Tips for Smartly Completing Football's 92
Football is one of the most popular pastimes in England with thousands of fans up and down the country heading to games every week. The Premier League and Football League, which features The Championship, League One and League Two, are among the top divisions, with the drama and unpredictability of the football a huge part of the appeal. There are 92 league clubs and some fans have set out watching a match at every single stadium.
If you are a wannabe groundhopper, there is a great deal of planning that goes into it. Simply heading to random games isn't really the best way to take on the challenge and so it's wise to plot a route to complete the 92. This article will provide tips and guidance so that you can smartly visit each ground and tick each one off with top efficiency all while having great fun.
Assess the Fixture List
The summer break is the optimum time to start planning ahead for completing the 92. As soon as the fixtures are announced, you can sit down and start to get the logistics sorted. The campaign starts in August so you may decide to first attend games which are local to you as these matches can be enjoyed quite easily in a short space of time. However, you may decide to head to the games which are furthest away, like Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City in the south or Newcastle and Sunderland up north.
The key to looking at the fixture list is identifying opportunities to watch a number of games across a weekend. So, for instance, you may notice that Tranmere Rovers are playing Gillingham on a Friday night, Everton are at home to Sunderland on the Saturday and Manchester United host Arsenal on the Sunday. Conceivably, because these grounds are relatively close by, you could tick off all three fixtures in three days. Look out for these scenarios as they can help you to tick off grounds while also saving you time and money as often there is no need to make multiple trips to the same part of the country.
Plan Beyond Football
It may seem strange but when plotting to do the 92, it is important to plan beyond the football. The challenge involves plenty of travel and there is potential for overnight stays and so there is a great deal of spare time to fill. Check out other events taking place in the city and town you are visiting. For example, if you are in Oxford for a 3pm kick-off, see if there are any shows to enjoy in the evening rather than heading straight back to your accommodation.
In between matches and stadium visits, be sure to take time out and relax by heading for food or kicking back with casino games on your phone. Platforms like
Leeuwslots.com help you compare and assess a range of free spins no deposit bonus options which can enhance your experience. Leeuwslots provides expert advice for gamers and offers detailed information about the top online casinos, helping players identify the site which best suits their style and preferences.
Gaming, eating nice meals out and even meeting fellow football enthusiasts are great ways to fill the time when you are not viewing a game and is a great way to make the trip even more enjoyable and unforgettable.
Book Ahead
The biggest obstacle you may come up against when attempting to do the 92 is finding tickets. Quite simply, the higher up the football pyramid you go, the tougher it is to source a seat for a match. So, while you'll have little problem seeing the two bottom teams face off in the Fourth Division, getting a ticket for
Manchester City vs Manchester United will be tough and near impossible. However, that's not to say it can't be done.
There are online resources where you can find tickets to such popular fixtures while club memberships are especially useful as members are often given first refusal on tickets. What's more, these fans are also afforded the opportunity to purchase season ticket seats when holders can't attend certain fixtures owing to other responsibilities around work, family and holidays.
For games in
League One and League Two, turning up on the day and buying a ticket on the gate is doable but be sure to check ahead, either by calling up, emailing or contacting the club on social media. That way, you will avoid disappointment and save travelling miles before realising the fixture is sold out.
Take Advantage of International Breaks and Cup Games
When it comes to attending games at the biggest and
best stadiums which often sell out, cup games offer the best chance for seeing a match. The League Cup and FA Cup games don't possess the glamour or excitement they once did and so there are occasions when tickets become available for these encounters.
The international break, meanwhile, is a great opportunity to see matches which may not be at the top of your wishlist. When the likes of England are in action, there are often no Premier League or Championship fixtures, meaning you can tick off a League One or League Two game.
Overall, the key to completing the 92 is planning. It doesn't need to be a logistical nightmare and with some smart insight, you can plot routes which will help you