Comments for the groundhog

Comment on a bunch of turkeys? by Shaun Smith

Shaun Smith — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:44:54 +0000

You shouldn’t turn the sound down David, do as I do and play the Lawro game, see how many times he says “moawment” and “Not!” within the commentary, I can vaigely recollect a 4-1 victory for team moawment during the Turkey/Germany game.

Comment on Goal nets & stanchions by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:59:23 +0000

thenetman,

Now you mention Portman Road, it is bringing back memories. They did have unusual nets, they were blue, too. The box net isn’t too bad in itself, especially if it’s not too deep, but I disagree with you on the bar at the bottom - I prefer the net to be staked into the ground! It would just be nice to have the variety back.

Thanks for the comment.

Comment on Goal nets & stanchions by thenetman

thenetman — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:04:21 +0000

the box net off current is a brilliant invention i understand the beauty with a ball getting stuck in a stanchion [mike whitlow for leicester against norwich around 94/95 , filbert street, mega! However the box is more elegant and with the new bar that follows the net all the way around the bottom it can bounce out a great speed!, not to mention the black colouring of this style seen at the bridge and the last game at highbury also with the emblen being mowed into the center circle that game, nice touch! Can anybody remember the nets at ipswich around 94/95 very strange shape never seen them like that ever again they sort of dropped down on the angle to near the bottom then squared off with mini posts right at the back. [ian marshall era, i believe lee dixon lobbed david seaman at that groundin those nets check these out on old footage of ipswich highlights on youtube, a must see for net enthusiasts! bang!

Comment on a bunch of turkeys? by jeremy

jeremy — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:57:50 +0000

Welcome back David, been missing your commentary!

Funny thing over here in the States everyone seems to be on the upset special bandwagon and were pulling for a Turkey-Russia final. Maybe we can still have Germany-Russia?

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by Longton Lad

Longton Lad — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:09:57 +0000

Good Luck with the resurrection, keep us informed with the progress on the website.

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:09:05 +0000

Mark,
Thanks for your comments. Great to hear from someone else who played there.

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:03:05 +0000

Longton Lad,

Thanks for both your comments. They are most welcome! There have been so many nice things said about Eastwood Hanley, it has prompted me to start the ball rolling to get them resurrected. Actually, Steve Goldstraw’s comments (2 up from here)were the catalyst. You mention Local Government - well that’s where I’m going to start!
By sheer coincidence you have answered one of the questions I put to the council, regarding who uses the pitch now, so thanks!
At first I want to generate some support for the idea like a petition and then present a case to the Project Manager of the regeneration of the Hanley East/West precinct, which just about encompasses Trentmill Road, I would imagine.
I feel it’s worth a shot, even if it just raises the profile of Eastwood Hanley. Wouldn’t it make a change to have a new club that wasn’t just another AFC ____ formed by disgruntled fans?

Comment on Staffordshire County Senior League (Step 7) by Longton Lad

Longton Lad — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:17:15 +0000

I know Foley looks a bit like a prison from the outside, but if you get the chance to visit the ground on a match day then you will see that it is a very good set up.

I played for Foley for a few years and it is a very well run club. the Pitch is a little bit bobbly but they work hard to iron that out and the pitch is getting better season after season, and is a very good size. The club definitely has the layout to move up the pyramid if they 1. get a good enough team to do so and 2. put the relevant facilities needed floodlights, 50 covered seats etc

A credit to some of the groundsmen in the scsl who do it voluntarily mostly and some of the pitches i played on in 2007 were brilliant.

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by Longton Lad

Longton Lad — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:57:44 +0000

This website is brilliant. I can remember when I accidently stumbled across this ground when I got lost walking home from Hanley when I was about 16 years old and I always wondered what happened here.

I play in the North West Counties division now and think its very interesting to find out the history of this ground. Such a pitty for the local area that there is not a Unibond Standard club still playing here.

I know that the pitch is still used for a sunday pub team, the Trent Tavern I think?? who play in the coors league division 1 or 2 I think?

There is definitely a ghostly feel to the place. It would be brillaint if it was renovated and used again. The Staffordshire County Senior League are always looking for teams with good facilities to join there league, would be a good start if someone came in with some cash or even Local Government could help, just an idea??

