Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2014 16:47:02 GMT
And, on the matter of photographs, I ended up with a fair few from my recent Scottish trip. Three games; other pictures taken from outside grounds or - when the gates were open - from within. The briefest of selections only unless there are any special requests. It's amazing what you can do on a three-day £36 rail rover.
AIRDRIEONIANS
One of those grounds which makes you wish you'd seen the old gaff which, in the nature of these things, is now covered by Morrison's. From the road there's no indication of the purpose of the site. No signs; nothing. It could be being used for something entirely unspeakable. People in Motherwell may argue that it is already.
ALBION ROVERS
Worth a detour off the M73 if you're heading to the Highlands. Three sides of Cliftonhill have long since fallen into dereliction but Rovers are doing their best and the groundsman was hard at work with pots of yellow and red paint. I wish to return to Coatbridge to see a game one day.
ALLOA ATHLETIC
Do they still sing "Alloa" to the tune of Alouette? If not, why not? No open gates so I viewed from without. The news that Alloa these days play in the second tier had passed me by. Good for them. Hearts, Hibs and Rangers are on their way; hopefully at least one of them will get a stuffing.
CLYDE
Archetypal new town surroundings. Clyde moved to Cumbernauld from Glasgow and are now pondering decamping to East Kilbride, another new town. Meanwhile, East Kilbride has its' own club with Scottish League aspirations. I'd heard that Broadwood was grim and soulless. It's not bad actually and I rather liked the leisure centre cafe with a view of the pitch. If you're going by train alight at Croy on the main line north from Glasgow Queen Street; I've heard the route from Cumbernauld itself is on a par with Hampton Court maze.
COWDENBEATH
An "international-class" venue, by all accounts, for banger racing or some such variant of what they've been doing at Newton Abbot racecourse over the years. I ventured through the open gates but, with it being after 5pm, was fearful of wandering too far and being locked in. What comes out at night at Central Park may hardly be worth thinking about.
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC
I've long wanted to see a game at East End Park and the opportunity came about because the original game had been postponed because of a thunderstorm. An absorbing and occasionally feisty Fife derby against Raith. The sight too of a strange stand-off between the polis and the Raith neds at the railway station afterwards. Change at Inverkeithing for Kirkcaldy, lads!
FALKIRK
Free Tuesday afternoon football for the indolent: a development league fixture against Inverness CT. I've seen worse games and, to be fair, far more uninviting out-of-town stadiums. Belting views of Grangemouth from the main stand if you're into petrochemicals.
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL
Rather tempting to simply say "as per Airdrie". Only in this case we're talking Sainsbury's with respect to the fate of the old ground. The "Spice of Life Stand" bought a smile to my face. An Indian restaurant, as you may have gathered, but surely too far beyond the 'Kerswell Arch for a post-Plainmoor banquet.
LINLITHGOW ROSE
A leading Junior side. A pleasant town and a tidy wee ground. Gates open; a chance to explore. I liked it although the general tourist might prefer to use their time visiting Linlithgow Palace and the town's loch. "Hail the Gallant Rosey Posey!" as they cry locally.
MURRAYFIELD
I've often seen Murrayfield from the train but could never see myself watching anything there. Mind you, the crowd was somewhat different to the usual gathering of Heriot's former pupils and their ilk. Sadly something of an anti-climax and a rather weird occasion that has since become even stranger.
RAITH ROVERS
Another ground often glimpsed on rail journeys. The gates were open but the groundstaff were due to lock up. I snatched five minutes. A gem of a main stand built in the corner of the pitch with land falling sharply away to the rear. Worth the inconvenience of being drenched in a heavy shower. Another one where a game must be watched in the future.
STENHOUSEMUIR
Train to Larbert; then a fifteen minute walk. I'd done it once before for a game in 1981. That's best not dwelling upon. No match this time. The gates were open but one of the best features is outside. And where else has a Norway Stand? East Stirlingshire play here as well I believe.
STIRLING ALBION
Who remembers when Stirling Albion played at Annfield and were managed by Bob Shankly? All gone now. Forthbank is plain and functional, as are its' surroundings, but the view of the hills is lovely. I had to remind myself to find time to visit the castle afterwards.
