Paul’s Soccer Stories
Doing the 92: The Homestretch
Greetings from Lincoln, where I am spending four nights in a pretty crappy Holiday Inn. Why? Well, because I am doing the 92, of course. Fellow groundhoppers will largely understand it, as we all find ourselves going to odd places at odd times to do this odd thing we've decided to do. And while Lincoln…
Soccer Games I Have Seen in my Quest to Join the 92 Club
I update this post regularly with all the football soccer games I've seen in the UK and Europe. But why does it matter? Because my goal is to join the 92 Club, also called "Doing the 92." For more on what that means, check out this post about the world of groundhopping. As of September…
Paul’s Groundhopping Plans for 2023-24
Hello again, fellow and would-be groundhoppers! Another season of English soccer is here, so once again I will be bouncing around the UK and Europe, going to games and writing about it. Last season's tally was 65 games, adding 10 to my UK grounds list and leaving me at 85 of the current season's 92…
On the Bandwagon at Wrexham
In which the author goes to get a sense of what's happening in Wrexham with his own eyes -- and tick off ground #87 of the 92. I have been accused, with some reason, of a certain cynicism regarding what’s happening at Wrexham. In response, I have tried to make it clear that I see…
Seeing a Game at Accrington Stanley
There are so many layers to English football, especially clubs like Accrington Stanley, that one simply wouldn't know about or experience until one shows up, walks around, and talks to people. Just the simple question you may now be asking yourself -- "Accrington Stanley, who are they?" -- is engrained into the English football conscience.…
Groundhopping at Real Zaragoza
Some time, when your touring or groundhopping in Spain has you traveling between Madrid and Barcelona -- or looking for a nice day out from either -- stop off in Zaragoza, a city worth a day of your time with a football ground that is a trip back in time. I knew almost nothing…
Paul’s 2022-23 Groundhopping Run
"Groundhopper Paul" has wrapped up his 2022-23 groundhopping season, after 65 games. Updated May 5 -- all done for the season! Here's my 2023-24 groundhopping plan. Well, this season of groundhopping is done. I was checking out many of the European and Premier League tickets and hospitality options we sell. And touring the continent. And…
In Valencia, Yes They Can?
In Valencia, two clubs trying to accomplish different things share one thing in common: the belief that ¡Si se puede! At the big and famous club, they are fighting for survival. At the smaller one, known and supported by far fewer, they are aiming for greater heights. And while neither of the Valencia clubs are…
What “Welcome to Wrexham” Tells Us — Or Should, Anyway — About Football
Since I own a football-related company, and since I have been to more than 200 games all over the UK and Europe, many Americans have asked me what I think about the show “Welcome to Wrexham.” Or they have simply expressed their admiration for it, and the club. So I thought I would offer my…
Back to the Beginning at City Ground
I don't remember the first time I ever kicked a soccer ball, or watched a game, or walked into a stadium. But I do remember the first fact that made me fall in love with the game -- the first shaft of light, if you will, that shone on me from another world, which I…
