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AWAY THE LADS

Ground Guide To All League Two Clubs...And More...!

In conjunction with the superb www.footballgroundguide.co.uk for the information, use of photographs and their expertise, County4Life takes you on a journey around Coca-Cola League Two to give you an indepth lowdown on all the football grounds visited by County in the 2007-08 season. Happy clicking...!

Accrington Stanley - Fraser Eagle (The Crown) Stadium.....Barnet - Underhill Stadium.....Bradford City - Valley Parade.....Brentford - Griffin Park.....Bury - Gigg Lane.....Chester City - Saunders Honda (Deva) Stadium.....Chesterfield - Saltergate.....Dagenham & Redbridge - Victoria Road Stadium.....Darlington - The 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena.....Grimsby Town - Blundell Park.....Hereford United - Edgar Street.....Lincoln City - Sincil Bank.....Macclesfield Town - Mose Rose.....Mansfield Town - Field Mill.....Milton Keynes Dons - stadium:mk.....Morecambe - Christie Park.....Notts County - Meadow Lane.....Peterborough United - London Road.....Rochdale - Spotland Stadium.....Rotherham United - Millmoor....Shrewsbury Town - The New Meadow.....Wrexham - Racecourse Ground.....Wycombe Wanderers - The Causeway (Adams Park) Stadium  

Address - Brunton Park, Warwick Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 1LL

Telephone - 01228 554 141

Web - www.carlisleunited.co.uk

Overall - From an area where the English / Scotch border literally dissects the town, it seems mildly appropriate that Carlisle United's home is also split in two. Nevertheless, still a unique footballing home from one of English (!?!) football's outposts. 

Brunton Park - "The Cumberland Building Society (East) Stand" on one side of the pitch can be the only stand that can be described as 'new'.

It's fully covered, and is a smart all-seater stand, has the club initials neatly placed in the seating and towers above the rest of the ground, which in all honesty, looks a bit dated.

What is unusual about this stand is that one end of the stand looks 'off centre', overlapping the end of the pitch compared to the other end which runs parallel with the six yard box at t'other end. This was because the club were planning to move the ground a few yards north on completion of the new stand, but alas funds ran out. 

Opposite is the real olde worlde 'Main Stand', which not only has a terraced paddock at the front but is only covered towards the rear, which is a true throw-back through the years. The roof's centre section is raised towards the middle and the seats look like they could do with a refurb.

"The Warwick Road End", which, you'll be surprised, is named after the thoroughfare that runs behind it, is a covered terrace that has a very peculiar looking roof, yet is synonymous to Carlisle United F.C, and in those halcyon days when The Cumbrians were in the top flight, the trio of triangles were said to be universally recognised.

Completing the stadium tour is "The Petterill End" (aka The Waterworks End), this is a medium-ish sized open terrace, which during some building work was closed for some time, in fact in my last visit here it was closed, which was a shame as it gives a much better viewpoint of the game and with it being situated behind the goal, it also gives you that very traditional away day feel.

This area holds upto 1,700 visiting fans, but it is open to the elements. If numbers require it, the Petterill End of the Cumberland is used. This gives youn a superb view with no pillars restricting views yet with the gradiant of the seating, the further back you decide to plonk your arse, the further you are away from the action. 

The segregation between away and home is little more than a piece of fabric, so the close proximity between fans creates a great atmosphere but can turn nasty as times, but overall the people of Carlisle are very friendly...if you can understand them...! 

Getting There - By car it's really easy to find. Leave the M6 at junction 43 and take the A49 towards Carlisle, after about a mile the ground is on your right. Street parking is preferable, but you can park in the club grounds for a couple of squid.

If you are going by train, again, it shouldn't be a problem, as the ground is situated approx a mile from Carlisle Citadel Station. Upon exiting the station at the main entrance, walk the short distance around The Crescent until you reach Warwick Road. You will be able to see the older Main Stand and the 'universally recognised' triangles after a 10-15 minute walk.

Our Last Time Here - Eek...! I still sit bolt upright in my bed some nights...October 29th 2005, it...was...a...truly...forgettable...experience...please see Carl Ikeme in the Hall Of Shame

Address - Charlton Athletic Football Club, Floyd Road, Charlton, London, SE7 8BL

Telephone - 0208 333 4000

Web - www.cafc.co.uk

Overall - A total transformation since the mid 1990's. Anyone who revisits this amazing ground after several years will not believe their eyes.

The Valley - After their emotional reunion with The Valley in 1991 after lodging at Selhurst Park and Upton Park since the mid-eighties, Addicks fans not only have really one of the most atmospheric of the London stages, but following the completion of the North Stand in 2002, also have arguably one of the finest.

The new North Stand now houses an amazing 9,000 fans and completely envelopes the North East and North West vantage points.

The West Stand is a good sized two tiered stand, whilst opposite, the smaller single tiered East Stand, was one where reputedly stood the largest terracing area in the league (even bigger than the former Kippax Street Stand at Maine Road). 

The older South Stand, situated behind one goal, is given to away fans and looks really out of place in all honesty. What gives this traditional football home a unique touch is outside The Valley there is a statue of The Addicks' legendary keeper, Sam Bartram.

As was mentioned previously, County will be housed in the Jimmy Seed (South) Stand at one end of the ground, which is slightly raised above pitch level, making for a good view but is a real poor relation in comparison to the other magnificent trio of stands. Upto 3,000 fans can be accommodated here, and if numbers require it, then this end will be shared by home fans with the obligitory stewards marshalling the central 'no-man's land'.

My research tells me that in the whole stadium there is just one supporting pillar and it is slap bang in the centre of the away end, obstructing not only the pitch, but also the goal.     

Getting There - Sorry guys, it's the M25 I'm afraid. leave the M25 at J2 and follow the A2 towards London. When the A2 continues onto the A102 (M) take the A206 towards Woolwich and the ground will be on your right. If you cross over the Thames or reach Blackheath, you have gone too far...! Street Parking is available, but due to a resident parking scheme, the nearest street parking is on the A206 close to the Rose Of Denmark pub. You can also park at the Thames Barrier Visitor Centre (£5)

For those going to make a day of it via train, you'll be interested to hear that The Valley is within easy walking distance from Charlton Railway Station, which is served by Charing Cross and London Bridge mainline. Come out of the station onto Charlton Church Lane, turn right and cross over. Take the next left into Floyd Road. then right into Valley Grove for the away section.

If you prefer to take the tube, then North Greenwich is your closest, with then a healthy walk or grab a Joe Baxi, or even hop on the 161, 472 or 486  to get to The Valley.  

Our Last Time Here - Oh dear...! Ended in a drastic 4-0 collapse. Andy Hunt grabbed a hat-trick and Clive Mendonca grabbed a penalty on 28th September 1999. 

Address -Accrington Stanley Football Club, The Fraser Eagle (The Crown) Stadium, Livingston Road, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 5BX

Telephone - 01254 356 950

Web - www.accringtonstanley.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f93/

Overall - Situated in a picturesque Lancashire location fresh from a Hovis advert, The Fraser Eagle Stadium (formerly known and more affectionately known as "The Crown" - named after the pub which is now owned by the club) has a capacity of just 5,057, which makes it the smallest football league ground, but on the whole looks very impressive for a club who have spent so long in the football wilderness. 

The Fraser Eagle Stadium - As this well-equipped stadium becomes steadily adjusted to the heavy-weights of League Two, things can only get better for this tight little ground, but on first glance it seems that the stadium's main feature is actually two stands badly welded together.  

As you can see in the picture, 'The Main Stand' and 'The Thwaithes Stand' sit together on the half way line, but have an open seated gap between the two. The obvious Barnet-esque slope is emphasised with fewer rows at one side of this stand than the other. These two stands are finished off with some unusual tubular steeling on the roof, which makes the stand look more like an Asda than a footy ground.

Opposite is the very small covered 'Whinney Hill Terrace'. This is more a dug out than a terrace. It comprises of literally a handful of steps and some supporting pillars. What makes this stadium tiny compared to its contemporaries is that behind this stand is a new housing estate overlooking the ground (I bet any new residents were just cock-a-hoop when Stanley gained league status..!) and some residents can actually see the game for nothing. 

One good thing about Accrington is that you'll be in for a good day / evening out. In the days of Conference football, it was known for fans to change ends at half time with little or no segregation, but league rules prevent that now, therefore County will have 'The Coppice Terrace'. It's unfortunate that this is open to the elements, with the clear message to 'wrap up warm'.

