Grounds for concern...

In the next few days I am starting to bring my blog up to date.

2011-12-18T12:43:00.000Z

Apologies for the delay, just haven't had the time. Some new entries are below, three just added tonight:

FK Usti nad Labem; Czech Republic

2011-12-09T12:45:00.001Z

FK Usti nad Labem play in the in the second divison,in the Czech Republic, & I stopped off in the town to look at their ground on the way to a game at FK Teplice, on 24th October 2011. It was a strange mix of old & new, & despite not being a big fan of football stadiums with running tracks I liked this place, & hope to see a match here on a future trip to the country.

It's a good half walk from the town centre, uphill, but a gentle incline, so not too steep, this is the trolleybus stop outside the ground, if you are in a rush, or it's raining.

The back of the main stand, from the road outside.

Note that gantry up to the falgpole on the roof!

An entrance on the main road, some of restaurant roofed area above it.

Forthcoming fixture hoarding.

Past that another way in.

Map of the stadium.

Carrying on I was still to find a way in. turning right past the far end there was a secondary all-weather pitch.

And beyond this pitch you can see my 'bonus set' of pictures at the town ice hockey stadium.

Moving behind the goal of the main stadium now, I am still searching for a way in.

At the next corner..'Bingo!' Inside, through this open gate.

To our right is an open end, with no spectator area in this corner.

Looking over the pitch we see the old stand, on the far side.

To our left, the direction we shall go, clockwise, is a smaller modern covered stand, with open seating either side.

Over the pitch from right on the corner flag spot.

Zooming in on the delighful old wooden stand.

This is the modern side.

The covered central part.

Back on the spectator side this is the first set of open seating.

Along this side from the back of the first section.

Almost at the roofed middle bit.

The covered new stand, from the bottom.

Sitting in the centre of it, above the halfway line.

To our right is the area we have already covered.

Left is where we shall go.

There is another section of open seating past the one under cover.

From the front.

Not that the view will be that good from the first row!

There is some open hard standing to the corner. Dwon behind, lower down is another turnstile entrance, which gives you access behind the far goal.

Over in the far corner is a section of old, disused terrace.

Now in the area behind the goal we look back along the new side.

This is the section that leads up to the terrace behind the goal.

The steps lead up to the back of the open terracin g.

Here we see up the pitch, old and new stands on left & right.

Behind the goal now, the new terrace, with closed old section beyond.

The new terrace only goes about half way along, there is no access past it.

The 'view' from behind the goal.

Time to retrace our steps and get bck pitchside, onto the track, at this end. Here we are back at the corner.

The old main stand, behind the goal.

With the new side through the posts.

Looking back behind the goal, the 'break' between old & new terraces.

Here is the old closed section. Clearly they have refurbished the whole stadium, but simply didn't think it was worthwhile doing this section.

Judging by the remains of these tree stumps this part was once heavily overgrown.

Here we are standing on the 'closed' part.

Stepping back a bit more, we see the size of this section.

On the track again, we see toward the main old stand.

There is terracing in front of it.

The main stand, from on the track.

Across the halfway line, from this side.

Zooming in on the new stand.

The dugouts are in front of the old stand. This is the home one, to the left.

And the away one, on the right.

Now it's time to 'back track' along the track, & return to the old corner, here si some old terracing along the side, I'm not sure what this flat new section is for.

From behind it we peer through the fencing at the 'mix & match' end.

Now we're on the main side terrace, toward the stand.

Getting there. The built up section to the left is a mix of toilets, Restaurant & so on.

The terrace from the bottom. Not the roofed balcony between the stand & the restaurant, some sort of covered outdoor area.

The terrace in front of the stand.

The steps up to the stand, here we go!

A separate partitioned off area of wooden benches right at the front.

Plastic seats behind.

Looking over the side at this end, we see the balconeyed area next to it.

The view up into the seats.

The new seats have clearly been put on top of old wooden benches. Maybe they ran out at the back?

From the back row.

Turning toward the pitch.

And along the rest of the stand.

Tannoy box at the rear.

Straight ahead.

At the back are some steps & hatch..presumably up to the flagpole of the roof that we saw outside at the start.

Leftwards, to the last bit of the stand.

Looking over the side we see down onto the last part of the stadium.

Before we get down there a last glimpse along the stand we are in.

Down at the front we see the 'posh' benches from this side.

And down the steps we go.

The hard standing above the terrace, in front of the stand.

And looking up to the wooden frontage of this magnificent structure.

Back past it, we are the other side of the board advertising matches, that we saw from out on the street.

A set back, stand alone section of terrace now.

With more terracing in front of it.

A hoarding for a sponsor on the pitch/track perimer fencing.

From here we see behind the goal, a penned in open terraced section, which seems to be the bit for away fans.

It is inaccessible, the fence on this side stops you getting there,on the left of this picture.

So it's back onto the track for a better view.

Here is a close up of this area, camera squeezed through the metal fence.

A nice scoreboard at the back.

This is football porn. No really..

Look at the name on the clock!

Past the away section now, we are back on the track, at the corner where we started.

Just time for one more look at the old stand...genuine football porn!

And the away terrace from the other side, again through the fence.

Outside the ground, at this end, are these shelters. They are like a 'wheelchair enclosure', but not in the stadium.

If that is the case then te view is awful!

From up here another 'camera through the fence' away end pic.

Our final picture is a beer stand hut, just outside the away turnstiles.

HC Slovan Ustecti Lvi; Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic

2011-12-06T13:05:00.000Z

HC Slovan Ustecti Lvi compete in the national first division, in Czech hockey, which is actually the second flight. I took these photographs of their home when I was looking at the station of the town football club, which is next to it.
Some of the pictures are a bit blurred, as it was quite dark inside & I didn't use the flash, as I wasn't sure if anybody would stop me, even though the building was open.

The side of the building.

A nearby sign pointing to a sportsbar, which was located on the side above.

The entrance on matchdays, which is set back, but facing the main road.

The arena is named after a local brewery.

A plan of the rink, which has a 6,500 capacity.

Judging by this sign it was recently renovated.

This is the section behind the goal, at the end where the mian entrance is.

To the right of that is this small area, but we will head clockwise, past the seating above.

To our right now is this, the main side, which is where we shall finish.

Neat the back behind the goal, with the other side in the background.

Up at the back, looking directly down the ice.

Down the side, note the concrete in the left of this photo.

It is a small area of terracing.

Back behind the goal was this old sign tucked away.

Across the ice,from the back of the home terrace.

A little dark, also at the rear, down the next side.

Now in the centre, across the ice to the main side.

Similar, wider side, with more of the opposite seating in the picture.

Now heading to the far end, with the away terrace in the near corner,as we approach.

Here it is.

The angle from the back of it.

Down the ice, from behind this goal now.

And back to the main side.

With another 'over the ice' picture from the same corner.

On the main side the team benches are at the front, which concludes are brief visit here.

TJ Slavoj Cercany; Czech Republic

2011-12-04T13:22:00.007Z

TJ Slavoj Cercany are a small club from the Czech Republic, I have no idea who they are, but have been told by this website that they compete in the "4.třída skupina A - Benešov" & that it is on the tenth rung of the Czech pyramid. Iwasn't actually planning to look at their ground, I was on a train heading toward Benesov, when I noticed the stadium out of the window to my left, as the train was slowing down I jumped off, realisng it was close to the station. Such is fate, and now they are in my photolist of Czech grounds!

Walking along the approach to the ground I turn round to show how close the railway line is.

Ahead of us is the ground.

A plank of wood takes me over a ditch, or maybe small stream, to gain access.

There is a small size training pitch, with the main ground past that.

To the right of the nearer training goal is an old pitch roller, with the club buildings in the ground behind.

Now we are in the ground itself, at the corner of the pitch. We are looking down the side.

Behind us is this building, note the green graffiti on the left of it...

Not sentiments I agree with! ;-)

This is the corner of the ground, as we came, from the training area. Opposite we can see some cover. We are going to head that way, clockwise.

