Football pyramid challenge

I've set myself a challenge this season to go to a game in every step of the ladder from the prem to step 6.

Today I went to Tiverton Town v Plymouth Parkway (step 3).

Plymouth were 2 0 up and cruising. 2nd half they had 2 men sent off and conceded in the 90+1 and 90+6th minute!

1 player I liked the look of is former Bristol City youth player Cameron Salmon. He's someone to keep an eye on, maybe not quite league 2 level but he definitely could play higher up the leagues.
Oh and I had a pint whilst watching the game and noone got into a fight because of it.

Good on you Lukeo. I've always wanted to go to a football world cup game and see the beautiful game. Greatest show on earth.

On going to six tiers of football I've been to watch Real Madrid before at their ground plus seen football in this country ranging from premiership to conference north. Each game had its allures and in truth I enjoyed watching all levels of the football hierarchy. Variety is life as they say.

A world Cup is also one of my dreams. Not even particularly an England game (although that would be great) just to be in the area of a fanzine with so many different nationalities and cultures, chatting and having a sing song and great time.

Quoted from lukeo

A world Cup is also one of my dreams. Not even particularly an England game (although that would be great) just to be in the area of a fanzine with so many different nationalities and cultures, chatting and having a sing song and great time.

It's worth doing, I was in Cologne during the Germany World Cup and watched England v Sweden in the fan zone in the city centre. It was almost as good as being at the game.

There is something very special about watching football abroad, even if you have nothing to do with the teams involved.

Quoted from lukeo

A world Cup is also one of my dreams. Not even particularly an England game (although that would be great) just to be in the area of a fanzine with so many different nationalities and cultures, chatting and having a sing song and great time.

Whilst I haven’t been to a World Cup, I’ve done Euro 2008 and Euro 2016, and had a great time in both the stadiums and the fanzones

I'm jealous

It’s definitely worth travelling to a tournament for the fanzones and to get amongst the atmosphere. I watched England vs Russia at Euro 2016 under the Eiffel Tower before going to the Stade de France for Sweden vs Ireland a couple of days later. There must have been 30,000 ish people in the fanzone and France weren’t playing that day!

Over many years I’ve managed to get down to level 14.

On Saturday I went to a fabulous stadium , home of Middleton F C. In Leeds. Yorkshire Amateur League.

Any guesses where. It’s got one stand which holds about 3,500 spectators…..

Over the weekend I did AC Milan & Juventus.

Admittedly, a huge football ground nerd and they made up my 139th & 140th ground. A mixture between Town, England & a bit of stray ground hopping.

Football Ground Map (https://www.footballgroundmap.com) is an absolute must

I saw Neymar and Mo Salah both score for their country on the same day at the same stadium, and they weren't playing each other

I saw Neymar and Mo Salah both score for their country on the same day at the same stadium, and they weren't playing each other

I saw Neymar and Mo Salah both score for their country on the same day at the same stadium, and they weren't playing each other

Quoted from bradzmilne

Over the weekend I did AC Milan & Juventus.

Admittedly, a huge football ground nerd and they made up my 139th & 140th ground. A mixture between Town, England & a bit of stray ground hopping.

Football Ground Map (https://www.footballgroundmap.com) is an absolute must

Thanks for that, I've just registered and had a quick flick through. May have missed the odd one but I'm currently on 82

Quoted from lukeo

Thanks for that, I've just registered and had a quick flick through. May have missed the odd one but I'm currently on 82

The amount of teams that we played during our first stint in non league, that have since fallen through the divisions is particularly noticeable.

Quoted from The_Laughing_Mariner

I saw Neymar and Mo Salah both score for their country on the same day at the same stadium, and they weren't playing each other

I saw Chris Wood score that day too!

Quoted from bradzmilne

Over the weekend I did AC Milan & Juventus.

Admittedly, a huge football ground nerd and they made up my 139th & 140th ground. A mixture between Town, England & a bit of stray ground hopping.

Football Ground Map (https://www.footballgroundmap.com) is an absolute must

What's been your favourite ?

I have been to a good few , lot's of random one's though - I did Braga ,Porto and Besitkas which were all pretty decent and unique in their own way .

Went to Havant yesterday , good family club - it seems less serious the lower you go .

I really want to do Dortmund , going to try hard to get a ticket for the Euros next year for that - not sure it will be so easy .

Is the euros a similar system to the Olympics or do you have to be registered with England etc? I'd love to go but next year is probably too soon financially

Quoted from bradzmilne

Over the weekend I did AC Milan & Juventus.

Admittedly, a huge football ground nerd and they made up my 139th & 140th ground. A mixture between Town, England & a bit of stray ground hopping.

Football Ground Map (https://www.footballgroundmap.com) is an absolute must

Italian football and Dutch football are great for this. Decent rail network and fixtures spread over the weekend across many levels really help.

Quoted from Mappers

What's been your favourite ?

I have been to a good few , lot's of random one's though - I did Braga ,Porto and Besitkas which were all pretty decent and unique in their own way .

