Histon

York City is a typical aging ex league ground which needs a large amount of work to bring it up to new standards. Although a very friendly place, it's a devil to get to with off street parking restricted. The best way is to come off the A64 on the Hull/Bridlington Road and then follow the inner ring road round and park at the shambles multi storey car park. You can then walk straight through the city centre past the cathedral and up to the ground. Alternatively you can use the various park and rides around the city, the best one being on the McArthur Glen shopping complex. Facilities for away supporters are dire, and probably not that good for home supporters either! An open terrace, horrific toilets and poor refreshment facilities. Only go there if you must!

The impressively named Glassworld Stadium isn't so impressive when you get there. It is located just off the Northern Cambridge bypass on the edge of a couple of pretty villages called Histon and Impington. This club is the typical example of a small club made good because of the money put into it by a local businessman and now the ecomnomic situation is beginning to bite. It will need to undergo some amazing development if it is to come up to even the basic standards of the Conference. It is little more than a deluxe county ground and unfortunatey that is what Histon will be seen as. Well done that it has got this far.

Eastbourne Borough just about makes it as a conference ground, but only just! It's a very friendly place but due to it's location can be subject to some very sharp winds off the coast. It's location is pretty far out of Eastbourne at the Langney Sports and Social Club hence its original name when it was in the Sussex County League as Langney Sports. It probably struggles to get decent players due to its location with Eastbourne the only neasrest attraction, so its remarkable climb up the pyramid may have come to a halt. The facilities however, are basic but OK and it is worth a trip just to tick the box.

Crawley's ground looks like it came out of a box and reminds me of the new grounds at Bishop's Stortford and Cambridge City which are of a similar construction. However, it is very modern and is possibly capable of some redevelopment if they move up the pyramid. The atmosphere isn't too good but it has all the modern amenities supporters now look for. It's easy to get to from the M23 and parking is pretty good as they are a fair way from the railway station. Crawley doens't have mush to offer as a town but, of course, you are only a stones throw away from the marvellous City of Brighton. Make a weekend of it!

Cambridge United's stadium is probably one of the easiest grounds to get to and to park. It's a nice well run stadium and is a mixture of the old (Habbin Stand) and the relatively new (the main stand which was I believe paid for by the sale of Alan Biley to Derby a few years ago) and the very new, the marvellous south stand. It gives the impression that the club is not only very professional and well supported but also probably belongs in the football league. Unlike York (another ex league stadium) which is an aging stadium without much work carried out in recent years) Cambridge is being developed however, I believe that the new owners are looking to build a brand new community stadium in Cambridgeshire which means that the developers can realise the housing potential of the Abbey. Plus they have some of the best sarnies in the country and even beat Man Utd in the food stakes!

Although I have some sympathy with Salisbury rules are rules and must be applied to everyone no matter how "unfair" they may seem. If you don't like the rules you should not join the club!