Darlington 0-2 Grimsby Town
Coca Cola League two
Saturday 24th April 2010
Ground: Darlington Arena
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: Adults: £16 Children: £8
Score: Darlington 0-2 Grimsby Town
Programme: £3
Attendance: 1,900
Capacity: 25,000 (Match day=10,000)
Seated: 25,000
Covered: 25,000
Town/City: Darlington
Opposition: Grimsby Town
Date: 24.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 4
Darlington is a large town in what is really County Durham, but Darlington is its own county anyway. The town has a population of just under 100,000.
In 1825 the Locomotion train went along the line between Darlington station and Stockton-On-Tees at a record 15mph (this was fast in those days). This caused it to grow into a cenre for trains and railways.
The main feature is then obviously The Darlington Railway Centre and Museum in the North Road station. This actually contains the original Locomotion.
By the riverside is St Cuthbert's Church. It got the name as monks carrying the Saints body from Ripon to Durham stopped here on the way. There is a huge Victorian covered market just next to the clock tower. The centre is a market place with plenty of Cafe's and Pubs.
Darlington were founded in 1889 when they joined the Northern league. The first 10 years brought two titles in this division. In 1908 they joined the North East league. In 1913 they were crowned champions of the league and had a bright future ahead of them. They joined the Football league division 3 north and got promoted to division 2 not long after but relegation followed this. The league was halted in 1939 due to the war. They were placed in division 4 in 1958 for the season ahead. In 1966 the team was promoted to division 3. A series of promotons and relegations meant in 1989 they found themselves in the Conference. By the new century the club had been put in the new Division 3 and had lost out in 2 sets of play offs. In 2005 the league was renamed League 2. In 1958 Darlington reached the 5th round of the FA cup, knocking out Chelsea 4-1 at home in a 4th round replay. The success was halted when they lost 6-1 at Wolves. In 1968 the side reached the Quater finals of what is now the Carling cup. They beat Millwall, Portsmouth, Southend and York to get there before losing 5-4 at Derby. The club reached the Semi Final of the FA Amateur cup twice, losing out to Bishop Auckland both times. The club only ever played in one FA trophy in 1990. They lost in the Quater finals 1-0 at Leek Town.
This was a game that mattered more to the away side than the home side. Darlington knew they would be playing Blue Square Premier football next season, and Grimsby would follow if they lost today. Therefore, spurred on by the fact they had something to play for, Grimsby took the game to clinch the 3 points they desperately needed. Some 300 Grimsby fans were in the East Stand, singing for the whole match while the Darlington fans sat in silence (obviously the chant 'Shall we sing a song for you?' came up quite often).
Lancashire put the visitors ahead by heading in a corner from 6 yards out. Akpa Akpro latched onto a cross to volley home from close range. That was Game, set, match and point before the first half could even finish. I'll tell you now Darlington didn't even look like they could score a goal in the second half and probably deserve to be where they are, at the foot of the table.
The result meant Grimsby were 4 points from safety with 2 games remaining. Darlington were 18 points adrift. Meanwhile Notts County, Rochdale and Bournemouth were already promoted. Rotherham, Aldershot, Bury and Port Vale had the play off spots at the time.
The Darlington Arena is one of the most wasted grounds in England. The capacity is 25,000, but the club is only allowed to use 10,000. One side is never filled and one end has rarely got people in it. All the home fans were kept in the South stand while the away fans were kept in two blocks in the East stand. The ground is one tier all the way round with red plastic seats. The words 'Darlo, DFC, Darlington and Quakers are picked out in black with a thin white background. Seeming as it is already the biggest ground in League 2, it will be very unusual for sides like Newport County and Salisbury City to come to the ground next season.
The ground's floodlights are contained in the roof of the stands.
Darlington matchday pictures
Sunday 25 April 2010
Sunday 18 April 2010
11. RGPS Stadium-Northallerton Town
Northallerton Town 0-4 Stokesley
Northern league division 2
Saturday 17th April 2010
Ground: The RGPS Stadium
League: Northern league division 2
Admission: Adults: £4 Children: £2
Score: Northallerton Town 0-4 Stokesley
Programme: £1
Attendance: 103
Capacity: 1200
Seated: 143
Covered: 243
Town/City: Romanby Northallerton
Opposition: Stokesley
Date: 17.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 10
Northallerton is a medium sized town in the centre of North Yorkshire.
The club were formed in 1982. In 1990 they got their first promotion from the Northern league division 2 to Division 1. In 1994 the club decided to change their name to plain Northallerton. In 1997 they got promotion back to the Northern league division 1. This was followed by relegation next season when they changed their name back to Northallerton Town. In 2006 the club were promoted back to division 1. In 2009 the club were relegated back to division 2, this is where they remain now.
Todays away team, Stokesley, had already been promoted to the Northern league division 1. Northallerton would be stuck with a mid table position. The home side managed to hold their nearby neighbours to 0-0 until half time. However the away side completely had the upper side of the second half scoring 4. The result would lead to them being champions. By the end of the season Jarrow Roofing and Sunderland RCa would join them in the 1st division while Darlington RA and Birtley Town were relegated to step 11.
The RGPS stadium is in the bottom left corner of Northallerton. The turnstile is in the South East corner of the ground. The south end consists of some covered terracing with crash barriers. In the centre is the clubhouse which consists of a club shop, bar and TVs showing football scores. At the end is a 143 seater grandstand with red plastic seats and the players tunnel. The West end has 3 steps of concrete terracing. The North end isn't accessible to spectators. It contains simple hard standing for about 200. The East end is identical to the West end with 3 steps of concrete terracing. The pitch is fully railed, 3 sides have walls round them and the other has a white rail.
The programme is about 30 pages long with about 10 pages of ads.
Northallerton Town matchday pictures
Northern league division 2
Saturday 17th April 2010
Ground: The RGPS Stadium
League: Northern league division 2
Admission: Adults: £4 Children: £2
Score: Northallerton Town 0-4 Stokesley
Programme: £1
Attendance: 103
Capacity: 1200
Seated: 143
Covered: 243
Town/City: Romanby Northallerton
Opposition: Stokesley
Date: 17.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 10
Northallerton is a medium sized town in the centre of North Yorkshire.
