Month: January 2012
Hand delivered chips at Gill!
After a heavy week on the M4 to/from work, I decided to let the ‘train take the strain’ and southwest railways to transport me to the small town of Gillingham in North Dorset. Ros couldn’t find anything to do in the town so didn’t travel, but I was joined by my ‘hopping’ friend Dave Lewis who had travelled down from London.
Gillingham (is pronounced like a Fish Gill), or ‘Gill’ as it’s known the locals is not to be confused with the shabby Kent Medway town of the same name. In fact Gill is much more like what one thinks of as ‘middle england’, as one alighted from the railway station and sauntered down the high street, it was hard to believe it was Saturday afternoon it was so quiet! Pre-match we visited the ‘Wine Bar’ in Queen Street, which was err, a wine bar, but GBG listed, but frankly lacking any sort of atmosphere, and the local(e) beer it supposedly sells. Although a pint of Cornish St Austell ‘Tribute’ went down ok.
From there back towards the High Street into ‘The Square’ to ‘The Phoenix’. Ah, this was more like it, a proper old-fashioned boozer, but strangely more Cornish beer, hmmm? This time I sampled a pint of ‘Doom Bar’ from the Sharps Brewery. Dave and I both eyed up the large portions of food coming out of the kitchen, but sadly time did not allow us to sample before we headed off up the High Street to the game.
To confirm the small town attitude, the chippy next door had closed at 13:45! Obviously very strict eating times in Gillingham!
The Ground.
Turning left from the High Street into Hardings Lane, one passed a school (name escapes me) formed 1516, a pointer to a town with quite an interesting history, see > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gillingham,_Dorset
Once at the ground and through the one turnstile, for four pound entrance, and with one pound programme in hand. It also cost me three fifty for the enamel badge (stating formed 1879) happily purchased from the PA man. It was soon clear the ground facilities did not amount too much.
One rickety old stand on the opposite side, with horrible orange (perhaps tangerine) garish seats, and only hard standing around the other
three sides, although the stand did have some faded character to it.
BUT, what makes hopping at this level so enjoyable, and again apparent today at rural grounds like these, is the wonderful countryside scenery that can really enhance the match day experience. It was only a shame that today on a cold, mostly grey day, it was not shown off to it’s best, but it really was a lovely setting. And with the railway line running 30 yards behind the stand, for train spotting ground hoppers this is a double tick fest! Although I might add, I’m NOT one of those 🙂
The Game.
The fixture had appealed to me, not only because it was a tick ground, and within easy walking distance of the railway station, also because Gill sat top of the Western League Div One pre match, and visitors Melksham (Wiltshire) were third,with Cadbury Heath sitting between.
Melksham attacked the clubhouse end in the 1st half up the hill. When I say up the hill, I should have said up the hill and across the slope, as the pitch did slope down and across, quite an unusual feature.
Melksham settled the quicker of the two, and although play pinged from one end to the other, it was not a great surprise when centre back Luke Smith put them ahead in the 22nd minute. Seven minutes later free scoring centre forward Gary Higdon netted a second, 0-2, and Gill looked shell-shocked. However for the last 20 minutes of the 1st half they took the game to Melksham, and it was somewhat against the run of play that Melksham won a penalty for a foul by the keeper in the 36th minute, strange that there was no booking given to the keeper for a blatant goal scoring opportunity.
Anyway, Josh Robinson blasted the ball wide, and one felt at the time this might be the lifeline that Gill required.
HT 0-2
At half time I made a bee-line into the club house at some speed to relieve some of the effects of pre-match imbibing. And then got sidetracked by half time scores coming in on the clubhouse TV.
Then after a few minutes returned outside for a cuppa from the T Bar hatch which was located at the other end of the clubhouse. To find Dave coming in the other direction, with crumbs falling off his chops announcing to me he had ordered some chips and had just eaten a tasty sausage roll, and was off to the same location I had just been.
