Brechin City, Glebe Park – Hoppers Guide #159

Taking Day Hopping to the Extremes

This week will be the last of my Scottish adventures for a few weeks, but what a way to sign off, at Brechin City’s Glebe Park.

Glebe Park is one of Scotland’s iconic grounds with its famous hedge running down one side of the pitch.

I hope trains and buses behave, as this trip will push the limits of what is possible in a day’s travel on our ‘wonderful’ public transport system.

It will also be my first experience with Ember buses, an electric fleet that links Scotland’s larger towns and cities. Indeed, this service is what makes the whole trip feasible, as trains back from the area to Edinburgh don’t fulfil my needs.

This will hopefully, if all goes well, be my very first Highland League fixture, with Brechin City taking on Turriff United.

I’m looking forward to this one, and hopefully, we get to say hello to another longtime Twitter follower.

So, let’s get on with it, shall we?

Brechin – The Journey

The day started early with a 05:45 alarm call from Mrs Hopper – these trips would never start without her!

This one may not even get done with her helping hand!

There are some tight connections in the day ahead, and I have tentatively looked around for alternative games to fall back on if things go pear-shaped.

I caught the 06:33 X1 to Newcastle, arriving at Gateshead Interchange at 07:18, as it was doubtful I would make it to Newcastle train station in time on my usual route.

After catching the 07:28 Green Line Metro service to Newcastle Airport, I got off one stop later, at Central Station, Newcastle.

The Metro route worked well, and I had a few minutes to kill, rather than racing my old bones through the streets of Newcastle.

At 07:45, the LNER service to Edinburgh left eight minutes behind schedule. This was causing me anxiety, as my connection only left me 10 minutes in Waverley.

Luckily, we managed to pick up a couple of minutes along the way and arrived in the Scottish capital at 09:25.

I quickly made my way from Platform 8 to Platform 17 to board the ScotRail service to Aberdeen. This left the station around 1 minute after I boarded… Phew!

River Tay

As we crossed the River Tay rail bridge into Dundee, I took a video to highlight the bridge’s length. It took 03:30 for the train to cross the 2.042-mile span.

I disembarked the train at Montrose at 11:12.

With much of the UK suffering from terrible weather this weekend at the hands of Storm Claudia, I dusted off my Fjallraven parka for the first time this year. However, the temperature felt relatively mild, and I ended up carrying it around for much of the day.

The photographs below are of Montrose Basin, which lies adjacent to the railway station.

I now had a 45-minute wait before my connecting bus to Brechin, and for the first time today, I could relax in the knowledge that I would at least make the game.

My choices were either to sit at the train station and wait or stretch my legs a little and walk along some of the route. After choosing the latter, I walked just over a mile through Montrose to Glenisla Road. Here I rested and awaited the #30 bus.

It arrived at 11:58, and I was in Brechin by 12:16. My intention now was to walk to Brechin Cathedral to get a few photographs.

While I walk there, why not have a read about the town of Brechin?

Brechin

Brechin is a town in Angus, Scotland. Although officially a town, many refer to it as a city because of its cathedral.

Montrose lies 9 miles east of Brechin, on the North Sea coast. To the northeast, Aberdeen is 41 miles away, while Dundee is 27 miles southwest. Edinburgh is 88 miles southwest, while Hetton-le-Hole is 228 miles southeast of Brechin.

Brechin is the fourth largest settlement in Angus, behind Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose. At the 2022 Scottish Census, Brechin had a population of 7,186.

To put this into perspective, the little town I live in, Hetton-Le-Hole, has a population of 8,974, while my hometown, Uttoxeter, has a population of 14,014.

Brechin takes its name from the Celtic language, but historians disagree about its original meaning. However, there are three plausible suggestions:

• Named for the Druid leader, Broichan, or a Druidical centre of justice – Brehon. This is due to Brechin’s (and Angus’) connections with the Welsh Druids after their exile from Wales by the Romans.
• The town could take its name from the Irish prince Brychan – also associated with Wales and possibly the same person who inspired the name Brecon.
• In the Gaelic language, ‘Bri-achan’, means ‘the place of slopes, or braes’, providing another possibility.

