Ayr United in june 2010. I went there more in hope, than expectation, but after popping into the club offices by their portakabin style shop, I cheekily asked if it would be possible to look inside, & to my delight, a chap agreed! I didn't walk round the whole ground. He may have let me, I don't know, but I was a bit too embarrassed to push it & ask. Just happy to have got inside at all!
So here is a brief look at Somerset Park, I don't know if I'll ever get back there, but it is one of those many grounds that I 'really want to do!'
A glimpse of the ground from the train. My heart dropped. It looked so great, I just knew I wouldn't be able to get in...
Approaching the ground...
Turnstiles on the corner, & the towering pylons.
Lovely matchday sign on the wall, almost from a bygone era.
The turnstiles again.
The outer walls of the main stand, down the side.
set back, further laong, to the left, is this club shop, with offices behind it. It looked shut, but there we people inside & I bought a few things.
And this is the main entrance, where I was allowed to enter!
Once inside we are in front of the main stand. To our left is a covered end. The right hand corner is where the turnstile block is, which we saw earlier.
Opposite is an open terrace, with some sort of building behind. I have no idea what it is.
And to our left is another covered end.
Turning behind us we see the magnificent old stand, with a traditional terraced paddock in front.
I walk along to behind the goal, and here we see along this terrace.
From this end we look down the pitch.
Behind the goal we glance left, to the open terrace along the side.
A similar shot, just to the left of the goal.
Turning the other way we get a good look at the stand.
Retracing our steps it's time to leave, I didn't want to impose by taking too long, I was pleased at their kindness just letting me see inside, so almost our last snap. Of the paddock in front of the stand.
We couldn't leave without a dugout shot!
A final look up at the magnificent old fashioned floodlight pylons. I really hope I get to return here one day for a match.
6 comments:
You are right, Somerset Park is a great old-fashioned ground. A friend of mine had friends over from Holland the other week, they went to the stadium on a Monday afternoon and asked if they could have a look inside. They were given a free tour and were even offered a programme signed by the squad! So I'm sure the guy would have let you walk round the whole ground!
I was lucky to get a look around and few photo's myself whilst visiting Ayr yesterday. Fantastic ground, a proper football ground.
Bas: You are right, I should have asked! But he was at work, & I didn't really want to impose on his time, I was just happy to have been able to get a peek inside.
Geordiefootball: Agree, it is fantastic. I must return one day,so I can 'tick' it iff, & see an actual match there.
I haven't had the chance to visit Somerset Park when I was in Scotland last year but I did visit a few grounds like Dunfermline Athletic (proper old fashioned ground as well), Inverness CT, Rlgin City, Ross County, Stirling Albion.
Each time I asked if I could have a look and each time they agreed and at Inverness and Stirling, someone gave me a lot of infos about the stadium and the club. At Inverness, it was the club secretary and he even gave a me a couple of programmes when I left.
Very welcoming people.
Stéphane, belgium
I couldn't agree with you more, Stephane. The Scots are extremely friendly.
The building behind the open terrace is, i believe, the exec boxes for corporate hospitality.
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