Matchday 87 brought us what we hope will be our final midweek evening fixture of the challenge, and it certainly tested our stamina and determination. The day began with me working in Banbury, where I had to time my departure perfectly to catch the 14:11 train back to Birmingham. With no delays, I managed to make it home by 16:00. After a lightning-fast change of clothes, Liam and I were on the road by 16:20, bracing ourselves for the usual chaos of rush-hour traffic.
The drive didn’t start smoothly, with heavy congestion just getting onto the M5 at Junction 2. Traffic crawled at a frustrating pace until we managed to merge onto the M6 at Junction 8, and even then, it was touch-and-go in several places. Despite the challenges, we powered through and, against the odds, arrived in Peterborough by 19:00.
With little time to spare, we parked at a closed Kwik Fit near the stadium, taking advantage of its accessible car park. A brief walk brought us to Weston Homes Stadium, where we picked up a matchday programme from an outside seller. Our next stop was the club shop to purchase our customary scarf—a souvenir we’ve been collecting at every ground we visit.
From there, we headed to the Meerkat Family Stand, where I had wisely booked upper-tier seats to keep us sheltered from the relentless rain. The view was excellent, and we were glad to stay dry while the heavens opened outside. As we settled into our seats, the contrast between the weather and the atmosphere became evident.
Before kickoff, we enjoyed watching the players warm up. However, I couldn’t help but notice the unusually sparse crowd. The GH Display Stand was entirely empty, and the Kings Power Solutions Stand was less than half full. It was clear that this wasn’t going to be one of the more lively matchday experiences of our journey.
The match itself was far from thrilling. The first half saw Peterborough dominate possession but create very few meaningful chances. The second half followed a similar pattern, though Burton Albion capitalised on one of their rare opportunities to score the game’s only goal. Their 1-0 victory was a fair reflection of the match, but with only four shots on target between both teams, it was undoubtedly one of the dullest games we’ve witnessed.
The lack of energy on the pitch was matched by the subdued atmosphere in the stands, making for a rather underwhelming evening. Once the final whistle blew, we headed straight back to the car, grateful for the straightforward parking arrangements. The drive home was smooth, and we pulled into our driveway at 23:40, exhausted but satisfied to have crossed another ground off our list.
While it wasn’t the most exciting matchday, every visit brings us one step closer to completing our challenge. Weston Homes Stadium is done, and we’re ready for the next adventure!
5 Facts About Peterborough United
- Nicknamed “The Posh”: Peterborough United are famously nicknamed “The Posh,” a moniker that dates back to the 1920s when a former manager claimed he was looking for “Posh players for a Posh team.”
- Record Goalscorer: The club’s all-time leading goalscorer is Jim Hall, who netted 122 goals for the club between 1967 and 1975.
- Historic League Entry: Peterborough United joined the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead in the old Fourth Division.
- FA Cup Glory: The club’s best FA Cup run came in the 1964-65 season when they reached the quarter-finals, a remarkable achievement for a lower-league side at the time.
- Goal-Scoring Record: Peterborough holds the Football League record for the most goals scored in a single season, netting 134 goals during the 1960-61 campaign.