Getting There - For most, Stanley will be a club you have bound to have heard of (Milk anyone?) but not neccessarily know where it is. So, my word of advise is to keep to the directions given, or you'll find yourself in Hell aka Burnley - Leave the M6 J29 and take the M65 towards Blackburn. Continue past Blackburn towards Accrington and then leave J7. Take the left hand exit at the roundabout onto the A6185 towards Clitheroe (don't be too worried that this looks like you are heading away from Accy - this is the easiest way...! Honestly...!). At the first set of traffic lights turn right onto the A678 towards Padiham, and then at the next set, turn right onto the A680 towards Accrington.  After ½m you will pass The Crown pub (where the ground takes its name - well originally before capitalism took over) on your left. Take the next left into Livingstone Road.

For those who prefer the joys of the railway, Accrington station is about a mile away from The Crown. Leave the station and travel down the slope towards the large viaduct roundabout. Take Milshaw Lane alongside the Peugeot dealership.100m down this road it joins Whalley Road. Bear left up the hill and follow Whalley Road for about a mile, past the 'Hozpikul', a set of lights and a mini roundabout. The next right is Livingstone Road.

Our Last Time Here - County won 1-0, on 17th February 2007, thanks to Adam Griffin's first half strike and took us closer to that 9 Wins 9 Clean Sheets record!

Address - Barnet Football Club, Underhill Stadium, Westcombe Drive, Barnet, London, EN5 2BE

Phone - 0208 441 6932

Web - www.barnetfc.com

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.freewebs.com/thisisbees/

Overall - On first sight, it wouldn't take a genius to work out that Underhill Stadium has not seen any major investment for some time. In fact some parts of the ground haven't seen a lick of paint since the sixties.

Underhill Stadium - Of the Capital's smallest footy stadium, only 'The East Terrace' is completely covered, and this is only over terracing. Barnet have not really thought things through, as the best stand of the four is partly given to visiting fans.

The 'Main Stand' is a small effort and straddles the half way line. My researchers tell me this was built in 1964 and boy does it show...! Only 800 fans can get in here and truly echoes Barnet's largely non-league history, with little or no ambition to extend or update. Very poor showing I have to admit, although part of the blame must lie in the hands of the London Borough of Barnet, who still after all these years, deny the club a rightful home which meets the Football League's minimum standards (Strangely, it currently doesn't...!)

On one side of the Main Stand is a small terrace, whilst on the other side is the small all-seated 'Family Stand'. At one end is 'The North Terrace' (Can you see a pattern emerging?). This end is so tiny it has to have a large mesh fence at the back to stop wayward shots hitting the houses behind.

The other end, 'The South Stand' is, like Blackpool, a temporary stand and had been erected for a few years now (like...erm...Blackpool), and originally was erected to satisfy the suit-wearing-know-bugger-all-about-football bureaucrats at the FL happy. This awful looking bank of green seating is open to the elements making it a piss-poor truly awful time if its raining.

Although the infamous slope is not as bad as it once was, if you stand at the right place is it quite obvious, running down the length of the pitch from North to South. When Stevenage Borough and Macclesfield Town were denied their rightful place into the league through their ground requirements, when Barnet first entered the league in the early 1990's maybe the League's Ground Quality Committee contained Shaun Ryder and Pete Doherty. 

County will be allocated the 'East Terrace'. Not very big, with only 450 being allowed in. In all honesty, it's not a bad view and along with the seating area, at least it gives fans the choice to sit or stand, and with the roof, will generate a whole lot of noise. All good in my book!

Getting There - Sorry, but there is no way about this one, it's the M25 I'm afraid. Leave the M25 J23. Take the A1081 towards Barnet. Follow the road for about 3m and the road becomes the A1000. The ground is at the foot of Barnet Hill close to the junction with Station Road (A110). Street parking is available or for just a couple of squid, you can park at High Barnet tube station.

Linking nicely to train travel, it so happens that the aforementioned High Barnet tube station is the nearest to Underhill. This is on the Northern Line and from there it's only five minutes downhill (uphill after the game!) Alternatively, you can take a quicker train to 'New Barnet'. This is further from the ground, and is served by trains from Kings Cross. Mightn't be an alternative to us Norvinus, but is a shorter travel time than the ghastly Tube.

Our Last Time - ended in defeat...! It was 10th March 2007, and with it ended our amazing nine game, nine clean sheet record. Although Tes Bramble opened the scoring, we lost 3-1. Darn!

Address - Bradford City Football Club, The Intersonic Stadium, Valley Parade, Manningham, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD8 7DY

Telephone - 08708 220000

Web - www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.claretandbanter.co.uk/ 

Overall - As many people will know, the term 'game of two halves' is common-place in football, whilst for Bradford City FC, it's a case of  'a ground of two halves', with one corner giving the impression that it's twice the size as the other.

Valley Parade - Since that harrowing day in May 1985 when the former wooden stand was burnt down with people losing lives, the ground has transformed into possibly the finest stadium in League Two, certainly the largest in the division, when full, The Intersonic Stadium can hold 25,136. Nearly five times larger than the smallest at Accrington. 

'The Kop End' (now known as 'The Carlsberg Stand') - a relatively new two-tiered stand and is simply huge and looks stunning. Once upon a time this stand, like The Cheadle End at EP, towered the rest of the stadium, but after a top tier was added to the equally impressive 'Sunwin Stand' in 2001 this made the stands meet each other.

With the corner between the two also filled in (pictured), it really is a remarkable spectacle. Aside to this, the rest of the stadium looks rather out of place. Towards the top of 'The Sunwin Stand', you can see over the top of the other two stands and see the rolling hills of West Yorkshire and the town of Bratfud. Away fans are housed in the small 'double decker' called the 'TL Dallas Stand', whilst completing the four is the 'Yorkshire First (East) Stand' which is an impressive single tiered stand that replaced the former away terrace that was so confined and claustrophobic it was like watching the game from inside a cage.

Thankfully those days are gone. Also what is nice is that the word 'BANTAMS' are nicely patterned in the seats.

From an away perspective, it has been revealed that the club are no longer using the bottom tier of the TL Dallas and therefore we are treated to a decent view from the top tier of the stand. If numbers require it, we also get bits of the Midland Road (Yorkshire First) stand too. Although there has also been talk that City might revert the TL Dallas stand back to home only, therefore the Yorkshire First stand may be ours by the time we visit Valley Parade next.    

Bradford City was my first away game with County, c.1992, so seeing 'The Cage' removed and away fans given a much better facilities makes me happy. Overall Bradford City away is a decent trip and not too far away either.

Getting There - As I once said in the playground in Flixton - 'Simple Pimple' - Leave the M62 J26 and then take the M606 for Bradford. At the end of the motorway, keep the right hand lane and Valley Parade (Bradford and Bingley) are well signposted. Mostly it will be street parking around the ground.

Going to Bradford Station would look a simple idea on paper, yet the station is a strenuous cardio-vascular to the ground (approx 20-25 mins), either take a Joe Baxi (£3.50) or catch the 622, 623, 626 or 662 to the ground from the bus station which has been kindly placed next to the railway station. 

The last time I travelled here, it was suggested I took a train to Leeds and then the Leeds - Bradford Forster Square service (every half hour), Forster Square is just ten minutes to the ground.

Our Last Visit Here - ...ended in a nightmare. Harpal Singh missed a penalty, we were two down within minutes and although Adam LeFondre pulled one back, we lost 3-1. Gutted!         

Address - Brentford Football Club, Griffin Park, Braemar Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 0NT

Telephone - 0845 3456 442

Web - www.brentfordfc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/index.php

Overall - A strange mish-mash of old and new, with a large terracing section at one end but on the whole a real traditional footballing venue with a real home advantage.

Griffin Park - The only Football League ground to have a pub on every corner and also houses Europe's largest outdoor advertising space, currently used by Qatar Airways, Griffin Park is a unique design, absolutely superb for the home fans and making it rather intimidating for the visitors, yet with no physical threat. 

The large formerly open 'Ealing Road Terrace' has been covered and is now the home end, while visitors will be given the double decker 'Brook Road End'. This is a strange design with the seating above overhanging the terracing below. Since the switch, away fans will arguably now have the best view of Griffin Park from the top tier, whilst the standing below may be closed if numbers are small. With the enclosing of all of Griffin Park there is the potential for superb acoustics - and the noise generated the three sides will no longer drown out any away attempts, possibly making Griffin Park the most exciting ground to visit at this level of the Football League.

The two other stands are a lot smarter in comparison; one side is the all seater 'Braemar Road Stand' which looks very smart, but contains those pesky supporting pillars.

The other side is the covered all-seater 'Bill Axbey (New Road) Stand', but.just why they've named a stand after The Incredible Hulk is beyond me...!

