No. 60. Fraser Eagle Ground,

Accrington Stanley.

Full Scale: http://photos.bravenet.com/150/410/441/4/A24300AE6E.jpg

The Fraser Eagle Stadium, Accrington, 26/12/06

After a 5 month trip to Australia and New Zealand, the short trip to East Lancashire was Glenn and Stu’s first away game of the season. Mark said he would drive, so at 12.30pm we picked up Paddy and his girlfriend from Bury and drove up the M66. We headed to Rawtenstall to meet Ben and set off North. We drove up the A56 and A680 and parked up at the ground at 1.30pm. We went into the Crown pub to get warm before entering the ground at 2.15pm. The Bury fans had sold out the 1400 allocation and about 3 or 400 fans travelled without a ticket making it like a home game! The ground was packed and it was Accy who drew first blood through a 5^th minute penalty after Brass pulled back their forward, Todd dispatching it. The referee was visibly overwhelmed by the pressure of a derby game and gave wrong decisions to both sides all game. Bury pressed for an equaliser throughout the second half and the majority of the Bury fans thought it wasn’t going to be our day, with Keeper Ian Dunbavin pulling off several excellent stops, especially a wonderful 1 handed save to keep out an Hurst header. It did eventually come however, when Bishop scored a tap in from a Buchanan corner. A second goal wouldn’t come though, and the game ended 1-1.

The ground is basic to say the least, but it does have a quirky character, it would be boring if every ground was all seater and top notch!! Also, don’t forget, Accrington were Non league for 40 odd years!

An enjoyable day out and would like them to stay in the league, we cant have all the southern teams in the football leagues!

Glenn