8 Football Grounds that are a bit weird and I've been to/near

I'm doing this post as a time killer, though it's nice to be able to write another blog. Re-adjusting my sleep pattern post second Ashes test, since I've been working on Oz time for the past five days. Sadly, as you'll have guessed, it's not been worth it. 

The other day I was at Meadow Lane (we actually won!), and was talking with my flat-mate - who is a Notts County convert from Leeds - I liken this to the conversion of Saul in the Bible... seen the light etc... Anyway, I was checking my 'Fotmob' app, when a result popped up that Queen of the South (went to their ground once, like to see how they're doing, don't ask) were beating Dumbarton. Now I also happen to have been to Dumbarton's ground, and it is particularly notable, because it is situated next to a castle. This led me off on a huge and probably tedious chat about how Dumbarton's ground is next to a castle, which said flat-mate suitably endured. The conversation inspired me to write the spectacle before you. And so, without further ado, 8 Football Grounds that are a bit weird and I've been to/near.

1. The Bet Butler Stadium, Dumbarton FC.
As promised, Dumbarton's ground, which has undergone many sponsorship changes in its time. Ironically, given "The Sons" have won only 1 out of 6 league games at home this season, the ground is nicknamed by the fans "The Rock". This is because it is next to a rock, on top of which there is the aforementioned castle. Following that logic, Meadow Lane should be nicknamed Hooters. I'll leave that one hanging. Overall though, well worth a visit, the  rock, castle and ground all come off well in this one.

2. Estadio Municipal de Braga, Sporting Clube de Braga.
Continuing the rocky theme, (listen, whilst you read), this is the wonderful, magnificent, bizarre, natural-looking, eccentric Braga stadium, carved out of a quarry. I'm guessing with all the superlatives, by the way, I did go there, but behind the massive gates and car-park, the view is pretty shameful. Though there was a nice ice-cream van outside, which is good.

3. St Mary's Park, St Cuthbert Wanderers FC. 

This one I put down, with more of a tenuous hand. I think this is slightly less effective photo-wise, and  you actually have to go there to get the full feeling (highly recommend it, Kirkcudbright is a very nice town). From memory, you can pretty much walk off the beach, turn a corner, and end up with this ground in front of you. Nice in general and a rackety old stand that makes the whole affair very 'proper' football. I generally remember it being undoubtedly the most shocking place to find a ground of a decent size. P.S - I see from Twitter, Saints also got to the semi final of the League Cup, having just missed out to Wigtown (another great town to visit) - Congrats! *

4. Rheinpark Stadion, Liechtenstein and FC Vaduz.

A ground undoubtedly close to my heart, the mighty Rheinpark is the fortress of the Liechtenstein national team and of the capital's local club, FC Vaduz. The ground entered Howlett family folklore (how sad) when I managed to get in to the ground and touch the hallowed turf with no one once challenging me. Which says a lot about Liechtenstein and my excitement. Notable and a bit weird for the mountain alpine scenery that surrounds it. Which is more or less notable enough. Rumour has it the North Stand is in fact a tax haven for Conservative Party donors, though this has yet to be confirmed.

5. Caledonian Stadium, Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

One of my favourite grounds, if I look past the fact that they've turned Celtic over far too many times to be comfortable with, it's mildly weird/different in that it is right next to the Kessock Bridge, which is an architectural success in it self. Well worth going over the bridge if nothing else, as the view of the ground is really attractive. The other thing about bridges is that they're over water. We deduce from this that the ground is also right next to a river, namely the Beauly Firth (like either you or I have ever heard of that)...

The ground is in the picture somewhere

6. The John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Town FC.

Known as t'Galpharm when I were there, this stadium is hilariously average (that's far too harsh, but never mind), the ground is notably weird because it's the only ground I've been to where there's a humongous driving range next door. 

This has clearly been noted by the PR people - the Main Stand's sponsorship deal is the "Direct Golf UK Stand", which is almost as emotive amongst the football-lover as "Sir Matt Busby Way" is to the average Japanese Manchester United fan. No one has yet managed a drive into the ground. Shame.

7. Allianz Arena, FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munchen.

A simply remarkable piece of architecture, it's like art and stadium, in one. Weird because it has a 'luminous exterior' that can change colour depending on whichever team is playing there at the time. Much to my protests, we only drove past the ground on the Autobahn, but even in the dark, probably doing double the limit in England (efficent Germans), the light show was incredible. Probably the most intrinsically attractive ground on the list, but still - a bit weird.

8. Field Mill, Mansfield Town FC.

I was never going to get through a post without mentioning Nottinghamshire in some extended form, and the excuse this time, unusually for me, is Mansfield. Always a shame to think about it, but relevant for these purposes. Field Mill, a bit like Huddersfield, is a very average ground. However, the 'non' stand makes it a weird one. Also, more amusingly, their hilarious attempts to make it look nice. Unfortunately I couldn't find any pictures of the 'lads' up the trees nearby on sell-out crowds. Equally Mansfield-ish.

The 'non' stand. Note the saving money on the hole in the roof.

And there we have it. Eight clubs, some of which you'll have heard of, all weird in some way. I will undoubtedly have a 'List of cricket grounds that are a bit weird and I've played at', soon...

*I'm told by one of the Cuthbert's faithful on Twitter that St Mary's Park now has a 3G pitch, and the terrace in the picture has gone down, to be replaced in the new year... All the same, I enjoyed it whilst it was there.