Stabaek v Brann Bergen - 6th August 2012

Monday 6th August 2012
Norwegian Tippelgaen
Stabaek 0 Brann Bergen 4
Admission 300 NKR
Badge 29 NKR
Programme - yes
Attendance - 4,086

My first visit to Norway and a bonus of a re-scheduled game for TV. Bottom of the table Stabaek were on the wrong end of a harsh 4-0 defeat against Brann. Very friendly atmosphere in the Nadderud Stadion. The Brann supporters had their own section section behind one goal but many others were mixed in with the home support in the main stand. When Brann scored it appeared that they had more support in the stadium and had a decent following. Not a hint of trouble anywhere.

The Nadderud Stadion is an athletics facility and is three sided. The main stand offers the only cover and despite the track offers a good view. One section of the ground behind a goal is undeveloped with a series of portakabin type buildings to the left of the stand offering some corporate facilities. Opposite the main stand is uncovered seating and behind the other goals is curved terracing.

The club shop is a trestle table selling a few scarves etc. No match programme was available to the general public. The lady running the shop didn't know why as they usually issue. I had an innocent wander into one of the corporate areas and found out there was a programme and picked up a couple. Don't know if they charge normally or if they are given away free. It's a nice A5 issue and is match sprecific. I didn't see any other supporters with copies in the ground.

I travelled on the 143 bust from Oslo main bus station with a 50 NKR return ticket. There is a stop right outside the stadium but I got off early at the Bekkestua interchange stop. There are a series of shops here and one is the Staebek club shop which has a range of different items on sale. You can also purchase match tickets here. The other option is to travel to the Bekkestua stop on the T-Bane and walk to the ground. It's a maxmium 10 minute walk.

I also went on the Ullevaal Satdium tour. Unfortunately I got ripped off and was charged 180 NKR instead of 90 NKR. My fault entirely as I should have checked the price. Very poor tour. The main focus was on Manchester United playing there the previous day against Valerenga. The game sold out with tickets costing 900 NKR - over £100. There is a football shop under one of the stands and it mainly sells Manchester United clothing and then other Premier League stuff. There are a few items on Norwegian club kit on sale and national shirts but unfortunately it is Manchester United dominated. Our guide Tommy was good but he kept drifting back to Manchester United and the Premiership. You got to visit an executive box, home dressing rooms, tunnel, the Kings seat in the stadium and that's it. There was also a short film at the end that didn't show but Tommy had legged it. Finally there is the Norwegian Football Museum which just had to have a Premier League section. There is a section on Norwegians supporting English Clubs. On one wall is a display of club fanzines produced in Norway. At least Scarborough Athletic had a prominent place in the display. The Ullavaal will be redeveloped soon with a new stand built behind one of the goals. This will make the stands symetrical and increase the capacity by 3,000.


Match Programme




Nadderud Stadion







Nadderud Stadion









Nadderud Stadion



Nadderud Stadion



Nadderud Stadion



 





Nadderud Stadion

 



Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo







Ullevaal Satdion, Oslo



St Neots Town v Redditch United - 9th October 2012

Southern Premier League
St Neots Town 1 Redditch United 2
Att 290
Programme £2.00

As new build stadiums go this is an impressive one.  The main stand houses 260 seats.  In addition there is covered terracing behind both goals.  Planning permission has been applied for to add another stand which will accomodate 300 seats.  Off the field the club has impressive bars and function rooms and a full size 3G pitch outside the stadium.

A scrappy game with St Neots lacking a cutting edge upfront. Bit of a chilly night.

Programmes are available inside the ground.

Rugby League - Millom v Castleford Panthers - 2nd June 2012

Millom 50 Castleford Panthers 4
NCL 1
Admission £2.00
Programme 50p (56 pages)
Att around 280 in ground (60 standing outside watching over the boundary wall)

A comfortable win for the Woolly Backs but the score should have been higher. Unfortunately the Ref had a shocker. Very poor around the play the ball, lying on etc and allowed the Panthers a lot of leeway with the majority of decisions going in their favour. It was obvious what this was going to lead to - a brawl. Panthers decided to try their luck with a bit of 'Biff', the Ref let it happen and then it kicked off.

The pitch is fenced off on 3 sides. The clubhouse and seperate changing room block are down one side. Also on this side is concrete hard standing and a 3 step terrace. There is no cover. Icecream & a burger van were in attendance.

I managed to get tbe last programme at the entry shed. Not much to read in the 56 pages. Although there were some very strange pictures inside - naked men etc.

