Amway Center - Orlando Magic

 Amway Centre - Orlando Magic - 2012

This was my first basketball game let alone NBA game. However it couldn't have been in a better venue for all a culmination of firsts! Orlando magic moved to to the Center (American spelling) in 2011 after the demolition of their previous home which they had played in since 1989. The new ground looks awesome, retains the downtown location and allegedly has the largest video screen in the whole NBA.

The arena is impressive! Both outside (with food and drink stalls and bands playing in the street) and inside.

At half time we were treated to a magician and then, at seemingly random intervals, a giant inflatable fashioned in the shape of an obese aircraft, hovered dangerously from the rafters and dropped money-off coupons towards U.S internal flights. Completely bewildering. I was however massively impressed with the skill of the players and the impeccable observation of the national anthem!

I can't comment on the game but the fans leaving in droves before the end of the game said it all. This was a play off game (of which there seem to be several hundred) and not even free T-shirts would be enough to entice the fans back!

Here are the photos:

Citrus Bowl - Orlando City F.C

Citrus Bowl - Orlando City F.C - 2012

Since writing this article Orlando City F.C are now an MLS franchise with their own home stadium! How things have changed!

The Citrus Bowl is close to downtown Orlando and although it can hold 70,000 people (normally for concerts and College Football) there were closer to 2000 people in the stadium to see Orlando City play Richmond Kickers (I have no idea...).

The ground is showing it's age now. It hosted 6 games during the 1994 world cup and it looks like it hasn't been changed since. Due to Florida's generous weather the Stadium has no roof on any of the three stands (one open end for concerts) and the concourses and staircases are all open to try and keep the place cool!

Best thing about soccer in America? Beer! Not so much the price or the quality but the fact I was sat watching the game I love, LIVE, with a can of cold beer. It was pure magic. Worst aspect? The word 'Hooligan' has translated badly from one band of wankers to another. They have two groups of fans called 'Ultras' (fine by me, a lot of clubs have started this as a moniker for colourful fans) and a group called 'Hooligans' which they appear to think means the same thing. Oh dear...

The game ended 0-0 which suited me (although it is the furthest i've travelled for a goaless draw) but you could see why the game may not catch on in the state. Low scoring and no overtime for a draw. Florida would definitely benefit from a MLS franchise, especially with all the expats. There is an increasing market for the game and given time, Orlando City in the MLS would be extremely popular and possibly rival New York Red Bull and L.A Galaxy. They just need to stop giving teams such terrible names.

With this visit to Florida it was also evident just how much more popular football has become. Most American fans in the state seem to follow Chelsea at the moment and I saw blue kits everywhere! This will probably change to light blue when I return in 2013! 

So here are a more of a  selection of pictures from the ground and the game! Enjoy!

Elland Road East Stand Redevelopment

Elland Road East Stand Redevelopment - 2012

 Uncle Ken's vanity project! Where's our museum!

The east stand now has the caved in bit filled in and new boxes inside the ground. It now looks even newer than the rest of the very old Elland Road stadium!

The Abbey Stadium - Cambridge United F.C

The Abbey Stadium - Cambridge United F.C - 2012

I moved to Cambridge on 9th January 2012 to start a new job. A few weekends later (28th to be exact) I had a free weekend so took myself down to see Cambridge United play Tamworth in a Conference fixture - or Blue Square Premier as it is now known.

Cambridge moved here in the 1930's having previously played on Parker's Piece (famous for the 'Cambridge Rules' used by the FA as a basis for the modern game rules).

This is a division K's found themselves in not so long ago but on the basis of the football I saw I would say that this level has improved significantly. When K's played in the conference, only Rushden and Diamonds were full-time professionals (ironically they no longer exist). Now you would be hard pressed to find a majority of conference teams being semi-professional. I have no idea how they can afford it!

The game ended 1-1 and two things stood out aside from the quality of the game:

1. Half the stadium was empty. It was Saturday and Cambridge isn't a small city. It also has a massive student population!

2. Tamworth brought about 5 fans. They celebrated what was a well taken goal like they had won the World Cup.

Cambridge could have won 5-1 but Tamworth's keeper played the game of his life and Cambridge clearly need a decent striker, something that seems to make all the difference at this level!

Selhurst Park - Crystal Palace F.C

Sellhurst Park - Crystal Palace F.C - 2012

Leeds were lucky to get a draw against Crystal Palace in one of the coldest away games I've attended in my life. I managed so stay warm by pacing on the spot and drinking weak tea.

Selhurst Park is your classic old-school stadium which is surrounded by streets and houses. I collected my ticket from a hatch in some old brickwork. I couldn't see who I was speaking to and was relieved when the envelope which came forthwith contained only my match ticket!

Apparently Coke Zero were doing a free promotion and as you can imagine Leeds fans took it upon themselves to liberally lob small cans of the stuff all over the place.

The game itself was pretty uneventful. Boring and cold. The home fans are clearly used to having a ref on their side. He gave an impartial performance and was subsequently booed off the pitch. Bewildering.

With this one ticked off the list (though I'd been here previously to watch Wimbledon vs Norwich in front of about 2000 people) I don't think I want to do this particular away day again any time soon!

Imperial Fields - Tooting and Mitcham F.C

Imperial Fields - Tooting and Mitcham F.C - 2011

Welcome to 'The Hub'. A leisure and recreation arena incorporating state of the art astroturf pitches and community center. Home to Tooting and Mitcham F.C. 

Let's rewind for a second. 

'The Hub' seem to have lost money and interest in the club they used to own. Imperial Fields has the potential to be a great place and should still be gleaming. It's practically brand new. Unfortunately Tooting and Mitcham F.C are unwanted tennants. The ground is covered in mould, weeds and bird excerement. 'The Hub' are more interested in income from Chelsea Ladies. It's a real shame.

Kingstonian are playing some pretty poor football this season. They were fortunate to win 4-1 here and I must admit that despite the relative ease of getting to the stadium this is one I really dislike. A new build that has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

Definitely not a classic non-league ground by any stretch of the imagination

The Boleyn Ground - West Ham United

The Boleyn Ground - West Ham United - 2011

Since this article was written West Ham United have moved to the old 2012 olympic stadium in Stratford which I am yet to visit. The Boleyn ground is no more.

More commonly referred to as 'Upton Park' (which is one of the roads the ground is on and the name of the nearest tube station). West Ham were relegated at the end of the 2010/11 season and so was immediately one of the fixtures I was looking forward to. The Boleyn ground has one large stand with ghastly castle cladding on it which serves as there main stand. Leeds were on the lower tier of the Sir Trevor Brooking stand with the 'Chicken Run' to the left. The old stand used to have a lower terraced tier with chicken wire surrounding it and was where West Ham's more vocal fans were kept. The game ended 2-2 which was about fair.

A good day out. Nice fans who provided a good atmosphere and I even got followed down Green Street by some Stone Island wearing teenagers for the complete experience! A great football stadium!