So leftwards, just railed off behind the goal, with high netting behind it.

Moving along, small bit of clover clearly visible along the far side.

Looking to the right you can see the assortment of sheds that form the chaging rooms, storage, bar etc.

The rail bends out behind the goalnet.

And then continues to the next corner.

Glancing back across the penalty area.

Our first proper view of the covered side.

Now at the corner itself, we can see over the pitch, and spot the dugouts for the first time.

Down the side it's still just railed off, no hard standing underfoot, with the covered area to come.

From the side we see back to the end where we started.

And across the pitch.

Here we are at the covered part.

The area behind it is just open fields!

An attempt at terracing is under the shelter.

And an old wooden bench.

Directly over the halfway line, dugouts opposite.

Club name spray painted on the corrigated iron at the rear.

Directly facing the cover, from on the pitch.

And onwards, along the rail to the next corner.

Another angle of the shed, now we are past it.

The next corner, not much space from overhanging trees.

Back along the touchline, from this corner.

A bit tighter behind the goal.

Heading toward the net.

Over to the dugouts, through the raised netting.

Ditto, toward the covered area.

Now heading to our final corner.

Still railed, with just grass underfoot, down that side.

Last 'corner flag' angled shot.

The home' stretch.

A few benches to sit on, before the dugouts.

The back of the dugouts.

First the home one.

Then the halfway line, from this side.

And then the away one.

The street is behind this fence, perhaps that gate is a matchday entrance? And have you clocked that roller?

No point in trying to nick it, they've painted the club name on it!

That was obviously 'baby' roller, because here is the daddy of all rollers, as we go beyond the dugouts! And a few more benches.

Now we're at the club buildings, with one or two more benches, for spectators, by the pitch.

And picnic style pub tables in front of the beer area, presumably.

Sausage cooking section?

Behind that are these gates, which are, I would guess, is the matchday way in. And that concludes our brief visit on a non-matchday. Sadly I very much doubt I would ever return for a game, but it looks the sort of place where I think I would very much enjoy watching one.

FK Teplice; Czech Republic

2011-11-27T17:41:00.007Z

FK Teplice play in the top division of Czech football, in the Gambrinus Liga. I saw a game here on my birthday, 24th October 2011. Teplice is about 80km from Prague, & it was a team from there, Sparta, who were the visitors.

This was my second time here, I previously saw another Monday night game here, back in May 2005.

Approaching the stadium there was this Irish theme pub, but it appeared closed.

This was by the ice hockey stadium, which is apparently disused, which could explain why the exterior of the pub looked shut.

This is the match I was in town for.

Fans drinking outside, steps up to the ground.

Going toward the ground, having walked up those steps.

The ticket office.

Traditional tall floodlight pylons in each corner.

The map of the stadium. A 'horseshoe', with the smaller section, at the far end closed. The second ground is behind that end.

Visitors team coach parked outside.

Steps at the other end of the stadium,leading up to the away section.

Club flag fluttering outside.

One of the stands from outside, the nearest corner of it is the away section.

Away fans getting into the ground.

Customary warning sign.

Moving on round, heading back to the corner where the ticket windows were.

Inside now, below the stands, on the open concourses.

Merchandise on sale.

As well as a good selection of food.

And sausages, as you would expect.

In a corner, this just happened to be the entrance I walked up. My ticket was for anywhere on two sides, the main stand opposite was a little more pricey. The smaller far end, in the open, was shut.

This is the home end, behind the goal.

While this is the same stand, along the side to the right. They are all joined, and curve round.

The closed open end!

Big electonic scoreboard at the rear.

Back in the corner where we started was this drummer man.

While a section in the other corner at the same end was reserved for the home 'Ultras'.

Sektor 15 they call themselves.

Here are some of them.

From up above them we look along the main side, where the VIPs have their section, I couldn't get into this part of the ground to take any photos.

Same stand, from down the front.

And across the pitch to the other side, with the visitors in the far corner.

Turning round, to the area behind the goal.

At the back, behind the goal.

Zooming in, to the open end once more.

Sparta fans in their corner, though they were dotted all over the ground in the home sections.

Another shot of that side, from behind the goal.

Directly down the pitch from behind the goal next.

And turning slightly to the right from the same area.

Moving over now, during the game, we seen the main stand.

One young fan is very keen with his drum!

Presumably seats at the front are for stewards to watch the crowd, not needed tonight.

The dugouts are on the far side, in front of the main stand. You can guess correctly from the blankets that it was a little colder than I'm used to in London!

A wider shot of the dugouts and tunnel.

Back over my side a home & away fan sit side by side.

Half time, & I stroll back to the Sektor 15 area, to take this snap of the main stand.

The area behind the goal once more.

Across the pitch from Sektor 15, luckily I didn't upset that mean looking steward!

A hooligan ultras style sticker on a wall.

Back on the concourse, more food.

Including their delicious sausages.

Roast chicken!

And even popcorn. Not the cinema, but it was televised, don't forget! ;-)

Now we're at the back of the side that includes the away fans at the far end.

Turning, to look back at the home end.

The most ignored sign in the ground!

At the back of the side, pitch below.

Similar view, but straight ahead, over to the other side.

Directly over the halfway line, at the start of the second half.

Turning left again, home end.

Same end, more from the centre of the stand.

Moving onward & across, we see the other end of the main stand.

And the end of this side, nearest to the official Sparta section.

A group of vocal Teplice fans, in this side.

Another shot of the home end, camera at the front.

On the telly. There is always a live top flight game on a Monday in the Czech Republic.

Now near the front of the side, we can clearly see how the stand curves round, and there is no 'break' between the side & the end. You can sit anywhere, tickets not numbered.

Another zoomed in picture of the main VIP section opposite.

Almost at pitch level, away fans, numerous in the 'home' areas!

Attendance flashes up.

The Teplice Ultras set off their flares.

Final score.

And now for a few action shots from the match.

The half time junior exhibition match players do their lap of honour.

Teplice mascot follows.

Final whistle, the Sparta team salute their fans.

Who respond in kind.

The 'dead' section between the away fans & the home areas.

A Sparta banner, just in time before it's taken down!

A home fan poses with his 2005 60th anniversary shirt, I bought one of them on my last visit!

And one of the drummers agrees to a snap too! Time to dash back to the station for my train to Prague.

FK Teplice II; Czech Republic

2011-11-24T18:39:00.001Z

FK Teplice second team play in a separate secondary stadium immediately behind the main First Team one. I am not entirely sure if this is the right ground for the B side, but am pretty sure they must play some games here. They currently play in one of the five regional fourth divisions in Czech football-in the B division. They are currently the only reserve side in the 16 team division.

Walking behind on the main stadium stands I came to this corner of the second ground. There is no spectator access behins this goal, though you could watch a match through the fencing above.

To the right there is this open terracing down the entire length. You can see the end of the main stadium, to the right. These fans are walking along here to to another part of the main ground.

Here we have a better view of the 'dead' end. And you can see the fencing above it clearly, where you could look down onto a game.

From behind the goal we see the main stadium adjacent.

Turning the other way there is some terracing down the other side too, with a sports hall back behind that.

This is the terracing down the other side.

Dugouts at the front, from on the pitch.

And the back of them, from the terrace.

The sportshall, past the car parking area.

Directly across the halfway line.

Turning to glance along the terrace we've just walked along.

Notice how the terrace slopes down in shallow steps, toward the corner.

Now we are at the corner.

Behind the goal there is open hard standing, making this a three sided ground.

Continuing toward the goal.

Behind the net, big ground as backdrop.

Now we have a full length shot of the open terrace on the main stadium side.

Our last snap of the small venue, time to get to the main ground.

TJ Hvezda Trnovany; Teplice, Czech Republic

2011-11-23T18:55:00.006Z

TJ Hvezda Trnovany are a Czech non-league side, from Teplice. I found their ground having seen one marked on a map when I was there in October 2011, & this is the club I stumbled across. They play in the local regional leagues, and their current division is in the seventh level of the Czech football pyramid.