But thanks for posting this article, I found it really interesting.

Comment on New Mills by Amber Army

Amber Army — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:18:33 +0000

Just thought i would correct one or two points.

It’s name is derived from a corn mill built on the River Sett in the town - would be COTTON mills

The clubhouse sits behind one goal atop a natural bank. - would be an UN NATURAL bank (the pitch was lowered and levelled 18 months before)

the smallest stand in the world - is a cover for the benefit of the ball ball/girl

We did finish top by some distance, the last two home games drew in over 500 making our average for the season 180 per home game, the highest in both leagues of the North West Counties.

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by Mark Bradbury

Mark Bradbury — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:22:21 +0000

This ground was home to many a junior football cup finals. Alot of City Schoolboy games were played there during the mid eighties when Northwood Stadium was being redeveloped into the Athletics Track. I have fond memories of playing at the ground during this time.

Comment on New Mills by Alan Marshall

Alan Marshall — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:04:26 +0000

just chanced on this entry today (as a Northwich Vics fan). Was born in New Mills so it brought back memories, though only lived there 2 years, and also my mum worked in Matlow’s back in the 1930s.

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by Steve Goldstraw

Steve Goldstraw — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:13:24 +0000

It seems like there are still people with a genuine interest in resurrecting this great club. I visited Trentmill Road just last weekend to see the wreckage of our once great ground. It looks like the pitch has been cut but I am unsure who may be playing on it (maybe a Sunday league team) or even owns the site these days. The old stand still looks out forlornly across the pitch, the perimeters are overgrown and there is broken glass, rusting steel and weeds everywhere. I have some photos I can try to upload and share with all. I also have a number of programmes from an Eastwood Hanley Cheshire League fixture from 1980 against Accrington Stanley, another club that folded, went out of business, lost their ground and was resurrected by a committee of genuine like-minded fans to play in Lancashire county football and now to be found playing in the Football League. Maybe the dream is not too far fetched. I am sure that if there are enough people “up for it” then an Eastwood Hanley team could once again grace non-league pyramid football, maybe starting at the bottom division of the Staffs Senior League. A pitch, a team and funds could be found if there were enough like minded people to come forward. What do you think? Any takers? A small feature in the local Sentinel newpaper may be the way forward.

Comment on Port Vale by Major Paul

Major Paul — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:20:04 +0000

I have met John Mensah down in Cambridge who was a Ghanian international who played for Vale in the 60s. Stan Mathews brought him over and he worships him - what a lovely man they both are (were). John is still alive and very well and has cherished memories of his time at the Vale. He won the first Africans Nations Cup when representing his country - what a great honour.

Comment on 3 Welsh Grounds by Dewi84

Dewi84 — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:25:38 +0000

Not so much a football genius I’m afraid! Just happen to live a few miles down the road and had been curious as to who played there myself!

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:28:40 +0000

John,
Thanks for your comment. It is indeed a shame. How are you fixed for money?! Let’s raise some cash to resurrect them!

Comment on Eastwood Hanley Revisited by john barratt

john barratt — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:28:53 +0000

I visited the old ground on 19-05-2008, for the first time in 25 or so years what a shame, i went following Leek Town, i think the game finished 0-0 but not sure,, it really did upset me to see it in its current state.

Comment on The 92 Club by Cambridge Dustman

Cambridge Dustman — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:31:04 +0000

Well Tom - you Darlo guys certainly have a head start on many with DARTS. Those pubs in the town centre, Coffee House, Tappas Bar and Number 22 are quite superb.

Is the Harbo Darlo still going?

Comment on Bristol Rovers by skif

skif — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:41:23 +0000

Glad to see things are still ticking over nicely here. I check in regularly and it’s a great read.

Thanks for linking to Hobo Tread in your sidebar, but could I inform you the site has changed name. It is now Dub Steps and at http://dubsteps.blogspot.com . If you could update your links I would of course be very grateful.

