VENUE #88 ARBROATH Gayfield Park

GAYFIELD PARK

Nearest Railway Station  Arbroath

     Arbroath Railway Station is around 15 minutes walk away from Gayfield Park. From the railway station come out of the main entrance and turn left. Walk down to the bottom of this road and turn right into Millgate Loan. The ground is approximately half a mile along this road - you can't really miss it.  The stadium is situated on the sea front, to the west of Arbroath harbour, on the southern edge of the town. There is no other football stadium in Europe which is as close to the sea

Gayfield Park

Gayfield is predominantly made up of terracing which extends around three corners of the ground. However, this gives the stadium lot of character, especially as terracing is slowly but surely disappearing generally from football stadia. On one side is the Gayfield Main Stand which was opened in 2002 and extended in 2010. This is a covered single tiered, all seated stand, which has a large floodlight pylon protruding from the centre of its roof. The other sides of the ground are all terraces that are of a similar size. Each side has a small covered area, that covers the centre part of the terraces to the rear. There are also a number of small floodlight pylons that run down the East side of the pitch, the bases of which are situated within the East Terrace.  At the back of the Seaforth End there is an amusement arcade called Pleasureland and directly across the A92 from the arcade is Totties Neuk pub and restaurant which is well recommended.

     

Ground Layout

Main Stand

East Terrace

Harbour (Town) End

Seaforth End (Away)

Record Holders

Arboath record breaking team

     I think most people who are into football know that Arbroath are the record holders for the biggest win in a competitive game and have held this record for over a 100 years.  12th September 1885 was the date that Arbroath were drawn in the first round of the Scottish cup against Bon Accord of Aberdeen and went on to win the game 36-0.  The papers say that a further five goals were dis-aloud but in the referees report Mr. Dave Stormont said that he actually dis-aloud seven goals for offside but the Arbroath side were so quick in the manner they moved the ball that he may have been a little harsh on the team from Angus which would have meant that the score would have ended up 43-0 if he had aloud them, linesmen weren't around in them days being introduced some years later.

Arbroath 1885 kit

    Bon Accord were a new team just being formed and thrown into the mix of the Scottish cup draw, so new was the side that they didn't even have a proper kit.  Rumours about them being a cricket team that got invited to play in the Scottish cup by mistake are false even if the result turned out to be a cricket score.  A friend of mine quipped that several Bon Accord players were booked for taking the game too seriously but as in the case of linesmen booking players was a little premature to the game.

Arbroath harbour at night

        I always thought that the Arbroath nickname the Red Lichties was to do with their record win being the team in maroon who licked the non-league side but a friend also said, (maybe in jest), that they were called the Red Lichties because Arbroath was a red light district.  To put the matter straight he was right about the red light but it was men painting the harbour lights bulbs red so as ship/boats out at sea knew that they were approaching Arbroath harbour by the colour of the lights, a sort of a homing signal. 



Today's opponents  CLYDE were formed in 1877 and played their home matches at Barrowfield park but out-grew the ground after 21 years and moved across the river to Shawfield Stadium which was purposely built for the club but became a financial burden and so it was finally agreed in the 1930's that Shawfield could be used for greyhound racing as well to bring much needed revenue.  Clyde ended up selling the stadium to their tenants the greyhound association as money difficulties got more serious and spent the next fifty years as tenants themselves.  In 1986 the GRA announced redevelopment plans for the stadium and gave Clyde notice to quit.
     Clyde spent 8 years unhappily sharing grounds with both Partick Thistle and Hamilton Accies before moving to their new home in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.  Broadwood is an 8,000 all seated stadium which they share with Cumbernauld Colts and is a place I visited last season when Clyde beat Elgin City 4-2 on the 14th November 2015.  Clyde's defender Chris Mitchell was sent off that day in the 81st minute for a second bookable offence the unfortunate player was tragically killed 6 months later in a train accident.


     The Bully Wee before this game are in eighth place in the table 8 points clear of the the relegation play off spot with ten games to go to the end of their season and so have it all to play for in today's game.  
     
