The 2024 Scottish Groundhop came rumbling into view in mid-March as ever. This time honoured slot has seen those wishing to knock off a good number Scottish non-league venues from any given list that opportunity for some years now. It hopefully also allows for the enjoyment of some cracking games as well as fine local hospitality.
Two matches, curiously both involving Linlithgow Rose stand out from recent hops, with a cracking 3-2 win at home to Jeanfield Swifts one year, and the next edition seeing a narrow but critical loss, 3-1 at Hill of Beath Hawthorn. Linlithgow were eventually promoted out of the East of Scotland Premier League, but the other two names above were both set to feature in this edition of the hop.
Little by little, the East of Scotland League is being ticked off and gives the clubs a very welcome extra income, although stadia with floodlights are running out. As to whether the various Highland leagues would be welcoming is uncertain, but it is probably a mute point as the Groundhoppers from significantly south might consider it too many hours journeying. They set off at 5:30 am for a Central belt evening kick off, albeit with various pick-up points along the way, so it is easy to see the problem if they ventured further north.
The 2024 diet was already spreading its wings further north than any previous hop, with Perth and its surrounds offering three of the four Saturday matches, on a day when every match would be in the East of Scotland Premier League, the sixth tier. It was perhaps a rare and unique opportunity to see all three Perthshire sides at this level, with at least one of them very likely to be relegated come season’s end.
At the start of the season, when the fixtures were issued, the staggered hop matches were already factored into the roster. At that time, the Saturday quartet were all going to be new venues for me. It would have been the first time I had ever visited four new grounds in one day. However, the Scottish Cup draw took the mythical Loch Ness to Luncarty, and Elgin City would suffer an utter humiliation at Jeanfield Swifts, both tales I brought to life in these pages.
This anomaly got me thinking as to how I could present this season’s hop without fear of repetition. The answer was staring me straight in the face, bringing an Italian perspective to the event.
Fabrizio and his wife Giada are good friends. He is also a regular FW magazine reader, as well as bringing us his photo memories from a South Korean trip a few months ago. Aside from being a keen football fan, he is also involved in organising football in the lower reaches of the Italian pyramid, employed by the FIGC, the Italian football authorities. One curious point worthy of bringing to light is; Fabrizio is a Livorno boy, and a fan of his well known hometown club, but for his work, this cannot be undertaken by anyone from their home area. Therefore, he works for the authorities in the Pisa district. Anyone who knows calcio will be familiar with the serious rivalry that exists between Livorno and Pisa. It must be the equivalent of putting a fox in a chicken coup!
The remainder of this article basically will be Fabrizio’s experience of the event in conversation, prompted by my questions. Ahead of his arrival, I asked him a couple of things by way of an introduction.
Given this will be your first Groundhop, what are your expectations ahead of getting off the plane?
“I have been thinking about this experience since you invited me. It’s hard to explain my expectations. On one hand, as a football worker I am so curious about how the lower leagues work in Scotland. I expect a warm atmosphere and something to learn too. On the other hand, as a football adventurer, not only accompanied by a local, but a local football expert, and a good friend of mine, I am probably going to live one of the biggest experiences I have had at football, and for sure I will enjoy some good games”.
Suitably embarrassed I asked Fabrizio if he had watched any football in Scotland previously?
“I enjoyed a thrilling game at Tynecastle, Hearts v Celtic in 2011. It was my first football experience abroad. I can still remember that the Jambos won 2-0 (sounds familiar!) against a fancy Celtic in a yellow and black shirt. I had the honour of watching a great local hero Rudi Skacel score too. It was unforgettable”.
The scene was set, togging the scale down from the Scottish Premiership to our eighth tier, swapping Tynecastle for Volunteer Arms Park, Armadale, West Lothian under the lights on a cool Friday evening. Does it get any more contrasting?The local West Lothian side Armadale Thistle were looking for another three points to get closer to a second consecutive promotion, while the visitors, Ormiston Primrose from East Lothian (a previous hop host) needed the points to avoid sinking into the bottom tier. Ahead of kick-off, we had checked into our weekend rental apartment near Stirling, mid country for easier travel, as well as introducing a new area of Scotland to Fabrizio, Braveheart country et al. Let the games commence.
