAAAFa0/1hiojYru3U0/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Bit Busier now!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XuVtGB59BU/TmOzif49QYI/AAAAAAAAFa4/jRLirPRWCkU/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XuVtGB59BU/TmOzif49QYI/AAAAAAAAFa4/jRLirPRWCkU/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Nearly there!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zuueXjLRkU/TmOzjc776sI/AAAAAAAAFa8/YWaPjMX_rE0/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zuueXjLRkU/TmOzjc776sI/AAAAAAAAFa8/YWaPjMX_rE0/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Players Come Out</b></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3pDhzuq_AM/TmOzkaVfL0I/AAAAAAAAFbA/Ca59S-7rghw/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3pDhzuq_AM/TmOzkaVfL0I/AAAAAAAAFbA/Ca59S-7rghw/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArxBY1hPhys/TmOzlud5-eI/AAAAAAAAFbE/cn6gtPhE_nA/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArxBY1hPhys/TmOzlud5-eI/AAAAAAAAFbE/cn6gtPhE_nA/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The West Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeQeB5_CysU/TmOzm1Nt4NI/AAAAAAAAFbI/brv6VuuqH58/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeQeB5_CysU/TmOzm1Nt4NI/AAAAAAAAFbI/brv6VuuqH58/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The North Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1JfZ_vuz9I/TmOzn6O_MEI/AAAAAAAAFbM/xcT38C6QZpA/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g1JfZ_vuz9I/TmOzn6O_MEI/AAAAAAAAFbM/xcT38C6QZpA/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The East Stand</b></span><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKhL34k4Vv0/TmOzpCVznfI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/udWU84XM5LY/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mKhL34k4Vv0/TmOzpCVznfI/AAAAAAAAFbQ/udWU84XM5LY/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The South Stand</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofcBVPuaw7I/TmOzqOL2ouI/AAAAAAAAFbU/jzl40KGnl3k/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofcBVPuaw7I/TmOzqOL2ouI/AAAAAAAAFbU/jzl40KGnl3k/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Winners!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ3vCNlhZGk/TmOzrL9XFpI/AAAAAAAAFbY/KoC8sEznQNU/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZ3vCNlhZGk/TmOzrL9XFpI/AAAAAAAAFbY/KoC8sEznQNU/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Players Celebrate</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5qbT4piq0JM/TmOzr2_4tyI/AAAAAAAAFbc/4suoxcMwXQA/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5qbT4piq0JM/TmOzr2_4tyI/AAAAAAAAFbc/4suoxcMwXQA/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Lap of Honour</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghJOi566P9o/TmOzs-CbeKI/AAAAAAAAFbg/kMvOy1p_j9A/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghJOi566P9o/TmOzs-CbeKI/AAAAAAAAFbg/kMvOy1p_j9A/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>One last view...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaHPktfcclU/TmOzttuIMTI/AAAAAAAAFbk/AZzTKNUPKjQ/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+4-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaHPktfcclU/TmOzttuIMTI/AAAAAAAAFbk/AZzTKNUPKjQ/s640/Wembley+Stadium+4-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Time to go home!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npTanOmnF18/TmOzvG1oRWI/AAAAAAAAFbo/uMUJdfAOiQI/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+Panoramic+4-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npTanOmnF18/TmOzvG1oRWI/AAAAAAAAFbo/uMUJdfAOiQI/s640/Wembley+Stadium+Panoramic+4-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wembley Stadium Panoramic 1</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-npTanOmnF18/TmOzvG1oRWI/AAAAAAAAFbo/uMUJdfAOiQI/s0/Wembley%252520Stadium%252520Panoramic%2525204-1.jpg" target="Wembley 4-1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng8eIOTg4Js/TmOzwZ0W8LI/AAAAAAAAFbs/YuajmPREaxw/s1600/Wembley+Stadium+Panoramic+4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng8eIOTg4Js/TmOzwZ0W8LI/AAAAAAAAFbs/YuajmPREaxw/s640/Wembley+Stadium+Panoramic+4-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Wembley Stadium Panoramic 2</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ng8eIOTg4Js/TmOzwZ0W8LI/AAAAAAAAFbs/YuajmPREaxw/s0/Wembley%252520Stadium%252520Panoramic%2525204-2.jpg" target="Wembley 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0Wembley Stadium, Brent, Greater London HA9 6, UK51.55602200856935 -0.2796635801468028151.554388008569347 -0.28250508014680281 51.557656008569353 -0.27682208014680282tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-72019853429713241512011-09-04T18:16:00.000+01:002011-09-04T18:16:24.085+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dewsbury Rams</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Ram Stadium</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Gto8YCA3c/TmOshNjITNI/AAAAAAAAFYs/kCyjpxVely4/s1600/Dewsbury+programme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7Gto8YCA3c/TmOshNjITNI/AAAAAAAAFYs/kCyjpxVely4/s1600/Dewsbury+programme.jpg" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 19</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Sunday 26<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> June 2011<br />
<b>Result -</b> Dewsbury Rams 28-30 York City Knights<br />
<b>Competition -</b> Co-operative Championship<br />
<b>Attendance - </b>974</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">“(it) was the largest assemblage ever seen on a football ground in Yorkshire” was the claim of the Dewsbury Reporter in March 1880 after over 16,000 turned out to see Wakefield Trinity beat the hosts at Crown Flatt in that years Yorkshire Cup Semi-Final. With a population of only around 30,000 at the time, it showed just how popular rugby was becoming in the town, with the club having been founded only five years previously. It’s still the case today, albeit not quite so much with the crowds, but Dewsbury is well and truly a rugby town with football never really having taken off there at any point. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Founded in 1875, Dewsbury were one of the strongest teams in Yorkshire in their early years, winning their first trophy in 1881, gaining revenge on Wakefield from the previous year by defeating them in the Yorkshire Cup Final in Leeds. Their famous Crown Flatt ground was revered as one of the best in the area, and when the Yorkshire Senior Competition was formed in 1892 then they became founder members. Surprisingly, three years later, despite being present at the historic George Hotel meeting in Huddersfield, they opted to stay in Rugby Union as opposed switch to the newly formed Northern Union, the only member from the Yorks. Senior Competition to do so. It wasn’t to last though, and having given up on Rugby in 1897, a brief flirtation with soccer was bought to a halt in 1898 with the club being reformed and accepted into the 13-a-side game. 1912 saw their greatest success, beating Halifax to lift the Challenge Cup, and they took part in the first ever final to be held at Wembley in 1929, unfortunately meeting a stronger Wigan side on the day. Since then, the club have largely competed amongst the second tier of teams in the game, being unfortunate not to join Super League in 2000 after winning the Premiership Grand Final, their new ground not meeting the standards set down by the RFL, and as a result the last decade has been one of consolidation, switching between the first and second divisions of the National Leagues/Championship, with the 2009 season being the major highlight since the millennium, the club going unbeaten, winning all 18 matches to win the league and promotion back to the Championship. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Having survived the first season back at this level, this was where they were when I planned to visit, with the game against York City Knights being a battle at the bottom, both sides finding it tough in the higher league, York having followed Dewsbury back up to this division 12 months later in 2010. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The club had left their original Crown Flatt ground in 1994, an arson several years earlier having sealed its fate. Situated out on the edge of the town, the new ground, often referred to by the same name has been built with a capacity of 3500, with stands on either side of the pitch for fans to view the game from. Heading out early, then the journey to Dewsbury had gone fine, with a quick change of trains in Manchester and arriving in just after 1 o’clock, having time to have a brief look around the town before heading up to the ground. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Situated just to the east of Huddersfield, there are a number of theories of how the name of the town got its name, one being that the second part denotes ‘hill’ (Duw’s burg (God’s Hill)), and it would make sense with the walk up from the town being a hefty uphill hike, not made any easier by the beautiful, yet scorching June sunshine. The ground itself is built on a former colliery, and is visible on approach, with the main road leading into it giving you a good elevated view from the outside. The Main Stand on the nearest side is all-seated and contains most of the clubs facilities with the changing rooms, the club shop and offices built into it, the stand itself running for nearly the full length of the pitch, falling short by about 15 metres at each end. At one time, it seems the seats were split into blocks denoting the clubs colours, red, yellow, black, yellow and red again, but except for the central block, then they are all now red, with executive boxes to the rear giving it a smart look. On the opposite side of the ground is a similarly sized stand, albeit all terraced with a bar underneath, which has an interesting display denoting the timeline of both the game and the club. Both ends are slightly sloped grassy areas, taped off from fans, with only a scoreboard at the near end giving anything to look at. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Going into the game, both sides had by all accounts been playing well of late, being unfortunate in not picking up results to go with it. The York fans had travelled down in surprisingly good numbers, making up at least a third of the 974 crowd and it was them who were cheering first, in just the 4<sup>th</sup> minute, Anthony Thackery having an easy run over the line as the visitors caught the hosts still half asleep, Tom Bush adding the extras. It didn’t take long for the home side to wake up though, and on 10 minutes Scott Turner was first to a kick over the line by Don Brambani, to make it 6-4, the conversion missed. The game was fairly even after that, but whilst most of the play was in York’s half, it was the Knights who were playing the smarter game, never really looking in danger from the hosts, and they added another 12 with good tries on the break thanks to Matt Garside and Ryan Esders who were beneficiaries of some good wing running down the left. Going towards the break the home fans looked resigned to another defeat, yet come the interval they were the ones in a more buoyant mood thanks to two late tries, firstly by Pat Walker who jumped highest in the corner to collect another Brambani bomb and go over in the 38<sup>th</sup> minute, and then right on the hooter, Scott Turner got his second going over from close range to make it 18-16 half time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">In the second half, Dewsbury came out firing Andy Smith capitalising on a mistake in the 51<sup>st</sup> minute to go over, and Turner getting his hat-trick four minutes later thanks to Brambani doing well to knock the ball back to him to power over. Unfortunately though, despite his help in the try, he missed the fairly easy conversion and it would come back to haunt him as from out of nowhere, York looking dead on their feet at 26-18 rose like lazarus. Another break on the hour mark saw Thackery get his second to make it 26-24, but a penalty from the halfway line by Pat Walker looked to have won it for Dewsbury, until right at the very death. A disallowed try for the visitors (forward pass) should have been the warning, but with the hooter gone, a pass wide from James Ford to Dave Sutton saw the winger crash over the line to equal the scores, leaving hearts in the mouth of both sets of supporters as Chris Thorman stepped up. He was having to move advertising boards, the kick was from so wide but with a well place shot he sent the ball sailing over the posts to give York a dramatic win and send their vocal fans home delirious. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Staying behind to get a few extra pictures, then I made my own way back shortly afterwards, glad to have come, delighted with the choice of game, or more to the point, the end of it. It was harsh on Dewsbury, but just the sort of match you want to see as a neutral. As for the ground, despite only being two sided, it suits the clubs needs perfectly, with the terrace offering good, steep views (despite the pillars for the roof), and whilst it may have stopped them progressing to Super League, it offers as good a trip as any outside of it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yq5nJxePL9Y/TmOsh5fZ4EI/AAAAAAAAFYw/KBJFb9hfW58/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yq5nJxePL9Y/TmOsh5fZ4EI/AAAAAAAAFYw/KBJFb9hfW58/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Welcome to the Ram Stadium</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MydvOybc3U/TmOsisLRl0I/AAAAAAAAFY0/roHjPiLHgsk/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1MydvOybc3U/TmOsisLRl0I/AAAAAAAAFY0/roHjPiLHgsk/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the Main Stand</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTUYRDT2bXM/TmOsjGOi2TI/AAAAAAAAFY4/ilI9UoyXmdA/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XTUYRDT2bXM/TmOsjGOi2TI/AAAAAAAAFY4/ilI9UoyXmdA/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Rams!</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G39UKXtp4NM/TmOsj1eAYOI/AAAAAAAAFY8/l4ahA0gQ8Ec/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G39UKXtp4NM/TmOsj1eAYOI/AAAAAAAAFY8/l4ahA0gQ8Ec/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the Main Stand</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6DsP4XJXUk/TmOskbKt1pI/AAAAAAAAFZA/QX9qqjHMldk/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N6DsP4XJXUk/TmOskbKt1pI/AAAAAAAAFZA/QX9qqjHMldk/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the South Terrace</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FGaWtTC2ag/TmOsmop3RUI/AAAAAAAAFZE/ImKGrDZkV00/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_FGaWtTC2ag/TmOsmop3RUI/AAAAAAAAFZE/ImKGrDZkV00/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+6.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dewsbury Flag</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_f31Ctnk_Rs/TmOsnrUeOHI/AAAAAAAAFZI/DZsPDi42azM/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_f31Ctnk_Rs/TmOsnrUeOHI/AAAAAAAAFZI/DZsPDi42azM/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+7.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Main Stand</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKH8PoccaN0/TmOsoJX5ckI/AAAAAAAAFZM/sMSGGGn6VgU/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NKH8PoccaN0/TmOsoJX5ckI/AAAAAAAAFZM/sMSGGGn6VgU/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The South Terrace</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z602LN-XnwY/TmOso8OP6lI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/-Vx0n8g6r-E/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z602LN-XnwY/TmOso8OP6lI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/-Vx0n8g6r-E/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Home Dugout!</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zlv3yk2tN0Y/TmOspWhShZI/AAAAAAAAFZU/XRJu6pSaLdI/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zlv3yk2tN0Y/TmOspWhShZI/AAAAAAAAFZU/XRJu6pSaLdI/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+10.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Far End</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb21xXOpkrw/TmOsp88vExI/AAAAAAAAFZY/1255933jiEM/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lb21xXOpkrw/TmOsp88vExI/AAAAAAAAFZY/1255933jiEM/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+11.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Near End</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOADrcr1JSk/TmOsqm6aZaI/AAAAAAAAFZc/zVioXRJvIrQ/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOADrcr1JSk/TmOsqm6aZaI/AAAAAAAAFZc/zVioXRJvIrQ/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+12.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The South Terrace</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKp4E9Aa_uc/TmOsrUwds3I/AAAAAAAAFZg/p0d-C0ZobRM/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKp4E9Aa_uc/TmOsrUwds3I/AAAAAAAAFZg/p0d-C0ZobRM/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+13.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the South Terrace</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KItHbS8OTA/TmOssz4SZiI/AAAAAAAAFZk/6di9T2vn8PI/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2KItHbS8OTA/TmOssz4SZiI/AAAAAAAAFZk/6di9T2vn8PI/s640/The+Ram+Stadium+14.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Inside the bar</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(click picture for full size)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyl7ozIKhLU/TmOstcUFT7I/AAAAAAAAFZo/9OZjKIWKnME/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyl7ozIKhLU/TmOstcUFT7I/AAAAAAAAFZo/9OZjKIWKnME/s640/The+Ram+Stadium+15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ready for Kick Off</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9z0Uo6Yaz5Y/TmOsuEIq6aI/AAAAAAAAFZs/OQIN2HPNGQQ/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9z0Uo6Yaz5Y/TmOsuEIq6aI/AAAAAAAAFZs/OQIN2HPNGQQ/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+16.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Interesting Spectator! </span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWAN8Epp-5w/TmOsulv1_XI/AAAAAAAAFZw/7O_9OC3q66A/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWAN8Epp-5w/TmOsulv1_XI/AAAAAAAAFZw/7O_9OC3q66A/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+17.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Harsh Scoreline</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbRofaOD_YU/TmOsvbaORgI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/FB8IlB083B4/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbRofaOD_YU/TmOsvbaORgI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/FB8IlB083B4/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+18.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The South Terrace</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLrqFRpxkdk/TmOswUf_31I/AAAAAAAAFZ4/UCLvK1vhqss/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLrqFRpxkdk/TmOswUf_31I/AAAAAAAAFZ4/UCLvK1vhqss/s640/The+Ram+Stadium+panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Ram Stadium Panoramic 1</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NLrqFRpxkdk/TmOswUf_31I/AAAAAAAAFZ4/UCLvK1vhqss/s0/The%252520Ram%252520Stadium%252520panoramic%2525201.jpg" target="Ram Stadium 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzltcUc6L0g/TmOsxgmBJ0I/AAAAAAAAFZ8/IAjqs-PYTew/s1600/The+Ram+Stadium+panoramic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzltcUc6L0g/TmOsxgmBJ0I/AAAAAAAAFZ8/IAjqs-PYTew/s640/The+Ram+Stadium+panoramic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Ram Stadium 2</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OzltcUc6L0g/TmOsxgmBJ0I/AAAAAAAAFZ8/IAjqs-PYTew/s0/The%252520Ram%252520Stadium%252520panoramic%2525202.jpg" target="Ram Stadium 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com1Dewsbury, Kirklees, UK53.699784105937333 -1.602558570590986253.577158105937336 -1.7723520705909861 53.82241010593733 -1.4327650705909862tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-27092453525569163522011-08-29T18:59:00.002+01:002011-08-29T19:03:01.756+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ptyQQN3_CY/TlvNdLIgHCI/AAAAAAAAFYo/v7QBobHJRyw/s1600/Wembley4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ptyQQN3_CY/TlvNdLIgHCI/AAAAAAAAFYo/v7QBobHJRyw/s1600/Wembley4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Monday 29th August 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One month in and what a season so far!