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Post by Andy K on Nov 22, 2013 15:34:03 GMT
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Post by sallycat on Nov 22, 2013 17:43:19 GMT
I would definitely have said The Dripping Pan before it was modernised. I'm going to think about this one but now it's time for a Nando's  |
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Post by markf2 on Nov 22, 2013 20:05:23 GMT
I assume these grounds need to be in existence now? However, 5 no longer with us?
Loakes Park, Wycombe - amazing slope from top corner to bottom corner but the corners that were diagonally opposite not straight across. A good seated stand along one side and covered standing opposite with large open terraces at each end. Small and tbh, crap bar. Saw my first England Amateur International match there before I had seen Sutton play at the same venue (a few weeks apart). 3,000 plus gates in those days too.
The Old Champion Hill - huge, famous, but by the time I started watching, decrepit. The old white railing fence surrounding the pitch was easily the most difficult I have managed to clamber over and the terracing behind the far goal was just plain dangerous. Great standing cover down one side though.
Granleigh Road, Leytonstone - in effect, a three sided stadium. The terracing dropped below the playing surface (a bit like the Old Molyneux) and the seated stand was perched at the top of this terracing with the railway line running high above that. The players tunnel was just that, emerging from the terracing.
Green Pond Road, Walthamstow. The ground was dominated by a large stand and there was cover opposite and behind one goal. The whole ground was terraced. A proper football ground with one of the worst pitches in the Isthmian league.
Sandy Lane - U's rarely did well there but the magnificent stand was the best in the Isthmian League, the wall surround was just plain dangerous (ask Les Peck) and the pitch often (aptly) looked like a beach. Not quite the Baseball Ground but getting there.
and 5 still here?
Kingfield (before they put the big stand up). Lights in 4 corners (a rarity for amateur football back then), the two old green stands that are still there and opposite was really just a walk way on wooden duck boards. Arguably the best pitch in the Isthmian League back then.
Hayes Lane, Bromley - other than the new stand it has changed little and I love the benches behind the far end, very odd but gives the ground some old charm. Good viewing from all points and it took around 25 years for me to see U's lose there.
Fetcham Grove - a trip there in late autumn often brought foggy conditions and a couple of 5 goal drubbings for U's too but it's semi-rural feel with the trees shedding their leaves and the Mole running down one side gives it an atmospheric feel. I also tasted the best cheese rolls I've ever had circa 1972.
Old Spotted Dog Ground, Clapton - players used to come out of the back of the pub (they may still do) as that is where the changing rooms were. Dilapidated stand on one side and some equally crumbling wooden structures opposite and the fence between one back garden and the ground non-existent. A dump but so gloriously amateur football.
GGL - where nl/amateur football started for me. There have been improvements over the years, no grass banking, squared off at the GGL end. It is big and open and a difficult venue in which to build an atmosphere and does need some tinkering with but it is home and where I feel the most comfortable watching football.
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tonyd
1st team Player
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Post by tonyd on Nov 22, 2013 20:47:35 GMT
Have to disagree with Mark about the new stand at Woking - best behind the goal view in NL in the South East.
From behind the goal at the covered end of Crawley's Town Mead you felt you could flick on the corners!
Of current grounds, Aveley is my old school favourite, still got the big wooden stand (and not much else).
T&MU have done very well, Sandy Lane used to be a favourite and Imperial Fields is a terrific stadium.
Maidstone United is also very good, albeit parking is a nightmare.
Ebbsfleet in the Gravesend days was a favourite, but quite a bit was cordoned off for H&S reasons on my last visit.
With the exchanges with the League, the waters are a bit muddied. Macclesfield was very good when I went there, a mixture of old and new and friendly people, but doesn't really have a non-league feel.
So my 5 would be Aveley, T&MU, Maidstone, Ebbsfleet and finally, Chipstead, because it seems it would take rainfall of biblical proportions to stop a match taking place.
