92 Clubs – Day 1 – Accrington, Aldershot, Arsenal and Aston Villa
Well! Day 1 is now complete.
I stayed overnight in a guest house called Maple Lodge at Clayton-le-Moors just up the hill from Accrington Stanley‘s ground.
Maple Lodge Guest House at Five in the Morning
It was clean with a very comfortable bed and it was an only a twenty minute walk down the hill at five in the morning for an early start. It would be a nice affordable base for a weekend at the football, with a but of exploring in the area and on the moors thrown in.
I arrived at the ground early, as I needed to catch the 6:17 train out of the town to Leeds to get a train south.
Accrington Stanley's Ground
The ground is signposted off the Whalley Road and is very much tucked away in the houses. It was quiet, but then what do you expect in the dark early on a Saturday morning. I was welcomed by a friendly ginger cat though.
It took me about twenty minutes to walk down the hill to the station, which is a model for many small towns. Unfortunately, the large Tesco’s next door wasn’t fully open and all I could get to eat was a couple of EatNakd bars. The cashier was also not in the best of humour after working a probably not too busy night-shift on his own. I do wonder about the economics of opening supermarkets all night. Even the self-service tills were broken.
It was from Leeds that I got the 8:05 after the 6:17 from Accrington had got me in on time. It was then a quick route by Victoria and Bakerloo line to catch the 10:53 to Aldershot, where it was a short walk to the ground.
Aldershot Town
Although, I did take a roundabout route getting to the ground, which is actually visible from the station.
It was then back on the train and then on to the Emirates for Arsenal.
At The Emirates Stadium
This picture was taken by a Spanish tourist. If you think I looked hot and bedraggled, you’re right as it was the hottest October 1st since 1800 and God-knows-what.
The Emirates incidentally, was the only place where there was someone to take my picture. The cat at Accrington didn’t want to know.
But at least I was running early and had time for a trip home to have lunch and a shower before going on to Aston Villa.
I left Euston at 17:03 and at just after 19:00 I was outside the ground.
Villa Park - Note the Moon on the Right
I could even see the moon over the stadium. How Romantic!
It was then back to Birmingham New Street and I caught the 21:10 back to London.
I was in bed by 23:30.
I shall update this post as time goes on, as I’ve just written it hurredly as I rush off to Barnsley.
But the amazing thing in some peoples minds was that I caught eight trains yesterday and none were late, although one might have been early. There was no delays on the four Underground trains I caught either.
My only problem was that finding gluten-free food was difficult, as neither Leeds or Birmingham Marks and Spencers in the station carry gluten free sandwiches. But of course, I cooked myself a hearty lunch.
So Day 1 has the same answer to the question of what do you call 1,000 American lawyers at the bottom of the sea? – A good start!
Cash For Scrap
No wonder we get so much metal thefts with big screen adverts like this at football grounds.
Where to Sell Your Scrap Metal For Cash
I took this picture at West Ham last night!
If I was the Transport Minister, I’d get them banned.
The Tevez Defence
Carlos Tevez got himself off a serious charge by claiming he couldn’t read English according to many reports, including this one in the Mirror.
I would assume that he didn’t have any colleagues or friends, who couldn’t read English either. I once had a spam e-mail in Russian, so I asked one of the builders, who was Lithuanian, what it meant. He said it was spam, so I ignored it.
How long before the defence is used in a serious case like murder or rape? The accused in a rape case could perhaps claim that he didn’t understand what No meant.
Perhaps the best thing we could do is give Tevez six months to learn basic English.
My Place in The Sun
I was in The Sun yesterday, just under Pippa Middleton at the bottom of page 29. Under the headine, He Choos He Scores, it said the following.
Londoner James Miller, 64, will use trains and buses to visit 92 Football League grounds in alphabetical order in 29 days.
Not strictly true, as I’m allowing myself the 31 days of October, but they obviously didn’t have any more space.
C once appeared on page 3 in The Sun. A case involving a saucy farmer, where she was defending the two women, who attacked him, was published many years ago.
