Welcome to
soccertrivia.org.uk
Welcome to
Soccer Trivia, the site featuring everything you would ever want to know about
Britain’s passionate game of football. We offer a little bit of something for
every football fan that has an interest in those quirky, off-the-wall, abstruse
facts about the game.
We’re an all-inclusive site when
it comes to the sport. Whether you know it as footy, football, or, like the
Americans love calling it, soccer, Soccer Trivia is a virtual encyclopedia of
sporting knowledge. We deal with more leagues than a roulette
wheel has numbers: The Premier League, Scottish and Irish, International, Welsh,
and many more, all found here.
Football fans are diehard sportsmen,
taking the game very seriously and pulling no punches when it comes to the
players and teams they admire. But even the faithful are surprised to learn
obscure facts and little tidbits of trivia about their favorites. Come on in,
search around, and learn some interesting facts about the
world’s most popular game.
Ian Maxwell
A Guide to Football
Stadiums in the UK
England is home to the world's oldest clubs, dating back
to the 1850s. The FA Cup, founded in 1871, is the longest-running football
competition in the world and England`s was the first-ever football league,
dating back to 1888. The 1990 Taylor Report, into the causes of the 1989
Hillsborough disaster, led to the FA introducing regulations that stadiums in
the top 2 divisions must be all-seater.
OLD TRAFFORD
Manchester United`s Old Trafford stadium has a capacity in excess of 76,000. The
stadium has some unusual features such as the elevated playing surface, which
the players access from the corner of the South Stand. Outside, a statue of Sir
Matt Busby is located in front of the East Stand, along with a plaque
commemorating the 1958 Munich air disaster.
Travel Directions
Road
From the North, leave the M6 at junction 30, following the M61 towards Bolton.
Follow the M61 to its end, joining the M60 as far as junction 9. Join the A5081
towards Manchester, turning right after about 2 miles into Sir Matt Busby Way
for the ground. From the South, exit the M6 at junction 19, following the A556
for Altrincham, which leads to the A56 for Manchester. Sir Matt Busby Way is on
the left after about 6 miles.
Rail
The Old Trafford stadium is has its own adjacent train station, with regular
connections from Manchester Piccadilly. There is also a Metro station on Warwick
Road, which leads to Sir Matt Busby Way.
Places to Eat and Drink
The Quadrant pub is within about 10 minutes of Old Trafford, in the direction of
the Lancashire Cricket Ground. Alternatively, the Bridge, in Sale, is only two
stops and 8 minutes from the stadium by Metro. The Bricklayers Arms in
Altrincham serves excellent food and provides match day parking.
Stadium Review
Numerous fans have reported being disappointed by their visit to the
"Theatre of Dreams." However, this may partly be due to unduly high
expectations brought about by the stadium's somewhat pretentious nickname.
However, having negotiated the steep steps to the concourse, most visitors found
it adequate, though somewhat cramped, with a fair range of refreshments on
offer. Away fans have been universal in their praise for the excellent view of
play from the away sections. <br>
ANFIELD
Liverpool`s home ground, Anfield, has a capacity of 45,500. The legendary Kop
terrace has been replaced by a large single-tiered stand. Notable features of
the stadium include gates named after former Liverpool managers, namely the Bob
Paisley Gate and the Bill Shankly Gate. In addition, a statue of Shankly is
situated outside the stadium. There is a memorial to the victims of the
Hillsborough disaster on Anfield Road.
Travel Directions
Road
Anfield is easily accessible from all major routes into Liverpool, 3 miles from
the city centre and 4 miles from the M62. Exit the M62 at junction 12, following
the A5058 for 3 miles and turning left at the lights into Utting Avenue. After a
mile, turn right at the Arkles pub for the ground.
Rail
The best way to reach Anfield is via Liverpool Central, to Kirkdale or Sandhills
station. Sandhills station offers a bus service to Anfield, running for 2 hours
either side of games. Kirkdale station is within a mile of the ground.
Places to Eat and Drink
The Flat Iron pub is a 5-minute walk from the ground. Though popular with
home fans, visitors have reported a very friendly atmosphere. The
"traditional" pub for away fans is the Arkles pub near the ground.
However, from lunchtime onwards it can become uncomfortably overcrowded on match
days.
Stadium Review
The vast majority of fans have reported a trip to Anfield as a rewarding
experience. Many have commented upon it as one of the legendary venues, steeped
in footballing history, with the Bill Shankly statue and memorial gates. The
atmosphere within the stadium is reported as being very friendly and the
proximity of the home fans in certain areas gave no feeling of
intimidation.
STAMFORD BRIDGE
Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea, has a capacity of 42,500. The old
three-tiered East Stand, dating from the 1970s has been retained, but the
remaining three sides of the stadium now offer new stands, totally enclosing the
ground. The West Stand is also three-tiered, with transparent roof panels light
to reach the pitch, while the North and South Stands are two-tiered.
Travel Directions
Road
Follow the M25 to junction 15, taking the M4 towards London. Follow the A4 over
Hammersmith flyover and turn for Earls Court after 1½ miles. Follow the one-way
system to Fulham Road, turning right at the traffic lights. The stadium is
situated on the right, after about 500 yards.
Rail
The nearest overground train station is West Brompton, a 15-minute walk away,
while the nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway (District Line), just a short
walk from the ground.
Places to Eat and Drink
The White Horse is a large, comfortable pub, situated about 10 minutes from the
ground, near Parsons Green station. Visiting fans have been impressed by the
range of food and real ales on offer.
Stadium Review
Many visitors have remarked upon the excellent atmosphere within the stadium,
with no feeling of intimidation, despite little space between opposing fans.
Most visiting fans were impressed by the overall impression of the stadium, both
externally and internally, remarking on its modern looks. However, many fans
have noted that Stamford Bridge is extremely expensive, both in terms of tickets
and the refreshments sold in the ground.
Plentiful accommodation is available near most major football grounds. This
ranges from traditional guest houses to 5-star hotels. Most top UK football
stadiums have a club shop, stocking all sorts of club merchandise, including
replica kits, hats, scarves and accessories for a Manchester United, Liverpool
or a Chelsea bedroom.
This page was last updated on 08/17/09.
Launched 25 October 2008
