Preston North End 1 Manchester United 3

Match 71

Ground - Deepdale

Attendance 21,348

Programme  £3


With over 2000 tickets going on sale on Friday 13th February i couldn't resist the opportunity to grab a couple of tickets for the biggest FA Cup Match at Deepdale for ages .

Last time PNE hosted United in a competitive game was 1972 - i was there that day too when over 37,000 fan attended . Don't remember too much about it apart from Best Law Charlton & Gowling - oh yeh - queued for the tickets for ages as a 7 year old kid , i remember that .

Many fans probably gave up going years ago when they couldn't get tickets for the 64 Cup Final but there was ample opportunity to get tickets for this game as you had to be registered on the clubs data base before Jan 1st 2015 - good idea .

 The United fans chanted you've only come to see United which was probably true for many .
Preston fans were singing the praise of Sir Tom Finney & David Moyes

This tie will be remembered for Rooney's alleged dive for a penalty in the 88th minute although no question it was a penalty as the Preston goalkeeper Stuckmann  made a reckless challenge on United's Man Of The Match .

Decent second half and a good performance from North End .

Kawkab Athletic Club of Marrakech KACM

Ground  No 67

No Match

29th November 2014

Stadium - Stade El Harti

League -  Botola Pro ( 16 Teams )

An outside glimpse of the  old stadium in Marrakesh which has been replaced by a new modern stadium Grand Stade de Marrakech in 2011 .

As you can see , a beautiful day in Marrakesh . The old stadium is located close to The Golden Tulip Hotel Farrah and 15 minutes drive from the new stadium .

Antalyaspor Club Atatürk Stadium Turkey

Ground number 66

Ground - Atatürk Stadium

Club - Antalyaspor Club ( Medical Park )

Founded - 1966

Capacity - 12,000

Country - Turkey

Super League

Antalyaspor Atatürk Stadium  spiritual home .

The team play in the Turkish Super League at the Akdeniz University Stadium ( 7,083 ) and move to a new 41,703 Antalya Stadium next season . They have also played at The Mardan Sports Complex for two years as their Atatürk Stadium  does not meet the required standards

As you can see the ground is surrounded by high rise buildings but there is a beautiful harbour close by which gives a superb scenic view .

Caught the local bus in Side to Manavgat Coach Station  ( Otogar  ) - changed to the coach for the 45 mile trip to Antalya - every 5 minutes along the route seemed to be a stop so it was a good 1 and a half hour journey . Lovely scenic harbour near the football stadium .

In 2014 it may be possible to visit all four stadiums if you have enough time or want to plan a visit as part of a break .

You can just see the floodlights in the background -  Harbour

 

 

Wigan Athletic FA Cup Winners Parade

 

Blackburn Rovers 1 Crystal Palace 1

Ground 65

Match 69

The Championship

Blackburn Rovers

Venue Ewood Park

Nickname The Riversiders

Formed 1875

Ground Capacity 31,367

Attendance 19,756

Distance Travelled 23 miles

Entrance £12

Programme £3

Ewood Park , home of Blackburn Rovers is situated close to junction 4 of the M65 motorway and about a mile or so from another famous club - AFC Darwen . Rovers were one of the twelve founder members of The Football League in 1888 .

Palace had the better of the first half but failed to capitalize on their superior movement . Gary Bowyer kept Rovers on their toes and despite going behind , Rhodes managed to find an unexpected equalizer before half time .

Rovers were more adept in the second period pressing forward persistently . Palace were always a threat , both sides claimed penalties and were unlucky not to add to their tally . A decent Championship performance by Rovers showing they can raise their  level .

We made a swift exit before the end and headed to Rishton for a curry . I'd  slipped up and paid a fiver to park  when there were free spaces nearby - never mind - the car park attendants were there all day so it was safe and secure and i did get in cheaper than the normal match day fee . The Mrs won't walk more than she needs so i had to park fairly close , also ,  my match day half price ticket was nullified when she decided to take in her yearly game ! She'd heard from her friends the best currys are in East Lancashire so decided to invite herself on the premise we tried the Balti House in Rishton .  Quick get away heading towards Burnley - the curry was indeed excellent .