It is a very basic open ground, this path leads down to it, ground on the left, club building straight ahead, in the centre of the photo.

Through this gap we see the pitch, the goal to our left.

These gates are from the other end of the ground, the club buildings are ahead of us here.

As we come to the ground, from the open blue gates, there is a grass slope above the pitch, with this old concrete hard standing above it.

Looking down to the pitch there appears to be a very old, overgrown track around it, and remains of old terracing beneath the slope.

As you can just see here.

To our left the main club building is set up above the pitch, and the patio forms a high open standing area.

Here we look directly at the club building.

Steps at the front lead down to the pitch and the dugouts.

Beyond the 'standing balcony' it is totally overgrown.

The fencing around the track continues behing the goal, but I didn't venture round there.

Looking down to the dugouts, a junior training session in progress.

The steps up to the changing rooms from the pitch, club emblem proudly on the front of the building.

The visitors dugout.

And the home one.

Another view of the main building, from down on the old track.

This is the view down the far touchline. There are no spectator facilities whatsover on thsi side, nor behind either goal.

Looking back over the pitch, to the main side.

Turning to walk back to the main side, the old fencing is clearly seen on the old overgrown bends behind the disused track.

Triangular style 'D' in the corner.

The main side, through the goalposts.

And directly up the pitch.

Here we are back at the grass slope where we started.

Looking over the curve behind the goal, once more.

And from up on the concrete path, down the pitch.

A poor attempt at an 'arty' shot behind some bushes!

Time to leave, at the end where we came in, are these picnic style pub benches.

With this bar on the main road. I have no idea if it is run by the football club, or not. It was closed, as is our tour of this ground!

Rutherglen Glencairn

2011-11-17T20:05:00.002Z

Rutherglen Glencairn are a Scottish junior side, from the outskirts of Glasgow. They play in the Stagecoach West Region Super League Division One. I haven't seen a game here, but looked at the ground to take some photos in October 2011. It is a new build ground, their old one being demolished in 2007, for the M74 extension.

The turnstiles into the ground.

The main club building, to the right, as you approach the gates.

Once inside, we are in a corner of the ground. Main terraced side to the left.

Immediately by the turnstiles, also to the right, is this toilet block.

The other way is the changing rooms, & other assorted club offices, refreshments and so on.

In the corner we look over the pitch, as you can see it is a very open ground.

We are going to head along the main spectator side, going clockwise round the ground. Hard standing, with a few steps of open terracing behind, with the covered terrace further along.

A Clyde Gateway board, there are several around the round, & the stadium is named after this organisation.

There are also hoardings for the main club sponsors.

Moving along we are getting close to the covered terrace.

I am guessing that the pitch perimeter fence cuts back her to allow for dugouts to be brought out on matchdays.

Turning right we see back to the club building behind the goal.

A decent bit of covered terrace here.

From the rear of th steps we glance down to the open terrace we've seen.

Turning round we see along under the roof.

And up into it, from the front.

Here we have a look from on the pitch itself.

And the other side, once past it.

The tarmaced hard standing & steps of terrace continue to the next corner.

Another Clyde Gateway sign, this one covered in graffiti.

Almost at the conrer, motorway behind. Note the gap in the wooden fence.

Here we look back along this side, the gap in the fence is how I managed to get into the ground.

When I took this photo from outside I feared it might be one of the few pictures I would take of the venue.

'Fortunately' there was a large gap cut into the outer chain link security fencing.

'Back inside', here we are looking over the pitch from this corner.

No terracing behind the goal, just open hard standing all the way along.

Moving along to the third corner.

Behind the 'taken down' goal, we turn right, to the covered terrace.

At the corner of this end, looking back along the standing area behind this goal.

Down the other touchline is more steps of open terracing, with hard standing in front again.

This runs the full length.

Over the halfway line, main cover opposite.

Wooden fence at the back not in the best of condition.

The terrace doesn't quite reach the changing rooms end.

Turning back, to glance down the open side.

Now behind the goal, again just hard standing.

The club building is an ugly brick modern one, all shuttered up, but a neccesity, in what appears to be a bit of a neglected working class area.

Looking at the building, from on the pitch.

'Behind the goal', over to the covered terrace.

Presumably this is where you get your pies & bovril from, and we are back to where we began, to finish our tour of this ground.

HC Sparta Praha; Czech Republic

2011-11-10T19:17:00.003Z

HC Sparta Praha play at the Tesla Arena, to give it it's sponsored name. They play in the top flight Extraliga. It is a wonderful old rink, opened in 1962 as the Sportovni Hala. I have been here twice before, but not with a digital camera. In the past I struggled to take snaps due to over zealous stewards, so was chuffed to get 'two sets in one', getting here early afternoon, to buy my ticket in advance for the evening match, where I would be cutting it fine, from football in the afternoon. And then some more during the match itself, an overtime victory for visitors Kladno.

The exterior of the arena, set back from the main road, with a car park in front.

Looking directly at the frontage.

I love the banners, hanging down in Sparta colours.

This one hockey.

There's also club colours hanging down from poles. polluting factory behind in arch rivals Slavia colours! ;-)

The Club entrance is round the side, here. Club shop to the right of the picture.

Sorry, 'fanshop'.

It was shut, so I took a snap of the window.

By the entrance club memorabilia was on display.

And seats in the reception foyer had the club emblem on them.

Honours on show.

A poster on the wall advertising their international hockey tournaments.

Their big challenge match against the famous Americans, the month before my visit.

Past the entrance there is a club noticeboard on the wall in the corridor.

Straight ahead are the boards for the post match interviews. The game I am attending is live on the box.

The other side of it, with the various league sponsors.

Straight ahead is the ice pad, and Zamboni.

Map of the rink.

I'm going to start our walk around the arena from this corner, hoping nobody spots me & kicks me out. Paranoia eh? ;-)
The terracing behind the goal here is the home end.

Looking over the ice.There is a junior game in progress.

Turning right, this is the main side, with all the VIP seats. The wooden panneled roofing is impressive.

Here we see the roof, curving over the VIP section.

Toward the back of the lower tier of this side, still in the corner.

Main side, moving across slightly.

Zooming in on the scoreboard at the far end, I was once sat in the top corner there, a few years ago, at a Sparta v. Slavia derby, when there were over 12,000 fans packed inside!

Going back along to the corner where I showed you the first photo.

The home terraced end again.

A shot of the roof over the ice.

The main side from the terrace.

Now we are on the home terrace.

Turning back down the main side, to the players' benches.

Rests on the home crush barriers, for the fans drums.

Turning left now, to the other big bank of seating, my ticket was to be for the left hand side of that area, as we look at it.

Looking along the side, note the club colours on the support pillars.

The main side, from the opposite corner of the home terrace.

This sign, above the steps up to one of the sections of seating, is covered by Sparta fan stickers.

In the centre of the side, looking across to the main side, with the posh seats in the middle.

Looking left, to the away section of terrace.

Still on the side.

Back to the home end.

Almost at the away sections. This is a smaller area of terrace, than the home end.

Past the away terracing is what looks like a 'boxing ring'!

Steps back down to the concourse.

Wider steps from the main concourse, where all the refreshment stands, and suchlike, are.

Honours hanging down from banners above the ice.

In the bottom corner of this side now.

Onto the away terrace next.

Eyes to the right, the stand we've just been in.

Directly down the ice.

With the main side to the left. Which was time for me to leave.

Back in the evening, pre-match. One of the many refreshment stands.

A souvenir stall.

Under the stands the concourses were wide.

Hockey posters on the walls.

Shoot the puck games to take part in.

Old fashioned lights on the concourse walls.

To match the old fashioned mosaic tiles on the floor.

Another poster.

Club mascot on a door, note, in 'typical eastern European style' the clock is not working!

Well I don't smoke anyway, with regard to the camera..sorry, I don't understand Czech!

Now for the game! I didn't take a full set of snaps around the rink, as I've aready covered them, so here's the rest that I took in the evening.

