Groundhopping

[CosbehFox]

20 minutes ago, Leicesterpool said:

What stadium is everyone fave in the uk always, admired St James Park, Villa Park and Ibrox. All of which are traditional grounds that been well maintained and developed over the years.

In terms of large stadium yeah, Ibrox in there too. After that I'd probably have Bramall Lane and Blundell Park. 

 

The UK is probably Glentoran. 

 

My favourite in the country is Bath City and the two others I'd have in my top three non-league are St Albans and Gainsborough. 

 

 

[Leicesterpool]

41 minutes ago, Sir Steve Howard said:

Even more painful to say that the City Ground is great, would also chuck in the Hawthorns

Location is perfect few stones throw near the city centre and the trent next door. But always preferred meadow lane. Thats a ground that should be in the championship not league two.

[Stuntman_Mike]

1 hour ago, Leicesterpool said:

What stadium is everyone fave in the uk always, admired St James Park, Villa Park and Ibrox. All of which are traditional grounds that been well maintained and developed over the years.

I love Loftus Road. 

 

Ibrox is great, but I think Villa Park is better inside and slightly better overall. 

 

I think St James Park is the best of the modern grounds.

 

Special mentions to Oakwell, Hillsborough, Craven Cottage and Molinuex.

[Sir Steve Howard]

Went to Blues-Boro last night in the away end, won't dwell on the vast difference in their support to ours.

Instead my focus is on the rise of digital away tickets.

Blues and baggies have both been digital in terms of recent Boro games I've been to.

Not sure what the split within the championship/prem is re digital/paper away tickets but another sign of gamesgone for me.

Absolute bollocks that it moves the needle from an environmental perspective.

[Fox92]

On 26/02/2026 at 12:21, Leicesterpool said:

What stadium is everyone fave in the uk always, admired St James Park, Villa Park and Ibrox. All of which are traditional grounds that been well maintained and developed over the years.

Villa Park is my favourite.

[CosbehFox]

Might get to Mossley on Saturday which is a very well regarded non-league classic. 

 

Mentioned elsewhere looking at Bergen in May. Not a particularly excited ground or set of supporters but an incredible setting. 

 

 

[CosbehFox]

Just be to pick the one weekend in Bergen where a sell out is a certainty (National Day weekend). Might have to be a KFUM Oslo ultra 

 

Anyway I’m getting sent to Belfast for work which means I’m getting the chance to the Oval - Glentoran’s ground, an absolute bucket list ground. They are playing Friday night against Larne in a massive game. Then torn between Linfield or Glenavon on the Saturday 

[SemperEadem]

11 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Just be to pick the one weekend in Bergen where a sell out is a certainty (National Day weekend). Might have to be a KFUM Oslo ultra 

 

Anyway I’m getting sent to Belfast for work which means I’m getting the chance to the Oval - Glentoran’s ground, an absolute bucket list ground. They are playing Friday night against Larne in a massive game. Then torn between Linfield or Glenavon on the Saturday 

If you need a hand getting a ticket in Oslo I can help via the Valerenga link mate.

[boots60]

10 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Just be to pick the one weekend in Bergen where a sell out is a certainty (National Day weekend). Might have to be a KFUM Oslo ultra 

 

Anyway I’m getting sent to Belfast for work which means I’m getting the chance to the Oval - Glentoran’s ground, an absolute bucket list ground. They are playing Friday night against Larne in a massive game. Then torn between Linfield or Glenavon on the Saturday 

Glentorans ground is like a time warp & dilapidated & I mean that in a positive way.

Take yourself back to the 1970s & enjoy.

Linfield is a half decent small national stadium that has to be ticked. Not been to Glenavon yet, one day hopefully.

[Dan]

On 24/02/2026 at 09:00, CosbehFox said:

Yep, new yellow jersey leader for footballing experience. 

 

The Belgrade derby. An intensity I've not come across before. Absolute bedlam at times. Okay their tifo display wasn't great but the pure pyro and noise huge. 

