Bristol Manor Farm v Gillingham Town The Creek / FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round / 6th August 2016 “Worrall Thompson – get this lad a cider!” instructed the lad sitting next to me on the train. Directly opposite me was a ginger-bearded chap with a white shirt, but despite the evident likeness it was not … Continue reading
Carlisle City v Atherton Collieries Gillford Park / Preseason Friendly / 16th July 2016 Fair to say that beer and pubs have played a prominent role on my football adventures over the last few years. Many of our great adventures and escapades have probably even been triggered by over-indulgence at times. However, when we talk … Continue reading
Hemsworth Miners Welfare v Tadcaster Albion Fitzwilliam Stadium / Preseason Friendly / 10th July I had spent my whole week preparing a whole host of puns based around the Cheshire village of Styal. Gibbo was probably right when he stated that I would be insufferable on the upcoming Saturday with crappy lines like, “My trainers … Continue reading
Atherton Collieries v Bolton Wanderers Alder Street / Preseason Friendly / 2nd July 2016 It’s not for everyone, but I adore preseason football: beer, sunshine, random scenic football grounds and with the fixtures being meaningless, none of that stress football brings along with it at times. Over the last few years, my summer months of … Continue reading
Sandbach United v Greenalls Padgate St. Oswalds Sandbach Community Football Centre / Cheshire League Premier Division /28th May 2016 Emil, Atherton Collieries’ Club Secretary, has always said that when it comes to a day out with me there is ‘always a story’ to be found. Generally, my only football experiences with Emil have come from … Continue reading
Liverpool Ladies v Manchester City Women Select Security Stadium / Women’s Super League / 25th May 2016 “I’d rather have AIDS than go to Widnes.” – Joseph Gibbons Widnes is one of the few towns in the north-west that I’ve never even stepped foot in. I did once suggest going to Widnes when we were in … Continue reading
Hereford v Morpeth Town Wembley / FA Vase Final / 22nd May 2016 Grimsby Town v FC Halifax Town Wembley / FA Trophy Final / 22nd May 2016 Undoubtedly one of my favourite days out of last season was FA Vase Final day. I hadn’t even planned on heading to Wembley that day, but with … Continue reading
Padiham v Runcorn Linnets The Arbories / North West Counties Football League Premier Division /7th May 2016 Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. That’s the petering away of my time living in the north-west and, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, I still have a huge list of grounds I wish I’d gone to during my time living … Continue reading
Nelson v Maine Road Victoria Park (AKA ‘Little Wembley’) / North West Counties Premier Division / 30th April 2016 Towards the end of November I came home from work after a hard day and dragged my body up the stairs towards my bedroom for a well-earned lie down. What I didn’t expect to find outside … Continue reading
Ryton & Crawcrook Albion v South Shields Kingsley Park / Northern League Division One / 4th March 2016 Gibbo was about to hit the big ‘200th ground’ landmark and so he wanted somewhere special to mark the occasion, as well as insisting I joined him for the momentous day. After little deliberation, Gibbo opted for a trip to … Continue reading
Lost Boyos 