Whilst in the Q eyeing up the sausage rolls, one of the efficient and attractive young ladies working in said Tea bar came out of the door with two cones of freshly made chips, one was snapped up immediately, but then she did a couple of swivels and had no takers for the second cone. It seemed apparent this may be Dave’s pre-ordered chips, so I piped up, “did the orderer have a dark wooly hat on”, she replied “yes”, and whilst informing her he’d popped into the clubhouse, Mr Wooly hat wearer emerged from the clubhouse to claim his cone of chips, at the same time express his surprise and gratitude she’d tried to find him!
You don’t get personal service like that at Wembley or Old Trafford!
After half time refreshment we took up a position on the stand side of the ground but at the end Gillingham would be attacking with the full expectation that Gill would put some serious pressure on the Melksham back line.
We were not wrong, as Gill were pretty much dominant throughout the second half, and were it not for some seriously good defending and keeping could have scored a number of goals. Sadly for them, only one was scored, in the 67th minute from a few yards out by right full back Ryan Murray after a goal mouth scramble. Neither of us or some old fellas standing near had any idea who scored the goal as so many bodies had been packed into the penalty area. Oh for the joys of the modern communication world and the Western League website giving me this information on Sunday morning, what on earth did we do before the internet?
Gill player manager Adrian Foster, an ex pro, introduced himself to the game in the 71st minute, and his intelligent forward play and probing certainly helped, and really it did only looked a matter of time before they’d get a deserved equaliser.It never happened, Melksham celebrated at the end like they’d won a big cup tie, and the result certainly left the top of the table very interesting, with Cadbury Health certainly looking favourites with games in hand to seasons end.
FT 1-2.
Team Pld W D L F A GD Pts
Gillingham Town 24 15 3 6 61 39 22 48
Cadbury Heath 20 14 5 1 54 19 35 47
Melksham Town 22 14 5 3 47 23 24 47
Calne Town 23 12 7 4 36 19 17 43
At games end, we returned to the town centre, back to ‘The Square’ and visited ‘The Red Lion Hotel’ situated virtually next door to ‘The Phoenix’. Another decent boozer, I settled by the fire with a couple of half’s of Hall and Woodhouse brewery beers, whilst Dave was happy with his tried and trusted J20.
It certainly was hard to drag ourselves away from the warm log fire, and with Brighton/Newcastle on the big screen, and comfy leather sofas to boot, for the 10 min walk back to the station for the 17:51 train home.
Another quality day out, an enjoyable game, a friendly club and well worth a visit.
Moles buried by on form dale!
Saturday January 21st 2012, KO 15:00 at The Beeches, Packwood Lane, Tividale.
FA Vase Fourth Round.
Tividale 7-1 Binfield, ht 3-0 , attendance 192.
Admission £6, Programme £1.50 (very good, lots of colour), badge £3.50 (from behind bar), coffee £1.
On paper this looked potentially like it could be a closely fought FA Vase tie. When I arrived it was a bitter cold wind that blew around ‘The Beeches’, which is set up on high ground in the Black Country.
Binfield had finished the 2010-11 season in 2nd place in the Hellenic Premier, and Tividale were currently sitting in mid table in the Midland Alliance, both Step 5 leagues. Although my experience has shown me previously that the Midland Alliance is generally a stronger league in playing standards than the Hellenic Premier.
Binfield are an up and coming club based near Wokingham and Bracknell in Berkshire and have a lovely ‘country feel’ ground tucked away on the edge of their village, and over recent seasons have built up a very strong local following and junior team infrastructure. Today a good 75-100 fans made the trip up to the suburbs of Birmingham for potentially the biggest game of their history so far, with a win putting them in with the last 16 for a crack at a Wembley final.
