Done the 92 questionnaire – Rob Conway (CONWAY5)
Rob on the pitch at Morecambe
How many grounds had you visited before you realised you wanted to do the lot?
I had only visited about 20 when a friend of mine’s Dad had just finished, it sounded like a good idea, so that’s when I started. My next game after that was a 3-2 win for Plymouth at Swindon, the winner coming in the 96th minute. I was in the away end and the buzz I got off that game made my mind up it’s what I wanted to do. I was young free and single so all I could concentrate all my spare time and money on my hobby.
Did you choose the last ground you were going to visit or did it just pan out that way?
My last ground was Morecambe’s Globe Arena and it just panned out that way, I had the opportunity to get 91 done this season (minus Sunderland) however their draw with Everton in the FA cup opened an opportunity with the replay. So a 650 mile round trip on a Tuesday night enabled me to tick it off and get back on target of finishing within the season.
Did you have company for some or all of it – were you in competition with anyone else and what happened to them?
I probably did about half alone and half with others. I did quite a few with a Wycombe supporting friend of mine (who is also trying to do the 92) so it was a lot easier halving the travel. I wasn’t in competition and I’m sure it won’t be many more seasons until he joins me in the 92 club.
How many had you done when you thought ‘Right, I’m going to finish this now’?
I got to 84 at the end of February and though, right I can finish it this season, with the luck in the cup (Sunderland above) it enabled me to get it done on my last available Saturday of the season I had.
Obvious question but, best day out?
As a Blackburn fan, definitely last season's last game away at Molineux, the atmosphere was fantastic and being 3 up at half time, we were in dreamland. A nervy finish and 3-2 result resulted in both teams staying up and both sets of supporters partied together in the stands and even on the pitch.
Did you manage to do more than one ground in a day at any point?
I never managed to do more than 1 in a day, however I did do 3 in successive days a number of times.
What does Plainmoor have that the Emirates never will?
An atmosphere!!?
But seriously, the genuine excitement and passion of fans in the lower leagues is immense. The stadiums may not be as brand new and shiny but there is no better day out than standing on a terrace with real football fans.
Did you ever turn up to find the game wasn’t on, or that you’d gone to the wrong ground?
No, luckily. I had tickets for a game that got called off due to the weather but luckily I had 24 hours notice so I hadn’t travelled yet.
Best/worst food on your travels?
I’m not just saying this as a Blackburn fan, but the pies at Burnley were absolutely awful (which I found strange as I’m sure they used the same supplier as Blackburn at that point)
Carlisle wouldn’t give me a plastic fork to eat my pie with as they deemed it an offensive weapon so I had to use my fingers for that one.
On the other hand the pies at Morecambe are every bit as good as people say they are, and special mentions for Port Vale and Brighton’s steak pies and Delia’s special of the day at Carrow Road a definite highlight.
Do you still call ‘League One’ ‘Division Three’?
Not really, I was too young for the original ‘Division 1’ so I tend to not make those references much.
Most and least welcoming hosts?
Morecambe were very welcoming when I mentioned that it was my 92nd ground, I was allowed on the pitch, got hospitality tickets and even a full page in the match day programme. Burton and Stevenage were also very helpful in obtaining me a ticket stub for the day as they were not presented upon the turnstiles when I paid.
Crystal Palace refused to sell me a ticket from the ticket office in either the home or away end as I mentioned I didn’t support either team and was a neutral. They said I wasn’t allowed in. Luckily I came back just before kick off and paid on a turnstile.
Also for the last day of the season me and my Portsmouth supporting mates all dressed up in Hawaiian gear but Scunthorpe stewards confiscated our (rather large) collection of inflatable’s before we were allowed to enter the ground.
Any bizarre incidents along the way. Any brushes with anyone famous/infamous?
No overly bizarre incidents, there was a fire evacuation at Morecambe about 90 minutes before kick off, I was absolutely dreading the worst and being told the game was off and having to turn back round again and being stuck on 91 for the rest of the season. I did end up sitting next to Mike Dean at Chesterfield once too, he was there watching his team Tranmere.
Now you’ve joined the small band of 92ers do you plan to keep visiting new grounds as they are introduced to the League, or do you consider it to be a one-off, job-done deal?
I will attend all newcomers to the league and will continue my hobby of ground hopping, I have many in the conference and below I’d like to visit so no plans on giving up just yet.
What was your memento/proof of each visit – program, photo, ticket stub, badge?
I kept my match ticket to all games, I also collect football badges so managed to get one of those from all the grounds visited. Some grounds more than others, if any of you have attended Wimbledon, you may have seen the stall Terry runs outside the ground. It has 1000’s of badges, I was like a kid in a sweet shop at that game.
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