The home end.

And the Kladno supporters in their section. (With another broken clock!)

Sparta mascot standing on the home terrace.

The Sparta fans being led by the man with the megaphone.

A little blurred, but the man in the black jacket has annoyed the stewards.

Out you go!

A bit of the game.

Skimpily dressed girls who clear the ice scrapings from the goal areas during the match.

Ah, that's what the 'boxing ring' is for...the cheerleaders!

Here they are on the big screen above the ice.

Some sort of interval entertainment. This was a telvised match, & it's something to do with a lottery of some sort, by the look of it.

Not entirely sure what they were trying to do.

The other goal covered by the lottery advert.

Unlucky. Here's the cheque you could have won!

Above them, at the home end, are the retired Sparta shirt numbers.

The home fans in full flow.

This spot is a few rows behind where my seat was, my spot being a little further dwon, to the left of this snap.

These were the seats, just before the end, to the left of mine.

At the back, in the corner of my side, looking over the ice, and to the home end. Note that car just behind the far corner of the ice.

Lots of fans wore the cardboard Skoda hats, in Sparta colours, and Sparta paper flags, given out inside the turnstiles before the game.

Another shot of the hockey on the ice.

The scoreboard at the end of the third period. Now overtime & sudden death!

Here's the car I pointed out. Presumably a Skoda!

Kladno score to win, disappointed home fans clap their team. Time to go.

SK Slovan Kunratice; Prague, Czech Republic

2011-11-03T20:38:00.001Z

SK Slovan Kunratice was my first port of call on my October 2011 trip to Prague, in the Czech Republic, which was my tenth visit to the country. They play in the top division of the Prague area leagues, which is the fifth step in the Czech pyramid.

A basic two sided ground, but none the worse for it, the game was entertaining & it was a great start to my holiday.

The corner of the ground from outside, club name on the fence, above the noticeboards. The entrance is up the side road, to the right.

A close up of them.

Going up the sideroad, past the ground, is the clubhouse.

Past that is the car park.

Along the side of the club house is the booth to pay to get in. Popular beer Bernard sign jutting out from the building.

The other side of the pay table is the scoreboard.

Inside, immediate left is the changing rooms & clubhouse, past it, in the same building.

In the changing room corridor are a number of old club flags and pictures. I love historic artifacts like these.

There was also a cabinet selling souvenirs, but I couldn't find anyone to buy something off of, sadly. Maybe next year...

Some more old pictures...

Past the changing rooms was a door into the clubhouse, this was the bar.

Even more old club memorabilia on the walls.

Back outside now, as if we have just entered the ground, ahead of us is the pitch, this end behind the goal is raised above the pitch, which presumably was once on a slope, like the road alongside, but levelled. See where the rail turns in the right of this picture, this is the 'open tunnel' to the pitch from the changing rooms.

The other side of the tunnel is more 'picnic' style benches, with an awning over it.

Here you can see how far above the pitch we are. But we're not going behind this goal yet, as we shall walk round the ground clockwise, so shall turn back to the tunnel.

Here are the steps down to the pitch. In the background you can see the covered enclosure along the side.

The pitch rail turns tightly at the corner, you can see how the standing along the side slopes downwards.

No hard standing underfoot, just grass.

Our first corner flag angle of the ground, looking over to the dugouts side, where there is no spectator standing.

Now we're along the side, where the flat grassed standing gently slopes down to the cover, by the halfway line.

From this side you can clearly see how far the fans are above the pitch, standing-or sitting on the benches- behind the goal.

Well they say non-league football is watched by 'one man & his dog'..here they are behind the goal! ;-)

Moving onward we continue to go downhill. Not the gantry on the roof, where the game is being filmed by the club.

Smoking is still very popular in this country, with ashtrays along the pitch perimeter.

Almost at the 'shed' now, dusty underneath, as the grass can't grow under there.

The camera team up above.

Simple corrigated cover.

Dry shale under it.

Looking back along the open standing area.

The dugouts opposite, framed through the gantry supports.

The dugouts, a bit closer, over the halfway line.

Past the filming gantry, there is a 'rope' across this side at the end of the cover. This is as far as any supporter can go.

Just the touchlines beyond.

Nothing at all behind the goal.

Turning round we look back up under the cover.

It's half time now, so I duck under the fence to take a shot of the shed from on the pitch.

Catching the attention of the man behind the camera!

Smart club sign below their vantage point.

As it's the interval I walk round the pitch.

At the corner, the back of the 'Slovan' sign we saw when we arrived.

No space for anyone to stand behind this goal.

Before we move on a glance back along the covered side touchline.

And the covered part once more.

Behind the goal is the bus stop I got off at, a short 15 minute ride from the nearest Metro station.

Past the goal now, main side as background.

To the next corner, again just the touchline, no fans allowed over here, the dugouts further up.

Behind the dugouts is a smaller second pitch.

Here are the dugouts from the front.

Over the halfway side from the 'closed' side.

moving on to the next dugout, note the old fashioned stretcher against the fence, and the football stand, to the left of the picture.

Moving along the touchline to the spectator area behind the goal, at the clubhouse end.

Which we see again here, by turning slightly to the right.

The back of the dugouts on the second pitch.

Getting closer to the raised end.

Here we are now at the last corner flag.

A quick look at the dugouts on the pitch behind.

Before we are behind the goal, where we began our stroll round the ground.

Dumping ground for old pitch grass cuttings, second pitch beelow, in this corner.

By the main pitch, at the bottom of the grass bank, looking over it.

Up the slope we see down the 'closed side' touchline.

Now moving toward the clubhouse.

Sausages being cooked outdoors.

Pricelist.

Almost back to where we began.

Which was about where the tunnel is.

This is the game I was here for.

So let's see some photos from the match itself.

Sponsors on the back of the lino's shirt.

The final score...a good home win, time to leave.

SC Concordia; Hamburg, Germany

2011-10-31T17:06:00.004Z

SC Concordia play in the Landesliga Hamburg-Hansa, which is on the sixth rung of the German football pyramid.

I took these photos of their ground in late November 2010, it took a while to find, as it was situated away from their club bar/restaurant, and was behind a basic pitch, hidden by some woods over the road. Once discovered, well, oh what a delight! One day I would love to see a game here. There are clearly some decent old non-league grounds in Hamburg!

The club restaurant, which is the 'location' I had.

A pitch over the road from it.

Through the trees, at the far end of it, set back to the left, was this entrance to the main stadium.

No idea. Hope it doesn't say 'keep out-no photographs'! ;-)

Through the gate and one end of the ground was in view.

Changing rooms set back behind this ocrner.

Going up to the pitch there is an open terraced end to our left. It is from this point, where I came in, that we will head round the ground, clockwise.

To our right, down the side, is a larg open terrace.

Time to head behind the goal and onto the open terracing here.

From the back we look into the setting sun, to the seats running along the far side.

The larger open terrace in the other direction.

Still over to the terrace side, just behind the post.

Directly behind the net.

And left, to the seats, straight into the sun.

Moving along we turn back along this open end.

Over the pitch, from the corner.

Under the cover of the seated stand, down the side, from the corner.

It is at this corner where there appears to be the main spectator entrance.

Stepping back a few paces we can see a club noticeboard on the back of the stand.

In it a poster from the previous home game.

Back in the seats.

Turning forwards, we see over the pitch, banks of terrace opposite.

Some rows don't have actual plastic seats on.

Slowly moving down the side, we turn back to the terrace we have already walked across.

In the other direction we can see even more terracing behind the next goal.

Over the pitch to the terrace on the dugouts side.

The seats only go halfway along, the roof continuing over some steps of terracing, with an announcers box in the centre.

For the last section under cover there are some wooden benches.

Heading toward the end of the covered side.

We can now clearly see the large open terrace behind the goal.

Turning round, to glance back down the benches.

Another angle across the pitch.

The terracing behind the next goal.

Looking directly along it.

Down the stand side.

Up above the goal, looking down the pitch.