Picts, Druids and Religion (and Motorbike Heritage)

Historians connect Brechin and the wider Angus area with the ancient Pictish tribe, and some suggest Brechin may have served as the centre of their religious culture. The Romans gave the Picts their name because they tattooed designs (pictures) on their bodies.

With the spread of Christianity, the Druids became obsolete, and Brechin transferred its worship from Druidism to Christianity.

Before the Scottish Reformation, Brechin’s 13th-century Cathedral was the seat of a Roman Catholic Diocese. The accompanying ‘Irish-style‘ Round Tower dates back even earlier, to the 11th century.

Until 1857, the Davidson family resided in a cottage in Brechin. After emigrating to the United States, Scottish-born William C. Davidson later co-founded the Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

The idea came from three Harley-Davidson enthusiasts in 2008, and since then people have maintained the family home as the ‘Davidson Legacy Cottage‘.

Caledonian Railway and the Brechin-Montrose Line

Textiles and whisky drove Brechin’s economy, and the town needed an efficient way to transport large quantities of its produce to sustain its growth.

Engineers constructed Brechin’s first railway line as early as 1848, and though closed in 1952, it remained open only to freight until 1981.

It reopened partially in 1993, as part of the Caledonian Railway (Brechin). Managed and run by a private limited company consisting of steam rail enthusiasts, to preserve the railway line between Brechin and Montrose.

So far, they have reinstated and preserved four miles of track between Brechin and Bridge of Dun, and refurbished both railway stations. This railway is now a top tourist attraction in the area.

Brechin sometimes hosts the annual Angus Show, a celebration of rural activities and entertainment. In 2026, the event will take place on 6th June at the Brechin Castle Showground.

On 19th October 2023, large-scale evacuations of Brechins residents occurred after Storm Babet caused widespread flooding in the area.

Notable People from Brechin

Television producer, George Gallaccio – architect, Alexander Ross – portrait artist, Colvin Smith – keyboardist, Peter-John Vettese (Jethro Tull) and radar pioneer, Sir Robert Alexander Watson-Watt, who has a statue in the town.

Footballers, Jimmy Easson and Arthur Milne.

A Stroll Around Brechin

Disembarking at the Northern Hotel, I walked along Swan Street and the High Street, taking a little alleyway known as Bishop’s Close, towards the cathedral.

Upon arrival, it was disappointing to see padlocks on closed gates.

Yep, the staff had locked up the cathedral.

I took a few photos anyway, but obviously limited to what I could see, so I have found a YouTube video that shows it off better than I can.

As I have said before, I’m not, by any means, a religious person, but I admire the architecture, and the cathedral is an integral part of the Brechin City club crest.

Disappointment hung heavy in my throat, and the only known cure is washing it away with beer.

With this in mind, I worked my way back up to Market Street to the quirkily-named Dalhousie Bar.

Dalhousie Bar

Inside is a single room with a bar in the centre. Barstools, a few tables, and chairs make up the seating.

I ordered myself a nice, refreshing pint of Tennents, costing £3.90, before settling at a table in the corner.

A large TV screen above the bar was showing the Red Bull Soapbox Challenge. I’ve never seen it before, but it was fun to watch. Some of the soapboxes looked doomed to fail, and did, while others completed the course without too much incident.

A replica of Michael Schumacher’s 1993 Bennetton F1 car took the honours with a flawless performance.

It kept me entertained while I supped my beer.

If you have no idea what I’m on about, do yourself a favour and have a laugh at the video I’ve posted below.

With time passing and a 2 pm kick-off looming, I decided to head towards Glebe Park.

I walked along Swan Street, left onto Clark Street, and straight over the roundabout onto Trinity Road.