What manages to make my hairs stand up is how verciferous Brentford fans are. If things are going great, they seem to be quieter than when they are up against it. The roar is often heard at the quaint Kew Gardens and also in Ealing. Quite deafening, although if the game is crap, rather like at Edgeley, fans are 'treated' to some perilously low flying aircraft.  

Getting There - A London venue without having to experience the Road To Hell! Leave the M4 at J2 and take the A4, going around Chiswick Roundabout so you end up back on yourself. Continue along the A4 and at the first roundabout take a left into Ealing Road, Griffin Park can be found about ½m down this road on your right.

Thou hast a choice by train. The nearest underground station is South Ealing, which lies on the Piccadilly Line, and is located 15 minute walk to the ground, right out of the tube station and onto Ealing Road. Whilst alternatively the nearest train station is Brentford Station, which is on the Waterloo - Reading line. Normally these run every fifteen minutes on a Saturday afternoon. Exit onto Station Road, take the first right into Orchard Road, right again into Windmill Road and first left into Hamilton Road which leads into New Road and the ground.

Our Last Visit Here - Was on 28th August 2004, when County came unstuck at Griffin Park 3-0. Dobson, Salako and Burton were The Bees' scorers that day.  

Address - Bury Football Club, Gigg Lane, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 9HR

Phone - 0161 764 4881

Web - www.buryfc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.themightyshakers.co.uk/forum/index.php

Overall - Although completely transformed in the mid-90s from the notoriously shitty corrugated shed to become one of the lower league's brightest footballing arenas, Gigg Lane is still devoid of any real match-day atmosphere, living in the shadows of their greater supported co-inhabitants.

Gigg Lane - Built in 1885 and has been the home of The Shakers ever since. The last piece of the aforementioned rebuilding jigsaw was 'The Cemetary End'.

Completed in 1999 and finished off 'The New Gigg' - a former terrace was replaced by a brand-spanking all-singing-all dancing new 2,500 all seater stand, and what do the powers that be at Gigg do? Give it away fans. Well done Mr Neville in dropping that almighty bollock  One disappointing aspect to this new stand is that the end of if which only manages to lie parallel to the edge of the penalty area. Why couldn't they had taken the stand all the way to the end. I'm no architect, but it just looks out of place.

At the opposite end lies 'The Manchester Road End' and is used by the more hardcore Shaker is a good sized covered stand and used to house visiting fans, but I'm sure many of you would agree, the facilities in 'The Cem End' are much better. As fans in the 'South Stand' gain access round the back of the Manny Road End, it does not run the full width of the pitch, which can be a bit annoying if you get the very top left or top right seat and there is a corner.

The roof of 'The Cem End' neatly latches onto the single tiered 'South Stand' (pictured) which looks really smart. 'The Main Stand' with raised seating lies on the opposite side but is a poor relation in comparison, but still undercover and is mainly used by families. Underneath this stand are rows of double glazed windows, I wonder how many of them get smashed following a routine Dave Challinor clearance?

As was mentioned before, upto 2,500 visiting fans can be accommodated in the new 'Cem End'. Thanks to the new roof, fans can really make some noise, but if you can, try to locate yourself as far back as possible, as the lower you are, the sight-lines are worsened with the walkway behind the goal. It isn't as intimate as some other grounds in League Two, but still well worth the money just for the facilities alone. 

Getting There - M66 J3. Take the left hand exit at the junction and follow the road until you come to the junction with the A56 (Manchester Road). If you were paying attention earlier this is the same Manchester Road as the one that is named after one of the stands at Bury. If you are on this road you cannot really go wrong. At this T-Junction, turn right towards Bury. You will pass the 'Swan & Cemetery' pub on your left and some playing fields. Gigg Lane is one your right. However please note that usually, Gigg Lane is closed on match days and the ground itself cannot be seen from Manchester Road. Street Parking is readily available, but keep an eye out for restricted match day parking areas.

It is, however, much easier to grab yourself a Metrolink into Bury town centre and take a simple 10 minute walk downhill to the ground. From either Manchester Piccadilly, Piccadilly Gardens or Victoria, Bury is the final stop. At the top of the escalator / stairs turn right out of the bus station and cross the main road right towards Bury College. The road goes downhill and you'll pass the college on your right and an athletics track on the left, Keep going until you hit a Cemetery. Believe it or not this is the same cemetery as of 'The Cemetery End' - Really, you couldn't make it up...!

Our Last Visit - Was a win...! 3-2 on February 5th 2008, Anthony Pilkington grabbed two sandwiched between a rare goal from Jason Taylor...!    

Address - Chester City Football Club, Saunders Honda (Deva) Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 4LT

Telephone - 01244 371376

Web - www.chestercityafc.net

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.devachat.com/

Overall - Subbuteo style out-of-town breeze block hell hole. Four sides, more or less identical in height, all-covered. However, it shows a distinct lack in ambition when a city club's ground holds just four men and his dog.

The Saunders Honda (Deva) Stadium - Opened in 1991 with a capacity of 6,012. County were one of the first teams to play here competitively, but no matter what Lord Justice Taylor suggested after Hillsborough, surely this is not what he envisioned. The Deva Stadium is a non-descript designed-by-a-schoolboy stadium that adheres to the letter of the ruling with four single tiered stands with little or no redeeming features.

'The East Stand' is slightly larger of the two seated stands, having a few more rows of seating and some enclosed glassed viewing areas at the back. The away end is now all seated, replacing the terrace. The only remaining standing areas is home only. Although small in size, The Deva generally generates a good match atmosphere with a roofs all round. To place positive spin on what is possibly one of the worst of the new ground bunch, there are no supporting pillars, the surrounding areas are relatively trouble free (unless you are Wrexham or Tranmere) and if the sun has his hat on, you can get a tan. 

Although a relatively new stadium, The Deva's PA system is, to remain diplomatic, a bit shitty. I doubt anyone would know if there was an emergency. Very tinny and makes us feel rather proud of that eejit that we have at Edgeley.

Away fans are housed in the 'The South Stand' and as was mentioned before, from 2007-08 season, is now all seated, replacing the terracing. Upto 1,200 can be accommodated in this stand. It is a rough estimate as it's the same capacity published as it was when it was all standing. Also, upto 1,000 more seats are made available in another stand those who like their football square on or if numbers require it.

The atmosphere inside The Deva Stadium is relatively good and with a healthy away following, makes for a healthy banter between fans. An interesting fact about The Deva (sorry, Saunders Honda) is that despite the St George's Flag proudly flying from the ground, apart from 'The East Stand' and the club offices, the ground is officially in Wales.

Getting There - Considering it's easy to get to Chester itself, the ground is a little harder to find as it is situated in a huge cul-de-sac and also it's a giant bottle neck. Stay on the M56 until you reach the roundabout at the end. Follow the signs to North Wales & Queensferry (A5117). After approx 1½m you will reach a set of lights, bare left on to the A550 - signposted North Wales and Queensferry. After another mile or so, after passing RAF Sealand, turn left onto the A548 (signposted Chester). Head straight through the first set of lights and after ½m right at the next set. This is Bumpers Lane. The ground is right at the bottom. If you have time on your hands after the game, then parking is available at the ground, but it is strongly recommended you use the massive retail park at the top of Bumpers Lane.

You will thank me for the 15 minute walk though, believe me...! For those who intend to make a day of it and walk around Chester are warned that Chester station is about 3m away - and not in a straight line either - and even Chester City Centre is a good 2m mooch so please don't think you can take the 12.30pm train from Stockport and expect to get the ground with a leisurely walk, it ain't gonna happen. Best to grab a Joe Baxi or get there early and sample Hollyoaks-Ville.

Our Last Trip Here - ended with David Poole's goal giving County the lead on 17th November 2006, but Jonathan Walters' goal shared the spoils. 1-1

Address - Chesterfield Football Club, Recreation Ground, Saltergate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S40 4SX

Telephone - 01246 209765

Web - www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.spirezine.co.uk

Overall - A throw back to the 1950's with terracing and wooden seating, Saltergate could do with getting a complete refurb or at least new stadium, as in my humble opinion, this ground is truly attrocious.

Saltergate - Football purists will rate Chesterfield's tiny ground claiming that it's traditional in the way that there is standing at either end and covered seating on the sides of the pitch, but in all honesty, little else.

I'm guessing there is no room for stadium upgrades due to the dense residential area, but still so many years after Justice Taylor's report stating strict guidelines after the Hillsborough Tragedy, it makes me think whether the Football League's committee lost their way up the M1 and missed checking out Chesterfield completely.

