The World According to Brendan: Football

I don't want to sound like David Brent but I bloody love football. I've been an Arsenal fan since birth, my father made the decision for me and I've been lucky enough to have seen my team win major trophies and I'm proud to support my club. All football fans will bitch and moan about the desolate periods of little or no success, and most would point out that no trophy in eight years is a bleak period but in the grander scheme of things my club is well run (infrastructure, profitability, team performance etc, ticket prices are catastrophic on the other hand). So finishing 4th isn't a reason to moan when other supporters have to travel 35 miles to a home game or their clubs are literally going out of business.

My father always said to me when I was growing up that he'd always love me no matter what. He would say that if I came home one day and told him that I was gay he'd still love me because I was his son, but if I came home and told him that I was a Tottenham fan then he'd disown me! Neither situation has occurred so I think I'm still in the good books.

I attended my first game at the innocent age of 5. It was my first introduction to Highbury, to Arsenal, to football. On the 15th of April, 1995, Arsenal played Ipswich Town at home. In all honesty, I remember very little from the game. As I was very young I had to stand on the seat for most of the game as the men sat in front of us were enormous to me, but I could still only see very little of the pitch. I was complaining to my dad throughout the game but there wasn't much he could do. Eventually, I gave up trying to watch the game and I sat in the seat in darkness as the large men all around blocked out the sunlight. Then they all stood up and the crowd erupted in cheer as Ian Wright scored his third of the game to seal his hat-trick. My dad lifted me in the air and we jumped in jubilation with the rest of the Arsenal faithful. Arsenal won the game 4-1 eventually.

The Emirates Stadium and Highbury

Since then I have travelled internationally to watch this wonderful sport. I've been to many grounds in England, Germany, France, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Portugal, and Spain and more!

My favourite stadium that I have visited has to be the Westfalenstadion, the home of Borussia Dortmund. It's not the biggest or the newest but they can certainly brag about its incredible atmosphere, it's electric. The stadium can hold up to 80,645 spectators (for domestic league games) and is known for the famous Yellow Wall. You can drink in the stands and home and away fans sit side-by-side as they watch the game, so much more civil than the Brits. The quality of the football was supreme, the match was exciting (5 goals and 2 red cards), the beer was excellent, and the sausages were better. Hamburg beat Dortmund 4-1 back in February 2013. I would recommend going to watch a game in the Bundesliga, I certainly will be going back.

Dortmund's Yellow Wall

My least favourite ground that I have attended has to be Stoke City's Britannia Stadium. I hate Stoke City. The city is a dive, the fans are moronic, the at the time manager was a pleb, and their style of football is atrocious. I went for an away day with my friend Tom, I struggled to keep up with that drinking machine for most of the afternoon and I was really looking forward to the game. The Arsenal fans boarded a few double-decker buses and were given a police escort through the traffic to the game. I can't fault the Stoke fans for their support, for a relegation-battling side they still have average crowds of 25,000, but their mindset is idiotic. Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey was making his return in his first full season back from a double leg fracture caused by Stoke City's Ryan "Not That Type of Player" Shawcross. Every time Ramsey would receive the ball he was booed and jeered by the Stoke City fans. The quality of play was poor, I picked up a neck ache from watching the ball head skywards as Stoke pumped it long and high every time they had possession. The major downside to that day was that Arsenal didn't triumph, and we had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Shame.

The most obscure game I have ever attended was AFC Telford United vs. York City in the FA Trophy semi-final 1st leg at The New Bucks Head in 2009. My friend from university, Stuart is an avid fan and now a programme writer for The Bucks. He invited us along with the promise of beer, football, a roast dinner, and a night out in Telford (I should have known better!) I had never been to a game consisting of teams from the Conference and Conference North, so I didn't know what to expect. The game was good, Telford have a reasonably new stadium, and it was standing. The best part of the game was when the York City fans opened up a huge banner which hid most of their support, after a few moments while no one knew what was going on they dropped the banner to reveal one or two fans standing very daringly holding flares. It was hilarious watching all of the 8 stewards run over to the away end to attempt to diffuse the situation. They'd probably never had crowd "trouble" before, I'm guessing. It was an experience and the roast dinner wasn't bad either.

I also have a slight affection for Deportivo de La Coruña. Some may argue that my reason for liking Depor doesn't have enough substance, but I'm not too bothered. I had a phenomenal FM game with Deportivo and now I tend to follow their results. I'd hardly call myself a supporter but I like to keep abreast with scores and news. I even did a skydive wearing my Deportivo shirt. Most football fans have dreams about going to the Nou Camp or the Bernabéu, but one day I'd like to go to the Riazor.

Grounds List
Total Stadiums Visited: 74
The list below represents the stadiums I have visited worldwide. The stadiums included are those of which I have seen a football game at (i.e. not including stadium tours or other events held at the stadium). The specific match day details were the first games I saw at said stadia.

England

Arsenal FC

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

22nd September, 2009 - League Cup 3rd Round - Att: 56,592

Highbury

Arsenal 4-1 Ipswich Town

15th April, 1995 - Premier League - Att: 36,818

(Old) Wembley Stadium

Arsenal 0-1 R.C. Lens

25th November, 1998 - UEFA Champions League - Att: 73,707

Barnet FC

Underhill

Barnet 1-2 Gillingham

23rd November, 2010 - Football League 2 - Att: 2,519

Birmingham City FC
St. Andrew's
Birmingham City 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
17th December, 2016 - Football League Championship - Att: 17,287

England National Team

(New) Wembley Stadium

England 1-2 France

17th November, 2010 - International Friendly - Att: 85,495

The County Ground (Swindon Town)

England U19 2-0 Croatia U19

5th February, 2008 - U19 International Friendly - Att: 11,301

Everton FC

Goodison Park

Everton 1-2 Arsenal

14th November, 2010 - Premier League - Att: 36,279

Leicester City FC

King Power Stadium

Leicester City 0-0 Burnley

17th April, 2012 - Football League Championship - Att: 19,806

Luton Town FC

Kenilworth Road

Luton Town 2-3 Exeter City

3rd April, 2015 - Football League 2 - Att: 8,755

Manchester United FC

Old Trafford

Stadium and Museum Tour

Circa Summer, 2000

Milton Keynes Dons FC

National Hockey Stadium

MK Dons 2-1 Lincoln City

15th November, 2005 - FA Cup First Round Replay - Att: 4,029

stadium:MK
MK Dons 3-1 Peterborough United
9th October, 2007 - Football League Trophy - Att: 5,087

Notts County FC

The County Ground

Notts County 1-1 MK Dons

21st January, 2012 - Football League 1 - Att: 6,123

Nottingham Forest FC

The City Ground

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Swansea City

6th March, 2010 - Football League Championship - Att: 25,012

Peterborough United FC

London Road

Peterborough United 0-6 Manchester United

19th July, 2005 - Barry Fry's Testimonial - Att:15,400

Shrewsbury Town FC

The Prostar Stadium

Shrewsbury Town 0-2 West Bromwich Albion

22nd July, 2009 - Pre-Season Friendly - Att: 2,437

Stoke City FC

The Britannia Stadium

Stoke City 1-1 Arsenal

28th April, 2012 - Premier League - Att: 27,502

AFC Telford United

The New Bucks Head

AFC Telford United 0-2 York City

14th March, 2009 - FA Trophy Semi-Final First Leg - Att: 2,792

West Bromwich Albion FC

The Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Burnley

24th January, 2009 - FA Cup 4th Round - Att: 18,294

AFC Wimbledon
Kingsmeadow
AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Watford
11th July, 2015 - Pre-Season Friendly (The Football Manager Cup) - Att: 2,988

Wycombe Wanderers FC
Adams Park
Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Preston North End
8th September, 1998 - Football League 2 - Att: 3,800

Argentina

Arsenal Fútbol Club

Estadio Julio Humberto Grondona

Arsenal Sarandi 2-1 Club Atlético Union

22nd April, 2023 - Primera División - Att: Unknown

Club Atlético Banfield

Estadio Florencio Sola

Banfield 1-0 Central Córdoba

17th April, 2023 - Primera División - Att: Unknown

Club Atlético Boca Juniors
Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombanera)
Boca Juniors 0-1 Estudiantes
15th April, 2023 - Primera División - Att: Unknown

Club Atlético Independiente

Estadio Libertadores de América - Ricardo Enrique Bochini

Independiente 1-1 Racing Club

16th April, 2023 - Primera División - Att: Unknown

Club Atlético River Plate

Estadio Mâs Monumental

River Plate 2-0 Independiente

23rd April, 2023 - Primera División - Att: Unknown

San Lorenzo de Almagro

Estadio Pedro Bidegain

San Lorenzo 1-0 Platense

23rd April, 2023 - Primera División - Att: Unknown

Australia

Central Coast Mariners FC
Bluetongue Stadium
Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Sydney FC
7th December, 2013 - A-League - Att: 10,251

Sydney FC
Allianz Stadium
Sydney FC 2-0 Newcastle Jets
30th November, 2013 - A-League - Att: 14,803

Brazil

Fluminense FC

Fluminense 1-1 Vasco da Gama

Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho (Estádio Maracanã)

6th May, 2023 - Campeonato Brasileiro Série A - Att: 39,850

Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas

Botafogo 2-0 Clube Atlético Mineiro

Estádio Nilton Santos

7th May, 2023 - Campeonato Brasileiro Série A - Att: 16,415

Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras

Palmeiras 1-1 Red Bull Bragantino

Allianz Parque

13th May, 2023 - Campeonato Brasileiro Série A - Att: 39,488

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista

Corinthians 1-1 São Paulo

Neo Química Arena

14th May, 2023 - Campeonato Brasileiro Série A - Att: 41,434

Chile

Club de Deportes Santiago Wanderers
Estadio Valparaiso (Estadio Elias Figaroa Brander)
Santiago Wanderers 3-0 Real San Joaquin
7th April, 2023 - Copa Chile Round of 16 - Att: Unknown

China

Beijing Renhe F.C.
Beijing Fengtai Stadium
Beijing Renhe 2-0 Zhejiang Yiteng
30th April, 2017 - China League One - Att: Unknown

Beijing Guoan F.C.
Worker's Stadium
Beijing Guoan 2-1 Shanghai Shenhua
2nd April, 2017 - Chinese Super League - Att: 53,056

Worker's Stadium (new)

Beijing Guoan 1-2 Shenzhen Peng City

9th April, 2024 - Chinese Super League - Att: 46,348

Exhibition Match
The Beijing National Stadium (The Bird's Nest)
Chelsea 3-0 Arsenal
22nd July, 2017 - Pre-Season Friendly - Att: 55,618

Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C.
Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium
Shandong Luneng Taishan 3-1 Hebei China Fortune
15th August, 2018 - Chinese Super League - Att: 22,368

Tianjin TEDA F.C.
Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium
Tianjin TEDA 2-1 Jiangsu Suning
7th July, 2019 - Chinese Super League - Att: 16,239

France

Lille Olympique Sporting Club
Stade Pierre-Mauroy
Lille OSC 0-2 OGC Nice
15th September, 2013 - Ligue 1 - Att: 34,002

Germany

Ballspielverein Borussia 09 e.V. Dortmund (Borussia Dortmund)
Westfalonstadion
Borussia Dortmund 1-4 Hamburger SV
9th February, 2013 - Bundesliga - Att: 80,645

Hong Kong

South China Athletic Association
Mong Kok Stadium
South China AA 4-0 Wong Tai Sin
8th March, 2015 - Premier League - Att: 1,140

Italy

Associazione Sportiva Roma

Stadio Olimpico

AS Roma 4-0 Cagliari

5th February, 2024 - Serie A - Att: 61,755

Atalanta B.C.
Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia
Atalanta 1-2 SPAL
20th January, 2020 - Serie A - Att: 18,313

Brescia Calcio
Stadio Mario Rigamonti
Brescia 2-2 Cagliari
19th January, 2020 - Serie A - Att: 12,133

Football Club Internazionale Milano
San Siro/Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
Internazionale 4-1 Cagliari
14th January, 2020 - Coppa Italia - Att: 28,914

Juventus F.C.
Allianz Arena/Juventus Stadium
Juventus 4-0 Udinese
15th January, 2020 - Coppa Italia - Att: 39,524

Parma Calcio 1913
Ennio Tardini Stadium
Parma 0-2 A.S. Roma
16th January, 2020 - Coppa Italia - Att: 3,604

Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

SSC Napoli 2-1 Hellas Verona

4th February, 2024 - Serie A - Att: 44,000 (est.)

Società Sportiva Lazio

Stadio Olimpico

SS Lazio 0-0 SSC Napoli

28th January, 2024 - Serie A - Att: 32,000 (est.)

Unione Sportiva Sassuolo Calcio
Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore
Sassuolo 2-1 Torino
18th January, 2020 - Serie A - Att: 10,765

Republic of Korea

Bucheon FC 1995
Bucheon Stadium
Bucheon 1995 1-0 Gyeongnam
5th September, 2015 - K-League Challenge - Att: 708

Goyang Hi FC
Goyang Stadium
Goyang Hi 0-1 Ansan Police
10th October, 2015 - K-League Challenge - Att: 341

Incheon United FC
Incheon Football Stadium
Incheon United 3-0 Busan I'Park
30th August, 2014 - K-League Classic - Att: 7,251

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC
Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Jeonbuk Motors 3-0 FC Seoul
12th September, 2015 - K-League Classic - Att: 26,433

Seongnam FC
Tancheon Sports Complex
Seongnam 1-2 Jeju United
13th July, 2014 - K-League Classic - Att: 3,008

FC Seoul
Seoul World Cup Stadium
FC Seoul 0-1 Jeonnam Dragons
8th March, 2014 - K-League Classic - Att: 13,674

Seoul E-Land FC
Seoul Olympic Stadium
Seoul E-Land FC 1-0 FC Anyang
3rd August, 2015 - K-League Challenge - Att: 1,560

Suwon City FC
Suwon Civil Stadium
Suwon City FC 3-1 Seoul E-Land FC
8th August, 2015 - K-League Challenge - Att: 1,383

Suwon Samsung Bluewings FC
Suwon World Cup Stadium
Suwon Bluewings 4-1 Pohang Steelers
3rd August, 2014 - K-League Classic - Att: 17,155

Spain

Elche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D
Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero
Elche CF 2-0 Extremadura Unión Deportiva
16th February, 2019 - Segunda Division - Att: 9,528

Futbol Club Barcelona
Camp Nou
Barcelona 6-0 Getafe
28th April, 2015 - La Liga - Att: 65,356

Real Madrid Club de Fútbol

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Real Madrid 0-0 Real Sociedad

29th January, 2023 - La Liga - Att: 58,129

Valencia CF
Mestalla
Valencia CF 0-0 RCD Espanyol
17th February, 2019 - La Liga - Att: 39,656