Monthly Archives: July 2017

The Canton Derby – A Chinese Super League Story – 29th July 2017

Two friends after the Canton Derby

An Asian adventure, as Michael Moss reports back from a goal fest and action packed Canton Derby, as Guangzhou Fuli host Guangzhou Evergrande from the Yuexuishan Stadium The Blueprint The Premier League is the footballing blueprint for aspiring leagues around the world. A wealth of riches from lucrative TV deals and sponsorship opportunities world wide, mean several teams have smashed their transfer records this summer. As China’s economy continues to grow at an unfathomable rate, so too has its love for football. The Chinese Super League, now in its 14th season, is finally starting to mature after years of investment…. Read more »

Blogger Josh Green reviews the New Meadow (Montgomery Waters Meadow)

Shrewsbury v Cardiff at New Meadow (Montgomery Waters Meadow)

With July drawing to a close, blogger Josh Green spread his wings to make the three hour journey to Shrewsbury Town for match number six of pre-season… With many teams gearing up for their respective opening day fixtures, there was a smell of optimism in the air as The Shrews looked to continue their perfect pre-season record. Match day Experience Shrewsbury Town celebrated their 10th anniversary at the New Meadow just a month or so ago, and will begin their 10th season at their ‘new’ home in just a couple of weeks. With four banked stands surrounding the pitch, it… Read more »

‘Addicked’ to groundhopping: Josh Green reviews the Lamex Stadium

Seats at the Lamex Stadium the home of Stevenage FC

Blogger Josh Green continued his footballing adventure by travelling to the home of Stevenage FC for his 5th game of a packed pre-season. The Hertfordshire side faced League One Charlton Athletic as they continued their pre-season preparations with the regular season just two weeks away. Match day Experience Stevenage were the 2015 EFL Family club of the year, and certainly live up to their accolade, with tremendous reductions in ticket prices for youngsters and family bundles. The family friendly atmosphere was reflected upon arrival, with helpful stewards directing us to the nearest offsite parking. The Lamex may just be one… Read more »

92 before 30 – Stadium MK home of MK Dons

Stadium Mk the home of MK Dons

Blogger Katie recounts a trip to Stadium MK, the home of League One side MK Dons as she continues her journey to reach the 92 club before turning 30. Ground: Stadium MK (71/92) Game: MK Dons 0-3 Sheffield United Date: 22/04/2017 Thoughts about the ground Stadium MK is about 2 miles out of Milton Keynes centre so I hopped on a bus outside the train station to navigate the roundabouts for me. Everything at the train station is brilliantly signposted and there are 3 or 4 buses which take you right past the ground so you’re never waiting too long… Read more »

Groundhopping over the boarder: two Edinburgh grounds in one day

New stand being build at Tynecastle the home of Heart of Midlothian

Newcastle fan Colin Harrison takes full advantage of the pre-season friendly schedule groundhopping over the boarder to visit 2 Scottish League grounds in a day… When Newcastle United announced a pre-season friendly against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle, I immediately booked train tickets to ensure I ticked off another ground (even though I can’t add it to my 92). As the day of the match was a Friday we had a few hours to spare so Paul and I decided to visit Easter Road, home of Hibernian. We hoped to take a look around before heading across the city to… Read more »

Ipswich in Town at the Abax Stadium

Stand at London Road (ABAX) Peterborough United

Posh fan Josh continued his build up to the 2017/18 season at London Road as Ipswich were in Town. Fresh from a trip to the bright lights of the capital Josh shares his thoughts on the game and the ground… I made the visit to my home-town club Peterborough United as they continued their preparations for the new season. It was just my second visit to the hallow London Road turf since April, and with new additions arriving in abundance, there was plenty to be excited about. PHOTO | It's a beautiful day at the @ABAXStadium – #pufc take on… Read more »

Premier League Asia Trophy – A day with the Plastics

The loss of a bet It happens. I lost a bet. Therefore I was off for a preseason tournament, as the Premier League Asia Trophy was hosted in Hong Kong. The participating teams were West Brom, Crystal Palace, recent champions Leicester and a team, as a Manchester United fan, I hated from the centre of my heart, Liverpool. The debt to the bet was being paid in witnessing my footballing nemesis. As I walked to the stadium, the build up of Liverpool shirts pulled knots in my stomach. Gerrard. Rush. Leonardson. Torres. All moving my afternoon food in the wrong… Read more »

The legends of the game assemble for Star Sixes at the O2

The 02 Arena ready for the Star Sixes

Budding reporter Josh Green reports back on a groundhopping trip with a difference to the capital to witness a gathering of footballing legends. Former stars from across the globe descended on the O2 Arena for the Sky Sports Star Sixes. The Star Sixes, a first of its kind tournament where the stars of yesterday collide in some titanic duels. Names such as Roberto Carlos, Deco and Paulo Di Canio, appeared during a spectacular four days of action. Surely a relatively amateur reporter such as myself wouldn’t fit in to such a star studded environment? In usual fashion I arrived five… Read more »

Following in Jamie Vardy’s footsteps: a visit to Stocksbridge Park Steels

The Jamie Vardy Stand at the Look Local Stadium Stocksbridge Park Steels

It’s a welcome to the92.net to groundhopping blogger and Peterborough United fan Josh Green. Josh will be joining us for the 17/18 season to share his experiences of doing the 92 league grounds, with a few non-league grounds thrown into the mix as well. After a two-month absence, I made my return to footballing ways in the form of Jamie Vardy’s first club; Stocksbridge Park Steels, as they took on local rivals Sheffield United at the Look Local Stadium. The friendly between the two sides has become a regular occurrence in recent years, with the step eight side benefiting from… Read more »

Planning a big finale?

Plymouth Argyle and Southampton FC match day programmes from the 1980s

‘Doing the 92…’ it has a bit of a ring to it doesn’t it? I was seven years old when my dad took me to my nearest, and first, league ground to see Plymouth Argyle v Swindon Town on Boxing Day 1981. Home Park was rather more terraced than it is today and my only recollection is the referee falling over after giving a free kick, funny what you remember isn’t it? Fast-forward 18 months and I am stood in my house wearing a full Southampton FC kit, a ‘bribe’ by my parents to make our move from Sunny Salcombe… Read more »