At one end is 'The Spion Kop' for home fans, this end of the ground is covered and as the home of the hardcore Spireite, where all the singing comes from. Opposite is the small uncovered terracing, given to visitors. The 'Main Stand' is a medium sized, but unusual as it has been raised well above pitch level, so fans have to access this stand via some stairs which makes for a problem if there was a problem.

You'll not be surprised to learn that this stand dates back to 1936 and really could do with a lick of paint. From the outside it looks old and tired, from the inside it looks like a scene from 'Escape To Victory'. The opposite side lies 'The Compton Street Stand' - a former terrace that was made all seater in 2002 - partly covered at the rear, and was originally erected back in the 1920's. Shower of Shite.

Away fans will have the choice of either a terracing view point (which isn't too bad in all honesty) or to have the elevated view from the wooden seating in the Main Stand. On the plus side, the townfolk of Chesterfield are on the whole very friendly and are very 'visitor tolerant'. That cannot be said about the local dibble, as they will film you around the town and also are large in presence too. Needless.

Getting There - Leave the M1 at J29 and take the roundabout towards Chesterfield. On reaching the edge of the town centre go straight across the first roundabout and then the next, passing the famous crooked spire on your left. Keep left as the road divides, this road leads into Saltergate, the ground is on your right. parking can be taken up in the Town Hall car park, which is charged at £2.40 for two hours) and walked five minutes to the ground, there are loads of car parks and street parking available, just baring in mind resident match day parking will be in force.

Chesterfield Railway Station is a simple ten minute walk to the ground. Follow the road out of the station  (Corporation Road) and god straight across a big roundabout, you'll find yourself in Saltergate, the ground is on your right. Derbyshire Dibble have a tendancy to 'round up' away fans and escort them to the ground, but only if you are one of the Burberry gang. 

Our Last Visit Here - We got battered 4-0. Goals from Clingan, N'Toya, Allott and resident gobshite Steve Blatherwick got the goals and County crumbled on 20th October 2004          

Address - Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club, Victoria Road Stadium, Victoria Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7XL

Telephone - 0208 592 1549

Web - www.daggers.co.uk 

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.fansfocus.net/dagenhamandredbridge/

Overall - A new recruit for the 2007-08 season, but Dagenham & Redbridge have a gem of a ground to be proud of, with oodles of atmosphere and a uber-friendly welcome.

Victoria Road - is a helluva lot easier to say than 'The London Borough Of Barking And Dagenham Stadium", which is rumoured to be its new name after Glyn Hopkin dropped his association from the stadium and on the whole is a neat, compact and bijou footballing home with a nice mix of terracing and seating. So really, VR is actually a perfect blend of the traditional and the modern, which is a superb starter package as they embark on the unchartered terrority of League Two football. 

As was mentioned before, up to the end of the 2006-07 season, the ground was formerly known as 'The Glyn Hopkin Stadium', but as they've finally found their league status, have resorted back to its traditional name, which has really been its nickname for years.

The only seated area is split between the new 'Carling Stand' and 'The Family Stand' This is a relatively new side to the stadium that was opened in 2001 and is set back from the pitch side and also slightly raised, making fans access the stadium via a few steps from pitchside. With the walkway between the stand and the pitch it does make your match experience a little more further away from the action, however this shouldn't affect your overall Daggers enjoyment. 

'The Family Stand', however, is odd that it is separated from the new stand and has a few of those nasty supporting pillars. Does seem a little strange that the families get the bus stop whilst everyone who decides to sit gets the stretch limo. The rest of the ground is terracing, with small terracing behind each goal and a small covered 'North Stand Terrace' running alongside the pitch.

The 'North Stand Terrace' is affectionately known as 'The Sieve' as it was famed for having a leaking roof. the home end, 'The Bury Road End' has a small digital clock sitting amongst the advertising hoardings at the rear and hence it's 'Clock End' nickname.

In the days of the Conference, fans used to swap ends at half time, but with new League rules since their elevation into the dizzy heights of League Two football, away fans look to be housed in the 'Pondfield End'. The view isn't bad, certainly better the further back you are and you don't have the gap behind the goal like you do at the home end, which makes the standing experience much more intimate. This end can accommodate 1,200 fans - which is quite a size when you consider the size of the club and the potential to attract minimal away following.

Great news is that there has been no instances of problems for away fans, but there has been times when West Ham fans will come and support their local team in droves, which only adds to the splendid atmosphere at The Vic.

Getting There - Just when we thought trips to Leyton Orient and Torquay United were gone. Leave that dreaded M25 at J27 and take the M11 towards London. At the end of the M11 continue onto the A406  towards Docklands (A13) and London City Airport. At the intersection with the A13 follow signs for Dagenham / Dartford Tunnel. As you approach Dagenham, you will see a cinema complex on your left, at this point leave the A13 and join the A1306 towards Dagenham. At the 3rd set of lights turn left at Maccie Dees into Ballards Road. At the end of the road you will see Bulls Roundabout (after the pub), turn left  into Rainham Road. Proceed up Rainham Road passing Dagenham East tube station  on your left  and Victoria Road is approx ¼m further on on your left. Car parking is available at the ground, but fills up quickly, so street parking maybe you best option.

Dagenham East Tube Station will be your desired alighting point if you do use public transport. It's just five minutes walk from station to the ground. Please note the journey from Euston could take about 45 minutes (change at Whitechapel or Barking). In all honesty, it is a nightmare but there 'is' an alternative which would be to get a train from Fenchurch Street Station to Barking (you would get there after going to Aldgate or Tower Hill from Euston and then walk) and then grab the tube to Dagenham East - Not Dagenham Heathway!

Our Last Visit Here - There hasn't been one single instance where County have played The Daggers or even under their pre-merge teams Dagenham or Redbridge Forest.

Address - Darlington Football Club, 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena, Neasham Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL2 1GR

Telephone - 01325 387 000

Web - www.darlington-fc.net

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.dafts.co.uk/

Overall - This isn't going to sound nice to those who follow the black and whites, but The 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena (formerly known as the The Williams Motors Stadium) is a poor relation (and less filled) version of the Stadium Of Light.

The 96.6 TFM Darlington Arena - Opened in 2003 on a greenfield site on the edge of the A66 by-pass, The 96.9 TFM Darlington Arena is a very impressive football stadium and of a very good size for a team in League Two.

Completely enclosed with all corners filled with seating, all single tiered and of equal height, this is everything the football connesseur didn't want, but moving swiftly into the 21st century, Darlington finally got rid of the terrible Feethams and built not only a new home for Darlo, but something the community can enjoy, with regular non-football events taking place at the TFM.

All stands look virtually identical apart from directors / executive area along the back of originally titled (sic) 'The South Stand'. Darlington also have quite an enviable array of facilities for both home and away supporters and also a superb view of this spectacular arena from every seat. It's just a dying shame it's never full.

County will be situated in 'The East Stand' and because of the capacity of the stadium, the 3,000 seats given to visitors is rarely filled, even for a local-ish game. There is simply a superb non-restricted view, but let it be said that the legroom has got to be one of the tightest in the country, so please allow for grooves in your knees come 5pm.

Getting there - ...is easier than you think. Leave the A1 (M) at J57 and take the A66 towards Darlington / Teeside. Allez tout driot straight across two roundabouts. At the third, you can clearly see the stadium on your left. Neasham Road is on your left.

There is a fair sized car park at the stadium which costs a fiver, but as the area isn't used to the traffic just yet, there will be a fair wait to get out.

About a 1½ away you will find Darlington Station, and it's a healthy 20-25min walk. Leave the station and turn right past the taxi rank (at this point you can either give up and grab a Joe Baxi) or head towards the car park. Cross the covered railway footbridge (don't worry this isn't 'Football Factory' territory) into Albert Road. This is a long-ish road but leads to Neasham Road. The TFM is about a mile on your left. Well behaved away fans are also welcome on the shuttle bus from Tubwell Row in the town centre. Runs from 1.15pm and the last bus back is at 5.30pm and costs £1 return. Not bad.

Our Last Time Here - was a bitter sweet memory - 5th May 2007. We trounced Darlo 5-0 with goals from Anthony Elding (2 - 1 pen), David Poole (2) and Liam Dickinson. Wasn't good enough to make the play offs though...!

Address - Grimsby Town Football Club, Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 7PY

Telephone - 01472 605 050

Web - www.gtfc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.codalmighty.com/

Overall - Heavily criticised by travelling fans, Blundell Park is a real hotch-potch of the old and the new, but still maintains a very passionate atmosphere, a warm welcoming feel and the harsh reminder that football is a winter sport.

