Posts Categorized: Interview

Introducing your weekly fix of EFL – Not The Top 20 Podcast

Sheffield Wednesday hillsborough stadium

With the new season well underway we made a discovery, a new podcast! With a lack of EFL listening available enter stage left ‘Not The Top 20 Podcast’. If you’re a fan of the Football League you’ll love it! We caught up with pod co-host Ali to find out more… Groundsman: How did the idea come about? Ali: We’ve known each other for 15 years (since we were about 10) and have always been the only major Football League followers in our friend group. We both moved to London and got jobs ‘in and around’ the football industry, and happily… Read more »

Whaddon Road returns to the 92 at the first time of asking

Cheltenham town fc world of smile stadium

For the majority of clubs that fall out of the Football League a return is often a tall order, especially in the first season. Step forward Cheltenham Town, who under the wise stewardship of Gary Johnson bounced back in some style. Ahead of the start of the season we caught up with blogger and Robins fan Mark Halliwell. GM: Promotion at the first time of asking is no mean feat, just how good a job has Gary Johnson done? Mark: A fantastic job. He came in with seven games left of the relegation season with no hope of keeping us… Read more »

Blundell Park Returns to the 92

Grimsby Town Blundell Park

After a number of painstaking play off campaigns Grimsby Town finally made a return to the Football League in May. The Mariners victory over Forest Green at Wembley Stadium saw Blundell Park take its place back in the 92. We caught up with Tony from Cod Almighty, the independent Grimsby Town FC fanzine to talk promotion, non-league and what fans visiting North East Lincolnshire this season can expect. The Groundsman: It was fourth time lucky in the play offs, how did it feel to finally get up after being so close for the last 3 seasons? Tony: Curiously flat after the… Read more »

David Watkins join the 92 club

Colchester Weston Homes Community stadium pitch

If you follow us on Twitter you will no doubt have seen a few tweets from David Watkins over the past year. The Leeds fan has put his time to good use popping up at grounds all over the country in the last 12 months to get his 92 finished. We caught up with David to find out more about his journey. Groundsman: Firstly congratulations on completing the 92! Which was your final ground and did you commemorate the occasion? David: Thank you! My final ground was Roots Hall for the League One game between Southend United and Crewe Alexandra…. Read more »

We speak to man behind Football Weekends Magazine

Football Weekends Magazine

Do you love Football? Are you a fan of grounds? If so we’ve found the mag for you! Introducing the Football Weekends Magazine. We caught up with Jim Stewart, the man behind the publication to find out more… Groundsman: For a fan seeing Football Weekends Magazine for the first time what’s behind the cover? Jim: Essentially it’s a fan’s guide to watching football at home and overseas. This isn’t about the footballers, it’s about the experience of watching football and all that entails – the stadiums, the clubs, the destinations, the pubs. Each issue has a country guide and several… Read more »

Chris O’Keeffe joins the 92 club!

leeds elland road

It must be that time of year. Without having a new 92 club member for a while, we now have a much welcomed glut! With over 200 grounds to his name we caught up with Leeds United fan and groundhopper Chris O’Keeffe to find out more about his journey doing the 92. Groundsman: Firstly congratulations on completing the 92! Which was your final ground and did you commemorate the occasion? Chris: My final ground was Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park on 27 February 2016 against Notts County (1-0). Due to it being a 10 hour, 588 miles round trip drive from… Read more »

the 92 club – Andrew Chapman’s Journey!

Andrew with his son at Ewood Park

Today we catch up with Andrew Chapman, a passionate Plymouth fan who helps to run their Greens on Screen fan page, which is partially endorsed directly by the club.  On his journey into the realms of the 92 club, and where he learnt his love of football through is late dad, and is now passing on his love of football to a new generation. Groundsman: Firstly, congratulations on completing the 92!!! Which was your final ground and how did you mark the occasion? Andrew: Broadfield Stadium, home to Crawley Town took me to the 92. It was actually my team Plymouth’s second… Read more »

Cycling to the ’92’ and beyond

leeds united elland road

We all know that doing the 92 is a massive challenge. Forgetting the match the travelling is the journey. It is what takes the real effort and commitment. Now imagine doing this largely under your own steam! We caught up with Leisure Cyclist Steven Rittey to find more about his groundhopping exploits… Groundsman: Ticking off all 92 grounds in itself is a daunting challenge, but cycling to them must have been monumental! The first question has to be why? Steven: To be honest, I am still not sure why! I wanted to visit all of the grounds in the football… Read more »

Interview: We find out about the Stadium Hoppers Football Map

groundhoppers stadium map

Groundsman: For people that are yet to discover you what is the Stadium Hoppers Football Map? Richard: The Stadium Hoppers Map is the only scratch football map… in the world! Essentially it’s a maxi poster for Stadium Hoppers who are looking to complete “The 92” and those looking for a fun visual way to record it… or show it off! The map has all the current Football League stadia as well as the two relegated sides from last year as well as Wembley and The Millennium Stadium. Each stadium is individually drawn and has the club name embedded onto the… Read more »

Interview: we speak to the FSF about Twenty’s Plenty

Brentford fc fans

On the 12th November a delegation of fans led by the Football Supporters Federation delivered a letter to Premier League clubs calling for a cap of £20 on all away tickets. This in is line with the FSF’s Twenty’s Plenty Campaign which has been running since January 2013. We caught up with Director of communications at the FSF Michael Brunskill to find out more about the campaign, its progress and future plans. Groundsman: Are you pleased with the progress the Twenty’s Plenty has been making? Michael: Yes, since launching a couple of seasons ago Twenty’s Plenty has so far saved… Read more »