words: Paul S. Hendren
As sports enthusiasts the lure of the stadium is sometimes just as important as what transpires on the field of play. As an impressionable youngster my late great Uncle Art, a proud Hamiltonian, planted a seed that has lasted a lifetime. He took me to Ivor Wynne Stadium to watch his beloved Tiger Cats and share a yarn or two about Hamilton’s rich sporting culture. Now any business trip to Hamilton by yours truly includes a stopover to sit in its stands and sip on a cup of Tims.
Several years ago I was fortunate enough to visit Brisbane Road – a vintage football ground in East London and home to Leyton Orient Football Club. I wanted to see the famous gable roof and immaculate grass pitch that garnished awards. My tour guide for the afternoon was Adrian Martin, a young groundsman who was a lifelong Orient supporter. The enthusiasm of my tour guide fueled my passion for stadium adventures even further. It was his dream job pampering the grass for his heroes and he treated ‘his’ stadium as home. Earlier this year I received some sad news that Adrian is no longer able to work due to a serious car crash.
Distinguished author Simon Inglis, a wordsmith I admire tremendously , best summed up our mutual passion as;
“ A football ground- its stands , its terracing, its floodlights, its crowds, its noise, even its smell- is as much a part of the event as the match itself.”
Not that I’m going anywhere soon but before I leave for a better place I hope to make a pit stop or two to some more sporting sanctuaries. On top of my bucket list is to visit Stadio Dall’ara in Bologna Italy. The stadium, inaugurated on May 27, 1927, has a history unmatched in sport. The rich brickwork and adjacent pool blends harmoniously with its warm surroundings. As a bonus there is the ‘antistadio’ alongside the stadium and the world’s longest portico that winds its way up the hill. I have no craving for a trip to Italy but Stadio Dall’arra is a perch that I want to experience.
What is the sporting ‘pit stop’ on your bucket list?
Paul,
My Bucket List:
1)RAngers vs Celtic at IBROX
2)Barcelona vs Real MAdrid at Camp Nou
3)River Plate vs Boca Jrs@ Boca Stadium-BA
4)Lazio-Roma@ Olimpic Stadium-Rome
5)Panathanaikos vs Olympiakos-Athens Olimpic Stadium
Great choices. Giles Goodhead wrote a book a few years back entitled ‘Us V Them’ where he ventured to many of your choices. he also took in a Fenerbache / Galatasary derby.
Great writing Paul!
But I’m still waiting for your list. For a guy who has been to the French Open, Wimbledon and the Cricket World Cup I’m interested in your desired destinations…
The most convenient arena in my bucket list is the 50,000 capacity Esprit Arena in Duesseldorf, Germany.
It is fully covered with a movable roof, the surbway from downtown stops right next to the stands.
In other words, the trains emerge from below grade to above ground and stop right besides the South stands.
Fans just have to step out onto the platform, climb a few steps and they are in their seats.
At the end of the game, a long lineup of trains is waiting to move some 30,000 to 40,000
people out in 15 minutes. (The rest head for their cars in the parking lot). Unfortunately, Duesseldorf has
only a second division team, but draws frequently 40,000 to 45,000 fans. Besides, if you hold a ticket to the game the subwy ride is for free.
Duesseldorf missed promotion to the Bundesliga by one place last season. Maybe it works this time. Bob
Maybe we can take a road run on the ISM nickle????