Match: v Stafford Rangers - Nationwide Football Conference

Date: Saturday, March 3rd, 2007

Result: Stafford 1 Cambridge United 2

THE JOURNEY

Departure Time: 9.45am

Arrival at Ground: The trip was straightforward enough, even allowing for the myriad roadworks on the M6, until we reached Stafford and left the motorway at what proved to be a junction too early. As a result, we 'enjoyed' an unplanned grand tour of the town centre and, having got a little mislaid, didn't arrive at the ground until about 1.15pm.

AT THE GROUND

The Ground: Close to a glue factory on the edge of town, the Marston Road ground is an undeveloped reminder of days of yore when non-league grounds weren't scaled down versions of their Premiership cousins.

A solitary stand of seats filled only the very central section along one side of the pitch. This stand looked reasonably new in construction and was tall enough to tower over the remaining sections of the ground.

With wide seats, plenty of legroom and a good view, the back of this stand would appear to be the ideal area from which to commentate on the match - which was just as well given that there was an enclosed press box even further back, but it was apparently only for the use of the home press. Two seats had been provided right at the back of the stand for use by both the local and visiting BBC stations, which would have been fine if only each station sends only one reporter... The area also had to be shared with the local video cameraman; capacious, it was not.

The local radio reporter suggested Steve and I used seats close to this area among the home supporters, and it was that this point that the fluorescent yellow jacket of the Safety Office appeared. I had visions of another 'Weymouth moment' when he started by saying that the two 'BBC' seats had been put in without his knowledge and made it difficult for him to get in and out of the control box without causing disruption. But having seen that I was happy to broadcast from elsewhere, he couldn't have been more friendly - although it would have been nice if he could have unlocked the control box, where I had to plug in a phone line to broadcast, a little earlier than a minute or so before I was due on air!

To either side of this stand, only a covered disabled area in the style of a bowls pavilion interrupted otherwise barren areas of flat tarmac.

Terracing ran the length of the pitch opposite this stand, with three quarters of it covered by an undulating tin roof. United fans were allocated half this side of the ground that effectively meant that half the terrace allotted to them was roofed. A whitewashed tea bar in one corner led to an open standing area behind a goal. The green metal back wall of the social club served as the rear of this area, and a couple of large doors were opened in it shortly before the end of each half to allow home supporters easy access to the bar. The remaining end of the ground was also terraced and had a small roof that covered the back of a small section in the middle.

United Fans: Many positioned themselves under the roof, so the support echoed around the ground.

View from Away End: The view from the away section was perfectly good as long as you stood at the front of the terrace.

Home Fans: Broadcasting amongst home fans, from an area not officially designated for the press, can be an uncertain business but those around Steve and me at Marston Road were extremely friendly and generous, having seemingly brought the entire contents of a confectionery shop with them. Although they found it a little bit of a nuisance to have to step over various pieces of broadcasting equipment, they were very understanding although somewhat surprised - and maybe a little embarrassed for their football club - when told that the press box was for locals only.

Police/Stewards: No police in the ground, but plenty of stewards; many of whom lined up in front of the United fans towards the end of the match.

Programme: Confusingly called 'The Boro', the programme cost £2 for 48, A5 pages with only the front and back not in black and white. There were lots of match reports - from the first team to the Girls U14s - and a very high percentage of adverts.

Food/Drink: Tea (80p) would have been ideal for Goldilocks! For a change, it wasn't scaldingly hot, but just about right to drink. A cone of chips (£1.20) was of the crinkly, frozen variety so it was a surprise to find it described as 'the best in the league'.

State of Toilets: Those behind the main stand were ok, but those in the away end were described as the 'worst ever'. Given the number of grounds that Travellers' Tales reporters have visited over the years, this was quite some achievement! The brick wall and gutter construction was very narrow to get into and only had room for about four people. You might think that its lack of roof would prevent it from having too disgusting an odour, but you'd be wrong... it was so smelly that you daren't breathe.

AFTERWARDS

The Journey Home: We managed not to get lost getting out of town and with 'Coconuts' playing as we left the ground, we had time to reflect that the glue factory we passed near the ground was also quite close to Uttoxeter racecourse and so convenient for racehorses at the end of their career.

A good day was rounded off by a stop at Corley Services where we encountered a coach load of friendly Brighton fans, many of whom had attended the Fans United day at the Abbey a few years ago and were interested to find out how we were doing on and off the pitch.

Mileage: 274.5 miles

Total Distance for Season: 4,179.5 miles

Mark Johnson, with additional reporting by Paul Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Steve Line and Gordon McMillan

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