Welcome to my blog covering clubs and stadiums in the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for keeping them going and their maintenance.

Since I was a little lad, I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds as possible and see games wherever I could.

I was fortunate that my dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches. As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look.

I hope this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and set you on the road to adventure. If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends, and stories to pass on to future generations. Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!

Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my dad, Bob Bernard, and my mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement along with my wonderful wife, Taew.

Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. Make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated.

If you click on a lot of the pictures, you will get a larger version on your screen. I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.

Rob Bernard Sisaket, Thailand, May 2024

Thursday 1 July 2010

Winterton Rangers







Winterton Rangers FC is a non league club based between Scunthorpe and the Humber Bridge in North Lincolnshire. The club was formed in 1930 and spent many years in local football before becoming members of the Yorkshire League in 1970.













Rangers were champions three times of that league before becoming founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982. They left the league for a couple of years from 1984 before rejoining. 


Rangers were prominent members of the league's top division for several years, lifting the title in the 2007-08 season, but refusing promotion to the Northern Premier League. At the end of the 2011-12 season the club announced it would look to become more community based and use the youth players to suit their budget.

For the 2012-13 season, Winterton Rangers FC will be playing in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.












My visit

I was going to watch the pre season friendly on Saturday 10th July between Barton Town Old Boys and Scarborough Athletic. I decided to travel up the day before using the excellent value Megabus plus deal which took me by train and bus to Scunthorpe. The previous evening I had fitted in the pre season friendly between Brigg Town and Grimsby Town.











I had originally intended to visit Winterton the previous day, but buses or lack of them tested out my resourcefulness. I arrived o











West Street was a very smart venue. There were small neat stands facing each other along the touchlines. One contained seats, the other was for standing spectators. The rest of the ground was neat open grass and concrete flat standing. The West Street End acted as a car park to the large clubhouse.I went on my way to try and get to the bus stop so I could have a few convivial pints in Barton before the match. I made it with a few minutes to spare as I listened to the One Day Cricket between England and Bangladesh, as a reminder to how ludicrously early the season was starting. The World Cup Final was to be played the following day.
n the Saturday lunchtime at Barton station to await my bus. The Fastcat service took me through the pretty village of Wintringham before the town of Winterton came into view.

I got off a little earlier than I should of so I had to take a brisk walk round to the ground as time was tight. I got a friendly welcome from an old guy measuring out the pitch who was more than happy for me to take some pictures.
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