Pitch

Whenever Sky Sports broadcast a game from Solitude, the likes of Helen Chamberlain and co on Soccer AM would regularly wet themselves over how it was like a 'real' football match - big muddy scars on the pitch everytime there was a challenge, with sticky, boggy patches appearing in various areas at the first sign of rain.

Drainage problems meant that adverse weather conditions would very often lead to postponements and, last season, it reached the stage where rain on a Wednesday or Thursday meant it was nearly certain that Saturday's match would be off.

Opposing players used to hate visiting Solitude during the winter because the sludge would often be at ankle-depth and, as our manager frequently pointed out, 90 minutes on our pitch was like 180 on another.

There was actually a game in February of this year where things got so bad that you could barely see ANY grass whatsoever and our successful application for a new 3G surface has completed the latest renovation at the ground, which will be officially re-opened when Bolton visit next month.

 

Edited October 13, 201015 yr by Solitudinarian

Cage End

Just as Liverpool fans have the Kop, Celtic the Jungle and Bolton the ... er, I don't know what you have, so too did Cliftonville have the Cage End terracing.

So called because of the chicken-wire which rose from ground to roof, the Cage was home to the most vociferous elements of the Reds' support and was often famed for the intimidating welcome it reserved for visiting goalkeepers.

Three years ago it made way to a new 1400-seater stand, within which are new changing and shower facilities, boardroom, office space, media rooms and all that sort of business.

The first game in front of the new stand was a Premiership fixture with Linfield live on Sky Sports. 4-0 defeat. Completely shite.

 

 

Floodlights

Ever tried to illuminate a cathedral with a candle? That's what our old floodlights were like towards the end. They were so bad that, whenever we played live on TV, we had to bring temporary lighting in just so the viewers at home would be able to see properly.

Night fixtures at Solitude were a nightmare for TV and radio commentators, who often struggled to make out which players were which, while photographers regularly complained that the lighting was too poor for them to take pictures.

These lights were replaced just over a year ago by new 35m constructions which, with 800 lux lights, meet full UEFA requirements and bring Solitude up to sufficient standard to host European games. The official switching on of these floodlights (also seen above either side of the new stand) came when we faced Celtic in a friendly game last October, which we won 3-0. Bit of a ridiculous scoreline.

 

 

Do the stewards hound you for standing up during the game?

Do the stewards hound you for standing up during the game?

 

No, though the person sitting behind you will!

 

Generally anyone who wants to stand in the seated areas can do so in the back rows (where they won't be blocking anyone's view).

No, though the person sitting behind you will!

 

Generally anyone who wants to stand in the seated areas can do so in the back rows (where they won't be blocking anyone's view).

 

Make sure you don't stand up in front of the bloke who lets these off.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWIVCTqohpw

Edited October 13, 201015 yr by carrick loyalist

Make sure you don't stand up in front of the bloke who lets these off.

 

The end credits are the best thing about that video.

Edited October 13, 201015 yr by Solitudinarian

so youve got a plastic pitch?

 

 

anyway, out of interest, where do moyola park fit on the date of formation timeline?

anyway, out of interest, where do moyola park fit on the date of formation timeline?

 

They came along in 1880, a year after us. And then had the gall to beat us in the first Irish Cup Final.

some of walkdens finest are travelling,

[/quote

 

Who's going and which airport?

ame='carrick loyalist' date='13 October 2010 - 10:16 AM' timestamp='1286961362' post='776951']

 

 

Thanks for the offer, these are my flights there are 2 of us, let me know if same flights as Athywhite.

 

Liverpool to Belfast Intl

Dep 15 November 2010 09:25

 

Arr 15 November 2010 10:15

 

Flight 603

 

 

Belfast Intl to Liverpool

Dep 16 November 2010 17:15

 

Arr 16 November 2010 18:00

 

Flight 608

 

Sorry Mounts but i'm busy in the morning , Athywhite is flying in around lunchtime. A taxi from Belfast int costs around ?20 or a bus ?3.00.

Me and a few others will be in Belfast on the sunday evening and hopefully we can meet up.

