How many grounds?

[SUFC Handsworth]

Biggest Blade pissing competition now over.

We have a winner and if he is unable to claim his prize, we have a very worthy stand in.

The rest of us part timers can now all slope off back under our stones.

I know there's quite a few Blades out there that have done plenty more grounds than me. I'd wager there's one bloke at Handsworth that's got to be on 200+ grounds with United.

On another note, on another list, grounds that you've been to without seeing a match, mines currently stands at 6 ... San Siro, 1860 Munich's old ground, Escape to Victory ground Stade de Colombes, Austria Vienna's ground (we had to break into that one, to get in!), Shielfield Park home of Berwick Rangers and Dunfermline's ground.

 

[JohnDenver]

138 with The Blades, home & abroad

Holy chuff. You must have done some travelling.

 

[torridon]

88 for me, though some have moved to new stadiums since, or are no longer in the football league, my list also includes the old and new Wembley, Millenium Stadium Cardiff, and Rushden and Diamonds ground. If your inluding also revisiting teams who have moved to new stadiums then my total is 100. Surprised myself with that lot

 

[Blade56]

.....THIS IS NOT A BIGGEST BLADE CONTEST.

Feckin is.

Modest 59 but TBH lost track of which ones! Most were in lower leagues when I used to steward on HQ coaches and we were lower than we are now.

I used to keep track with which badges I'd got but when I stopped travelling I found shops in Skeggy and Scarborough that had loads of original badges. Then when interwebbythingy came along I finish the 92+ badge collection and erased which grounds I had visited . I guy in Scarborough tried to sell me a limited addition badge for £80, turns out it was one I designed and won a competition with for the supporters club and I've got a couple already.

 

[Paqamaq]

I went to the emirates to watch Coldplay for the wife's birthday does that count.

Yeah it does... against ya!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

It depends whether you mean a team's current home ground or a previous home ground?

So looking at the Premier League - and current home grounds of teams in the Premier league - I've been to 13 out of 20. The ones I've not been to are: Chelsea (Stamford Bridge), Arsenal (Emirates), Man City (City of Manchester stadium), West Ham (Olympic stadium), Southampton (St Mary's), Bournemouth (Dean Court) and Swansea City (Liberty stadium). But if you include the previous home grounds then this changes to 17 out of 20, because I've been previously to Arsenal (Highbury), Man City (Maine Road), Southampton (The Dell), and Swansea City (Vetch Field).

In the Championship I've been to 22 out of 24 of the current home grounds. The ones I miss out on there are Reading (Madjeski stadium) and Brighton (Amex stadium). But if you include previous home grounds then I score 24 out of 24, because I've been to Reading (Elm Park) and Brighton (Goldstone Ground).

In League 1 I've been to 20 out of 24 current home grounds. The ones I miss out on are Fleetwood, Southend, Millwall and Wimbledon. If you include previous home grounds then this changes to 21 out of 24 because I've been to Wimbledon (Plough Lane).

In League 2 I've been to 14 out of 24 current home grounds. I miss out on, Wycombe, Barnet, Colchester, Cambridge, Stevenage, Crawley, Morecambe, Cheltenham, Accrington, and Leyton Orient. If you include previous grounds this changes to 15 out of 24 because I've been to Colchester (Layer Road).

So, that gives a total of 69 out of 92 current grounds and 78 out of 92 if you include previous grounds.

Of course, we've not talked about those teams who were in the professional league but have dropped out since, have we? Teams like Aldershot, Chester, Lincoln, Halifax, Macclesfield, Southport, Torquay, Tranmere, Wrexham and York. I've been to every one of these grounds when they were professional league clubs in the past. So that's another 10 to my total.

Which grounds that I missed out on would I really like to visit? Definitely Arsenal (Emirates) and Man City (City of Manchester stadium). They look like fantastic grounds. I keep threatening to make the short trip over to Manchester and go watch City some day, but the Blades always come first of course.

Which ground that I missed out on am I not bothered about visiting ever? All the ones listed above in League 1 and League 2. Although I'd probably consider going to Cambridge and Cheltenham, because they are nice cities. And I'd probably consider going to Accrington, because it's not too far and I know a lot of good places around there to eat and drink.

 

[I should coco]

On another note, on another list, grounds that you've been to without seeing a match, mines currently stands at 6 ... San Siro, 1860 Munich's old ground, Escape to Victory ground Stade de Colombes, Austria Vienna's ground (we had to break into that one, to get in!), Shielfield Park home of Berwick Rangers and Dunfermline's ground.