Unfortunately for them and their travelling fans, they were outclassed virtually from first to last-minute. Binfield known as the ‘Moles’ looked more like ‘rabbits in headlights’ for the 1st 20 minutes, as by then they had gone 3-0 down. Dale had attacked the clubhouse/car park end and struck in the 10th, 12th and 19th minute from Matthew Jukes, captain Lee Chilton and centre back Luke Paskin. Such was their disarray that Moles centre back Ryan Millward was withdrawn in the 23rd minute.
Tividale looked sharp, quick, and a step or two above Binfield in quality. Maybe they had more experience with the very heavy sandy pitch, but more likely just that player for player they had too much class. The pattern of play changed little in the 1st 45 minutes, and at half time it was, 3-0.
Clearly some re-organisation of the Binfield game plan took place at half time, as really the period 46-60 mins was their only time of any sort of ascendancy, as Ian Davies scrambled in a goal in the 54th minute, and it looked potentially that they may get back in it.
Matthew Jukes 60th minute goal put paid to that, and at 4-1 it was all over. A bad day for Binfield got worse when in the 75th minute sub Callum Whitty was red carded for a two footed lunge, which for some reason only known to themselves Binfield felt was worth arguing with the officials, those watching, and I was sitting close by could see the ref had no option.
After this the Moles really fell apart, as Tividale took them to the cleaners, their superb front three, scored in the 80th (Chilton), 81st (Russell), and Jukes completed his hat trick in the 87th.
Tividale will be very tough opponents in the 5th round, but I suspect they will face much stronger opposition.
An enjoyable day out and well organised by the Tividale officials. A superb programme, real ale in the club house, and a friendly welcome from all, I wish them well in Round 5 🙂
Scoreline flatters the Guernsey ‘Green’ Lions
Saturday 7th January 2012, Ko 13:00, Sheerwater Recreation Ground, Near Woking, Surrey.
Combined Combined Counties League Division One.
Entrance £4, programme £1.
Sheerwater 1-4 Guernsey, attendance 150.
One of the most interesting stories in non league football in 2011 has been the admission of newly formed Guernsey FC from the Channel Island of the same name into the English non league pyramid system. Guernsey have always been a strong Island team when competing in their annual Muratti vase match against bitter local Island rivals Jersey, and in the Island Games. But clearly there was a desire on the Island for a regular higher standard of competitive football, so the newly formed club made an approach to the FA, and an agreement was reached with the Combined Counties league for them to take part at Step 6 of the NL pyramid in season 11-12, which is at Step 10 overall at the National level.
The club secretary is Mark Le Tissier brother of former England star Matt Le Tissier, who is acting as club president. And apparently they have good strong sponsorship backing from Sporting Bet, and they and the teams paying a visit to the Island fly out of Gatwick airport, as most of the clubs in the Co Co league are within about 1 hours distance by road from there.
Clearly it has captured the imagination of the Island, as a record high of 1700 has attended this season with regular gates of 1400 or so, which most NL Step 1 Conference teams would be happy with!
The Game.
This match appealed to me on two counts, a rare tick venue for me in the Co Co league, and also because pre match Sheerwater sat rock bottom, with only 2 wins all season, and Guernsey sat top, with only 1 defeat to their name, and having scored 85 goals in the process!
So this match had the potential for another thrashing, as the Guernsey Green Lions had already turned over Sheerwater to the tune of 9-0 on the Island at Footes Lane earlier in the season. This was the 3rd time I’d seen Guernsey this season, as I have been very fortunate indeed to be on a 5 night break with my wife in July when they announced their 1st ever game v AFC Wimbledon, which played out as a 5-6 defeat in front of 1400 very enthusiastic fans, a great start for them and to my season!
This game didn’t pan out as I expected. In front of 150, which included quite a large number of ground hoppers, and 20 or 30 so fans from Guernsey, Sheerwater gave a very good account of themselves indeed.
In fact the first 30 minutes of play were very even, and end to end. It looked like the deadlock would be broken in the 35th minute from the penalty spot, but SH keeper Tony Davis made a great save from Ross Allen’s penalty. Unfortunately for SH they didn’t take advantage of this and Matthew Loaring put Guernsey ahead in the 41st minute, and this was the score at HT in what had been to this point a very competitive game, with seemingly Sheerwater playing well above the standard they usually perform at.
