I was indebted to my good Belgian friend Nicolas Lucas for finding this match for me. The day before I had been been with the Dulwich Hamlet Supporters' Team, in the UR Namur supporters' tournament, which was why I was in Belgium.
This was a pre-season against local Belgian top flight side KV Mechelen, who I visited back in February 2009.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9ighVX3I/AAAAAAAADo4/0qf3cICaEKc/s400/DSCF4706.jpg)
Although I've been to a number of Belgian grounds now, my geography of the country is still poor. This is the railway station, I hadn't even realised there was one, until Nicolas checked!
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9ed5b76I/AAAAAAAADow/u-DF04hff8g/s400/DSCF4704.jpg)
It's just undertwo miles or so from the station, a straight forward walk, before turning down this small road to the ground.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9kX_l2OI/AAAAAAAADpA/LwByeOtFzYY/s400/DSCF4707.jpg)
Here we approach the entrance.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9l-YptrI/AAAAAAAADpE/FlMvoEVqkfw/s400/DSCF4708.jpg)
A board back on the main road, advertising the match.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9hCH3DLI/AAAAAAAADo0/E8PT-F3c62M/s400/DSCF4705.jpg)
Just before we got to the entrance there was a secondary pitch on the right. It had this small bit of cover in the corner, which it turned out, backed onto cover inside the main ground, on the other side.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9oCXGpaI/AAAAAAAADpI/1nYXvVkx_qE/s400/DSCF4709.jpg)
This second pitch is railed off.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9qvPgkwI/AAAAAAAADpM/QL5j2UhxO0o/s400/DSCF4710.jpg)
At the ticket booth now. Ten euros to get in, a nice little fundraiser for the little club. Shame more English professional clubs don't do the same for their small non-league neighbours.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9sV0NPiI/AAAAAAAADpQ/hDKhZEYtddo/s400/DSCF4711.jpg)
Through the barriers & it's open hard standing, up to the clubhouse ahead.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-EGnYJ8I/AAAAAAAADqE/d20CScVjoiU/s400/DSCF4724.jpg)
We are at the corner of the pitch, and here we look over to the small main stand on the far side.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-ISwfk6I/AAAAAAAADqM/fp1W3NMMf44/s400/DSCF4726.jpg)
Behind the goal, to our right, is a small section of cover, the bit backed onto the other pitch, and open standing past it.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-GBhBYPI/AAAAAAAADqI/pmhzWJIBfqg/s400/DSCF4725.jpg)
Under the cover is just a couple of steps of terrace.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-NyjM8CI/AAAAAAAADqY/3tCYi6O-TlQ/s400/DSCF4729.jpg)
This was my first 'corner flag' shot of 2010/11 !
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-PccU74I/AAAAAAAADqc/mWsx0KichpQ/s400/DSCF4730.jpg)
Moving round we look down the clubhouse side touchline.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-RXMH-rI/AAAAAAAADqg/JwY37tHGyKM/s400/DSCF4731.jpg)
A similar shot, a few yards along, from behind the goal. It is a 'strange' ground, in that you can't walk all the way round it, so we are going to head behind the goal, anti-clockwise, until we reach the stand.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-S_JjD3I/AAAAAAAADqk/QElgFNbSxvw/s400/DSCF4733.jpg)
Past the small area of cover it is just hard standing behind the goal.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-VbZY_BI/AAAAAAAADqo/1er03u18aiM/s400/DSCF4734.jpg)
Behind the net we look toward the stand.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-XVDHsZI/AAAAAAAADqs/xnVQ7yXnS-U/s400/DSCF4735.jpg)
And then moving on. Narrow hard standing, with flat dry grass behind. Note the rail on the right, behind the netting, for the other pitch.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-alFDmYI/AAAAAAAADqw/kH3jUUswQTE/s400/DSCF4736.jpg)
At the second corner now, looking across the pitch, pre-match.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-cltoxTI/AAAAAAAADq0/EtyxcySTxk4/s400/DSCF4737.jpg)
Here we look back along the tight, open area behind the goal.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-eiP7I_I/AAAAAAAADq4/6-Q1tAWjeOo/s400/DSCF4738.jpg)
Down the far side, leading up to the main stand it's more of the same, with a bank of advertising behind.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-g5vVDrI/AAAAAAAADq8/AocTB4v1uh4/s400/DSCF4739.jpg)