Ayresome Park (Blades match called off about 86 or 87 but went to Boro anyway for a few beers and felt obliged to go to the ground)
Fenway Park, Boston (Blades don't have a rounders team)
Olympic Stadium (Pre CheatinAmmers and we just cycled around it)
Stamford Bridge (Cycled around it and the very posh immediate area)
Gay Meadow (summer so no Blade interest, we parked in their car park for a trip round Shrewsbury)
Old Wemberlee (1977 and we did the tour before going to Upton Park to watch us lose)

 

[bladestrivia]

at last count iam on over 90 grounds with united this does not include the new grounds , NOT BEEN TO in the prem tottenham and west ham championship burton league1 rochdale swindon and fleetwood league 2 accrington barnet wycome orient stevenage morecambe cheltenham yeovil and crawley BEST GROUND in the 80s it was everton present day its man united WORSE GROUND quite a few hartlepool newport and the old doncastor ground SCARIEST GROUND portsmouth other not in league include wrexham halifax boston to name a few

 

[Canterbury Blade]

Ayresome Park (Blades match called off about 86 or 87 but went to Boro anyway for a few beers and felt obliged to go to the ground)
Fenway Park, Boston (Blades don't have a rounders team)
Olympic Stadium (Pre CheatinAmmers and we just cycled around it)
Stamford Bridge (Cycled around it and the very posh immediate area)
Gay Meadow (summer so no Blade interest, we parked in their car park for a trip round Shrewsbury)
Old Wemberlee (1977 and we did the tour before going to Upton Park to watch us lose)

Your Ayresome Park tale reminds me of a couple where I wanted to watch but circs led to failure.

Orient in the cup a couple of years ago when it was frozen off. Memorable as a Blade got on the players coach and said "Nah then Morgan, me and may mates versus you and yours on that pitch oer there!" I think Morgs actually thought about it.

Plus Honved and the Harland and Wolf Welders, where lads away trips were booked and paid for, but organiser (since sacked) hadn't followed the local cup runs. Got to ground, thought a bit quiet and were told they were away that day in the local cup. No other professional football found, so went to the Ferenc Puskas memorial and onto the Billy Bingham sports field to see a local pub team. A friendly local then 'advised' us where we were and who the players were, so we decided to gracefully head into Belfast... Fast!

Me been to about 70 with United, but then got into going to watch games in Europe, so done almost 30 around Europe. Best day out Hamburg Nordbank Arena, best team Dukla Prague, best night Valencia, best free wine passed along the terrace in a animal sack Bilbao, biggest disappointment Ajax.

What is impressive is the amount of people on this forum who've been to a lot of grounds. Respect.

 

[Danny_Boy]

All watching the Blades and broken down:

Wembley (both)

Premier league:
Man U
Stoke
Sunderland
Spurs
West Ham
WBA
Bournemouth
Burnley
Watford
Leicester

Championship
Fulham
Aston Villa
Barnsley
Wednesday
Rotherham x2
Derby
Huddersfield
Ipswich
Forest
Wigan
Brentford
Bristol City
Preston
Wolves
Burton

League one
Charlton
Bradford
Coventry x2
Gillingham
MK Dons
Oldham
Peterborough
Port Vale
Swindon
Walsall
Us
Bury
Chesterfield x2
Fleetwood
Rochdale
Scunthorpe


League two
Blackpool
Yeovil
Carlisle
Crewe
Leyton Orient
Notts County
Stevenage
Tranmere?? Are the still in league?
Portsmouth
Donny
Colchester


52 so far, I've x2 where I've been to old and new ground.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Need 6 in current league and they are:

Barnet, Cambridge, Newport, Wycombe, Cheltenham, Accrington.

We've been to 10 who have dropped from the league as well.

In total 96 clubs and we've been to many of those clubs over 6 times up to Leeds 16 times, Bradford 11, Huddersfield 11. Don't buy Wednesday programmes so wouldn't know the sty total.

Unfortunately add Wembley a few times and Cardiff!

These days don't go to more than 4 away games each season but watch for cup draws like hawks!

Don't count 'old and new' grounds.

 

[Woodwardfan]

Turn the radio off, wind the window down and listen hard.

When the wind is blowing in the right direction you can still hear those 7,000 Blades cheering.......

Then wind the other window down and listen for all those silent journeys home. It's been hard, it has that.

 

[Silent Blade]

Need 6 in current league and they are:

Barnet, Cambridge, Newport, Wycombe, Cheltenham, Accrington.

We've been to 10 who have dropped from the league as well.