 

Partizan had the away end on literal fire at one point. Crvena with the best pyro show I've seen live. The quality on the pitch downright dreadful bar an excellent third goal. Shame Partizan were done by a disgrace of VAR call - as 2-1 with fifteen to play would have been fun. 

 

Also did; a second tier game held at Bezanija FK which is in Novi Belgrade (a huge estate built in the 70s and 80s) - no atmosphere, goalless but just bizarre (Chinese restaurant for half-time)

 

Vojvodina in Novi Sad on Saturday - proper run down stadium, couldn't see the ultras as in same stand but they looked the part. The 30 from Novi Pazar chuffed they won 3-0

Which game was this? I'm a saddo and down a rabbit hole of trying to work out who it was
 

* may or may not be doing an FM save in Serbia atm and intrigued.

[CosbehFox]

28 minutes ago, Dan said:

Which game was this? I'm a saddo and down a rabbit hole of trying to work out who it was
 

* may or may not be doing an FM save in Serbia atm and intrigued.

Usce Novi Beograd v Loznica 

[Dan]

44 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Usce Novi Beograd v Loznica 

Ah it makes sense - Usce's crowds are tiny. I wondered what was going on there.

[Guest worth_the_wait]

This is surely the ultimate groundhopper ...

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cqj920d1wndo

 

[Dan]

Went to a stag do in Salzburg over the weekend and ended up going to, grabs shield, RB Salzburg's game.

 

There were 16 of us and it would've been good to do Austria Salzburg, but their ground holds about 1,500 and they comfortably sell it out so it just a bit of a non starter unfortunately.

 

Now I'm not ignorant to the formation of RB Salzburg and I obviously oppose it, but even despite this, I expected a bit more than what there actually was. I did think as a club who had recently won 10 straight league titles that they might have picked up some support but they just haven't really at all. The crowd was under 9,000 and I'd say there were easily over 1,500 away fans from Linz as well (who were very good throughout). They really are just an Austrian MK Dons in every sense. A small organised group behind the goal, but nothing substantial.

 

They've really fallen off on the pitch as well. Linz won what turned into a pretty mad game in the end 2-3 despite throwing it away in injury time themselves.

 

I didn't go with high expectation and it somehow fell short. Really tinpot and soulless club.

[CosbehFox]

Yeah the Oval is incredible. Completely matched my expectations. However, we were very lucky (and given the 8 hour delay on Thursday for the flight over would have been in keeping), it was effectively a title decider and unbeknown to me, it was sold out. Thankfully a turnstile operator took pity on us and let us in for free. They only have a safety certificate for so many. Despite their Green colour,  Glentoran is in a protestant area. Rangers stuff and Union Jacks everywhere. Game was bloody terrible but pretty wins Larne the league without a massive shock result on the final day. 

 

Cliftonville, in North Belfast, Catholic area. An absolutely wreck of a main stand. In amongst the terraces and then two modern stands behind either goal. Another bad game of football but didnt' really matter, proper charm with a social club within the main stand. Love the name 'Solitude'. 

 

If you have any interest in groundhopping, I'd say the Oval is a must. But try to aim for a big game, European fixture or the derby against Linfield, so the terraces are busier and people are on the grass bank. 

[rugbyblue]

Off to malmo v mjallby on sunday.  2nd swedish league game ill have been to.  Tickets bought directly from malmo.  Easy process.  Surprised there were a couple hundred left considering mjallby are champions.  

Day in copenhagen tomorrow then over the oresund bridge to malmo.  Should be a good one.

Pics to be posted Sunday/monday

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, rugbyblue said:

Off to malmo v mjallby on sunday.  2nd swedish league game ill have been to.  Tickets bought directly from malmo.  Easy process.  Surprised there were a couple hundred left considering mjallby are champions.  

Day in copenhagen tomorrow then over the oresund bridge to malmo.  Should be a good one.

Pics to be posted Sunday/monday

Mjallby was the equilavant of Bournemouth winning the league though. Malmo made some noise when I saw them at AIK so should be good! 

[rugbyblue]

15 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Mjallby was the equilavant of Bournemouth winning the league though. Malmo made some noise when I saw them at AIK so should be good! 

