Scottish Junior Groundhopping

Banchory St Ternan Buchanhaven Hearts Buckie Rovers Carnoustie Panmure Colony Park Cruden Bay Dyce East End Forfar West End Forres Thistle Glentanar Hermes Longside Newmachar United Scone Thistle Stonehaven Stoneywood Parkvale Whitehills

Sadly, Holm Park won't look like this next time I'm there as it is in the process of being upgraded. This video is a joint effort with me and Lokpars, taken the day after Pollok lost out to Beith on the Scottish Junior Cup final. We both got straight back on the horse so to speak.

Another team that I didn't get to see their old ground. The footage is from a very wet pre-season fixture. Unfortunately, every time I visit the Beltane I try to rhyme it with "Insane in the Membrane!"

Still to visit

Dam Park was the last West Region ground that I ticked off. Since revisited it because I enjoyed it so much! The second half highlights show what a terrific ground it is for filming from.

The narrow passageway that leads to the entrance at Whitburn is awesome. I can imagine a big crown waiting to get in for a big Scottish tie there creating a tremendous atmosphere. Also a ground where, despite the fact I'd plonked myself right in the way, the fans respected the camera, walking around it behind it and not getting in the way. Very respectful people despite it being me that made a bad choice when it came to picking a vantage point!

West Calder is another place where the ground still has that "new paint" smell. Tidy set up. This game v Rosyth was an end of season affair... and it showed!

There was an Old Firm game going on this day, but it is so much better to get out and see a live match in person than on the telly. Very glad I am of that mindset as this game was most entertaining. Another groundhopper was there with a Plymouth Argyle hat on!

Footage courtesy of Lokpars. The most memorable thing about this game (played in May) was the biblical hailstorm that hit during the last 5 minutes. Fair play to the Tin Pail for scoring during this time as everyone else was running for shelter!

Portland Park is the envy of many football clubs throughout the world, and it is because of one picture... a picture of Pele running out the Portland Park pavilion as Brazil trained here prior to the 1966 World Cup (can't remember who won it though... if only commentators would remind us from time to time!) Joint effort from myself and Lokpars here.

Thornton must be a lovely place to stay in. The ground (stand, pavilion et al.) is located in a public park, yet there is never reports of it being targeted by vandalism from the local youths. Sadly, plenty of other clubs the length and breadth of the country can't say the same.

Robertson Park is a smashing ground, and owing to it's location in the Tannochside area, there is usually some Tunnock's produce kicking around the ground.

Tayport's rise to the top of the Junior ranks back in the 1990's was meteoric. Founded in 1990 they won the Junior Cup in 1996! No messing about from the boys from The Canniepairt. Footage courtesy of JohnM

A club that Pollok have always had a good relationship with, yet it took me a long time to visit Heathryfold Park. Heathryfold Circle is the most aptly named street address in the world (only a slight exageration). Banks O'Dee v Hermes in Cup Final action here.

They had very kindly moved their kick off back to 3 o'clock while Pollok were playing a 12 o'clock friendly which meant I got to do a double header. This is another ground that has had some upgrading done to it since I visited, so it is earmarked for a return trip.

Still to visit for a game. Another impressive looking ground.

Hadn't intended to take in this game on the night I did. Was driving through to another game but the good old M8 apparently gets quite busy at rush hour. The things you learn! This was a miserable wet night, and yet I was still getting eaten alive by midges! They breed them tough at The Fulshie!

Still to visit for a game. Stopped off on my way up to Banks O'Dee just to take a couple of pictures, but couldn't find the ground! Tried again on my way back from Maud... still couldn't find the ground. Third time was a charm on the way to Hall Russell though! The ground backs onto Jim Glennie Park, home of Stonehaven Ladies FC amongst others.

Another one that I need to thank JohnM for as he captured Moore Park in all it's glory back in the 90's. My video of the Ants current home of McKenna Park is slightly more up to date, and was taken at a Scotland Junior International which took place on a Wednesday afternoon!

This is why groundhopping is a fun hobby! Spey Valley's ground is in the middle of the middle of nowhere and is amidst an absolutely beautiful backdrop. I'd never have been here if it wasn't for being a proud anorak!  