Went to Havant yesterday , good family club - it seems less serious the lower you go .

I really want to do Dortmund , going to try hard to get a ticket for the Euros next year for that - not sure it will be so easy .

Porto is beautiful, stadium was nice too.

Would love to go to Besiktas… How was that as an English fan?  

Horses for courses, in regards to picking a favourite.

I love Italian football, the first ground I did was Lazio & I’ll always have a soft spot for them. However, the was fierce and there undoubtedly scary undertone being stood in the Curva Nord… It didn’t bother me but it would have others.

St. Petersburg for a World Cup Semi & Wembley for a euros final.

Saw games out in Rwanda too, while I was out doing some work.

Too many genuinely special memories to pick one. I’m very aware I’m an absolute nerd but we all get our kicks somehow!

However, home is where the heart is… Nothing quite compares to BP.

I can get hold of Dortmund tickets, I thought it was a little bit touristy but it’s another “must do” for anyone interested in that type of thing. Just PM me if you need any assistance.

Quoted from aldi_01

Italian football and Dutch football are great for this. Decent rail network and fixtures spread over the weekend across many levels really help.

I’ve seen the ground hopping tours of the Netherlands.

Believe Mike Dean is a big advocate of them.

Might look at it moving forward

Quoted from bradzmilne

I’ve seen the ground hopping tours of the Netherlands.

Believe Mike Dean is a big advocate of them.

Might look at it moving forward

I’d just do it yourself, can please yourself and get tickets you want and in decent places.

I agree about lazio, it’s the same when I go to Hellas, some would hate it behind the goal but I love it. Italian football is simple though; wanna sit and watch the game, sit down the side stand. Want to get involved, get behind the goal…

Me and my four best mates from back home have each been putting £20 in an account for years with the idea of going to the Euros next summer for our 40ths. I was badgering everyone for ages to get signed up for the England travel club and get to some home qualifiers/friendlies with me and maybe an away qualifier or two to get our points up but it fell on deaf ears, so the plan was changed to just going and not getting tickets but just going wherever England where. Fine. Then six months ago one of them decided he's not bothered about going Germany. So the plan changed again to a little tour of a few countries for some end of season matches in a few countries. Now one of them has turned around and said he doesn't wanna go to any footy at all so we're just going on a normal holiday. I guess I should be excited and grateful that I've got mates to do this with but I'm still a bit copulated off to be honest!

Quoted from Mappers

What's been your favourite ?

I have been to a good few , lot's of random one's though - I did Braga ,Porto and Besitkas which were all pretty decent and unique in their own way .

Went to Havant yesterday , good family club - it seems less serious the lower you go .

I really want to do Dortmund , going to try hard to get a ticket for the Euros next year for that - not sure it will be so easy .

Braga is on my list. Love that stadium.

Quoted from bradzmilne

Porto is beautiful, stadium was nice too.

Would love to go to Besiktas… How was that as an English fan?  

Horses for courses, in regards to picking a favourite.

I love Italian football, the first ground I did was Lazio & I’ll always have a soft spot for them. However, the was fierce and there undoubtedly scary undertone being stood in the Curva Nord… It didn’t bother me but it would have others.

St. Petersburg for a World Cup Semi & Wembley for a euros final.

Saw games out in Rwanda too, while I was out doing some work.

Too many genuinely special memories to pick one. I’m very aware I’m an absolute nerd but we all get our kicks somehow!

However, home is where the heart is… Nothing quite compares to BP.

I can get hold of Dortmund tickets, I thought it was a little bit touristy but it’s another “must do” for anyone interested in that type of thing. Just PM me if you need any assistance.

Besitkas was amazing , crazy atmosphere there tbf , I didn't have any problems with their fans they all seemed pretty nice , I know there has been trouble in the past but Istanbul is an amazing city ; i went with my wife and kids (not to the game ) and they were very welcoming and friendly .

That's great you have done so many grounds  , I don't think you are a nerd everyone's got their thing .

I will let you know about Dortmund , if i get no luck for the Euros for sure .

Cheers

Quoted from Son of Cod

Me and my four best mates from back home have each been putting £20 in an account for years with the idea of going to the Euros next summer for our 40ths. I was badgering everyone for ages to get signed up for the England travel club and get to some home qualifiers/friendlies with me and maybe a qualifier or two to get our points up but it fell on deaf ears, so the plan was changed to just going and not getting tickets but just going wherever England where. Fine. Then six months ago one of them decided he's not bothered about going Germany. So the plan changed again to a little tour of a few countries for some end of season matches in a few countries. Now one of them has turned around and said he doesn't wanna go to any footy at all so we're just going on a normal holiday. I guess I should be excited and grateful that I've got mates to do this with but I'm still a bit copulated off to be honest!

Braga is on my list. Love that stadium.

That's a shame  , I was the same for Brazil world cup was setup to go for years , and then just didn't end up going . Regret it a bit now .

Bragas ace , great town to .