The club were formed in 1982. In 1990 they got their first promotion from the Northern league division 2 to Division 1. In 1994 the club decided to change their name to plain Northallerton. In 1997 they got promotion back to the Northern league division 1. This was followed by relegation next season when they changed their name back to Northallerton Town. In 2006 the club were promoted back to division 1. In 2009 the club were relegated back to division 2, this is where they remain now.
Todays away team, Stokesley, had already been promoted to the Northern league division 1. Northallerton would be stuck with a mid table position. The home side managed to hold their nearby neighbours to 0-0 until half time. However the away side completely had the upper side of the second half scoring 4. The result would lead to them being champions. By the end of the season Jarrow Roofing and Sunderland RCa would join them in the 1st division while Darlington RA and Birtley Town were relegated to step 11.
The RGPS stadium is in the bottom left corner of Northallerton. The turnstile is in the South East corner of the ground. The south end consists of some covered terracing with crash barriers. In the centre is the clubhouse which consists of a club shop, bar and TVs showing football scores. At the end is a 143 seater grandstand with red plastic seats and the players tunnel. The West end has 3 steps of concrete terracing. The North end isn't accessible to spectators. It contains simple hard standing for about 200. The East end is identical to the West end with 3 steps of concrete terracing. The pitch is fully railed, 3 sides have walls round them and the other has a white rail.
The programme is about 30 pages long with about 10 pages of ads.
Northallerton Town matchday pictures
Friday 16 April 2010
10. Bridge Meadow Stadium-Haverfordwest County
Haverfordwest County 2-4 Rhyl
Welsh Premier League
Saturday 10th April 2010
Ground: Bridge Meadow Stadium
League: Welsh Premier League
Admission: Adults: £6 Children: Free
Score: Haverfordwest County 2-4 Rhyl
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 200
Capacity: 1, 600
Seated: 750
Covered: 750
Town: Haverfordwest
Opposition: Rhyl
Date: 10.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 1
Haverfordwest is a large town in Pembrokeshire in South West Wales.
Not exactly an exciting place, but there is history behind it.
Where Bridge street and the High street meet there is the remains of Woolworths. To the right of it there is a small alleyway that goes up to the castle. However don't get to excited as the castle is very empty and you shouldn't need to go for more than 45 minutes. Right next door is the town museum which contains some art pieces and local history exhibits. And that's basically it for Haverfordwest. Not greatly exciting... if you're not a groundhopper that is. Pembrokeshire league division 1 side Prendergast Villa play at Sir Thomas Picton school which can be accessed by a side path on Stokes Avenue.
Haverfordwest Cricket club fc play at, guess what? The cricket club. This is accessible from Dale Road North. However there are pitches on the left and right hand side of the road, so you may have to try both.
Suprisingly the cricket club also play on the facilities and they are in fact the oldest in Wales. They currently play in the Pembrokeshire county cricket league.
Haverfordwest County's history goes back as far as 1956 when they were Welsh league division 2 west champions. The following year they were Welsh league champions.
In 1980 they were Welsh league division one champions, therefore earning promotion to the Premier Division. Next season they were Welsh league champions again. Another 7 years brought them two more Welsh league titles. In 2005 they managed to reach the Welsh cup semi finals before losing 1-0 to Carmarthen Town at Llanelli. The club has competed in Europe as well. This happened in 2004 when they met Icelandic side F H Hafnarfjordur. They lost 4-1 on aggregate, playing their home leg at Ninian Park.
The club has had an unsuccessful season so far in the Welsh Premier league. Every year they try and get in the title race, but always find it tougher than they think. Todays opposition were Rhyl from North Wales. They were still chasing a chance to get into Europe. I wrote this post a bit late so I can tell you now, by the end of the season Rhyl did not make the European place.
Lee Hudgell opened the scoring for the home side on 6 minutes. This was followed 16 minutes later by a good header by Jack Christopher to give them a 2-0 lead at the break. Tyrone Kirk was brought on not long after the restart. Mark Connolly hit one home with 35 minutes to go and Kirk got the equaliser 2 minutes later. Connolly put them in front with 21 minutes to go and Matthew Williams sealed the win with 6 minutes left.
By the end of the season TNS qualified for a Champions league 2nd qualifying round match. Llanelli AFC and Port Talbot Town got Europa League first round qualifiers. Meanwhile due to the clubs deciding the league would be reduced to 12 clubs next season, Cefn Druids, Caersws, Welshpool, Porthmadog, Connah's Quay, Newtown, Haverfordwest and Bala were all relegated to either the Cymru Alliance or Welsh league division one.
The ground is called the Bridge Meadow Stadium and is located behind Morissons in the town centre.
You enter through the turnstiles at the South end and come out into hard standing area. There is a programme stall on your left as you enter. Programme's are £1.50.
There is a tiny club shop in the South West corner of the ground.. On the West side is the main stand which contains about 325 blue plastic seats. It has Haverfordwest County painted on the back in blue and readers will be happy to know it's not a modern day kit stand. There are two brick dugouts in front of the stand. On either side there are two steps of concrete terracing holding about 150 people overall.
The North End is plain hard standing that holds about 130.
The East end is another seated stand with about 425 blue plastic seats. This however is a kit stand.
The south end has standing for 175. The ground is completed with 8 floodlight pylons.
Haverfordwest County matchday pictures
Welsh Premier League
Saturday 10th April 2010
Ground: Bridge Meadow Stadium
League: Welsh Premier League
Admission: Adults: £6 Children: Free
Score: Haverfordwest County 2-4 Rhyl
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 200
Capacity: 1, 600
Seated: 750
Covered: 750
Town: Haverfordwest
Opposition: Rhyl
Date: 10.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 1
Haverfordwest is a large town in Pembrokeshire in South West Wales.
Not exactly an exciting place, but there is history behind it.