In total 96 clubs and we've been to many of those clubs over 6 times up to Leeds 16 times, Bradford 11, Huddersfield 11. Don't buy Wednesday programmes so wouldn't know the sty total.

Unfortunately add Wembley a few times and Cardiff!

These days don't go to more than 4 away games each season but watch for cup draws like hawks!

Don't count 'old and new' grounds.

http://giphy.com/gifs/happy-applause-BRjNBtOgmLweQ

 

[jt64]

Not been watching Blades that long so 17/92, overall 42/92 and should easily get half way by the end of the season - have Peterborough next week, random Cheltenham the week after, Northampton and MK Dons to come. Over half way in Bundesliga 1/2 as well

 

[Kenilworth]

It depends whether you mean a team's current home ground or a previous home ground?

So looking at the Premier League - and current home grounds of teams in the Premier league - I've been to 13 out of 20. The ones I've not been to are: Chelsea (Stamford Bridge), Arsenal (Emirates), Man City (City of Manchester stadium), West Ham (Olympic stadium), Southampton (St Mary's), Bournemouth (Dean Court) and Swansea City (Liberty stadium). But if you include the previous home grounds then this changes to 17 out of 20, because I've been previously to Arsenal (Highbury), Man City (Maine Road), Southampton (The Dell), and Swansea City (Vetch Field).

In the Championship I've been to 22 out of 24 of the current home grounds. The ones I miss out on there are Reading (Madjeski stadium) and Brighton (Amex stadium). But if you include previous home grounds then I score 24 out of 24, because I've been to Reading (Elm Park) and Brighton (Goldstone Ground).

In League 1 I've been to 20 out of 24 current home grounds. The ones I miss out on are Fleetwood, Southend, Millwall and Wimbledon. If you include previous home grounds then this changes to 21 out of 24 because I've been to Wimbledon (Plough Lane).

In League 2 I've been to 14 out of 24 current home grounds. I miss out on, Wycombe, Barnet, Colchester, Cambridge, Stevenage, Crawley, Morecambe, Cheltenham, Accrington, and Leyton Orient. If you include previous grounds this changes to 15 out of 24 because I've been to Colchester (Layer Road).

So, that gives a total of 69 out of 92 current grounds and 78 out of 92 if you include previous grounds.

Of course, we've not talked about those teams who were in the professional league but have dropped out since, have we? Teams like Aldershot, Chester, Lincoln, Halifax, Macclesfield, Southport, Torquay, Tranmere, Wrexham and York. I've been to every one of these grounds when they were professional league clubs in the past. So that's another 10 to my total.

Which grounds that I missed out on would I really like to visit? Definitely Arsenal (Emirates) and Man City (City of Manchester stadium). They look like fantastic grounds. I keep threatening to make the short trip over to Manchester and go watch City some day, but the Blades always come first of course.

Which ground that I missed out on am I not bothered about visiting ever? All the ones listed above in League 1 and League 2. Although I'd probably consider going to Cambridge and Cheltenham, because they are nice cities. And I'd probably consider going to Accrington, because it's not too far and I know a lot of good places around there to eat and drink.

Fucking hell!
It only asked for a number

Knew I should have published my fucking spread sheet

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

This threads made me have a proper count up. Outside of the current 87/92 I've also done the following with United:

Old grounds:
Highbury
Maine Road
Upton Park
The Dell
Filbert Street
Withdean
Ninian Park
Millmoor
National Hockey Stadium
Gay Meadow
Saltergate
Highfield Road
Layer Road

Current non league grounds/teams:
Lincoln
Tranmere
Macclesfield
Wrexham
York
Stockport
Darlington
Halifax
Curzon Ashton
Nuneaton
Boston
Alfreton
Stalybridge Celtic
Altrincham
Ilkeston
Scarborough
Frickley*
Ilkeston*
Glossop North End*

Outside England:
Cowdenbeath
Greenock Morton
Falkirk
ADO Den Haag
Sparta Rotterdam
Ferencvaros
Hibernians (Malta)
Ta Qali Stadium
La Manga

And the following not watching United:
Hercules (England)
Venezia FC
Borussia Dortmund

*Genuinly can't remember if I've been to these or not but all ring a bell - can anyone confirm any friendlies against these sides over the years?

Without the ones I'm unsure on that puts me on 125 watching United.

 

[Ricky]

I'm bumping my 80 up to 84 because I forgot Highbury, Ninian Park, Wembley and Millennium Stadium.

GOM, that's a massive number, bet you've barely missed any games in the last 15 years.

