VENUE #106 AIRDRIEONIANS Excelsior Stadium

EXCELSIOR STADIUM

              Home Of:  Ardrieonians              Ground Opened:  1998

Previous Ground:  Broomfield Park

       Other Uses:  Pop Concerts

Venue #106

NEAREST TRAIN STATION

     The closest railway station to the ground is Drumgelloch which is just over a mile away, whilst Airdrie station is around 1.5.miles away. Both stations are served by Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh.

     As you come out of the main entrance at Airdrie station, turn left along Broomknoll Street, proceeding under the railway bridge. At the roundabout turn right and go along the A89. At the next roundabout turn left, still proceeding along the A89 and then at the next roundabout turn right onto Graham Street (still the A89). After around half a mile you will reach another roundabout which is the junction with the A73, turn right onto the A73 Carlisle Road and the ground is down this road on the left.

From Drumgelloch station, proceed up to the top of the station car park and exit in the top left corner. A minor road leads to Forrest Street. Turn left and go straight along Forrest Street until you reach another roundabout which is the junction with the A73. Turn left onto the A73 Carlisle Road and the ground is down this road on the left.

EXCELSIOR STADIUM                                                                                                            The Excelsior Stadium is a smart looking all seated ground comprising four separate, single tiered, covered stands. The Jack Dalziel Stand (named after a former Airdrieonians Chairman) at one side of the pitch, is the largest of the four stands. Impressive looking, it has a row of executive boxes running across the back. The other three stands, North, East and South are of an equal height which gives the ground a balanced look. The corners of the ground are open apart from the tall floodlights. The Club plays on an artificial 3G pitch.       Away fans are normally located in the East Stand at one side of the pitch. Dependant on away numbers, you may find only the portion of the West Stand allocated (this stand is shared with home supporters) or just the East Stand, or both. In the event that the Club were to draw one of the Old Firm sides, then the Club would give their maximum allocation of away seats (6,500), comprising all the stadium apart from the West Stand.

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   JACK DALZIEL STAND

 B   EAST STAND

 C   NORTH STAND

 D   SOUTH STAND

Today's Visitors  RAITH ROVERS are currently second in the league one table 6 points adrift of leaders Ayr with a game in hand.  It's been a two horse race in this division right from the start with Ayr slightly pulling clear from their rivals from Fife but it's safe to say that either one of these two teams could get the automatic promotion spot.

     In the last 11 games here at the Excelsior Airdrieonians narrowly have the edge with 4 wins, 4 draws and 3 defeats.  The last game here before the 2-2 draw in December between these two was exactly 5 years ago yesterday, (23rd of March 2013), and the honours went the way of Rovers winning 2-1, Jamie Bain opening the scoring for the Diamonds in the 7th minute with the equaliser coming just before half time through Greg Spence, substitute Grant Anderson hit the winner for Rovers 12 minutes from time.  It was a Scottish Championship game played in front of a crowd of 554.  

AIRDRIEONIANS ... 1   RAITH ROVERS ... 2

     Just last week I was up the road from here at Cliftonhill home of Albion

Rovers a team in the same league as Airdrieonians but what a difference between the grounds.  Cliftonhill is a tumble-down wreck of a ground which hasn't seen a lick of paint in a hundred years let alone anything else but the Excelsior Stadium is a fairly new build and a fine looking ground, pity that there's only the main stand open on match days for I bet it would look even more spectacular with a descent crowd inside it.

     Airdrieonians came into this game looking for a victory but they really ought to take a look at their first half performance to see what the spectators saw which was a group of players that seemed as though they only met for the first time half a hour ago and the goalie was dragged from the crowd as a last thought.  They were a shambles and made Raith look good from the start, after a few missed chances Rovers finally capitalised on Airdrie's lack of confidence with a strike from Lewis Vaughan                                                       in the 8th minute.

     Twelve minutes later and it was 2-0 to Rovers a Willis Furtado cross was met by the head of Jason Thomson who looped the ball over Airdrie keeper William  Muir to send Raith fans into raptures.

     Although the scoreline stayed the same till half time Raith should have really buried the game in the first half, lots of chances went begging with Airdrieonians struggling to make any head way in the Rovers half of the pitch.  For a team with the nickname "The Diamonds" nothing could be further from the truth for they had no shine, no cutting edge and more like a paste stone in a copper ring than a jewel in the crown.

