Monday, February 21, 2005
National Football Museum, Preston
I enjoyed the National Football Museum, from John Motson’s original sheepskin coat on the way in to the list of Hall of Fame inductee’s on the way out. Not much here in the way of ‘new info’ for the hardened football fan but a great collection of shirts, cups, badges, photos and ephemera to keep myself and Mrs. Extreme Groundhopping entertained for an hour or so.
Access is easy, the Museum is large enough to absord a good number of visitors without getting cramped, parking is free (except on match day’s) and entry is free (although a photo pass will set you back one English pound), so no excuses for not paying it a visit when you're next in the area.
Click here for more pictures of the exhibits.
posted by chevblue at 7:45 AM 0 comments
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Morecambe
After Lancaster, next stop Morecambe, ostensibly to visit the statue of Eric Morecambe on the sea front, but by way of Christie Park home of Morecambe FC.
Ipswich were up here for an FA Cup 3rd Round tie against the Shrimps in 2001, a game I had to miss due to a wedding or a christening or some other such family event. An impressive, modern looking affair with a capacity of 6,300 and seating for 1,200.
More pictures here.
posted by chevblue at 9:00 PM 0 comments
Lancaster City
After Blackpool, Lancaster comes as a blessed relief. A pleasant college town in the shadow of a small but interesting enough castle (unless you happen to be on the inside at HM’s pleasure).
Whilst walking around said castle Mrs. Extreme Groundhopping spotted the excellently named Giant Axe ground, home of Lancaster City, a few hundred yards away on the other side of Lancaster Railway Station.
A quick stroll was in order as were a few pictures under the watchful gaze of the groundsman marking the lines for the Nationwide Conference (North) game against Worksop Town later that day. A fixture Mrs. Extreme Groundhopping was quick to point out that we would not be attending.
More pictures here.
posted by chevblue at 8:00 PM 0 comments
Preston North End
Preston North End 1 Ipswich Town 1
A romantic weekend away with Mrs. Extreme Groundhopping in 'sunny' Blackpool kicks-off with a night game at Deepdale ...
I like Deepdale, or more specifically I like the way that Deepdale has been modernised, albeit on three sides. The decrepit 1930’s Pavilion stand along one touchline is dwarfed by the three new single tiered stands opposite and behind each goal. Avoiding the bowl effect the four corners of the ground have been left open and house spectacular looking floodlight pylons.
Iconic pictures of Bill Shankly, Tom Finney and Alan Kelly have also been “picked out” in the seating – a much more pleasing site than the standard team or sponsors name spelt out in plastic– to add to the overall historic feel of the place which is nicely capped off by the National Football Museum which occupies the North-West corner of the Stadium (see Sunday 20th). The acoustics inside are good too, or certainly were on Friday night as the home fans (several with drums) roared their side onto victory, well a 1-1 draw anyway.
To recap the match: Town came away with a barely-deserved point denying Preston their eighth victory in ten league games. Tommy Miller's close range strike twenty-minutes from time levelled the scores, David Nugent, a recent signing from Bury, having given the home side the lead in the first half. Preston failed to make their dominance pay and Town extended their lead, albeit temporarily, to six points at the top of the Championship table.
More pictures here.
posted by chevblue at 3:45 AM 0 comments
extreme groundhopping
a (mainly) pictorial account of one man's obsession with football stadia, floodlight pylon's and ipswich town football club
recent posts
A Potted (and probably inaccurate) History of Gill...Thank **** that's over
Bury Town
Mildenhall Town
Arsenal (Highbury)
How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers won the FA Cup
Unbelievable!