HT 0-1.
The second half resumed in a similar manner, and it was no great surprise that Andy Matthews looped a great header over Guernsey keeper Paul De-Garis in the 61st minute to level the scores, the goal was greeted with cheers not only from home fans but from the hoppers present who sensed a shock result, hoppers in my experience always back the underdog, and like to claim, ‘I was there’ should something significant happen.
It didn’t! Sheerwater fell apart after they had scored, and Guernsey struck again in the 65th, 66th and 72nd minute to put the game to bed, scorers, Ross Allen, Matthew Loaring (again) and Ryan Zico Black (penalty). So, the inevitable march to the title in Guernsey’s 1st year as a club continues, much as Bedfont Sports do seem to want to hang onto their coat tails for as long as possible.
The Ground and the Day.
A soulless athletic stadium set amongst Sheerwater Recreation Ground, frankly, my least favourite type of non league venue. As usual the running track creating a large gap between the perimeter fence and the pitch, and immediately losing any sort of atmosphere. The only facilities were down the one side. A small covered stand with shallow seats near to ground level, and to its right a few rows of temporary uncovered seating, and that was it. The Guernsey mascot, ‘Roary’ was in attendance and took up a position at the top of starting gate ladder, he certainly seemed to have the best view in the house!
What I really did like was the effort Sheerwater FC had made for their visitors. They’d set up a barbecue outside their small clubhouse/room, and when I arrived some ladies were enthusiastically cutting up slices of cake presumably for the committee of their visitors. I doubt they went home hungry.
But, I shan’t be rushing to return to this venue, but I am glad I saw Guernsey here in their 1st season 🙂 I suspect in a few years time they will be playing at larger venues with much better facilities.
Watching Palace away from London SE25, 100 up :)
Image Posted on Updated on
This blog will list by club/ground, and how many times I have watched Crystal Palace FC at that venue, in a competitive game. Entry in () indicates how many games I have watched Palace at that venue.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_F.C.
Competitive games entail any league match, FAC (FACup), LC (League Cup), FMC (Full Members Cup/Simod Cup/Zenith Data Systems Cup), AIC (Anglo Italian Cup).
League competitions are abbreviated by the following;
Prem – Premier League or Premiership (from 1992-93), D1 (Before 1992), ND1 (Since 1992, the old D2), Championship, D3 (Palace only played in this in the 70s when it was still the old third tier).
‘Away’ games against Charlton and Wimbledon whilst they were ground sharing at Selhurst Park (SE25), have NOT been included in the list below.
(2) Aldershot – The Recreation Ground – 74-75 (D3), 75-76 (D3).
(11) Arsenal – Highbury Stadium – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (LC), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (FAC), 97-98 (Prem), 04-05 (Prem).
(11) Aston Villa – Villa Park – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 89-90 (D1), 89-90 (FAC S-F v Liverpool), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (Prem), 94-95 (FAC S-F v Man Utd), 94-95 (FAC S-F Rep v Man Utd), 04-05 (Prem).
(6) Barnsley – Oakwell – 81-82 (D2), 83-84 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 96-97 (ND1), 97-98 (Prem), 99-00 (ND1).
(9) Birmingham City – St Andrews – 80-81 (D1), 86-87 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 91-92 (LC), 93-94 (ND1), 95-96 (ND1), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00(ND1), 04-05 (Prem).
(9) Blackburn Rovers – Ewood Park – 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 83-84 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 87-88 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 88-89 (Play Off Final 1st Leg), 97-98 (Prem), 00-01 (ND1).
(1) Blackpool – Bloomfield Road – 02-03 (FAC).
(3) Bolton Wanderers – Burnden Park – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (LC), 96-97 (ND1).
