Run Aground
The Paddock
ANFIELD - Liverpool
Those who remember it probably think that the Four Seasons classic 70’s hit ’December 63’ is a mere paean to
lost love. Nonsense. It is a celebration of West Ham’s last victory at Anfield, and the possibility of seeing this
run broken brings a mass migration of Hammerites to Stanley Park every year. I’ve only been to this superb
ground five times, rather than the 17 or so fruitless visits undertaken by fellow fans, and we sad-case Essex
types usually have a good time there. The all-seater rule hasn’t affected the atmosphere as the ground has the
maximum number of seats with the minimal concessions to executives. With the character of the fans it could
hardly be otherwise.
THE CITY GROUND - Nottingham Forest
I’ve chosen this one not just for the ground, but for whole match day experience. Nottingham has the best pub
(The Old Trip to Jerusalem in the city walls) and Forest, the best location - on the banks of the Trent. Walking
to the ground across the river and past the cricket ground is great. My last visit to Forest was for a 2-0 West
Ham win, which made for great post-match celebrations and a thoroughly memorable day.
ROCKINGHAM ROAD - Kettering Town
My first game at Rockingham Road was an FA Cup tie in November 1975 against Howard Wilkinson’s Boston
United. This set the scene for later cup battles with Oxford, Tooting and Colchester in the Derek Dougan
years. My abiding memory is Roy Clayton’s late winner in the fog-bound Tooting tie. For those games the
ground heaved under crowds of over 6,000. The layout has changed little since, with a covered terrace opposite the cantilevered main stand and the cover over the Rockingham Road end which provided a great atmosphere on big match days.
WHITE LION GROUND - Edgware Town
Given the club’s tenancy problems in the last decade or
so, it’s a wonder the White Lion Ground is still intact, but
survive it does. The pitch is some twenty feet below street
level and the ground is prone to waterlogging, which isn’t
surprising as the pitch makes up the flood plain for the
adjacent
river.
Along
the river
side is a
long covered terrace, while opposite is a small but elevated
stand giving a panoramic, if slightly vertiginous view of proceedings. The ground’s layout and enclosed feel give it an
excellent atmosphere, particularly with a decent crowd. It’s
worth a visit if for no other reason than to acknowledge it’s
survival. (Pictured here by Vince Taylor)
CRESSING ROAD - Braintree Town
You can tell this club is well run by the condition of the ground. Whereas many venues at this level are overgrown and uncared for, this is the very opposite. With terracing and cover on all four sides and the stands
painted in the club colours, the ground has a distinctive look and a good atmosphere, particularly with the regular large attendances enjoyed by ‘The Iron’. It all made for a good visit, even softening the blow of a comprehensive FA Cup defeat for Clapton. Cressing Road deserves a higher level of football which, on current form,
may not be long in coming.
Groundtastic
page 75
Issue 23