Day One
Opening night of a hop is almost like the first day of a re-union, with a lot of enthusiastic handshakes, back slaps, warm recollections, and anticipation from a gaggle of enthusiasts who know others in the crowd, but rarely come across them. Bo’ness United and Civil Service Strollers may have served up the best opening night encounter a few years ago, a cracking 2-2 draw amid squalid rain. The opening game is important to get the event off to a jaunty start. Goals were expected, albeit in potentially a one-sided affair. However, that wasn’t quite how it turned out, with Ormiston giving a good account of themselves and were unlucky to come out losing 3-2, after a late Armadale double sunk them
Well game one is over, how was it for you?
“Comparing with Italy, it was faster, and stronger, but less technical. Overall, it was a good game. The stadium was better than a general eighth tier facility in Italy. The catering was exceptional, especially the doner kebab pie, which was absolutely amazing. Italian lower level football could learn a lot from this experience.”
(In Scotland, 8th tier Armadale were almost the pioneers of the kebab pie. Their edition got very good national press. Many have tried to copy since).
Now the attention turns to a four game Saturday, have you ever done anything like this before?
“No, I have only ever been to two games in a day in South Korea, Sevilla, Spain and Campania, Italy.”
The notion of the Groundhopper seems largely the domain of Northern European lands. I have long advocated that the majority of Italians wouldn’t cross the road to watch another team play. Do you have any thoughts on why the ethos is so different?
“I think partly this is because Italians have got used to watching football on TV. (All A, B, and C matches are available live). They spend a lot of money on pay TV to watch, and it has affected attendance in the stadiums, especially outside Serie A. However, historically, fans of one team have no interest in any other and certainly wouldn’t go to watch them.”
Day Two
Saturday started with a proper relegation scrap at Luncarty, where the home side had perked up after a disastrous start, and a win would give them a fighting chance of survival. The visitors Crossgates Primrose were just above them in the table, and with both in the relegation places, they had everything to play for or lose. Defences were never on top in this morning cracker, including an apologetic Luncarty player, whose accidental fabulous goal (it was meant as a cross) sealed the home win in a 5-3 goal fest. I have never seen a player put his head in his hands when his good fortune resulted in a fine goal! He even apologised to the crowd nearby!
The jaunts between the first three games were quite small, and to quote Archie MacPherson, the sage old doyen of Scottish football back in the day, who in a pique of boredom at a World Cup draw of yesteryear, coined; ‘They could hire a mini bus’ when China, Hong Kong and Macau were all drawn together! Needless to say, the distances here were shorter!
Perth hosted games two and three at Kinnoul and Jeanfield. The contrast in the club’s fortunes couldn’t be more stark, with Kinnoul really struggling at the higher level, while Jeanfield could still catch Broxburn. It was maybe a tall order, but possible given the number of games in hand, coupled with Broxburn losing earlier in the day, and the pair still have to meet in Perth too. Dunbar United were up from East Lothian to end that dream, but a 1-1 draw just about keeps the pot boiling. Earlier, a disappointing season for Penicuik Athletic continued in a dour goalless joust with Kinnoul, who were chuffed picking up a fifth point of the season. They nearly won it, whacking the crossbar with the last kick of the game! What scenes that would have caused had it gone in.
The evening game was a considerable trek south into Clackmannanshire and the town of Sauchie. This venue was perhaps the best of the day, and given it was under the lights, Fabrizio and I had visited the day before to get the iconic snap of the quaint stand with the Ochil hills in the background for the article. The pitch was waterlogged then, and another turning on of the tap ahead of the match put it in the touch and go category, but despite persistent rain, the pitch held up. Both teams served up an entertaining game, playing an expansive brand of football, zipping the ball along the wet surface, albeit it must have been sapping on the legs. Three top tonks, a hat-trick and goalmouth scraps aplenty were the highlights in a 3-2 Sauchie win over Hill of Beath Hawthorn, even though they had played for an hour with ten men.
