Season over (but plenty of new grounds visited)

Ipswich had a great season, and it was the first time in years that a visit to Portman Road had become enjoyable but even with Mick bringing a smile back to football here, I still found myself drawn to non-league football and even further afield off to Europe.

Total matches attended: 78

New grounds visited: 30

Games abroad: 4

Plus plenty of non-league grounds visited without seeing a game, plus trips to see Suffolk cricket, athletics at the Commonwealth Games and track cycling.

Best grounds visited? – For ‘old school’ non-league it had to be Tamworth then for something new and different it is over the Thames to Dartford.

Best atmosphere? – no surprise but disappointing that the best atmosphere at a game was not in this country – it was St Pauli and Panathinaikos, best games here included Ipswich – Charlton at the Valley and the home play-off game plus Clapton at Stanway in the Eseex Senior Cup.

But the highlight of the season was the weekend trip to Hamburg, 3 games and over 20 grounds visited in just 60 hours.

Next season, a pre-season trip to Germany and other targets include Manchester City, Clapton and Kings Lynn. Plus more track cycling and my first visit to a Rugby League game.