(2) Bolton Wanderers – The Reebok Stadium – 97-98 (Prem), 04-05 (Prem).
(2) Bournemouth (AFC) – Dean Court – 87-88 (D2), 88-89 (D2). *Note if we ever visit Bournemouth for a match at the Fitness First Stadium, this will be entered as a different ground, as the pitch was re-aligned and new stands built.
(2) Bradford City – The Odsal Stadium – 85-86 (D2), 86-87 (D2).
(2) Bradford City – Valley Parade – 87-88 (D2), 96-97 (ND1).
(1) Brentford – Griffin Park – 77-78 (LC).
(12) Brighton & Hove Albion – The Goldstone Ground – 74-75 (D3), 76-77 (FAC), 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 83-84 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 85-86 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 90-91 (FMC).
(2) Brighton & Hove Albion – The Amex Stadium – 11-12 (Champ), 12-13 (Champ P-Off S/F 2nd Leg).
(6) Bristol City – Ashton Gate – 78-79 (LC), 79-80 (D1), 88-89 (LC), 93-94 (ND1), 07-08 (Champ Play Off S/F), 10-11 (Champ).
(1) Bristol Rovers – Eastville – 78-79 (D2).
(1) Bristol Rovers – The Memorial Ground – 07-08 (LC).
(2) Burnley – Turf Moor – 82-83 (FAC), 01-02 (ND1)
(1) Bury – Gigg Lane – 86-87 (LC).
(4) Cambridge United – The Abbey Stadium – 78-79 (D2), 81-82 (D2), 82-83 (D2), 89-90 (FAC).
(1) Cardiff – The Millennium Stadium – 03-04 (ND1 Play Off Final v WHU).
(7) Cardiff City – Ninian Park – 78-79 (D2), 79-80 (FAC v Swansea), 81-82 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 05-06 (Champ), 06-07 (Champ), 08-09 (Champ).
(4) Cardiff City -The Cardiff City Stadium – 09-10 (Champ), 11-12 (Champ), 11-12 (LC S/F), 12-13 (Champ).
(2) Carlisle United – Brunton Park – 83-84 (D2), 85-86 (D2).
(15) Charlton Athletic – The Valley – 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 81-82 (D2), 82-83 (D2), 83-84 (D2), 85-86 (LC), 85-86 (D2), 93-94 (AIC), 93-94 (LC), 95-96 (ND1), 95-96 (Play Off S/F), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1), 04-05 (LC), 07-08 (Champ).
(12) Chelsea – Stamford Bridge – 75-76 (FAC), 75-76 (FAC S/F v Southampton), 81-82 (D2), 82-83 (D2), 83-84 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 89-90 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem), 04-05 (Prem).
(1) Chesterfield – The Recreation Ground – 76-77 (D3).
(2) Colchester United – Layer Road – 99.00 (LC), 07-08 (Champ).
(8) Coventry City – Highfield Road – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem), 03-04 (ND1),
(1) Coventry City – The Ricoh Arena – 06-07 (Champ).
(4) Crewe Alexandra – Gresty Road – 98-99 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1), 01-02 (ND1), 03-04 (ND1).
(5) Derby County – The Baseball Ground – 79-80 (D1), 83-84 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 90-91 (D1), 95-96 (ND1).
(2) Derby County – Pride Park – 97-98 (Prem), 11-12 (Champ).
(1) Doncaster Rovers – Belle Vue Ground – 81-82 (LC).
(1) Doncaster Rovers – The Keepmoat Stadium – 08-09 (Champ).
(1) Enfield – Southbury Road – 81-82 (FAC).
(6) Everton – Goodison Park – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 93-94 (LC), 97-98 (Prem).
(1) Exeter City – St James Park – 12-13 (LC).
(10) Fulham – Craven Cottage – 73-74 (D2), 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 82-83 (D2), 83-84 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 85-86 (D2), 99-00 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1), 04-05 (Prem).