A few yards along Trinity Road is a right turn onto Glebe Park’s approach road, affording me my first view of the stadium.

Brechin City – Glebe Park

Getting In

I purchased my ticket for today’s game from the Fanbase App for £12.00.

You can also pay at the gate, though tickets are preferred. Having had my ticket scanned, I walked inside and immediately noticed the monstrosity at one corner of the stand ahead…

A statue of William Wallace, or more accurately, Mel Gibson in a skirt!

While in the Dalhousie Bar, I had let one of my mutual Twitter followers know that I had made it. She asked how she would recognise me. I said, “I will be the one looking confused, walking around taking photographs.”

That description fit perfectly as I stood taking a picture of Mel, and Lorna immediately recognised the confused photographer and came walking over to say hi.

The real William Wallace would probably roll in his grave at seeing this.

What do you think?

I asked Lorna what the connection between William Wallace (or Mel Gibson) was, and apparently, there isn’t one. It seems the sculptor, Tom Church from Brechin, just likes Mel.

Sorry, Tom! Not for me.

Next stop was the club shop, which was near the statue of Mel.

Unfortunately, I was so perturbed by the statue that I completely forgot to get a photo of the club shop. It is basically a portacabin painted in the Brechin colours of red and white.

Inside, it stocks the usual memorabilia, including scarves, replica shirts, etc. Sadly, Brechin City don’t do printed programmes, but I did get a pin badge and a free team sheet. Glebe Park is something of a bucket list ground for me, so I also purchased a scarf.

Lorna was kind enough to use her season ticket discount card on my purchases, meaning I paid a little less.

Team Sheet

Entry to Glebe Park was via the North end of the ground, though there is another, smaller entrance at the southwest corner, at the cemetery end.

North Stand

The North Stand is the one that you see as you walk towards the ground from Trinity Road.

It is the largest structure in Glebe Park and provides the majority of the stadium’s seating (1,228).

Sited within the concourse is the City Bar, Brechin City’s clubhouse. More about that later on, with a visit after the game.

Constructed in the early 1990s (I couldn’t find a specific year mentioned), Brechin benefited from a Football Trust grant of £210,000, plus sponsorship from the Stewart Milne group. 

There is also a snack/refreshments bar in the northeast corner, adjacent to the famous hedge.

For reasons I will mention later, I decided not to buy any snacks.

I see you smirking, Lorna!

East Side

The east side brings us to the most talked-about hedge in football.

I was lucky enough to see the hedge in all its autumnal glory, with red, orange, and gold colours lighting up this side of Glebe Park.

Aside from the magnificent shrubbery, a two-step shallow terrace provides standing room, and three floodlights are spaced along its length.

There is also a small hut, from which video of the games seems to be recorded.

South Terrace

The south terrace, or as it is known locally, ‘the Ghostie End’, due to the cemetery behind it, is a chevron-shaped, covered terrace.

The terrace has six steps, with a row of crush barriers on the fifth step.

At the rear of the terrace is a set of handprints in the concrete, each with a little plaque above it.

I only looked at a small number of them, but they appeared to be club dignitaries, ex-players, and chairmen, all recorded in concrete for posterity.

There is also another turnstile in the southwest corner, leading to Panmure Street via the cemetery path.

West Side

The west side features the main stand, built in 1981, with 290 seats under cover.

It has a quirky design, seemingly stretched into a tall, but narrow format.

On either side of the stand are the player dressing rooms, with each team having its own entrance to the pitch.

A throwback to Covid restrictions, or has it always been like that?

The technical dugouts are also on either side of the stand, with three more floodlights strewn along the side of the pitch.

Another less spoken about hedge runs along the west side, and though not quite so impressive in thickness, it is still a hedge that you wouldn’t be able to hop unless you were a pole vaulter.

There is also a gents toilet block that took me back a few decades… Remember the old toilets in the away end at Barnsley’s Oakwell ground, or York City‘s Bootham Crescent?

