Monthly Archives: November 2014

AFC Wimbledon move closer to Plough Lane return

AFC Wimbledon's current home ground Kingsmeadow

With the planning application recently submitted AFC Wimbledon’s dream of returning to their spiritual routes edges that little bit closer to becoming a reality. We speak to Dons fan Joe Moger about the latest goings ons at the club. Groundsman: You have enjoyed a meteoric rise through the divisions – would a return to Plough Lane be the icing on the cake? Joe: It would certainly be the icing on the cake, but not quite the cherry on top. There’s been a long term dream of returning to Plough Lane and the Championship, both are still quite a long way… Read more »

Michael Pilcher reviews Swindon Town’s County Ground

Swindon Town's County ground before the visit of Bristol City

Blogger Michael Pilcher yet again continues to tick off grounds with another 2-in-1 weekend. The destination this time, a local derby between promotion chasers Bristol City and highflying Swindon Town at the County Ground. Ground: The County Ground 69/92 Game: Swindon Town 1-0 Bristol City Date: 15/11/2014 As with my most recent ground hops this visit very much fell into the ‘bribery’ category with Mrs P. A work colleague originally from Swindon was having a 30th birthday party that just so happened to be taking place at the County Ground, on the same day as 3rd-placed Swindon Town were playing… Read more »

Football fans to have their say on Safe Standing

Ipswich fans on the away terrace at Huish Park

The Welsh Conservatives have this week launched a public consultation on ‘safe standing’ as they seek to build a case for a limited pilot in Wales. They want to hear the views of football fans throughout the United Kingdom. The consultation follows the success of a Conservative led cross-party motion in the National Assembly in July, which saw the Assembly becoming the first UK legislature to formally back safe standing. It is also backed by the Football Supporters Federation and the Safestanding Roadshow. Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, said: “Supporters are often described as the lifeblood of… Read more »

Tim Dove ticks the Abbey Stadium off his 92

South stand and floodflight at the Abbey Stadium the home of Cambridge United

Blogger Tim Dove heads to the Abbey Stadium as he enters the final furlong of doing the 92 league grounds. Ground: The Abbey Stadium 83/92 Game: Cambridge United 1-0 Fleetwood Town Date: 08/11/2014 Thoughts on the ground: Having gained re-entry to the Football League and ‘the 92’ in May 2014 after a 9 year absence this first round FA Cup tie provided an opportunity to attend the Abbey Stadium, home to Cambridge United. Having allowed ample journey time to avoid Cambridge traffic congestion an early arrival allowed me to easily find nearby street parking within a two minute walk to… Read more »

A seven goal thriller in the FA Cup at Vale Park

The Railway stand at Vale Park the home of Port Vale

Blogger Peter Briers takes in the FA Cup first round tie between Port Vale and Milton Keynes Dons at Vale Park to reach the halfway point of his 92. Ground: Vale Park 46/92 Game: Port Vale 3-4 MK Dons Date: 08/11/2014 With the build up to the first round of the FA Cup greater than i have ever experienced i really felt i wanted to be part of it. I must say the BBC are making a terrific job of the FA Cup coverage thus far, giving the competition the exposure and prominence it fully deserves. Looking down the fixtures… Read more »

Michael Pilcher heads to Highbury with the Gills

The main stand at Fleetwood Towns Highbury ground

Blogger Michael Pilcher continues to set the standard for us fellow groundhoppers, with a second consecutive weekend combining family with ticking off a new ground. Read and learn, it really is textbook stuff… Ground: Highbury 68/92 Game: Fleetwood Town 1-0 Gillingham Date: 01/11/2014 When the fixtures were announced in the summer, I doubt many/any Gillingham fans were looking to see when “Fleetwood (A)” was. But as someone who had still to tick off Highbury and has family in Preston, 45 minutes away, this was the one I looked for first. The fixture computer was kind, scheduling it perfectly for half-term… Read more »

Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium Reviewed

Stoke City's Britannia Stadium just before kick off in the Capital One Cup against Southampton

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Peter Briers travelled to the Britannia Stadium for some midweek Capital One Cup action. Ground: The Britannia Stadium 45/92 (2nd visit) Game: Stoke City 2-3 Southampton Date: 13/09/2014 Having ticked the Britannia off my list previously, albeit some years ago i knew what to expect. The ground is slightly different from a lot of newer stadia with the corner on one side giving it a little more personality. A crowd of just over sixteen thousand is substantially less than the usual Premier League gate and this did have an effect on the ‘famous’ Britannia atmosphere, however… Read more »

Interview – We speak to our latest 92 club member

Completing the 92 league grounds at Crewe's Gresty Road

We catch up with groundhopper and now 92 club member Stuart Markley to hear about his experiences doing the 92 league grounds. Groundsman: Firstly congratulations on completing the 92! Which was your final ground and did you commemorate the occasion? Stuart: The final ground was Gresty Road, Crewe Alexandra, on a very blustery and wet Tuesday night on 21st October, 2014. I brought three mates along and we decided to stay over and enjoy the local nightlife! This consisted of pub, Chinese, game, pub, more pub, well you get the idea… Groundsman: What was the first ground you ticked off… Read more »