(5) Gillingham – Priestfield Stadium – 75-76 (D3), 00-01 (ND1), 01-02 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1), 03-04 (ND1).(5) Grimsby Town – Blundell Park – 83-84 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 96-97 (ND1), 01-02 (ND1).
(1) Hartlepool United – Victoria Ground – 91-92 (LC).
(1) Huddersfield Town – Leeds Road – 84-85 (D2).
(2) Huddersfield Town – McAlpine Stadium (Now Galpharm Stadium) – 95-96 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1).
(3) Hull City – Boothferry Park – 85-86 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 97-98 (LC).
(1) Hull City – KC Stadium – 07-08 (Champ).
(11) Ipswich Town – Portman Road – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 86-87 (D2), 87-88 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 92-93 (Prem), 95-96 (ND1), 96-97 (LC), 96-97 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1), 06-07 (Champ).
(10) Leeds United – Elland Road – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 83-84 (D2), 86-87 (D2), 87-88 (D2), 91-92 (ND1), 92-93 (Prem), 96-97 (FAC), 97-98 (Prem), 12-13 (Champ).
(12) Leicester City – Filbert Street – 78-79 (D2), 80-81 (D1), 81-82 (D2), 82-83 (D2), 87-88 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 91-92 (FAC), 93-94 (ND1), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem), 99-00 (LC), 00-01 (LC).
(1) Leicester City – The Walkers Stadium – 02-03 (ND1).
(6) Leyton Orient – Brisbane Road – 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 81-82 (FAC), 81-82 (D2), 90-91 (LC), 01-02 (LC).
(1) Lincoln City – Sincil Bank – 92-93 (LC).
(10) Liverpool – Anfield – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (Prem), 92-93 (LC), 94-95 (Prem), 94-95 (LC S/F), 00-01 (LC S/F), 04-05 (Prem).
(7) Luton Town – Kenilworth Road – 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 81-82 (D2), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 93-94 (ND1), 06-07 (Champ).
(8) Manchester City – Maine Road – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 80-81 (FAC), 83-84 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 91-92 (D1), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1).
(1) Manchester City – Eastlands – 04-05 (Prem).
(9) Manchester United – Old Trafford – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 85-86 (LC), 87-88 (LC), 90-91 (D1), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem), 04-05 (LC), 04-05 (Prem).
(3) Middlesbrough – Ayresome Park – 80-81 (D1), 88-89 (FMC), 93-94 (ND1).
(1) Middlesbrough – The Riverside Stadium – 04-05 (Prem).
(7) Millwall – The Den – 77-78 (D2), 78-79 (D2), 84-85 (FAC), 85-86 (D2), 86-87 (2), 87-88 (D2), 89-90 (D1).
(5) Millwall – The New Den – 93-94 (ND1), 01-02 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1), 03-04 (ND1), 11-12 (Champ).
(4) Newcastle United – St James Park – 87-88 (FAC), 94-95 (Prem), 01-02 (FAC), 04-05 (Prem).
(1) Northampton Town – The County Ground – 84-85 (LC).
(13) Norwich City – Carrow Road – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 81-82 (D2), 85-86 (D2), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 90-91 (FMC), 94-95 (Prem), 96-97 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1), 03-04 (ND1), 04-05 (Prem).
(13) Nottm Forest – The City Ground – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 86-87 (LC), 88-89 (FMC S-F), 89-90 (LC), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (FAC), 90-91 (FAC), 91-92 (D1), 91-92 (LC), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (FAC), 00-01 (ND1).
(3) Notts County – Meadow Lane – 77-78 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 93-94 (ND1).
(5) Oldham Athletic – Boundary Park – 77-78 (D2), 81-82 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 87-88 (D2), 92-93 (Prem).
(4) Oxford United – The Manor Ground – 84-85 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 93-94 (ND1), 96-97 (ND1).
(2) Peterborough United – London Road – 93-94 (ND1), 11-12 (Champ).
