In spite of being the group owner of a 60s 70s site, I did all my away
touring in the Eighties, but that was just in tiome to see most of the
old grounds before they changed. Now I'm married with kids it might be
a few years before I get to check out the new grounds.

What I'm about to say might actually shock some people who know I love
old football but bare with me till the end of the message.

I know it's easy to get nostalgic abouit these things, but personally
I thought that many of the grounds in the 80s were dumps and worthy of
pulling down!

The disasters of Bradford and Hilsborough were just accidents waiting
to happen and forcing the clubs to upgrade the stadiums was one of the
best things that ever happened in League football.

I remember even at the time before the disasters thinking I was being
short changed when I was being herded around by police in death traps.

But that said some of the new grounds being built are so
characterless. I remember the Manor Ground and I bet its replacement
does not have the character of the old one, but I bet also the
facilites are a hundred times better.

So where do I stand? Personally I'm glad I got to see the old grounds,
but on balance I think it was time to upgrade them and wouldn't want
to go back to them.

I would love to know what other people think, and I'm really hoping
someone's going to take up the offer of story swapping with Oxonchap.
It's why I stared the group afterall!!!

Cheers,

Bob