     Don't know what what Barry Smith did to his team at half time must have sent a few rockets up their rectums as we hadn't even settled in our seats when Airdrie reduced the deficit, a cross from Ryan Conroy was headed home from just outside the six yard box by the Diamonds man of the match Scott Stewart and so all of a sudden out of nowhere there was a game on.

     Airdrieonians did well in the second half looked as though a different team had taken to the pitch but the damage was done in the first half, they huffed and puffed but couldn't seem to blow a hole in the Raith defence or back of net.  Frustration got the better of them at the end when Luke Watt paid for his part in a string of bookings in the first half and got sent off for a second yellow card in the final minute of extra time.

     Rovers held on for a victory to keep the pressure on leaders Ayr who won 4-0 at home to Queen's Park.   

                        MATCH DETAILS

      

VENUE #105 ALBION ROVERS Cliftonhill Stadium

 CLIFTONHILL STADIUM 

              Home Of:  Albion Rovers                Ground Opened:  1919

Previous Ground:  Meadow Park

       Other Uses:  Stock Car Racing
                                Greyhound Racing
                                Speedway

Venue #105

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

     The nearest railway station is Coatdyke, which is about a ten minute walk away from the Cliftonhill Stadium. As you come out of the station bear left and proceed up Quarry Street. Continue over the crossroads (with a shop on one corner) and after about a quarter of a mile a church on your right. At the end of Quarry Street turn left onto Muiryhall Street and then turn right onto Main Street. Pass the Fire Station on the left and then Owens Bar. Continue along the Main Street and you will reach the stadium on your right.

CLIFTONHILL STADIUM

     From the outside Cliftonhill Stadium looks interesting as from the roadside the bright colours and raised elevation of the Main Stand, certainly catch the eye. However on the inside you quickly see why the ground is is not one of the better in the League having only two sides open to spectators for matches. On one side is the small Main Stand, which is a strange looking affair, as at some point it has had an extension to its roof bolted onto the front. It has wooden seating to the rear and terracing to the front, with several supporting pillars which may impede your view. However, the terraced paddock is no longer in use. Opposite is the reasonably sized covered Albion Street Terrace. This terrace runs about half the length of the pitch. Again, this simple stand has several supporting pillars. It is a pity that this terrace has been closed for a number of years now due to safety concerns. In 2015 a small open terrace was constructed at the Airdrie End of the ground, whilst the opposite West End is unused. There is a cinder track that runs around the playing surface and at one time the ground was also used for speedway meetings as well as greyhound and stock car racing. The stadium is also overlooked by a number of residential properties located above the Albion Street side.

     Away fans share part of the Main stand, there is no segregation as it would be virtually impossible to impose separation in such a small area plus there seems to be no need, there was plenty of banter yesterday between rival supporters but all taken in good nature.  

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   MAIN STAND

 B   ALBION STREET TERRACE

 C   WEST END ( UNUSED)

 D   AIRDRIE END

Today's Visitors  ARBROATH  are currently third in the Ladbrokes league one table.  In fact, both these clubs did each other a favour last weekend, Rovers visited Stair Park and stunted Stranraer's bid for a play-off place by beating the Blues 3-2 while Arbroath took on Rover's fellow relegation candidates Forfar Athletic at Gayfield beating the Loons 2-0 leaving Rovers just one point adrift of the Angus outfit in the relegation play-off position.
     It's a well known fact that Arbroath hold the record for the biggest win in football's history beating Bon Accord of Aberdeenshire 36-0 in the first round of the Scottish cup on the 12th of September 1885.  Amazing as that sounds the Red lichties had 5 goals ruled out for offside, just imagine that Bon Accord side taking on the present day Manchester City team, the term cricket score would most definitely be more realistic.

     Arbroath have visited Cliftonhill Stadium 10 times in the last 10 years winning 3 times, losing 5 times with honours shared twice.  The last time the Lichties won here was on the 9th of February 2013 winning by one goal to nil, the scorer was Colin Hamilton in the 35th minute.  On Saturday 15th 2007 Albion Rovers beat Arbroath by 5 goals to 2 with goals from, (Albion Rovers), Patrick Walker (10, 90), Kenny Wright (25 pen), Graham Watson (53) and Rod Hunter (84) and for Arbroath, Barry Sellars (36) and a David Scott (38)  own goal. let's hope today's game is as entertaining with lots of goals.

