Doing the 92

 92 is a number that, like 147 in snooker and 501 in darts, is inextricably linked to soccer. 

Any supporter who regularly attends matches home and away will generally keep score of how many of the full set of clubs they have visited in the top 4 divisions.

This list will of course change with promotion and relegation as well as ground moves.

Personally it was something I hoped to complete over the course of a lifetime but without any urgency. This was a fact reflected by my first visit being in 1982 and a running total reaching 57 when Maidenhead United played at Oxford United in the FA Cup 1st round in November 2023.

The reason for my relatively low total could be partially excused by the number of stadia like Oxford United's Manor Ground which had since been reduced to rubble thus I resolved to make a concerted effort to make some headway back towards that magic number.

I started slowly last season with only two visits, to Southampton and Walsall. This season though I was given the impetus to regularly seek out new stadia by the unpleasant turn Maidenhead United away trips were taking. This was solely due to my experience off the pitch with stewarding ranging from over zealous to outright oppressive.

Thus I now find myself with a healthy total of 75 and keen to complete the 92 in the next two seasons.

The clubs I have visited span all four divisions and I am pleased to report that having last watched this much professional football 30 years ago, the game appears to be in rude health.

I didn't have a single negative experience, with every club having something to offer, the real difference between the four levels only being the quality of the football.

The biggest improvement has been in marketing, specifically ticketing. Every club allows you to select your own seat, with the resulting ticket saved to your online wallet securing a smooth access to the ground.

Best value was offered by Southampton, Burton and Bradford who all offered entry for £20. The first is an example of a newly built stadium which provided a perfect view of the action, but lacked character just like Hull and Wigan. Colchester, Leicester and Northampton on the other hand already felt in need of renovation.

Occasionally the approach to the stadium was a highlight in itself. A night match at Lincoln offered a spectacular backdrop of the cathedral as you walked along Sincil Bank whilst the way the Oakwell floodlight pylons came into view followed by the ground below as you reached the crest of the hill walking out of town was stunning. In contrast the odd sight of the cars on the M42 appearing to drive across the roof of the away end at Walsall was something of a distraction from the match as I sat in the towering new home stand behind the goal.

The Bescot stadium provided the best facilities for ordinary spectators with a comfortable lounge to look over the pitch whilst you ate your Balti pie. Speaking of food, although much of it lived down to expectations, special mention should be made for Crewe's local ale and pie offer,with the best pies on sale at Fleetwood. Naturally the Bristol Rovers pasty was top notch whilst credit is due to Burton for offering a local delicacy of faggots and peas.

As kick off approached most clubs would attempt to get an atmosphere going. The best all round for film, music and flags was at Derby with credit to Newport for their film and Peterborough for continuing to play “Posh we are”. 

Finally the football was entertaining in line with the level of the club. Top of the list was Leicester beating QPR 6-2 in the Cup, whilst Southampton's 4-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday presaged their successful promotion push.

Best game to watch as a neutral was Rotherham United's topsy turvy last minute win by the odd goal in five at Bristol Rovers.

Worst was a dire game at Newport, with their 1-0 win against Barrow courtesy of an own goal with a cast replete with National League players. I saw 3 other league 2 games this season, with the title chasing team in each match drawing a blank. One of these at Fleetwood was goalless, opponents Wimbledon giving the evening a real non league feel.

My favourite day all round was at Blackburn, thanks mainly to its well appointed stadium set in the suburb of Ewood, where I witnessed an enjoyable 2-1 win for Rovers over Plymouth Argyle.

In summary, in the Kiplingesque spirit of what do they know of Maidenhead United who only Maidenhead United know I would highly recommend a trip to a higher level match of choice. Shorn of partisanship you can appreciate the game as a neutral, the narrative typically developing after 20 minutes or so, in the company of friendly locals who as in the words of the Bradford season ticket holder behind me have been “coming down here for years and seen a lot of shit”.