Firstly apologies for the lack of update in the past few weeks. I would love to say it was because I was away jet setting around the world scouring high and low for the best football grounds and stories alike…but that would be a lie! The most important thing is that I am back and ready to report back on the highs and lows of a real football fan.

So in the typical Scottish way it is from the 5 star facilities in Glasgow to the next ground for reviewing…Christie Park Huntly!

The Highland league is a big deal in the North-East! So i decided to take in the game between Huntly and Brora Rangers (before we go any further…I am a Brora fan!). Huntly have a great reputation from their various Scottish Cup escepades so my expectations where high…so…

Firstly the ground is in a nice picturesque part of Huntly. Literally a stone throw away from the centre of the town and tree lined on one side. I didn’t arrive until 2.58pm due to traffic issues and got parked very easily in a roundabout area next to the ground. Tres convenient as the half say in France!

Car parked in picturesque spot...in the rain!

I came to the gate which seems really small! There was no queue and the women was very pleasant. It is always a great reminder when you pay your money and get a raffle ticket as proof of entry…the glamour!

The gate...it looks really small i thought!

The Ground itself is very tidy, but seems to be a little “unatmospheric” if i am totally honest. It appears there are 3 main areas of the ground. The stand, the far enclosure and a large standing area between the main gate and the stand. I stood here as I was running late. My view was good and to be honest can’t grumble.

My view...not too shabby!

So the game was 2 minutes in and my mind started wandering to food and drink. Huntly get huge credit for their commercial minds! They have COMBINED their food outlet and their club shop. I kid you not! What other ground can you say “Can i have a pie, bovril, kit-kat and a club sticker and replica pair of shorts, medium please!”!! It was busy too so all credit to the Huntlonians for their business savvy minds….

The club shop and eatery...wow!

I ordered a pie, bovril and kit-kat. I chickened out of asking for the shorts and sticker! The pie was delicious. Freshly made from a local baker i think, and a delicious bite to it! The bovril was good to so to be fair to Huntly they score high on the food! It was raining at the time though so apologies for no photo of the pie, but i have a picture of my bovril!

mmmmm....

The game itself was scrappy and there is not much left to speak about. Except for a strange sight…a man with a crash helmet in front of me. Riot police or experienced fan who protected himself from a vengeful crowd throwing foreign objects??? You decide…

Local casual???

Right…time to rate Christie Park -

Parking – 10/10 – Very picturesque and very close to ground! Tres bon!

Programme availability – I couldn’t comment due to my lateness – -1 to me!

Comfort of seat -1/10 -I stood so comfort of standing for this edition…uneven and wet! Yuck! Also was nervous by the sight of man with crash helmet!

Helpfulness of stewards and staff – 8/10 – Very good service at gate and the food merchant was spot on! Well done Huntlonians!

Quality of Pie and Bovril – 7/10 Very good. Pie was fantastic. Only let down by having Tesco ketchup…tut tut!

Scoreboard or video screen quality – N/A Come on guys…its the highland league! Although the man did read the scores out at half time over the tannoys!

Quality of half-time raffle – 0/10 – I don’t even think they had one? So if they did it was dreadful!

Hospitality -8/10 -I didn’t use the restrooms, but general welcome etc was warming!

Closing summary – A pleasant experience from Huntly to be fair. Fans started to get a little agitated which made me think that being nice is an act, but all in all a very pleasant trip. For only £5 entry too i was mightily impressed

Overall – 8/10

For my next visit i will be going to another Highland League ground…how will it mark up versus Huntly??? Stay tuned to find out!

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