Even better, the poorly supported league newbies would have a crowd, as they faced another local rival, Stockport County. The attendance (3,923) fell one short of a seasonal high though, as the Ammies restricted County to 500 tickets, no doubt scoping an advantage in the battle for Wembley (as Barnsley did, spitefully restricting the number of away tickets Bolton were given, thereby inducing a tit-for-tat response). Stockport, enjoying a renaissance having been as low as the National League North (6th tier) four seasons ago, have been playing in front of as many as 10,000 this season. Good to luck to them after years of travail.
Considering how urban the Greater Manchester area is, the Peninsula Stadium (great name; sadly it’s just the sponsor, who ‘look after employers’ needs’, whatever they might be) is remarkably suburban, all lovely semi-detacheds and adjacent to a park. Just watch out for the parking restrictions. I found a perfect space a couple of hundred metres from the ground and I had to walk another 50 metres before finding a small sign warning me of the consequences. Good job I was warned in advance! I was there in good time though, so parked on the hill down from the stadium, which was perfect for a quick getaway in the same direction.
I’d bought my ticket online, having first had to email Salford to convince them I wasn’t a Stockport fan. It was £15 everywhere in the stadium (standing or seats). I went behind the goal, on the West Stand terrace. Access was via one of those lovely streets, Nevile Road. No programmes, even at this early hour, though I’m sure I saw someone with one. I was told at the club shop they were on sale inside the turnstile. No they weren’t. The shop did though offer me 70% off all club merchandise. A Salford City FC hoodie for 12 quid sounded like a bargain (though I resisted temptation). When would I ever wear a Salford City FC hoodie?
Even better, for a connoisseur of a certain age, was the Seven Bro7hers brewery stall. Yes, I would like an IPA. I could imbibe it as I read my programme. Oh. There was also an excellent array of food stalls, as well as beer for the less discerning. Altogether, a great package in the home end and exceptionally welcoming.
The Peninsula Stadium is a smart, if dull, affair. It’s been developed as the ‘Class of 92’ owned club rose through the divisions and is functional, if lacking in charisma. Still, I expect several non-league clubs with decent backing would kill for a stadium like this. (Dulwich Hamlet, South Shields, I’m thinking of you.) With a capacity of around 5,000, it’s more than big enough, but cosy too, all-enclosed. Seats adorn the touchlines, terracing behind either goal, with a cantilevered roof all round.
The away fans have been given the opposite far left corner and are a menacing bunch, at one point storming the lack of barriers to charge at the Salford fans and throw a few punches through the dividing netting. That they return of their own accord is neither here nor there, as the 3 or 4 stewards are swamped. It’s unsavoury, but brief, and reinforcements are found for half-time.
The match? 1-0 to the home side, a first half header being the only mark on the scoresheet, despite an entertaining end-to-end first half. The second half was a bit of a non-event. Were Salford just happy to take a lead to Edgeley Park? Were Stockport happy to just take a one goal deficit? I dunno, but it seemed to be the halves were the wrong way around, cagey latter half after an open opening. Anyway, I’m back up to 90. Now, to engineer trips to Brentford and Wimbledon...
The Damage:
£15 Ent
£4 beer
= £19
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