Red Kite Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 I On 25/04/2024 at 08:19, GordonS said: Forth & Endrick looks like it has a lot of nice places to visit and it's a summer league, though I'm a bit put off by the gazillion midgies per square metre. The Moray Welfare League though, that's hardcore. Personally I draw the line at public parks but that's a beguiling list of places to visit. https://mdwfa.leaguerepublic.com/index.html I have just revisited the SFA wiki page and realised there are several more leagues than I thought, under the Affiliated Associations. Visiting somewhere scenic for Friday night summer football sounds great, maybe combined with any local cricket. This Welfare League website is slick. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 3 minutes ago, Red Kite said: I I have just revisited the SFA wiki page and realised there are several more leagues than I thought, under the Affiliated Associations. Visiting somewhere scenic for Friday night summer football sounds great, maybe combined with any local cricket. This Welfare League website is slick. Looks like the same platform that the WoSFL use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tout P'ti FC Posted April 26 Share Posted April 26 How many grounds have you visited with a dog? I had (temporary) custody of a dog once, a ridgeback cross called Martin. I did what I thought was best, and took him to a Penicuik game. Unfortunately he lurched towards a boy holding a pie and devoured most of the pie before we could say “bloody hell Martin, you’re faster than Stuart McKean (aka Snowy)”. The pie was replaced (by me, not Martin, frankly he took no ownership for his difficult behaviour), and we all went about our day. Penicuik probably lost 2-1. Anyway I would very much like to see Sam, and Jon, get their picture upon the Hampden museum. Let’s get this done! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forfarton Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 On 24/04/2024 at 20:47, Le Tout P'ti FC said: Spoke to a nice chap from Cardiff who is up here for a two-week / eleven-game groundhopping bonanza. He’s going to some places I’ve never even heard of, and I’m no stranger to the bits of Scotland most people haven’t visited. Good on him! I met him at a couple of pre-season matches last summer. I think he was going to around 17 matches over 18 days. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tout P'ti FC Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Boxing Day 1990: we arrive in Aberdeen early for the evening kick off against St Mirren (1-0 Dons; Jess). We are invited into the stadium and given an impromptu tour (dressing rooms; boot room; boardroom; pitch) by none other than Teddy Scott, who takes time out of his day to tell us a few stories about the club. Today: I awake in Aberdeen after a reasonably boozy night out at the King Creosote gig. I decide a bit of sea air will be just what I need and head for a walk around Footdee and the Esplanade. Upon seeing Pittodrie I realise I haven’t yet seen the Fergie statue in-person, so I head over and take a few snaps before making my way around the ground and back towards town via Merkland Road. As I’m making my way up towards King Street I’m approached by somebody in high-vis, who doesn’t identify themself to me, but proceeds to challenge me about why I’m taking photos of the stadium on the day of an event. One of the offending photos is added here. I tell them that I’m on a public road, not on their land, and I can do what I like with my camera. I’m unapologetic to them about my sordid stadia photo habit. It’s niche, but it makes me happy and harms nobody. We part. They look pissed off at my leaving remark “so is this the friendly welcome I’m to expect in Aberdeen now”. They follow me up towards King Street. I hear them say in their radio that they’ve taken my photo and they’re escorting me off their site. Shortly after a police car passes me and the occupants seem to take an interest in me but continue on their way, presumably aiming to catch a criminal instead of harassing a slightly hungover man entirely minding his own business. I’m not sure I can articulate better than these two incidents at Pittodrie exactly how much I see top-end football as having changed and lost its way since the 90s. I had been tentatively considering hanging about in Aberdeen for the Motherwell game, but that is quite clearly not happening, and indeed never again will I set foot in that place after being treated like that today. Anyway, I’m following King Creosote on to Findhorn tonight and decided to stop here in Elgin for this relocated Dufftown v Lossiemouth United match. A shame that the Dufftown pitch is waterlogged, but it gives me an excuse to come up to Speyside another time which is never a bad thing. Game is zipping along at a fair lick, Lossie currently winning 2-1 in front of a crowd that is probably too low to warrant counting. It’s hammering down, but I’m enjoying my freedom regardless. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groundhopping Adventures Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 9Arniston Rangers 0-0 Kirkcaldy and Dysart To paraphrase the 1980s battle cry "Coal not Lino" that was the thoughts of the town of Gorebridge this morning as their heroes lined up at home to the YM for the second time in seven days. The league this time after Arniston come out on top in last week's cup tie. Two teams familiar with each other with nothing to play for and it showed. Teams cancelled each other out and a lop over the home keeper going narrowly wide was the only real action. Not one that will live long in the memory. Newbyers Park looked like it used to be brilliant. A bit tired looking now. Reminded me of Kilsyth with one open side and one empty covered terrace across. Enjoyed it though. Hope the football is better when the two meet next season. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atfccfc Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Today's random game was going to be a cracker. I'd booked a last 'ish' minute trip last week to Barcelona for my days off to see Barca V Valencia which was a Saturday 2pm kick off. So Friday Morning out Saturday night flights back booked last Thursday morning for £53, hotel £40 and £84 for my ticket. Did a bit of research to see what else I'd fill my time with. Only for La Liga to do what La Liga does and change the kick off time and DATE to this coming Monday... , 3 hours after I booked it! What's that all about....!?!?! Barcelona though were quick to offer apologies and fire out a refund. So checked to see if there were any other games on. But sadly not. Europa, Sant Andreu and L'Hospitalit (3 of the other 4 teams in Barcelona are all playing either away or on Sunday!) At least they were kind enough to open the stadium so we could have a peak inside! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adamski Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 (edited) Silver Strikers 5-1 MAFCO in the Super League of Malawi! A wee bit of background for anyone not 100% familiar with Malawian football.... Big Bullets (from Blantyre) are the country's top team, winning the league for the past few seasons and even playing against their own reserve team in the cup final recently. They dominate a league filled with fantastically African sounding teams like Mighty Wanderers and Waka Waka Tigers. Here, Silver Strikers from Lilongwe took on MAFCO from Salima: the Bankers vs the Soldiers by nickname (Silver Strikers were formed by the employees of a bank and are now probably the second biggest club in Malawi, MAFCO stands for Malawian Armed Forces College. Staunchness aplenty most likely, if this was in Scotland. It was pretty mental. - Classic African football crowd. Singing melodically, dancing, and partying throughout. Many very drunk or high. About 3,000-4,000 there in total. - A truly terrible standard of football! I'd fancy Dalbeattie Star to stroll past either of these teams, and these are two of the best in Malawi. - MAFCO went 0-1 up, and I didn't even realise. I don't think they had any fans in the ground to cheer it, and I was too busy haggling over Silver Strikers tat that I was trying to buy. - Silver Strikers got the dodgiest penalty that I have ever seen outside Ibrox. - MAFCO's players responded by crowding the ref: pushing him, screaming in his face, trying to hit him. It really was the point that might have had a game abandoned in Scotland, and at least a couple of red cards shown. I've never seen intimidation like it. One of them got booked and that was the end of it. - Silver Strikers had two close call offsides against them in quick succession as they were in attack. Several of their fans responded by trying to stone the linesman! Other Silver Strikers fans got in their way to stop them. Of course these things are frustrating, but they were 4-1 up and coasting at this point! - Probably other stuff that I've forgotten about too. And the result puts Silver Strikers top of the league. I was a bit closer to the action in the stands than ideal, but have to say I fair enjoyed it. Before today the most recent game I was at was Queens vs Edinburgh City, and it was a bit more of a spectacle than that anyway. IMG_4732.mov Edited April 27 by Adamski 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 On 26/04/2024 at 18:21, Le Tout P'ti FC said: How many grounds have you visited with a dog? I had (temporary) custody of a dog once, a ridgeback cross called Martin. I did what I thought was best, and took him to a Penicuik game. Unfortunately he lurched towards a boy holding a pie and devoured most of the pie before we could say “bloody hell Martin, you’re faster than Stuart McKean (aka Snowy)”. The pie was replaced (by me, not Martin, frankly he took no ownership for his difficult behaviour), and we all went about our day. Penicuik probably lost 2-1. Anyway I would very much like to see Sam, and Jon, get their picture upon the Hampden museum. Let’s get this done! The Dogs of the Pyramid would make a great Twitter account. The only place I've ever seen that bans dogs is Sunnybank - they also ban ball games - and I'll always judge them harshly for that. For me the four signs inside the ground of a great non-league club that's an important part of its community are dogs, kids playing football, bikes and prams. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 On 27/04/2024 at 15:17, Le Tout P'ti FC said: I’m approached by somebody in high-vis, who doesn’t identify themself to me, 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonS Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 On 27/04/2024 at 08:00, forfarton said: I met him at a couple of pre-season matches last summer. I think he was going to around 17 matches over 18 days. Now that I think about it I might have talked to him at Loch Ness v Fort William in April last year, when Loch Ness won the league. Small world. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Kite Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 Me and a mate, who will be parading round Somerset in his Everton FC top today, were reminiscing about our time being roped into playing in the lower level of the Birkehead Sunday League. For today's Veronica Conway Cup Final, this game involved two top-flight teams in more enlightened times. Bidston had a looping Header disallowed for offside and their keeper did well, coming out to smoother a few chances. They arguably had the better chances, particularly at the end. However, the game went straight to penalties and Queens had done their homework and the keeper pulled off some good saves. Their own penalties were excellent. Congratulations Queens. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamthebam Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 On 27/04/2024 at 15:17, Le Tout P'ti FC said: Boxing Day 1990: we arrive in Aberdeen early for the evening kick off against St Mirren (1-0 Dons; Jess). We are invited into the stadium and given an impromptu tour (dressing rooms; boot room; boardroom; pitch) by none other than Teddy Scott, who takes time out of his day to tell us a few stories about the club. Today: I awake in Aberdeen after a reasonably boozy night out at the King Creosote gig. I decide a bit of sea air will be just what I need and head for a walk around Footdee and the Esplanade. Upon seeing Pittodrie I realise I haven’t yet seen the Fergie statue in-person, so I head over and take a few snaps before making my way around the ground and back towards town via Merkland Road. As I’m making my way up towards King Street I’m approached by somebody in high-vis, who doesn’t identify themself to me, but proceeds to challenge me about why I’m taking photos of the stadium on the day of an event. One of the offending photos is added here. I tell them that I’m on a public road, not on their land, and I can do what I like with my camera. I’m unapologetic to them about my sordid stadia photo habit. It’s niche, but it makes me happy and harms nobody. We part. They look pissed off at my leaving remark “so is this the friendly welcome I’m to expect in Aberdeen now”. They follow me up towards King Street. I hear them say in their radio that they’ve taken my photo and they’re escorting me off their site. Shortly after a police car passes me and the occupants seem to take an interest in me but continue on their way, presumably aiming to catch a criminal instead of harassing a slightly hungover man entirely minding his own business. I’m not sure I can articulate better than these two incidents at Pittodrie exactly how much I see top-end football as having changed and lost its way since the 90s. I had been tentatively considering hanging about in Aberdeen for the Motherwell game, but that is quite clearly not happening, and indeed never again will I set foot in that place after being treated like that today. Anyway, I’m following King Creosote on to Findhorn tonight and decided to stop here in Elgin for this relocated Dufftown v Lossiemouth United match. A shame that the Dufftown pitch is waterlogged, but it gives me an excuse to come up to Speyside another time which is never a bad thing. Game is zipping along at a fair lick, Lossie currently winning 2-1 in front of a crowd that is probably too low to warrant counting. It’s hammering down, but I’m enjoying my freedom regardless. Shame that. Nobody bothered me when I was at Aberdeen v Bonnyrigg, although I smuggled my camera in and was furtive.. perhaps in my advancing years I don't look like I would fight sleep. If I was photographing the ground outside I'd have said roughly the same to the jobsworth steward. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig fae the Vale Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 Pollok 0-2 Darvel. Darvel well deserved winners of the WoSFL Cup in front of an impressive crowd at Broadwood. The goal 17 seconds into the second half completely killed Pollok off. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Kite Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 @Le Tout P'ti FC Blast any jobsworth divvy with some Nigel Blackwell lyrics. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forfarton Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 Brechin Amateur Vics 0 Newgate AFC 3 Neil Taylor Cup final Station Park, Forfar Admission - free Final score harsh on Brechin who had plenty of chances but just couldn't get the ball in the net. Entertaining match with 2 attacking sides (unusual for Station Park ) and some decent play. Also, one of the best refereeing performances I have witnessed all season. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groundhopping Adventures Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Dundee Violet 0-1 Dundee St James What to do on a Monday night at the end of April. Go to a Dundee Derby that's what! Forget United v Swampy pitch, Violet v St James is the only show in town. I'm not angry just disappointed. I was hoping for a team resplendent in Fiorentina strips. Instead we have a Cumbernauld Colts tribute act in Pendle strips! Pendle! 2005 called it wants its School strips back. Anyhoo, Glenesk Park has nice views of Dundee Law, presumably the opposite is true but I wouldn't know as I've not been up the Law. Can tell this place could fit a decide crowd in. Certainly back in the day. Banked grass across from a decent sized covered terrace. Not a bad crowd including a decent crowd through from *checks notes* Mid-Craigie. Violet have a backlog of fixtures and the amount of games are taking their toll. An early goal for the visitors settles it. The hosts never really look like getting back in it. Three points for St James and a game closer to the end of the season for both. The ground is fine, nothing more nothing less. We'll be attacking the midland league next year. P.S. at the tea hut I was delighted to hear a local complain that there was "neh pehs at ahh". Splendid stereotyping Dundee proud of you. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy groundhopper Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 Further relegation adventures in Glos County Lge : Little Stoke 1 Almondsbury 2 att 76. Vital 3 pts in the local derby, though the Stokers seldom threatened until late pressure - Almonds in control against the long ball tactics. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamthebam Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 57 minutes ago, Groundhopping Adventures said: Dundee Violet 0-1 Dundee St James What to do on a Monday night at the end of April. Go to a Dundee Derby that's what! Forget United v Swampy pitch, Violet v St James is the only show in town. I'm not angry just disappointed. I was hoping for a team resplendent in Fiorentina strips. Instead we have a Cumbernauld Colts tribute act in Pendle strips! Pendle! 2005 called it wants its School strips back. My mate refers to them as Dundee VioleNt which might be more suitable.. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groundhopping Adventures Posted April 29 Share Posted April 29 7 minutes ago, tamthebam said: My mate refers to them as Dundee VioleNt which might be more suitable.. Four stoppages for big injuries and two in Ninewells this evening as far as I'm aware. Not without reason 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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