How are the legs after a punishing football day?
“Not too bad, although my feet were freezing.”
What were the highlights of the day?
“That’s a hard question to answer. There were many highlights. From the action, I will never forget the accidental fifth goal by Luncarty, but almost only because of the players reaction.
It was unusual to see a large group of men almost fighting for a position to take a photo of a team board at Kinnoul even when the names were just being added.
In Italy, merchandise is not common and is lacking even in professional football. But everywhere here, the teams had an amazing selection of different souvenirs.”
(Fabrizio certainly contributed more than his fair share to the clubs and badge stalls, spending more than £100!)
Which was the best match?
“The most entertaining was Sauchie v Hill of Beath. It was a true Scottish football postcard. But the best game and my favourite was Jeanfield Swifts v Dunbar. This was for the quality of the play. You could tell both these teams were near the top of the league. This was a more technical game.”
Where was the best venue?
“All four have some authenticity, but maybe Sauchie is the best, as they seem to have a little of everything. A good stand, social club, hospitality, and they seem like a setup getting ready for a higher level.”
Did any of the host clubs stand out as being especially friendly?
“I appreciated them all, but Kinnoul stood out especially for its fine array of merchandise at astonishingly low prices. They were not looking to cash in by increasing prices.”
Were there any highlights from the catering? It will certainly have been different from anything offered in Italy, but on a cool Scottish Saturday, perhaps the array of warm foods/drink options was welcomed?
“The catering is totally different from Italy. I appreciate the level of organisation, especially when you consider the crowd was maybe four times the usual. The queues were never too long. The volunteers were always friendly, and the prices were unbelievably cheap.”
Day Three
Well game six is done, the Sunday game can very often feels like an after the Lord Mayor’s Show affair, with everyone feeling a little punch drunk and tired, ahead of many undertaking the lengthy bus ride home. It was, however, a vital match in the exciting seventh tier promotion race for Whitburn. Thankfully, despite yet more heavy rain, the game survived, unlike Dens Park, Dundee in the top flight. The pitch was stodgy at best courtesy of endless days with precipitation, but aside from when a player tried to set off at pace or turn quickly resulting in a stumble or fall, both teams tried to put on a show for the biggest hop crowd of the weekend at 540. Whitburn’s need was more pressing, and they created a plethora of opportunities, eventually taking one, finding some bounce on the surface to send a clever volley into the net via a whack down into the pitch. It would prove to be the winner, but Whitehill nearly found parity near the end.
I must confess I have a soft spot for Whitburn’s Central Park, how did you enjoy it?
“I can understand your point, because the stadium is in a romantic spot for football, placed right in the centre of the town. The covered area opposite the changing rooms is a lovely design.”
Overall, how does the standard of football compare with a similar level in Italy?
“The game is faster in Scotland. It seems to be the style. In Italy, it is generally more tactical. I really appreciated the tactical setup of Jeanfield and the defensive style of Dunbar.”
Did you notice any glaring differences in the organisation of games between the two lands?
“Firstly, a groundhop like this would never exist. In Italy, almost without exception, everyone plays at 3pm on Sunday.
Having spoken to David Baxter from the East of Scotland League, we have the same love for local football and the communities involved, but the standard is different. For example, the officials and players must have different entrances to the field in Italy.”
How would you summarise your first ever Groundhop experience?” “Would you do it again?
“Thanks to the guidance of Jim, it has been an unforgettable experience because I immediately had the instruments to understand the environment I was visiting.
It has been a great chance to meet fellow football enthusiasts and fulfilled my interest in local football.
If chance allows, I would happily do another hop in Scotland or any country. It was a wonderful experience.”
Grazie mille Fabrizio for your input and continued friendship. Sadly Livorno let you down at the weekend, losing and dropping to 4th in the fourth tier. Getting back to Serie C just became a lot more complicated.
Football Adventures with James Rendall 