| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 10:31 - Nov 18 with 798 views | TheOldOakTree |
Please see a separate thread, later in the week, for my attempt at a match preview, this is just some trivia regarding an encounter I had with Notts County early this season.
Way back in August, as I was closing in on what was for me the last of the current 92, I set off to Rodney Parade to watch Newport v Notts County. Every year it had been on my ‘to do’ list with the U’s, but there was always some reason why I couldn’t make it. My obsession to reach full ‘footy nerd’ status had grown too strong and I couldn’t wait until our next visit in March 2026.
To say the day was something of a disaster would be an understatement. Having gone to great expense and having set off at the crack of dawn to follow complex travel arrangements, I arrived at the ground, bathed in beautiful summer sunshine. Many people were already in the stadium but as I approached the turnstiles, the ground went into lockdown and the gates closed.
An announcement was made over the Tannoy that a Notts County fan had been taken ill and they were going to land an air ambulance on the pitch. Everyone waited patiently in the blistering sunshine as not one, but two helicopters approached and landed in the arena. Despite everyone’s hunger, thirst and desire to watch the first home game of the season, nobody complained and the minutes ticked away. Eventually an hour passed.
Rumors that the game was going to be called off started circulating and I selfishly started counting the cost of what could be a momentous waste of time and money on my part, just to watch two teams that I didn’t particularly care for, just to pursue a stupid hobby. I foolishly opened my trap and started talking to some of the natives, that was a mistake, but fortunately before I was strung from a lamppost, the ambulances departed and the last I heard, the patient arrived safely at hospital and was doing well.
The game eventually went ahead and when I finally got in, the only place I could manage to stand (in the home end) was on the open terrace in full sun. My tight travel schedule now meant that I had to leave at half time otherwise I would miss the Eurostar.
I know there are many, many people that have done the 92, but as a result of the misfortunate of a Notts County fan, I returned home with sunburn, significantly lighter in pocket, having watched half a match between two teams that I had no affiliation with, and a few weeks later I became a proud member of the very select 91 ½ club.
[Post edited 18 Nov 10:35]
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| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 on 11:19 - Nov 18 with 737 views | wessex_exile |
Being relatively local, I've been to Rodney Parade on quite a few occasions, and you're right, the natives can be a bit 'restless' at times. I've never had any trouble as such (apart from a few snidey comments), but I've seen it from afar once or twice, particularly on the dash to the train station post-match. You might have dodged one there leaving at half-time.
Congrats on the 92 club thing too, does someone send you a certificate when you achieve it then? My league grounds from all time count is 88, but of the current 92 just a paltry 59 at present, though I have ticked off the New Meadow and with you at the Kassam this season. Apart from Barrow, Bromley and Harrogate, everyone of our remaining away games I've already done at least once, so I doubt I'll reach 60 this season (unless I can somehow get a ticket for Bromley). |  |
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| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 on 12:07 - Nov 18 with 726 views | TheOldOakTree |
| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 on 11:19 - Nov 18 by wessex_exile |
Being relatively local, I've been to Rodney Parade on quite a few occasions, and you're right, the natives can be a bit 'restless' at times. I've never had any trouble as such (apart from a few snidey comments), but I've seen it from afar once or twice, particularly on the dash to the train station post-match. You might have dodged one there leaving at half-time.
Congrats on the 92 club thing too, does someone send you a certificate when you achieve it then? My league grounds from all time count is 88, but of the current 92 just a paltry 59 at present, though I have ticked off the New Meadow and with you at the Kassam this season. Apart from Barrow, Bromley and Harrogate, everyone of our remaining away games I've already done at least once, so I doubt I'll reach 60 this season (unless I can somehow get a ticket for Bromley). |
No certificate, in fact it was a bit of an anticlimax when I finished the feat at the Hill Dickinson. Anyone contemplating the 92, my advice would be……….
…….. don’t bother, it’s very expensive nowadays and if the U’s aren’t playing it can get a bit boring. If you must do it, knock off the Prem and Championship clubs first because the L1 and L2 clubs have a habit of disappearing and obviously always try to get there if the U's are playing.