ALBION ROVERS ... 1   ARBROATH ... 2

     It was a freezing cold wind that ruled this game from the start, Arbroath were kicking with it in the first half but couldn't seem to work it to their advantage although they dominated for the first 15 minutes.

    The Wee Rovers took the lead in the 17th minute against the wind and the run of play, a Ross Perry corner was converted virtually on the goal line by the head of Alan Trouten.

    The goal inspired confidence into Rovers who seemed more able to cope with the conditions and a strong Arbroath side, they kept the ball better and pressed the Lichties back in their own half for 15 minutes but then Arbroath regained their momentum and became one with the beastly wind from the east using it to get behind the Rovers defence and in the 37th minute a shot from the left by Danny Denholm was parried out by Albion keeper Keiran Wright straight into the path of Omar Kader who slotted the ball home from 10 yards for the equaliser. 

     Rovers had the wind advantage in the second period but suffered as Arbroath did early in the first half with a hit and hope attitude that never really troubled the Lichties to be fair except for a 30 yard shot that cannoned off the Arbroath bar early on.

     The turn around was completed in the 54th minute when Harlain Mbayo was adjudged to have brought down Ryan Wallace in the penalty area and the Arbroath centre forward stepped up himself to convert the spot kick.  

     The team from Angus held on comfortably till the end and secured another three points leaving them in third place in the table 3 points clear of Alloa with Rovers still in that relegation play off place with bottom placed Queens park closing in.

                             MATCH DETAILS

VENUE #104 PORT VALE Vale Park

 VALE PARK 

              Home Of:  Port Vale         Ground Opened:  1950

Previous Ground:  The Old Recreation
                                 Ground

        Other Uses:  Rock Concerts
                                American Football

VENUE #104

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION
     Longport Railway Station is the closest to the Vale Park ground, but is a good 30 minute walk away and is not well served by trains, unlike Stoke On Trent station which is. Therefore most fans end up at Stoke On Trent railway station, which is over four miles away from Vale Park and then take a taxi up to the ground.
     Services run hourly from Crewe, Stoke & Derby to Longport. You can walk to the ground in around 25 minutes without too much trouble.
     Cross over the line (if travelling from Stoke/Derby) and walk along Station Street. At the mini-roundabout follow the main road round to the left going up the hill. After a couple of minutes take the first major left onto Newcastle Street (B5051). Enter Burslem. Pass the Bull's Head pub at St. John's Square. Bear left onto Market Place. Shortly after cross main road onto Jenkins Street which becomes Hamil Road. The ground will soon be visible on the left. Turn left into Lorne Street.

VALE PARK STADIUM
     The ground has a good mixture of the old and the new, it is just let down overall by the fact that the Lorne Street Stand, which was partly opened in 1999, is still yet to be fully completed. This stand which is two-tiered has a row of executive boxes situated between its large lower tier and much smaller upper tier. With a planned capacity of 5,000 it is of a good size and I’m sure it would look quite smart when finished. However, the outstanding works include almost half the lower tier towards the Hamil Road End. This area is currently empty of seating and is largely just a concrete base. On a positive note, the club have recently added some new blocks of seating into part of this area and the original clock that was seen on the old stand has been incorporated into the new construction, above the players tunnel and Directors area in the centre of the stand.
     On the opposite side is the Railway Stand which was opened in 1954. It is a fair sized stand that is covered to the rear. It has a number of supporting pillars that run across the middle of the stand. Originally it had a large paddock terrace in front, but this was subsequently filled with seating in the 1990’s. At one end is the Hamil Road End, which is a good sized single tiered stand. It also has an electric scoreboard situated just below its roof. Again it has a number of supporting pillars (although fewer in number than the Railway Stand), plus it has windshields to either side. Opposite is the Bycars Road End, which although old looking was built in 1992. It also is partly covered to the rear and has some supporting pillars to either side. Situated in one corner, in-between the Bycars & Railway Stand is an odd looking two-tiered structure that looks if it has been ‘wedged’ into the stadium. In fact this area is the only portion of the old ground that still remains from when the ground was originally built in 1950.  Incidentally, the steelwork and roof of this structure were brought from the club's previous stadium in Hanley, where it formed part of the "Swan Passage" stand. So the roof on that little corner of the ground is very old indeed!' Filled with seating it is currently used as a Family Stand. On one side of the Hamil Road Stand there is a Police Control Box, which keeps a watchful eye over the crowd. The pitch is also one of the widest in the League. Outside the Lorne Street Stand is a statue of former player and manager Roy Sproson.
     Up to 4,500 away supporters can be accommodated in the Signal One Stand, where the view and facilities located on the concourse behind the stand are good. Even a relatively small number of away fans can really make some noise from this stand, as the acoustics are excellent. However, the slope is quite shallow, which might affect your view should a tall person be seated in front. Normally though, you could still move to another seat if necessary.