Where Bridge street and the High street meet there is the remains of Woolworths. To the right of it there is a small alleyway that goes up to the castle. However don't get to excited as the castle is very empty and you shouldn't need to go for more than 45 minutes. Right next door is the town museum which contains some art pieces and local history exhibits. And that's basically it for Haverfordwest. Not greatly exciting... if you're not a groundhopper that is. Pembrokeshire league division 1 side Prendergast Villa play at Sir Thomas Picton school which can be accessed by a side path on Stokes Avenue.
Haverfordwest Cricket club fc play at, guess what? The cricket club. This is accessible from Dale Road North. However there are pitches on the left and right hand side of the road, so you may have to try both.
Suprisingly the cricket club also play on the facilities and they are in fact the oldest in Wales. They currently play in the Pembrokeshire county cricket league.
Haverfordwest County's history goes back as far as 1956 when they were Welsh league division 2 west champions. The following year they were Welsh league champions.
In 1980 they were Welsh league division one champions, therefore earning promotion to the Premier Division. Next season they were Welsh league champions again. Another 7 years brought them two more Welsh league titles. In 2005 they managed to reach the Welsh cup semi finals before losing 1-0 to Carmarthen Town at Llanelli. The club has competed in Europe as well. This happened in 2004 when they met Icelandic side F H Hafnarfjordur. They lost 4-1 on aggregate, playing their home leg at Ninian Park.
The club has had an unsuccessful season so far in the Welsh Premier league. Every year they try and get in the title race, but always find it tougher than they think. Todays opposition were Rhyl from North Wales. They were still chasing a chance to get into Europe. I wrote this post a bit late so I can tell you now, by the end of the season Rhyl did not make the European place.
Lee Hudgell opened the scoring for the home side on 6 minutes. This was followed 16 minutes later by a good header by Jack Christopher to give them a 2-0 lead at the break. Tyrone Kirk was brought on not long after the restart. Mark Connolly hit one home with 35 minutes to go and Kirk got the equaliser 2 minutes later. Connolly put them in front with 21 minutes to go and Matthew Williams sealed the win with 6 minutes left.
By the end of the season TNS qualified for a Champions league 2nd qualifying round match. Llanelli AFC and Port Talbot Town got Europa League first round qualifiers. Meanwhile due to the clubs deciding the league would be reduced to 12 clubs next season, Cefn Druids, Caersws, Welshpool, Porthmadog, Connah's Quay, Newtown, Haverfordwest and Bala were all relegated to either the Cymru Alliance or Welsh league division one.
The ground is called the Bridge Meadow Stadium and is located behind Morissons in the town centre.
You enter through the turnstiles at the South end and come out into hard standing area. There is a programme stall on your left as you enter. Programme's are £1.50.
There is a tiny club shop in the South West corner of the ground.. On the West side is the main stand which contains about 325 blue plastic seats. It has Haverfordwest County painted on the back in blue and readers will be happy to know it's not a modern day kit stand. There are two brick dugouts in front of the stand. On either side there are two steps of concrete terracing holding about 150 people overall.
The North End is plain hard standing that holds about 130.
The East end is another seated stand with about 425 blue plastic seats. This however is a kit stand.
The south end has standing for 175. The ground is completed with 8 floodlight pylons.
Haverfordwest County matchday pictures
Saturday 3 April 2010
9. Riverside Stadium-Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough 1-1 Crystal Palace
Coca Cola Championship
Saturday 3rd April 2010
Ground: Riverside Stadium
League: Coca Cola Championship
Score: Middlesbrough 1-1 Crystal Palace
Admission: Adults: £26 Children: £13
Programme: £3
Attendance: 18, 428
Capacity: 35, 049
Seated: 35, 049
Covered: 35, 049
Town/City: Middlesbrough
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 3.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
Middlesbrough is a largely populated formerly industrial town in North East England.
Between 1800 and 1950 the town made huge amounts of money through Steel and Iron. These were used to make ships which were kept in the docks.
Things have changed since then though. Middlesbrough now survives on the map by it's population, the ships that are here and it's football team.
However the Middlesbrough institute of modern art in centre square is rather popular with tourists and contains some very good pieces.
A lot of people going from the North to the south of the country, or in reverse, will go via Middlesbrough on purpose so they can have their car carried across the river by the Transporter Bridge. Down the river is also the Newport Bridge The vertical lifting one in England, being 76 years old.
Middlesbrough football club has a long history. They were founded way back in 1889 when they joined the Northern league. In their 1st three seasons they were runners up twice. In 1894 they went one better and won the Northern league title. Pleasant Deja Vu next season as they strolled to a second title. They also beat Old Carthusians 2-1 at Leeds in the FA Amateur Cup Final.
Two seasons later they won their 3rd Northern league title.
The season after that they won the FA Amateur Cup again, this time 2-0 against Uxbridge at Crystal Palace.
In the 1899/1900 season they joined the Football League Division 2. Two seasons later they were promoted. 21 years later they were relegated back to division 2. It took 3 years for them to get back up again. This time it took just one season for them to go back down to division 2. Next season they were back up to division 2.
Although memorable for most, 1966 was a season to forget for Middlesbrough as they were relegated down to division 3. Next season they were back up again.
In 1974 they were promoted to division one. Two seasons later they were the Anglo Scottish cup winners, beating Fulham 1-0 in the final.
In 1982 they were relegated to division 2. 4 years later they went down to division 3. One year was all it took to get them back to division 2. Next season they were promoted to division 1 via the play offs. Next season they were relegated back into division 2.
In the 1990/1991 season they were promoted to division 1 which became the Premiership. One season later they were back in the Football league division 1 through relegation. In 1995 they were promoted back to the Premiership. In 1997 they were relegate to the Football league division 1. One season later they were back in the Premiership. In 2004 they won the Football league cup to qualify for the Uefa cup in which they finished runners up.
Todays opposition Crystal Palace were desperately trying to drag themselves away from relegation as they faced a Middlesbrough side that were still fighting for the play offs.
A win for Boro could see them being 4 points off the play offs if other results went their way.
Meanwhile Palace could get out of the dropzone with a win, if Sheffield Wednesday and Watford both failed to win.
There were a lot of empty seats at the ground with only about half being filled. Middlesbrough started well getting a few shots on goal but Scott McDonald made the breakthrough neatly putting the ball past Speroni in the Palace goal.