Yeah, those.

Glebe Park Gallery

Brechin City Tidbits

The Brechin City Football Club was founded in 1906.

Formed from the amalgamation of two junior sides, Brechin Harp and Brechin Hearts, City played in local leagues until being elected to the Scottish Football League in 1923.

As a result of this formation, Brechin Harp folded, though Brechin Hearts continued as a junior side until the outbreak of World War I.

A team featuring nine local players won the club’s first silverware in 1909/10, with the capture of the Forfarshire Cup. They have won the trophy three more times, most recently in 1996/97.

In 1919, the club moved to Glebe Park, which has been its home ground ever since.

With the formation of the Third Division in 1923, Brechin were one of the teams that benefited from the expansion. However, both they and the new division found life challenging. Brechin finished bottom in their first two seasons, and in 1925/26, they and the Third Division left the SFL.

With the departure of both Bathgate and Arthurlie, Brechin rejoined the SFL in 1929/30, as part of the Second Division.

Life was still hard for them, however, and they spent much of the pre-Second World War years struggling in the bottom half.

Highlighting these struggles were 10-0 defeats against Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers and Cowdenbeath in the 1937/38 season. Incidentally, these clubs are all part of the ‘missing’ Hopper tales from early on in my Hopping adventures.

At some point, I will revisit them and write a review.

Post-War

Following the Second World War, Brechin City joined the C Division, a mix of reserve teams and clubs without full SFA membership.

By 1953/54, the Hedgemen were back as full members of the league, and despite finishing bottom in their first season back, the fifties proved a relatively successful period. City managed four top-half finishes and reached the semi-final of the 1957/58 League Cup.

The sixties and seventies proved a little more difficult, however, and twice they finished bottom of the league two years running, between 1961-63 and again between 1972-74.

With the league restructured again ahead of the 74/75 campaign, Brechin found themselves in the third tier (Division Two).

The advent of a new main stand and the introduction of floodlights to Glebe Park ushered in a new wave of optimism around the club.

In 1982/83, Brechin achieved its first-ever league title win under chairman David Will. Will was also the SFA’s vice-president and would later become a vice-president of FIFA. Ex-Dundee player Ian Fleming managed the club at the time, and Brechin beat Meadowbank Thistle to the title by a solitary point.

Finishing fifth in their first season at new heights, relegation followed two seasons later.

With its newfound confidence, however, the club won its second title in 1989/90, edging out Kilmarnock.

Yo-Yo Years

The nineties saw the club yo-yo between the bottom two divisions. There were four relegations (with the introduction of a fourth tier) and two promotions between 1990/91 and the end of the decade.

Under the stewardship of Scottish management legend Dick Campbell, Brechin won the Third Division (4th tier) title in the 2001/02 season. They won back-to-back promotions, finishing runner-up in their return to the Second Division.

That season also saw them beaten in the Scottish Challenge Cup, losing 2-0 to Queen of the South at the Broadwood Stadium.

Though relegated immediately after, they gained promotion again with another Second Division title in 2004/05.

With Dick Campbell moving on to Partick Thistle, the club struggled under twin brother, Ian, and was relegated once more.

The club celebrated its centenary in 2009, playing a prestigious friendly against Ipswich Town at Glebe Park.

Several play-off disappointments preceded successful playoff games against Raith Rovers and Alloa Athletic, which saw Brechin promoted to the Championship in 2016/17.

This success ultimately proved to be disastrous for the club, and they finished 2017/18 with zero wins, the only club to ever do so. Subsequent back-to-back demotions relegated them from the Championship to the bottom tier.

With the club at the bottom of League Two, Covid granted them a stay of execution for a season, but the following season saw Brechin City’s demise from the SFL.

Highland League

On the 23rd of May, 2021, Kelty Hearts completed a 3-1 aggregate win in the relegation/promotion playoffs, sentencing City to life in the Highland League.