 

[SHOREHAMST.com]

I'm bumping my 80 up to 84 because I forgot Highbury, Ninian Park, Wembley and Millennium Stadium.

GOM, that's a massive number, bet you've barely missed any games in the last 15 years.

Didn't include Wembley (easy to forget!) and Millenium Stadium actually.

Ricky, up until about 3 years ago - when a mortgage, marriage and kids (next) took priority over dreadful third tier football - I didn't miss a competitive fixture from 2002. The clubs rise and fall helped me get such a high tally of the 92 - just hope I can finish it one day.

 

[FreePaulRodgers]

87 done.Most watching Blades but watching second team Accrington Stanley been to (obviously) their ground,Barnet & Wycombe.

 

[Greenwich Blade]

 

[SUFC Handsworth]

Your Ayresome Park tale reminds me of a couple where I wanted to watch but circs led to failure.

Orient in the cup a couple of years ago when it was frozen off. Memorable as a Blade got on the players coach and said "Nah then Morgan, me and may mates versus you and yours on that pitch oer there!" I think Morgs actually thought about it.

Plus Honved and the Harland and Wolf Welders, where lads away trips were booked and paid for, but organiser (since sacked) hadn't followed the local cup runs. Got to ground, thought a bit quiet and were told they were away that day in the local cup. No other professional football found, so went to the Ferenc Puskas memorial and onto the Billy Bingham sports field to see a local pub team. A friendly local then 'advised' us where we were and who the players were, so we decided to gracefully head into Belfast... Fast!

Me been to about 70 with United, but then got into going to watch games in Europe, so done almost 30 around Europe. Best day out Hamburg Nordbank Arena, best team Dukla Prague, best night Valencia, best free wine passed along the terrace in a animal sack Bilbao, biggest disappointment Ajax.

What is impressive is the amount of people on this forum who've been to a lot of grounds. Respect.

Got my 50th in a couple of years <winter birthday - and touch wood obviously> and was going to sort a lads weekend, my idea was a racing weekend in Dublin, dogs Saturday night and horses at Leopardstown or Punchestown on Sunday. Telling mates about it last Saturday and another mate, who's two year younger and from the darkside, poor sod, said he was going to have a football weekend, Milan or Turin was mentioned. Got me thinking, sod racing, do a football do instead, any recommendations Canterbury? Hamburg did spring to mind, as did one or two others in Germany, Berlin (the heart of our natural enemy lol), Hannover, Stuttgart and always fancied San Mames in Bilbao (England v France ground in 82 WC) and Marseilles (England v Tunisia 98, England v Russia 16).

 

[Blade82]

73/92

IF we go up, depending on the other promotions & relegations, I'm hoping to tick off the following next season

Swansea
Middlesbro
Brighton
Norwich
Ipswich
Cardiff
Blackburn
QPR
Bristol City

could add tranmere too if they come up to the FL.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Fucking hell!
It only asked for a number

Knew I should have published my fucking spread sheet

I'm one of those folks who would rather bore people with facts than impress them with lies!

I'm great fun at parties y'know?

 

[Grappler]

Said it before and I will say it again, with no disrespect to the teams involved, but I am sick and tired of going to Scunthorpe, Bury, Walsall, Oldham, Port Vale, and before that, Exeter, Yeovil, etc., just sick of it.

 

[Canterbury Blade]

Got my 50th in a couple of years <winter birthday - and touch wood obviously> and was going to sort a lads weekend, my idea was a racing weekend in Dublin, dogs Saturday night and horses at Leopardstown or Punchestown on Sunday. Telling mates about it last Saturday and another mate, who's two year younger and from the darkside, poor sod, said he was going to have a football weekend, Milan or Turin was mentioned. Got me thinking, sod racing, do a football do instead, any recommendations Canterbury? Hamburg did spring to mind, as did one or two others in Germany, Berlin (the heart of our natural enemy lol), Hannover, Stuttgart and always fancied San Mames in Bilbao (England v France ground in 82 WC) and Marseilles (England v Tunisia 98, England v Russia 16).

