Done the 92 questionnaire – Steve Andrews (STEVE1959)

Steve at Brighton

When I got to 60yrs of age I decided to complete 60 different challenges. One of these was to attend the 10 closest football grounds nearest to where I live that I hadn’t been to. Having started this a friend of mine casually mentioned that I should try to go all 92 grounds in the league. I had enjoyed the first challenge and agreed that this would be an exciting thing to do. I thought this would be straightforward as I had already done around 60 grounds. Then it was the pointed out to me that even though I had done 60 it was in fact only 30 because the criteria states that it has to be current league grounds. Needless to say I still decided to accept this challenge.

My final ground was Brighton. Like most fans in the summer I can’t wait for the new fixtures to come out. I then make a plan of how, when and where I’ll be going for that season. However I knew that Brighton was going to be a challenge therefore I targeted it as my last one albeit via a long train journey from South Wales.

For the majority of the grounds I went by myself. However as I travelled with local supporters clubs e.g Cardiff City, Newport, Bristol Rovers etc. I was never really on my own as I made friendships whilst on my travels. Football fans were always engaging and interested in hearing about my travels and adventures. Sometimes I did travel with friends, namely Phil or Dave who are still completing the 92. Travelling with others is beneficial as it enables you to shares tips and advice for getting tickets, travel arrangements etc.

I always knew I would complete the task, it was just a question of how and when. I always worked on the old adage of ‘enjoy the journey and not just the destination.’ So each season I made myself a target of 10 new grounds to visit, roughly one a month. This I found to be beneficial as I always had something to look forward to. Also, I made sure I attended a mix of grounds in different leagues. This ensured variety and enabled me to get a better understanding of the differences between each division. 

 I had many great days out and for different reasons. Leeds was brilliant for the atmosphere. Stockport was fabulous as I sat as a neutral in the ‘home end’ which has a great concourse for the fans. Stevenage for the fans I met in the pub beforehand. Harrogate for the best vegetarian pies. However the best day out has to go to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which in my opinion is by far the best in the country. The whole day from travelling on the coach with the local Spurs Supporters Club, through to the facilities in the ground and the atmosphere made this a very special trip. 

No, I never managed more than one ground in a day but I did on a number of occasions visit a new ground on the weekend and another the following Tuesday/Wednesday. 

I enjoyed my visit to Hayes Lane. The ground has and is still going through a number of upgrades which I’ve no doubt when finished will make it a compact, modern stadium ideal for the lower leagues. On my visit we were able to use the Bloomfields Bar under the south stand, which is one of the best I’ve ever been to in leagues One & Two. I felt that this was very much a community club and it meant so much to the local people. On the other hand The Emirates is a fantastic stadium with modern facilities. Both have a place in football for different reasons and as fans we should respect and appreciate the differences. 

Yes, twice I travelled from South Wales to the North West (Bolton and Old Trafford) to find the games called off. This I may add was before the days of mobile phones.              

Being a vegetarian I have to say the worst grounds for me are the ones that don’t offer a vegetarian option or those that do and run out before half-time.

I tend to use the term League One’ nowadays as most fans are aware that it’s the third tier.

Regarding the least welcoming I would say Bolton’s old ground Burnden Park. Most welcoming was Accrington for they have a fab bar attached to the ground that they allow away fans to use. The bar is modern has many large screens showing the early kick-off game, a good choice of food and excellent beers at reasonable prices. 

Bizarrely I once saw a rather large gentleman sit on the back of his seat and midway through the second half it collapsed beneath his weight. I’m glad to say he was unhurt, got up and smiled at those around him to great applause. Rod Stewart sat behind me once at Wrexham disguised wearing a cap and sunglasses. On another occasion and in case I was wrong, I once asked a lady if she was a Labour MP? She answered yes, then I realised who she was. Only one of the most senior MP’s in Keir Starmer’s cabinet. 

Now I’ve completed ‘the 92’ I intend to visit any new ground that becomes necessary.  Let’s be frank. Achieving the 92 is something to be proud of. It usually takes many years and a great deal of planning. Yes, you have the glamorous Premier League fixtures at some of the best grounds in the world. And whoever you support, hopefully you’ll have the outstanding cup win away from home. However, on the other hand you’ll also have the cold mid-winter fixture to some League Two ground on a Tuesday night where afterwards you won’t get home until 3 in the morning. 

I have always kept ticket stubs, bought a match programmes and a pin badge. Sadly these days not all clubs produce a physical programme or ticket so I often print these out at home. 

would say to anyone thinking of ‘doing the 92’ enjoy the journey and not just the destination. And finally, I would add that ‘football fans are all the same it’s just that they wear different colours’.