Blundell Park - The ground is largely dominated by 'The Carlsberg Stand', which is two tiered, covered and towers above the other three stands. If you were thinking that Grimsby Town were to go against the grain a little regarding their stand names, you are to be mistaken, as opposite is 'The Main Stand'.

This is a very old stand with my research telling me it dates back to 1901, possibly making it the oldest stand in the football league. Hardcore Codheads will be located behind the goal in the fisherman linked 'Pontoon Stand', with away fans located behind the opposite goal in 'The (Donny) Osmond Stand'.

As was mentioned before, visiting fans will be located in 'The Osmond Stand', where anything upto 2,200 supporters can be accommodated. There are supporting pillars which a bit of a pain in the behind, but the roof added to the atmosphere which can be nothing but a positive.

Got to advise that apart from Oldham Athletic, this is possibly the coldest ground in the country, so wrap up warm, even in the heights of May or August, as my old Gran used to say, "you'll catch your death, put a woolly on."

Several times in recent years, the powers-that-be at Blundell Park have commented about a possible move, with The Pyewipe Industrial Area and Great Coates areas being possible locations. Planning permission has been granted and maybe G.T.F.C. will move in time for the 2009-10 season.

Getting There - First thing is remember is Blundell Park isn't actually in the jurisdiction of Grimsby, but the neighbouring and more affluent town of Cleethorpes. The ground is located on the A180 which runs between the two towns. Cleethorpes is well signposted.

Cleethorpes BR Station is approx 1m from the ground so do feel free to take in the very bracing sea air, but if you are anything like me, you'll be ready for a sleep when you reach Blundell. As you come out of the station, turn left and just simply walk along the sea front. Just keep going and you'll see the ground on your left. Just to confuse things, there is a railway station called Grimsby Town, please do not alight here, you'll find yourself miles from the stadium. Great news is that Cleethorpes is direct from Manchester Piccadilly. No changing at Sheffield or Nottingham. Superb!

Our Last Trip Here - ...was a win! Blundell Park is fast become a happy hunting ground for County, and Keith Briggs' thunderbolt was enough to give us a 1-0 win on 23rd September 2006.

Address - Hereford United Football Club, Edgar Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 9JU

Telephone -01432 276 666

Web - www.herefordunited.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - Bulls Banter

Overall - The venue of jubilation, a bared midriff and kids running on the pitch in flares as Ronnie Radford took a step into football folklore when he scored that goal against Newcastle in '72. However, Edgar Street has still maintained its charm, if not progressed despite their deserved return to league football.

Edgar Street - When The Bulls were first in the league, this was regarded as a small stadium, but when they dropped out of the league they were catapulted to having one of the largest and with a capacity of almost 9,000, this ground will always be smaller compared to its contemporaries, but always will be brimming with atmosphere and history.

There is seating on either side of the pitch, with standing at either end, making this a very traditional footy ground. On one side there is the 'Floors 2 Go Stand' (Formerly The Len Weston Stand), which is an odd looking covered two tier affair. The upper tier is seated and overhangs the terracing below therfore the sightlines on the terracing are truly woeful, but due to the roof, even a small number of fans can make some noise. Opposite is the 'Merton Meadow Stand', and can only be described as a raised single tier. All seated and mainly used as a family stand.

The home end, 'The Merton Meadow Terrace' is a classic looking, partly covered stand. The stand arcs round the back of the goal. Opposite is the 'Blackfriars End' which is again partly covered, again is semi circular in shape, and is only used when the travelling crowd is larger. 

The Edgar Street pitch is reported to be the largest of the 92 and only the old Wembley pitch was bigger. There were plans to relocate in the future as Edgar Street will possibly become like some of the other traditional homes of football, a housing estate or an Asda. Bulls fans will find it hard to leave Edgar Street.

The trip to Hereford should be a relaxed occasion, however recently there have been some incidents around the ground involving locals and visiting fans, so please exercise caution.

Getting there - from the north take the M5 until J8, and then exit onto the M50. At J2, take the A40 and then the A49 to Hereford. At the roundabout, take the Grayfriars Bridge / Victoria Street road, At Steels Garage, keep left and into Edgar Street.

Hereford Station should be just a ten minute walk to the ground, but because it's close to the town centre, you can get lost easily without decent instruction. I was once told that you cannot miss the stadium when you come off the station, but you can. Come out of the station, and bare left towards Safeway and follow the pedestrian walkway onto Commercial Road. Go left where you'll past the Merton Hotel on your right and a Weatherspoons on your left. At this point there is a smallish, derelict graveyard, if you're brave enough to walk through here, and you keep virtually in a straight line along Coningsby Street you will find Blackfriars Street and you are there. If it's a night game or for the less brave, At Weatherspoons - turn right at the top of the road at the lights (against the direction of the traffic) into Blueschool Street, keep walking along until you come to a set of traffic lights and a multi-storey car park opposite and to the right (Widemarsh Street). Cross overand bare slightly right and cut up a walkway between car park and Garrick House Council Offices. You come to a car park, head right and walk out of the car park. Turn left and there is the ground, on your right...get that? Or just jump in a taxi. Might be easier otherwise you may end up in Devon.

Our Last Visit Here - was another win towards our record of nine games and nine clean sheets. 3rd February 2007, we won 2-0 with Tes Bramble and Anthony Elding (his first for County) grabbing the goals.

Address - Lincoln City Football Club, Sincil Bank Stadium, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 8LD

Telephone - 01522 880011

Web - www.redimps.com

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.thefootballnetwork.net/main/s261.htm

Overall - 'The Bank' is a hotch-potch of different sized stands, whilst still maintains a traditional footballing home that generates a friendly atmosphere.

Sincil Bank - What really sets off Sincil Bank is the large, relatively new all seated 'Lincolnshire Co-Op Community Stand'. This runs alongside the pitch and looks the Dogs' Danglies and just about the right size for League Two. Looks can be decieving however as when full, upto 5,700 can be seated in this stand alone. Surprising because at first glance it doesn't seem to be big enough to hold that amount of people, yet as it towers above the rest of the ground, the closer you get to this stand it becomes clearer just how vast this stand is.

Like the Cheadle End at EP, the rest of the ground looks pitifully small, but still, shows a lot of ambition for a club who seem to be stuck in League Two after what seems to be an age of Play Off misery.

The opposite side, lies the 'St Andrews / Lincolnshire Echo Stand', constructed in 1987 and in comparison is older and starting to enter a period of disrepair, but as it's all seated and covered, it suffices...just. The problem is that this stand straddles the half way line, and the big gaps at either end ensure that visitors to 'The Bank' are open to the elements. Recently one gap has now been filled by farty 'The Family Stand', but still is a poor relation to its more glamour younger brother opposite.

'The Industrial Marine Power Services Stand' is situated behind one goal, all seated and has a couple of sightline blockers at the front and houses 'Strikers' bar, exec boxes and also houses some more hardcore Imps. Please note the initials of this stand...whilst opposite is 'The Stacey-West Stand'. Again all seated, again covered - and was named in the memory of the two City fans who lost their lives in the Bradford Football Fire.

County will be housed in part of the 'Co-Op Community Stand', with the usual allocation for away fans being approx 1,900. As this stand is split between away and home, it makes for an enjoyable (and thankfully non-threatening) banter. As it's a relatively new stand, away fans are treated to some excellent facilities, and more importantly a superb view.

Getting There - Although a city, Lincoln is not the most easiest place to get to It doesn't have a motorway  steaming through it, nor does it have the infrastructure to house a City, however the ground is very well signposted in and around the area, so as long as you point your car in the general direction of Lincoln, you shouldn't have a problem, unless your name is Mark Thatcher, of course!

Directions couldn'r be simpler...follow the A46 into Lincoln (which leads into High Street), and the ground is indicated from there. If you follow signs for 'away coaches' this will lead you onto the A158 South Park Avenue, where you'll see Kyle, Cartman and the t'others. There are loads of car parking spaces about this area (a ten minute walk to the ground, but you'll be thanking me after the game), although if you do arrive early, then the club parking behind 'The Stacey West Stand' (£4) might be your bag.

Lincoln Central station is around a fifteen minutes mooch from the ground. Turn left out of the station and walk up to the traffic lights, next to St Mary's Church. Turn left at these lights onto High Street, walking over the railway level crossing. Walk along this road for approx ten minutes until you get to the appropriately named Scorer Street. Cross over the Sincil Drain bridge, turn right and you find yourself on Sincil Bank. the ground is straight ahead.

Our Last Visit Here - ended in a stalemate...! 0-0 was the score as both play off hopefuls cancelled out each other on 7th April 2007.