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Post by os on Nov 22, 2013 21:01:14 GMT
I assume these grounds need to be in existence now? However, 5 no longer with us? Loakes Park, Wycombe - amazing slope from top corner to bottom corner but the corners that were diagonally opposite not straight across. A good seated stand along one side and covered standing opposite with large open terraces at each end. Small and tbh, crap bar. Saw my first England Amateur International match there before I had seen Sutton play at the same venue (a few weeks apart). 3,000 plus gates in those days too. The Old Champion Hill - huge, famous, but by the time I started watching, decrepit. The old white railing fence surrounding the pitch was easily the most difficult I have managed to clamber over and the terracing behind the far goal was just plain dangerous. Great standing cover down one side though. Granleigh Road, Leytonstone - in effect, a three sided stadium. The terracing dropped below the playing surface (a bit like the Old Molyneux) and the seated stand was perched at the top of this terracing with the railway line running high above that. The players tunnel was just that, emerging from the terracing. Green Pond Road, Walthamstow. The ground was dominated by a large stand and there was cover opposite and behind one goal. The whole ground was terraced. A proper football ground with one of the worst pitches in the Isthmian league. Sandy Lane - U's rarely did well there but the magnificent stand was the best in the Isthmian League, the wall surround was just plain dangerous (ask Les Peck) and the pitch often (aptly) looked like a beach. Not quite the Baseball Ground but getting there. and 5 still here? Kingfield (before they put the big stand up). Lights in 4 corners (a rarity for amateur football back then), the two old green stands that are still there and opposite was really just a walk way on wooden duck boards. Arguably the best pitch in the Isthmian League back then. Hayes Lane, Bromley - other than the new stand it has changed little and I love the benches behind the far end, very odd but gives the ground some old charm. Good viewing from all points and it took around 25 years for me to see U's lose there. Fetcham Grove - a trip there in late autumn often brought foggy conditions and a couple of 5 goal drubbings for U's too but it's semi-rural feel with the trees shedding their leaves and the Mole running down one side gives it an atmospheric feel. I also tasted the best cheese rolls I've ever had circa 1972. Old Spotted Dog Ground, Clapton - players used to come out of the back of the pub (they may still do) as that is where the changing rooms were. Dilapidated stand on one side and some equally crumbling wooden structures opposite and the fence between one back garden and the ground non-existent. A dump but so gloriously amateur football. GGL - where nl/amateur football started for me. There have been improvements over the years, no grass banking, squared off at the GGL end. It is big and open and a difficult venue in which to build an atmosphere and does need some tinkering with but it is home and where I feel the most comfortable watching football. Out of those 10 grounds the only one I haven't been to is the 'Spotted dog', Champion Hill was falling to pieces and at the end of its life when I went their but you could help be in awe of the place. Walthamstow always reminded me a lot of Sandy Lane. Leytonstone was a quirky ground and I remember being a stupid teenager standing on the terracing bars about 5ft off the ground when Macca sent a shot towards us, I got down very quickly |
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Post by bornatotter on Nov 22, 2013 21:52:51 GMT
Three grounds now lost which my old man took me to as a kid hold good memories of heading out in the hillman minx when Mars bars were twice the size that they are today. Kingstonians old ground with its big rickety wooden stands. Likewise sandy lane in Mitcham and the scandalously destroyed old Epsom and Ewell ground.
Fetcham grove. Not just for it's slightly eerie atmosphere as the mist rolls in off the mole but also for the discos in the club house in the late seventies and early eighties for teenage kicks.
The old spotted dog now enjoying a cult resurgence thanks to the superb work of the scaffold brigada ultras
Crabblles probably my favourite away ground in the conf south.
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Post by johnnie1 on Nov 22, 2013 22:52:01 GMT
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Post by Andy K on Nov 23, 2013 0:07:45 GMT
Certainly one ground in our division which is a cracker in my opinion is Bath City - nice location, great terrace nice stand, decent prices and people and good sized facilities. A proper old school Southern League ground.
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oohaah
Top Performer
Posts: 3,142
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Post by oohaah on Nov 23, 2013 9:02:54 GMT
(Quoting os)
<<< Out of those 10 grounds the only one I haven't been to is the 'Spotted dog', Champion Hill was falling to pieces and at the end of its life when I went their but you could help be in awe of the place. Walthamstow always reminded me a lot of Sandy Lane. Leytonstone was a quirky ground and I remember being a stupid teenager standing on the terracing bars about 5ft off the ground when Macca sent a shot towards us, I got down very quickly >>>
We were 1-0 down with a few minutes to go and won 1-2 at Leytonstone one year. This stupid teenager fell off the same terrace bars and sprained his ankle so badly he was on crutches for 6 weeks. It's where I earnt my nick-name Ohh-ahh (where's your parrot).
Another one of my favorite grounds grounds at that time was Barking (when it was in the centre of the town)
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Post by Stewart on Nov 23, 2013 11:02:21 GMT
Certainly one ground in our division which is a cracker in my opinion is Bath City - nice location, great terrace nice stand, decent prices and people and good sized facilities. A proper old school Southern League ground. I agree Bath is the best ground in our league. Even the journey is a joy great views from the Cotswolds as you drop down into the city. Dover's ground is full of character but lacks good viewing lines. Other grounds that stand out are Ebbsfleet, Bromley and Dorchester. |
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oohaah
Top Performer
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Post by oohaah on Nov 23, 2013 11:22:52 GMT
great views from the Cotswolds as you drop down into the city. Not on a Tuesday night there isn't! |
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Post by Stewart on Nov 23, 2013 11:56:38 GMT
Not on a Tuesday night there isn't! Did you not see the twinkle of the Bristol lights from the road leading down in to Bath  |
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Post by sallycat on Nov 25, 2013 14:19:27 GMT
Bath is my favourite we've been to in the last few years, along with Worcester (RIP) and Hastings.
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Post by cheshire on Nov 25, 2013 19:42:43 GMT
I remember once being at Scarborough's Seamer rd back in the 80's. The ground had a standard non league look and feel but the entire area was surrounded by the Cleveland hills and was beautifully picturesque. Also wohn Rains equalised in stoppage time that day sending the travelling hordes crazy...
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Post by cheshire on Nov 25, 2013 19:44:07 GMT
oh...and it may actually have been John Rains who equalised...
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