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 their maintenance and keeping clubs going.

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 as possible and see games where I can. 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 that this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and 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 to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement along with my wonderful wife Taew who must be confused as to why I go to what she must consider meaningless matches.

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. 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.

https://worldgroundhop.blogspot.com/ leads to see volume one of HAOTW for everything in the English League System.

Rob Bernard, Sisaket, Thailand, May 2024

Wednesday 13 May 2020

Dalry Thistle (Scotland)


Dalry Thistle FC who were formed in 1920 are a Scottish Junior or non-league football club from the small town of Dalry, which is located in the Garnock Valley in Ayrshire.

Thistle were crowned Ayrshire League champions in 1933-34 as well as winning the Ayrshire Cup six years later. The club gave Ian Ure, Jim Leighton and Hugh Baird amongst others their first steps in their impressive careers.

In 2001-02 the club won the Ayrshire League Third Division. Another promotion followed before becoming District League champions in 2008-09 leading to elevation to the West of Scotland Super League set up.











However, Thistle were relegated back to the Ayrshire District League at the end of the 2011-12 season.

Dalry Thistle FC will compete in the SJFA  Ayrshire District League in the 2013-14 season.



My visit

Monday 30th September 2013


Dalry Thistle had come to my attention a few years previously to me gathering any real knowledge about how non league and Junior football north of the border operated through reading of their exploits in the excellent fanzine ‘When Saturday Comes’.












Through remembering this I had to include them in any groundhopping trip in the area. The bus had deposited me just past their Merksworth Park home following a bus ride from Beith on a sunny early autumn morning.

I took some snaps from the yard of the adjoining supermarket before walking up Vennel Street into St Margaret Avenue, which is the grounds official address. Merksworth Park was a pretty basic venue, with one small cover down the far side and a changing room block towards the entrance. The rest of the ground was made up of a few steps of terracing and open grass.











I headed back into town and towards the station when my planning helped a couple visiting the town for a funeral. They were not sure of where they were, so I was able to hand on my used map as I was now sure of my location. Every little helps and it certainly improved my day helping others.





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