Address - Macclesfield Town Football Club, Moss Rose Stadium, London Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 7SP

Telephone - 01625 - 264686

Web - www.mtfc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.thesilkweb.com

Overall - Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, may I present to you possibly, (nay probably) the Football League's worst ground, even since the refurbishment! Despite the locality and ease of access, Moss Rose will always be my least favourite away ground, and it's not all sour grapes...honest!

Moss Rose - Is so unsafe and is about 10-15 years behind the times, that the powers that be at The Football League should take a seriously close look at its facilties (or lack of) and make sure Macclesfield Town Football Club get thrown down to The Unibond, as I have seen better stadia in the Unibond.

I think that we can safely say that the board at Macclesfield Town show a complete and distinct lack of ambition here. They have seen the dizzy heights of the old Division Three here, beaten Man Citeh and Oldum, yet still have a drab old worn out ground that's on the outskirts of the town with little or no local interest.

Behind one goal there is a uber-naff uncovered standing - 'The Silkman Terrace'. This is given to away fans, on the left of this there is a small covered 'Silk FM Main Stand' and straddles the half way line, on each side of this stand are sparcely used terracing. The Silkman End of the Silk FM stand is an overspill for County and any other large away following. Opposite the 'main' stand is the single tiered 'The Alfred McAlpine Stand'. Opened in 2001, this single tiered all seated outfit looks relatively smart compared to the rest of the stadium and is partly given to away fans.

What is strange about this stand is that rather than having a nickname or the clubs name neatly used as a pattern in the seats, it has 'MTFC' slightly off centre and what can only be described as 'an Adidas sign' towards each end. This was the stand that caused our good friends (sic) at Macc untold financial misery in the 2005-06 season after they were hauled in front of the beak after being found guilty of abusing the Football Grounds Fund. (Tut tut). Finally, completing the quad of is the strangely designed 'Star Lane End'. Rather than the norm of having seats above terracing, Macc have them the opposite way round.

County will, without a shadow of a doubt, fill 'The Silkman Terrace' with ease. 1,500 fans can be accommodated here (with the added bonus of the overspill area), and also will sell out the allocation of 403 (four hundred and three!?!) seats in the McAlpine / Adidas stand.

The seats, if you manage to get one, will be a better vantage point and much better facilities. Atmosphere wise - dull, and even with the close proximity of the fans in 'The Macc Town Are Football League Fun Fraudsters Stand', there is no real banter.

Getting There - Isn't a problem at all - Leave the M6 J17 and turn onto the A534 towards Congelton. On reaching the town centre follow signs for A54 Buxton. Stay on the A54 for around 5m and then turn left into A523 towards Macclesfield. You will see the ground on your left after entering the outskirts of Macclesfield.

ALTERNATIVELY - Head towards Cheadle Royal on the A34 and keep heading towards Congleton, after a series of roundabouts, keep on the main road into Wilmslow, then follow signs for Macclesfield. It's a scenic route, but doesn't take in any Motorways.

Street parking is always available along London Road, but best bet is the industrial / retail estate at the back of the ground, where there is a Burger King.

Our Last Trip Here - wasn't as disasterous as our first league clash, but still ended in defeat. 14th April 2007. 2-0 with goals from John Murphy and John Miles. Deflated!

Address - Mansfield Town Football Club, Field Mill Stadium, Quarry Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 5DA

Telephone - 0870 756 3160

Web - www.mansfieldtown.net

County4Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.stagsnet.net

Overall - After being re-opened by Two Jags in July 2001, Field Mill was miraculously transformed into a very modern footballing arena after the building of three new stands, whilst the fourth? Enough said. 

Field Mill - At a cost of £6.5m (incidentally around about the same collectively as managers had paid for a certain former boss of both Mansfield and County), the imaginatively titled 'The North Stand', 'Quarry Lane End' plus 'The West Stand' have all been redeveloped to give Field Mill a vibrant new appeal and with it thrust it into the 21st Century.

The two ends are almost identical single tiered efforts, each accommodating just under 2,000 supporters. 'The West Stand' along the side of the pitch, is the latest edition and is a very smart two-tiered cantilevered stand, with a capacity of 5,500.

The black sheep of the Mansfield Town family is the "Bishop Street Stand' which may have well have been called the 'Emily Bishop Stand'. A diplomatic critique of this stand would be 'a covered seated stand than runs only a quarter of the pitch in length, straddling the half way line' some might label it 'a bus shelter'. Hasten to add that this stand is now no longer used.

Visiting fans are now housed in the 'North Stand', after being housed in the stand opposite in previous seasons. This is a move that had been unpopular with the diehard Stags, and this end of the stadium had been their traditional home for many years. 

As you would expect in a new-ish stand, the views and eateries are top notch, and you also have the added alfresco design with the view of the retail park behind the away end as you munch into your rancid half time burger.

A word of warning. For those County fans travelling with young children, Mansfield Town has announced an incredible ban on the under 7's into Field Mill, this will no doubt cause uproar and problems.   

Getting There - By car is very straight forward. Leave the M1 J29, take the A617 to Mansfield. After 6m turn right into Rosemary Street, follow the road for 1m and turn into Quarry Lane. Simple as. Job's A Good un!

You can park in the ground at a cost of a couple of quid, but allow for a bottle neck after the game. Otherwise it's street parking, but if you do attempt to park on the aforementioned retail park, you will be greeted with a ticket for £50.

The ground can be seen from Mansfield station, which is no more than ten minutes walk, but as Mansfield Station is on a local line served only from trains from Nottingham or Worksop, getting home from a night match will be difficult. Leave the station and turn left along the dual carriageway (away from the town centre), you should see a retail park on the right. Go straight ahead at the first set of traffic lights, along Portland Street and then right at the next set into Quarry Lane. 

Our Last Visit Here - was memorable as it was out first point gained of the 2006-07 season. Keith Briggs scored our goal on 12th August 2006, the win only denied by a late strike from former Hatter Matthew Hamshaw. Reject! 

Address - Milton Keynes Dons, stadium:mk, V6 Grafton Street, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 1SA

Telephone - 01908 607 090

Web - www.mkdons.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://moocamp.com/index.php

Overall - Soulless, Americanised tripe. Typical out of town bowl effort. League Two's answer to The Emirates but with far fewer fans.

stadium:mk - At the cost of approx £50m, and after four years at the Jekyll and Hyde National Hockey Stadium, The much maligned Milton Keynes Dons have built what is largely an identi-kit stadium - designed by the same company who has the new Wembley in their portfolio - yeah, it looks very smart and neat, but devoid of any match atmosphere, built solely for the corporate Prawn Sandwich brigade.

stadium:mk - which in all honesty is a naff name for starters, opened in July 2007 and looks and feels like any other out of town new stadium. At first glance, it could be Derby or Darlington, but the very fact that it is the (rather cruelly in my honest opinion) much maligned Milton Keynes Dons, the opening of stadium:mk will have the more traditionalistic football fan literally spitting feathers.

What sets this stadium off is its roof, which sits up high above the playing area and has a large strategic gap in between the back of the stand and the roof, this according to my mate Alan Titchmarsh is to allow more natural light to reach the pitch, which is below ground level. The bowl design has two tiers (currently only the bottom tier is finished) all the way round, with very comfortable padded seating and really superb facilities and views. Three sides of which are planned to have a larger lower tier and a smaller upper.

The 'Wessiide' bucks the trend a little, with the upper tier being replaced by a directors / hospitality / executive / press area, and what is unusual is that you'll be able to see the pitch from the concourse area which is a very good vantage point for those cold and blustery midweek December games or when you are 5-0 down and you hear a beer calling your name. Some of the boxes also double up as hotel rooms for when the Dons don't have a game. "Scoring off the pitch, today, Sir? - oooh suits you, Sir" 

All seats fold fully onto the backrest, and also have superb unobstructed views, which when you try to emphasise a positive spin, will possibly bring you the finest spectator footballing arena in League Two.

However, a question on my lips is just how the usually sparcely attended Dons games will fill 22,000 seats remains to be seen.

Originally, Pete 'Mr MK' Winkleman wanted a Basketball arena attached and an all seater all-singing-all-dancing sports complex, and the area has got the go ahead for a huge Marks and Sparks, JJB, a gym and three fast food joints (MK Don-alds anyone?!?) but as Winkleman also earmarked its opening at Christmas 2005, what we get will always be just a shadow of what his rather ambitious vision was.

Getting There - stadium:mk is located at Denbigh North. Just off the A5, somewhere inbetween downtown MK and Bletchley. For those familar with MK's mad 'New Yoik' style grid system; the stadium is on V6 Grafton Street, on the junction with H9 Groveway. 

