FL2: Bury v. Torquay 1st May 2010

For anyone travelling to the Bury game and has time to spend before the match, if you fancy a meal before the game I will give any gulls fans a 50% discount if you come to the Middleton wetherspoons(its about 15 mins by car from gigg lane). It may be the heartland of man city and man utd, but believe me they all know of Torquay and always talk about us. You will be welcomed!!! I am the manger their so please if you can take advantage.

I wont be their because of the match. up the gulls

Thanks
James Cook

My first awaytrip of the season, really looking forward to 90 minutes of watching the Gulls in a relaxed manner. As long as we don't loose it's fine with me!

The food offer sounds great, might just pop in?

I've already been to Gigg Lane this season and can vouch for the friendliness of the locals, albeit FC of Manchester fans. Although we did meet an FCOM official in the local pub who, when mentioned we were from Torquay, stated that one of his best mates was a Torquay fan called Dave Shaw!

If anyone gets there very early and drops down into East Manchester itself try visiting the sites of two old league grounds. To start with, Hyde Road, originally home to Manchester City from 1887 until departing to Maine Road in 1923.

This boundary wall may well show the original entrances, now blocked up, but I have a little more research to do after my visit a couple of months ago to be sure.





And shown below is Bank Street, originally home to Manchester United from 1893 until 1910, and within sight of Manchester City's current residence. The 'footprint' of the ground is fairly visible as the boundaries are as when United played there and it is possible to work out where the stands where situated.

This shows the position of the stand on the far side, still with a degree of the original banking of the stand?, looking from behind the goal at near enough the position of the corner flag. The back of this stand would’ve been up against the far fence which sits atop the banking.
Note the corner of the velodrome used in the Commonwealth Games which sits just behind where the corner of the end terracing and stand are shown in the 1907 photo below.





The group of players, shown in 1907 and including Charlie Roberts and Billy Meredith, would’ve been positioned just at the edge of the 'now' photo where the fence that bisects the pitch finishes and well in front of where the red & white traffic cone is just visible. The velodrome was built behind the terrace which is shown behind two top-hatted gentlemen on the left in the group.





Below is a view further to the left showing the position of the near side grandstand, the lorry would've been near enough in the changing rooms under the stand.

Note The City of Manchester Stadium behind.







I may well enlarge this post and add it to the grounds room...

Will be making the trip up, have also cajolled my brother into coming. He has been to quite a few of our games over the years and has seen me laugh and cry at both results and performances.

Really looking forward to the game (another new ground for me and bro), and even though we're wonderfully safe for this season, i'm sure my usual nerves will be in play. Not sure if this the norm (or even sane!) for other fans but watching my team just puts me on edge and I always find myself wanting the best.

Think it will be a tough game, mainly due to two factors.
1; They are pushing to secure a playoff spot and will want to win at practically any cost.
2; We have the luxury of being able to relax and play football under relatively no pressure. The cause of many coupon busters at the bookies over the years i'm sure you'll agree.
Other than that I think whatever our eleven is they will want to show they can continue to perform against these so-called "better" teams, and set themselves up for next season.

I hope we will have a good following there, but will not be too surprised/dismayed if not, as it's been a long, weary season. And the travellers have covered a lot of distance, both in miles and mentally!

The most interesting thing about this match is with Smith gone back to Spurs,Carlisle and Beavon crocked up, Muzzy with a knee injury,Thomson still in Southampton,Tyrone given his marching orders, Camara apparently never here (but he was really) how many subs will we actually have on view?

the forums worst tipper would like to get one right before the end of the season, i´m going for a 1-1 draw!