     

                                                ARBROATH ...  1    CLYDE ... 0

    

     Well the score line was a long way from Arbroath's record of 36-0 but in this day and age you'd expect that.  In the game I saw the night before there was too much passion and it turned into a really bad tempered affair but in the match at Gayfield between Arbroath and Clyde it was the total opposite with neither side showing any real desire to win the game.

     Arbroath did win it grabbing all three points from a dire and dreary game against their Glaswegian opposition with a goal from their captain Mark Whatley in the 41st minute with the assist coming from Ryan McCord.  The Red Lichties now move just three points behind leaders Forfar who lost 2-1 at home to lowly Edinburgh City.

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VENUE #87 DUNDEE UNITED Tannadice Park

TANNADICE PARK

Directions From Railway Station

      Tannadice Park is around 2 miles away from Dundee railway station and so I jumped into a taxi which cost me £5 to get there and £7.30 on the way back slightly more because of heavy traffic around the football ground trying to get back home.  Here are some directions anyway supplied by a visiting supporter.

    Leave the station and cross the road at the predestrian crossing. Take the exit to the right before the walkway enters the Nethergate centre, this exit has steps down to Union Street. Go to the top of Union St & turn right into the High St, after a couple of hundred yards veer left into the pedestrianised Murraygate and proceed to the Wellgate centre. Go via the escalators in the Wellgate centre to the top floor of the centre and exit onto Victoria Road. (If Wellgate is closed, turn left along Panmure Street, right up Meadowside and right onto Victoria Road to rear of Wellgate Shopping Centre). 

Here you have two choices, via the Hilltown (Shorter distance but like climbing the north face of the Eiger) or via Dens Road (much longer but far less likely to induce a heart attack).

Option 1 (for those fit enough) cross Victoria Road to the foot of the Hilltown walk up this for approx 1/3 mile (it feels like 3) till you reach the junction of Main St & Strathmartine Road this is easily recognisable by the ornamental clock near the junction. Turn right onto Main St and proceed until you reach the junction with Isla St (Church on the corner opposite the excellent Snug Bar). Turn left into Isla St & you will see the ground directly ahead of you.

Option 2 Turn right onto Victoria Road proceed about 1/4 mile, veer left at the Eagle Mills into Dens Road. Pass Dura Street, Alexander Street and Dens Road Market then right into Arklay Street. Once you reach Tannadice Street you can see the Tannadice ground.

Tannadice Park

George Fox Stand

     The ground was improved in the 1990's with the construction of two new stands and an extension to the existing Main Stand. One of these is the impressive two tiered George Fox Stand, running along one side of the pitch. This stand has a large lower tier and a smaller top tier. It opened in 1992 and was named after a former Chairman of the Club. On the other side is the Main (South) Stand, which was renamed the Jerry Kerr Stand in 2003, after a former player and manager. The original Main Stand was opened in 1962 and holds a place in the history of Scottish football grounds in being the first in Scotland to be

Jimmy Kerr Main Stand

constructed with a cantilever roof to provide column free viewing. It is also unusual in that the stand is slightly 'L'-shaped, just extending around the South East corner of the stadium. It was intended at the time that the whole ground would be re-built in a similar manner to the Main Stand, but due to lack of finance it never happened. It is worth noting though that the Club was the first ever to have a glass fronted lounge in the Main Stand for the benefit of sponsors. This was opened in 1971 and overlooked the pitch, something that is now a common sight in grounds across the country today. 

West Stand "The Shed"

     The Main Stand was extended in 1997 so that it now runs the full length of the pitch.The extension replaced what was known as the 'Fair Play Enclosure', so named as it was funded from an award made to the Club from UEFA in 1987. The stand is two tiered and has a strip of perspex running across the back of it, just below the roof to allow more light to reach the pitch. The relatively new extension to the stand can be identified as it has an unusual roof jutting out towards the pitch. At one end of the ground is the West Stand (known affectionately as 'The Shed'), a former terrace with seating now fitted to it. Parts of the

Eddie Thompson Upper Stand

original terrace that are no longer used for spectators can be seen on either side of it. There are a couple of supporting pillars in this stand that could hinder your view of the pitch. Opposite is the covered two tiered East Stand, opened in 1994. This was renamed the Eddie Thompson Stand in 2008 after the Club Chairman.

