Matchday 93 - Bradford City Vs Harrogate Town
Matchday 93 took us to the University of Bradford Stadium for our penultimate ground on the journey to completing all 92 Football League stadiums! With an early kick-off, we set off at 05:45, picking up Grandad Steve before heading to Sandwell and Dudley station. We arrived earlier than expected and managed to catch the 06:11 Transport for Wales service, giving us plenty of time for our 07:03 CrossCountry train from Birmingham New Street to Leeds. The Train Manager, Angela, kindly let us travel in First Class, making the journey much more comfortable.
Arriving in Leeds, we were met with a huge police presence due to Leeds United playing Millwall. Our plan to grab breakfast at Wetherspoons in the station was scrapped as it was packed, so we caught the next train to Bradford. There, we walked to The Turls Green, where we finally got our breakfast—though the service was painfully slow!
Once in Bradford, we headed to the University of Bradford Stadium, stopping at the club shop for a matchday scarf before visiting the memorial dedicated to the Bradford City Fire Disaster to pay our respects. Inside the stadium, Liam took a photo with Billy the Mascot and received a first-game certificate. However, confusion over our seats led to a frustrating mix-up due to poor signage.
We made it just in time for kick-off, witnessing an early goal in a tightly contested match. After the game, we made our way back home, one step closer to completing the challenge!
Matchday 92 - Barnsley Vs Burton Albion
We've made it to Matchday 92, and this time, we’re at Oakwell, home of Barnsley FC! This visit marks the completion of League One in our journey to visit all 92 Football League grounds, leaving us with just two League Two stadiums to go!
With an early start to make a pre-match meeting with Barnsley FC, Liam wasn’t too happy when the alarm went off! Our journey took us from Sandwell & Dudley to Birmingham New Street, then onto Sheffield before arriving in Barnsley. Of course, no matchday is complete without a Wetherspoons stop, so we quickly visited The Joseph Bramah before heading to Oakwell.
Barnsley FC went above and beyond, offering us an incredible behind-the-scenes experience. We got to go pitchside for photos, tour the directors' lounge, and visit the dressing rooms, where Liam met players and even the club captain! We were treated to food in the players' canteen before Liam joined a training session and even got a kickabout on the Oakwell pitch. But the biggest surprise? Liam walked out onto the pitch with the players!
The match itself ended in a 0-0 draw, but nothing could take away from the amazing hospitality we received. Huge thanks to Barnsley FC, Laurie, Penelope, and John for making this such a special day.
Join us on this unforgettable experience, and don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE as we edge closer to completing the 92 Football Challenge!
Matchday 91 - Leyton Orient Vs Reading
Matchday 91 took us to Leyton Orient as we continued our journey towards completing the 92! This was our penultimate League One fixture, and we kicked off the day with an early start, catching the only direct train from Stourbridge Junction to London Marylebone. The journey was busy as expected, but thanks to a helpful Train Manager, we managed to get seats after Banbury, which was a relief given my ongoing hernia issues.
Once in London, we took the tube to Leytonstone, where we ticked off another Wetherspoon – The Walnut Tree, my 61st! This particular pub was quite small for a Wetherspoon, making it very busy with limited seating. We ended up at a high table with stools, which wasn’t ideal but added to the experience. After a couple of drinks, we took a 30-minute stroll to Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient.
We had an incredible welcome from the club, thanks to George (Head of Media and Comms) and Rachel (Mascot Co-ordinator). Not only did we get to go pitchside for photos, but Liam was also invited into the dressing room, meeting the players and collecting signatures! The hospitality from the staff and stewards made this visit truly special.
Inside the stadium, we had great seats near the halfway line, witnessing Leyton Orient claim a solid 2-0 victory over Reading. We also spotted the unique Papa John’s Third Dugout, where lucky fans enjoyed pizza during the match!
After leaving in the 85th minute, we navigated the busy London Underground back to Marylebone and caught our direct train home, wrapping up an unforgettable day.
Massive thanks to Leyton Orient for their hospitality—this visit will stay with us for a long time!
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Matchday 90 - Salford City Vs Fleetwood Town
oin us for Matchday 90 as we kick off 2025 with a trip to Salford City! After a festive break spent in Scotland watching Aberdeen vs Ross County, we're back on the road for the final stretch of our 92 challenge. This time, Grandad Steve is along for the ride as we head to The Peninsula Stadium to watch Salford City vs Fleetwood Town.
Our journey starts with a stop at Wetherspoons The Eccles Cross, ticking off another pub from the list before heading to the ground. Despite freezing temperatures, Liam manages to grab high-fives from the players during warm-up, and we even meet a fellow groundhopper!
The match kicks off with a tribute to the late Denis Law, followed by a fast start from Fleetwood, who net twice in the opening 11 minutes. A red card for Salford made things even harder, and Fleetwood held on for a 2-0 win. The away fans provided the best atmosphere, while the home crowd struggled to get going.
After the game, we stopped by the smallest club shop we've ever seen and, after a long queue, just managed to grab a matchday scarf before heading home.
Join us as we get closer to completing the 92, with Leyton Orient up next! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to follow our journey!