Palace fought back though and a wonderful header from Alassance N'Diaye found the top corner, so they could go off at half time with a crucial goal.
The teams came out for the second half with a different attitude. It was poor football with sloppy passing, awful tackling and terrible shots.
The match finished 1-1 and bizzarely the Middlesbrough team and fans seemed happy with a point. But the Crystal Palace fans were more than happy. Their loud singing lasted until nearly ten minutes after full time. Pretty good as there were only about 200 fans.
The Riverside Stadium is very similair to the one at Darlington. It has seating all the way round with no gaps. The seats are red and have things like MFC spelt out in white around the ground.
The ground is all one tier except the main stand at the west which is two tiers. There are 35,000 seats in total. This however is rarely filled past half way as you'll see by the attendance.
The away fans are kept in one block at the top of the South Stand (well they were for this match).
Down the stairways are food and drink canteens, and a TV with score shows on. I was surprised how loudly the Palace fans cheered when they saw the N'Diaye goal replay, then they cheered even louder when they saw it in slow motion.
The match programme is like what you'll find at most clubs. It's a glossy product filled with player interviews, news and information on the visitors. A bit poor for a league production.
Overall quite a loud and exciting day out. The Crystal Palace fans volume was turned much higher, even though they were against 17, 800 home fans.
Middlesbrough matchday pictures
Coca Cola Championship
Saturday 3rd April 2010
Ground: Riverside Stadium
League: Coca Cola Championship
Score: Middlesbrough 1-1 Crystal Palace
Admission: Adults: £26 Children: £13
Programme: £3
Attendance: 18, 428
Capacity: 35, 049
Seated: 35, 049
Covered: 35, 049
Town/City: Middlesbrough
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 3.4.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
Middlesbrough is a largely populated formerly industrial town in North East England.
Between 1800 and 1950 the town made huge amounts of money through Steel and Iron. These were used to make ships which were kept in the docks.
Things have changed since then though. Middlesbrough now survives on the map by it's population, the ships that are here and it's football team.
However the Middlesbrough institute of modern art in centre square is rather popular with tourists and contains some very good pieces.
A lot of people going from the North to the south of the country, or in reverse, will go via Middlesbrough on purpose so they can have their car carried across the river by the Transporter Bridge. Down the river is also the Newport Bridge The vertical lifting one in England, being 76 years old.
Middlesbrough football club has a long history. They were founded way back in 1889 when they joined the Northern league. In their 1st three seasons they were runners up twice. In 1894 they went one better and won the Northern league title. Pleasant Deja Vu next season as they strolled to a second title. They also beat Old Carthusians 2-1 at Leeds in the FA Amateur Cup Final.
Two seasons later they won their 3rd Northern league title.
The season after that they won the FA Amateur Cup again, this time 2-0 against Uxbridge at Crystal Palace.
In the 1899/1900 season they joined the Football League Division 2. Two seasons later they were promoted. 21 years later they were relegated back to division 2. It took 3 years for them to get back up again. This time it took just one season for them to go back down to division 2. Next season they were back up to division 2.
Although memorable for most, 1966 was a season to forget for Middlesbrough as they were relegated down to division 3. Next season they were back up again.
In 1974 they were promoted to division one. Two seasons later they were the Anglo Scottish cup winners, beating Fulham 1-0 in the final.
In 1982 they were relegated to division 2. 4 years later they went down to division 3. One year was all it took to get them back to division 2. Next season they were promoted to division 1 via the play offs. Next season they were relegated back into division 2.
In the 1990/1991 season they were promoted to division 1 which became the Premiership. One season later they were back in the Football league division 1 through relegation. In 1995 they were promoted back to the Premiership. In 1997 they were relegate to the Football league division 1. One season later they were back in the Premiership. In 2004 they won the Football league cup to qualify for the Uefa cup in which they finished runners up.
Todays opposition Crystal Palace were desperately trying to drag themselves away from relegation as they faced a Middlesbrough side that were still fighting for the play offs.
A win for Boro could see them being 4 points off the play offs if other results went their way.
Meanwhile Palace could get out of the dropzone with a win, if Sheffield Wednesday and Watford both failed to win.
There were a lot of empty seats at the ground with only about half being filled. Middlesbrough started well getting a few shots on goal but Scott McDonald made the breakthrough neatly putting the ball past Speroni in the Palace goal.
Palace fought back though and a wonderful header from Alassance N'Diaye found the top corner, so they could go off at half time with a crucial goal.
The teams came out for the second half with a different attitude. It was poor football with sloppy passing, awful tackling and terrible shots.
The match finished 1-1 and bizzarely the Middlesbrough team and fans seemed happy with a point. But the Crystal Palace fans were more than happy. Their loud singing lasted until nearly ten minutes after full time. Pretty good as there were only about 200 fans.
The Riverside Stadium is very similair to the one at Darlington. It has seating all the way round with no gaps. The seats are red and have things like MFC spelt out in white around the ground.
The ground is all one tier except the main stand at the west which is two tiers. There are 35,000 seats in total. This however is rarely filled past half way as you'll see by the attendance.
The away fans are kept in one block at the top of the South Stand (well they were for this match).
Down the stairways are food and drink canteens, and a TV with score shows on. I was surprised how loudly the Palace fans cheered when they saw the N'Diaye goal replay, then they cheered even louder when they saw it in slow motion.
The match programme is like what you'll find at most clubs. It's a glossy product filled with player interviews, news and information on the visitors. A bit poor for a league production.
Overall quite a loud and exciting day out. The Crystal Palace fans volume was turned much higher, even though they were against 17, 800 home fans.
Middlesbrough matchday pictures
Friday 2 April 2010
8. Station View-Harrogate Railway Athletic fc
League: Unibond Division One north
Admission: Children: £3 Adults:£6
Admission: Children: £3 Adults:£6
Score: Harrogate Railway Athletic 1-0 Ossett Albion
Programme: £1.50
Attendance: 146
Capacity: 1, 338
Seated: 288
Covered: 388
Town/City: Forest Lane Head Harrogate
Opposition: Ossett Albion
Date: 2.4.10
Club Shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 8
Harrogate is a large town in Southern North Yorkshire.
