Hailing as I do from Southport, I always keep an eye our for their results and try to watch them whenever I can.  I had already been down to see them play at Yeovil before, but this trip to Somerset gave me an opportunity to meet up with a former work colleague who is a season ticket holder at Huish Park.

We arrived at the ground an hour or so before kick-off and were greeted by bright sunshine and - unbelievably - an almost mild temperature for the time of year!  There seemed to be only one approach road that went all the way to the stadium but there is a decent sized car park at the end of it (right behind one of the stands) which is free; however I wouldn't be surprised if that were to change should Yeovil achieve League status next season.  I then received a guided tour around the perimeter of the stadium which looks out of place in the Conference even from the outside.  Behind the Main Stand was an Astroturf training pitch which the club uses to generate extra revenue by allowing locals to hire it for 5-a-side or hockey.  The club shop would put similar operations at many league clubs to shame.  

I made my way into the away terracing behind one goal, paying £8.  Amazingly I received a ticket stub of sorts from the gateman, something I never expected from a non-league venue.  The facilities underneath the terrace were fantastic for this level of football; the toilets were spacious and in immaculate condition (the only graffiti on the walls was from Everton fans during our pre-season game there!).  However, although the catering outlet provided decent food of a fair variety, it was quite expensive and the schoolboys manning it were far too inexperienced to deal with what was a decent away support that day.  This would have to be addressed if promotion is achieved.  

Huish Park is a relatively new stadium, the club having moved from their infamous sloping pitch at The Huish in the last decade.  The ground is therefore neat and tidy and seems large enough to complement what is potentially a large fan base (they get good enough crowds as it is, though).  Along each side of the pitch are single level all-seated stands with cantilever roofs; there is a small allocation for away fans in one of these stands.  Behind both goals are areas of uncovered terracing although work has now begun on constructing a roof over the home end which will also see a few more terrace steps being added onto the rear of the end.  The framework for similar work is already in place at the away end and this will be carried out if the need arises, as I'm sure it will.  One thing that amused me was the appeal to raise funds to complete the development at the home end was entitled "Erection 2000" My friend had bought a car sticker with the phrase "Help Us Get it Up". Nice to see a club with a smile on its' face.