Matchday 89 - Lincoln City Vs Reading
Matchday 89 took us to the historic Sincil Bank, home of Lincoln City FC, for our final match of 2024. With a 12:30 kick-off, we set off bright and early at 08:00 to ensure we had plenty of time to enjoy the day. Traffic was surprisingly smooth despite the festive rush, and we arrived in Lincoln just over two hours later. Our first stop was The Square Sail Wetherspoons, where Liam tucked into scrambled eggs on toast while Grandad Steve and I enjoyed a couple of pints.
After refuelling, we made our way to the pre-booked South Common Parking. Despite some initial confusion finding the car park, a friendly local guided us in the right direction. The field-based parking area was muddy and waterlogged, making for a bit of an adventure in our footwear!
A quick five-minute walk took us to the stadium, where we headed straight to the club shop to pick up our traditional matchday scarf. Unfortunately, no programmes were available, but we still enjoyed exploring the surroundings before heading to our seats.
The stadium had a unique charm, with the contrasting short stand adding character. Our seats behind the goal provided a great view of the action. Lincoln started strong with an early goal in the 8th minute, and Reading’s task became even harder after Holzman was sent off in the 37th minute. Lincoln sealed the victory with a second goal in the 72nd minute, ending their winless streak.
We left slightly before the final whistle to avoid traffic and made it home in just over two hours.
As 2024 draws to a close, we’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We’ll see you again in 2025 as the 92 journey continues!
Matchday 88 - Luton Town Vs Swansea City
Join us for Matchday 88 of our incredible football journey as we visit the historic Kenilworth Road, home of Luton Town FC. This iconic and unique stadium has been on our must-visit list, and despite some challenges with tickets, the club kindly helped us secure seats for the game.
The day started with Storm Darragh causing chaos across the UK, bringing heavy winds and rain, putting the match in jeopardy. With Liverpool’s game postponed, we decided to brave the storm and make the journey to Luton. Driving cautiously through adverse conditions, we arrived in just over two hours, ready to experience the charm of Kenilworth Road.
After securing parking and navigating the waterlogged car park, we headed to The White House, a local Wetherspoons, where fans from both teams created a buzzing pre-match atmosphere. We also visited Luton’s club shop to pick up our customary scarf before walking through the narrow streets toward the ground.
Kenilworth Road lived up to its reputation, with its quirky layout and entrances nestled between terraced houses. Despite the wet and windy conditions, we were thankful for our sheltered seats. The match was end-to-end, with Luton taking the lead before Swansea equalised, ending the game 1-1.
The vocal Swansea fans added energy to an otherwise subdued atmosphere, and while our view was partially obstructed, it didn’t diminish the experience. With the match over, we made our way back through the storm to the car and completed another smooth journey home.
This milestone marked the completion of our second league, ticking off all the grounds in the Premier League and Championship. With Leagues One and Two remaining, we’re excited to continue our journey toward visiting all 92 Football League stadiums! Stay tuned for more adventures!
Matchday 87 - Peterborough United Vs Burton Albion
Join us for Matchday 87 as we visit Weston Homes Stadium, home of Peterborough United! This midweek adventure was a race against time, starting with a hectic dash from Banbury to Birmingham and then hitting the road in rush-hour traffic. Despite the delays, we made it to Peterborough just in time to soak in the atmosphere.
Follow our journey as we grab our customary matchday scarf, explore the Meerkat Family Stand, and watch The Posh take on Burton Albion in a rainy evening showdown. While the sparse crowd and lack of goals made for a subdued experience, Burton’s second-half strike secured a 1-0 victory.
From battling traffic to dodging the rain, this vlog captures the highs and lows of ticking another stadium off our challenge. Don’t miss the action as we edge closer to completing all 92 league grounds!
Matchday 86 - Blackburn Rovers Vs Leeds United
Join us on Matchday 86 as we visit the historic Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers! This ground has been on our must-visit list ever since their iconic Premier League win in 1995 under Sir Kenny Dalglish. We take you behind the scenes with an exclusive stadium tour thanks to the amazing Christina, who shares fascinating stories and takes us pitchside and to the Premier League trophy.
Watch as we explore the Jack Walker statue, pick up our matchday scarf, and check out Blackburn’s Strikers Lounge, a fantastic family area packed with fun games for kids. From pre-match stops at The Old Chapel Wetherspoon and McDonald’s to soaking up the electric atmosphere in the Jack Walker Stand, this vlog has it all!
Stay tuned for highlights of the game against Leeds United, where Blackburn clinched victory with a penalty in an action-packed match. Don’t miss this unforgettable visit to one of football’s most iconic grounds!
Matchday 85 - Crawley Town Vs Rotherham United
In Matchday 85 of our 92-ground football journey, we faced a dramatic last-minute change of plans. With severe weather warnings canceling our trip to Bradford City, we pivoted to Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium. The day was filled with challenges: gale-force winds, torrential rain, traffic jams, and a tricky parking situation. Despite all that, we enjoyed an entertaining game where Crawley Town secured a 1-0 victory! Along the way, we visited The Jubilee Oak, braved the elements, and navigated a fuel pump mishap. Join us as we share the highs, lows, and everything in between from this unforgettable matchday experience!