SC Union 03 Altona; Hamburg, Germany

SC Union 03 Altona are a muti-sports club from Hamburg, & the football side compete at the fifth level of the German pyramid, in Oberliga Hamburg. I had the pleasure of seeing a game here in late 2005. When I was back in the city in late November 2010 I took the opportunity to take some photos of the ground. This is the entrance, from the main road. There is a club sign outside. As we walk down the driveway you can see the ground ahead, the open terracing in front of the clubhouse clearly in view. To the right of the above picture is the Club war memorial. Above the ground we look over the pitch, not able to see the terracing below the grass, on the side we are standing. We now see the subtantial steps of terrace along the side, covered in snow. Looking the other way there is more terracing behind the goal, in front of the clubhouse, & this is the direction we are going. From the top corner of the terrace we see down along the area behind this goal. Before we do we have our first 'corner flag' angle shot. The view from the bottom of the terrace. On the side of the changing rooms is a club sign. No idea what this is used for on matchdays. Beer or food? These smart lantenr lights are around this end of the ground. The club crest is also worked into the decorative ironwork. Now in front of the changing rooms, we look over to the side of terrace we have already seen, as we came in. Turning the other direction we get to have our first peek at the terrace along the other side. Here are the changing rooms behind the goal. Behind the goal, looking over the pitch. And to the left. up the other end you can see the club name on a big brick wall. The terracing goes all the way to the corner. Past the changing rooms is the club bar. There is a row of seats in front of it, atop the terrace. At the bottom now, we see back along this end. The next 'corner flag' view, this time at pitchside. More substantial terracing along the side. This really is a wonderful old ground. On the side now, we glance back to the clubhouse end. The dugouts are on this side. Here we see directly into one of them. Some of the terrace is falling away a little on this side. At the back is the tannoy box. The terrace stretches along the whole length,well not quite... It stops at the next dugout, when there is grass banking. From here we see the Club name & badge proudly painted onto this wall. Out in the street we find out what buiding that is. But we're really still in the ground, and we once more look over the slowly thawing pitch. From this corner there is just a flat grassed off area in front of the wall. Behind the goal, down the pitch. Past the tennis building there is the terracing again. I would guess this extended all the way along, until the sportshall was built on it. Directly behind the post we see the last side of terrace, where we have yet to walk. Back behind the goal, the vantage points are somewhat restricted by on the old terracing! Almost ready to turn the corner now. Behind us is an old entrance, on the street, not sure if it is still used. Probably not, judging by the state of it outside. I was impressed by the Club name on top of the fencing. From the side now we get a perfect view of the 'half terrace' behind the goal. Time to start moving along the last side. Simply railed off at the front of the terracing. The view over the halfway line. The remainder of this side completes our look at Union 03.

VfL 93 Hamburg; Germany

VfL 93 Hamburg currently play in the seventh level of the German pyramid, & are a multi-sports organisation, the football side competing in the Bezirksliga Nord . The ground seems fairly basic, though neat & nidy, as much as I could see it under the layer of snow! I took these photos at the end of November 2010.



Sometimes you don't need to speak the local lingo to 'follow the sign'!



It is very close to the U-bahn station Borgweg.



This appears to be the main matchday entrance,club noticeboard outside.



There was a poster from their previous home game in it.



The entrance was roughly on the halfway line, with this telly gantry straight ahead.



The ground was very open, with no cover. To the right we can see the main club building behind the goal.



But we are going to walk/slide the otherway round, clockwise.



There are a few steps of terrace round the ground, with the dugouts also on this side.



A similar shot, with the flat standing area, with trees behind clearer here.



I leaned over the barrier to try to take a photo of the dugout, as I didn't want to try & climb over & fall over in the snow!



The dugout, from the other side of the pitch.



The steps of terrace continue to the corner.



I brush the snow away with my foot, to see what is underneath, & it is grass steps.



Now at the corner, across the pitch.



Behind the goal again just a couple of steps, but set a few paces back from the pitch.



It goes all the way along, as we move toward the goal.



Now behind the post, we look back to the dugouts.



And then move onward, where the steps are clearer, thanks to the sunshine, although it is still below freezing!



The next corner.



And now time to head along the far side. Again just open terraced steps, but tidy trees behind, with a few benches along the back, if you look carefully. This must be a pleasant venue for the early & end of season matches.



Here we see one of the benches.



Further along, directly along the terracing.



A close up of one of the benches.



Almost at the bottom of this side now, we turn back.



In the other direction we see the club building behind the goal.



A couple of steps, set back a bit more, up to the changing rooms & bar; with a scoreboard there as well.



Here is the scoreboard.



High fencing behind the goal, protecting the building.



Just before the main buiidng is this small cabin, no idea what it is used for.



In the area behind this goal we turn right, to the open bench topped side.



The other way we spot the dugouts, through the goal.



And directly up the pitch.



The dugout side, once more. to the left of the post this time.



Moving along we see the open standing at this end.



Past the main building is this hut, presumably a food stall on matchdays.



Open standing up to the last corner.



From here we look over to the last part of our circuit, toward the dugouts.



Our last corner shot, over the pitch.



Along the side now, the steps of terrace start again.



From this section e get a good shot of the pavilion behind the goal.



Heading toward the dugouts & the gantry, to complete our visit.



As the sign says, 'see you later'! ;-)