Reading
Skegness Town
Louth Town
links
:: Am I Supposed To Be At Home?:: Black & White & Read All Over
:: Dub Steps
:: The 100 Grounds Club
:: Non-League Groundblogger
:: Each game as it comes
:: Pie and Mushy Peas
:: Local Bus Driver
:: fitbadaft
:: groundhog
:: Groundhopper
:: Six Tame Sides
:: FA Vase diary
:: Pitch Invasion
:: Llandudno Jet Set
:: The Amazing One Man Brake Club
:: Bill the Navigator
:: Grounds for concern…
:: My Football Travels
:: European Football Weekends
geoblogging
other stuff
archives
February 2004August 2004
February 2005
March 2005
April 2005
May 2005
June 2005
July 2005
August 2005
September 2005
October 2005
November 2005
February 2006
March 2006
April 2006
July 2006
August 2006
October 2006
November 2006
December 2006
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
June 2007
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
May 2008
June 2008
July 2008
August 2008
October 2008
December 2008
January 2009
March 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
Ground Visit Record
ENGLANDAFC Bournemouth
(Fitness First Stadium)
AFC Portchester
(Wicor Recreation Ground)
AFC Sudbury
(King's Marsh Stadium)
AFC Totton
(Testwood Park)
Aldershot Town
(Recreation Ground)
Alton Town
(Alton (Bass) Sports Ground)
Arsenal
(Emirates)
Arsenal
(Highbury)
Aston Villa
(Villa Park)
Barnet
(Underhill)
Barnsley
(Oakwell)
Basildon United
(Gardiners Close)
Billericay Town
(New Lodge)
Birmingham City
(St Andrews)
Blackburn Rovers
(Ewood Park)
Blackpool
(Bloomfield Road)
Bolton Wanderers
(Reebok Stadium)
Bolton Wanderers
(Burnden Park)
Boston United
(York Street)
Bradford City
(Valley Parade)
Braintree Town
(Cressing Road)
Brantham Athletic
(Brantham Athletic Sports & Social Club)
Brentford
(Griffin Park)
Brighton & Hove Albion
(Withdean Stadium)
Brighton & Hove Albion
(Goldstone Ground)
Bristol City
(Ashton Gate)
Bristol Rovers
(Eastville)
Bromley
(Hayes Lane)
Burnley
(Turf Moor)
Bury
(Gigg Lane)
Bury Town
(Ram Meadow)
Cambridge City
(Milton Road)
Cambridge United
(Abbey Stadium)
Charlton Athletic
(The Valley)
Chelmsford City
(New Writtle Street)
Chelmsford City
(Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre)
Chelsea
(Stamford Bridge)
Chester City
(Saunders Honda Stadium)
Colchester United
(Layer Road)
Cornard United
(Blackhouse Lane)
Coventry City
(Ricoh Arena)
Coventry City
(Highfield Road)
Crewe Alexandra
(Gresty Road)
Crystal Palace
(Selhurst Park)
Dagenham & Redbridge
(Victoria Road)
Dartford
(Watling Street)
Debenham Leisure Centre
(Maitlands)
Derby County
(Pride Park)
Derby County
(Baseball Ground)
Diss Town
(Brewers Green Lane)
Eastleigh
(Sparshatts Stadium)
Ely City
(Unwin Ground)
Everton
(Goodison Park)
Fareham Town
(Cams Alders)
FC Clacton
(Rush Green Bowl)
FC Fleetlands
(Lederle Lane)
Felixstowe & Walton United
(Dellwood Avenue)
Framlingham Town
(Sports Ground)
Fulham
(Craven Cottage)
Gillingham
(Priestfield)
Gorleston
(Emerald Park)
Gosport Borough
(Privett Park)
Great Yarmouth Town
(Wellesley Recreation Ground)
Grimsby Town
(Blundell Park)
Hadleigh United
(Millfield)
Halstead Town
(Rosemary Lane)
Hamble ASSC
(Follands Park)
Harwich & Parkeston
(Royal Oak)
Havant & Waterlooville
(West Leigh Park)
Heybridge Swifts
(Scraley Road)
Histon
(Glass World Stadium)
Horndean Town
(Five Heads Park)
Huddersfield Town
(Leeds Road)
Hull City
(KC Stadium)
Hull City
(Boothferry Park)
Ipswich Town
(Portman Road)
Ipswich Wanderers
(SEH Sports Ground )
Kingstonians
(Kingsmeadow)
Leeds United
(Elland Road)
Leicester City
(Walkers Stadium)
Leicester City
(Filbert Street)
Leiston
(Victory Road)
Leyton Orient
(Brisbane Road)
Lincoln City
(Cincil Bank)
Liverpool
(Anfield)
Long Melford
(Stoneylands)
Lowestoft Town
(Crown Meadows)
Luton Town
(Kenilworth Road)
Manchester City
(Maine Road)
Manchester United
(Old Trafford)
Middlesborough
(Ayresome Park)
Millwall
(The New Den)
Millwall
(The Den)
MK Dons
(National Hockey Stadium)
MK Dons
