Doing the 92: How Football Changed During a 43-Year Groundhopping Odyssey
This article reflects on a 43-year journey to visit all 92 professional football grounds in England, highlighting significant transformations in the sport's culture and infrastructure. The author contrasts the past, characterized by crumbling terraces and local pubs near stadiums, with the modern era of commercialized, corporate-owned venues often located in industrial estates. Key changes noted include the return of safe standing, the ubiquity of large flags (now often officially sanctioned), and the rise of 'ultra' fan culture with uniformed supporters. While the author laments the decline of traditional community spaces like neighborhood pubs and the shift from scarf displays to car stickers, they also celebrate new traditions such as organized fireworks, murals, and virtual plaques honoring historical moments. The piece concludes that despite these shifts towards commercialization and spectacle, the core emotional experience of attending a match remains a constant source of pride and identity for fans.
Wire timeline
Doing the 92: How Football Changed During a 43-Year Groundhopping Odyssey
This article reflects on a 43-year journey to visit all 92 professional football grounds in England, highlighting significant transformations in the sport's culture and infrastructure. The author contrasts the past, characterized by crumbling terraces and local pubs near stadiums, with the modern era of commercialized, corporate-owned venues often located in industrial estates. Key changes noted include the return of safe standing, the ubiquity of large flags (now often officially sanctioned), and the rise of 'ultra' fan culture with uniformed supporters. While the author laments the decline of traditional community spaces like neighborhood pubs and the shift from scarf displays to car stickers, they also celebrate new traditions such as organized fireworks, murals, and virtual plaques honoring historical moments. The piece concludes that despite these shifts towards commercialization and spectacle, the core emotional experience of attending a match remains a constant source of pride and identity for fans.
The Guardian