AIRDRIEONIANS
One of those grounds which makes you wish you'd seen the old gaff which, in the nature of these things, is now covered by Morrison's. From the road there's no indication of the purpose of the site. No signs; nothing. It could be being used for something entirely unspeakable. People in Motherwell may argue that it is already.
ALBION ROVERS
Worth a detour off the M73 if you're heading to the Highlands. Three sides of Cliftonhill have long since fallen into dereliction but Rovers are doing their best and the groundsman was hard at work with pots of yellow and red paint. I wish to return to Coatbridge to see a game one day.
ALLOA ATHLETIC
Do they still sing "Alloa" to the tune of Alouette? If not, why not? No open gates so I viewed from without. The news that Alloa these days play in the second tier had passed me by. Good for them. Hearts, Hibs and Rangers are on their way; hopefully at least one of them will get a stuffing.
CLYDE
Archetypal new town surroundings. Clyde moved to Cumbernauld from Glasgow and are now pondering decamping to East Kilbride, another new town. Meanwhile, East Kilbride has its' own club with Scottish League aspirations. I'd heard that Broadwood was grim and soulless. It's not bad actually and I rather liked the leisure centre cafe with a view of the pitch. If you're going by train alight at Croy on the main line north from Glasgow Queen Street; I've heard the route from Cumbernauld itself is on a par with Hampton Court maze.
COWDENBEATH
An "international-class" venue, by all accounts, for banger racing or some such variant of what they've been doing at Newton Abbot racecourse over the years. I ventured through the open gates but, with it being after 5pm, was fearful of wandering too far and being locked in. What comes out at night at Central Park may hardly be worth thinking about.
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC
I've long wanted to see a game at East End Park and the opportunity came about because the original game had been postponed because of a thunderstorm. An absorbing and occasionally feisty Fife derby against Raith. The sight too of a strange stand-off between the polis and the Raith neds at the railway station afterwards. Change at Inverkeithing for Kirkcaldy, lads!
FALKIRK
Free Tuesday afternoon football for the indolent: a development league fixture against Inverness CT. I've seen worse games and, to be fair, far more uninviting out-of-town stadiums. Belting views of Grangemouth from the main stand if you're into petrochemicals.
HAMILTON ACADEMICAL
Rather tempting to simply say "as per Airdrie". Only in this case we're talking Sainsbury's with respect to the fate of the old ground. The "Spice of Life Stand" bought a smile to my face. An Indian restaurant, as you may have gathered, but surely too far beyond the 'Kerswell Arch for a post-Plainmoor banquet.
LINLITHGOW ROSE
A leading Junior side. A pleasant town and a tidy wee ground. Gates open; a chance to explore. I liked it although the general tourist might prefer to use their time visiting Linlithgow Palace and the town's loch. "Hail the Gallant Rosey Posey!" as they cry locally.
MURRAYFIELD
I've often seen Murrayfield from the train but could never see myself watching anything there. Mind you, the crowd was somewhat different to the usual gathering of Heriot's former pupils and their ilk. Sadly something of an anti-climax and a rather weird occasion that has since become even stranger.
RAITH ROVERS
Another ground often glimpsed on rail journeys. The gates were open but the groundstaff were due to lock up. I snatched five minutes. A gem of a main stand built in the corner of the pitch with land falling sharply away to the rear. Worth the inconvenience of being drenched in a heavy shower. Another one where a game must be watched in the future.
STENHOUSEMUIR
Train to Larbert; then a fifteen minute walk. I'd done it once before for a game in 1981. That's best not dwelling upon. No match this time. The gates were open but one of the best features is outside. And where else has a Norway Stand? East Stirlingshire play here as well I believe.
STIRLING ALBION
Who remembers when Stirling Albion played at Annfield and were managed by Bob Shankly? All gone now. Forthbank is plain and functional, as are its' surroundings, but the view of the hills is lovely. I had to remind myself to find time to visit the castle afterwards.