The highlight of course is the Turkish Baths. These are significant as through decades Harrogate had been a spa town.
These days though the waters of the town have been less than popular and the town focuses on holding conferences and meetings.
Alongside the Turkish baths on the same subject are the Royal Baths the Royal Pump room and Mercer art gallery which used to be the town's earliest surviving spa building.
Something else of interest in the town is the Stray which has a good football history as well.
The large grass space now holds Pannal Sports' A team matches.
The area is mainly used by hikers and dog walkers to walk across.
Nearby is also the Valley Gardens containing dozens of different plants. About 2 miles out of the town is the Botanical gardens which some say are even better.
Harrogate Railway Athletic were founded just after the second world war by some workers at what is now Starbeck station. The club have made sure they've kept with the roots as the ground is right next to the railway line and up the road from the station.
However they didn't come onto the football map until 1955 when they joined Yorkshire League division 2. They made an instant impact and after three seasons they were promoted to Division 1. This was short lived though as they were relegated back on go 1.
Despite getting promotion in the 1963/1964 season Railway missed out on runners up spot on goal difference. However once more they were relegated back to Yorkshire division 2 after 1 season. In the 1969/1970 season they were relegated to the newly formed Yorkshire division 3.
This was followed 3 years later by them leaving the Yorkshire league.
After a 7 year absence they rejoined the Yorkshire league at division 3 once more.
In 1982 they were among the teams that founded the North Eastern Counties League. They started at the bottom in division 2 north. Bizzarely in the 1st season they finished bottom with 7 points, then the next season they were champions and gained promotion to the North Eastern counties league division 1 north.
A repeat of the 1963/1964 season happened in the 1986/1987 season as Railway missed out on runners up spot on goal difference but were still promoted to the premier division.
6 years later they were relegated back to division 1. This was followed by 4 frustrating seasons in this league before finally, in their 5th consecutive season there they were champions and got promotion back to the premier division. In the 2002/2003 season Harrogate Railway reached the 2nd round of the FA cup where they were knocked out by Bristol City.
In 2005/2006 the side finally managed to break through and clinched promotion to Unibond division one north.
Since then they have played in the Unibond division 1 north since then and just avoided relegation last season.
Today Harrogate Railway were playing in a fierce relegation match. Before the match there was 8 points between them and Ossett Albion and another 3 points for The Rail would surely secure their step 8 status. The players walked out onto the field in front of a poor crowd of 146. I've seen higher attendances at my home club Northallerton Town.
Harrogate Railway went one goal up after 10 minutes and it looked like the ball had come off the outside post at first. Then I realised that the net was pinned onto the backboard so the ball bounced right out again. So much for learning from the referee's mistakes at the Bristol City-Palace game.
The match was then based around the middle of the pitch. I noticed both sides were very badly disciplined as foul after foul came in, yet no one was sent off. The didn't seem to be many die hard Railway fans at the match as there wasn't much cheering. But I did notice that there were a few Ossett fans with Ossett scarfs. A huge wave of relief went round the ground as the final whistle went to insure Harrogate picked up 3 points. They are now surely safe and have put Ossett Albion and Rossendale United down.
Meanwhile at the top of the table Lancaster City and FC Halifax Town have both secured play off places. They will now be contesting for the promotion and title spot. Currently Lancaster City are in 1st spot with FC Halifax Town breathing down their necks in 2nd, the top play-off spot.
Colwyn Bay in 3rd have surely given up hope of a promotion spot, they are on 67 points, 13 behind Halifax. Curzon Ashton are 4 points behind them in 4th as are Skelmersdale United who are behind them on goal difference. Leigh Genesis are the only team outside the play off places with any hope of still securing one.
Station View is located in Forest Lane Head. This is an area in the East of Harrogate.
If you travel South West on the A 59 after you enter Harrogate you'll see the road Station view on your right just after Starbeck station. Go up here and you'll reach the ground at the end. There is a club flag and a Unibond League flag flying above the entrance. The turnstile is on the corner and is painted in the club colours, green and red.
The turnstile is a block with a window with a slot underneath to pass money under. On display is the day's match programme. You pay your admission and go through the football league style turnstile. You'll come out at the South east corner of the ground.
Ahead of you is hard standing that holds about 130 fans. On the far touchline on the left is hard terracing that's 3 steps high, it holds what I guess to be about 200 spectators. In the centre of the touchline is what I make to be the smallest main stands I've ever seen. The stand is modern with just 38 green plastic seats contained inside. The writing above labels it as The Shaun Glennon Stand and the club name Harrogate Railway Athletic AFC. On the right hand side of the stand is normal hard standing. Aside from the extra terracing and seated stand this side of the ground holds 195 fans. The north side of the ground on the left has capacity for 265 standing fans, 200 of which are covered. On the right is seating. In the centre is 40 red plastic seats for away fans. it is very unusual these days for teams at this level to have a section for away fans. On the right of this is more red plastic seating for 210 fans. On the near touchline is hard standing for 195 fans. On this side there is the clubhouse, the changing rooms and a tiny club shop with surprisingly a lot of merchandise and souveniers. There are toilets in one corner of the ground. There are 6 floodlight pylons with 3 on each side.
This isn't the most exciting ground but can be of interest for its tiny main stand.
7. Earls Orchard Playing fields-Richmond Town fc
Ground: Earls Orchard Playing fields
League: Teeside football league division 1
Admission: free
Score: Richmond Town 6-1 Darlington Grammar School Railway Athletic.
Programme: no
Attendance: 40
Capacity: 650
Seated: 0
Covered: 0
Town/City: Richmond
Opposition: Darlington Grammar School Railway Athletic
Date: 27.3.10
Club shop: no
Floodlights: no
Step: 12
Richmond Town play in the Teeside football league.
They are from North Yorkshire and are just south of Darlington.
Obviously you’d expect it at this level of football but the pitch has so many lumps and bumps in it and one of the goals has to have the back of it on top of a pile of mud otherwise it would slip down the hilly bit.
I took the 159 bus to get to this match and walked from Richmond Market place.
I walked in through the gate but no one asked for an admission so I knew it was free admission.
