East End Sunset

Tonight I visited a stadium in Sheffield to watch my team Sheffield United play an away game.

The Don Valley Stadium was built on the site of steel works and factories in the East End of Sheffield 20 years ago. One of several venues built for the World Student Games I watched the closing ceremony of the games there, followed over the years by international athletics, Rugby League, Darren Gough's Benefit match (cricket), a Paul Weller gig and my one go at a half marathon finished there. This was the first time I have watched football there.

Rotherham United are playing there whilst they await a new stadium being built in their neighbouring town. 4,000 fans rattling around a 25,000 capacity stadium, sitting miles away from the pitch with an athletics track in between.

Tonight was a minor cup tie, with 4,000 Blades fans out-numbering the home fans 2-1. The Blades also came out victorious 2-1 on the pitch claiming victory in the 6th minute of injury time in a dire game.

The picture was taken on arriving in the stadium, shortly before heading to the bar for a beer!