I really enjoyed the day. It's a club really in the heart of the community and well supported. Millom is quite isolated and a visit is a bit like going back in time. Don't let that put you off.

Match Programme

Dresdener SC 1898 v SV See 90 - 20th October 2012

Saturday 20th October 2012

Dresdener SC 2 SV See 90 2
Saschen Bezirkliga Ost
Admission 3 euro
Att 194
Programme 1 euro

With Dynamo kicking off at 1.00pm and this a 3.00pm kick off a quick tram journey was in order using line 10. The Heinz Steyer Stadion is located near Dresden Mitte station and can easily been seen from passing trains. It is also used by Dynamos under 23 side and was previously the first stadium of the clubs first team. Despite being an athletics venue it is a great old ground. Outside is a plaque which details the world records that were broken by East German athletes in the 70's and 80's. The previous capaicty was 50,000 but I'm not sure what it is now. Only one side of the stadium was open which is the main seated stand. Its a bit worn in places but has distinct character. Large amounts of deep terracing surround the track and there is another old seated stand which located on the track back straight. A large scoreboard is in place but it wasn't being used for this game. Drinks are available from the bar under the stand. Programmes are available from the ticket booth in the stadium car park. Its a great issue for this level of football with the 16 page professionally printed full colour glossy issue costing 1 euro. Standard of football though was rubbish. Around United Counties level if that.

Anything bearing the Dynamo Dresden logo is not allowed in the stadium. I had bought a few items in the Dynamo shop that were in a Dynamo carrier bag. The steward asked me to wrap my jacket aound the bag so that it could not be seen by anyone.

Match Programme

Dynamo Dresden v Eintracht Braunschweig - 20th October 2012

Saturday 20th October 12

Dynamo Dresden 0 Eintracht Braunschweig 2
2.Bundesliga
Admission 22 euro
Att 27,513
Programme 1.50 euro

Getting there:

Tram 10 gets you to the stadium. It is two stops away. I travelled by train from Leipzig for this game. There was a large Dynamo support from Leipzig and also lots of supporters got on at the various stops in between. At the arrival at the station there is an extremely large police presence due to the reputation of the Dynamo support. I saw lots of people stopped and detained for identity checks.

The Stadium:

This was my second visit as I went to a Dynamo game last season. It's a big modern facility with good views from the seated areas. Food and drink inside has to be purchased using a club card. You buy the plastic card and have to load cash onto it from a booth or from the staff who walk around the concourses. It gets a bit crowded getting in through the access areas where the tickets are checked by bar code and then searches take place. As with last season the stewards are friendly here.

Outside the stadium is a large club shop. It was extremely busy and due to the hot weather it was like a sauna inside. Across the road is a large beer garden where a lot of supporters have their pre and after match drinks.

Programme:

Last season the programme was A6 in size and very good. This season it’s even better. Now A5 in size it is extremely well designed and presented. Programmes are on sale in the club shop or from the souvenir stalls inside the stadium at a bargain price of 1.50 euro.

The Game:

Both teams and the referee ruined this game through diving. Both teams were at it in the first half. People may laugh at the recent Suarez dive but there were a couple today that were even more ridiculous. This should have been clamped down upon straight away by the referee and this led to all the problems. Two Dynamo players were sent off within two minutes early in the second half so it was basically game over. Despite being top of the league E.B. just passed the ball around at the back and retained possession. Some may say it was a professional performance. I say it was boring.

Overall

Despite the disappointing game a visit to Dynamo is a great day out.

Match Programme

Stahl Brandenburg v FC Eisenhuttenstadter FC Stahl - 19th October 12

Friday 19th October 12

Stahl Brandenburg 1 Eisenhuttenstadter FC Stahl 1
Brandenburg-Liga
Admission: 5 euro
Att: 300
Programme 1 euro

Getting there:

I travelled from Berlin on the local rail service to Brandenburg which takes just under 1 hour. The train journey itself was quite unpleasant. It was a barmy 20º in Berlin with standing only available in the crowded carriages and no ventilation. On arrival at Brandenburg I found that the station is being re developed so facilities are basically non existent apart from a small refreshment booth and a portable toilet. Across the road from the station is the stop for tram 2 (direction Quenzebrucke) which takes you to the Stadion Am Quenz. A word of warning though - the last return tram leaves at 8.35pm so no good if you are relying on public transport for an evening game. Likewise the last two trams do not go all the way back to the station so you need to try and get a night bus back to the centre of Brandenburg. I was lucky I managed to flag down a taxi. There is a hotel next to the stadium so you may be able to order a taxi from there.