The pitch is fully railed and has a black coat of paint on the metal rails. But that’s it at the ground really, just a pitch with a rail going round it. There are some changing rooms that you pass on the way in but there is no clubhouse and these only have a few pictures from the past mounted inside.
I’m not entirely certain whether it’s possible to get promoted from the Teeside league to the Wearside league.
On the Wikipedia English football structure it says you can but on the pyramid structure website it says you can’t. However Scarborough Town went from the Teeside league division 2 to the Wearside league last season so I guess anything’s possible.
Darlington Grammar School were wearing Darlington shirts for their match while Richmond Town were in blue. They completely thrashed the bottom club by 6 goals to 1.
Another ground that I’ve ticked off that I’ll hopefully never have to visit again because of how uninteresting it is. Nice view of the castle though.
Richmond Town matchday pictures
League: Teeside football league division 1
Admission: free
Score: Richmond Town 6-1 Darlington Grammar School Railway Athletic.
Programme: no
Attendance: 40
Capacity: 650
Seated: 0
Covered: 0
Town/City: Richmond
Opposition: Darlington Grammar School Railway Athletic
Date: 27.3.10
Club shop: no
Floodlights: no
Step: 12
Richmond Town play in the Teeside football league.
They are from North Yorkshire and are just south of Darlington.
Obviously you’d expect it at this level of football but the pitch has so many lumps and bumps in it and one of the goals has to have the back of it on top of a pile of mud otherwise it would slip down the hilly bit.
I took the 159 bus to get to this match and walked from Richmond Market place.
I walked in through the gate but no one asked for an admission so I knew it was free admission.
The pitch is fully railed and has a black coat of paint on the metal rails. But that’s it at the ground really, just a pitch with a rail going round it. There are some changing rooms that you pass on the way in but there is no clubhouse and these only have a few pictures from the past mounted inside.
I’m not entirely certain whether it’s possible to get promoted from the Teeside league to the Wearside league.
On the Wikipedia English football structure it says you can but on the pyramid structure website it says you can’t. However Scarborough Town went from the Teeside league division 2 to the Wearside league last season so I guess anything’s possible.
Darlington Grammar School were wearing Darlington shirts for their match while Richmond Town were in blue. They completely thrashed the bottom club by 6 goals to 1.
Another ground that I’ve ticked off that I’ll hopefully never have to visit again because of how uninteresting it is. Nice view of the castle though.
Richmond Town matchday pictures
6. Bloomfield Road-Blackpool
Ground: Bloomfield Road
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: £14.50
Score: Blackpool 2-2 Crystal Palace
Programme: yes £3
Attendance: 9, 702
Capacity: 12, 500
Seated: 12, 500
Covered: 10, 500
Town/City: Blackpool
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 20.3.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
This was a very important day for Blackpool fc as they were officially opening the new Jimmy Arnfield Stand. The stand was opened by the Blackpool legend himself just before the match.
This meant that there was a seating plan change.
Away fans are now sharing the North stand with Blackpool fans while the home fans move into the new stand. The uncovered stand was unused for the match and I’m unsure whether it will be used in future matches
The ground now has an increased capacity of 12, 500.
The main stand is the West Stand this holds what looks like about 4, 500 fans.
The east stand I think shouldn’t be allowed at this level of football. It would be surprising if it was even allowed to be used at Blue Square premier level.
The stand is basically just a metal rack with orange plastic seats in the gaps. The lighting for the stand is just a lamp tied onto a stick which is tied onto the back of the stand. I’m not even sure if the stand’s secured in properly. The club has said it is too dangerous too add a roof onto the stand and I can see why. A metal rack like that would just collapse under the weight of a tin roof. The stand has about 2, 000 seats in it.
The north stand is half for away fans, half for home fans. The stand is made exactly like the West Stand and holds about 3, 000.
The Jimmy Arnfield stand/South Stand holds another 3, 000 fans. A match programme is available for £3. It looks like most of the other ones you’ll find in the football league.
The ground is very close to the pier so after the match you can walk down to the town centre to go to the arcades or theme parks.
The match was disappointing for the away Palace fans as Blackpool came from 2 goals down to get a draw in the 2nd half after a last minute equaliser.
Blackpool fc matchday pictures
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: £14.50
Score: Blackpool 2-2 Crystal Palace
Programme: yes £3
Attendance: 9, 702
Capacity: 12, 500
Seated: 12, 500
Covered: 10, 500
Town/City: Blackpool
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 20.3.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
This was a very important day for Blackpool fc as they were officially opening the new Jimmy Arnfield Stand. The stand was opened by the Blackpool legend himself just before the match.
This meant that there was a seating plan change.
Away fans are now sharing the North stand with Blackpool fans while the home fans move into the new stand. The uncovered stand was unused for the match and I’m unsure whether it will be used in future matches
The ground now has an increased capacity of 12, 500.
The main stand is the West Stand this holds what looks like about 4, 500 fans.
The east stand I think shouldn’t be allowed at this level of football. It would be surprising if it was even allowed to be used at Blue Square premier level.
The stand is basically just a metal rack with orange plastic seats in the gaps. The lighting for the stand is just a lamp tied onto a stick which is tied onto the back of the stand. I’m not even sure if the stand’s secured in properly. The club has said it is too dangerous too add a roof onto the stand and I can see why. A metal rack like that would just collapse under the weight of a tin roof. The stand has about 2, 000 seats in it.
The north stand is half for away fans, half for home fans. The stand is made exactly like the West Stand and holds about 3, 000.
The Jimmy Arnfield stand/South Stand holds another 3, 000 fans. A match programme is available for £3. It looks like most of the other ones you’ll find in the football league.
The ground is very close to the pier so after the match you can walk down to the town centre to go to the arcades or theme parks.
The match was disappointing for the away Palace fans as Blackpool came from 2 goals down to get a draw in the 2nd half after a last minute equaliser.
Blackpool fc matchday pictures
5.The Keepmoat Stadium-Doncaster Rovers
Ground: The Keepmoat Stadium
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: £13
Score: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Crystal Palace
Programme: yes £3
Attendance: 9, 779
Capacity: 15, 231
Seated: 15, 231
Covered: 15, 231
Town/City: Doncaster
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 27.2.10
Club Shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
Being at quite a high level Doncaster have a ground with a healthy capacity.
