Around the Grounds in Scotland

Hi everyone and welcome back for the penultimate blog!  This away trip once again took place midweek, this time a trip down to Somerset Park, the home to Ayr United. Somerset Park is a very traditional styled stadium, in fact it was originally constructed before Ayr United were established. The stadium was first opened in 1888 and remains predominantly terracing as it only has one stand that provides a seating facility for spectators. Somerset Park’s maximum capacity is just over 10,000 however, only just over 1,500 are seated which is very rare in this modern era.  Now for my matchday experience! This fixture was actually rearranged as the previous match was postponed due to the Queen’s passing. This is relevant as I had already purchased my ticket prior to the original match and Ayr provided the facility to use this for the rearranged game. In addition, Ayr offered any fans a full refund who could not attend the rescheduled match. I chose to travel via car as opposed to supporters’ b

Hi everyone and welcome back for blog number three of five!  This time my trip was a midweek outing to Pittodrie, the home of Aberdeen for the Scottish Cup Quarter Final. Before discussing my matchday experience I’ll provide a brief overview of the venue itself. Pittodrie remains a very historical stadium having originally been built back in 1899, and in 1903 became home to the only Scottish football team to have won two European trophies, Aberdeen FC. Pittodrie has been significant in notable introductions, it was the first stadium in the UK to become all seated as well as allowing Aberdeen to be the first club to use a dugout. Pittodrie has four stands which surround the pitch and provides a total capacity for spectators of just over 20,000.  Now that general summary has been covered, I’ll move on to cover my matchday experience! There were once again two ticket options provided for this fixture, either purchase a ticket in advance from the Partick Thistle ticket office or a pay at t

Hi everyone and welcome back for blog number two of five! This time my trip took me to one of the smaller Scottish Championship stadiums, New Douglas Park, the home of Hamilton Academical. Before providing a detailed review of my matchday experience I will provide a very brief overview of the stadium itself. New Douglas Park is a relatively modern stadium having been built in 2001 to replace the Original Douglas Park. The stadium has two purpose built stands situated at one side and one end of the pitch as well as a temporary stand at the other side of the pitch which only operates when the existing capacity is insufficient. The stadium’s maximum capacity currently stands at just over 6,000, this includes 700 seats which are accommodated within the temporary stand.  Now you have a brief understanding of the venue, it’s time to cover my matchday experience! There were two ticket options offered to away fans, pre purchase e-ticket available online or a pay at the gate facility. I chose t

Hi everyone and welcome to blog number one of five!  The best place for me to begin would be from the final weekend of July, for the first game of the Scottish Championship season, an away trip to Dens Park, the home of Dundee FC. Before providing a detailed breakdown of my matchday experience, I will provide a brief overview of the venue; Dens Park is one of Scotland’s oldest football stadiums after first opening in 1899, the stadium is situated on the same street and a couple hundred yards from Tannadice, home to their neighbouring rivals Dundee United, thus making them the closest together stadiums in the UK. The stadium, which was most recently renovated in 1998, a full century on from originally opening, currently has a maximum capacity of just over 11,500 and a very old-fashioned setup.  Now on to my matchday experience! Firstly, prior to the match there were two ticket options provided; the first being a pre purchase e-ticket via the online website or the standard pay at the gat