Stahl Brandenburg:

The club was formed in 1950 as BSG Einheit Brandenburg and played its earliest seasons in the II division of East German football. They took on the name BSG Stahl Brandenberg in 1955 to reflect the backing of the local steel company. With that support, the club able to assemble competitive sides by offering attractive salaries to the castoffs of other teams. The strategy drew some capable players to their ranks and helped them develop a solid fan base. The side earned promotion to the DDR-Oberliga for the 1984–85 season and they played there until German reunification in 1990. After a name change to BSV Stahl Brandenburg they spent the 1991–92 season in the 2.Bundesliga Nord. In 1993, with the closing of the local steel mill and the loss of their financial support, 'stahl' was dropped from the team name.

By the end of the 90's they found themselves mired in financial difficulty. The club declared bankruptcy in 1998 and quickly re-formed as FC Stahl Brandenburg, but continued to stumble. In 2002, in a desperate move to save something of the club, a merger with cross town rival Brandenburg Süd 05 to form FC Brandenburg was put into the works, but only went as far as the merger of the clubs' youth sides. Fan protests from both sides – and more money problems – caused the merger to unravel the next year.

Stadion Am Quenz:

The clubs floodlight towers can easily be seen on the approach to the “Stadion” tram stop on the left hand side. The stadium itself is located behind the Stahl Palast and a hotel. Walk past the Stahl Palast and there is a small ticket booth that sells admission tickets, a small range of souvenirs and matchday programmes.

No one was allowed to enter the stadium until 1 hour before the kick off. I can’t say that the stewards were very friendly and it should be noted that the head steward has a fantastic mullet haircut and moustache combo. After you buy the ticket it is checked by a steward next to the ticket booth. This lets you into the stadiums grounds. You then have to have your ticket checked again to get into the actual stadium itself.

The Despite having an athletics track, this is a gem of a stadium. There are four distinct features – the elevated main stand, the enormous floodlight towers, the large manual scoreboard behind one goal and the quirky control tower in one corner. The stadium capacity is 15,500. Three sides of the oval ground have concrete block and earth terracing. The main stand dominates and has a small area of plastic bench seating to the side of it. Just along from here is the distinctive control tower which it not in use. Keep moving to your left and there is a refreshment building serving drinks and sausages. Adjacent to this is the large score board which is manually operated. Opposite the main stand the terracing is covered by a shallow roof.

Programme:

I was quite pleased with this issue. I wasn’t expecting a lot but you get a very nice professionally printed full colour glossy issue for 1 euro. It consists of 12 pages and is A5 in size. A reflection on how stature of this former top level club has waned was contained in a programme article. On the same date in 1984 the club attracted a gate of 10,000 for a game against Motor Suhl. The attendance for this game was 300.

The Game:

Not the best. Kick off was delayed as two flares were set off in the main stand which ended up engulfed in smoke. These two teams were 14^th & 15^th in the 17 team Brandenburg – Liga respectively. So I didn’t expect a feast of entertainment.

Overall:

I set out a few years ago to watch a game at all of the clubs who competed in the last ever season of the old East German Oberliga. This was my final club to complete the set. The two clubs who played in this game played in that last ever Oberliga season. It’s quite sad to see how far they have fallen behind. On a positive note Stahl Brandenburg have quite a lot of young supporters who volunteer their services at games. So the club may pick up but they have struggled on the field for the last few seasons.

Match Programme

Gillford Park 2 Whickham 0

Tuesday 10 April 2012
Northern League
Programme Issued
Programmes are on sale from the turnstile

FC Erzgebirge Aue v SSV Jahn Regensburg - 7th October 12

Sunday 7 October 2012
2.Bundesliga
FC Erzgebirge Aue 3 SSV Jahn Regensburg 1
Admission 22 euros
Attendance 7,400
Programme - 1.50 euro - A5 - 54 pages - very good

Now for something completely different. Aue is a bit of a pain to get to and from as there is only a small run down railway station. I travelled from Leipzig changing at Chemnitz. On the way back it was to Zwickau changing at Grossnitz and then onto Leipzig. The stadium, Erzgebirgsstadion, has it own train station (the equivalent of a bus stop) outside. This was really handy. There wasn't a train after the game to Aue station so it was about a 20 minute walk. You can see the station as you walk into the town but its hard to find the entrance.

Despite a 4 lane purple running track the veiw from the stands is good. Set in a wooded area the stadium is very colourful. The town itself is small and has a poplulation of 18,000 so it looks like the draw in their support from a wide area.