Turning back to the stand.

With the big open terrace to the left.

At the corner there is a gap in the terracing.

This leads down to an old entrance, which appears long disused.

It leads out to the wooded parkland.

This is how it looks from outside.

Back inside this lower entrance is the club war memorial.

Retracing our steps, back up to the ground, the large terrace behind the goal, now to our right.

This is the last side we have still to see.

Clearly age has caused some of the terracing to shift.

From the back of it we can see the dugouts further along, at the front.

Turning back to see the corner we have just explored.

From on the side terrace we glance across the pitch, to the seated area opposite.

At the top now, almost in the middle.

There is a gantry at the back, with a large hoarding on the front.

I didn't climb up it, but here we can see the back of it, from outside the ground.

Moving on past it.

The other dugout down in front, the end where we began as backdrop.

A close up of one of the dugouts.

Here is the pair of them.

A look at them from on the pitch, but I was really photographing these mounds. No idea what causes them? Moles or something?

Back on the side terrace, to the corner where we began, to finish.

Holmesdale

2011-10-25T14:44:00.005+01:00

Holmesdale play in the Kent Hurlimann League Premier Division. Their ground is basic, and their stand has to be seen to be believed. But give me one like this over a modern identikit Atcost one anyday! Though that's what it will eventually be replaced with...

Despite being based in the outer London Borough of Bromley, this ground could quite easily fit into the middle of the countryside, it is hard to imagine you are only a few miles from the centre of London!

I like this ground, even though it's basic, it feels 'loved', if that makes sense, despite the fact it is clearly a footbal lclub with very little money to play with.

I took these photos on 17th October 2010 at an FA Sunday Cup 1st round tie between Baldon Sports and The Lounge.

The entrance to the ground, from the main road.

The club signs, by the road.

On the right, as you walk up the path, are fields with horses in!

There is a small area for parking outside the ground.

Turnstiles, that were not in use.

Once past them there are changing rooms on the right, the corner of the pitch straight ahead.

The 'tunnel' from the changing rooms, you can see the stand in the background, on the far side.

Toward the near end, which has a small area of cover, which wasn't there on my last visit, the season before.

Past the tunnel is a bar, immediate left. down the side it is very open, just hard standing by the pitch rail.

The entrance to the bar. note the small wooden sign in front of the entrance, to the left.

Nice 'home made' touch.

Club name and emblem above the entrance to the clubhouse.

Inside the bar.

I also sneaked a snap of the boardroom, as the door was open!

On the noticeboard, just inside the entance are plans for ground improvements.

They are detailed...

But I do not think they have started work yet, though I could be wrong.

Back outside we start our circuit, down the open touchline. The grassed area behind is used as a training area.

The teams line up pre-match in front of the stand, opposite.

We continue down the side.

From here we turn right, to see the covered end.

Onward, past the training goal.

The pitch, from behind the training goal.

Almost at the corner.

Turning round I notice some balloons stuck up in one of the pylons!

Down the length of the open side.

'Corner flag' shot, over the pitch, to the stand.

Hard standing behind this goal too.

Scaffolding poles hold up the netting behind.

Behind the net.

Moving on to the next corner.

Almost there, we see along the stand touchline.

Heading there, but not before glancing back behind the goal.

Corner flag angle once more.

Heading down the side now, toward the seats.

Almost there.

Here we are. Presumably it does have a safety certificate? ;-)

Emptier, at half time.

From on the pitch you can see the dugouts at the front are actually built into it.

You can see this much more clearly in this picture.

There are steps up to the seats, by the first dugout.

A few seats on wooden planks, behind the roof of the dugout!

More rows of 'benches' in between the two dugouts.

Above the next dugout, looking over to the 'covered' end.

And back to the open end, the other way.

Over to the bar and changing rooms.

The second dugout.

Now we're past the stand, looking back up into it, by the dugout.

The hard standing continues along past it.

With the stand now behind us.

Heading toward the covered end.

Back down the touchline, as we brush past a broom!

The next 'corner flag' picture.

Now behind the goal, same hard standing continuing to the cover in the centre.

A step of terracing under the scaffold structure.

Looking at it, from pitchside.

A horse roams behind us.

I am guessing it wasn't finished yet...

A derelict caravan in the field behind.

Past the cover we are almost back at the corner where we began.

The railed 'tunnel' where we started.

Our final 'corner flag' snap, stand behind.

Now to the game, the teams about to come out, and quite a few match action shots for you to enjoy.

Abingdon Town

2011-10-20T12:57:00.001+01:00

Abingdon Town play in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division. I have only seen a game here once, when Dulwich Hamlet played them in an Isthmian League match, for the only time we were in the same division, back in 1991/92. From memory it was a welcoming, friendly club. It's a cracking ground, and although I haven't been to many to judge, I would guess it's one of the better ones in the league. I took these pictures in October 2010.

Hand written sign outside the ground, advertising the next match.

The local cricket club is next door.

As is the croquet brigade.

Croquet being played on this midweek afternoon.

The pavilion behind.

Cricket scoreboard, and scorers hut.

Beyond that is the back of the football ground, with wonderful prominent signage on the rear.

Enough of the neighbours! Back to the entrance to the ground.

Fortunately the gates were open, so I could walk straight in, bar straight ahead, note the sign on the side of it...

Somewhat unusual, from a local organisation.

The turnstile at the entrance.

An old sign, long since faded.

And one still in use.

Ahead is open standing, up to the clubhouse.

To the left is the pitch, with the open terracing behind the goal.

A few fairly flat steps, this is the way we will go round the ground, clockwise.

Our first 'corner flag' shot, and we see plenty of cover on the other two sides.

Behind the goal we turn right, and see the clubhouse and changing rooms, as well as a small, older stand.

Cover and seating the other way. on the left.

Closer to the goal, well look in the same direction.

Behind the net we look down the pitch, to the covered end.

Past the other post, at the club buildings.

Onward behind the goal, along the open terrace, toward the corner.

Down the side we see the seats in the middle, two covered terraces either side.

Corner shot number two.

Open hard standing down the side, to the first bit of cover.

Hard standing under this cover, no actual raised terracing.

It must be quite old, judging from the rusting roof.

Turning slightly, we have the cover behind the far goal as a backdrop.

And the other direction, back to the open end.

This is the section of cover, from on the pitch.

The next section, in the centre, is the seating.

From the rear of the stand we look down to the the cover that we have just been under.

The seats down the stand, turning round the other way.

A firm sign on the wall at the back!

Over the halfway line.

At the front, turning to the open end.

And left, to the not yet reached covered end.

The stand, from the next bottom corner.

A full frontal view, from on the pitch.

Past the main stand now, there is more cover, this time with some steps of terracing underneath.

On the back step.

Here is this section, again from on the pitch.

At the next corner now, where we are in the open for the bend.

The covered end, from the side.

Not sure what this frame was in the corner. Maybe a scoreboard or clock once?

Last glance down the covered side.

Some more steps of terracing under the roof at this end.

This continues all the way along.

From behind the goal we see along the covered side, now to our right.

And the other direction, from behind the net.

Similar view, but by the other post.

The rest of the terracing, past the penalty area.

The view up the pitch.

The covered side once more, behind this post.

Almost at the next corner.

The covered end, from on the pitch.

Down the touchline, on the fourth side.

The end of the covered terrace, with the seats in the background.

No sneaking out of the ground in this corner!

Open standing, with a couple of steps which aren't clear from here, & a car/caravan park down this part.

That's better!

One of the vechicles parked up had this on it.

The start of the club buildings. There is an area of seating at the front, for officials only, so I am assuming this is a directors box, with the boardroom above it?

It is a small section, compared to the other one.

This is the view over the pitch from in it.

This stand is clearly quite old, and practically (and sadly) hidden behind one of the seats in the back row is this commemorative stone, from when it was opened in 1950.

Past the directors stand is a press box.

Here we see both of them, from the front.

A glance back down this side, where we've walked from.