Leave the M1 J14 and head towards central MK. At the first roundabout take the third exit H6 Portway, follow this round, going straight over the next 9 (N.I.N.E.) roundabouts through the city centre and passing MK's old home at The Hockey Stadium  At the next roundabout, take left onto the A5. Continue along the A5 until the next junction, get in the right hand lane and take the fourth turning - stadium:mk is right in front of you.

The nearest station to the stadium is Bletchley, which is approximately 2m (that's miles not metres) from stadium:mk. There is a taxi rank outside, a bus station to the city centre otherwise you can embark on the 20-25 minute mooch. Turn left out of the station and walk down the main street, turn left along this road and go under the railway bridge. At the roundabout bare left along Saxon Street. passing The Park pub on your right. carry on down Saxon Street going across another roundabout (Enigma Tavern and Burger King) You will reach a double roundabout, which you need to go straight over, following the signs for central Milton Keynes and the A5. As you approach the junction with the A5, the stadium is on your left.

If the rumoured Rail to Ground shuttle link is up and running in time for County's first game here, this will indeed be a life saver for those of you who love letting the train take the strain but don't like too long a transfer. Not all grounds are like Crewe you know...! 

Our Last Trip Here - 27th October 2007 - We were on the back of four straight league defeats. Dons were clear top. The result? 2-0 County. Anthony Elding and Anthony Pilkington...Ave It.!

Address - Morecambe Football Club, Christie Park, Lancaster Road, Morecambe, Lancashire, LA4 5TJ

Telephone - 01524 832 230

Web - www.morecambefc.com

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - Morecambe-FC-4-Life

Overall - Neat, compact and atmospheric. Puts some of the more established league grounds to shame with its nice mix of terracing and seating areas. This arena can only improve as they enter into the unknown territory of League Two football.

Christie Park - As with some of its non-league contemporaries, a classic looking 'Main Stand' sets this tight Christie Park ground off very nicely, and also adhering to the norm, straddles the half way line and has standing areas to the front and to the sides. The seating area gives a superb view of the pitch, but supporters have to climb a few steps to gain access to this stand as it's raised slightly above ground level.

What makes this stand 'stand' out is that on each end of the seating area there are windshields, because without it, the cool Irish Sea breeze would knock you sideways. What is a slight disappointment is that the only thing obstructing your view is the positioning of the floodlights. Rather than perching them on the roof of the mainstand or to the sides, they have cemented them onto the terracing in front of the stand, which is strange to say the least.

On the other side is the uncovered 'Carwash Terrace', which, not surprisingly, gives its name to the car wash that is located next to the ground. Those bizarre floodlight pylons are also blocking views on this side too. At one end is the impressive looking 'North Stand', this is a good sized terrace, mainly frequented by the home fans. It is the envy of a lot of League sides as it has a roof which will amplify the noise coming from the home support. On t'other side is 'The Umbro Stand'. A smaller terrace, with a neat roof on top and has those pesky pillars obstructing your view.

Although in the days of the Conference, fans were known to swap sides at half time, it looks likely that the covered 'Umbro Stand' will be given to County. Upto a 1,000 fans can be accommodated here. Because of the design of the ground, it should make League Football at Morecambe very enjoyable, and because it's a coastal town, why not make a weekend of it?

Getting There - Couldn't be easier - Although at the friendly a few years back, we made heavy weather of it...! - Exit M6 at J34, take the A683 towards Lancaster and then the A589 towards Morecambe. Go straight over two roundabouts passing a Maccie Dees outlet on your left. At the next roundabout take the second exit into Lancaster Road. The ground is down on your left. The main car park is for permit holders only, however behind 'The Umbro Stand' there is ample parking, however, expect a delay whilst leaving the ground. Street parking might be your better option.

Morecambe railway station is literally just ten minute away. As you come out of la garre, tournez a driot into Central Drive and then alongside Euston Road. this leads to Lancaster Road and hence the ground. Morecambe is served by trains from Lancaster.   

Our Last Trip Here - Although we have never met in competitive terms, as was mentioned before, Morecambe hosted us for a pre-season friendly a few years back, it was a debut for Derek Geary and goals from Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Rickie Lambert secured a morale boosting 2-1 victory at Christie Park.

Address - Notts County Football Club, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 3HJ

Telephone - 01159 529000

Web - www.nottscountyfc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.youpies.co.uk/ 

Overall - Certainly the most historic and probably the smartest traditional football stadium in League Two. A simply superb arena that sustains its charm with a strong support base despite living under the shadow of their much more illustrious neighbours.

Meadow Lane - During the nineties Notts County FC invested a helluva lot of filthy lucra revamping a somewhat downtrodden Meadow Lane to produce one of the finest football ground in the lower divisions. Although the ground comprises four separate stands, which can make the ground a little open to the elements, I'm even tempted to suggest that it's the nicer of the two Nottingham grounds. I'm certainly no architect, but I have never really understood the roof design at Forest.

Both sides of Meadow Lane are large single tiered stands, the larger of which is the 'Derek Pavis (Main) Stand' opposite is 'The Jimmy Sirrel Stand', whilst at either end, the larger 'Kop End' is now housing the Away fans, whilst the smaller covered 'Family Stand' has a small electronic scoreboard on its roof.

Many away fans would agree when I say that the away facilities at Notts County are possibly some of the best in the division, and the view is possibly one of the best since we were locking horns with Tranmere Rovers.

Getting There - Easy...Easy...Easy - Leave the M1 at J26 and take the A610 towards Nottingham and then signs for Melton Mowbray. Turn left before the River Trent in to Meadow Lane. You can park at the Cattle Market (close to the away end - £2) or at the club car park (opposite club offices - £2.50). Otherwise there is plenty of street parking.

Meadow Lane is literally just a 8-10 minute walk from the station. As you come out of the main station entrance, turn left and left again. Follwo the road down London Road and then turn right. The ground is about ¼m down the dual carriageway on the left.

Our Last Visit Here - Anthony Elding and Liam Dickinson scored as County beat County 2-1 on 5th January 2008.

Address - Peterborough United Football Club, London Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE2 2AL

Telephone - 01733 563 947

Web - www.theposh.com

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.londonroad.net

Overall - A traditional footballing home with a twenty-first century feel. Fresh, vibrant, modern. But still brimming with a passionate football atmosphere. One of my personal favourites. 

London Road - The ultra-impressive 'South Stand' (pictured) dominates London Road and seats 5,000 fans, and replaced the aged and scruffy open terrace in 1996. This sets off the ground off nicely and certainly is now the focal part of the 'new' London Road. This is a two-tiered affair, covered, all seated, and has 'THE' into the top tier seats and 'POSH' neatly patterned into the seats on the larger lower tier. On the oopposite side, stadium planners must have stayed up all night to think of a name for this stand - yeah, you guessed it, 'The Main Stand' is also a two tiered covered all-seater stand. Both ends are covered terracing that were given a lick of paint recently when they were given white roofs in an effort to brighten up their dull appearance.

However, bright they may be, they do have the old style supporting pillars which will be a pain in the arse if you miss a goal, but there is a gap at the back of these terraces, which makes for a altogether chillier Posh experience. Get them filled in, for Pete's sake!

County fans will get the 'Moyes Terrace' (formerly known as the 'Reynopoly Terrace') behind one goal. Upto 4,000 can be accommodated here, plus another 800 seats in the 'Main Stand'. The amount of seats vary depending on the team they are playing. As was mentioned before, the terracing does that those annoying pillars but doesn't dampen the atmosphere, fairly friendly with some half decent banter between fans. For a pre-match pint, Ebeneezers on Grove Street is certainly welcome to travelling fans although Wembley 1992 is bound to be mentioned, and those friendly little scamps at Posh may even play a video of the event, just to remind us what happened that day...! Oh Joy! 

Current owner Darragh MacAnthony has stated he isn't interested in developing the London Road base, and plans to move to a new location. Which will not please hardcore Poshies, who could do without another souless out-of-town Lego-land thingie...!

Getting There - Very straight forward from all directions, follow signs into Whittlesey (A605) which will lead you to London Road. The new stand is visible from some distance, so keep a look out. If you are travelling from the South, leave the A1 at the junction of the A15. Take the A15 towards Peterborough, you will eventually come to the ground on your right.