(12) Portsmouth – Fratton Park – 76-77 (D3), 82-83 (LC), 83-84 (D2), 84-85 (D2), 85-86 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 93-94 (ND1), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1), 04-05 (Prem).
(1) Plymouth Argyle- Home Park – 88-89 (D2).
(1) Port Vale – Vale Park – 96-97 (ND1).
(2) Preston North End – Deepdale – 78-79 (D2), 02-03 (ND1).
(13) Queens Park Rangers – Loftus Road – 81-82 (D2), 81-82 (FAC), 82-83 (D2), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (FMC), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (Prem), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1), 07-08 (Champ).
(2) Reading- Elm Park – 87-88 (D2), 96-97 (ND1).
(7) Reading – Madejski Stadium – 02-03 (ND1), 03-04 (ND1), 05-06 (ND1), 08-09 (Champ), 09-10 (Champ), 10-11 (Champ), 11-12 (Champ).
(2) Rotherham United – Millmoor – 01-02 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1).
(1) Scunthorpe United – Glanford Park – 10-11 (Champ).
(8) Sheffield Wednesday – Hillsborough – 81-82 (D2), 83-84 (D2), 89-90 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 97-98 (Prem), 01-02 (ND1), 07-08 (Champ), 09-10 (Champ).
(4) Sheffield United – Bramall Lane – 78-79 (D2), 85-86 (D2), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1).
(11) Southampton – The Dell – 77-78 (LC), 77-78 (D2), 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 88-89 (FMC), 90-91 (LC), 91-92 (D1), 92-93 (LC), 92-93 (Prem), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem).
(3) Southampton – St Marys – 04-05 (Prem), 07-08 (Prem), 13/14 (Prem).
(4) Southend United – Roots Hall – 90-91 (LC), 93-94 (ND1), 95-96 (LC), 96-97 (ND1).
(2) Stockport County – Edgeley Park – 98-99 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1).
(6) Stoke City – The Victoria Ground – 78-79 (D2), 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 85-96 (D2), 88-89 (FAC), 93-94 (ND1).
(2) Stoke City – The Brittania Stadium – 02-03 (ND1), 13-14 (Prem).
(2) Sunderland – Roker Park – 80-81 (D1), 85-86 (D2).
(2) Swansea City – The Vetch Field – 79-80 (FAC), 83-84 (D2).
(7) Swindon Town – The County Ground – 87-88 (D2), 88-89 (LC), 88-89 (D2), 88-89 (PlayOff S/F), 96-97 (ND1), 98-99 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1).
(13) Tottenham Hotspur – White Hart Lane – 77-78 (D2), 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (LC), 80-81 (D1), 86-87 (FAC), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (D1), 91-92 (D1), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem), 03-04 (FAC) 04-05 (Prem), 13-14 (Prem).
(3) Tranmere Rovers – Prenton Park – 93-94 (ND1), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1).
(2) Walsall – The Bescot Stadium – 99-00 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1).
(15) Watford – Vicarage Road – 74-75 (D3), 81-82 (D2), 88-89 (D2), 93-94 (ND1), 94-95 (FAC), 95-96 (ND1), 98-99 (ND1), 00-01 (ND1), 01-02 (ND1), 02-03 (ND1), 05-06 (Play Off S/F), 07-08 (FAC), 09-10 (Champ), 10-11 (Champ), 12-13 (Champ).
(5) Wembley Stadium (Old Wembley)- 89-90 (FAC Final v Man Utd), 89-90 (FAC Final Replay v Man Utd), 90-91 (FMC Final v Everton), 95-96 (ND1 Play Off Final v Leicester), 96-97 (ND1 Play Off Final v Sheff Utd).
(1) Wembley Stadium (New Wembley) – 12-13 (Champ Play Off Final v Watford).
(9) West Bromwich Albion – The Hawthorns – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 88-89 (D2), 93-94 (ND1), 95-96 (ND1), 96-97 (ND1), 99-00 (ND1), 01-02 (ND1), 04-05 (Prem).
