Posts Categorized: Ground review

The weather completes an unwanted hat-trick at Rodney Parade

Newport County v Morecambe League 2, a match that was later abandoned

Blogger Michael Pilcher made the trip across the border with his sights set on Rodney Parade. Despite the Exiles languishing at the foot the 92 the ground hopper was keen to get it off the list in the hope of completing this season… Ground 85/92: Rodney Parade Game: Newport County A – A Morecambe (Abandoned at half-time at 1-0, due to a waterlogged pitch) Date: 10/12/2016 Way back in March 2013 I convinced my wife we should spend a week’s holiday with our children in Wales, half of it in Swansea and the other half in Cardiff. Naturally I had… Read more »

70 mark doing the 92 hit at the Lamex Stadium

East Terrace at the Lamex Stadium (Broadhall Way) Stevenage

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Pete headed South to tick a final ground off doing the 92 for the year. Ground: The Lamex Stadium (Broadhall Way) (70/92) Game: Stevenage 3-4 Doncaster Rovers Date: 03/12/2016 Starting the season on 58/92 I set myself a target of hitting 70 before the end of 2016 (apologies if I may have mentioned this once or twice before on Twitter!) With 12 new grounds to chalk off in a little under 5 months with work and family commitments I knew planning was key. Thanks to a hat trick of 2-in-1 weekends and an understanding wife, with… Read more »

Second time lucky at the Amex Stadium

The Amex Stadium Falmer Brighton

Blogger and the92.net co-founder Pete made his second trip down to Sussex this year hoping this time to be able to get to the American Express Community Stadium. Ground: The American Express Community Stadium (68/92) Game: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Aston Villa Date: 18/11/2016 Second time lucky The Amex Stadium was proving a difficult obstacle to overcome on my 92 given its location of being a considerable distance from both my own home and my parents’ place. Once or twice previously it was earmarked for a trip that didn’t come to fruition, however last season it was very much… Read more »

The Valley revisited doing the 92

Sam Bartram statue outside the West Stand at the Valley Charlton

Blogger Michael Pilcher took a walk back down memory lane heading back to one of his first ticks off the 92. The Valley was the destination as the ground hopper from Kent revisited the home of a club moving in the opposite direction to his original trip in the mid-nineties…the troubled Addicks. Ground 2/92: The Valley Game: Charlton Athletic 2-0 Port Vale Date: 19/11/2016 Whenever I look at my 92 Club application form – I update it after each visit, all set for that glorious day when I tick off number 92 – there are some grounds early in the… Read more »

A trip to Home Park doing the 92 league grounds

Ivor Dewdney award winning Pasty Plymouth

the92.net blogger Pete continued his quest doing the 92 league grounds heading to the West country. Plymouth was the destination as Argyle looked to continue their impressive run against a Colchester side struggling to find form. Ground: Home Park (65/92) Game: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Colchester United Date: 29/10/2016 With my parents living in Dorset and myself being based in the East Midlands I’ve been using trips back home to gradually work through the Southern grounds of my 92 with my old man. Clubs down South are spread far more thinly than up North so despite being considered ‘in that neck… Read more »

Bury’s Gigg Lane reviewed

The Les Hart Stand at Gigg Lane, Bury

A League 1 fixture on a Monday night may have raised eyebrows for many, but not for those doing the 92 league grounds. For those faithful disciples chasing down the holy grail of the 92 club it was an ideal opportunity to chalk another ground off the list. That’s exactly what the92.net regular Michael Pilcher did to leave just 8 grounds on his 92. Ground: Gigg Lane (84/92) Game: Bury 0 – 2 Bolton Wanderers Date: 24/10/2016 Being a Gillingham fan I had slowly worked my way through most of League One, with the Gills now in their fourth successive… Read more »

The AESSEAL New York Stadium Reviewed

AESSEAL New York Stadium Rotherham

Chasing down the holy grail of the 92 club blogger Michael Pilcher is on a mission this season. The Gills fan reduced his remaining total to single figures with a trip to Yorkshire to the home of Rotherham United. Find out what he thought of his match day experience… Ground: AESSEAL New York Stadium (83/92) Game: Rotherham United 0 – 1 Reading Date: 22/10/2016 Rotherham United’s New York stadium (so-called as it’s built on the site of a foundry that made New York’s distinctive fire hydrants) has been in my sights for a good while. Having been to University in… Read more »

Into the final 10 doing the 92 at the Abbey Stadium!

Away end at the Abbey Stadium home of Cambridge United

Changes to the Johnstone’s Paint, no EFL, no, err what’s called… ah yes, the Checkatrade Trophy have provoked an outcry from fans. A tournament already belittled by many saw changes in format, rules and entrants this summer. More matches on the calendar and rock bottom prices though provide groundhoppers with an ideal chance to get a few more ticks off the list. That’s the opportunity blogger Michael Pilcher took. The Gills fan reports back on entering the final 10 of his journey doing the 92 league grounds… Ground: Abbey Stadium (Cambs Glass Stadium) (82/92) Game: Cambridge United 2-1 Middlesbrough Date:… Read more »

A trip to Blundell Park doing the 92

View from the Young's Upper to the Humber Estuary

Blogger pb1uk reports back from the Lincolnshire coast as newly promoted Grimsby Town continued to settle back into life in League 2 against Crewe. Ground: Blundell Park (62/92) Game: Grimsby Town 0-2 Crewe Alexandra Date: 17/09/2016 After the National League Play-off Final in May I was delighted that Grimsby Town had finally made it back to the Football League. That’s nothing against Forest Green, but a trip to the coast and a ground with the character of Blundell Park is perfect fodder for any groundhopper. With a 100 mile trip from my base in the East Midlands I was determined… Read more »

A family affair at the ABAX Stadium

Peterborough United v Swindon Town league 1 2016

Blogger Michael Pilcher sets the standard for parents doing the 92 combining a great day out that’s light on the wallet with another tick off the list. Read and learn… Ground 81/92: ABAX Stadium, Peterborough Peterborough United 2 – 2 Swindon Town 3rd September 2016 After my successful experiment of taking my five-year-old twin daughters to Priestfield for the EFL Trophy in midweek, they had already asked “Can we go to football again on Saturday?” Most parents might have been tempted to fob them off with a standard “Maybe” or “We’ll see” to keep them at bay, perhaps hoping they’d… Read more »