Have a good summer

skif

Comment on The 92 Club by Tom

Tom — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:30:45 +0000

When you complete the 92, you’ll have to take on the CAMRA inventory of historic pub interiors - redoing every ground, but with all worthy alehouses within a designated radius… I often think more people follow Darlo for the ales than for the football, but on reflection I guess that goes without saying…

Comment on The 92 Club by Daily Dose: 5.10.08 | The Offside

Daily Dose: 5.10.08 | The Offside — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:01:20 +0000

[...] Does anyone ever really finish the 92? (The Groundhog) [...]

Comment on Well Done Stoke City by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:47:40 +0000

Thanks Mr Oatcake,
I actually saw them against Leicester. It was an amazing atmosphere. I felt a bit guilty about having a ticket, although I bought it ages ago knowing that in all likelihood the Premiership would rest on it.
I think Pulis will have to adapt his current style of play for the Prem. The irony was, when they did play to feet, they looked much better, and you’re right, players like Lawrence and Fuller have a lot of skill. Pulis and Coates have had this in sight from when they came back - they’re going to give it one hell of a go now they’ve achieved it. I reckon it may go to the wire, like when Bradford stayed up.
Like you say, let’s hope he doesn’t just go for the hasbeens like Savage, Heskey, Cole and the like.

Comment on Luton Town by Shaun Smith

Shaun Smith — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:34:43 +0000

I remember during the away ban of the mid 80’s a mate of mine advertised in Match magazine for a female Luton Town pen-pal. He managed to get a response from a young lass, thus gaining access to the NUFC games at Kenilworth Road, he continued courting the lass for a while, I think the relationship ended when Luton got relegated though. ;-))

Comment on Well Done Stoke City by The Rock 'N' Roll Oatcake

The Rock 'N' Roll Oatcake — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:07:36 +0000

Nice article & thanks.

Despite our promotion some papers (hello The Mirror!) still resort to the old cliches that we are physical long-ball merchants lacking style. That’s why we have skillful players like Lawrence, Fuller and Whelan in our side. Granted our back four look like brick outhouses but they too have style and flair when needed - well Riggott does

Just need a few additions to help us adapt to the Premiership and no Robbie Savage we don’t want you…

Comment on Bristol Rovers by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Sat, 03 May 2008 19:00:11 +0000

Pieman,
Thanks for dropping by again. I think it was £3.50 because it was a special ‘Last ever game’ edition. At least I hope that is the case. These programmes really have OCD idiots like me by the balls - if it’s a new ground I feel compelled to buy the programme. It did win programme of the year award, though (I should think so at that price!)
The pasty was amazing - if they can keep the same supplier for the new Memorial then it’ll be worth going back.

Comment on Bristol Rovers by Simple Pieman

Simple Pieman — Sat, 03 May 2008 06:15:00 +0000

Glad you enjoyed the Cornish Pasty - I was there in 2001 and had the same delightful experience. Was the match programme really £3.50? Only Birmingham City and West Ham United from the Premiership have hit that level so far - I suspect other will now follow.

At least you still visit barbers - this Pieman stopped many years back!

Comment on Manchester City by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:05:21 +0000

Michael,

I think Ball Lightning, Spontaneous Human Combustion and the contestants on the Apprentice beggar belief, but not my not having been to Goodison or Villa Park!

Comment on Luton Town by thegroundhog

thegroundhog — Fri, 02 May 2008 09:37:49 +0000

CD,
Thanks for your comments, always appreciated! I have been to Cambridge United in about 94, they beat Brighton 2-1, we were huddled under a roof in a snowstorm during the game - it was quite cosy.
The only other Cambridgeshire ground I’ve done is Peterborough in 1985, my first away ground, for the FA Cup 5th Round tie. Is Peterborough in C’Shire still? Google reckons it’s in Northamptonshire now?

Anyway both grounds were nice especially London Road. My non-league grounds are nearly all in the North Midlands/North region so far.

Comment on Manchester City by Michael

Michael — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:44:20 +0000

How can you have not been to Goodison or Villa Park?

Thats like saying you like eating new flavours of ice cream but havent bothered with vanilla or strawberry.

beggars belief

Comment on Luton Town by Cambridge Dustman

Cambridge Dustman — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:55:57 +0000

What a strange place Kenilworth Road is Mr Hog. I remember getting a seat there assuming the view to be better than that on the terraces, boy was I wrong,

Good article though and a great website. Have you been to any of our Cambridgeshire grounds yet?

C D