Sharing with Doncaster RLFC the ground has a capacity of over 15, 000.
Todays opposition were Crystal Palace. No one knew it for definite at the time but it would be Neil Warnock’s last game in charge of the Eagles.
The ground has a hefty admission of £13 to get into the away end.
This only takes up about half of the South West End. The other half was completely empty.
The ground is modern in a smooth bowl shape.
The ground is 1 tier all the way round.
It has 3, 000 seats at both the away end and the North East end.
The two sides both have 4, 500 seats
The whole ground is covered seating.
A programme is available for £3 on matchdays.
9, 779 turned up for the match which finished 1-1. This included about 600 away fans.
The ground has decent floodlight pylons and there is a club shop around the West stand of the ground.
Doncaster Rovers matchday pictures
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: £13
Score: Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Crystal Palace
Programme: yes £3
Attendance: 9, 779
Capacity: 15, 231
Seated: 15, 231
Covered: 15, 231
Town/City: Doncaster
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 27.2.10
Club Shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
Being at quite a high level Doncaster have a ground with a healthy capacity.
Sharing with Doncaster RLFC the ground has a capacity of over 15, 000.
Todays opposition were Crystal Palace. No one knew it for definite at the time but it would be Neil Warnock’s last game in charge of the Eagles.
The ground has a hefty admission of £13 to get into the away end.
This only takes up about half of the South West End. The other half was completely empty.
The ground is modern in a smooth bowl shape.
The ground is 1 tier all the way round.
It has 3, 000 seats at both the away end and the North East end.
The two sides both have 4, 500 seats
The whole ground is covered seating.
A programme is available for £3 on matchdays.
9, 779 turned up for the match which finished 1-1. This included about 600 away fans.
The ground has decent floodlight pylons and there is a club shop around the West stand of the ground.
Doncaster Rovers matchday pictures
Thursday 1 April 2010
Harrogate RUFC
Ground: Claro Road
League: National league 2 north
Admission: Free
Score: Harrogate 28-21 Kendal
Programme: yes £1
Attendance: 202
Capacity: 1, 165
Seated: 500
Covered: 500
Town/City: Harrogate
Opposition: Kendal
Date: 13.2.10
Club shop: Contact club
Floodlights: no
Step: 4
This season could be their last at Claro Road so I wanted to make sure I got to Harrogate Rugby club.
If you go up the A6040 North East bound to the roundabout at the end, you’re spoilt for choice for grounds.
Go right and you’ll go to Harrogate Town fc. Go forward and you’ll go to Harrogate Railway fc. Or in this case go left for Harrogate RUFC.
Going well at the top of the National league 2 north Harrogate welcomed Kendal to Claro road.
There is a gate in the middle of the fence which is a makeshift turnstile. I got in for free and picked up a programme for £1 which is full of ads with an 8 page insert for each match.
It was freezing and raining at the beginning of the match so I went and sat in the towering Grandstand. This seats about 500 fans with wooden benches.
Opposite this is the clubhouse and hard standing
To the left is more hard standing and a stall that sells hot drinks.
Too the right is marshy grass standing.
The pitch is fully railed as well.
Strangely there are no floodlights on this pitch but there are some on the 2nd and 3rd XV pitches.
A crowd of just over 200 gathered to watch Harrogate beat Kendal 28-21.
This is a fascinating Rugby ground and the club currently needs £250, 000 to keep their Claro Road ground.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/117159223503887715169/HarrogateRUFC#
League: National league 2 north
Admission: Free
Score: Harrogate 28-21 Kendal
Programme: yes £1
Attendance: 202
Capacity: 1, 165
Seated: 500
Covered: 500
Town/City: Harrogate
Opposition: Kendal
Date: 13.2.10
Club shop: Contact club
Floodlights: no
Step: 4
This season could be their last at Claro Road so I wanted to make sure I got to Harrogate Rugby club.
If you go up the A6040 North East bound to the roundabout at the end, you’re spoilt for choice for grounds.
Go right and you’ll go to Harrogate Town fc. Go forward and you’ll go to Harrogate Railway fc. Or in this case go left for Harrogate RUFC.
Going well at the top of the National league 2 north Harrogate welcomed Kendal to Claro road.
There is a gate in the middle of the fence which is a makeshift turnstile. I got in for free and picked up a programme for £1 which is full of ads with an 8 page insert for each match.
It was freezing and raining at the beginning of the match so I went and sat in the towering Grandstand. This seats about 500 fans with wooden benches.
Opposite this is the clubhouse and hard standing
To the left is more hard standing and a stall that sells hot drinks.
Too the right is marshy grass standing.
The pitch is fully railed as well.
Strangely there are no floodlights on this pitch but there are some on the 2nd and 3rd XV pitches.
A crowd of just over 200 gathered to watch Harrogate beat Kendal 28-21.
This is a fascinating Rugby ground and the club currently needs £250, 000 to keep their Claro Road ground.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/117159223503887715169/HarrogateRUFC#
4. Glanford Park-Scunthorpe United fc
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: £5-£28
Score: Scunthorpe United 1-2 Crystal Palace
Programme: £3
Attendance: 5, 698
Capacity: 9, 088
Seated: 7, 270
Covered: 9, 088
Town/City: Scunthorpe
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 6.2.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
One of the smallest grounds in the football league is Glanford Park in a small corner of Scunthorpe.
The most notable player is Kevin Keegan who has graced the pitch in the last few dozen years.
The ground cost £2.5 million to build and houses 9,088 fans on match days.
The ground is 22 years old and is one tier all the way round.
Today’s opposition were Crystal Palace who had recently been deducted points and found themselves in relegation trouble.
I was going to be in the noisy away end which cost me a cheap £5 to get in.
A bulky match day programme was available for £3 just as you enter.
In my opinion I have never come across louder fans in the Championship than the Crystal Palace fans. The recent problems off the pitch only made them more vocal.
200 or so balloons were released at the match which lead to bangs throughout the 90 minutes.
