Stenhousemuir

I visited Stenhousemuir in June 2009, a strange ground. Now with a modern all-weather pitch it has clearly been 're-developed' or demolished would be a beeter description. Now a 'two sided' ground, open on two sides, where presumably stands or terraces used to be. Despite natural sadness at not having ever seen the old structures it was a delight to see this ground. The Scottish stadiums I am seeing on my weekend up there have given me a 'taste' for grounds north of the border. In a few years time, when I hope to have more 'loose change' having cleared more of my long-term debts, I am very tempted to have a few weekends up in Scotland.



This is the main turnstile block. Without having been inside yet I already like this ground!



Walking along you see the back of the main stand.



The 'famous' Norway Stand. Sponsored by their Norwegian Supporters' Club!



With another sign behind it.



I entered the ground through some open gates just past the stand. We're going to walk round it anti-clockwise, away from the stand, so saving the main bit til last.



It is open behind the goal, as you can see, with some all-weather pitches behind the goal too.



Behind the goal it's simple hard standing, with the 'road' marked, that leads to the car park.



From behind the goal we look over to the stand. Small bt smart. Note the small goals on the touchline, clearly underlined the economic sense of small clubs having all-weather surfaces, to maximise fundraising potential.



Completely exposed on the open car park side too. We get our first sight of the covered terracing at the far end.



I wasn't joking about it being the car park side!



A nice shot of the stand from across the halfway line.



Functional but soulless! I'n not too impressed by the dugouts, but at least they're not covered in graffiti.



I don't know what this old building is in the corner. It seems like all the old stuff was dumped here.



The police box. Presumably for when they have big cup ties, or from when Falkirk groundshared here while their new stadium was completed.



These old dugouts look fine to me.



From this corner we look at the covered terrace. Impressive for a small club.



From behind the goal we look over to the stand.



Then it's up to the back of the steps, to get a shot across the end.



Another view of the stand, this time from the back of the terracing.



Presumably this is the 'Robert Laidlaw' End.



These steep steps at the end are railed off. Presumably too dangerous for crowds nowadays. Crazy!



From this corner we look down the stand side, there doesn't appear to be any access to the seats from the terrace.



Before we jump over the pitch perimeter to get to the stand we can look back & see the inside of the turnstiles which we saw when we first arrived.



Over the wall we go, and another look at the stand.



Before we go into it we see the club shop.



And, looking back, presumably the tea bar.



Here we're at the bottom of the stand.



Looking up to the 'executive area', or whatever's behind the glass, I get a lucky reflection of the floodlight pylons.



The 'posh seats' for the directors.



And tucked away at the back in the far corner is the press box.



From this end we look back down the stand.



This section perfect for corporate packages.



From up in the seats we look back to the covered end.



But not such a great view looking across the pitch!



And behind the goal, with the Ochil Hills in the background. At least that's what I think they are, given the ground name.



Back down on the touchline we glance back again to the terracing.



This is the tunnel in the middle. I walked down here to find the offices where I could buy some souvenirs. I bought a mug for my friend Tony Mullins, a Gillingham fan who has actually seen a game here, & who has nagged me to publish these snaps ever since I got back over a month ago!



This picture was on the wall in the corridor. I'm guessing this was how the ground used to look like.



And after I'd done my shopping it was time to go, as I had a game to get to at Auchinleck Talbot!
(Those photos coming here soon...ish!)
I snapped this club vehicle as I left.

Ashford Town (Middlesex)

Ashford Town (Middlesex) is a much maligned ground. Unfairly so, in my humble opinion. Granted it's not going to win any awards, but it's got beautiful character in its own ugly way! As far as I'm concerned it's not the stadium itself that lets the club down, but 'location darling, location!'

It's a good half hour hike or more from the station, and it is set off the main road. Trust me, you need this sign on the busy road to spot the turning!




Once going along Short Lane you see this sign.



The ground is set back on the right, past the entrance. Here is the turnstile block. As I was taking this photo a club official, all blazered up, came out of the clubhouse & asked me what I was doing. Fully expecting to be told off & asked to leave, I explained I'd been to Bedfont Sports earlier, & that I was just a Dulwich Hamlet fan, who wanted to take a few photos of the ground. Imagine my surprise when he asked if I was Mishi! To which I replied I was. He said he looked in on here regularly & that I could take as much time inside as I wanted! Whoever you were..thank you for your kindness!



Outside, to the left of the turnstiles, was the standardised Ryman club sign.



Once through them there is the team changes board, from their previous home match.



From this corner we're going to head clockwise around the ground. The first structure we see is this seating area.



Looking back behind the 'ugly' open goal is the fuel tanks for the nearby Heathrow Airport. These are probably partly responsible for the 'ground reputation'.



Past the low rows of seating we've just seen is this small covered terrace.



And then there's this modern toilet block. Which tells you what a decent club this is. I'm presuming these had to built for ground grading reasons, to have toilets for spectators inside the ground. they could have done it on the cheap with portakabin style bogs, as many clubs do. but instead chose to erect this proper structure.



Moving on there is now only open hard standing to the far corner.



With not much more behind the goal, as we can see from here.



Before we move on round, one look back over our shoulder at the area we've covered so far.



Now we'e going behind the goal. More open standing all along.



But with a few steps of terracing in the middle, right behind the goal.



From here we look down the far side, and see a small, but smart, stand for the first time.



We will get there, but at the moment we look through the netting to the stand we've already walked past, as we came in.



At the corner now, I do like this smart enough ground, with these corner flags in club colours. but what a let down! How tatty! Please buy a new set! ;-)



Open down this side as well...



Until we get to the seats.



Going up in them we look over the playing surface.



In the back row we look across the seating. Why the blue I don't know. Maybe tangerine was too expensive?



This is one of the dugouts.



And now we're on the pitch itself.



From the middle, looking directly at this stand we can see the club initials in the seats.



Ugly though they are, I can somehow see some beauty in those huge holders. how 'arty farty' is that? ;-)



From the middle we look at the other seating area once more.



Now we're walking down toward the area behind the goal, here we look back at the lettered stand.



it's a tight squeeze behind the goal. Impossible to build terracing, which is why people sometimes are negative about this place.



At the far corner, which is practically where we started, are these gates to the changing rooms.



And so ends or tour of Short Lane. As we leave i notice this sign that says 'welcome'. Unlike some clubs they genuinely mean it, as on the few times that I've seen Dulwich Hamlet here they've always been warm to our fans.