Matt Coughlan

My 137 game run since I last saw a 0-0 came to an end, but I had the consolation of a penalty shootout as Harrogate Railway progressed in the league cup.

YouTube video by Sky Sports The CRAZIEST end to Super League match ever? 😮 | Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens Highlights

In a weekend of sporting highlights I’m glad I went to this even if it wasn’t the result I was hoping for. I suspect it will largely overlooked, but RL once again proving what a great game it can be. These highlights only cover half the incidents.

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Groundhopping Blog: On the Tyne Fate decreed that I take a trip to Newcastle, but unlike Michael Caine’s character in Get Carter, I’m not returning after many years away to avenge the killing of my brother. I’m here to see Newcas…

Blog post on following this season’s FA Vase…

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A topsy turvy tie in the Alan Turvey trophy as Kingstonian came from behind to beat Merstham 4-2. Game was most notable for the best football pie I’ve had south of the Watford Gap and a couple of well taken goals.

Successful day. Cricket team promoted without playing. Spotted my book in the wild. Continued my FA Vase journey seeing Newcastle Benfield beat Boldon CA 3-0 without succumbing to trench foot.

YouTube video by COPA90 The OTHER club taking over Barcelona | KICKING OFF: UE SANT ANDREU

Loved this…
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Another Rhinos game for me tonight. It was armed forces night. Unfortunately, the only military inspiration Leeds had was the Battle of Teutoburg Forest. A dismal loss.

Wasn’t in the mood for groundhopping tonight. Maybe these will help.

Are revisits worthwhile? By guest writer Matt Coughlan

I said I would write something for Groundhopper Weekly and ended up writing something that doesn’t technically count as #groundhopping but check it out anyway and subscribe for more groundhopping content

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Looks like I’m off to Newcastle for the next round of the FA Vase after Newcastle Benfield’s comprehensive 6-1 win over Ilkley. Look out for a less than comprehensive write up soon.

Can’t help falling in love with that Leeds Rhinos performance, as they left Hull KR all shook up. Will it be Heartbreak hotel in the playoffs or will the Rhinos bring the Grand Final trophy back to the green green grass of home?

Harrogate v Barrow for me tonight. Same fixture that featured in the book 2 yrs ago. Same 1-0 home win. Better game, better under the lights, and I made a better choice of pie. Might have to go more often, especially if there’s more £10 ticket offers.

Cricket Blog: Silly Point With another summer drawing to a close all too soon and all those grand plans to go cycling around grounds in the Dales, get in some decent net practice, and watch a match from the pub on the bound…

With the football season about to start in earnest, my cricket season comes to an end, so here’s a blog on it…

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Another Harrogate Railway game. Another 3-0 win. Could get used to that.

Yes, it’s nice to get updates about how my nephews are getting on playing football, but I can’t really post the clips and dissect the defending they were up against to promote the book on here. His sighting of the book in Liverpool Waterstones on the other hand…

Most notable things from Clapton’s surprise defeat to Basildon were not missing anything going to the bar during a stoppage (for one of many fouls), and the visiting GK deploying clearances out of that Bryan’s Gunn compilation late on. Atmosphere made the trip worth it as always.

Couldn’t get away early enough to play cricket, but did catch the opening league game for Harrogate Railway, who won by a cricket score. More specifically one of my cricket scores. 3-0 and a good start to the season.

Took my son out on his 🚲 at lunchtime. When I asked why he wasn’t using an easier gear to get up a hill, his reply could’ve been a motivational quote from an old school #TdF rider: ‘If I can get up there in this gear, I know I can get up there in all the others.’ Now checking his room for Pot Belge

Today’s big sporting drama was returning a racing pigeon. It got lost on a short training run near Whitby. As far as debuts go that’s like Woodgate’s Madrid debut and then getting lost in the tunnel and ending up at a chicken coop in Siguenza

I do like it when a cricket club has a bar in the pavilion that welcomes members of the public. Enjoyed a couple of pints watching Harrogate’s midweek league game, mixed with umpiring my kids playing in the nets. I’ve now had to look up the rules around sledging.

YouTube video by Beau Miles Using YouTube to plant a forest

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As much as I’m looking forward to the new football season I can’t bring myself to be excited about friendlies. Not when I can cycle to a couple of village cricket matches and a vineyard.

Always liked to answer Q&As in a matchday programme as if I was a player, and here I have that opportunity as a writer (only without having to give the seemingly obligatory answer that Phil Collins was my favourite musician).

Which grounds are you looking to get to this season? For me it’s…

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Ayr/Morton/QoS
🐇 Northern League Hop
🏺Several rounds of the FA Vase
🏡 More Railway games
🏟️ Great Yarmouth
🥀Avro/Bacup/Colne
🔙 Clapton

#groundhopping

Took a southerner to their first rugby league match. Rhinos laid on plenty of points and we got to sing along to Marching on Together without supporting the football team. Success.

YouTube video by The Velo Pages Cycling Documentary: "The Lost Merckx" The Ultimate Cycling Barnfind.

Lovely little documentary this 👇🏻

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YouTube video by Topliss at the Turnstiles What I Saw at 30+ Sunday League Games This Season...

Catching up on various football content on YouTube and to paraphrase Barry Davies, I have to say this is magnificent…

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Football Writing Blog: Come and get me plea! One of the questions I frequently get asked as a writer is ‘what’s next?’ Usually, I have a couple of ideas on the go, but after Groundhopper I didn’t. I’ve had a vague idea to develop my cricket b…

A new blog that’s a mish mash of musings on a new writing project, a come and get me plea to magazine/website editors, and repository of photos I had left over.

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I’m up to 132 grounds now, so perhaps I’ll have to think of some sort of follow up 🤔

Just the one error that’s bothered me since recording this. When asked about a favourite anecdote I didn’t use the one with the rhubarb and casual sexism.

Enjoyed other episodes in the back catalogue too, which are a treasure trove for #groundhoppers.