The night Pollok narrowly avoided relegation, hence the celebrations at the winning goal. Footage courtesy of Lokpars.

A joint production from myself and Lokpars as Pollok win the last ever Central League Cup v Cumbernauld United at Greenfield Park.

Still to visit Farquharson Park for a game

Campbell Park was another very enjoyable experience. This video was taken the night that Girvan completed their successful Ayrshire District League season without losing a game. Well don the Girvincibles...

Sadly I missed out on going to Southcroft Park (thankfully JohnM didn't and I duly attach a video), but have been down to the new ground on several occasions, including for this Under 21's cup semi-final.

Another ground on the "need to go back for a video" list. At least I had photos and a valid excuse for this one, namely I was reporting for the short-lived "The Juniors" newspaper. Wishaw won 7-1 at what was Stonehouse Violet's ground.

The first side I managed to visit both their old ground and new ground as part of the groundhop. Recreation Park was one of my favourite trips, and it's a shame it no longer remains. The first video is of the sadly departed Recreation Park, while the second one is at Rosyth's new digs at the Fleet Grounds.

The club are a relatively new addition to the Junior ranks, and the ground is even more recent than that. Still ground improvements ongoing at Huntershill, while at the time of typing (March 2019) the team are flying.

Another club that have had a recent ground move. Western Park had a certain charm to it, being as it only seemed built up to the halfway line. The video of the old ground is courtesy of Lokpars, the video of New Western Park is courtesy of me.

A very high-scoring Friday night friendly, and a very welcoming club. I gather there have been inprovements made to the ground since I visited, so it'll be a pleasure when I need to go back there to see them.

A midweek friendly between Yoker and Neilston under the floodlights at Port Glasgow's new Parklea stadium (courtesy of myself), as well as a clip from their old Woodhall Park from back in 2000 (courtesy of JohnM).

Undoubtedly my favourite ground, though I may be somewhat biased! So many games to choose from, but I'll keep it simple with the goals from a win over our great rivals, Arthurlie.

I miss old Petershill Park... they used to let dogs in for a start! Footage of Petershill Park courtesy of JohnM, footage of New Petershill Park courtesy of me.

A JFK moment in Scottish Football namely "Where were you when Hibs won the cup?" Well I was driving back from Victoria Park, and literally turned the telly on just as David Gray was heading home the winning goal!

Still to visit for a game. Looks a very impressive ground though. The "NUFC" mural is particularly eyecatching.

It was after booking digs in Aberdeen for the night, and train tickets through to Elgin, that I discovered that Elgin has a Premier Inn, maybe 200 metres from Nicol Tognieri Park...

East Shore Park is gorgeous and picturesque in itself, but if you continue down the side street it is located on you will find the shoreline (hence the name) and yet more breathtaking scenery. Scotland really is a beautiful country, and I recommend everyone visits at some point! Unfortunately was having issues with my editing software at the time, so goals only from this one.

First time I visited Brig O'Lea was in June 1998 where Neilston's 4-1 win kept them in the Central Premier League and also denied Pollok the title. It also happened to be the coldest night ever! Another ground that I have been fortunate enough to play at courtesy of Nugent4Nil. We were 2-0 up at half-time when I got subbed off... finished 2-2 and we lost on penalties. Footage courtesy of Lokpars

I loved my day out in Nairn. Was staying in Elgin and it wasn't until I got back that I realised that I had quite a spectacular case of sunburn! Incidentally, Nairn County (of the Highland League) play at Station Park, and I can assure you, in terms of it's proximity to Nairn Railway Station, it is very well named!

I learned a valuable lesson at this game... when your camera tells you to change the battery, it 'aint bluffing! Because of this I missed Craigmark's third goal :(

This was a trip up north mainly to avoid Glasgow on Old Firm day. Roselea were playing on the Friday night at Links Park, ahead of Montrose themselves playing there on Saturday afternoon. It was also late December when the West Region were on a break so it all fell into place nicely. Links Park at this point wasn't Roselea's main ground. At some point I hope to see a game at Broomfield Park.