The club does celebrate its past but it does have a bit of a name problem now with many supporters calling the club by its old name of Wismut, with the club also selling some souvenirs with that name on them. It seems that it would be much easier to revert to Wismut Aue.

Programmes can be purchased from souvenir sheds inside the ground and its a very good issue. There is also a good selection of other club souvenirs on sale. Food and drink are also varied with the club speciality of Nudelstrupf (probably spelt wrong) being very good - pasta with chopped up frankfurter sausage and grated cheese.

This was a good game with Aue deserving the win. Overall its a very good atmosphere and quite relaxed with spectators very friendly.

Programmes are on sale from the souvenir sheds inside the ground.  There is also a shed outside the ground on the main road away from the stadium.

Size A5
Full Colour Glossy
Pages 56

Eissenhuttenstadter FC Stahl v FC Swedt - 6th October 12

Saturday 6th October 12
Bradenburg Liga - Germany
Eisentuttenstadter FC Stahl 6 FC Swedt 3
Admission 4 euros
Att around 100
Programme - no - was told not today but not sure if they are doing one this season.

This was my second visit to Eisentuttenstadt. Last time the game was postponed but this time the pitch was in good condition. Eisenhuttenstadt itself is a very bleak place. Its not a dump or anything just very bland and appeared to be deserted.

The Sportanlagen Waldstraße is great old oval ground that has a capacity of 10,000. The only cover is a small elevated main stand with plastic seats. Its the only part of the stand that isn't made out of steel. That's maybe something to do with the literal translation of Eisenhuttenstadt being "ironworks city". There is concrete block and earth terracing on both curves behind both goals and opposite the main stand is uncovered seating. There is also lots of ornate metal work on the spectator fencing and window grills of the various buildings. The metal scoreboard behind one goal doesn't work and a digital one has been tied onto the front of it. It only half worked as the left hand numbers didn't display properly.

There is a small restaurant on the ground but it doesn't appear to be connected to the club. There is a portable bar which sells drinks and brockwurst. Apart from a turnstile/toilet block thats about it. There appears to have been some form of clubhouse behind the main stand but that is boarded up. The players change in an office block which is in the grounds of stadium. There is no clubshop but I did see one or two people wearing club scarves.

The crowd, of around 100, was mainly pensioners. Even though there appears to be nothing to do in "Hutte" in doesn't appear that the football club will be bringing in the numbers in the near future. Where does a club like this go in the future? An ageing support base, a handful of ultras and before the game they were bottom of the Brandeburg Liga. It hard to believe that they played Galatasaray in the Cup Winers Cup in 1991.

THe ground is about a 35 minute walk from the run down railway station. There were no taxis when I arrived but there is a bus 454 which takes around 30 minutes to reach the bus stop "Holzwolle" which is near to the stadium. You could walk from the station. Turn left at the front that right onto Beeskower str. Just keep walking until you reach Waldstraße which is on the right hand side of the road.

Arsenal v Olympiacos - 3rd October 12

Wednesday 3rd October 12
Champions League Group Stage
Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos
Adm £42
Programme £3
Attendance 60,034

A stop start game of non contact football ruined by an overpicky referee. Despite the attempts of the Olympiacos supporters there was little atmosphere. I purchased my ticket through the ticket exchange scheme on the Arsenal website. Plenty to chose from by the way. Strange that the club were displaying signs saying that the game was sold out as there was supposedly tickets on sale at the wooden shed outside the supporters club near Highbury.

Very strange incident in the first half. It started to rain heavily so the supporters in the uncovered seats got up and walked out. I presume to watch the game on the screens on the concourses. They eventuality came back when the rain stopped.




Programmes are on sale inside and outside the stadium.

Full colour glossy bound issue.

 

Arsenal Ladies v Barcelona Ladies - 4th October 12

Thursday 4th October 12
Women's Champions League
Arsenal 4 Barcelona 0
Admission £5.00
Programme - £1.50 - a good issue and more interesting than the men's one against Olympiacos from the previous evening.
Att - I think it was announced at something like 662

An unusual 3.00pm kick off on a Thursday afternoon. I quite enjoyed this game as it was much better and cheaper than the Arsenal men's team game against Olympiacos the previous evening. The main stand at Borehamwood was quite full and thanks to the Borhamwood Youth team players for taking two seats each by drapping their legs over the seats infront. Well done guys you looked so cool.

