London FC - running the grounds

-

There are currently (2021-2022 season) 13 London clubs in the English football league system. Six of these are in the Premier League, three are in the EFL Championship, two in EFL League One and two in EFL League Two.

My goal was to run to all of the grounds from my home in Lewisham.

I began with Premier League and record 14 FA Cup winners Arsenal FC. Emirates Stadium is located in Islington although the club originally formed in Woolwich. It seats 60,704. I ran there on the same day as visiting Tottenham Hotspur's ground, they are arch rivals separated by the Seven Sisters Road.

The Emirates

'Spurs' had played at White Hart Lane from 1899 - 2019. The new stadium is currently known as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium while it awaits naming rights and was built on the site of the previous ground along the A10 in Tottenham. It is the largest club stadium in London seating 62,850 and the third largest in England behind Wembley (90,000) and Old Trafford (74,994). 

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Next up was West Ham FC. London Stadium is located in Stratford. It became their home in 2016 after hosting the London Olympics. They previously played at the Boleyn Ground also known as Upton Park. This could seat 35,016. The new stadium seats 60,000.

London Stadium

I stumbled upon Crystal Palace FC's stadium on my way back from Croydon. Selhurst Park is located in Selhurst Park strangely enough. It seats 26,309

Selhurst Park

Fulham FCs ground was also an accidental discovery when running along the north bank of the Thames. A diversion sent me inland and there is was. Craven Cottage is located in Fulham. It seats 19,359.

Craven Cottage

I sought out Chelsea FC's stadium while visiting Brompton Cemetery as part of my Magnificent Seven run. Stamford Bridge is in Fulham and seats 40,834.

Stamford Bridge

Charlton Athletic are in the EFL League One and play at The Valley in Charlton where they have been since 1919. The stadium seats 27,111.

The Valley

On a long run to Richmond Park I passed by AFC Wimbledon's ground on Plough Lane. They will share it with London Broncos Rugby League side from 2021. They moved into the stadium in 2020. The ground holds 9,215.

Plough Lane

Continuing on past Richmond I visited the home of the Bees. Brentford FC has its stadium just north of the Thames. Brentwood Community Stadium seats 17,000 and is also home to London Irish rugby union club.

Brentwood Community Stadium

Leyton Orient's ground is a stone's throw from the Olympic Park in East London. It is called Brisbane Road and has a capacity of 9,271. The O's have been there since 1937. They are currently a League Two club (2021-2022 season).

Brisbane Road

Millwall's home 'The Den' is situated on an industrial estate in Bermondsey adjacent to the railway line. It replaced 'The Old Den' in 1993. The club have moved six times in their history and were originally based in Millwall on the Isle of Dogs. It can seat 20,146 but is limited to 18,100 to allow for visiting fan segregation due to safety concerns.

The Den

It was a long round tip to the stadium of Queens Park Rangers. I ran along the north of the Thames to Chelsea Bridge before turning north to visit London's thinnest house, the invisible house (just a facade with nothing behind) and some colourful homes near Hyde Park. 

After a detour to Holland Park's Japanese Gardens, I finally arrived at the stadium 18 miles in. The run home took me to 31 for the day.

The stadium used to be known as Loftus Road and has a capacity of 18,439.

Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium

At the end of the 2020-2021 season the number of London clubs increased by one when Sutton United were promoted from the National League as champions. They now play in League 2. It was quite a trek to the other side of Sutton, but I combined it with my run along the Wandle River Trail.

I ran from Lewisham through Penge and Croydon to Sutton. The stadium is tucked away on the west side of the town in the heart of a housing estate. I expected to see the stands from a distance but as a new league ground it is tiny. I had to ask a Steward to let me take a photo of the inside.

The stadium is called the VBS Community Stadium and has a capacity of 5,032 of which only 765 are seated. I arrived minutes before they were due to play Walsall, a game they unfortunately went on to lose 1-0.



My challenge to run to all the London football league grounds was complete.

Popular posts from this blog

Human v Horse

-
Image
The trail is ankle deep in mud. There are large U shaped holes in the ground. My brain is working overtime to relay information from my eyes to my legs to avoid breaking an ankle. I'm descending at speed through pine forest with shouts of 'Horse!' echoing behind me.  Moments later I hear the heavy breathing of a quadruped moving at speed. The drumbeat of hooves on turf are replaced with the splashing and squelching of the sodden earth. I feel a warmth on the back of my neck, almost imperceptible, likely imagined. Turning my head I risk a fall, but I need to see my foe. I glimpse the auburn mount bearing down on me, helmeted rider perched atop. I dive to the side of the trail just in time. The speeding steed is past in a moment. I watch as horse and rider gallop on and vanish into the shadows.  This isn't a recurring nightmare - that's the one about leading parkrun and then getting lost - nor is it my experience of participating in an anti-hunting protest. This was h
Read more

A bridge too far?

-
Image
A post on Facebook caught my attention. This is how many of my running adventures begin. Bex Band, founder of the women's adventure community Love Her Wild had walked across all the bridges in Greater London. Obviously this meant the Thames River. Less obviously there are 33 bridges in total starting at Hampton Court and ending at Tower Bridge. Of these, 26 have pedestrian access and she had crossed them all. 'Hmm, that would make a good run' was my first thought. Seed planted. A couple of months later on a mild, bright January day I travelled to Richmond. My first run was Richmond parkrun with my friend Vicki and her pal Nicola. 3.1 miles, no dear and a warming coffee later, I ran the nine miles to Hampton Court. Twelve miles done and I was ready to start my run! My goal was to cross each bridge when I came to it. That meant crossing Hampton Bridge and a sign denoting entrance to Surrey before turning and re-crossing it to begin. Yes, I am a pedant. Hampton Court Bridge I
Read more

Great Lakeland 3 Day

-
Image
We had been descending for close to a mile. It was a steady descent, more than runnable. A chance to stretch out the legs. At the bottom we stopped at the checkpoint to refill out water bottles from the fast flowing stream when cramp struck.  I watched as my friend Matt grimaced in agony and beads of sweat fell from his brow. The muscles of his inner thighs had completely spasmed. He was unable to move. We were nine miles into day two of our three day Lakeland adventure with fifteen miles and numerous summits still to go. It was a relief when after a few minutes he was able to take a few hesitant steps. Disaster seemed to have been averted. We continued along a flat road before beginning our next ascent. Suddenly, Matt let out a cry and fell to the floor writhing in pain. The cramps were back. The day seemed to be over and we began to discuss how to get back to the campsite. ----------------- Matt, his wife Kelly and I had booked onto the Scarpa Great Lakeland 3 Day that is held in the
Read more