It is quite a strange feeling, knowing that I can speak to any league club fan in the country about their ground, but other than that it just became on obsession that wouldn't go away.
In addition to the current 92, like many of us, I’ve done numerous now defunct grounds and also loads of non-league hovels (like Roots Hall for example).
IMO:
Best all-time stadium, Layer Road of course (closely followed by Belle-Vue, it was so bad it was lovely).
Best current stadium (by far) Tottenham and I don’t even like Spurts.
Best ‘hairs standing up on the back of the neck’ “Walk-On” at Liverpool.
Architecturally the best grounds, Bolton, Swansea (at night) and Rotherham
Also worth a mention, the Amex, the Stadium of Light and the biggest surviving UK terrace at Exeter.
Most bizarre mascot, Wigan (and 2nd worst song “We all live in a tub of margarine” WTF?)
Scariest mascot (for kids) Billy Brewer at Burton.
Sexiest mascot, Ewie at Derby......... that's a joke........ no seriously I'm joking!
Favorite song (apart from walk-on or Up the U’s) ‘Blue Moon’ at City and ‘Goodnight Irene’ at Bristol Rovers. Z-cars theme at Everton was also quite a moment.
Worst song (by far) “Sussex by the sea” at Brighton.
Best fan zone, Lincoln.
Most annoying thing, the air raid siren at Lincoln every time they get a corner.
Most distracting thing, the planes at Stockport.
Best/noisiest home fans, the Smoggies at the Riverside.
Best/noisiest away fans Fleetwood and Brighton.
Best pie, beef and horseradish at Naarich (a few years ago).
Best hot dog, outside the ground at Molineux.
Best stadium concourse the Dolman Stand at Aston Gate.
Best view of the countryside from a (home) stand, Burnley and Exeter.
Biggest rip-off IMHO Newcastle and Everton
Biggest disgrace of a ground Gillingham, closely followed by Harrogate.
Naffest ground (and coldest) Barrow.
Best beer, draught Wainwrights in the Halifax supporters bar.
Biggest F-up, the park and ride at the stadium of light, great to get you there, but total gridlock afterwards meant a three mile walk back to the car.
Special mention for the away ‘lounge’ at Grimsby, we salute you!
Most disappointing stadium (by far) Worst Ham (also worst atmosphere), shame because the Boleyn Ground was nice.
Scariest ground, Millwall a few years ago, followed by the train back into the city centre at Cardiff. [Post edited 18 Nov 12:23]
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| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 on 15:09 - Nov 18 with 664 views | Daniel |
Congratulations on completing the 92 TOOT.
I've done over 100 grounds, but am stuck on 81 of the current 92 (8 Prem, 2 Championship, and Bolton left).
Nearly all of mine are watching the U's. Bizarrely I ticked of the Hawthorns watching West Brom vs Fulham while visiting a friend at Uni, I then ticket off Craven Cottage watching Fulham vs West Brom as a friend had a complimentary ticket going spare. I done the Boleyn Ground in it's final season, I got a £10 to watch West Sham in a European qualifier and left at half time. |  | | |
| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 on 11:04 - Nov 19 with 543 views | wessex_exile |
Incidentally, on the subject of Notts County, it looks like there are only ten tickets left of our original allocation of approx. 480 or so. I assume if there is demand, they'll have to open up another block? Rather ambiguously our ticket page states "General sale tickets will be made online ONLY, no transactions will be possible over the phone", but no specific mention that tickets will (or won't) be available on the day.
Edit: first allocation sold out, second block of seats now available. [Post edited 19 Nov 17:19]
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| Air Ambulances, Notts County and the 92 on 14:27 - Nov 19 with 502 views | RSCOSWORTH |
Well done on your 91.5 Toot, quite the achievement. Well done to everyone else on their impressive totals. I've barely ever been away with Col U and I reckon my count might not even make double figures and one of them is bloody Crawley! I've also lost Upton Park and Yeovil's and Rushden's grounds from my short list. |  |
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