Barry Sear

Age: 38

Teams Supported: Arsenal & Southend United

First League Ground Visited & When:

Actually Highbury in 1970/1 season, but for the purposes of doing "the 92" it was Upton Park in October 1995 to see West Ham earn a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

Last Ground Visited to complete the 92: Bury.

Date Completed: April 22nd 2000.

How long has it taken you to visit all 92 grounds? Four and a half years.

Best Ground visited (& why).

Newcastle and Sunderland come close for sheer passion, atmosphere and the intimidation factor, but Highbury wins because not only is it a well appointed and interesting ground, but not overly commercial.

Poorest Ground Visited:

Macclesfield Town.

Best experience on your travels:

Overall, Botafogo Rio v Santos at the Maracana Stadium.  Closer to home, Ian Wright's hat-trick .v. Bolton to become Arsenal's all-time top scorer.

Worst experience on your travels:

Select your favourite from these: 2 speeding convictions; having car stereo stolen and getting a parking ticket on the same day at Millwall;  finding out the game at Plymouth was postponed when on the outskirts of Exeter having been driving for 5 hours;  being locked out of the Priestfield Stadium despite arriving over an hour early for a Division 3 game.

Funniest experience on your travels:

Seeing a message congratulating "Barry Seal" on completing the 92 on the scoreboard at Bury - my name is Barry Sear !

Most Goals Seen In One Match:

Eight - Bristol Rovers 5 Bournemouth 3, & Huddersfield 7 C Palace 1.

Best Match Witnessed: 

Preston 2 Arsenal 4 in the FA Cup 3rd round in 1997/8.

Best Goal Seen:

Either of Andy Clarke's 2 for Peterborough away v Hull this year.

Best Player Watched:

Dennis Bergkamp.

Stupidest Chant Heard:

Oo aar, it's Ambrosia (Southend supporters at Cheltenham Town).

Any tips for those intending to visit the 92?

Don't start with the grounds nearest your home and work outwards leaving all the longest journeys for last.  Mix up the distances ... and try to do the furthest northernmost  grounds (Carlisle / Newcastle / Sunderland / Hartlepool, Darlington etc) and Oldham in the warmer months to reduce the risk of postponements.

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