What this means in real terms is a struggle to attract players willing to travel long distances to places such as Brora Rangers and Wick Academy in the north of Scotland.

In their first season at the new level, with equilibrium restored, the club finished third. The following season saw them win the Highland League title and gain a chance at restoring their SFL status.

Defeat against the Lowland League champions, The Spartans, scuppered that hope.

Brechin are a big fish in the Highland League and expect to be at, or near the top, each year, with this season being no different.

However, achieving promotion back to the SFL proves complicated.

Apart from having to beat the Lowland League champions, the winners then have to go on and defeat the League Two’s bottom-placed team over two legs.

It seems cruel and unnecessary to place this task on teams, and in my opinion, the winner of the Highland/Lowland League playoff should be promoted in place of the bottom League Two side.

However, that is beyond my powers to grant, so more power to the likes of Brechin in regaining their league status in the near future.

They Played for Brechin City

Derek Addison, Kevin Bain, Hugh Baird, Connor Barron, David Bates, Dick Beattie, John Bourke, Garry Brady, Alex Burns, Aidan Connolly, Paddy Connolly, Iain Davidson, Shaun Dennis, Darren Dods, Ian Fleming, Bobby Geddes, Dennis Gillespie, Danny Grainger, Colin Hampton, David Hannah, Grant Johnson, Garry Kenneth, Alan Kernaghan, Albert Kidd, Dave Mackay, Scott McCulloch, Kevin McHattie, Rory McKenzie, Connor McLennan, Ally Mitchell, Ian Mitchell, Ian Murray, Craig Nelson, Derek O’Connor, Donald Park, Graeme Payne, Ian Redford, Derek Riordan, Harry Ritchie, Scott Robertson, Jamie Robson, Tam Scobbie, Martin Scott, Cillian Sheridan, Justin Skinner, Barry Smith, Gregor Stevens, Blair Sturrock, Scott Thomson, Allan Walker, Graham Weir, Craig Wighton, and John Young.

Stoke City 🤝 Brechin City

As you know, I like to find connections between the teams I visit and my own Stoke City. I was delighted to find out that Michael O’Neill began his management career at Glebe Park, while the Souttar family have strong roots here, too.

Harry Souttar was a colossus for Stoke during his time at the club, the closest thing I have seen to an Alan Hansen-type defender I have seen since.

It’s disappointing to see his career stall at Leicester and Sheffield United since leaving us, but who knows, he may return one day. He would surely be welcome!

Harry began his career with Brechin City’s boys’ academy before moving to Celtic and Dundee United‘s youth academies.

Pre-Game View of Glebe Park

Brechin City v Turriff United – The Game

Form

Coming into today’s game, Brechin City stand in 3rd place in the Highland League, while Turriff United are 13th of 18.

Of 14 games played, The Hedgemen have won 10, drawn two and lost 2, scoring 44 goals while conceding just 10.

During October, City played three games, beating Inverurie Locos 2-1 and Wick Academy 5-1. The other match was lost 1-0 at home to league leaders Fraserburgh.

City’s last scheduled match was on 1st November, but was abandoned at halftime. A medical emergency occurred in the crowd, during which a Nairn County supporter sadly passed away.

Turriff United have also played 14 games, winning 3, drawing six and losing 5. In those games, they have scored 20 goals, while conceding 24.

In October, they played 2 Highland League games, drawing both games. More encouragingly, they defeated Nairn County 21 to progress to the 3rd Round of the Scottish Cup.

They also began November with a draw against Strathspey Thistle on the 1st.

Turriff United have been difficult to beat in recent weeks, though I expect Brechin City to do just that, and quite comfortably.

Pre-match prediction: Brechin City 4 Turriff United 1

Kick-Off

Summary

The first half was 35 seconds old when Adam Hutchinson had to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder. He had only just been reinstated to the side after coming back from injury, poor guy.