The directors stand, from on the pitch, club name and badge looking nice on the pitch perimeter wall.

Same area, but from an angle.

Beyond stand and press box is the club house.

In front of this area are the dugouts.

Set back, under the club house overhang, is a couple of steps.

On the outer wall of the bar is this welcome sign.

The players 'tunnel'.

I took a snap of this only for the reason a Hamlet fan from north Wales, who looks in on this blog, is called Gareth!

Tea bar at the end.

Board for the line ups, and that ends are circuit of Abingdon Town.

Bly Spartans

2011-10-14T13:35:00.000+01:00

Bly Spartans compete in the new, for 2011/12, step six league, the Kent Invicta League. I visited them last season, on a Sunday morning, when their youth team were playing, as I happened to be in the area, staying over at a mates, who lives in nearby Chatham.

The ground was very basic then, I'n not sure if any improvements have been made since, when I was there in November 2010 the floodlight pylons had just been erected.

The club grounds, from the main road.

The sign by the entrance.

This is the only way in, main pitch down to the left.

Hmm...not exactly welcoming! (As it happens they weren't either!)

From the path at the access point you can see the main pitch in the distance.

There is a smaller training area before it.

We will start from the corner of the pitch, as you follow the 'path' to the car park. Straight ahead is the club house & changing rooms.

From this corner we look over the pitch.

Railed off behind the goal, with some mesh netting to provide a 'barrier'. We are going to head round the ground toward this end, in a clockwise direction.

Behind the goal we turn right to the club building.

The other direction is the open dugouts side.

The rail & mesh continues to the next corner.

Another view over the pitch from this corner.

Railed off down the side too, but no hard standing.

Moving behind the first of the two dugouts.

This was the away one, seen here from the front.

Now opposite the bar & changing rooms.

Directly over the halfway line.

Walking on, past the other dugout.

Railed off to the next corner.

Nothing at all behind the goal though.

Turning to see back along the touchline.

And the next 'corner flag' shot.

Personalised corner flags.

Game about to kick off..this is the only 'action' shot I got, as a home official came up to me & told me to stop, as it was "against child protection & FA regulations & they were an FA Charter Mark club, & I would need to be CRB checked". I decided it wasn't worth arguing, even though a woman with a posh camera was taking snaps, but that was ok, because 'she was one of the mums'. Hmmm...wonder if she's been CRB checked? Very much doubt it...

Back along the dugouts touchline, looking pitchside.

Now behind the goal.

And directly behind the net, looking up the pitch, with the building in the background, on the left.

The last corner flag picture.

Behind us,set right back, is a storage shed.

Shale standing down this, the main side, railed off once more.

The path continues all the way along.

The front of the club buildings has an overhang, which constitutes some sort of cover.

Here we look toward it, from the path where the players come onto the pitch.

Club name on the roff of the overhang.

A row of seats under it could be construed as a 'small stand' by some!

Tea bar at the end, hatch closed, but stuff on sale inside the bar.

Moving on past the building, & taking a sideways snap of it.

Ahead, to the end where we began.

The rails goes up to the end, the shale hard standing forming the car park in this part of the ground.

Shettleston Juniors; Scotland

2011-10-13T18:08:00.000+01:00

Shettleston Juniors compete in the Central Division One of the West Region of Scottish Junior Football. I had a look at their ground back in late May 2010.

The back of the old club buildings, from the main road.

A bricked up former entrance.

Fixture board seen from outside.

Here we see the back of a covered terrace. The entrance is by the advertising hoarding. We will get in by a gate a few yards along.

Outside the ground is the social club.

From an open gate we are above the pitch, behind the goal.

To the left is a covered terrace, with more buildings and another shed further along.

As we come down the steps from our gate, we look right, to some terracing, and this is the way we are heading, going round the pitch anti-clockwise.

Down on the open terracing you can see it must be quite an old ground.

Raching the corner we look bavk behind the goal, and you can clearly see the steps we have just come down, to get in here.

Along the touchline, the terracing is impressive, under the cover.

About ten steps or so deep.

From the back of it we can see a 'traditional' Scottish football toilet in the corner.

Up to their 'usual' standards north of the border! ;-)

Back under the rofo of the terrace we turn back behind the open goal.

Then right, toward, what I presume are changing rooms, maybe the shutter being for a refreshment hut.

An old patio here, weeds starting to grow through. An old bar area perhaps?

The covered terrace, from on the pitch.

Below the patio is some more terracing.

Then a dugout. Ah yes, the sign says it is a tea bar behind. 'Pies & Bovril' being not just a staple footballing diet in Scotland, but a famous Scottish website.

Moving along the pitch we can see the other covered terrace, past the changing rooms.

The concrete continues above the dugout, to another small bit of terracing in the middle.

Not sure why I did the 'wonky' angle, but there you og!

The players tunnel, unusual in that there are two of them.

Almost over the halfway line, from one of them.

Here's the terrace 'enclosure' unbetween the tunnel & next dugout.

Turning round to see the centre section once more.

Now behind the second dugout, to the second section of cover.

Down behind it are longe since disused 'facilities'.

The next cover, & dugout, from on the pitch.

Not as big as the other covered terrace, but still very good.

With terraced steps continuing past the roofed area.

From the end we see back along it.

Behind the open steps are some disused turnstiles.

Another angle of them, showing how much disrepair they really are in.

Outside they are bricked up.

Behind the goal it's grassed over, just an old rail going along.

With part of an also old pitch perimeter wall behind the goal.

From the next corner we look over the pitch to the covered side.

Nothing at all along the far isde. There is a fair amount of space here though, so I would imagine this side was once built up in years gone by.

Pitch roller in the foreground, by the playing surface.

Down to the last corner now.

And to the open terrace at the clubhouse end.

Starting to move along it.

Behind the goal.

It narrows because of this building.

And time to leave, back up the steps where we came in.

SV Arminia Hannover; Germany

2011-10-09T02:23:00.000+01:00

SV Arminia Hannover currently compete in the Landesliga Hannover, which is on the sixth rung of the German pyramd. I looked in at their stadium when I was in Hannover in late November 2010; prior to top flight ice hockey match at Hannover Scorpions. I looked at several grounds this day, but this one really was a 'wow!' moment! 'Only' three sided but what magnificent sides! this is filed away for when I win the lottery & am able to travel as often as I want into mainland Europe watching football. I'd love to come back here to see an actual match one day.

Reaching the ground it doesn't look much...yet!

Turn left, to the entrance, & hmm, the stand looks ok.

Just inside is a Club war memorial.

Walking straight ahead we get to the stand, but first-yes I know I'm teasing you-we're going to walk behind it.

Plenty of signage.

The clubhouse is behind the stand.

There's also a Club noticeboard, & a 'Wall of Fans'.

Here's a close up of one of them.

Further along was a club office that had a cabinet of merchandise in it.

And this wonderful pig on display! They should have one of these in the boardroom at Imber Court! ;-)

Now it's time to go back to the other end of the stand where we came in. As we come into the ground there is open terracing to our right, with the empty open end as well. note the low setting sun,this will affect a few snaps in this set.

Directly opposite is a large open terrace.

To our left is the lovely old main stand, with terracing in front of it too. This is the way we will head, clockwise round the ground.

A similar angle, a few steps nearer to the pitch.

Time to climb up into the stand, it has strange open boxes at the front. Possibly their own executive boxes for directors & sponsors?

Behind them is row upon row of wooden benched seating.

Looking down from the back we can see the strange shaped dugouts at the front, by the pitch. And you can also look at the swathe of banked terracing in the background.

At the back of the stand, over the halfway line.

You will see when we get round there that the strange colour in the terracing opposite is the crush barriers. The dugouts look like a set of recycling bins!

Turning back to our our right. I have no idea why are the different flags are on display.

Eyes to the left again, without the glaring sun!

And back down the stand, from the top corner.

Beyond it is a large open terrace, we will get there, but not yet.

Down the steps to the front.

More of the 'executive boxes'.