(7) West Ham United – Upton Park – 78-79 (D2), 83-84 (FAC), 91-92 (D1), 94-95 (Prem), 97-98 (Prem-Abndnd 65 mins), 97-98 (Prem), 03-04 (ND1).
(4) Wimbledon – Plough Lane – 84-85 (D2), 85-86 (D2), 89-90 (D1), 90-91 (D1).
(9) Wolverhampton Wanderers – Molineux – 79-80 (D1), 80-81 (D1), 82-83 (D2), 93-94 (ND1), 94-95 (FAC), 95-96 (ND1), 96-97 (ND1), 96-97 (Play Off S/F), 05-06 (Champ).
(2) Wrexham – The Racecourse Ground – 78-79 (D2), 81-82 (D2).
(1) Yeovil Town – Huish Park – 10-11 (LC).
A total of 488 competitive away games (Up to and including Jan 11th 2014).
I have seen a Palace competitive away game at 64 of the ‘current’ in use other 91 grounds (up to end of season 2012-2013).
I have also seen Palace at 27 ex league club grounds, not now in use, either built over, or not used for football.
I have also seen Palace at 7 grounds currently being used in Non League.
I have seen Palace at 1 Non League ground no longer in use (Enfield/Soutbury Road).
I have seen Palace at 3 National Stadiums (The Old Wembley, The New Wembley and The Millennuim Stadium).
So I have seen Palace at a total of 102 different grounds in competitive games (Up to May 27 2013).
I need the following clubs ‘current’ grounds with Palace away to add to my total of 64 > And these will be the clubs I will keeping an eye out for in away cup draws in the LC and FAC 🙂
2013-14 Season, I need with Palace…..
The Premier League (3) > Arsenal, Sunderland, Swansea
The Championship (2) Bournemouth (Fitness First Stadium), Wigan Athletic..
League One (5) > Coventry (as Northampton) Colchester, Crawley Town, MK Dons, Rotherham United, Stevenage.
League Two (17) > Accrington Stanley, AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion, Cheltenham Town, Chesterfield, Dagenham & Red, Fleetwood Town, Morecambe, Mansfield Town, Newport County, Northampton Town, Oxford United, Rochdale, Torquay Utd, Shrewsbury Town, Wycombe Wand, York City.
January 2012 Pubs
Pubs and places where I have drank Real Ale or craft beer in January 2012.
* indicates a ‘tick’ pub, ** indicates a tick ‘GBG’ pub. (GBG, means the ‘Campaign for real ale’, 2012 ‘Good Beer Guide’) no * means a previously visited pub.
Jan 2nd – ** Happy Man, Englefield Green, Surrey.
Jan 7th – ** The Bat and Ball, Boundstone, Nr Farnham, Surrey.
Jan 9th – The Royal Oak, Tilehurst, Berkshire.
Jan 14th – The Allied Arms, Reading, Berkshire.
Jan 14th – Zero Degrees, Reading, Berkshire.
Jan 21st – ** Waggon and Horses, Oldbury, West Midlands.
Jan 24th – ** Chapter Art Centre Bar/Cafe – Canton, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.
Jan 24th – * The Lord Napier – Wetherspoons, Canton, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.
Jan 28th – The Queens Arms, Basingstoke, Hampshire.
Jan 28th – ** Wine Bar, Gillingham, Dorset.
Jan 28th – * The Phoenix, Gillingham, Dorset.
Jan 28th – * The Red Lion Hotel, Gillingham, Dorset.
Jan 28th – (W’Spoons) The Monks Retreat, Reading, Berkshire.
Pub of the Month > There wasn’t really one outstanding candidate this month although after some thought I’ve decided to give it to the Waggon and Horses, Oldbury, West Midlands. An old town centre pub with some interesting pub heritage features, and some tasty beers from the Salopian Brewery 🙂
hopticklist 