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   RAILWAY STAND

 B   LORNE STREET STAND

 C   BYCARS STAND

 D   SIGNAL ONE STAND (AWAY)

     Today's Visitors  NEWPORT COUNTY  have been in the news lately when they were only 8 minutes away from knocking out Premier league Tottenham in the 4th round of the FA cup at Rodney Parade but Harry Kane's equaliser meant that County had a money spinning replay at Wembley and for a league two side that nearly went out of business a few years back it must have been a dream come true.  As you probably know Tottenham went on to win the replay 2-0 and secure a 5th round tie at Rochdale on February 18th.
     There are signs that the epic 4th round tie may have taken it's toll on County for their visit to Field Mill home of Mansfield Town on Tuesday 13th of this month saw a different spirited County side going down 5-0 to the Stags and may suggest that it might have drained a lot of energy and confidence out of the mid-table Welsh team.
     The last time County visited Vale Park was 31 years ago May 4th 1987 when both sides were in the old division 3 and on that day Vale romped home 6-1 winners in front of a crowd of just over 2 and a half thousand.

     In the last ten County visits to Vale park ranging from Boxing day 1961 to May 4th 1987 Vale have won 8 with 1 draw and a solitary Newport win  which was on 6th April 1968 almost fifty years ago the score that day 0-1, well this year ends in a eight so can they make it 2 wins in half a century.

PORT VALE ... 0   NEWPORT COUNTY ... 0

     Not my first visit to Vale Park I came via coach in the mid 70's to watch my then beloved Walsall play the Valiants.  Can't remember the score or the date the game was played I must have been traumatised by the fact that when I returned to where the coach was parked on the car park I found it had been pushed down an embankment by Vale fans and had to wait hours for a replacement Dawsons coach, oh happy days.

     I hardly recognised the place on my return today it has changed significantly but it was over 40 years ago when I first clapped eyes on the Vale home territory, I tried to work out where the embankment was and where our coach ended up but it could have been a totally different place or so it seemed.

     Back to the present, Port Vale and Newport shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw at Vale Park in Sky Bet league two

     The Valiants are now nine league games without a win but the outcome could have been worse if it was not for a heroic double save from goalkeeper Ryan Boot in the second half.

     The first chance fell the way of the visitors after 11 minutes when Ben Tozer's long throw caused havoc in the Vale defence and Mark O'Brien failed to test Boot.

     A minute later Vale's top scorer Tom Pope collected the ball and squared it to Michael Tonge whose shot from just outside the area hit a post.

     Tozer's long throw was proving a useful outlet for the Exiles and in the 56th minute the ball eventually fell to Frank Nouble who brought a superb save at close range from Boot.

      The rebound fell to O'Brien whose shot through a crowd of players was also saved by the inspired Boot, before the danger was cleared.

                    MATCH DETAILS

VENUE #103 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN Kirklees Stadium

KIRKLEES STADIUM

JOHN SMITH'S STADIUM

VENUE #103

           

              Home Of:  Huddersfield Town      Ground Opened:  1994

Previous Ground:  Leeds Road

       Other Uses:  Rugby Union
                                Concerts

VENUE #103

NEAREST TRAIN STATION

     The John Smith's Stadium is walkable from Huddersfield Railway Station, it should take no more than 15 minutes at a comfortable pace. After coming out of the Railway Station, turn down past the front of The George Hotel. Go straight over the crossroads into Northumberland Street and walk down across the Ring Road straight on into Leeds Road. Turn right down Gasworks Street. Straight over the crossroads to the ground.