There was a good atmosphere at the game with a lady called Brenda leading the Arsenal singing on her own. She had a varied range of songs that I had never heard before along with a few poems and limericks. She also had a range of chants and songs in Spanish. Obviously spent a bit too much time in her preparation.

With Arsenal 3-0 up from the first leg it was a case of seeing the game out. The game came more to life in the second half after a 0-0 first half.

Old Arsene doesn't seem to be too popular at Arsenal at present. Quite a few grumbles about the large profit the club revealed a few days ago, the bonuses paid to staff and the lack of quality signings by Arsene. Talks that there may be a protest against the Chief Exec and Arsene at a home game in the near future.

Match Programme

Cheshunt v Chatham Town - 2nd October 12

Tuesday 2nd October 12
Cheshunt 2 Chatham Town 2 Isthmian League,Division 1 North
Attendance:101
Admission:£7
Programme:£2 / 24 pages.

Match Programme

Saffron Walden Town v Newmarket Town - 25th September 12

Tuesday 25th September 12
Thurlow Nunn Div 1
Saffron Walden Town 1 Newmarket Town 2
Admission £4
Programme £1
Att 217

Quite a good game in which Saffron Walden deserved a share of the points. A great old quirky ground that is highly recommended. Improvements are talking place on the ground tbat has 3 seperate seated stands, each on different sides. Plus there is the bonus of none of them being kit stands.

Match Programme

Programmes are on sale just inside the ground next to the turnstile.
The programme has a glossy cover with 8 pages of glossy adverts inside.  The rest of the pages are black & white photocopies.
Size A5
Pages - 36

Peterborough United v Bristol City - 18th September 12

Tuesday 18th September 12
The Championship
Peterborough United 1 Bristol City 2
Admission £15
Programme £3.00
Attendance 5,435

Two poor teams, poor match offiicials, poor game. A cold night and one to forget. Only plus point is the very good match programme.


Match Programme



Brackley Town v Workington - 15th September 12

Saturday 15th September 12
Blue Square North
Brackley Town 3 Workington Reds 1
Admission £10
Programme £2 - very poor
Att 476

A vey even first half, unfotunately the second wasn't. Brackley appear to be a club very much left behind by their wealthy backer funded side. Ground perfectly adequate for the level of crowds they attract but not for the ground graders. New changing rooms are required by March next year to stay in BSN never the next level if they achieve promotion.

Huntingdon Town v Yaxley - 12th September 12

Wednesday 12th September 12
Huntingdon Town 4 Yaxley 2
UCL
Admission £5.00
Programme £1.00
Att about 50

I quite enjoyed this game. My first UCL game of the season and as usual there was lots of *arking this and *arking that. Lots of professional cockneys around.

A new kit stand has been installed which is a waste of time as Huntingdonians seem to think you are supposed to stand infront of it. I also think that an overhang roof has been added to the front of the clubhouse.

Huntingdon won the game after the Yaxley goalkeeper conceeded two penalties. The second one in the last minute led to his sending off. A great tantrum followed. He could have been sent off after the first penalty for constant whinging at the ref.

The programme has gone all glossy this season and they are actually issuing for midweek games. Previously the printer was broken for 5 years running at midweek games.

Match Programme

Notts County v Shrewsbury Town - 8th September 12

Saturday 8th September 12
Football League 1
Notts County 3 Shrewsbury Town 2
Att 6,774
Admission £24
Programme £3.00

£24 to get in. Absolute rip off. This cannot be justified for this level of football. Dull first half but the second was much better. Two well matched sides with County snatching an undeserved late win. Unfotunately it was scored by Lee Hughes. Words wont be wasted on this piece of scum.

Well done to County for production of a very good programme. Thought, innovation and great design. Probably the best issue in the football league.

Match Programme

Cambridge United v Dartford = 27th August 12

Monday 27th August 12
BSB Conference
Cambridge United 1 Dartford 2
Att 2,691
Adm £18.00
Programme £3.00 - very good

It's games like this that make you wish you stayed at home. Dartford came with one intention to play "anti football". Aided by a weak referee and a frankly shocking assistant (too fat to keep up with play). They came away with an undeserved 3 points. Don't get me wrong, I dont like Cambridge United but even I was wanting them to win at the end. The "Olympic Spirit" has quickly been forgotten about by Dartford FC and the embarrassing Mark Arber. Rolling around screaming on the floor to get another player booked is not on but he achieved his aim and it happened. Too much happy chatting between linesman, ref and the experienced Dartford players wound the home crowd up in the second half. But gamesmanship won and Dartford got the win. This really does turn people away from football.


Match Programme