Having turned the corner we look back behind the goal.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-kVokjfI/AAAAAAAADrA/yx5sLPlwecs/s400/DSCF4740.jpg)
Moving along we reach one of the dugouts, stand behind.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-pYTa-zI/AAAAAAAADrE/dPBealwP7xY/s400/DSCF4741.jpg)
From here we look over the pitch to the bar side. You can see there are two small areas of cover either side of the tunnel in the middle.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-u-1dxdI/AAAAAAAADrI/bj3QlI7gOts/s400/DSCF4742.jpg)
Here we are at the side of the stand. Unfortunately this was pre-reserved for special ticket holders, so I couldn't gain access to it.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-zpjhWDI/AAAAAAAADrQ/0Oz22GSDUsk/s400/DSCF4743.jpg)
This is a view of it, from the other side of the pitch. From here it was not possible to go any further, so it's time to go back & return to where we came in, at the ticket booth.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-5D323eI/AAAAAAAADrU/GecS8kI-UlU/s400/DSCF4744.jpg)
On the way back round I pass one keen fan with a big flag.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_ADRVTiI/AAAAAAAADrY/kfrZecSV9OM/s400/DSCF4746.jpg)
Round the other side I have a quick look inside the clubhouse.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY90JDoX-I/AAAAAAAADpc/aqyn34JH_88/s400/DSCF4715.jpg)
As they like to do in Belgium, various league tables on the wall.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9vcwiLsI/AAAAAAAADpU/bUrueKn4n7A/s400/DSCF4712.jpg)
Presumably from the previous season, I think this is the first team one.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9xzuMZGI/AAAAAAAADpY/n79XPV5-aZQ/s400/DSCF4713.jpg)
Match poster in the window.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY91tp4NgI/AAAAAAAADpg/VG15trkhk58/s400/DSCF4716.jpg)
Outside is this football themed beer table.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY93xgWtsI/AAAAAAAADpk/lQ3j5MuyofM/s400/DSCF4717.jpg)
Queues for the food stall.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY95pEc47I/AAAAAAAADps/V7yXFTd8Wu4/s400/DSCF4718.jpg)
And a beer one being set up.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY9_Ty-5KI/AAAAAAAADp4/N0h6cmPere8/s400/DSCF4721.jpg)
To the left of that is another pitch.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY97mvW6lI/AAAAAAAADpw/i78lun51Zcc/s400/DSCF4719.jpg)
Simply railed off.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY99C2NzAI/AAAAAAAADp0/tpQbQcMSbok/s400/DSCF4720.jpg)
Dugouts on the far side.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCq1J-v4I/AAAAAAAADuY/ibLRYQQ7aFU/s400/DSCF4809.jpg)
A top worn by one of the many visiting fans.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-CD-jGTI/AAAAAAAADqA/k96Fh0fI9ko/s400/DSCF4723.jpg)
On the pitch side of the clubhouse, in front of the windows, is a small area of covered hard standing, which go along to almost the halfway line, but you can't go any further along this way.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-Jz6yPTI/AAAAAAAADqQ/yCf7zXiYSmY/s400/DSCF4727.jpg)
Here we are, further along, nearer to the tunnel.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-ML-3OMI/AAAAAAAADqU/Y8xD6j-YcNM/s400/DSCF4728.jpg)
You can see where the space for supporters ends, in the left of this picture, taken from the other side of the pitch.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBCcGsllI/AAAAAAAADtA/bhWwv7EVTkE/s400/DSCF4771.jpg)
Having gone round the back we see a similar area at the other end of the club buildings,
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_Dx_C37I/AAAAAAAADrc/Yu7IjwTASY4/s400/DSCF4747.jpg)
From this part of the ground we look over to the main stand.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_IQ3GvzI/AAAAAAAADrg/87w_mvxsodU/s400/DSCF4748.jpg)
Here we zoom in on it a bit.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_MjE_mWI/AAAAAAAADrk/cKN7k5uaDGE/s400/DSCF4749.jpg)
From where we are to the corner it's open hard standing.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_R35nkwI/AAAAAAAADro/MTHhPZOdngI/s400/DSCF4750.jpg)
One young fan looking forward to the match, proudly wearing his autographed shirt.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_VWBcVbI/AAAAAAAADrs/kJzxeXQ1f4Y/s400/DSCF4751.jpg)
Almost at the corner now...just fields beyond! This really is the countryside!
