Away Days

A return for "Away Days" has long been overdue. I have been Shanghaied by both Crespo and Dr Shotgun not posting me the relevant pics and clips. A big thank you to the good Doctor, who has forwarded me what was required, and a big "Ya Boo" too that loafing scoundrel Crespo. Pull your finger out!!

So first up is Gigg Lane, home to both Bury Football Club, currently of League Two, and also FC United of Manchester, formed by irate supporters of Manchester United in protest of the Glazer family takeover. I had been about ten years ago, the season the Bantams were promoted, but was laid low with a hangover, and had only vague recollections. The Shakers have been stalwarts of the lower leagues, and this is reflected in the size of their stadium, a modest affair, located in the middle of a housing estate. Early signs were good, they have a social club attached, and for a small visitors fee of £1, you gain entrance to a fine bar area. It is very much in the fashion of an old school northern working mans club, but the service is efficient, the glasses glass and the prices reasonable. They even have Sky Sports. An excellent start. I had no allusions that this was to be a grand stadia in the style of the Bernabeau, but I love a small ground with a bit of character and charm as much a gigantic bowl, so this wasn't to go against the home of the Shakers. It was still terracing, again a nice chamge to the souless all seaters, but that was pretty much it. The toilets were spectacularly terrible. There was no trough, just a tiled wall, a concrete camphor, and a cut in half pipe running against the wall. Splash back was horrific. The pie stand sold great pies and pasties, but was the size of a broom cupboard, and took forever to get served. But for this level the atmosphere was above average, and I could think of plenty worse places to watch the Beautiful Game.

Statistics

• Capacity-11,000
  
• Concessions- Shame about the size of the Pie Stand, 'cause the pies were of a high standard. NO BEER!!!
  
• Built-1885
  
• Did You Know?- The blue and white seats in the main stand form the word B-U-R-Y. If you can unearth a more interesting fact, be my guest...
  
• Visited By- Euro Bri and Dr Shotgun
  
• Rating-Park Pitch- It has so many things going for it, good pies, the social club and is ion the borough it represents, but it is just lacking something. The lack of fans doesn't help, but with both Manchester clubs a bus ride away it is understandable. Might have made the "Field of Dreams" grade, but the fact that my shoes got covered in piss put paid to that.