I make no apology for not taking videos during the game. I put people over things like that and chose to stand watching the game with Lorna. The only brief video I took is below, and it shows a Turriff player being wrongly called offside.

Do your own DIY VAR on it, and you will see.

The first half was a scrappy affair, with neither team dominating nor creating too many chances.

With the score locked at 0-0 as the players went in at halftime, my 4-1 prediction was looking a little optimistic.

Second Half

The second half saw Brechin playing with a little more swagger, and they took the lead just five minutes in.

Grady McGrath volleyed Harry Craig’s cross from the right-hand side into the net from 12 yards out to put the hosts in front.

In the 68th minute, Kieran Sweeney made it two with a close-range header.

With 15 minutes remaining, Sweeney got his second and Brechin’s third, with another header at the back stick.

Turriff got a consolation goal with a minute left on the clock, giving me a faint hope of getting another prediction right.

Despite Brechin pushing, the goal didn’t come, but I take solace in being so close.

You can read a full Match Report here, courtesy of the Brechin City website.

Full-time – Brechin City 3 Turriff United 1

Attendance – 431

Entrance Fee – £12.00

Programme – N/A (Free team sheet available from the club shop)

Match Highlights

If and when match highlights become available, I will post them here.

League Table After Today’s Game

Up Next

Next up for Brechin City is another home fixture versus Keith (19th), before travelling to Lossiemouth on the 22nd.

Then, a huge fixture, as they travel to League One’s Kelty Hearts in the Scottish Cup 3rd Round, to end the month (29th).

December begins with a return to Glebe Park, with Nairn County the visitors on the 6th.

Turriff pick up again with another tough away tie at Buckie Thistle on the 19th.

A home game with Banks O’Dee is followed by a fantastic away day at Ayr United‘s Somerset Park (29th) in the Scottish Cup 3rd Round.

Back in league action, December begins with a home game versus Deveronvale on the 13th.

Brechin City Thoughts

Brechin City lived up to all of my expectations!

A quirky football ground, the famous hedge, almost a correct score prediction and some lovely people.

Top of that list has to be Lorna, who made me very welcome at her adopted club and generously donated two Forfar bridies to my Go-Fat-Me Fund.

Thanks for your company and for making sure I found everything I needed, Lorna!

The people in the City Bar after the game were equally friendly, and it was nice to see some of the players joining the fans in there, too.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to a Highland League game, and Turriff United played their part, too, providing Brechin a challenge, particularly in the first half.

It’s a shame that the cathedral was closed, but even worse was the old church on Panmure Street, which it seems has been closed since around 2005.

I’m sure it will end up as an Indian Restaurant or Turkish barbers at some point. However, I’d love to see someone convert it into a concert hall for music, or something.

Failing that, maybe someone can buy it, renovate it, and donate it to Hoppers Guide? I’d love to live in an old church, for some reason.

In terms of negatives, there are only small moans, to the point of pettiness.

The lack of a printed programme is always a bone of contention for me, though the free team sheet at least lets you see who is playing.

It would be nice to see draft beer available in the City Bar, too. Maybe just Tennents and Guinness to start with, and see how it goes.

All in all, for anyone unsure about heading to Brechin City, I have two words… Do it!

After the Game

Following the final whistle, I followed Lorna to where she had parked her car on Panmure Street.

Remember when I said I didn’t buy any food from the snack bar? That is because Lorna, who knows of my pastry and meat fetish, was kind enough to bring me a couple of Forfar bridies.

For the uninitiated, these are large savoury pasties containing minced beef and onion.

I thanked Lorna, and we said our goodbyes as I headed back to the ground and the City Bar.

The match had been moved from its original 3 pm kick-off time to 2 pm. This left me with plenty of time to stay and enjoy a pint in the clubhouse before going for my ride home.

The City Bar

Inside the concourse of the North Stand is the City Bar.

Inside it was crowded, with away supporters welcome, though I didn’t notice any.

The bar is on the left as you walk in, and I ordered a can of Tennents (no draft beer), costing £3.50.