We're back down at the front here, by the end of the stand where we came in.The wall in the middle is the players tunnel.

Which we see here.

Moving onto the pitch we have a good full on view of the stand.

Yet to be reached by us, open terrace to our right.

And opposite the stand.

The dugouts, from the front of them.

We're now back on the terracing in front of the stand, past the tunnel.

This is the terracing along the main side, past the stand.

It stetches as far as the corner, & is then blocked off by fencing. Fortunately the gate at the front is open for me.

Before we move on time to turn round & admire the ground behind us.

A corner flag shot, pitchside.

The terracing from in front of the old fashioned 'hooligan fencing', long since taken down all over England.

The other side of the fence.

This really is a magnifient old ground, as I am sure you will agree, from the back of the terracing at this end.

As it curves round what other word can you use but 'beautiful'?

Directly up above behind the goal, into the sun.

Main stand to the right.

Before it's time to curve round to the open side.

Scoreboard, with sponsors logo on it,at the top of this corner.

This view is from standing right under it.

Down the side, again into the setting sun.

Behind some of the metallic crush barriers.

Turning round, to the open end.

Seeing over the pitch, to the stand.

Directly opposite, over the halfway line.

Looking back at the terracing covered, once more.

And onward!

The terrace starts to curve, but ends suddenly, which leaves me wondering if it once went right behind the goal in years gone by?

Fenced off behind the goal, no standing here.

A final glimse down the side, from on the terrace.

Over the pitch from the top corner.

Some graffiti from opposing fans on one of the barriers.

On the pitch we look down the start of the touchline.

And behind the goal.

The main terracing, from the 'dead end'.

The stand, from between the posts.

And directly up the pitch.

To complete the 'net set' we turn to the right.

Almost back to the main stand side.

And here we are at the corner of the stretch of terrace we saw when we first game into the ground.

Back to where we started, time to leave.

Hamburg Crocodiles; Germany

2011-10-08T12:39:00.001+01:00

Hamburg Crocodiles are a minor German ice hockey side, playing in the Oberliga Nord, which is the third level, I think.

I saw a Junior mens game here in November 2010, I have been here once before, on a previous trip, but also only for a Junior match.

The Farmsen rink, from outside.

First Team poster for their next match.

This appears to be the way in, as if through the main entrance, which was shut for the junior game, where we got in through a side entrance.

As if we had entered this way, we are directly above the ice, behind the goal.

We are going to turn left, going round the rink clockwise.

In this top corner there's some sort of (closed) refreshment area.

Rows of seating down the side.

Looking back to the end where we started.

Down the ice, from the back of the seats.

Moving along, a better view of the entrance end.

Above the seating is a disused balcony area, hence the poles holding it up.

Continuing alone, note the ladder ahead.

In the 'void' at the front of the seats there is this strange collection of penguins. Anyone want to guess what they are for?

At the front of the seating are the penalty boxes.

Various flags hang above the ice, from the roof.

Here we are at the steps, which lead up to the balcony.

An out of bounds area.

But I had a peek, as the Zamboni was cleaning the ice.

Gotta get a snap of the old Zamboni. It wouldn't be an hockey rink without one!

Heading to the area behind the far goal, there is terracing at this end.

Before we get there we see the shiny, wet, pristine ice.

A full length shot of the seated side.

Now we're behind the goal.

Directly down the centre of the ice.

Along the far side, opposite the seats, is more terracing.

The team benches are at the front.

Opposite the seats.

Moving alone, we're heading back to the entrance.

Now at the entrance end, but down at ice level.

Not a proper standing area down here.

There is a refreshment point, down in the public skating locker room area.

Past this in the corner, is a small Crocodiles room, selling teas & coffees, with some club memorabilia hanging up.

On the wall, by the entrance where I came in, which was in this corner of the rink, is a club noticeboard.

As well as one for a club called Hamburg Huskies, who presumably use the same venue.

To finish, a couple of photos from the game.

The final score:

Abingdon United

2011-10-07T12:17:00.000+01:00

Abingdon United play in the The Evostik League Southern Division One South & West. I saw a game here a few years ago, when Dulwich Hamlet visited for an FA Cup tie. I took these snaps en route to an FA Youth Cup match to watch The Hamlet at AFC Wallingford in October 2010.

Smart fixtures sign outside.

I gained easy access through these gates, the matchday turnstiles are just to the right.

Through these gates.

Inside we are behind the goal, in a corner. Ahead is a small area of cover on the right.

Set behind the goal, on the left, is the changing rooms, club house, and associated buildings.. You can see the gates, on the imediate right, which forms the players 'tunnel'.

Here it is.

Behind the goal is an open hard standing path all the way along, with well kept grass behind it.

Here we are on the hard standing, note that 'strange' bit of cover behind the goal.

Behind the net we see right, to the cover & dugouts.

Immediately behind the net is this strange cover, I presume a 'smiking enclosure' for those using the bar facilities, rather than for those to watch the match from!

Past the other post, to our left, is the seating on the far isde.

Past the post it's hard standing up to the next corner, with some picnic pub garden style tables for the social drinkers.

From the corner we glance back along the clubhouse end.

A corner flag(less) shot.

Down the side is more hard standing, some sort of storage area, and even a hedge!

Past that is the seating, the modern style bland stand which is the nicest, but perfextly functional for clubs who can't afford anything fancy.

We have now reached the main stand.

At the back we look along the rows of green seats, with the far open end in the background.

In the centre is a small table for the press to rest their notepads.

The covered terrace is opposite, with the dugouts either side of it. This must have been the main stand in the past, from the look of it.

Some of the new stand is for the visiting officials.

Past the seats is more hard standing, with flat grass behind.

From this side we look over to the next end.

Turning back, the length of the stand side, back up to it.

The next corner photo.

More of the open hard standing, with plenty of grass, behind this goal.

The cover & dugouts, from behind this net.

Continuing on our circuit, past the goal.

Beyond the dugouts side is an open expanse, presumably a training area.

More open hard standing down this side, up to the covered shed.

The pather deviates from it's straight line here, & there is a training goal behind the cover.

One level of raised hard standing under the roof, I can't be sure, but if memory serves me correct had seats under it when I saw The Hamlet here.

One of the dugouts.

The new stand, opposite.

Here is the covered terrace, from the frontal side.

Past the second dugout now, almost completing our flying visit.

From this side we look to the clubhouse end.

And we are almost back at the turnstiles, in the corner where we began.

One last look behind the goal, where we came in, & it's time to go.

League sponsors signage...well it WAS current when I took this set of pictures!

Colchester United

2011-09-27T11:48:00.002+01:00

I visited the new Colchester United ground for a Friday night televised match early last season, an npower League One clash with Carlisle United, on Friday 27th August 2010. I was fortunate enough to have been at the very last game at Layer Road, which was a youth team friendly against Dulwich Hamlet.

There is a special football bus service from the town centre, as the gorund is out on the edge of town.

Here are some of them lining up.

Cheap enough as well.

On the bus, approaching the stadium.

The new access road, named after the club.

An all-weather community pitch & large car park outside.

Getting closer...

Almost there, outside.

Club shop in the main stand.

Inside the shop.

They clearly don't like their local rivals!

Moving along, behind the main stand, is the ticket office. We're going to complete a circuit of the outer perimeter.

The main entrance to the stadium.

Inside the foyer is this photo of the ground.

The full title of the ground is the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Reaching the far end.

A shot of it through a gap in the gates.

And from same spot across the pitch.

Moving round, this is the back of the stand behind the goal.

Stadium sponsors displayed in lots of places.

One of the visiting fans, I had to stop him & ask to take a picture of that shirt, with their famous Eddie Stobart sponsors of course.

One of the many turnstile entrances.

Modern ground, modern cycle shed.

Now behind the main home end, which is where my ticket is for. How retro is this? Germanic football fashion in Essex!

Getting closer to kick off, plenty of people now milling about outside. Notice that tent...

It's pre-match entertainment!

It's organised by Keep Colchester Cool.