Today's Opposition  HIBERNIAN  are currently top of the Ladbrokes Championship and looking strong candidates for an automatic return to the premier league.  Hibs dropped to the Scottish second tier after losing the Premier play off final to Hamilton on penalties two seasons ago and now with ex Celtic manager Neil Lennon at the helm are hoping to join their Edinburgh rivals Hearts back in the top flight.

     The Hibees qualified for the play off's last season only to be beaten in a two leg semi final by Falkirk 5-4 on aggregate and so will be battling to maintain their position at the top to avoid such a disappointment this time round and match their Tynecastle neighbours with a Premiership return with honours. 

DUNDEE UNITED ... 0   HIBERNIAN ... 1

     Hibernian went nine points clear at the top in what can only be described as a bad tempered contest between the two teams.  Referee Don Robertson who struggled to keep a hold of the game produced twelve yellow cards two of them resulting in a dismissal.

     Dundee started the brighter of the two teams and looked as though they were up for the battle ahead, well, that was until the 31st minute when Lewis Toshney got booked for the second time for a foul on the same Hibernian player, Andrew Shinnie.  This seemed to turn the game around and eight minutes later Hibernian were in front Jason Cummings beat the Dundee offside trap when a ball from Shinnie was played through to him and the 21 year old striker finished with aplomb.

     The fouls and flare ups kept coming and the referees book got more full as the game went on neither team could afford to drop points in this one and it showed.

     Cummings claimed a penalty when he seemed to get brought down in the box by Dundee man of the match William Edgenguele but the referee ended up booking the Hibernian goal-scorer for over protesting.

     Three minutes later and the Hibs number 35 had the ball in the net for a second time but all around the ground you could hear the thud of the ball hitting Cummings's palm before it crossed the line so instead of putting his team further ahead he only managed to level the teams to ten aside as the ref produced a second yellow card and sent the Hibs man off.

     Martin Boyle had a chance before being retired to the bench but sent his volley flying over the bar from six yards.

     And so the game ended with a Hibs win that wasn't for the faint hearted but took them closer to their dream return while Dundee were left nursing the bruises and contemplating a place in the play offs currently holding fourth spot nine points clear of Queens and one point behind Morton. 

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VENUE #86 PARTICK THISTLE Firhill Stadium

FIRHILL STADIUM

Venue #86

Directions by Train / Subway

     After lots of consideration this is the route I finally judged to be the best.  I caught the train to Glasgow Central station and exited onto Hope street turning left and walking down to the station underpass turning left once more passing through the underpass and crossing the road to bring me outside McDonalds.  Continuing straight on up Argyle street to the next paved pedestrian area on the right which is St. Enoch square and make my way down to the subway platform and catch the inner circle line train to St George's cross.

     Exiting St. George's station turn left down Maryhill road and continue for about 10 to 15 mins. on the right side of the road facing on coming traffic until you come to the Cooperative funeral care building and turn right into Springbank street and Firhill Stadium is straight in front of you.

Firhill Stadium

     On one side of the ground is the impressive looking, Jackie Husband Stand. This is a large, covered single tiered stand. Opposite is the older Main Stand, which has raised seating above pitch level. This stand is covered and has a fair few supporting pillars which may obstruct your view. It was originally built in 1927. The stand looks a little odd, as the lower end has been given over to what look like administrative offices. Apart from the bigger games, this stand normally remains closed.