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">News on the Wolves front is unusually positive, remaining unbeaten so far, and looking fairly good at the same time. It won't last of course, but the longer the better! Off the pitch, the new North Bank is coming on nicely as well, it looked good at the Fulham game, and completely changes the dynamics of the ground, making it feel much more hemmed in already, with still a tier to be added above yet! It'll look impressive once done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the groundhopping front it's been my busiest pre-season ever, trips to Stafford Town (Rowley Park), Kettering (Rockingham Road), Hednesford (x2) all below, as well as Burscough, Mickleover, Coleshill and a return to Northampton to add to the list, whilst at the weekend I was at Wembley to see Wigan finally win the Challenge Cup after so long of waiting. It wasn't a classic by any means, and the attendance was disappointing, looking far less than the 78,000 the RFL announced. Still, a good day nonetheless, and hopefully another day out to Old Trafford in October to come as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the meantime, four new reviews. I had intended to keep up to date this season and do them one at a time within a week of visiting. Oh well.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYUi22VVucQ/Tluhz6ykBbI/AAAAAAAAFT0/d_y-KXzb6Z8/s1600/Rowley+Park+Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYUi22VVucQ/Tluhz6ykBbI/AAAAAAAAFT0/d_y-KXzb6Z8/s640/Rowley+Park+Panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: red; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYUi22VVucQ/Tluhz6ykBbI/AAAAAAAAFT0/d_y-KXzb6Z8/s1600/Rowley%252520Park%252520Panoramic.jp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="background-color: red;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/08/stafford-town-rowley-park-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;">Stafford Town - Rowley Park</span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: black; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0OyOcOEB2M/TlumgUBO1xI/AAAAAAAAFU4/c8BC3a-_glk/s1600/The+County+Ground+Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0OyOcOEB2M/TlumgUBO1xI/AAAAAAAAFU4/c8BC3a-_glk/s640/The+County+Ground+Panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H0OyOcOEB2M/TlumgUBO1xI/AAAAAAAAFU4/c8BC3a-_glk/s1600/The%252520County%252520Ground%252520Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/08/stafford-rufc-county-ground-sometimes.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;">Stafford RUFC - The County Ground</span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: black; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nsflHndj-j4/Tlu01k5BUnI/AAAAAAAAFWc/_k1D1jspzTg/s1600/Rockingham+Road+Panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nsflHndj-j4/Tlu01k5BUnI/AAAAAAAAFWc/_k1D1jspzTg/s640/Rockingham+Road+Panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nsflHndj-j4/Tlu01k5BUnI/AAAAAAAAFWc/_k1D1jspzTg/s1600/Rockingham%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/08/kettering-town-rockingham-road-ground.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">Kettering Town - Rockingham Road</span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></b> </span><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: black; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNWHhw0oBPQ/Tlu8-hpkc2I/AAAAAAAAFYY/rbyEq0yxcVw/s1600/Keys+Park+Panoramic+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KNWHhw0oBPQ/Tlu8-hpkc2I/AAAAAAAAFYY/rbyEq0yxcVw/s640/Keys+Park+Panoramic+2-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KNWHhw0oBPQ/Tlu8-hpkc2I/AAAAAAAAFYY/rbyEq0yxcVw/s1600/Keys%252520Park%252520Panoramic%2525202-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/08/hednesford-town-keys-park-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;">Hednesford Town - Keys Park</span></span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-82766847968669390282011-08-29T17:55:00.003+01:002011-08-29T18:09:09.840+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hednesford Town</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Keys Park</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqxZlPK6xBM/Tlu8uLhh2YI/AAAAAAAAFWo/NOOWnxxuAd4/s1600/Hednesford+Town+programme+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rqxZlPK6xBM/Tlu8uLhh2YI/AAAAAAAAFWo/NOOWnxxuAd4/s1600/Hednesford+Town+programme+3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 66</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> (return visit)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 30<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> July 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Result -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Hednesford Town 3-2 Warrington Town</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; text-indent: -72.0pt;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Competition -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Pre-Season Friendly</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Attendance -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> 615</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Tuesday 16<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> August 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Result -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Hednesford Town 3-2 Buxton</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Competition –</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> NPL Premier Division</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Attendance -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> 510</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">People often ask what the rules of groundhopping are, what qualifies you to become a hopper, and whilst the 92 club have their own definition, the truth is that it’s a hobby really, and it doesn’t need any rules other than what makes you happy, however that said, there are some common traits, one being the tendency not to return to a venue. I often used to end these reports with something along the lines of “I’ll be happy to go back there again”, but the truth of the matter is that the vast majority of grounds I go to, I leave knowing that I’ll never be back again, however good or enjoyable a trip it had been. The urge to go somewhere new is usually overwhelming, and perhaps that’s what defines the hobby, seeing new places, gaining new experiences and just generally looking for something a little different each time. That aside though, there are grounds that do have a certain pull factor, usually for most people, local ones, and since visiting Hednesford Town in 2005, I’d been wanting to go back there for a while, with it turning out a little ironic that after pondering a return for the last couple of seasons, I’d end up making two trips within a short space of time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Spotting that their pre-season friendly against Warrington Town was free entry, then it seemed a perfect opportunity to revisit on an otherwise blank Saturday, if for nothing else to go along and get some new pictures, but less than two weeks later, friends up from Kent had messaged to say they were in the area and did I fancy going to…. Well, why not! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The club have a long history that dates all the way back to 1880, although judging by the small amount of information available prior to the 1990s, then one might assume not a greatly successful one, having played largely in the West Midlands Regional League up until 1984 when they achieved promotion to the Southern League. One amusing event though occurred in the late 60s involving young Wolves fan and Hednesford defender Brian Horton, who showing promise playing for his home town team attracted attention from Port Vale, eventually being sold for the fee of ‘a pint of shandy’, the chairman at the time presumably not quite aware that he had a future top flight player on his hands, Horton going on to play with both Brighton and Luton in the old Division One. He’s not the only famous name to have kicked a ball around in the former mining town, Scott Dann had had a brief loan spell here whilst as a youngster, albeit gracing different turf to Horton, with the Pitmen having left their old Cross Keys ground in 1995 to move only 300 yards down the road to the newly built Keys Park. It was around this time that their fortunes had really begun to change. Gaining promotion to the Southern League Premier in 1992, they won the title three years later in their last season at the Cross Keys, the step up to Conference football coinciding nicely with the ground move. A six year spell at the top of the non-league pyramid saw them make headlines in the cups as well, reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1997 having knocked out league sides Blackpool and York on the way, before eventually bowing out in a narrow 3-2 loss away at Middlesbrough. They’ve reached the 1<sup>st</sup> round proper stage on four occasions since then, which along with their 2004 FA Trophy win has helped see Keys Park be developed into the stadium, that on my first visit in 2005 left me pretty impressed with the facilities on offer, especially with it being my first visit to a ‘real’ non-league ground (technically speaking Gay Meadow had been the first, but…). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Going back then, I knew what to expect, but was still looking forward to it, and at free entry, who could moan. Since my first visit Hednesford had been relegated from the Conference North down to Step 3, switching from the Northern Premier League to the Southern League and back again during that time. The visitors, Warrington Town, were from the NPL Division One North, and after getting into the ground, it was good, if a little surprising to see that even for a friendly game that they’d travelled down in good numbers, with a number of flags on display. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The site of a former brickworks, Keys Park is located more in Heath Hayes than Hednesford itself, not that the two are greatly separate areas, merging with each other along with Cannock to the south. With Heath Hayes themselves and Chasetown all within a few miles of each other, then it’s a hoppers heaven really, with the Hednesford Hills Racetrack in the same area as well, for those with a passion for watching traffic! Driving into the ground, then a small car park sits behind the Main Stand, which stands tall with an attractive front entrance bearing the clubs name and badge on it. There’s not a great deal to see otherwise, however once in then you can’t help but be impressed. The Main Stand itself sits centred on the halfway line, and whilst only running for around a third of the pitch, does look imposing with a steep bank of seating, and the bar to the rear. There’s more seating to the left at the Hednesford End, where a smaller former terrace sits, raised slightly from pitch level giving a good view, whilst the other two sides are covered terraces, again both steep and big enough to offer a good view of the action, and perhaps more importantly, shelter with all four sides being covered, not that that was needed on a beautiful summers day. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The reason for the free entry was that the club were launching their new kit for the 2011/12 season, but whilst the sight of three fine ladies wandering around the bar and pitch showing it off was welcome, it was the football I was more interested in seeing! From the off, despite the game officially being a friendly, it was clear both sides were looking to compete, and the hosts forced a number of early corners, taking the lead in just the eighth minute thanks to ex-Wolves striker Mark Danks. Despite the vocal backing of their supporters, who came equipped not only with flags, but a drum as well, Wire looked there for the taking early on as Hednesford pressed for most of the first half, but they went into the break level courtesy of Sam Finlay who scored a good goal after rounding the keeper to knock into an empty net halfway through. In the July heat, the pace of the first half couldn’t be kept up after the break, but the intensity certainly was with things spilling over late on as a couple of fights broke out between the two sides who still both clearly wanted to win with feisty tackles going in all over the pitch. It was to be the hosts’ game though, and with full time approaching, they took the lead thanks to Nick Wellecomme, the substitute slotting home ten minutes from time after capitalising on defensive mistakes by the visitors. Warrington still had time though and pressed for the late equaliser, but it wasn’t coming, and come the end of the match then you could tell that even with no league points at stake, they were disappointed to have lost. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving I’d been quite happy to have visited, not only had it been a good game to watch, but just to remind myself what a great ground it is, so when Tonbridge Angels cum Derby fans Brian and Alison were up staying in Stafford a few weeks later and asked if I fancied meeting up for a game, then I was more than happy to return! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">League action had resumed by this point, and having won 1-0 away at Bradford Park Avenue at the weekend, Buxton were due to be the first visitors of the season to Keys Park, with a Tuesday night match under the lights (or at least the second half of it, still being in August!). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Coming straight from work and meeting up in Stafford we made our way down to the ground, heading in and up to the bar for a couple of pre-match pints before the game. Buxton had lost 3-2 at the weekend, and from the off it looked like it could be another difficult match for the Derbyshire side, with Hednesford piling on the pressure early doors, taking a sixth minute lead through Danny Quinn who fired home in off the post to make it 1-0. It was all the home side in the first half, but like the Warrington game, they ended up going into the break with scores level, and once more from a soft goal. Failing to clear their lines from a corner, the ball found its way through to Kieran Lugsden who had no problem in slamming it home from close range on the half hour mark. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Perhaps it was the confidence from braving the early storm, but after the break, the visitors came out the brightest and coming up to the hour they took a deserved lead. A great ball over the top was chased by Lugsden, who outmuscled the defence and hit home his second of the night to give Buxton the lead and it was the signal of some intense pressure on the home goal, with the Pitmen looking like they had run out of both ideas and energy. Ex-Willenhall manager Rob Smith though saw the need for change and making two subs in around the 70<sup>th</sup> minute paid off, finding themselves level shortly afterwards thanks to Chris Clements, who converted a fairly dubious looking penalty, which substitute Nick Wellecomme had won after being fouled in the box. It was a pivotal point in the game, and brought the home side back in the swing of things, forcing visiting ‘keeper Scott Hartley into a number of good saves. Despite his sides efforts though, he could do nothing to stop Hednesford taking all three points with a cruel injury time goal by Cheyenne Dunkley who rose highest to power home a header from a free-kick into the box. It was heart wrenching for the visitors and a real smash and grab effort from the hosts after an indifferent second half, and you really had to feel for them after leaving, even if it had been a great end to the game. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving and getting dropped off in Stafford again, then I made my way home glad to have made trip number three to the ground, even if it was so soon after the second! Whilst it might not be hosting Conference football any more, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best non-league grounds in the country, built for a level perhaps even higher than that, looking like it’s more than capable of hosting league action. Whether that proves to be the case in the future, we’ll just have to wait and see.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to Keys Park</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Main Entrance to the Ground</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Heath Hayes End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Wimblebury Terrace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Disused Turnstiles</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Hednesford End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Hednesford End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Wimblebury Terrace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Heath Hayes End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Heath Hayes End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Wimblebury Terrace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Wimblebury Terrace</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Hednesford End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Keys Park Panoramic 1</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KNWHhw0oBPQ/Tlu8-hpkc2I/AAAAAAAAFYY/rbyEq0yxcVw/s0/Keys%252520Park%252520Panoramic%2525202-1.jpg" target="Keys Park 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Keys Park Panoramic 2</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sYtdNEX-OR0/Tlu8_q0mixI/AAAAAAAAFYc/uBRY3tzPIiA/s0/Keys%252520Park%252520Panoramic%2525202-2.jpg" target="Keys Park 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pictures from Buxton match</b></span><b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6kygUnJIXc/Tlu84Ra9YEI/AAAAAAAAFX0/TfJGt_4Rxzk/s1600/Keys+Park+3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K6kygUnJIXc/Tlu84Ra9YEI/AAAAAAAAFX0/TfJGt_4Rxzk/s1600/Keys+Park+3-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOpq0TwBrKI/Tlu85IrMU_I/AAAAAAAAFX4/gYdq-jbXRuc/s1600/Keys+Park+3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gOpq0TwBrKI/Tlu85IrMU_I/AAAAAAAAFX4/gYdq-jbXRuc/s1600/Keys+Park+3-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Heath Hayes End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEp6RnZmQrQ/Tlu85t_sSHI/AAAAAAAAFX8/eV3c67e5TQk/s1600/Keys+Park+3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEp6RnZmQrQ/Tlu85t_sSHI/AAAAAAAAFX8/eV3c67e5TQk/s1600/Keys+Park+3-3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>No Need for Segregation Tonight!</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcsARfsxzxM/Tlu86L-w3JI/AAAAAAAAFYA/00bnsGM34mU/s1600/Keys+Park+3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcsARfsxzxM/Tlu86L-w3JI/AAAAAAAAFYA/00bnsGM34mU/s1600/Keys+Park+3-4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRuw9hZ8wkM/Tlu86z_DvDI/AAAAAAAAFYE/1vZJNCoOzTM/s1600/Keys+Park+3-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aRuw9hZ8wkM/Tlu86z_DvDI/AAAAAAAAFYE/1vZJNCoOzTM/s1600/Keys+Park+3-5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Wimblebury Terrace</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-atVcNp4lcI4/Tlu87ad5zSI/AAAAAAAAFYI/z5CLDdyvJA8/s1600/Keys+Park+3-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-atVcNp4lcI4/Tlu87ad5zSI/AAAAAAAAFYI/z5CLDdyvJA8/s1600/Keys+Park+3-6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Heath Hayes End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__qmB53QXHg/Tlu877s8e2I/AAAAAAAAFYM/Dy5wfp-b-fQ/s1600/Keys+Park+3-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__qmB53QXHg/Tlu877s8e2I/AAAAAAAAFYM/Dy5wfp-b-fQ/s1600/Keys+Park+3-7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Hednesford End</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_tCLM-ckWHs/Tlu88J8dskI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/NkruRVa90HE/s1600/Keys+Park+3-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_tCLM-ckWHs/Tlu88J8dskI/AAAAAAAAFYQ/NkruRVa90HE/s1600/Keys+Park+3-8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XU-y0IrcGH8/Tlu886NlQbI/AAAAAAAAFYU/JwGxi3JtlI0/s1600/Keys+Park+3-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XU-y0IrcGH8/Tlu886NlQbI/AAAAAAAAFYU/JwGxi3JtlI0/s1600/Keys+Park+3-9.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Wimblebury Terrace</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFFFsZXrLJ0/Tlu9AqMgneI/AAAAAAAAFYg/YskF8cRKLjc/s1600/Keys+Park+Panoramic+3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFFFsZXrLJ0/Tlu9AqMgneI/AAAAAAAAFYg/YskF8cRKLjc/s640/Keys+Park+Panoramic+3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Keys Park Panoramic 3</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bFFFsZXrLJ0/Tlu9AqMgneI/AAAAAAAAFYg/YskF8cRKLjc/s0/Keys%252520Park%252520Panoramic%2525203-1.jpg" target="Keys Park 3">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HbCNoO2PWM/Tlu9BV8_nVI/AAAAAAAAFYk/16e3SmrJj1s/s1600/Keys+Park+Panoramic+3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5HbCNoO2PWM/Tlu9BV8_nVI/AAAAAAAAFYk/16e3SmrJj1s/s640/Keys+Park+Panoramic+3-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Keys Park Panoramic 4</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5HbCNoO2PWM/Tlu9BV8_nVI/AAAAAAAAFYk/16e3SmrJj1s/s0/Keys%252520Park%252520Panoramic%2525203-2.jpg" target="Keys Park 4">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/03/hednesford-town-keys-park-ground-no.html" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Previous trip to Keys Park</a></span><b><br />