 

No problem, we will jump on the bus, don't arrive until Monday no doubt we will meet up somehere.

ame='carrick loyalist' date='13 October 2010 - 02:34 PM' timestamp='1286976869' post='777055']

 

 

No problem, we will jump on the bus, don't arrive until Monday no doubt we will meet up somehere.

Sorry Mounts without looking at your flight times i assumed you was flying in on the Sunday, that won't be a problem i will pick you up.

speak closer to the date.

ame='carrick loyalist' date='13 October 2010 - 02:34 PM' timestamp='1286976869' post='777055']

 

 

No problem, we will jump on the bus, don't arrive until Monday no doubt we will meet up somehere.

They came along in 1880, a year after us. And then had the gall to beat us in the first Irish Cup Final.

 

i see they have a new ground

 

was a strange experience watching us play at the old place

Sorry Mounts without looking at your flight times i assumed you was flying in on the Sunday, that won't be a problem i will pick you up.

speak closer to the date.

 

Thanks Carrick, that is very decent of you, if it does become a problem, don't worry, we can jump on the bus.

I would also be avaioable for pickups, drop offs, lifts, pub crawls, mural tours etc

 

However I won't be here

 

So fuck yers

I have fucked up big style, I should be somewhere down south on the Tuesday morning for dowters fella's medal parade after 6 months in Afghanistan, then there is the full march on the Wednesday, best I can do is a flight from Belfast on Tuesday morning, getting to Exeter at 11.00am then a train to the event, wife and dowter are not happy bunnies.

Just put it to the committee, and Th'East Midlands Whites are registering a definite interest in this one

Just put it to the committee, and Th'East Midlands Whites are registering a definite interest in this one

 

Good man the more the merrier.

Ticket details were announced yesterday...

 

http://www.cliftonvillefc.net/welcome2.html

 

... and I think there are plans to make them available for purchase online sometime soon. I'll keep you posted.

Ticket details were announced yesterday...

 

http://www.cliftonvillefc.net/welcome2.html

 

... and I think there are plans to make them available for purchase online sometime soon. I'll keep you posted.

 

Thanks mate, I'll check on th'official BWFC site to see what our lot are doing with the tickets

I have fucked up big style, I should be somewhere down south on the Tuesday morning for dowters fella's medal parade after 6 months in Afghanistan, then there is the full march on the Wednesday, best I can do is a flight from Belfast on Tuesday morning, getting to Exeter at 11.00am then a train to the event, wife and dowter are not happy bunnies.

 

Sorted, Belfast to Bristol 08.50 with Easyjet ?14.99, land in Bristol at 10.00, wife picking me up, make the medal parade with time to spare.

Met a couple of wimmin last neet from Belfast, they have been friendly with some of our mates for a while now, they are putting 4 of us up for 2 nights B & B for nowt

Beltin' wenches

Do we have to get tickets in advance for this or what? Still fettling it with work

Ticket information

 

There will be no formal segregation on the night of the game, though Bolton fans are encouraged to purchase tickets for the Away Stand. Home fans will generally purchase tickets for the normal home end and home terracing first so there may well not be that many home fans in the Away Stand anyway.

 

Tickets go on sale to our Members and Season Ticket holders first, and then they go on general sale from 4.45pm on Saturday 30 October (after our home game that day). At that point (or rather when our Online Shop webmaster gets home from the game!) the tickets will go on sale on our online shop:

 

http://www.theredsshop.net

 

Click on 'Tickets' in the Products menu on the left hand side. You will be able to purchase tickets for the Away Stand there. They are ?15 for adults and ?10 for Under 16s and Over 60s. Tickets bought online are not posted out. Rather they will be available for collection on the night of the game from the Social Club underneath the old stand. Just ask a steward or Reds fan where it is when you get to the stadium. The Social will be open from late afternoon on the day of the game if you want somewhere for a pint or two before the game.

Carrick, how would we go on with flags? or are we as well leaving them at home

Carrick, how would we go on with flags? or are we as well leaving them at home

 

 

Kinell R. Everything is already paved over there mate - it's not the fcuking third world y'know