Hoppers do it Anywhere
The Final Furlong This weekend sees us heading to Cheltenham Town’s Whaddon Road via a relocated Hoppers Guide HQ. A visit to see family and friends in Uttoxeter for the weekend, and of course, a trip to a new ground thrown in along the way. Ironically, Uttoxeter and Cheltenham are both renowned for horse racing,…
Heading to the Orient No, I’m not going on holiday to the Far East, but off to Leyton Orient and their Brisbane Road stadium. Brisbane Road (the BetWright Stadium, if you prefer) is a bit of a bucket list ground for me, but I can’t really explain why. I recall watching an FA Cup game…
A Step Closer to 42 This week, we make a return to Scotland, Montrose, to be specific! I always look forward to a trip over the border, and this is another step closer to completing the 42 grounds of the SPFL. Officially, Montrose will be the 35th Scottish League ground that we have visited. However,…
Class of ’92 – A ’25 Update This week saw us heading to Greater Manchester for a League Two game between Salford City and Accrington Stanley. Think of Salford City and you inevitably think about United’s ‘Class of ’92’ and their takeover in ownership of the club. Brothers Phil and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan…
Chester-Field-Trip This Saturday we are travelling south, to North Derbyshire for the game between Chesterfield and Barrow AFC. The game is part of the restart of the Football League, with both League One and League Two kicking off their seasons. Unfortunately, I never got to visit Chesterfield’s old ground, Saltergate, and I really wish I…
New Beginning for Newbiggin AFC Newbiggin are one of the latest two teams to join the Northern League for the first time in their history. They join Durham United in their newly-earned NL Division Two status and will look to kick off the new season with a bang. That won’t be an easy task, with…
Change of Plans Spennymoor Town versus Stockport County wasn’t my original plan for this weekend, but what a great substitute! Discovering the cancellation of Morpeth Town‘s friendly against Hartlepool United on Thursday, I did what any self-respecting Hopper would do – grab my phone and load up the Futbology app. It didn’t take long for…
Back to Grassroots (Atchoo!) The 2025/26 Hoppers Guide season starts with a friendly game between Brandon United and Esh Winning. Not the sort of glamour tie that kids dream of, maybe, but two local sides where community means more than money. After my successful avoidance of the horrendous Club World Cup, while players should have…
FA Vase Final: AFC Whyteleafe vs. Whitstable Town After ten games across nine rounds spanning multiple counties and teams from many different leagues, Steve Sharman’s journey through the 24/25 FA Vase reaches a thrilling conclusion. The final sees him travel to Wembley following Kent side Whitstable Town, who take on AFC Whyteleafe. All photographs are…
Upon the Fields of Barley St. Johnstone versus Ross County was one of the more exciting encounters of the weekend to be heading to in Scotland. Both sides are stuck squarely in a relegation battle, with the Saints bottom of the Scottish Premier League and Ross County one place above them. Anything but a win…