Peterborough Station is ideally placed on Bourges Boulevard, about 1m from the ground and the ground is well signposted around town. Take a right out of the station and follow the main road, passing Asda on your right. The the traffic lights (Woolworth's), turn right, go over the bridge and you'll be able to see the floodlights. Overall, it'll be a 20 minute mooch from Station to ground. Just a word of caution, as home fans also take the train, just keep a little schtum especially after a win, it can get a little aggressive around the ground, cars and pedestrians trying to catch their train sometimes don't mix.

Our Last Trip Here - was a victorious one. Usually, London Road isn't a happy hunting ground for us, but goals from Anthony Elding (his first for the club), Michael Rose (what a free kick...!) and Adam Griffin sealed a comfortable 3-0 win on 20th January 2007.

Address - Rochdale Football Club, Spotland Stadium, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL11 5DS

Telephone - 01706 644 648

Web - www.rochdaleafc.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - http://www.rochdale-mad.co.uk/

Overall - Former title holder of 'The League's Worst Football Ground' championship belt, Spotland has fast become one of the finer football arenas since their long overdue refurb - and now have an arena a long way from the dreary days of re-election and piss racing.

Spotland Stadium - Dale fans and workers must ahve been a tad relieved when they thankfully had to reliquish their 'worst ground' label to Macclesfield Town, and this was mainly due to a long overdue refurbishment programme to three of the four stands over the last ten years or so.

The latest addition is the very impressive 'Westrose Leisure Stand' on Wilbutts Lane. This replaced the derelict stand that seemed to be left in ruin for an age. The new work of art has a capacity of 4,000 and has one of the best views in League Two along the side of the pitch with no restricted views. One the other side, dwarfed by the new stand, is the 'Motorama Main Stand' - this is a wee bit shittier in comparison with a few supporting pillars.

The third of the new stands in the 'W.M.G. (Pearl Street) Stand' (pictured) which was mainly used as a family stand although the seated hardcore still frequent. This leaves 'The Thwaites Beer (Sandy Lane) Stand' remaining the only terracing at Spotland, and it is glaringly obviously that this stand remained untouched during the refurbishment.

Thankfully it seems the days have gone where lads used to urinate at the top of the steps in the terracing and raced their piss down the steps. As Dale are the Country's most unsuccessful football club (they've been in the bottom rung of professional football since 1974...!), it is, rather like County during the 1980's, possibly easier to watch a river of piss than the shower of shite they have had to endure over the years.

I don't know what it is about some clubs giving away fans the best stands, but like Bury and Boston, Dale have given County the whole of the superb 'Westrose'. As mentioned, the view from here is excellent. If required this stand can be easily be split down the middle and allow home fans their taster of Spotland's best stand. Acoustics here are great too, so it's ideal for singing and the obligatory drummer.

My sources also tell me that Spotland literally means 'Area around the Spod' (the River Spod is a tributary of the River Roch).  

Getting There - Exit M62 at J20 and take the A627 (M) towards Rochdale. At the end of here, keep to the left hand lane and turn left at the lights. Go straight on over the roundabout (approach in the middle lane) into Roch Valley Way. At the next crossroads, (the Cemetery pub on the corner) go straight on onto Sandy Lane, after about ½m you will see the ground on the right. Parking is very limited here (£2) so please if you must park on the road, look out for resident parking signs. Matchday parking at Oulder Hill School is recommended. You pass the school on Sandy Lane, then it's a five minute hike.

There is a regular bus service from Manchester Shudehill Interchange (No 20) which takes you to the bottom of Roch Valley Way, this leaves a 15-20 minute walk, but you'll thank me on the way home, as you'll get back to the bus stop before most cars as Roch Valley Way can be a humungous bottle neck. If public transport is your bag, then it's a better option than the train, which is around 2m from Spotland, and it's dead confusing to offer directions, so, I'm not bothering...!

If you are to get the train, more fool you, but grab a taxi from the station, it'll be a helluva lot easier.

Our Last Trip Here - was memorable. Despite having Mssrs ex-Hatters Spencer, LeFondre, Murray and Taylor to put up with, County won here 2-1 courtesy of two fine efforts from Liam Dickinson on Tuesday 6th November 2007.

Address - Rotherham United Football Club, Millmoor, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1HR

Telephone - 01709 512 434

Web - www.themillers.co.uk

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.rufctrust.co.uk

Overall - Built in the 1920's, but with the flavour of a new-ish stadium. Millmoor is and always will be a very intimate footballing home with a tiny pitch but with its ease of access, Rotherham United have a superb home and a great place to visit. Just a real pity about the surrounding area...!

Millmoor Stadium - Once completed, the brand new 'Main Stand' will be the focal point of Millmoor, this fine looking large, single tiered stand will have no pillars and will house upto 4,500 people. In stark contrast, the stand opposite, 'The Millmoor Lane Stand' (pictured) contains a mish-mash combo of open and covered seating and a strange variety of roof levels. Each section is roughly a third of the length of the pitch with a gap between the two sheltered areas. The centre section looks quite distinctive with an arched roof, but it's a real shame the club couldn't continue with the theme all the way across.

Both ends of the ground are former terraces and only recently the ground has been made all-seater. The larger of the two ends is 'The Tivoli End' where the hardcore Miller will frequent, whilst visiting fans will be housed in 'The Railway End' - (copying the best, anyone...?), although this is the smaller of the two ends, you can get upto 2,500 inside. 

The best thing about Millmoor is it doesn't take much for fans to make noise thanks to the roof, but to put a negative spin on things this stand has those nasty supporting pillars, have bolted seats onto open terracing which makes your leg room shrink, but on the whole League Two teams will grace much much worse grounds than this.

With some hearty banter between fans, the club is very safe and family orientated. One interesting feature is if you do approach the stadium from the main road, you will find the away end is located down an alleyway through a dodgy industrial estate, fine if you visit on a Saturday, but can be a bit risky if you visit on a weeknight.

As portrayed on TV's 'Traffic Cops' recently, the Sheffield suburb of Rotherham is generally a cess-pit and rumours were rife that the town was the inspiration for Cher's massive hit 'Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves'. I'm sure my mate PC Tim Scothern of Sowf Yoksha Polis will agree...! Please exercise caution outside the vicinity of the ground, as the local knuckle draggers can be like the cast of 'Shameless'...!  

Getting There - Leave the M1 at J34 and take the A6109 towards Rotherham. At the large roundabout take a left onto the A629. Proceed down here crossing a small roundabout and then at a much larger roundabout turn right and you will see the stadium on your right. It's either street parking...think of the locals...or the secure car parking behind 'The Main Stand' costs a couple of squid.

Rotherham train station is just a short stroll away from the ground. Turn left out of the station and walk towards the roundabout, They'll be some blue tourist type signs to Rotherham United. If you dont fancy a walk, then pick up a No.8 (Kimberworth) or No.18 (Meadowhall), and both buses stop outside Millmoor and are quite regular on a Saturday Afternoon.       

Our Last Visit Here - 12th February 2008. Remember the name...Tommy Rowe. A superb hat-trick coupled with Anthony Pilkington's strike gave County a superb 4-1 here...!

Address - Shewsbury Town Football Club, The New Meadow, Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 6QQ

Telephone - 01743 360 111

Web - www.shrewsburytown.com

County 4 Life Adopted Unofficial Site - www.blue-and-amber.co.uk

Overall - After nearly 100 years at Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury Town have finally a home to be proud of and replaces their historic, yet poor and undeveloped former home.

The New Meadow - With a capacity of 10,000, The New Meadow (provisional name) looks very similar to The Halliwell Jones Stadium at Warrington; four separate stands, no pillars blocking your views and all single tiered efforts making it a very smart and possibly a very atmospheric and intimate stadium with all four sides roofed but more importantly, all stands have wind breakers at each end.

Now, any of you that have had the (mis) fortune to sample Gay Meadow would possibly agree that any stadium other than Gay Meadow would have been a huge improvement for Shrewsbury Town FC. If you didn't have the picturesque riverside setting, the ultimate ease of getting there either by road or rail and the friendliness of the locals, it would have possibly been the country's worst ground.

Alas, a strong handshake is owed the planners by creating a superb stadium, not so much 'out of town' as its contemporaries, more 'Shrewsbury city limits', (located between Meole Brace and Sutton Farm) and with a great infrastructure in place in the near vicinity (take a note Darlington...!) it makes 'Shrewsbury away' a nicer all round place to visit.

There is, however, a part of me quite sad to see the old ground go. Apart from the obvious homosexual connotations, it was a real traditional football home, but has fallen foul of a fast developing breed in which greed has taken over. I'm not sure what is meant for the land at Gay Meadow, but no doubt unaffordable shoddily made housing is the favourite, but for the people of Shrewsbury, The New Meadow is a home to be really proud of, and with the memories of Gay Meadow t