The Crush at Westfield Stratford City
It was a waste of time taking the train to the new shopping centre.
I walked out of the Overground station up the stairs and after walking past the masses of smokers, lined up outside the centre, I entered the centre, avoiding one of the doors, which was constantly being opened by a four or five-year-old constantly pressing the disabled door-opening button. He was having great fun smashing the door into people standing outside.
I did at least know where I was going and attempted to walk through to Waitrose at the other end. I don’t think, I’ve been in a crush like that for some years and that was probably at Wembley for the play-off final against Barnsley in 2000. But the football crowd was better behaved and I should say better controlled and it didn’t contain lots of children, buggies and especially aggressive youths, who were determined to get through at any cost.
Eventually, I did get to Waitrose, but decided that I didn’t really want to go through that crush again with my shopping, so I decided to just have a look round John Lewis.
I was astounded to see, two children on scooters in the shop. Some people must be mad.
I then gave up and decided that the best bet would be to get to Stratford International and take the DLR from there. It was a very wet walk around the outside of the centre. as there was no shelter.
At the station, I met a policeman and told him how dangerous it had been in there. He whole-heartedly agreed.
I must admit I did get a train to the main station at Stratford from where I took the Central Line back to Liverpool Street. After a walk, I did get a bus, but then this was delayed due to an accident on the New North Road.
This must be regarded as the least successful shopping trip, I’ve ever done.
I Don’t Get These Football Colours
The Manchester United match was on in the background last night. I thought they had scored, as the team in red had!
But it was Benfica!
Isn’t it about time that in important matches teams played in their proper colours!
But it’s all about money. So if it’s about money, does that explain why a fairly small crowd turned up to watch Chelski on Tuesday.
A Funny Thing To Advertise At Football
I was intrigued by this advert at Bloomfield Road.
What is pata-ab.eu?
What does pata-ab.eu do? It’s nothing dodgy, but a timber company. I wouldn’t get a wonga loan to buy your timber though!
Strange!
Where To Watch Premier League Football in Blackpool
I found this sign outside a pub in Blackpool.
All Premier League Matches Here!
Note that the Manchester City match can be watched at three. Which of course, is the same time, that the Blackpool Ipswich match started!
So perhaps you have to watch it with a Greek commentary!
They Said The Seat Was Restricted View
This is the view from a restricted view seat at Blackpool.
A Restricted View at Blackpool
Especially, as Ipswich lost, I doubt I’ll be going again. I suppose it’s OK if your team doesn’t take too many fans to away matches.
But Ipswich do!
Is Blackpool the Most Pedestrian Unfriendly Resort in the UK?
I went to Blackpool with an open mind, but I had met a plumber from Wigan in Liverpool, who goes to that city with his bike, when he wants to get some sea air.
But I hadn’t been prepared for what I found.
Arriving at Blackpool North station, there was no map or instructions to help me get to the football ground or even the town centre. There was a map for sale at a pound or so,but it didn’t have either the station or the football ground on it.
I was told as a child, that if you’re lost, you should always ask a policeman. So I found two. But one was from Manchester and the other was from Preston. They hadn’t a clue on directions. So I suppose, if there was an incident, they’d probably turn up with difficulty and late.
In fact there are no useful maps in the dump, as to call it a town, insults all of those places, like Great Yarmouth, who care for their visitors so much better.
There is however this bus map on all the stops.
Blasckpool's Useless Bus Map
I suppose it might be useful to those who have the route they are taking to hand. But for me it was as useful as a chocolate teapot.
Close to the football ground it gets worse with roads that have no crossing places for pedestrians.
A typical Pedestrian-Friendly Crossing In Blackpool
The picture was taken on a busy roundabout. where are the protective lights? And here are some Ipswich fans trying to cross the road to McDonalds.
Ipswich Fans Dodge The Traffic in Blackpool
I know Blackpool has financial problems, but surely they want visitors to return.
Obviously they don’t want coeliacs, who have to walk everywhere!
The Anonymous Widower 