From Portman Road to the San Siro
Welcome to my blog that concentrates on my love of sports grounds, from the new stadia like the Millennium to the quant non league grounds of rural Engalnd. Thank you Arcibald Leitch!
Friday, 4 September 2026
All over in 9 minutes
Tuesday, 1 September 2026
Good season ahead?
Another good crowd at the 'Doucy' and another good win but it looked a lot easier at half time!
All Wanderers in the first half and they were 3 up at the break with goals after 9, 27 and 43 minutes. Not sure what happened in the second half as Wanderers seemed to take their foot of the pedal and Cornard pulled 2 goals back on 63 and 67 minutes and then nearly got a third.
This woke the home team up and on 88 minute one of their forwards got through only to be pulled down just outside the box, straight red card for the Cornard player and then Wanderers got their 4th goal in the 94th minute to secure all 3 points.
Monday, 31 August 2026
Sussex by the Sea (twice)
Monday 31 August 2026
11am - Newhaven 1 Haywards Heath 5 - Southern Combination, Premier Division, Trafalgar Ground
Plenty of goals, but after an even first half when Haywards Heath went in just one in front, second half they found their shooting boots and strolled to an easy win, with Newhaven getting a consolation with the last kick of the game.
3pm - Eastbourne Town 0 Steyning Town 1 - Isthmian League, SE Division, The Saffrons
Large sports complex, shared with Cricket, Hockey and other sports - been in use over 100 years and Ipswich even played here before turning professional. Nice set up and the impressive Town Hall gives the ground a great back drop.
Football wise, a very poor game, with the visitors scoring very early on then very little quality shown by either side.
Saturday, 29 August 2026
Not far for a double
Saturday 29 August 2026
Match 1 - 12 noon, Cambridge Utd Under18s 1 Burton Albion Under 18s 3 - U18 Professional Development League Cup, Group game, Clare College Sports Ground
Match 2 3pm - Netherton United 5 Clacton Town 1 - Eastern Counties League, Division One, North, The Grange
First of all, it was to a leafy part of Cambridge and their training ground, to see their Under 18 team, the old Pavilion from the college is still there (used by the away team) and next door is the new training ground building , recently opened for Cambridge United. The Under 18 pitch is right next to the complex. Burton scored in the 4th minute and never looked in trouble after that, scoring again in the 33 and 42nd minute. Cambridge did get one goal back in the 61st minute.
Then the short drive to Peterborough for the Netherton game, buy doing so, I re-completed the Eastern Counties League. A modern G4 pitch, you can only watch from 2 sides, a modern stand with cover for standing fans, but no seats yet, small clubhouse and quality burgers. Not sure if the club can go up the pyramid, need seats and not sure 2 sided grounds allowed, football wise they won easy and could be near the top come the end of the season, The scored in the 22, 23, 52, 64 and then a penalty in injury time. Clacton got their goal in the 28th minute.
Friday, 28 August 2026
Back to winning ways
An easy win for Ipswich one up after 22 minutes but could have scored at least 4 in the first half. Second half and Ipswich added a second from the penalty spot and a third goal on 61 minutes. Blackburn pulled one goal back but Ipswich added a 4th in injury time.
For the second home Under 21 game on the trot, Ipswich had their keeper going off injured!
Tuesday, 25 August 2026
Ipswich Cup double
Tuesday 25 August 2026
Game 1:
Ipswich Town Under 18s 0 Stoke City Under 18s 1 - Premier League Under 18 Cup, Group game, Bent Lane Training Ground
Not sure what to expect today, Ipswich hammered by Fulham in their first U18 game and then the following week, they go to Arsenal and win easy.
What we ended up was a very close game, that neither side dominated, Stoke probably had the best of the first 30 minutes then Ipswich got into the game and were on to either side of the half time break. Game then became scrappy with too many free kicks and a umber of bookings. One good pass on 73 minutes inside the Town left back to the Stoke right wing followed by a good cross, saw City score and leave with all 3 points.
Game 2
Poore game, we struggle to win- lit up by a superb final goal from Nunez

