     At the North End of the ground is the new North Stand, which replaced a former open terrace. This all seated covered stand, originally only ran for around two thirds of the width of the pitch, but has been extended during the Summer of 2003, so that it now completely fills that end of the ground. Opposite is the South End, which is now unused for spectators, being comprised of a grassy bank. It was originally an open terrace, but this was demolished in anticipation of building a new stand, however, this has not materialised. 

     Interestingly, Firhill is the closest League Football Ground to Glasgow City Centre.

Jackie Husband Stand 

Main Stand  

North Stand

Unused Area

     Today's Visitors  HAMILTON ACADEMICAL  I remember the Hamilton promotion to the premier league in the 2013/14 season when they beat Hibernian in a thrilling play-off contest.  Accies lost the home tie 2-0 and went to Easter road with everyone expecting the home side to maintain their Premiership position  but on the night the Accies matched their opponents score and took the tie to extra time and penalties winning the shoot out 4-3.
     In their first season back in the Premiership Hamilton excelled their selves looking favourites for a top two position in a two horse race with Celtic and looking like the replacement for previously demoted Rangers  but fell short at in the final stages finishing top of the bottom six on 53 points.
     The appointment of Alex Neil the Hamilton boss at the time as the new Norwich City manager may have had something to do with the Accies down-turn the 35 year old no-nonsense Scot from Bellshill was the driving force behind Hamilton's success.

     Currently, Hamilton Accies  hold the premier league play off position on 21 points with any team as high as Kilmarnock in sixth place on 25 points are liable candidates for the position.  Partick are at the time of writing holding the place just above Hamilton on 23 points.

PARTICK THISTLE ... 2   HAMILTON ACADEMICAL ... 0

     Not the best game you'll ever see by a long chalk, I saw the Jags up at Pittodrie last season in a game that finished 0-0 and I got the feeling that this would end up with the same score-line.  In the first half chances were as rare as rocking horse shit and I can't remember either keeper having to make a save as I don't think there was an attempt on target.

     Thistle boss Alan Archibald was determined to change things in the second half bringing on Kris Doolan at the start for David Amoo and Chris Erskine 12 minutes later for Adebayo Azeez.  In the 68h minute the two subs combined with Erskine getting an assist with a cross to the far post for Doolan to nod home breaking a substantial goal drought for the Jags striker.

   Eleven minutes later and Doolan made it a brace with another headed goal this time supplied by Callum Booth which the Partick number 9 flicked with his forehead beyond the reach of Gary Woods in goal for the Accies into the far top corner of the net.

     Things got pretty bad tempered in places with Hamilton applying  strong arm tactics which earned three of their players yellow cards and they where lucky that no-one saw a red.  They also used delaying measures while the game was still level typical of a team that's struggling at the                                                                       bottom end.

     Partick's win now takes them up into the top six where they hope to remain before the league splits in April.

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VENUE #85 STEVENAGE The Lamex Stadium

THE LAMEX STADIUM

Venue #85

Directions from train Station

      Stevenage station is about one mile away from the Lamex Stadium.  Leave the station booking hall and turn left towards the town. Take the stairs on the right before the bridge over the dual carriage way and head along the A602, Lytton Way. At the roundabout which has the police station on the right, take the second exit into Six Hills Way. At the next roundabout take the third exit (South) continuing along the A602, Monkswood Way, passing a large Asda store on your right. After about 3/4 mile (McDonalds/Burger King etc will be on your right) you will arrive at a roundabout and the Lamex Stadium will be opposite you on the other side of the A602.

The Lamex Stadium 

   To be honest, the Lamex Stadium doesn't look much from the roads running past it, as most of the stadium is obscured behind trees. Inside though, you will find a nice tidy stadium that although generally modern, still has a bit of character about it. Also those trees give the ground a pleasant green 'leafy' surround. 

     On one side is the all seated covered Main Stand that looks quite impressive and is single tiered. It is unusual in so much that at the back of the stand on either side of it, there are large gaps between the back of the roof and the stand below. Whilst in the middle of the stand at the back, there are a number of glass fronted areas to various Club offices. Opposite is the fair sized East Terrace, which is covered and  quite steep. Even though like the rest ground, the stand is relatively new, it does have a gable with a clock sitting on its roof above the half way line, which gives it a touch of character. Oddly though it has a sizeable service tunnel located towards the centre of the stand with the terracing extending around it.

