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a warm welcome to FGIF!
The No.1 Groundhopping website 'made for travellers by travellers' This new website should be something of interest to all visitors - the many groundhoppers, fans and snappers out there who share the common passion of journeying many miles to see a game of football and visit that all important 'new' ground. But as we know this is only part of a great hobby and perhaps obsession... The anticipation and thrill of visiting a new ground still remains as strong as ever it did when aged just 11 years I attended my first game with my dad - that was back in September 1968 when Hull City played Crystal Palace in the Football League at Boothferry Park. Although my home team lost 1-0 on that day I was immediately hooked and have continued to support the Tigers ever since. It was also the start of a lifelong fascination with football grounds! The glimpse of a distant floodlight pylon or grandstand from the car window; the sound of a noisy chanting crowd getting ever louder as you approach the turnstiles or the unmistakable smell of hamburgers cooking from a busy catering van, all help to create that unique match day atmosphere. The great advances in digital photography have now made it possible to record and share our special images much more easily. My Fuji Fine Pix Viewer 6900 series zoom camera has become just as important a travel companion as the beloved rucksack, anorak and stale corned beef sandwiches! All of the articles and images featured on the site are contributed by our dedicated and experienced team of reporters and photographers ...as our slogan says: FGIF is 'made for travellers by travellers'. ...the latest news, reviews and photos from the football pyramid Every week the site is updated with the latest news, reviews and photos representing a wide range of clubs and grounds throughout the football pyramid. If it’s football ground and match reports you want then just click on to the Travellers' Tales page - new clubs/photos are continously added making this by far one of the most popular pages visited on the site. For 'Paper-Chasers' we bring you the most up to date programme news and reviews to keep you informed about those clubs who issue Programmes. No website would be complete without photos. The FGIF Image Gallery stores one of the largest collection of images covering clubs at all levels of the football pyramid. Our ground photos portray a range of different 'stadia' including not only the more glamorous homes of football at home and abroad, but also those wonderful little gems we occasionally stumble across in some remote outpost. The local playing field complete with roped-off pitches will be somewhere in there too. For those of you looking for details about a specific club, planning to visit a new ground or just browsing remember to use the FGIF Club Index to help you! This A-Z guide complete with ground photos and website details is regularly updated to provide a most valuable and comprehensive database now featuring over 1400 clubs*. ...get in touch and let us spread the word... As webeditor I could not run this site without the generous help of others. With any new venture or project help is always needed and contributions from readers will be most gratefully recieved. For example, if you want to send us a match report; some news about a ground you have recently visited or the latest programme details relating to a club, then contact us by sending an Instant Message or E-Mail (details are shown on the Contacts page). Pictures can also be added to any of our Albums (either as an E-Mail attachment or by using the Image Upload Service). What are you waiting for... get in touch and let us spread the word about our great hobby!! So whether you're mad on 'hopping or simply hopping mad, enjoy your stay and remember to make a re-visit in the near future. Have a great season wherever you go or whichever team you support. All the best, Martin. *as at 01/09/07. |
Photos: the 'FGIF' badge logo & action from Newmarket Town v Cammell Laird; Result: 1-2 [FA Vase 6th Round on 04/03/06]