ROAD TO 92: MKM STADIUM

In this edition of the Road To 92 I have a long old trip to the river Humber to watch Hull City play against Norwich City at the MKM Stadium. This has become the furthest I have gone for an away day so far, although that could be a record that does not last too long if all things go my way towards the end of the season.

I was hoping for a better away day then my last one where I went to Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United where I had a very bad time. If you haven't read it then go and read it, but since you're here you might as well finish this one first.

After spending an obscene amount of money on the trains, I have a quick trip to Sheffield before heading on my way to Hull passing through some silly place names. Apologies to anyone from the town of Brough I am sure it is a nice place but the name did make me laugh.

A quick 15 minute walk from the station and I arrived to the stadium where I quickly realised that getting a good photo from the outside of the ground would be near impossible. I also got handed a flyer for work in East Anglia which threw me off but it may be an offer I have to take up if this series ever starts to flop.

Inside of the ground and I met with my good mates Reuben and Evan for the first time since we left sixth form way back when (about two years ago). I was told to go and grab some food before the kickoff because the food was great and it needed to be documented in this, so I invested in some chicken and chips that set me back £12.50.

This was easily the best food I have had at the football, and it tastes even better then it looks. The chicken was well seasoned and was a good size. I am never usually a fan of waffle chips but these were magnificent, cooked to perfection while feeling soft on the inside and crisp on the outside. Very good Hull, I am already very impressed.

It was a poor first 15 minutes as Norwich went a goal down and I just wanted to finally see my team win away from home for once. Every away game I have been to I am yet to see my team win away and I thought this fixture might be the one but I forgot the first rule of Norwich. Never back them to win away from home.

After the goal however, Norwich were the better team and were rewarded with a goal in the second half thanks to Josh Sargent. The only word that I can really describe it with is squirrel, if you know you know.

The day grew old and before long we had a final whistle, a few claps from the fans to the players as we left through what I believe was one way system alongside the Hull fans which I am sure never has any problems. My trip to Hull was complete and I now had the task of getting back to Leicester before 10pm which I thankfully managed to do.

The burning question that you all want to know however, is how was the experience?

Well I did quite enjoy myself actually which surprised me because I was not expecting to say this after going to Hull.

There is a lot of discourse about bowl stadiums in football and football fans say that they are soulless and just do not fit in England. I want to argue the opposite, as the fans gave the stadium a lot of life and the fans were fairly loud. Not the loudest I have heard but enough to make the stadium come to life.

The food was very good and they had a spacey concourse which is something I never really thought I would pay attention to before this series but here we are. The cost of the day was expensive but that is not the fault of the club but East Midlands Railway for charging me nearly £100 for the trip. It was only £25 for the day (not including the trains) which is a very good price for a game of Championship football.

It was a well organised and neat little stadium, my only criticism is the one way system that they seem to have leaving the stadium but that is me being picky. A solid stadium that upsets the stereotype of bowl stadiums being soulless and boring and I would be happy to go again, although preferably for a bit cheaper

RATING: 6.5/10