     At one end is the South Stand, which is another single tiered, all seated, covered stand.
This stand which was opened in 2001 is given to away supporters. There is an electric scoreboard on the roof of this stand. Opposite at the North End of the ground, is a small covered terrace. This terrace is mostly covered (around 3/4's) with a portion of open terrace to one side. A set of four new floodlights (one pylon in each corner) were installed for the start of the 2007/08 season.

     On promotion to the Football League, the Club changed its name from Stevenage Borough FC, to Stevenage FC, which was its original name when founded in 1976. The ground for many years was called Broadhall Way, but was renamed the Lamex Stadium in a corporate sponsorship deal.

Main Stand (West)

East Stand / Covered Terrace

North Stand / Covered Terrace

South Stand (Away)

     Today's Visitors WYCOMBE WANDERERS are currently at the time of writing clutching a play off position in sixth place in the league table, wycombe are no strangers to the play-offs narrowly losing 7-6 on penalties in the 2014/15 season to Southend United.
     I watched the Chairboys on Tuesday night on TV against Coventry City at the Ricoh in the semi-final of the checkatrade trophy on a pitch, well, I've not seen a worse one since visiting Airbus in the Welsh Premier league five years ago but then again they do share with a rugby league side.
     City looked comfortable in the first half cruising to a two goal lead and looking dead cert finalists but then came the second half and the introduction of Adebayo Akinfenwa to the Wycombe line-up and what a difference.  Carrying an injury Akinfenwa put himself about bullying the Coventry defence winning every ball in the air and just being an absolute nuisance to the City back line who were struggling to contain "the beast" and in the 55th minute his persistence paid off when Coventry keeper Charles Cook spilled the ball after an Areal challenge from a set-piece which dropped to Ankinfenwa who drilled the ball into the roof of the net to narrow the deficit.

     I think the big man gave his all in those first ten minutes and couldn't keep up the momentum and even the introduction of top goal scorer Scott Kashket couldn't break down a resilient Coventry City defence who had their work cut out for the majority of the second half but hold on they did and booked their place in the final on the 2nd April.
     The big question though is Akinfenwa fit enough to to take part in today's game at some point and if he is ....... look out Stevenage.

STEVENAGE ... 3   WYCOMBE WANDERERS ... 0

     Wasn't really expecting a scoreline like this before the start of this game, Wycombe never turned up to play maybe they were exhausted from Tuesday night's cup exit. the beast was he tamed or knackered one things for sure Stevenage aren't too bothered scoring three goals and earning three points as a consequence at home, it doesn't get much better than that.

     The first came in the 25th minute when a cross by Jobi McAnuff was flicked on by Matt Godden to Steven Schumacher who was waiting at the far post to tap in from close range.

     In the first minute of injury time of the half Boro were awarded a penalty Tom Pett racing across the Wanderers box with the ball was sent sprawling by Dominic Gape and the referee, Dean Whitestone had no hesitation to point to the spot.  Up stepped Matt Godden and sent Jamal Blackman in goal the wrong way to make it  eight goals in eight games for himself and double the Stevenage advantage.

     Four minutes into the second half and it was game over and what a farcical goal it was from a Wycombe point of view.  Jamal Blackman threw the ball to Aaron Pierre who was 7 yards outside his own penalty area central but the 23 year old Wycombe defender surrounded by Boro players was caught in several different minds and hung on to the ball far too long and eventually got dispossessed by Tom Pett who went on to round the keeper and deepen Wycombe's woes with                                                   the third and final goal.

     As I said earlier it wasn't a good match to watch despite the three goals Wycombe were most probably thinking about what might have been if they could have beat Coventry in the Checkatrade semi-final instead of concentrating on the now and their fight for promotion to league one.

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