1881

2012-2013 Groundhop (and beyond)

planning to see all the footballing movers and shakers of 1881 worldwide (the year of Watford’s formation), you’ll find me…

Any help/advice gratefully received…

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Initially appearing in this season’s Watford FC matchday programmes, consequently Groundhop 1881 reports will appear late on here. At the end of the season, a book will be published telling the full story.

In reverse order…

Game 29 – to be continued…

Game 28 – TuS Essen-West 1881 v SV Schonnebeck II (3-1, photos)

Game 27 – Eton Wick FC (report to follow)

Game 26 – Horsham 1881 FC v Sabbath FC – Sunday, 5th May 2013, 10.30am (double header) – Horsham Park – Distance 57 miles, Attendance 3 men and a dog (1-1, 0-2)

Game 25 – Watford FC v Leeds United FC – Saturday, 4th May 2013, 12.45pm – Vicarage Road – Distance 1 mile, Attendance 16968 (1-2) – report from “DER BLOG DER UHLTRAS” website

Game 24  – VfL Kirchheim/Teck  v  1. FC Heidenheim 1846 II – Saturday, 13th April 2013, 3.30pm – Stadion Jesinger Allee – Distance 620 miles, Attendance 100 or 150 (1-1)

Game 23 – FC Ingolstadt 04 v Hertha BSC – Friday, 12th April 2013, 6pm – Audi Sportpark – Distance 704 miles, Attendance 9167 (1-1)

Game 22 – Horsham FC v Dulwich Hamlet FC – Tuesday, 19th March 2013, 7.30pm – Goring’s Mead (Horsham YMCA FC) – Distance 58 miles, Attendance 148 (1-4)

Game 21 – Cefn Druids AFC v Conwy Borough – Saturday, 16th March 2013, 3pm – The Rock – Distance 173 miles, Attendance 92 (0-1)

Game 20 – Cowes Sports FC v Whitchurch United FC – Saturday, 2nd March 2013, 3pm – Westwood Park – Distance 94 miles, Attendance 94 (0-4)

Game 19 – FC Girondins de Bordeaux v FC Olympique Lyonnais – Saturday, 17th February 2013, 2pm – Stade Chaban Delmas – Distance 590 miles, Attendance 27240 (0-4)

Game 18 – Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic JFC v Camelon JFC – Saturday, 9th February 2013, 2pm – New Dundas Park – Distance 389 miles, Attendance 130 estimate (2-4)

Game 17 – Preston North End FC v Coventry City FC – Saturday, 26th January 2013, 3pm – Deepdale – Distance 207 miles, Attendance 8474 (2-2)

Game 16 – Eastbourne Town FC v Walton Casuals FC – Wednesday, 9th January 2013, 3pm – The Saffrons – Distance 74 miles, Attendance 162 (0-2)

Game 15 – Queen’s Park FC v Elgin City FC – Saturday, 15th December 2012, 3pm – Hampden Park – Distance 387 miles, Attendance 466 (1-1)

Game 14 – Leyton Orient FC v Preston North End FC – Saturday, 24th November 2012, 3pm – Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road – Distance 27 miles, Attendance 4190 (2-0)

Game 13 – Aberdeen FC v St Mirren FC – Tuesday, 23rd October 2012, 7.45pm – Pittodrie – Distance 529 miles, Attendance 7610 (2-2)

Game 12 – Paulton Rovers FC v Sholing FC – Non League Day, Saturday, 13th October 2012, 3pm – The Athletic Ground – Distance 120 miles, Attendance 126 (2-0)

Game 11 – Old Carthusians FC v Old Etonians FC – Sunday, 6th October 2012, 12pm (midday) – Athletics Track Pitch, Northbrook, Charterhouse – Distance 44 miles, Attendance 9 (4-1)

Game 10 – Downham Town FC v SC Northampton Spencer FC – Saturday, 15th September 2012, 3pm – Memorial Field, Distance 88 miles, Attendance 62 (0-2)

Game 9 – TSG Sprockhövel v SC Roland Beckum – Sunday, 2nd September 2012, 3pm – Im Baumhof, Distance 380 miles, Attendance 300 (1-2)

Game 8 – Feckenham FC v Archdale 73 FC – Thursday, 16th August 2012, 6.10pm – Studley Sports & Social Club, Distance 123 miles, Attendance 38 headcount (1-3)

Game 7 – Colwyn Bay FC v Manchester City FC – Wednesday, 15th August 2012, 7.30pm – Llanelian Road, Distance 230 miles, Attendance 700 approx (3-4)

Game 6 – East Stirlingshire FC v Ayr United FC – Saturday, 28th July 2012, 3pm – Ochilview Park (Stenhousemuir FC), Distance 404 miles, Attendance 419 (3-1)

Game 5 – Ampthill Town FC v Barton Rovers FC – Tuesday, 24th July 2012, 7.45pm – Ampthill Park, Distance 31 miles, Attendance 17 plus guests (2-0)

Game 4 – Southport FC v Preston North End FC – Saturday, 14th July 2012, 3pm – Haig Avenue, Distance 203 miles, Attendance 1916 (0-2)

Game 3 – Moyola Park AFC v Dungannon Swifts FC – Saturday, 7th July 2012, 2pm – Mill Meadow Stadium, Distance 440 miles, Attendance 30 ish (1-0)

Game 2 – Scotland Women v Israel – Saturday, 16th June 2012, 3pm – Tynecastle Stadium, Distance 420 miles, Attendance 817 (8-0)

Game 1 – ETB Schwarz-Weiss Essen v VfB Speldorf  – Sunday, 3rd June 2012, 3pm – Stadion Uhlenkrug, Distance 389 miles, Attendance 788 (1-0)

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Random Hop – “the 1881”

Rule(s) – As Watford were founded in 1881, the hopper MUST see every team play that was founded, or played a significant role, in that footballing year… Preferably this should be done without seeing any teams twice.

Exceptions

There are only three exceptions to this rule….

1. Environmental Issue. Any midweek game incurring a petrol-guzzling journey of more that 4hrs (round trip) may be deemed too long to complete without upsetting the environment, work, or the family. In this instance an alternative fixture, or a closer option should be chosen, but the hopper must still try to avoid too much Ground/Team Repetition (GTR*).

2. Social Issue. Any risk of crowd trouble or hospitalisation (eg. local rivals) can amend the above rule. Once again the hopper must still try to avoid too much GTR.

3. Moral Issue. All games involving MK Dons carry a serious moral dilemma. An alternative game may be preferable. Once again the hopper must still try to avoid too much GTR.

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