Full set of signatures for this young match listening to them.

Food stands doing a good trade.

Inside the ground now, there were also refreshments under the seats on the concourse.

Now up in the main home stand behind the goal, in the South Stand. That's the main stand. the West Stand, to our left.

The stand at the other end is the North Stand.

And to our right is the East Stand.

The home end again, to our right.

And to the left.

The main stand, from the bottom of our one.

A box at the top corner of our stand, possibly a crowd control area?

Along the South Stand, from the bottom corner.

A lone 'corner flag' shot.

The other side of the net, to the East Stand.

Club crests on the big scoreboard, at the far end.

A pic of a goatee on one of the players in the warm up.

Mustn't leave out the mascot.

There won't be that many balls in the back of the net during the game!

On goes the sprinkler.

Back in my seat, not long til kick off.

The players come onto the pitch.

The away fans are in the far corner of the East Stand; the designated away end behind the goal not opened this evening.

Time to waste time with the handshakes.

Ready for kick off, with the floodlights now on.

Same shot when the sun has completely set.

East Stand to the right, by night...

As well as the main stand to our left.

Attendance on the scoreboard.

Final score, after a late Carlisle equaliser.

Time to go home!

I asked this chap, who was sat a couple of rows in front of me, & a little drunk, why he was dressed like that. Turns out he's celebrating the birth of his daughter!

With the game finished I moved into the main stand, to get a full photo of the home South Stand.

The main stand, from the bottom corner.

In the concourse underneath it were some old photos from the past, to make it feel more 'homely'.

Some fans stay behind, rather than sit in the car park queues I suppose, to catch the post match comments on the box.

One 'lucky' fan picks up his winnings from the on-site bookie.

A final look at more pictures on the concourse & it's time to head back to London.

Vale of Clyde; Scotland

2011-09-26T18:26:00.006+01:00

Vale of Clyde play in the West of Scotland Central League First Division, & although I've never seen them play I have watched at game here. Completely by 'accident'! It was a Sunday in May 2010, I was hoping to watch a womens game in the morning at another ground, but when I got there it was off. I wandered around & noticed that Fullartaon Park was marked on my Glasgow A to Z, not too far away. A football ground wasn't marked, but the name rang a bell in my head, as a non-league venue. I got there just before two o'clock & a local Sunday league Cup Final was about to kick off! I have no idea who the two teams were, as there was no programme. It was very one sided, but who cares...ground ticked! ;-)

The entrance was through this gate, the rest of the ground was well fenced in, so I don't think I'd have been able to gain access if there wasn't a game on.

Through we go.

A poster advertising travel to an away game,the day before.

A view over the pitch as we get inside.

Immediately through the entrance there are club buildings to the left, & set back to the top left, are 'typical' Scottish non-league toilets!

These ones!

Quality eh? ;-)

Back to where we came in...to our right is an open terrace. There was no clubhouse here, so note the various bags of booze & discarded bottles & cans.

The covered area is opposite. But like many Scottish Junior grounds there are no seats.

To our left there is more open terracing, in front of the changing rooms & refreshment hut. That is the direction we are heading, round the ground, clockwise.

Several good steps of terrace, with a solid brick wall at the front.

This is Scotland, so more booze rubbish everywhere.

As we move along the brick wall stops, & is replaced by a rail.

The terracing, which seems older than the hard concrete in the centre, goes on to the corner.

Turning round you can see the contrasting styles.

A full length view down this first side.

At the corner we see over the pitch, to the covered side.

Nothing behind the goal, just an open grass bank.

From this angle we glance back down the main open side again, the building nearest to us on the right is a refreshment hut, but no alcohol.

The rail stops at the netting, & continues the other side.

From behind the goal we look toward the shed.

Before heading on there we turn back to get a shot of the Snack Bar.

Moving on, toward the next corner.

Down the covered side it's more grass banking, no terracing.

From this side we see the banked end we just walked along.

Almost at the cover now, at the top of the slope, I think I've accidentally caught someone having a wee behind it, to the left! ;-)

From this side we look directly over the pitch, to the terraced side.

The dugouts are set well apart, on this side, at the bottom of the cover.

One of the dugouts.

There is rough hard standing under the cover at the top of this side.

The grass is worn away in front of it, so it's clearly a popular vantage point.

Past the roof there is more grass banking to the bottom end of the ground.

Surrounded by trees, these mask what a rundown area the ground is in.

Looking back to the enclosure & the dugouts.

At the third corner now, a half time penalty competition about to commence.

Behind this goal it is more grass banking, with a worn path at the top.

From this end we see the covered side again.

Like the other end there is no pitch rail behind the net.

Moving on we are now on our way back to the terraced side where we came in.

It is a decent terrace as you can see, but take note also of that man on the pitch at half time, heading toward the penalties. We shall see more of him...

Looking down the touchline, I feel extremely lucky to have stumbled on a game at such a nice ground.

Now a few snaps from the game, and...

The chap I mentioned...here he is celebrating a goal.

Get in there! For some reason the lineman shows no interest in getting him off the pitch. Don't worry I was quite scared of him too! ;-)

He's having a great day.

Back to the penalty shoot out....

He's down there somewhere, offering his encouragement...

All over, off he goes, as we wait for the game to start. And look at the 'mars bars' on his back! No wonder Glasgow's got a reputation for being rough!

That's enough of him, for now! Back to the game...

Goal!

Ah, there he is again!

Back to the football...

Rayleigh Town

2011-09-25T16:12:00.002+01:00

Rayleigh Town play in the Essex Olympian League Premier Division, which is a Step Seven league, the eleventh rung of the English football pyramid. I saw them play on an early midweek kick off at the end of the 2010/11 season, on an overcast evening, with some light drizzle coming down. Most clubs in this division only have the most basic railed off pitches, so it was nice to see a small bit of cover here.

This approach leads to the ground from the main road.

At the end of it are the club buildings, changing rooms to the left; clubhouse to the right.

This is the way to the chaging rooms.

While the bar is through these doors.

Here it is.

A number of old photos line the walls.

As do various pennants.

This one being from their cup final victory the week before.

By the entrance to the bar was this wonderful old set from when club volunteers built the building in the 1970s!

Moving back outside there is this covered verrandah looking out toward the pitches.

Here are the changing room buildings next to the bar.

Stepping back we see the clubhouse.

There are several pitches here, the main one is in the 'middle'.

Here we are at the corner of the main pitch, it's roped off all the way round, & we're going to head round moving left, walking in a clockwise direction.

The rope goes behind the goal.

Along the far side we can see the two dugouts either side of a small area of cover.

A similar shot, from behind the net.

Moving on there are cricket nets to the left, traditional cricket in the summer, football in the winter.

Toward the main side again, from the other side of the net.

Directly behind the goal.

Zooming in on the cover & dugouts.

At the second corner now.

The rope continues down the side.

Set back immediately behind us, in this corner is the cricket building.

Moving on we are heading toward the dugout & cover.

The first dugout is the visitors.

Then we reach the shed in the centre.

Here it is from the front.

Directly acroos the halfway line.

Ryman League footballs in usse in the Essex Olympian League!

Now at the next dugout. Note a secondary pitch to the left.

There are also dugouts along the side of it.

Back to the main one, we are behind the home dugout & cover.

Here we look directly at the covered section.

And the home dugout.

Now it's open & roped off from here on, as we head to the corner.

From the same area we step back a few yards, & look at the main pitch through the posts of the adjacent one.

And then continue our walk.

At the third corner now.

Turning to the area behind the goal, still roped off, high netting to save wayward shots.

With an old roller dumped behind.

At the penalty area now, a glance back to the covered side.

And onward to the goal.

Almost behind it.

And to the last corner, still roped off, with the clubhouse across another pitch, to the left.

Glancing across that pitch.

Dugout occupied during the match.

Not a huge crowd at this level!

Over the halfway line from this side.

And the away dugout.

Now on the last stretch, to where we began in the corner.

This was the rest of the crowd!

A little bit of match action to finish with.