The ground itself is cramped.
The AMS stand (the away stand) has about 1, 800 seats. It accommodated about 600 noisy Palace fans during the match.
The main stand has about 2, 700 seats and is just one tier.
The east stand is exactly the same as the main stand with 2, 700 seats.
The north stand is covered terracing and holds 1, 800 standing fans. This will be converted to seating in the next year.
The match was won by the away side in stoppage time for a 2-1 victory.
A very good ground with some of the only standing terracing in the football league, however it will soon be gone so try and see it while you can.
The most notable player is Kevin Keegan who has graced the pitch in the last few dozen years.
The ground cost £2.5 million to build and houses 9,088 fans on match days.
The ground is 22 years old and is one tier all the way round.
Today’s opposition were Crystal Palace who had recently been deducted points and found themselves in relegation trouble.
I was going to be in the noisy away end which cost me a cheap £5 to get in.
A bulky match day programme was available for £3 just as you enter.
In my opinion I have never come across louder fans in the Championship than the Crystal Palace fans. The recent problems off the pitch only made them more vocal.
200 or so balloons were released at the match which lead to bangs throughout the 90 minutes.
The ground itself is cramped.
The AMS stand (the away stand) has about 1, 800 seats. It accommodated about 600 noisy Palace fans during the match.
The main stand has about 2, 700 seats and is just one tier.
The east stand is exactly the same as the main stand with 2, 700 seats.
The north stand is covered terracing and holds 1, 800 standing fans. This will be converted to seating in the next year.
The match was won by the away side in stoppage time for a 2-1 victory.
A very good ground with some of the only standing terracing in the football league, however it will soon be gone so try and see it while you can.
3. Malorie Park Drive-Ripon City fc
League: West Yorkshire league premier division
Admission: Free
Score: Ripon City 2-5 Whitkirk Wanderers.
Programme: no
Attendance: 98
Capacity: 775
Seated: 125
Covered: 125
Town/City: Ripon
Opposition: Whitkirk Wanderers
Date: 30.1.10
Club shop: no
Floodlights: no
Step: 11
Ripon is a quiet city in North Yorkshire with a sleeping giant of a football team.
Ripon City play in the West Yorkshire league Premier Division.
Their home ground is Malorie Park drive.
They have wide space because they share with Ripon RUFC and Ripon cricket club. Despite the fact the Rugby club are higher than the football club it is the latter that gets a seater stand.
I went by car to Harrogate than got the bus to Ripon where it was a 15 minute walk to the ground.
Not many teams in the league have a seater stand, but because they are based in a city they probably thought they’d better have one.
It was a bitterly cold day as I arrived and the match had already kicked off. Because it was a step 11 game I was expecting to have to pay an admission fee. But I walked straight in and there was no one at the gate. I stood on the end opposite the stand, which is just grassy standing. The pitch is fully railed as it should be.
I felt a bit strange in the freezing cold while everyone else sat in the stand.
The stand is quite impressive with bench seating for about 125 and it has a tin roof over it as well.
Whitkirk thrashed Ripon 5-2 despite the fact Ripon did the double ove
Ripon City play in the West Yorkshire league Premier Division.
Their home ground is Malorie Park drive.
They have wide space because they share with Ripon RUFC and Ripon cricket club. Despite the fact the Rugby club are higher than the football club it is the latter that gets a seater stand.
I went by car to Harrogate than got the bus to Ripon where it was a 15 minute walk to the ground.
Not many teams in the league have a seater stand, but because they are based in a city they probably thought they’d better have one.
It was a bitterly cold day as I arrived and the match had already kicked off. Because it was a step 11 game I was expecting to have to pay an admission fee. But I walked straight in and there was no one at the gate. I stood on the end opposite the stand, which is just grassy standing. The pitch is fully railed as it should be.
I felt a bit strange in the freezing cold while everyone else sat in the stand.
The stand is quite impressive with bench seating for about 125 and it has a tin roof over it as well.
Whitkirk thrashed Ripon 5-2 despite the fact Ripon did the double ove
2.St. James' Park-Newcastle United
League: Coca-Cola Championship
Admission: £20 (around that)
Score: Newcastle United 2-0 Crystal Palace
Programme: £3
Attendance: 37, 866
Capacity: 52, 387
Seated: 52, 387
Covered: 52, 387
Town/City: Newcastle
Opposition: Crystal Palace
Date: 27.1.10
Club shop: yes
Floodlights: yes
Step: 2
St James’ Park is definitely a ground that’s stepped into the 21st century.
It has 4 tiers of seating at two ends, two tiers at one end and 3 at the other.
The ground consists of over 52,000 seats.
It is currently the 4th biggest ground in England. 3,000 more than local rivals Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and 8,000 less than the Emirates Stadium.
This was an evening match so I was able to see the ground with the floodlights on. However as I was going as an away supporter I never realised how high up we’d be.
As you can see from the pictures the away section is extremely high up.
The main stand is surprisingly the smallest holding about 9,500 fans. The stand labelled Sports direct.com at the other end holds around 10,000 fans.
The other two more modern ends, are actually merged together two make one great curving stand.
The end behind the dugout holds 20,000 while the one behind the goal holds about 16,000.
The ground is surprisingly quiet apart from the noisy Palace fans.
It is a
monster of a ground and is a must visit for every groundhopper.
It has 4 tiers of seating at two ends, two tiers at one end and 3 at the other.
The ground consists of over 52,000 seats.
It is currently the 4th biggest ground in England. 3,000 more than local rivals Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and 8,000 less than the Emirates Stadium.
This was an evening match so I was able to see the ground with the floodlights on. However as I was going as an away supporter I never realised how high up we’d be.
As you can see from the pictures the away section is extremely high up.
The main stand is surprisingly the smallest holding about 9,500 fans. The stand labelled Sports direct.com at the other end holds around 10,000 fans.
The other two more modern ends, are actually merged together two make one great curving stand.
The end behind the dugout holds 20,000 while the one behind the goal holds about 16,000.
The ground is surprisingly quiet apart from the noisy Palace fans.
It is a
monster of a ground and is a must visit for every groundhopper.
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