Irvine Meadow XI; Scotland

Irvine Meadow XI are a Scottish Junior club, who play in Stagecoach West of Scotland Superleague Premier Division. This was another ground on my recent May 2010 trip to the Glasgow area that I could not gain access to, on a non match day. But I managed a few snaps through gaps in fencing. The most impressive of which are of the main stand. There is terracing here too, but I was unable to get any good shots of it.

Who knows, maybe one day I will get here to watch a match?

This is the main entrance, down a cul-de-sac. You can see the roof of the main stand to the left.



There is also a gate at the other end of the ground. I managed a couple of shots through it first, as this was where I first saw the place from. Here we look over to the main stand, there appears to be banking opposite it.



The main stand looks very impressive.



Here we zoom in on the front of the stand, with the dugout & unusual club name above the tunnel.



This is another look down 'the wrong side' of the slope. You can see the high brick perimeter wall to the left, which explains why I couldn't get inside!



Round the other side now, we look across the pitch from the main entrance gates.



Same poor angle, slightly looking to the right.



Time to zoom in as much as we can, and try to see the terrracing down the side.



Looking left, with a closer 'zoom' on the main stand.



This was the maximum, times ten, for our last picture.

Benburb; Glasgow, Scotland

Benburb are a junior club, based in Glasgow, who play in the Stagecoach Central League Second Division. Despite doing a full circuit I couldn't gain entry through any gaps in fences, as the exterior is very secure. The teasing glimpses I got through some of it were amazing! It is a ramshackle old venue, very run down, that really sent shivers down my spine. For there is a large covered terrace here, that took me back to my childhood, so similar was it, albeit much smaller, to the covered terrace at the old Champion Hill Stadium (1931-1991) from my club Dulwich Hamlet.

It might not mean so much to others, but for me this really was a 'Wow!' moment, & this is a ground I will make it a priority to see a game at next season.



Approaching the ground it looks extremely down at heel, with a burnt out building adjacent. Maybe once part of club premises?



These buildings are seen through the gates. Bar the left ahead, with the sloping roofed structure the changing rooms?



Looking across the car park we see a small booth through the next lot of fencing. I am guessing this is where they collect the gate from on matchdays.



Moving along the pavement outside we can see a glimpse of the pitch, by the aforementioned ticket booth.



Past this we can see the rear of some banking behind this goal, with the roof of the terrace along the side in view.



The fading club name is on the side.



It appears to run the length of the ground, but we can't get a full shot from this end.



heading back out to the streets there is an open park at the other end. Thr ground is still fenced off, but you can see through it, and we are above the ground. Here we look down the pitch to the end we were outside of.



There is a nice stretch of old open terracing at the far end.



It goes as far as the club buildings.



There is nothing down the side, just an overgorwn slope. Three days after taking these shots I was told by a fellow 'Kempsterite' 'prorege', that there is actually old terracing under all that foliage.



Here is another shot, this time directly down the touchline.



Moving along the outer fencing slightly we now look across the pitch, and see the magnificent old terrace along the other side.



Now we're at the next corner, & look along behind the goal at this end.



Going back a bit we see the terrace, through gaps in trees, & we can spot an old dugout at the front.



Here we see a great picture of the terrace, with the rail behind this end also in shot.



This is a close up of the roofless dugout.



Here we have a full length picture of the terrace.



And from this angle I am almost transported in a 'time machine' back to our old ground in South-east London! I swear I'm getting a stirring in my pants I'm that excited! ;-)



Here is a look at the terrace, by sticking the camera through the fence.



From roughly the same spot we glance down the terrace, & over the pitch, where we can see dugouts on the far side.



The remaining pictures are all taken from outside the ground! By carefully placing my camera through disintegrating rusty holes in the back of the terrace. Here we look down the terracing.



Pointing to our left...



And to the right.



And again, to our left...



With a final picture, to the right, before it's time to move on.



An amazing old ground, that certainly would be no more, if it was in London. Long may it continue to defy time & be a part of Glasgow's great sporting heritage.

Frimley Green

Frimley Green is another ground I've seen, but actually been in, or seen a game at. Fortunately they are situated in a public park, & the venue is surrounded by a mere chain link fence, which made it easy to photograph. They play in the Combined Counties League First Division, & I took these photos at the end of February 2010.



This is the public park that is their home.



From the main road this drive leads up to the park, & the ground.



As you can see it is very basic, through the chain fencing. You can clearly see the rail pitch surround.



To the left, as we approach this corner, is the club house & changing rooms. Municipal tennis courts are to the left.



There is also this metal fencing down the side, which looks somewaht permanent. I am guessing this stays in place on match days, making this hard standing along this side touchline, for all practical purposes, 'out of bounds' to spectators.



These brick dugouts are 'built' into the club building. Not the best angle, but I was struggling to take anything without the thin metal bars in the fence obstructing my camera.



From the side of the dugout we look over to behind the far goal.



This path is behind the club buildings.



Past the brick structure we look toward the pitch, from the outside, once more.



Pitch rail along the side, looking across the pitch, toward the goal.



Here we look down the hard standing along the side, back to the club buildings.



Another, better, view, from through the outer fence, behind the goal.



And here we see the hard standing behind the goal.



Further along we look over to the first side, & the club buildings.



We're now at the next corner, & look through, to see down the path behind the goal.



Along the higher far side is just grass under foot, with the rail alongside the pitch.



From the side we look across the pitch.



Behind the other goal it's hard standing once more for fans' to stand on.



At this corner we get a shot of the floodlights, above the buildings, on the other side.



Outside the ground this park bench overlooks the ground. A good place to rest & watch a game on matchday, as there doesn't appear to be any seats inside.



Finally we look down on the ground, from the top of the hill in the park.