KIRKLEES / JOHN SMITH'S STADIUM

     The club moved the short distance to the then called Alfred McAlpine Stadium in 1994 after leaving their former Leeds Road ground their home for 86 years. When the stadium originally opened it had just three sides with the North Stand being opened later in 1997. In 2004 it was renamed the Galpharm Stadium, before becoming the John Smith's Stadium in 2012, in a new five year sponsorship deal with Heineken. Most new stadiums in this country are rather boring affairs with little character, but the John Smith's Stadium does not fall into this category. Each stand is semi circular rather than rectangular, and is further enhanced with large white steel tubing above the contours. In fact from the car park I first thought it looked like a new ride at Alton Towers! It is good to see something different from the architects for a change. The ground has won many design awards and is well worth a visit. The only disappointment is that the corners of the ground are open. The Fantastic Media North Stand at one end and the Revell Ward (Riverside) Stand at one side are both two tiered stands, each with a row of executive boxes running across the middle. The other two sides of the ground are large single tiered affairs. One of these the Britannia Rescue Stand, at one side of the pitch, can accommodate 7,000 supporters. There is an electric scoreboard at the back of the away end. The stadium is completed with a striking set of four floodlights. The stadium is shared with Huddersfield Giants Rugby League Club.

     Away fans are located at one end of the ground in the Chadwick Lawrence (South) Stand, where up to 4,000 supporters can be accommodated. The facilities in this stand and the view of the playing action are both good. The acoustics of the stand are good also, meaning that a relative small number of fans can really make some noise. There is also a Ladbrokes outlet and a bar serving alcoholic drinks at the back of the stand, which remains open during the first half and half time.

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   REVELL WARD STAND

 B   FANTASTIC MEDIA STAND

 C   BRITANNIA RESCUE STAND

 D   CHADWICK LAWRENCE STAND  (AWAY)

Today's visitors  WEST HAM UNITED are currently 15th in the league table making some head-way away from the relegation dog fight but not safe yet by any means.
     New manager David Moyes has steadied the ship and got the side playing in a manner superior to their league position.  Moyes who was in charge of Sunderland last season when they were relegated to the Championship seems to to have found " the magic touch" again which brought him many years of success at Everton and was lost when he took over the reigns from Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and found the boots too big to fill.
     This is only the second time the Hammers have competed at the John Smith's stadium, the first was 3 years after the ground opened in 1997 when they were drawn against Huddersfield in the league cup second round, the game was won by the Terriers 1-0 with a goal scored by Alex Dyer in the 75th minute but the Hammers won the return leg 3-0 with a hatrick from John Hartson.
     West Ham are usually a better side playing away from the London stadium but will have their work cut out today as the Terriers have pulled out some astonishing performances this season at the John Smith's beating Manchester United 2-1 in October and narrowly losing by the same result to United's neighbours City the following month. 

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN ... 1   WEST HAM UNITED ... 4

     Not one of Huddersfield's best performances this afternoon presenting the Hammers with the first goal after 25 minutes when Jonas Lossl threw the ball out to Joe Lolley on the edge of the 18 yard box when the 25 year old winger was being marked by Mark Noble, Noble pounced on Lolley robbing the ex Kidderminster and Port Vale youngster to smash the Hammers into the lead.

     The Terriers got back into the game though 5 minutes before the interval Lolley making up for his part in the West Ham goal by curling a stunning shot past Hammers keeper Adrian.

     Queues for the toilets and food outlets were still vast when West Ham regained their lead in fact only 11 seconds had gone in the second half when Marko Arnautovic flicked a Cheikhou Kouyate pass over the defenders head to smash home West Ham's second    of the afternoon.

     Arnautovic then became provider laying the ball into the path of Manuel Lanzini to power home his first Premier away goal since November 2016.

     Five minutes later and Lanzini completed his brace as the Hammers hit Huddersfield on the counter attack making it a real miserable afternoon for the home faithful who packed out the John Smith's stadium making lots of noise and adding to a great atmosphere to try and lift their side but it didn't occur as the Terriers suffered one of the worst second half collapses that I've ever seen.

     Hammers move above Huddersfield in the league table moving up to 11th whilst the Terriers now lie in 13th place, an agonising afternoon for David Wagner but the other David, Mr. Moyes seems to have turned West Ham into a team to watch out for this season.

                           MATCH DETAILS