(stadium:mk)
Needham Market
(Bloomfields)
Netley Central Sports
(Station Road Recreation Ground)
Newcastle United
(St James' Park)
Newmarket Town
(Cricket Field Road)
Northampton Town
(County Ground)
Norwich City
(Carrow Road)
Nottingham Forest
(City Ground)
Notts County
(Meadow Lane)
Peterborough United
(London Road)
Petersfield Town
(Love Lane)
Plymouth Argyle
(Home Park)
Port Vale
(Vale Park)
Portsmouth
(Fratton Park)
Preston North End
(Deepdale)
Queens Park Rangers
(Loftus Road)
Reading
(Madejski Stadium)
Redbridge
(Oakside Stadium)
Romsey Town
(Bypass Ground)
Rotherham United
(Millmoor)
Saffron Walden Town
(Catons Lane)
Salisbury City
(Raymond McEnhill Stadium)
Scunthorpe United
(Glanford Park)
Sheffield United
(Bramall Lane)
Sheffield Wednesday
(Hillsborough)
Shrewsbury Town
(Gay Meadow)
Shrewsbury Town
(Prostar Stadium)
Soham Town Rangers
(Julius Martin Lane)
Southampton
(St Mary's)
Southampton
(The Dell)
Southend United
(Roots Hall)
St Albans City
(Clarence Park)
Stanway Rovers
(New Farm Road)
Stockport County
(Edgeley Park)
Stoke City
(Britannia Stadium)
Stoke City
(Victoria Ground)
Stowmarket Town
(Green Meadows Stadium)
Sunderland
(Stadium of Light)
Swaffham Town
(Shoemakers Lane)
Swindon Town
(County Ground)
Thetford Town
(Mundford Road)
Tiptree United
(Chapel Road)
Tottenham Hotspurs
(White Hart Lane)
United Services Portsmouth
(Victory Stadium)
VT FC
(Vosper Thornycroft Sports Ground)
Walsall
(Bescot Stadium)
Walsall
(Fellows Park)
Walsham Le Willows
(Walsham Sports Club Ground)
Watford
(Vicarage Road)
Wembley Stadium
(Old)
Wembley Stadium
(New)
West Bromwich Albion
(The Hawthorns)
West Ham United
(Upton Park)
Whitton United
(King George V Playing Field )
Wigan Athletic
(JJB Stadium)
Wimbledon
(Plough Lane)
Winchester City
(Denplan City Ground)
Witham Town
(Spa Road)
Wivenhoe Town
(Broad Lane)
Woking
(Kingfield Stadium)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
(Molineux)
Woodbrige Town
(Notcutts Park)
Worcester City
(St. Georges Lane)
WALES
Cardiff City
(Ninian Park)
SCOTLAND
Aberdeen
(Pittodrie Stadium)
Heart of Midlothian
(Tynecastle Stadium)
AUSTRALIA
Northern Spirit
(North Sydney Oval)
AUSTRIA
SW Wacker Innsbruck
(Tivoli Stadion)
BELGIUM
RSC Anderlect
(Constant Vanden Stock Stadium)
FC Brugge
(Olympiastadion)
SV Zulte-Waregem
(Regenboogstadion)
DENMARK
FC Kobenhavn
(Gladsaxe Stadion)
Helsingor IF
(Helsingor Stadion)
ESTONIA
FC Flora
(Lillekula Stadium)
FINLAND
HJK Helsinki
(Finnair Stadium)
VPS
(Hietalahti Stadium)
Tampere United
(Tammelan Stadium)
FRANCE
St.Etienne
(G.Guichard Stadium)
GERMANY
1. FC Koeln
(Mungersdorfer Stadion)
Borussia Dortmund
(Westfalenstadion )
1. FC Union Berlin
(Stadion An der Alten Försterei)
HOLLAND
AZ Alkmaar
(Alkmaarder Hout)
AZ Alkmaar
(Olympic Stadium, Amsterdam)
FC Dordrecht
(GN Bouw Stadion)
FC Groningen
(Euroborg)
FC Utrecht
(Galgenwaard Stadion)
Feyenoord
(De Kuip)
NEC Nijmegen
(Goffert Stadium)
PEC Zwolle
(Oosterenkstadion)
PSV Eindhoven
(Philips Stadion)
SC Heerenveen
(Abe Lenstra Stadium)
Twente Enschede
(Arke Stadion)
Twente Enschede
(Diekman Stadion)
Vitesse Arnhem
(Gelredome)
Willem II
(Willem II Stadion)
IRELAND
Bray Wanderers
(Carlisle Grounds)
Dublin City
(Tolka Park)
ITALY
Inter Milan
(San Siro)
LUXEMBOURG
Avenir Beggen
(Stade Josy-Barthel)
NORWAY
Skeid Oslo
(Ulevall)
POLAND
Widzew Lodz
(Stadion LKS)
SPAIN
Barcelona
(Nou Camp)
Real Madrid
(San Bernabeu)
Valencia
(Luis Casanova)
SWEDEN
Orgryte IS
(Gamla Ullevi (Old))
Helsingborgs IF
(Olympia Stadium)
Landskrona Bois
(Idrottspark)
Malmo FF
(Malmo Stadion)
Mjallby AIF
(Strandvallen)
Trelleborgs FF
(Vangavallen)
IFK Goteborg
(Ullevi)
USA
Chicago Sting
(Comiskey Park I)
Chicago Sting
(Wrigley Field)
Chicago Sting
(Chicago Stadium)
Chicago Sting
(Rosemont Horizon)
Chicago Sting
(Rockford MetroCenter)
Chicago Vultures
(Odeum)
Milwaukee Bavarians
(Bavarian Center)
Schwaben AC
(Schwaben Center)
Tampa Bay Rowdies
(Tampa Bay Stadium)