By Alan Duffy
El Tel tests the new surface at QPR in 1981
Anyone of a certain vintage will remain those infamous astro-turf pitches at Loftus Road and
Kenilworth Road in the 1980′s. Back then, the hard, rubbery synthetic surfaces had more in common
with concrete than natural grass, with the ball bouncing higher than Per Mertesacker sitting on
Peter Crouch's shoulders while he jumps on a trampoline.
There are eighteen teams that spent the whole of 2011 in League Two (four teams are promoted
each season, and two are relegated). Congratulations to Shrewsbury Town, who despite missing out
in the League Two playoffs last May ended the year as the League Two side that had gained the most
points (an impressive 86) during 2011.
There are eighteen teams that spent the whole of 2011 in League Two (four teams are promoted
each season, and two are relegated). Congratulations to Shrewsbury Town, who despite missing out
in the League Two playoffs last May ended the year as the League Two side that had gained the most
points (an impressive 86) during 2011.
I never usually do New Year's resolutions, but this year I decided to give myself a six week
break off alcohol, and I'm starting to regret it already as Arsenal have already given me a couple
of reasons to drown my sorrows. Our first visit to Swansea in 30 odd years and a new ground for all
of us to tick off the 92 list (I'm now on 39).
John Coleman's departure from the Accrington Stanley job in January after 12 years in the role
reverberated throughout Lancashire. The Liverpudlian had transformed the beleaguered Accies from a
name used to market dairy products into a serious footballing concern again, and defeat to
Stevenage in the play-off semi-final last May wipes none of the gloss from his striking
achievements.
It is probably fair to say that 2012 hasn't been the greatest year for British football clubs so
far, financially speaking at least. Rangers, Portsmouth, Darlington and Port Vale all languish in
administration and it is possible that others will join them. The language of the discussion of
these clubs carries many tropes that are easily identifiable, but there is one that sends a cold
chill down the spine of supporters more than any other: the possibility of a club failing to
complete its fixtures.
It is probably fair to say that 2012 hasn't been the greatest year for British football clubs so
far, financially speaking at least. Rangers, Portsmouth, Darlington and Port Vale all languish in
administration and it is possible that others will join them. The language of the discussion of
these clubs carries many tropes that are easily identifiable, but there is one that sends a cold
chill down the spine of supporters more than any other: the possibility of a club failing to
complete its fixtures.
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- Series of Zimbio Photos from Bolton vs QPR
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____________________________________________________________________________________
- "On This Day in Football: March 11.
Date: Friday Dec 30 2011
Ground: Edgar Street
Comp: League Two
Match: Hereford United 1 Accrington Stanley 1 HT: 1-0
Arquin 5: Evans 72
ATT: 2,057
Additional: Entrance £14.00, Programme £2.50
Edgar Street in pictures
Ground Statistics (marks out of ten, maximum 40)
Character 8, Structures/Terracing 8, Hospitality 7, Backdrop/Scenery or aesthetics for larger
stadiums 7
Total 30
Filed under: Groundhopping, Non-League, Stadia, Grounds, Travelog Tagged: Dudley Town, Evans Park,
Non-League, Stafford Town, west midlands regional league
Come June, Football League clubs will already be outlining fitness regimes and transfer targets to
ensure a successful start to the new campaign. Along with those tried and tested methods, League
Two outfit Accrington Stanley FC have something a little bit different up their sleeve this summer:
a visit from Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama.
