White Hart Lane

The second stadium I had the honour of attending was White Hart Lane- home to Tottenham Hotspurs. This was really exciting as I got to see a live English Premier Football match. The teams playing were Hull City and Tottenham. Tottenham have had a horrid start to the season and when Hull City scored in the opening minute, the home fans were nearly in tears.

Watching a game like this was quite an eye opener. The first thing I observed, is that the away team supporters, have a separate entrance to the stands and the area allocated to them is tiny compared to the home team. Very unlike SA sport,where the home and away supporters are mixed. Also this i unique to soccer/ football. Rugby, all supporters sit amongst one another.

Twickenham

Well I have finally got my camera out after been home for nearly a week and have also final decided how I am going to share some of my holiday with you.

Basically I was fortunate enough to go and see a few sports stadiums while I was in the UK, some I just stood outside, some I toured and others I went and watched a match. The stadiums I saw were:

Twickenham- Home to the English Rugby Union
The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff- Home to the Welsh Rugby Union
White Hart Lane- Home to Totenham Hotspurs Football Club
Chelsea Stadium- Home to Chelsea Football Club

Twickenham

This was an organised tour and what was really good about it, was that the tour group consisted of 4 people, so it was really personal. I was quite surprised, that we were allowed into the royal box and even sit in the seat the Queen would sit in if she attended a game.

It is quite a remarkable stadium and I can only imagine how it must rock when it is hosting and International test. We also had the honour of working through the President of the English Rugby Unions Box, WOW, what class and elegance. To be honest I do not know if I would enjoy watching a game in collar and tie and all so formal. Anyway I suppose it could be an experience.

This photo is quite special and been the only South African on the tour, I had the honour of identifying the Springbok, I cannot remember what tour it was, but pre apartheid tours , the visiting Springboks, would present a trophy such as this to the English Ruby Union as a gift. This is placed near the royal box for all to see.

The last part of the tour is to the change rooms. These are basic, however, the visitors are even more basic, so much so that you are not allowed in the vvisitors change rooms. This picture is of Martin Johnstones cubicle. I could have had my photo sitting in there, but as a Springbok support declined. The tour is then concluded at the tunnel the players use to get to the pitch. I stood at the tunnel door and as you will see by my dress code, I was was not ready to play on the day. I preferred to be a spectator.