Exploring how to Complete the 92 in English Football

Completing the 92 is the ultimate for football fans across the country. It's a challenge that can take years or even decades and shows true commitment to the cause. If you aren't aware of the concept, doing the 92 means watching a live game at every league stadium. So that's taking in a match at each Premier League club and the other 72 sides making up the Football League.

It takes a great deal of time and planning if you are focused on wrapping it up in less than a decade. It can be done though with many football lovers proud members of 'The 92 Club' and this article will offer tips and guidance on how you can join.

Getting Tickets

First things first, securing your seat at the match is all about getting your hands on tickets and so when it comes to doing the 92, some stadiums are easier to access than others. For instance, when Morecambe host Grimsby Town in the fourth tier, there are no guarantees of course but the chances are you will be able to rock up to the ground on the day and purchase tickets. This is often the case for all League Two and League One matches that you can arrive on the day of the fixture and pay admission there and then. However, some clubs may have their own systems in place where you have to book ahead - this is the case sometimes for derby matches or when a big club comes to town - so do check and do your research before travelling.

Then there is the Premier League. A global powerhouse, most games are sell outs, particularly at clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle. This is where looking for tickets online ahead of time comes in handy. There are a number of platforms selling tickets to some of the biggest matches in world football at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates Stadium. For these giants, your best move may be to view a game in the Cup or European competition as these games aren't always attended by season ticket holders at what is always a busy campaign.

The Championship, meanwhile, is growing all the time and is among the most popular leagues in Europe. Therefore, it's important you buy your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. With well-supported clubs like Leeds, Sunderland, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday in the division, these teams play at large arenas that can sell out for key fixtures.

Follow Geography to Plot Routes

Wherever you are based in the UK, there are going to be some clubs that are miles away and take a full day to travel there and back from. If you based in the south, Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Carlisle are in the North East and a good few hours away. Alternatively, if you are in the north, the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Southampton and Portsmouth are at the opposite end of the country and can take six or seven hours to get to. Then there are Ipswich and Norwich which take nearly five hours to get to from Liverpool in the west.

Therefore, it's important to think smart and try to tick off a number of grounds in one area during one trip. Of course this is no easy feat but there are opportunities depending on how the fixtures land. So, for instance, it's not inconceivable to think one weekend could see Middlesbrough play on a Friday night, Carlisle on the Saturday, Sunderland on the Sunday and Newcastle on the Monday. Travelling to the North East for an extra long weekend could see you complete four different stadiums in the same number of games. SO be sure to look at how Geography can help you be efficient in your groundhopping.

Utilise the International Breaks

A great way to tick off the grounds that may not be at the top of your bucket list is to attend lower league games during the international break. When the World Cup and Euro qualifiers take place, the Premier League and Championship take a break, giving you a great opportunity to attend a League One or League Two fixture. While you may be busy ticking off the likes of Chelsea and Aston Villa during a normal gameweek, when international football commences, you are essentially handed a free weekend to head further down the pyramid.

Also pay attention to midweek opportunities. The Championship, League One and League Two campaigns see teams play 46 matches and so there are plenty of fixtures played on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in order to satisfy the fixture list. Of course this can be difficult if you are in full-time employment but always keep an eye out for games played in the week. The Christmas period and Easter also throw up a plethora of matches to attend.

Wrapping Up

The 92 is a tough task to complete but it does give you 92 reasons to go to the match and enjoy loads of great football. While tickets are more difficult to secure for the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, there are always opportunities to be explored to watch these sides in action while lower down the pyramid allows you to view matches in a variety of different arenas. Enjoy your groundhopping adventures.