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_dJSZnOI/AAAAAAAADrw/aOoYhZMSdHM/s400/DSCF4752.jpg)
From this corner we look back along the touchline on this side.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_nlYlbII/AAAAAAAADr4/hVtU5TdMQaw/s400/DSCF4754.jpg)
Before looking behind the completely open end behind the goal.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_iegRlSI/AAAAAAAADr0/v7Dt06oKrhc/s400/DSCF4753.jpg)
A view over the pitch, from this flag.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_s8Ds6HI/AAAAAAAADr8/SINJD55gjtU/s400/DSCF4755.jpg)
Now heading toward the area behind the goal.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_y61slWI/AAAAAAAADsA/Jx-jMwyBhmc/s400/DSCF4756.jpg)
From here we glance back at the covered standing areas along the side.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_3OMnbnI/AAAAAAAADsE/On58z_S5dTg/s400/DSCF4757.jpg)
Directly behind the goal, looking through the net.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY_-c1vwTI/AAAAAAAADsI/89uWQOApVsw/s400/DSCF4758.jpg)
And then toward the final corner, with another bank of advertising in that corner.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAGBBvngI/AAAAAAAADsQ/Zibi_-Pjot0/s400/DSCF4759.jpg)
In front of them we look over toward the main stand.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZALzZnezI/AAAAAAAADsU/i5q0bV2TQCA/s400/DSCF4760.jpg)
Among the commercial boards is the club scoreboard.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAScPAVCI/AAAAAAAADsY/4khrksFLF1Q/s400/DSCF4761.jpg)
From the corner we see back behind this goal.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAls9tDiI/AAAAAAAADso/H5kvHc4XbVE/s400/DSCF4764.jpg)
The last corner flag picture of the day, with some of the hard standing along the last side in shot on the left.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAYPjO0zI/AAAAAAAADsc/TpRA--NBkZ0/s400/DSCF4762.jpg)
Very narrow, with a slight slope on the grass.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAfGGxTUI/AAAAAAAADsk/C2xpaF2cAjw/s400/DSCF4763.jpg)
As we get closer to the seats there are more hoardings, & the little sloped area is a tiny bit steeper & uneven.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAqjYSl6I/AAAAAAAADss/Bx4IZw9P1bM/s400/DSCF4765.jpg)
We have now reached the dugout on this side of the stand.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZAv_ajAkI/AAAAAAAADsw/rvrLZuoUuIk/s400/DSCF4767.jpg)
And here we look into the stand from this side.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZA0vH-pSI/AAAAAAAADs0/XFkDN57LEBg/s400/DSCF4768.jpg)
Again stewarded, so I can't gain access.
![](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZA5FJDJbI/AAAAAAAADs4/3RdJ93_65W4/s400/DSCF4769.jpg)
Another close up, taken from the other side, after the match.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCchhnQnI/AAAAAAAADuI/8xgICrDIew8/s400/DSCF4806.jpg)
The home dugout is on the right, as we look over at it.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCh43qggI/AAAAAAAADuM/R1BHixdJOHk/s400/DSCF4807.jpg)
And this is the visitors one, to the left.
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCmYKVl9I/AAAAAAAADuU/WWy37Pon0wQ/s400/DSCF4808.jpg)
I now get ready to settle for the game, choosing to stand to the right of the seats. I clock this visiting fan behind the goal, to my right.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZA-J3cz4I/AAAAAAAADs8/_PAW2Q2TXwE/s400/DSCF4770.jpg)
The two teams enter the pitch.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBHifOfOI/AAAAAAAADtE/K8pOxdZRTSI/s400/DSCF4772.jpg)
Pre-match huddle from the visitors.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBM_c-DII/AAAAAAAADtI/T5QB7MRloDI/s400/DSCF4773.jpg)
The game kicks off.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBScFwu8I/AAAAAAAADtM/-_WqWn82_Do/s400/DSCF4774.jpg)
Now for a few action shots. As you will notice, the ground has filled up a little.
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBYhZz0aI/AAAAAAAADtQ/kML74seNY9Y/s400/DSCF4775.jpg)
I don't know why, but I like taking pictures of match officials abroad. I think, because they don't wear our 'traditional' black so often.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBddUTGZI/AAAAAAAADtU/swnCihmbCjU/s400/DSCF4779.jpg)
Back to the game...
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBjYkDETI/AAAAAAAADtY/7HYyva02PxM/s400/DSCF4780.jpg)
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBp-zr02I/AAAAAAAADtc/aDjuLF2OpwA/s400/DSCF4781.jpg)
Oh dear! You really have to be good if you wear boots like that...& you're only on the bench, with five minutes to go!
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZBwBDGadI/AAAAAAAADtg/YF6xGQc_g9c/s400/DSCF4783.jpg)
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZB10dZRyI/AAAAAAAADtk/pa07gylSJfw/s400/DSCF4784.jpg)
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZB6_9W9wI/AAAAAAAADto/nAn5A8ZsPzw/s400/DSCF4789.jpg)
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZB_r3cB4I/AAAAAAAADts/baUnou9czS0/s400/DSCF4799.jpg)
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCF26vNSI/AAAAAAAADtw/f0BOUjpU4DQ/s400/DSCF4800.jpg)
A game of 'two halves'. Mechelen changing the entire team at half time, this was the final score.
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCKFiYjZI/AAAAAAAADt4/3vFZjBTab-s/s400/DSCF4801.jpg)
Well played!
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCPnb3vQI/AAAAAAAADt8/IPDpnnhPo2E/s400/DSCF4802.jpg)
Just time for the post match interviews...
![](http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCTohmY4I/AAAAAAAADuA/31YTpr9Y6Eo/s400/DSCF4803.jpg)
![](http://lh5.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDZCYE_uFLI/AAAAAAAADuE/2k1eprwDa9E/s400/DSCF4804.jpg)
![](http://lh4.ggpht.com/_eG-h-3kiVVA/TDY-Au77xgI/AAAAAAAADp8/g6nP65jtCKU/s400/DSCF4722.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment