The Lowland League in conjunction with a group called ‘Groundhop UK’ have partnered for one weekend next march, to innovatively schedule the Lowland League’s fixtures for that weekend in a sequence that would allow ‘groundhoppers’ to notch six venues in one go!
Groundhoppers are individuals or groups who like to visit as many different football grounds as they can – ‘doing’ obscure grounds and the travel plus the often complex accommodation arrangements are all part of the genre. I understand it can become quite an obsession!
Ordinarily, for an English groundhopper, a trip to Scotland to ‘notch’ a ground is expensive and time consuming – and for the most part, hoppers tick-off grounds one-by-one. To do six over a weekend is a rare opportunity.
From what I’ve read, it’s not just half-a-dozen anoraks – but literally many hundreds who are coming up from England for this – within hours of the fixtures being announced, 3 buses from London and 2 from Manchester were fully booked.
The clubs, regardless of the day or kick-off time, are going to benefit, as will local pubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs.
Staggeringly, East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare has already been designated as ‘all-ticket’!
Friday 20 March (West of Scotland) 7.45pm East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare
Saturday 21 March (Borders)
12 noon Vale of Leithen v Preston Athletic
3.30pm Selkirk v Spartans
7pm Gala Fairydean Rovers v Stirling University
Sunday 22 March (South-West Scotland)
12 noon Dalbeattie Star v Edinburgh City
3pm Threave Rovers v Edinburgh University
The Lowland League in conjunction with a group called ‘Groundhop UK’ have partnered for one weekend next march, to innovatively schedule the Lowland League’s fixtures for that weekend in a sequence that would allow ‘groundhoppers’ to notch six venues in one go!
Groundhoppers are individuals or groups who like to visit as many different football grounds as they can – ‘doing’ obscure grounds and the travel plus the often complex accommodation arrangements are all part of the genre. I understand it can become quite an obsession!
Ordinarily, for an English groundhopper, a trip to Scotland to ‘notch’ a ground is expensive and time consuming – and for the most part, hoppers tick-off grounds one-by-one. To do six over a weekend is a rare opportunity.
From what I’ve read, it’s not just half-a-dozen anoraks – but literally many hundreds who are coming up from England for this – within hours of the fixtures being announced, 3 buses from London and 2 from Manchester were fully booked.
The clubs, regardless of the day or kick-off time, are going to benefit, as will local pubs, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs.
Staggeringly, East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare has already been designated as ‘all-ticket’!
Friday 20 March (West of Scotland)
7.45pm East Kilbride v Whitehill Welfare
Saturday 21 March (Borders)
12 noon Vale of Leithen v Preston Athletic
3.30pm Selkirk v Spartans
7pm Gala Fairydean Rovers v Stirling University
Sunday 22 March (South-West Scotland)
12 noon Dalbeattie Star v Edinburgh City
3pm Threave Rovers v Edinburgh University