Welcome to Volume Two of my blog which covers all clubs and stadiums outside the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for keeping them going and their maintenance.

Since I was a little lad I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds and see games wherever possible.

I was fortunate that my Dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches. As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look.

I hope this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and maybe one day set you on the road to adventure. If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends and stories to pass on to future generations.

Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!

Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my Dad Bob Bernard and my Mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul who gave me the chance and encouragement to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement and Sally and Stan who inspire and give me great pride. Stan is showing a keen interest in my hobby as he grows into a young man!

Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. If you want to see any ground reviewed please let me know. It will take quite some time for everywhere to appear, but make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated.

If you click on a lot of the pictures you will get a larger version on your screen.

I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.

Click here to see volume one of HAOTW for everything in the English League System.

Rob Bernard

London

May 2020

Monday 23 February 2015

Balestier Khalsa (Singapore)

Balestier Khalsa FC is a football club from Singapore who were formed from a merger in 2002 to compete in the S. League.

The merger came from the following clubs:

Balestier Central FC was formed on the 10th October 1898 as Fathul Karib FC, playing in the Farrer Park area of the island. The club lifted the Singapore Cup in 1958, before changing their name to .Balestier United Recreation Club in April 1975 at which point they joined the inaugural National League. 

In 1988 Balestier joined the Singapore Premier League, which was the forerunner to the S. League. The national cup was won once more in 1992. As a founder member of the S. League in 1996 the club changed its name to Balestier Central.


Clementi Khalsa FC served the Sikh community of Singapore playing out of Clementi Stadium as they joined the S. League in 1999.

Following the merger the club took up residence at Toa Payoh Stadium and won the League Cup Plate in 2012 after a decade of average league finishes. They went one better in September 2013 as DPMM were hammered 4-0 as the League Cup was won.

The experienced German coach Marko Kraljević took over team affairs in the 2014 season with the first ever marquee signing, the Croatian striker Goran Ljubojević providing the goals.

Balestier Khalsa FC will play in the S. League in the 2015 season.


My visit

Wednesday 29th October 2014

Few things in life give me as much satisfaction as a day off in a new area with a travel pass and information about local football. I needed no second invitation to go out and explore.


Determined to keep to a strict budget and live like a local, I’d eaten chicken and rice at a small café at Aljunied station. Getting to Toa Payoh necessitated a couple of changes, whci took some getting used to; as did standing on the left of the escalator rather than the right, as in London.

Eventually I arrived, and was soon out in the searing heat. Fortunately the stadium didn’t seem too far away according to my pre-printed map. Indeed, I thought it was closer than I thought, only to find out the first towering stand and floodlights belonged to adjoining swimming complex.

The Toa Payoh Stadium was just a little further. The gates were open and locals were using the athletics track around the pitch as well as a pleasant path inside the arena.


The Main Stand ran the full length of one side. Like most structures in Singapore, the majority was taken up by large smooth concrete steps but only the centre had proper plastic seating. The far side had a section of open seating as did both curves behind the goal.

I walked all the way around the arena to take advantage of all angles for photos. It really was a stunning day, but the humidity was soon taking effect. I wasn’t upset to catch a bus back to the interchange, even though it was a short distance. The water inside the complex really was appreciated.

I was under way on my first groundhop in Singapore and first impressions were good!


Unfortunately on my return I had a bit of a disaster with my laptop, losing most of my Singapore pictures. Therefore most images on this page have been taken from the internet.









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