28/2/99 The Terracers were Euro-hopping again! An early start - a 5:30 departure from Crockenhill meant the Braintree Boys were up at around 3:00am - and the prospect of a good trawl of grounds before a game. We had intended to get to see Kortrijk versus Genk but friends on the Internet warned me that the game had been postponed. Luckily a message placed on a Belgian football website brought a few e-mails informing me that KSV Waregem were playing Cercle Brugge on the Sunday.
We headed out past Dunkerque and into
Belgium, turning right towards Roeselare. Driving along we saw a town on the left, and
decided to take a chance on finding a ground. Luckily we spotted a map, which included
three grounds! The first was SK Eernegem, and luckily the ground was open. I had found a
Flemish language website so could ask in the bar if anyone spoke English, and then ask for
permission to take photos. No problem - they didn't even ask why (luckily).
SK Eernegem
Belgium seems to have many grounds like this, almost built to a formula. The clubhouse is behind one goal, there is a generously-proportioned stand, and small cover opposite. All in all a great set-up and one which we in England should take note of - every town should have a ground like this!
VC Ichtegem
We got lost trying to find the second ground on the map, but made it to the third. This was a somewhat smaller ground, but still with at least three pitches. The main pitch had two areas of cover and the most amazing urinal. All but one Terracer took advantage of the facility!
Torhout - Municipal Stadium?
We made a mistake at the next town, mistaking it for Tornhout which has a superb old stand. Even so we did OK, especially the hungry Terracer who found a barbecue van in the carpark of the first ground in town. This seems to be a local speciality, a sort of mobile takeaway. The stand was a brilliant old concrete affair, spoilt only by the added on box at one end, a little like East London's Ford Utd. The thing is - who plays there? If you know please e-mail me.
Torhout 1992 KM
The nearby football ground proudly
displayed the club name, but didn't explain the significance of the date. A good ground
with lots of cover, the entrance end had one of the typical Belgian Advertising Frenzies.
When you notice that the stand features a good number, as well as the cover opposite it
would seem as if every business in town has backed the club. How do they do it?
VV Godelieve
OK we got lost again... but made good use of our circuitous route. Noticing a
Jupiler beer sign we hauled over, and found The Farmyard Stadium, home of VV Godelieve.
Beyond the farmhouse and barns was a brick-built bar and changing room area, and a pitch
with something like cover, and a mound to beat all dodgy terraces! We did not photograph
the silage heap behind the other goal for some reason.
KSK Roeselare
This ground was securely locked and
bolted. luckily a groundsman turned up... and let our intrepid photographer out without
any problem. They really should check their fences! Trouble is the photos are crap so
we'll have to go back one day, it's such a good ground.
Mystery Stadium - Roeselare
One of our number gets nervous as kick-off approaches, but we had to get
out for this ground. A quick shot through a fence was all we could manage, but the stand
was worth the stop having something special in the angle of the roof. Who plays here?
KSV Waregem
We got to Waregem in plenty of time,
and parked in the road very near to the ground. It was a little worrying but everyone else
was, so we felt OK. The ground can be reached by a concrete bridge over a lake, an
impressive way to arrive. Checking the lie of the land we soon worked out which queue to
join for the best seats, well almost - high, near the centre for just eight quid!
The game took a long time to warm up, the visiting Cercle Brugge fans doing their best to
make some noise, matched by some enthusiastic locals in the far stand. No band this time
on the terraces, but the marching band which was on the pitch before the start seemed to
be playing a tune every six minutes. This was somewhat odd, as it did not reflect anything
happening on the pitch, but it was an attempt I suppose.
The game had an exciting last ten minutes after Waregem equalised, but the score remained
1-1. A fair game in a good ground, well worth the drive.
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