The Travellers’s Notebook – Forfar Athletic

Date – Saturday September 4^th, 2004
Kick Off – 3.00pm
Competition – Bell’s Scottish League Division Two

The locale…Forfar is…The county town of Angus and market town for the surrounding area. Still the centre of a relatively prosperous farming area. Forfar town centre has gone the way of many others and is now a mix of charity shops and small-town chain stores. The area around the football ground is comparatively rural, with the Mart to one side and open fields to the other.

The team…Raymond Stewart has put together a quality side, offering wages that are the envy of most other second division sides. Star man is Paul Tosh. First Division Falkirk have been sniffing around but Tosh is happy at Forfar. He has a good job and good part-time wages from Forfar. Former Binos on display are Eddie Forrest at the back and Hugh Davidson in midfield. Like ourselves Forfar won their opening three games of the league season.

The travel…It’s a repeat of the trip to Brechin from a couple of weeks ago. Up to Dunblane, then up the A9 to Perth. Follow the Dundee signs at the Broxden Roundabout, over the Friarton Bridge and up the A92 to Dundee. Follow the Kingsway to the Aberdeen roundabout. Its then about twenty minutes journey time to Forfar. Refreshment is possible at the Macdonald’s on the second Forfar cut off – this outlet used to be, and may still be, managed by former Bino Brian Grant. Once in Forfar itself follow the signs for the North (Aberdeen) and turn right on your way out of the town at Market Street. Parking at the ground is reasonable. If not there is ample street parking nearby.

The ground…As near to perfect as you can get. Steep terracing behind the goals, covered terracing down one side, an enclosure in front of the stand and behind the dugouts. You can change ends at half time and rush down the terracing to acclaim your heroes.

Refreshment…Culinary heaven – Saddlers Bridies are on sale inside the ground. We predict a lengthy queue of hungry Binos awaiting the opening of the pie stall at around 2.45pm. Bridies often sold out before half time and they may well underestimate the size and appetite of the Albion support.