With no seats available anywhere else, I managed to find a stool at the bar.

The people inside were very friendly, and I had a few chats with them. It seemed each person I chatted to wanted to tell a friend about me and my hobby, and I was kept entertained throughout my time there.

A couple of players also came into the bar, including the man of the match, Ethan Crombie. The 16-year-old has signed for Brechin on loan from Dundee, has played two games for the Hedgemen and been man of the match on both occasions.

A good start for the highly rated youngster!

Amusingly, he was jokingly presented with a can of Irn Bru, as he isn’t old enough to receive alcohol, which drew much laughter.

Another presentation was made to Fraser MacLeod, who made his 150th appearance in the 3-1 win.

He was presented with a bottle of whiskey to mark the milestone, though he admitted he didn’t like whiskey (What?!) and put it behind the bar for customers to have some.

Thank you, Fraser! I do like whiskey, and it was a lovely chaser for my Tennents.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the City Bar, and a big thank you to all the Brechin supporters who chatted with me and made me welcome.

Homeward Bound

As time moved on, I realised I had better get moving to catch my bus.

With train times from Montrose not allowing me to get home, I found a good alternative.

Ember buses operate a fleet of electric buses linking the major cities and towns of Scotland. This service made today’s trip possible, and I was delighted to discover it.

I waited for the bus at the Bank Street bus stop, which, confusingly, is on Panmure Street.

The service arrived on schedule, and I boarded the bus. At some stage, more passengers boarded, and by now, the service was busy.

A young guy sat next to me, proclaiming that I had drawn the short straw. I said, “How do you know you haven’t drawn the short straw?”

He laughed and we got chatting. Fascinated by my groundhopping exploits, by the time he got off at Dundee, he was telling all his friends how awesome I was. 😂

Thank you for making some of the journey go faster, I guess neither of us drew the short straw, my friend.

Edinburgh

We arrived in Edinburgh at 20:15, bang on schedule, and I have to say, I’m very impressed with Ember’s service.

Dropped off on George Street, it was just a short walk from Princes Street and Waverley Station.

It was nice seeing the Scott Memorial illuminated and the fairground attractions on Princes Street. Edinburgh really is a great city.

The train was already on Platform 4 when I arrived and set off at 20:56.

An uneventful journey that may have included a few deep-breathing exercises with eyes closed ended in Newcastle at 22:20.

Excellent timing, with an X1 due in around fifteen minutes…

Or so I thought. It actually arrived at 11:18, and I finally got some value from my parka coat.

I arrived through my front door around 00:15, around 17 and a half hours after catching my first bus of the day.

Another successful and lengthy Hop in the books!

Next Up for Hoppers Guide

Next week is a special occasion at Hoppers Guide HQ!

It will be a landmark game, with our 200th ground visited. Of course, not all of these are documented, and many took place before this website was set up.

Still, a huge chunk of them are here, and the question becomes, “Where do I go to mark the occasion?”

The Etihad? The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Anfield? The Emirates? Villa Park? Do we get more exotic still and head overseas to somewhere like the San Siro?

Nope, to all of the above.

We have chosen a historic ground, rather than one where money is the prime objective these days. A place where history oozes from every pore.

Sandygate, the home of Hallam Football Club, holds the record of the world’s oldest football ground still in continuous use.

Non-league has become very important to me in recent years, as I believe this is where the true spirit of football still pulses.

There is no VAR, no diving, no shirt-pulling, and no cheating at every opportunity here. Here, you won’t see VAR, diving, shirt-pulling, or constant cheating. It feels just like football when I was younger – hard but fair.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to visiting this historic old ground.

Onto the next!

EDIT: A missed alarm call meant that I got out of bed just as my train was leaving Durham. This means that Guiseley AFC would turn out to be ground #200.

Hopper Tales #158 – Bo’ness United

Hopper Tales #160 – Guiseley AFC