Double Header: Doing the 92 – Valley Parade

The open ended huge Main Stand

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Michael reviews a rare rendez-vous with co-founder Pete with a Cup weekend double. We start at Valley Parade hosting Bradford versus Accrington Stanley. Ground: Valley Parade Game: Bradford City vs Accrington Stanley Date: 05th November 2016 (Fireworks Night) The founders of the92.dotnet It had been a while. Maybe five years. Two fanatical football fans, split by geography, conjoined by a love of football stadia, hadn’t gone to a new ground, together, for almost five years. Those two fans are Pete and I, co-founders of the92.net. Pete has been on the charm offensive, smashing in grounds across… Read more »

Highbury, Piebury and the Emirates Stadium

Outside the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Pete reviews his trip to the Capital to tick ground number 72 off his 92. Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium was the destination as Hull City revitalised under Marco Silva were the visitors. Ground: The Emirates Stadium (72/92) Game: Arsenal 2-0 Hull City Date: 11/02/2017 Journey South I set off on my journey south just after 8 in the morning. With the threat of poor weather conditions and a 12:30 kick off I wanted to make sure I got into London in time to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Being an early kick off I think this worked… Read more »

91 down 1 to go at the One Call Stadium!

Billy Kee steps up to take a penalty for Accrington away at Mansfield

It was 91 down 1 to go for the92.net regular Michael Pilcher at the One Call Stadium. The Gills fan picked an 8 goal thriller to chalk off his 91st ground leaving plenty of time to reach the 92 for the first time this season. Ground 91/92: One Call Stadium Mansfield Town 4 – 4 Accrington Stanley 14/02/2017 Ah, Mansfield. I was slightly annoyed when they got promoted in 2012/13, only because they’re in a kind of “no-man’s land” for me – not near my home in Kent (184 miles) nor near my in-laws in Preston (103 miles). It was… Read more »

An offer not to be refused at Meadow Lane

The Jimmy Sirrell Stand at Meadow Lane Notts County

With just a trio of grounds left to tick off his 92 blogger Michael Pilcher heard Notts County’s call for a 12th man. Under new ownership and management the Pies were eager for a bumper crowd for a relegation 6 pointer and had an offer to boot to entice the fans back to Meadow Lane… Ground 90/92: Meadow Lane Notts County 2 – 1 Cheltenham Town 11/02/2017 Back in August I ticked the City Ground off my 92, and had to walk straight past neighbouring Meadow Lane en route to Forest from the train station. It was still on my ‘to do’… Read more »

Two Countries, Two Matches, Two Days.

In the dugout at the Memorial Stadium

Newcastle fan Colin Harrison continued to make strides towards the magical 92 club again taking advantage of some TV scheduling. A pain to many but ideal for those doing the 92 first stop Wales… DAY ONE Ground 73/92: Rodney Parade Game: Newport County 0-0 Doncaster Rovers Date: 10/02/2017 Newport County’s Rodney Parade was a ground I was going to leave till late in my quest to do the 92 as I fear they may be one team to fall through the trapdoor into Non-League. However, when I spotted their game against Doncaster Rovers had been moved to a Friday night… Read more »

A step closer to the 92 club at Valley Parade

Main entrance at Bradford City FC

Blogger Michael Pilcher edged a ground closer to the magical 92 club with a trip to Yorkshire. Ground 89/92: Valley Parade Bradford City 2 – 2 Gillingham 04/02/2017 My eldest daughter (6, going on 16) was disappointed that our run of games & grounds together this season ended when I went solo to a few matches during January. Her last ground had been Rodney Parade in December, a majorly disappointing visit – the match was abandoned at half-time, we both got absolutely drenched, and we got lost trying to find the train station – and yet weirdly that experience hasn’t… Read more »

Father and Son complete the 92

Completing the 92 at the Amex Stadium

We all know that completing the 92 in vast the majority of cases is a culmination of years if not a life time’s commitment. Imagine then sharing that moment with your dad. That’s what happened for Stoke City fan James Knowles and his dad Thomas. Groundsman: Firstly congratulations to you both on completing the 92! Which was your final ground and how did you commemorate the occasion? James: Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium. We were in the away end with friends of ours who support Sheffield Wednesday, but we left with a huge soft spot for the home side…. Read more »

Ticking Boundary Park off the list

Back of the Main Stand at Boundary Park the home of Oldham Athletic

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Pete was on the 92 trail for first time in 2017. Greater Manchester was the destination as Bradford City made the trip down the road to face Oldham Athletic. Ground: Boundary Park (Sports Direct.com Park) (71/92) Game: Oldham Athletic 1-2 Bradford City Date: 28/01/2017 Approaching the final 20 doing the 92 even the closest grounds left are now into 3 figures for mileage each way. One of the shortest left was a 208-mile round trip to Oldham’s ground; SportsDirect.com Park or to give it its ‘proper’ name Boundary Park. When it rains it pours With heavy… Read more »

On to Orient’s Matchroom Stadium (Brisbane Road)

The East Stand at Brisbane Road, which was once part of the Mitcham Greyhound Stadium

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Pete completed a hat trick of 2-in-1 weekends heading into the East side of the nations capital… Ground: The Matchroom Stadium (Brisbane Road) (69/92) Game: Leyton Orient 1-2 Blackpool Date: 19/11/2016 After ticking the Amex Stadium off the night before, to complete the 2-in-1 on the way back up North Leyton Orient was our next destination. We left the B&B in Keymer set up for the day after a cracking homemade breakfast and made the trip to Woolwich Arsenal station which took just under an hour and a half. On my rare forays into the capital… Read more »

Michael Pilcher ticks off Blundell Park

Blundell Park from the railway bridge

Eager to reach the magical 92 mark before the seasons end Blogger Michael Pilcher was heading North again. Blundell Park was the destination as the Gills fan took the opportunity to join some travelling Exeter fans on the journey to Cleethorpes. Ground 88/92: Blundell Park, Grimsby Grimsby Town 0 – 3 Exeter City 14/01/2017 There was something about Grimsby that had previously put me off going. Maybe it was it’s reputation; maybe it was the name; maybe it was just the prospect of a 4 to 5 hour trip up the East coast. The closest I came to visiting before… Read more »