to the Groundhog - the football Ground travelog.
Herein lies pictures and reports from league and non-league grounds around England, and the occasional odd piece on other football related matters such as Subbuteo. A full list of reports is under the heading A-Z Trave(b)log on the right and down.
About this Site and the Author
I have been collecting league grounds (or the 92) with my team, Brighton, for over 15 years now and watching them for nearly 30. However, I have in recent years, felt my love for league football waning as fast as the gate prices are waxing. The football is way way overpriced and more defensive, the grounds identical and all-seater, even the programmes and the coffees are becoming homogenised. So I have fled to the charming and often eccentric world of non-league football. (I may sneak off to a hitherto unseen league ground now and again, if I get the opportunity, though)I am currently visiting the pyramid teams (down to step 6) local to me in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire, of which there are absolutely loads! There are 12 clubs from league and non-league to step 6 within 10 miles. I seem to live at a kind of non-league gateway as the eight non-league teams come from four different pyramid leagues, the Unibond, North West Counties, Midland Football Alliance and the Midland Combination. If you have information on the defunct Eastwood Hanley I would like to hear from you, especially if you ever went to a game there, or have any photos. Since visiting their ghost ground I have been on the hunt for more information about them. One day I hope to resurrect the club back into the pyramid. please email me dnp1972@hotmail.com
I found out why your name rang a bell. I have a small collection of North American football books, and the name Darren Poole is mentioned in there several times. He’s a Canadian forward who played in the NASL in 1982 and won a few caps for Canada.
I see you’ve listed two sites under stadia, grounds. One site I like, mainly because it lists enormous numbers of stadia, while in-depth info on individual stadia is still lacklustre (I have to admit), is the following: http://www.worldstadiums.com/
Happy Groundhog Day! May tomorrow be February the third! Please delete upon reading. Thanks.
Just found this. Great stuff.
Linked now from hobotread.blogspot.com. Any chance of a return link?
Skif,
Of course! Actually I already have a link of yours in my Kidsgrove post, but I’ll stick your main site at the top with the other 2 links, so it’s prominent.
Cheers
Dutchboy,
Happy Groundhog Day for Feb 2nd, and thanks for the tip! I didn’t realise until you said. It meant I could put a humorous(debatable) comment about people celebrating my website.
Thanks for your continued support Dutchboy – been to any grounds lately?
Still checking in David. Still enjoying reading the site too! Happy days. Been to the Keepmoat yet? Or are you coming to the Millenium with us?!
Cheers
BobG
Bob,
Hi there! Good to hear from you. I haven’t been to the Keepmoat yet – next season definitely if we’re in the same division. Sounded like a cracking game against Crewe – are you still unbeaten at the Keepmoat?
I hope you enjoy the final – great to see Donny doing so well again.
In order to add a feel of urgency to my ‘groundhopping’ plans, I opened a new blog account. It may take awhile, even after visiting grounds, before I post anything, especially if I take pictures, but once anything happens, I’ll let you know. For a preview of my as yet contentless blog, just click on Dutchboy.
Dutchboy,
Good idea. It should encourage you to go touring round Holland’s stadiums! I’ll look forward to your posts.
Made my first post, about the baseball game I have already told you about. It includes a picture. My next post will also be about an old game, one I went to in 1997 between Ghent and Bruges.
Hey Groundhog, I am going to Stafford Rangers v Tamworth on Sat, where are you off to? Cheers Sticky
Sticky,
Funnily enough I was just looking at possibles for Tuesday 13th and had settled on Stafford v Gravesend! However, I may be able to make tomorrow. I’d have to clear it with the Mrs first, though. Can I let you know tonight. What’s your email? I’d say the chances were 33% but if I can, we could meet for a pint perhaps?
Hello there groundhog. Just found your site and its great. Keep up the good work. Recently started my own blog at http://fitbadaft.blogspot.com if you fancy a look.
Jamie,
Thanks for the comment. It’s always great to receive praise, as I’m sure you’re aware! I have had a quick look at your site and it looks excellent. You take a good photo. It’s nice to hear about some lower level games north of the border. I’ll add your link to my groundhoppers category.
Cheers
David
As a Brighton fan myself (albeit one now exiled to the U.S.), I find it particularly interesting that you’ve chosen to groundhop around the non-league world nowadays.
I think that’s a fascinating choice, and it’s wonderful to see the variety of football grounds in your pictures. Keep up the great work, and I’ve added a link to you from my own site.
Tom,
Thanks for your comments and thanks for linking me to your site. I was very flattered to see you’d quoted me! It made my day. Being in the US is probably a good thing for a Brighton fan nowadays! It’s a shame, because this ground saga is sapping all their cash, but I think Deano is doing a great job with the youngsters. I’ve seen them twice away this season – two defeats of course…and we have a good away record.
I haven’t had much of a look at your site yet but it certainly looks good from what I’ve seen and a bit different to the norm. I’ll link to you and have a good look when I get more time and let you know.
Cheers, fellow seagull.
Still can’t believe you still haven’t been to St.James’Park :-0
We’ll have to sort something out next season,or maybe you should visit Newcastle as your 92nd,keep the best till last.
It is my one big footballing regret, not going to St James’s Park. When I lived in Preston in about 1992, I was all set to go by train, changing at Carlisle, but my blistered feet made me change my mind.
We won 1-0, Mark Gall in the 78th minute. It still rankles!!
If you can get me a ticket for a game I’d love to come up.
Hi, just wanted to say you have a very nice blog, am gonna add it in my website in the blogs section, but i think you should replace your background with a better one.. but this is just my opinion
cheeeers.
Mark,
Thanks for your comments. I’m interested in your background views! Do you mean the general white background or just the picture or both? My reckoning has always been the clearer the better, hence white. Some blogsites are so dark you can barely read the words or see the pictures.
What would you recommend as a background?
David
Boo to progress! Bring back the oldie!
No, seriously, this one’s a bit corporate; the other one was friendlier.
Expect a one-man demonstration with suitably witty placard outside groundhog towers…
Just seen your post of last season’s game between Market Drayton and Oadby. I was at that game myself doubling up as an Oadby fan and groundhopper. I think I was the person you were referring to as “one of us” with the camera. I agree with your comments on the game and town itself.
Hi there,
I did wonder if you would ever stumble across this blog and recognise yourself! I was tempted to approach you at Market Drayton, as I was sure you were a groundspotter.
Thanks for the comment
David
I’m a part time groundhopper when time and money allows. I was there with my dad, his partner and my wife. I set up my own blog towards the end of last season to publish my own thoughts and occasional pictures.
David;
Great blog. I really like how you have it set up.
Anyway, I have an idea that you might like. I’d rather talk about it over e-mail so shoot me an e-mail.
Thanks,
Trevor
Hi, Great blog I really like reading your reports!
I am going to link to your site from mine http://ryan147.com and was wondering if you could put my link on here in return
Thanks
Ryan