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

Vale of Clyde (Scotland)


Vale of Clyde FC are a non-league Junior football club who are based in Glasgow's East End in the Tollcross area. The club has a rich heritage since its formation in 1873, with its most prominent era being around the late 1800's and the turn of the century.

'Tin Pail' lifted the prestigious Scottish Junior Cup in 1891, 1893 and 1904 along with being crowned champions of the Glasgow Junior Football League on four occasions between 1900 and 1920. To compliment this success Vale of Clyde also won the Glasgow Junior Cup four times around the same time.










Honours were thin on the ground at Fullarton Park for many decades until Vale lifted the Central League Cup in 1989-90. Success followed at the end of the next season by way of the Evening Times Cup. In 2004-05 the club were promoted as Central League Division One champions. However, this was tempered with a couple of subsequent relegations.

Vale of Clyde FC will play in the SJFA Central District Second Division in the 2013-14 season.


My visit

Monday 30th September 2013

I found myself in Glasgow's East End travelling past the towering Celtic Park on the train to Carmyle station after a mornings groundhopping work in Ayrshire and Renfrewshire. Not for the first time on my adventures I totally misread distances on a map, only this time I walked well past my destination.










I soon cut back down a lane from Tollcross Road and found myself outside the locked Fullarton Park. Despite my best efforts to gain access, including wading across wasteland, I admitted defeat but still got some decent enough shots of the fairly basic ground. Bellshill Athletic had been tenants in Tollcross since the 2011-12 season following their troubles with their previous owners.

Fullarton Park had a covered terrace on the far side across the half way line. A post and rail fence ran round the playing area. The near side had hard standing and a few portacabins which provided the changing rooms and club facilities. The rest of the arena consisted of open grass, with slight banking in places.









Having got the best photos I could I headed a mile or so north to neighbours Shettleston FC.
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