No Olly Murs

Wednesday 31 August 2016, White Notley 0 Coggeshall Town Reserves 4 - Essex & Suffolk Border League, Premier Division, Oak Farm

First of all this ground is actually at a real farm with the obligatory ploughed field next door but do not be fooled by the rural surroundings - at least off the pitch this is a well run club, 2 pitches, a small astro area and an excellent clubhouse- with bottled Polish beer!

On the pitch it may not be a great season, certainly not in the same league football terms as the two teams I saw last night and this evening they were second best who did not even have the registered Olly Murs turn out for them tonight- must have been gigging somewhere or on the red carpet, not taht they missed him as they scored 4 goals and conceded none. At least eh puts a few on the crowd even tonight a few more female fans than normal but at least they stayed for the whole game even with no Olly turning out for the 'Crops'.

Not far from the Hook

Tuesday 30 August 2016, Little Oakley 2 Alresford Colne Rangers 1, Essex & Suffolk Border League, Premier Division - Memorial Ground

Not that close to the Hook of Holland but close to Harwich where you take the ferry to the Hook, there was even a Hook of Holland FC pennant in the clubhouse! Talking of the clubhouse, how many other clubhouses in the UK are also the village Post Office?

Decent game and decent place to watch football.

No Murph, no more

Saturday 27 August 2016, Ipswich Town 1 Preston North End 0 - Championship, Portman Road

Murph on his way to the North East, but we still get the three points.

Poor ref but good game

Saturday 27 August 2016, Ipswich Town U18 2 Watford U18 1,

Both teams played some good football but a contentious penalty soon saw the Ref lose control and game was lucky to finish 11 a side.

New ground but does it need a new name?

Thursday 25 August 2016, West Ham United 0 Astra Giurgiu 1 - Europa League, Play off, second leg - London (Olympic) Stadium

My third visit to the stadium - first two for Athletics and Rugby League and now for football.

First of all it is not perfect for football but the view is OK, transport is OK and people should stop moaning- West Ham got a good deal, the Astra keeper was outstanding tonight and West Ham go out to the Romanian club for the second year running.

But what I did not like the crowd at times were as hostile as they were at Upton Park - not a great place for away fans.

The griynd has been given a West Ham makeover- and that is acceptable but the name?? London Stadium - just waiting for naming rights? But with the Hammers getting such a good deal anyway why not just leave it as the Olympic Stadium?

Eleven down and time for a sulk?

Wednesday 24 August 2016, Crane Sports 11 Grundisburgh 0 - Suffolk and Ipswich League, Senior Division - Greshams Sports Ground

Crane Sports, champions from last season won easily - they look organised, fit and will be near the top of the league again this season. But what has happened to Grundisburgh? Once a major force in local football but tonight they could only field a team mainly made up of young lads.

They were not helped that after going seven nil down, one of the few senior players walked off- no injury spotted just seemed he was sulking!

Best for Ipswich

Monday 22 August 2016, Ipswich Town U23 2 Birmingham City U23 3 - U23 Development League 2, Ipswich Town Training Ground

Will Leon Best be our new super blue?

Getting closer to a 'Derby Day' win?

Sunday 21 August 2016, Ipswich Town 1 Norwich City 1 - Championship, Portman Road.

A much improved 'Derby Day' display - will 2017 be the year we get our first 'Derby Day' win since 2009?

Fenside duo

Friday 19 August 2016, Wisbech St Mary 1 Kings Lynn Town Reserves 1 -  Thurlow Nunn Division One, The Playing Field
Saturday 20 August 2016, Wisbech Town 1 Peterborough Sports 4 - FA Cup Preliminary Round, Fenside Stadium

Two trips to the Fens in just two days, first visit was to Wisbech St Mary, a new club to the Eastern Counties League who seem very well organised and very welcoming- they should also do OK footballing wise. Not a bad game, second half became very scrappy and not helped by two sending offs that only the Ref seemed to think were needed..

Seats should be added to the ground by 2017.

Saturday saw me at the older Wisbech club, a club with a great tradition who used to have a great town centre ground - that has gone now and the new ground is on the edge of town. It may not have much character but it has everything a football club needs - large car park, good social club and a reserve pitch next door.

But footballing wise, it is their opponents who are on the up, only promoted last season but already sitting top of their new league - not many teams will want to face Peterborough in the next round.

Not sure why we enter this cup?

Tuesday 9 August 2016, Ipswich Town 0 Stevenage 1 - League Cup, Round 1, Portman Road

Ecuador football grounds

Whilst on a trekking trip to Ecuador, I managed to see tow football games - here and in between walks managed to see visit two other grounds.

Estadio Olimpico de Riobamba


Athletics stadium, but great views of a volcano behind one of the stands - so well worth a visit.

Estadio Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda

The third main ground in Quito, situated in the south of the city an area that many of the indigenous population leave, great colours and some impressive floodlights. Home of Aucas FC