</b></span></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com1Cannock, Staffordshire, UK52.697603109834823 -1.988842266288770652.66614310983482 -2.0483147662887706 52.729063109834826 -1.9293697662887705tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-24824913593988037102011-08-29T17:17:00.001+01:002011-08-29T17:20:28.273+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kettering Town</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rockingham Road</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RM_S6tkrjmY/Tlu0n4XPAjI/AAAAAAAAFVE/rg-iWlvVUhc/s1600/Kettering+Town+programme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RM_S6tkrjmY/Tlu0n4XPAjI/AAAAAAAAFVE/rg-iWlvVUhc/s1600/Kettering+Town+programme.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 232</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 23<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>rd</sup></span> July 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Result -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Kettering Town 0-1 Coventry City</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Competition -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Pre-Season Friendly</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Attendance -</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> 969</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When I was younger I quite often spent summers in Northamptonshire with my Grandparents, and it was around this time that Max Griggs was revolutionising football in the area by merging Rushden Town and Irthlingborough Diamonds and building them a new home at the stunning, yet remote Nene Park. There was doubt even then as to whether his dream of league football would ever come to pass and whether fans would flock to the new ground, and come the summer of 2011, despite his vision having come true, in the long term the dream had proved unsustainable with the club being wound up, and losing their ground in the process. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ten miles up the road, Kettering Town had for years been hampered by a similar problem in reverse. They had the fanbase and they had the sustainability for their Football League dream, but their own ground, Rockingham Road, was deemed unsuitable and with tenure not secure, a pressing problem on the horizon. The answer seemed obvious, at least to the clubs chairman who swooped quickly to negotiate with Nene Park’s owners to secure a deal for the club to jump into Diamonds’ grave and take over the running of the stadium. Of course it didn’t go down too well with the fans, not only Diamonds having been their local rivals, but moving the club out of the town and leaving them with a long journey for home matches was far from popular, leading to a series of meetings, accusations, suggestions of a breakaway club and general ill feeling over the summer. Despite several half planned trips, I’d never been to Rockingham Road, so with the wrangling still going on, and it not being clear as to whether they would start the 2011/12 season at Nene Park or not, then I decided to visit it for the home friendly against Coventry to be on the safe side and make sure I didn’t miss out on it if the move did go through. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Formed in 1872, the club have a long and proud history, albeit one not shy of controversy. Former Wolves hero Derek Dougan took over as Chairman, Manager and Player in 1975 and was the architect of the famous sponsorship clash with the FA during January 1976. Having signed a deal with Kettering Tyres to have their names printed on the shirts, the FA quickly ordered them to remove it after one game, only for the Doog to try and get around that by shortening the logo to ‘Kettering T’, claiming the T stood for Town! The FA weren’t having any of it, and the threat of a £1000 fine, more than the sponsorship deal itself, was enough for him to drop the issue, but in true style, unrepentant he refused to give up pressing for what he believed in, and 12 months later changed both the FA’s minds and the game forever. It’s probably the most famous incident in the clubs history, which is a shame as it gets overlooked that this was also their most successful period, winning the Southern League Championship in 1973 and League Cup in 1975 and coming close to being elected to the Football League in 1974, Workington beating them by eight votes. Still, becoming founder members of the Alliance Premier (Conference) in 1979, they’ve remained more or less at the top of the non-league pyramid ever since, their most notable achievement since then coming in 1999 when they became the highest goalscorers in the FA Cup, a record they’ve since held. Paul Gascoigne became manager in 2005, although quickly left after only 39 days, the two mile walk from Rockingham Road to the nearest KFC presumably being too much, and since then, the club have regained their place back in the Conference after a brief spell out, going full time with their intention to step up made clear long before moving to Nene Park became a possibility. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">They’ve played at Rockingham Road since 1897, and with its four tall, traditional floodlights, then the ground is visible on the way into Kettering from the train, although creeping past it for several miles and seeing it disappear into the distance before reaching the station is a bit annoying! The journey down there had gone fine, quick changes at Birmingham and Leicester before arriving in mid-morning and heading off up to the ground to have a look round. Situated just off the main road in and out of town, it’s the Rockingham Road End and Britannia Road terrace that first catch the eye, albeit not greatly with not a lot to see of either other than a wall with the turnstiles in, the floodlights grabbing most attention thanks to the pitch being below street level. It’s the same at the Cowper Street End, and from the outside it’s only really the Main Stand that is visible, an impressively tall structure, with the main entrance and club shop at one end, and the Tin Hat Bar adjacent to it at the far end. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Going in and the Main Stand again catches the eye the most, a big cantilevered structure with the only seats in the ground. If it ran the full length of the pitch then it would be very impressive, but unfortunately it stops short just past the halfway line where the front of the clubhouse is, running round to the Cowper Street End which is an uncovered terrace, seven steps high, with a large tarmac covered expanse behind it giving the impression something may have been there previously, like the terrace extending backwards at one time. It runs around the corner into the covered Britannia Road terrace which is about twice as deep and runs the full length of the pitch to the Rockingham Road End, which is an open terrace, gradually sloping up from pitch level instead of having steps for a better view. This end is usually given over to away fans, but for todays game both ends would be closed. Finally, the floodlights, notable not just for being the much loved old traditional style pylons are also worth mentioning for having the lights arranged in the letter K, reminiscent of Villa Park’s old lights and their A V pattern, giving another unique touch. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Having had a brief look round then I headed back to town for an hour or so finding the Old Market Inn for a couple of pints before going back to the ground, and into the clubhouse for another drink and a read of the programme ahead of the match. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Generally speaking, I don’t tend to bother with friendlies too much, but I’d hoped that this one might have a bit of spark with Coventry not being too far down the road from here. Perhaps not as much as the forthcoming match against Leicester, but with that being a Tuesday night, then this seemed a decent choice instead. Unfortunately though, the Cov fans hadn’t travelled as well as I thought Wolves might have had in a similar distance, and with them restricted to the Main Stand, the ground was feeling a bit empty when kick-off approached, not helped with fans only on the sides of the pitch. Apparently they’d done that to help with the costs of stewarding, but it seemed a very odd decision to at least not use the home end which runs around from the Britannia Road Terrace and wouldn’t have been any more trouble to monitor than what they were already. Anyway… </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Once underway I got chatting to a Kettering fan, and that it has to be said was the highlight of the afternoon, the game on the pitch doing little to peak interest. The visitors seemed to be doing most of the pressing in the first half, having had a good chance blocked early on by Kettering defender Nathan Koo-Boothe, before the hosts flashed a header wide on 10 minutes that would have put them ahead if it had been on target, Joe Murphy in the Coventry goal nowhere near. His opposite number Laurie Walker was having a busy afternoon, tipping a free-kick onto the bar halfway through, but it looked like the hosts were the first to break the deadlock just before half-time when John Challinor turned the ball home, only for the ref to rule that Murphy had been fouled in the build-up to the goal. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">They’d come to regret that after the break when on 50 minutes Gary McSheffery gave the Sky Blues the lead, heading home from a corner, and sadly that was pretty much it in terms of excitement, the visitors making a host of changes around the hour mark to bring on youngsters and squad players, with the game running down. Kettering pressed for an equaliser late on, but it was never coming and the 377 City fans in the Main Stand left the ground the happier, even if not having been enthralled by a typical pre-season workout for both clubs. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After leaving myself, I headed home, catching the train back with no problems, before getting home glad to have visited. Whilst it was a shining example as to why I don’t usually bother watching Wolves, or any league clubs, in pre-season, it was good to have had the chance to see the ground. I had been hoping to leave it for the August Bank Holiday game against Cambridge, but events gathered pace after this trip, and the club did indeed start the season at Nene Park, with Rockingham Road having seen its last competitive action for the time being. Whilst it does need improvement in places, notably the facilities and away end (a roof over the home end wouldn’t go amiss either), it is still a classic old ground, and more importantly, home. The reserves and youth/ladies teams will continue to play there at present, but you get the feeling that its future as a first team venue may not quite be over yet. For a club that can easily pull in several thousand for their bigger games then it will be interesting to see how attendances hold up at Nene Park. 2047 turned up for the first match, but a sunny Saturday in August isn’t a cold, wet Tuesday night in November, so it makes you wonder what will happen when fans inevitably get bored of a 20 mile round trip to an area with poor public transport links and nothing else around it in terms of pubs, etc. It’s not that I wish the club ill, and they’re in the unfortunate position of not owning Rockingham Road, but I feel that a great many of their fans will remark likewise in hoping the move doesn’t work out and sooner rather than later they can return back to the place that they’ve called home for the last 114 years. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_OpCpQe7_o/Tlu0orYs8KI/AAAAAAAAFVI/itCKZKw18ww/s1600/Rockingham+Road+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W_OpCpQe7_o/Tlu0orYs8KI/AAAAAAAAFVI/itCKZKw18ww/s1600/Rockingham+Road+1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Welcome to Rockingham Road!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iru5j72MYXY/Tlu0pGvkr3I/AAAAAAAAFVM/BS2QHtHSt_I/s1600/Rockingham+Road+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iru5j72MYXY/Tlu0pGvkr3I/AAAAAAAAFVM/BS2QHtHSt_I/s1600/Rockingham+Road+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Rockingham Road End Turnstiles</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCMLnwhDnH0/Tlu0ppYzrJI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/sZeLrch3J6s/s1600/Rockingham+Road+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCMLnwhDnH0/Tlu0ppYzrJI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/sZeLrch3J6s/s1600/Rockingham+Road+3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the Britannia Road Terrace</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oO7ZGiqpB_Y/Tlu0rYyLk5I/AAAAAAAAFVU/uDmdGaZbo9Y/s1600/Rockingham+Road+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oO7ZGiqpB_Y/Tlu0rYyLk5I/AAAAAAAAFVU/uDmdGaZbo9Y/s1600/Rockingham+Road+4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Turnstiles for the Britannia Road Terrace</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Eh7y7Q4p2I/Tlu0rosppMI/AAAAAAAAFVY/cx4CiWyRyNs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Eh7y7Q4p2I/Tlu0rosppMI/AAAAAAAAFVY/cx4CiWyRyNs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the Cowper Street End</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SS6Lt5EaK0E/Tlu0sCBRdDI/AAAAAAAAFVc/7Bv-wyEFzYw/s1600/Rockingham+Road+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SS6Lt5EaK0E/Tlu0sCBRdDI/AAAAAAAAFVc/7Bv-wyEFzYw/s1600/Rockingham+Road+6.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the Main Stand</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ErTk2NL2Xw/Tlu0srIa5rI/AAAAAAAAFVg/9oQ16QE69uk/s1600/Rockingham+Road+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ErTk2NL2Xw/Tlu0srIa5rI/AAAAAAAAFVg/9oQ16QE69uk/s1600/Rockingham+Road+7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Main Entrance to the Ground</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVzBRsr27nQ/Tlu0tVn0prI/AAAAAAAAFVk/mDLcJNlwVgI/s1600/Rockingham+Road+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVzBRsr27nQ/Tlu0tVn0prI/AAAAAAAAFVk/mDLcJNlwVgI/s1600/Rockingham+Road+8.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">The Club Shop</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkOrTZYp8Fk/Tlu2aRF7NUI/AAAAAAAAFWk/Umpbqy2xR0E/s1600/Rockingham+Road+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WkOrTZYp8Fk/Tlu2aRF7NUI/AAAAAAAAFWk/Umpbqy2xR0E/s1600/Rockingham+Road+9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6l0bxQ5dyOA/Tlu0t6iX0NI/AAAAAAAAFVo/PBoh9ofC9Lw/s1600/Rockingham+Road+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Today's Game!</span></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOO0SAoNIZU/Tlu0uYwQnwI/AAAAAAAAFVs/HyDnYEroYEc/s1600/Rockingham+Road+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOO0SAoNIZU/Tlu0uYwQnwI/AAAAAAAAFVs/HyDnYEroYEc/s1600/Rockingham+Road+10.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rear of the Main Stand</b></span></div><br />
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ym24JiO__3A/Tlu0u8xLJ7I/AAAAAAAAFVw/1Gsw7ku8EF0/s1600/Rockingham+Road+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ym24JiO__3A/Tlu0u8xLJ7I/AAAAAAAAFVw/1Gsw7ku8EF0/s1600/Rockingham+Road+11.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Tin Hat Bar</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uC8bZ2aDG_o/Tlu0vpYJmgI/AAAAAAAAFV0/amJIdj98STU/s1600/Rockingham+Road+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uC8bZ2aDG_o/Tlu0vpYJmgI/AAAAAAAAFV0/amJIdj98STU/s1600/Rockingham+Road+12.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Britannia Road Terrace</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYbF8Ubgf60/Tlu0wJ4hnpI/AAAAAAAAFV4/iAz5Cx4tigg/s1600/Rockingham+Road+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYbF8Ubgf60/Tlu0wJ4hnpI/AAAAAAAAFV4/iAz5Cx4tigg/s1600/Rockingham+Road+13.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Rockingham Road End</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71BBRx77GYM/Tlu0wkiB7mI/AAAAAAAAFV8/lT2LI_VlNeY/s1600/Rockingham+Road+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-71BBRx77GYM/Tlu0wkiB7mI/AAAAAAAAFV8/lT2LI_VlNeY/s1600/Rockingham+Road+14.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YCLndrNr44/Tlu0xOQKtAI/AAAAAAAAFWA/iHQRz2uX1Co/s1600/Rockingham+Road+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--YCLndrNr44/Tlu0xOQKtAI/AAAAAAAAFWA/iHQRz2uX1Co/s1600/Rockingham+Road+15.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Cowper Street End</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csmxDhIrn9Y/Tlu0x927icI/AAAAAAAAFWE/EZIsqv_GnTs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csmxDhIrn9Y/Tlu0x927icI/AAAAAAAAFWE/EZIsqv_GnTs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+16.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Rockingham Road End</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NssmkyvJ-c4/Tlu0yVDVXZI/AAAAAAAAFWI/plXAC0-AIMs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NssmkyvJ-c4/Tlu0yVDVXZI/AAAAAAAAFWI/plXAC0-AIMs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+17.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>One of the Floodlights</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLlG67vuErM/Tlu0y9HJ0GI/AAAAAAAAFWM/fs4XCX5tEXM/s1600/Rockingham+Road+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLlG67vuErM/Tlu0y9HJ0GI/AAAAAAAAFWM/fs4XCX5tEXM/s1600/Rockingham+Road+18.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Debatable...</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCurKzEEc8w/Tlu0zUkKnVI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/e0u7nnZzQcs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OCurKzEEc8w/Tlu0zUkKnVI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/e0u7nnZzQcs/s1600/Rockingham+Road+19.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Ready for Kick Off</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsXfaey1HZ4/Tlu00AJuImI/AAAAAAAAFWU/j2U6-EKSzmA/s1600/Rockingham+Road+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsXfaey1HZ4/Tlu00AJuImI/AAAAAAAAFWU/j2U6-EKSzmA/s1600/Rockingham+Road+20.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Britannia Road Terrace</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZgAbuxe-4E/Tlu00t89JHI/AAAAAAAAFWY/Jk6KnkFRTDo/s1600/Rockingham+Road+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZgAbuxe-4E/Tlu00t89JHI/AAAAAAAAFWY/Jk6KnkFRTDo/s1600/Rockingham+Road+21.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Main Stand</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nsflHndj-j4/Tlu01k5BUnI/AAAAAAAAFWc/_k1D1jspzTg/s1600/Rockingham+Road+Panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nsflHndj-j4/Tlu01k5BUnI/AAAAAAAAFWc/_k1D1jspzTg/s640/Rockingham+Road+Panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rockingham Road Panoramic 1</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nsflHndj-j4/Tlu01k5BUnI/AAAAAAAAFWc/_k1D1jspzTg/s0/Rockingham%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525201.jpg" target="Rockingham Road 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcYRXkb5RPw/Tlu02sUanlI/AAAAAAAAFWg/DUtmD1osr00/s1600/Rockingham+Road+Panoramic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PcYRXkb5RPw/Tlu02sUanlI/AAAAAAAAFWg/DUtmD1osr00/s640/Rockingham+Road+Panoramic+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Rockingham Road Panoramic 2</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PcYRXkb5RPw/Tlu02sUanlI/AAAAAAAAFWg/DUtmD1osr00/s0/Rockingham%252520Road%252520Panoramic%2525202.jpg" target="Rockingham Road 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com2Kettering, Northamptonshire, UK52.4110447123455 -0.728283154455198252.3833952123455 -0.76907815445519823 52.4386942123455 -0.68748815445519817tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-38861462870871418182011-08-29T16:43:00.000+01:002011-08-29T16:43:28.451+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stafford RUFC</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The County Ground</span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQy7zP1L4MU/TluvW73GX1I/AAAAAAAAFVA/fMkhavTVMeo/s1600/Stafford+RUFC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQy7zP1L4MU/TluvW73GX1I/AAAAAAAAFVA/fMkhavTVMeo/s1600/Stafford+RUFC2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkoB5JDP9kg/TlumVRp4JSI/AAAAAAAAFT4/9SjMYpZVSrI/s1600/Stafford+RUFC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sometimes it’s a bit of fun, but more often a source of frustration when going past a ground on the train and spotting a brief glimpse of either a stand or floodlights and trying to work out which club it could possibly be! This was the case having gone through Stafford and noticed a set of floodlights ever so briefly on the left hand side heading north, but after visiting Stafford Town at Rowley Park, then it was heading back up Newport Road after the game that two and two quickly came together! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Stafford RUFC have played at the County Ground since 1949, although it isn’t their first venue having played at several other sites since being founded in 1876. The club compete in the Midlands Division, and the ground, sited down a small tree lined drive off Newport Road is one that whilst perhaps best described as ‘rustic’, is nonetheless characteristic as well. The clubhouse sits at the near end where a car park lies, before another car park, and what looks like once was possibly the site of a building runs along the far side, raised from pitch level atop a small bank, offering a good view of the action. The far end is empty, but in the centre of the near side sits the Grandstand. Sadly it appears to have suffered from a mixture of vandals and the hands of time, looking somewhat dilapidated on closer inspection. A wooden structure, it looks to date from some time just after the war, with four rows of bench seating underneath a cavernous roof built into the banking on this side. It’s sealed off now, presumably unsafe, which is a shame, especially with it being the only cover at the ground.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Apparently 3000 once crammed in here to watch a game against Old Rugby Roma, which Stafford won 6-3. It’s difficult to imagine that many people in nowadays, but on a pleasant summers day then it’s certainly a ground with a fair bit of charm about it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iBznQbTDK_8/TlumWP1AvEI/AAAAAAAAFT8/PbA3XoTasMQ/s1600/The+County+Ground+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iBznQbTDK_8/TlumWP1AvEI/AAAAAAAAFT8/PbA3XoTasMQ/s1600/The+County+Ground+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Welcome to the County Ground</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A03fGjcOSr4/TlumW-h7cxI/AAAAAAAAFUA/cuuhBMVx03M/s1600/The+County+Ground+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A03fGjcOSr4/TlumW-h7cxI/AAAAAAAAFUA/cuuhBMVx03M/s1600/The+County+Ground+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Entrance to the Ground</b></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXZC5JUdzic/TlumXVztneI/AAAAAAAAFUE/Oo8asTeCNXs/s1600/The+County+Ground+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXZC5JUdzic/TlumXVztneI/AAAAAAAAFUE/Oo8asTeCNXs/s1600/The+County+Ground+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSp3KOJNwgk/TlumYMUsklI/AAAAAAAAFUI/pj4X8C5Tl34/s1600/The+County+Ground+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sSp3KOJNwgk/TlumYMUsklI/AAAAAAAAFUI/pj4X8C5Tl34/s1600/The+County+Ground+4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Grandstand</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Grandstand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Grandstand</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Grandstand</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far End</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near Side</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Far Side</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Scoreboard and Dugout</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Near End</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Clubhouse</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The County Ground</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The County Ground Panoramic 1</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H0OyOcOEB2M/TlumgUBO1xI/AAAAAAAAFU4/c8BC3a-_glk/s0/The%252520County%252520Ground%252520Panoramic.jpg" target="The County Ground 1">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The County Ground Panoramic 2</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YXN42Mlcb3E/TlumhvGXLVI/AAAAAAAAFU8/-iuI_3f9Ges/s0/The%252520County%252520Ground%252520Panoramic%2525202.jpg" target="The County Ground 2">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0Stafford, Staffordshire, UK52.803273974048729 -2.126680987564152.774293974048732 -2.1669929875641003 52.832253974048726 -2.0863689875641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-9928265998457054142011-08-29T15:41:00.001+01:002011-08-29T15:43:20.466+01:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stafford Town</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rowley Park</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0K5WJpiQ-U/TluhqVPyCqI/AAAAAAAAFS0/arl6sZ4J5WU/s1600/Rowley+Park+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0K5WJpiQ-U/TluhqVPyCqI/AAAAAAAAFS0/arl6sZ4J5WU/s1600/Rowley+Park+1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bmuipkcz-9o/TlufErLl-iI/AAAAAAAAFSw/KyHY_tvaMLE/s1600/Stafford+Town+programme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Ground No. 231</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Visited -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Saturday 16<span style="font-size: x-small;"><sup>th</sup></span> 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Result -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Stafford Town 3-2 Redgate Clayton</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Competition -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> Pre-Season Friendly</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Attendance -</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> 36 (h/c)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">When a club moves ground, it’s normally the case that you go out of your way to rush to get it done before it disappears and then at some point in the future tick them at their new ground as well, but it’s not often that it happens the other way around! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Formed in 1976, Stafford Town started life out playing on a field next to the cricket club in the centre of town, but in 1993 they decided to step up to the higher level of the West Midlands Regional League, and as a result, needed better facilities, moving a few miles down the road to the local council owned Rowley Park Stadium. Not only having the disadvantage of an athletics track around the pitch, as part of their rental agreement, the club were never able to charge admission, so in 2010 after years in the planning, they finally moved back adjacent to the cricket club and into a brand new ground of their own called Evans Park. A great facility for Step 6, I’d visited it in the 2010 pre-season for their game against Stafford Rangers, and had been impressed with the set-up, albeit a bit annoyed to have missed out on Rowley Park. Fate was smiling though, and so when they announced that they’d be playing their first 2011 pre-season game there, then that was enough to get me rushing out of my way to do it! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Situated in the southwest of the town, despite never ticking it for a match, then it was a ground I had been to previously, having run in athletics meetings there in my younger (fitter!) days. That said, my memory of it was hazy at best, so I was looking forward to it and set off for the first game of the new season in a good mood, the journey up to Stafford taking little time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Whilst the stadium itself only dates back to around the 1960s, the name goes much further back, from the 13<sup>th</sup> Century when several families settled in the area, naming it Rowlowe, which translates as ‘rough land’, and walking in via the adjacent council estate you get the feeling that that description could still apply, albeit for slightly different reasons! The ground is situated in a park which shares the same name, and has facilities for bowls, rugby and hockey, and is open to the public, which explains why the club could never charge rent. With banking and trees/flowerbeds on all four sides, then it isn’t an unpleasant location, built into the side of sloping land, with the track on the one side situated at the top of the bank which you have to climb to get to pitch level, whilst the other side climbs up offering an elevated view over the pitch which makes the track slightly less of an issue, with views of the action being fairly good. Unfortunately though, the facilities themselves aren’t fantastic, there being no stand as such, the dressing rooms and refreshment room on the elevated side, with stepped paving providing supporters a place to sit/stand, albeit with no cover except for the overhang of the roof next to the dressing rooms. It’s a council facility without any doubt, low maintenance and low cost, and you can understand why the club moved. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The reason that this game was actually back here was because Evans Park was having its pitch re-laid, and the club had decided not to play any football on it this summer to aid its recovery from the harsh winter. The visitors were Redgate Clayton, who play one level below Stafford, in the Staffordshire County League, and it didn’t take long after kick-off for the difference in quality to tell. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Stafford</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> looked more composed and disciplined on the ball in comparison to their visitors, and they took the lead in just the sixth minute thanks to their number nine who rose highest to meet a corner and head home to put them 1-0 ahead. They continued to make most of the play, but after the goal the visitors seemed to strengthen themselves, and what hinted at a possible avalanche never came to play, unlike the weather which had been hinting at a downpour, everyone darting for the little amount of cover midway through the first half when it become torrential for 10 minutes. Its cessation was the cue for the home side to increase the lead, in the 33<sup>rd</sup> minute, when their number 10 had chased a long punt forward only to collide with the goalkeeper with the ball running free to the back post where their number 7 tapped home, turning to celebrate with a look on his face that he expected the ref to bring the play back instead of point to the centre circle! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">After the break, Stafford should have been 3-0 up when their number 10 was played beautifully into the box with a slide rule pass, only the goalkeeper to beat before blasting it over. He did it again six minutes later, skying a similar chance where it looked easier to score, and in the 58<sup>th</sup> minute the home side were made to pay when Redgate got the goal back that their resurgence either side of the break had deserved. The rest of the half was played out at a slower pace than the first hour had been, and the game looked to be wrapped up in the 85<sup>th</sup> minute when another through ball had found Stafford’s number 7 running through, onside, with only the keeper to beat before he did a cheeky Ronaldinho-esque turn past Redgate’s number one and slotted into an empty net. That wasn’t to be the last bit of action though, and if Redgate’s keeper had been left red faced by the opposition, then his opposite number at the other end of the field was to feel the same but this time for his own mistake. A long, hopeful ball forward was idly chased by Redgate’s number 4, (notable for wearing bright blue socks when his teammates were all wearing black ones), who slowed down when the keeper came to make a simple clearance and boot up field, only to miss it, leaving the Regdate midfielder the chance to nip around him and tap it in to make it 3-2. In an exciting end to the game they had another chance as well, on the break, with just the keeper to beat for the equaliser, but a lob from 20 yards dropped just the wrong side of the bar, with the ref blowing his whistle as soon as the ball had gone out of play. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">With that then I made my way home, getting back with no problems, having had the chance to stop by at Stafford RUFC’s Newport Road ground a bit further up the road on the way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Overall, whilst I’d been looking forward to visiting the ground, having had memories of a good sized sporting arena (not quite Crystal Palace or Don Valley, but a decent facility all the same) then it was a shame to see that it wasn’t quite as big as I’d remembered. Despite that though, I was still happy to tick it for an actual game, and it’s only coming here that has really made it obvious how great a move it’s been for the club to now call Evans Park home. It’s not often a team leaves and ends up with not just a better ground, but a far better site as well, closer to the town centre with all the facilities they could wish for at this level of the game. You can only say they’ve done well, and the pride about the ground from speaking to people and reading the programme last season is fully justified.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Welcome to Rowley Park!</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hftZXgsHV6M/TluhraBPkTI/AAAAAAAAFS8/OUV-Hxjt3xM/s1600/Rowley+Park+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hftZXgsHV6M/TluhraBPkTI/AAAAAAAAFS8/OUV-Hxjt3xM/s1600/Rowley+Park+3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rear of the Dressing Rooms</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Near Side</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BNw23TOhc4/TluhsfKbX2I/AAAAAAAAFTE/Vzpkikv_FoA/s1600/Rowley+Park+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BNw23TOhc4/TluhsfKbX2I/AAAAAAAAFTE/Vzpkikv_FoA/s1600/Rowley+Park+5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Near End</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Seating/Terracing for Fans</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rsai-4UnrY/TluhtqrDfmI/AAAAAAAAFTM/AYol-OrdVWI/s1600/Rowley+Park+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rsai-4UnrY/TluhtqrDfmI/AAAAAAAAFTM/AYol-OrdVWI/s1600/Rowley+Park+7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Far End</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DrP8TWDDHE/TluhtxMDRPI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/3Tcs_a1JXGI/s1600/Rowley+Park+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DrP8TWDDHE/TluhtxMDRPI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/3Tcs_a1JXGI/s1600/Rowley+Park+8.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Far End</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Near Side</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeJG81SnpKk/Tluhu7sLfGI/AAAAAAAAFTY/bhaIOsDFdVw/s1600/Rowley+Park+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CeJG81SnpKk/Tluhu7sLfGI/AAAAAAAAFTY/bhaIOsDFdVw/s1600/Rowley+Park+10.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Far Side</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ready for Kick Off</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3HUoMkyDpE/TluhwDIxkjI/AAAAAAAAFTg/dfsLKecDt2c/s1600/Rowley+Park+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3HUoMkyDpE/TluhwDIxkjI/AAAAAAAAFTg/dfsLKecDt2c/s1600/Rowley+Park+12.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Near End</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NoIFo3vcHv8/TluhwoPK3ZI/AAAAAAAAFTk/NIrGRQDmbCA/s1600/Rowley+Park+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NoIFo3vcHv8/TluhwoPK3ZI/AAAAAAAAFTk/NIrGRQDmbCA/s1600/Rowley+Park+13.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Far Side</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMBp3djMPzM/TluhxJM0BjI/AAAAAAAAFTo/j_yp8ZHUwOQ/s1600/Rowley+Park+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VMBp3djMPzM/TluhxJM0BjI/AAAAAAAAFTo/j_yp8ZHUwOQ/s1600/Rowley+Park+14.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Dressing Rooms</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Game Action</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dugout</span></b></span></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYUi22VVucQ/Tluhz6ykBbI/AAAAAAAAFT0/d_y-KXzb6Z8/s1600/Rowley+Park+Panoramic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sYUi22VVucQ/Tluhz6ykBbI/AAAAAAAAFT0/d_y-KXzb6Z8/s640/Rowley+Park+Panoramic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rowley Park Panoramic</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sYUi22VVucQ/Tluhz6ykBbI/AAAAAAAAFT0/d_y-KXzb6Z8/s0/Rowley%252520Park%252520Panoramic.jpg" target="Rowley Park">click here for full size picture</a>)</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></b> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com0Rowley Park, Stafford, Staffordshire ST18, UK52.793939393202635 -2.123623269287122652.791499893202634 -2.1266677692871228 52.796378893202636 -2.1205787692871225tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758772129365074812.post-52700213488853572592011-07-24T12:24:00.004+01:002011-07-24T12:30:17.616+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s1600/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikh3of8laQc/Tiv52xGXfZI/AAAAAAAAFR0/PrAFkDrZRuQ/s400/Football+Ground+sign.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 24th July 2011</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As one season begins, here's me still updating from last! Nothing changes! Thankfully these are the last of the backlog now, covering the last few games of last year, and the last of the old reviews to do from 2007 when the old computer died.</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So 2011/12... I was a bit disappointed last year with the amount of games covered, having lost my way a bit, but yesterday's trip to Kettering was the anniversary of the first game in 2010/11, and the fourth I've seen so far this pre-season, with games at Stafford, Shrewsbury and Walsall to add to the list as well. Good going so far then, not that I'm especially going all out to beat any total, but with Hednesford next weekend, and Burscough the week after that already planned, then I'll be well on the way! My ideas for the coming season are to finish the West Midlands Regional League (five grounds to go), and make some headway into the Midland Alliance as well, with other trips following Wolves bound to add to the list as well. <br />
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Regarding Wolves, the summer signings look to be positive, and Roger Johnson will hopefully be just what we were missing last season with Jody Craddock's prolonged injuries. Whilst Jody might not be the greatest player in the world, it was his leadership that was the difference in 2009/10, and we desperately lacked that last year, so touchwood RJ will come in and steady a rudderless defence and keep the rest of the team in line. It'll be a long season as usual though, and no doubt we'll be around and about the bottom six again, but please if we could just leave it until a little bit before 10 minutes left of the season this time!!! </span></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">..</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/07/bewdley-town-ribbesford-meadow-ground.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Bewdley Town - Ribbesford Meadow</span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="background-color: #3d85c6; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: blue; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUkJqLkYwT0/TiNEaur-WoI/AAAAAAAAFNU/CRkcGScfS2w/s1600/St+Andrews+Panoramic+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUkJqLkYwT0/TiNEaur-WoI/AAAAAAAAFNU/CRkcGScfS2w/s640/St+Andrews+Panoramic+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUkJqLkYwT0/TiNEaur-WoI/AAAAAAAAFNU/CRkcGScfS2w/s0/St+Andrews+Panoramic+7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/07/birmingham-city-st-andrews-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;">Birmingham City - St Andrews</span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: blue; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20CtrBuyUyw/TilP9ELLG2I/AAAAAAAAFP0/3xTGDZjRl98/s1600/Ewen+Fields+Panoramic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20CtrBuyUyw/TilP9ELLG2I/AAAAAAAAFP0/3xTGDZjRl98/s640/Ewen+Fields+Panoramic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-20CtrBuyUyw/TilP9ELLG2I/AAAAAAAAFP0/3xTGDZjRl98/s0/Ewen+Fields+Panoramic+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/07/hyde-united-ewen-fields-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: white;">Hyde United - Ewen Fields</span></span></span></span></a></div></div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></b> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></b> </span><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: red; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kBDe9Ojrsj0/TilKx8RIaAI/AAAAAAAAFOo/XWYPRxzMpxQ/s1600/The+Cottage+Ground+Panoramic+3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kBDe9Ojrsj0/TilKx8RIaAI/AAAAAAAAFOo/XWYPRxzMpxQ/s640/The+Cottage+Ground+Panoramic+3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kBDe9Ojrsj0/TilKx8RIaAI/AAAAAAAAFOo/XWYPRxzMpxQ/s0/The+Cottage+Ground+Panoramic+3-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div><a href="http://tims92.blogspot.com/2011/07/wednesfield-cottage-ground-ground-no.html"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">Wednesfield - The Cottage Ground</span></span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span>Tims 92http://www.blogger.com/profile/03770684486848799577noreply@blogger.com1