Yes ill be honest, i hadn't heard much about them until last season.  Tiny little place/club compared to the big boys.  

I've read they are pretty raucous so looking forward to it

[Stuntman_Mike]

4 hours ago, rugbyblue said:

Off to malmo v mjallby on sunday.  2nd swedish league game ill have been to.  Tickets bought directly from malmo.  Easy process.  Surprised there were a couple hundred left considering mjallby are champions.  

Day in copenhagen tomorrow then over the oresund bridge to malmo.  Should be a good one.

Pics to be posted Sunday/monday

I might be stating the obvious, but if you haven't done it before they did check my passport on that train. 

[boots60]

Have  great 10 days coming up.

Off to Barrow v Newport tomorrow to finally complete the 92, its taken 56 years!

Then fly out to Italy on Thursday to take in Torino v Sassuolo on Friday night then a double header on Sunday, Cremonese v Pisa (please be fit Jamie!) and AC Milan v Atalanta in the evening.

[rugbyblue]

6 hours ago, Stuntman_Mike said:

I might be stating the obvious, but if you haven't done it before they did check my passport on that train. 

Thanks.  We have done the train trip before (not for football) and they didnt check after the airport. Ill be ready though just in case

[rugbyblue]

Just back at hotel after post match pint.  Malmo 2- mjallby 3.  Sat next to away fans (mjallby) who were incredible and did not stop all game! Ud love to have been in there The home end was full length of pitch away and were bouncing but drowned out by mjallby from where i was sitting.

 

Great game which malmo were always chasing after going 2 down.  Ref let lots of niggly fouls and contact go.  Also very evident was the lack of play acting and time wasting.  It made for a better watch than the prem or championship. It would be rare to see here but at the final whistle mjallby players and manager were talking to the mjallby fans and leading the post match celebrations on  a megaphone that one of the mjallby ultras threw down to them! 

 

Great experience.  Ill be back to a Swedish game again for sure. Pics dont do it justice and vids wont upload so youll have to trust me on this one 😂 

 

As an aside, if you are interested in architecture like i am, malmo is well worth seeing. The centre is being almost completely regenerated and the buildings are very modern.  The city is very safe and relaxed.  Walked round at 11pm last night with my daughter and not slightly concerned.

Edited 3 May by rugbyblue
Addition

[purpleronnie]

36 minutes ago, rugbyblue said:

Just back at hotel after post match pint.  Malmo 2- mjallby 3.  Sat next to away fans (mjallby) who were incredible and did not stop all game! Ud love to have been in there The home end was full length of pitch away and were bouncing but drowned out by mjallby from where i was sitting.

 

Great game which malmo were always chasing after going 2 down.  Ref let lots of niggly fouls and contact go.  Also very evident was the lack of play acting and time wasting.  It made for a better watch than the prem or championship. It would be rare to see here but at the final whistle mjallby players and manager were talking to the mjallby fans and leading the post match celebrations on  a megaphone that one of the mjallby ultras threw down to them! 

 

Great experience.  Ill be back to a Swedish game again for sure. Pics dont do it justice and vids wont upload so youll have to trust me on this one 😂 

 

As an aside, if you are interested in architecture like i am, malmo is well worth seeing. The centre is being almost completely regenerated and the buildings are very modern.  The city is very safe and relaxed.  Walked round at 11pm last night with my daughter and not slightly concerned.

were their any fans in silly fancy dress doing the conga...thats real support.

[CosbehFox]

On 25/03/2026 at 22:45, CosbehFox said:

Just be to pick the one weekend in Bergen where a sell out is a certainty (National Day weekend). Might have to be a KFUM Oslo ultra 

 

Anyway I’m getting sent to Belfast for work which means I’m getting the chance to the Oval - Glentoran’s ground, an absolute bucket list ground. They are playing Friday night against Larne in a massive game. Then torn between Linfield or Glenavon on the Saturday 

Managed to get a ticket for Brann but the ticketing process was bringing back PTSD for the Euro draw flight booking days 

[Stuntman_Mike]

York City confirmed as a new one for the 92, just waiting to see if Boreham Wood needs ticking off as well next season.