San Mames is good, though not been since it's been altered and changed, photos look interesting though. Bilbao as a city is interesting with the Basque culture, though dependent on your politics the Bobby Sands pictures in many bars may be a factor..
Hamburg was good with a cracking atmosphere, through the beer got very repetitive and Northern Germany is cold. Also got fed up of being hastled when going round bars in the Reeperbahn area, not my bag.
Munich is great and the Allianz a sight to see, with ace beer halls. The Transport Museum is also a good place to sober up on the Sunday. Its size can be a pain.
Berlin was cool but I went over 12 years ago. More cocktail bars and trendy bars than beer halls unless you go to the East part. The history of the city makes an interesting way to spend your time.
Stuttgart was a modern concrete jungle though the Porsche and Merc museums interesting. I'd avoid.
Seville is cracking for small bars and obviously has two teams, only seen Sevilla and they love United case of some friendly in the 80's. Not a place for a big group of lads though, the bar crawling is ace for small parties.
Porto is too hilly, though Lisbon is definitely worth a look.
Valencia was a great ground under the sun, but it doubt it would be good in the winter.
I could go on, but if you want sun, good value, trams and a decent bar culture Lisbon is up there.
Germany I'd go back to Freiburg like a shot. Black Forest mountains, the freshest air I've ever had (outside of hospitals), a terrace to stand on. Our pre match ale was getting a short train ride to Lake Tittisee...
Spain I'd go back to Madrid, Athletico are moving this year so when you're 50 there is the new ground to do, but for a low key game I went to Getafe where they really like the Brits as not many of us make the effort to go and watch a game other than the big 2.
Only done Parma and Napoli in Italy and you would never get me back to Naples. More a country to take your bird, but like French football.
I don't know what else you like to do, but let me know if I can help. I got to know the bars and sights so may be able to give you a tip or two!

UTB

 

[cahill]

If we're including Wembley and Millenium I've got 53

 

[cahill]

San Mames is good, though not been since it's been altered and changed, photos look interesting though. Bilbao as a city is interesting with the Basque culture, though dependent on your politics the Bobby Sands pictures in many bars may be a factor..
Hamburg was good with a cracking atmosphere, through the beer got very repetitive and Northern Germany is cold. Also got fed up of being hastled when going round bars in the Reeperbahn area, not my bag.
Munich is great and the Allianz a sight to see, with ace beer halls. The Transport Museum is also a good place to sober up on the Sunday. Its size can be a pain.
Berlin was cool but I went over 12 years ago. More cocktail bars and trendy bars than beer halls unless you go to the East part. The history of the city makes an interesting way to spend your time.
Stuttgart was a modern concrete jungle though the Porsche and Merc museums interesting. I'd avoid.
Seville is cracking for small bars and obviously has two teams, only seen Sevilla and they love United case of some friendly in the 80's. Not a place for a big group of lads though, the bar crawling is ace for small parties.
Porto is too hilly, though Lisbon is definitely worth a look.
Valencia was a great ground under the sun, but it doubt it would be good in the winter.
I could go on, but if you want sun, good value, trams and a decent bar culture Lisbon is up there.
Germany I'd go back to Freiburg like a shot. Black Forest mountains, the freshest air I've ever had (outside of hospitals), a terrace to stand on. Our pre match ale was getting a short train ride to Lake Tittisee...
Spain I'd go back to Madrid, Athletico are moving this year so when you're 50 there is the new ground to do, but for a low key game I went to Getafe where they really like the Brits as not many of us make the effort to go and watch a game other than the big 2.
Only done Parma and Napoli in Italy and you would never get me back to Naples. More a country to take your bird, but like French football.
I don't know what else you like to do, but let me know if I can help. I got to know the bars and sights so may be able to give you a tip or two!

UTB

Was in Berlin two weeks ago, absolutely cracking place, if you're into history, especially 20th c , it's unequaled. Only seen Football abroad in France, Montpellier and Toulouse TFC, referred to as Tefecée

 

[cahill]

Forgot Celtic, 1980, v Rangers

 

[nicksufc]

72 in total, though around 20 of those have been abroad.

 

[nicksufc]

Got my 50th in a couple of years <winter birthday - and touch wood obviously> and was going to sort a lads weekend, my idea was a racing weekend in Dublin, dogs Saturday night and horses at Leopardstown or Punchestown on Sunday. Telling mates about it last Saturday and another mate, who's two year younger and from the darkside, poor sod, said he was going to have a football weekend, Milan or Turin was mentioned. Got me thinking, sod racing, do a football do instead, any recommendations Canterbury? Hamburg did spring to mind, as did one or two others in Germany, Berlin (the heart of our natural enemy lol), Hannover, Stuttgart and always fancied San Mames in Bilbao (England v France ground in 82 WC) and Marseilles (England v Tunisia 98, England v Russia 16).

German football is streets ahead of other countries for the whole matchday, couldn't recommend it enough. San Mames is a great ground though inside the new stadium the atmosphere is a little worse than in the old one.