Done the 92 questionnaire – Tom Armour (Royaljock)

Tom with Ryan Giggs

How many grounds had you visited before you realised you wanted to do the lot?

It was when Reading went to play Swindon in a pre match friendly on 19th July 2016 and by that stage I had already done 10 grounds.

Did you choose the last ground you were going to visit or did it just pan out that way?

I would try and look at all the fixtures and what I would do, in the summer months I would do the furthest away ground and then work my way to closer to home.

Did you have company for some or all of it – were you in competition with anyone else and what happened to them?

A lot of the games I did following Reading, league games or cup games. I did drag my wife along with me to some, and my son Jack did a lot with me.

How many had you done when you thought ‘Right, I’m going to finish this now’?

I had done 10 then I thought I’m on a mission now to complete it as fast as I could. I was lucky and would look at fixtures and there was a few times I was able to get matches on Friday night then Saturday afternoon and then again on Sunday.

Obvious question but, best day out?

Best day out and also worst day out – Reading getting to FA Cup semi final against Arsenal (which we should have won) and play off final against Huddersfield (worst play off game ever).

Did you manage to do more than one ground in a day at any point?

No unfortunately, just the Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What does Hayes Lane have that the Emirates never will?

Well probably the food. Had the worst burger ever at the Emirates, made me sick.

Did you ever turn up to find the game wasn’t on, or that you’d gone to the wrong ground?

Yes Macclesfield Town; I turned up and realised the ticket that I had bought was for the game the week before, luckily they had 2 home games in a row.

Best/worst food on your travels?

See above – Emirates worst burger EVER.

Do you still call ‘League One’ ‘Division Three’?

Yes, I’m old school.

Most and least welcoming hosts?

Least welcoming was Sheffield Wednesday, when a fan came up to me and thought he was a hardman, until I stuck out my fist, because I’m not that tall he thought I was an easy target. WRONG. Never had any welcoming fans really.

Any bizarre incidents along the way. Any brushes with anyone famous/infamous?

Yes, met Chris Kamara at Reading ground, nice guy. At the FA Cup ended up in the lift with Glenn Hoddle, Rio Ferdinand and Steve McMahon – I didn’t get a selfie though so gutted, and more recently I was at an Altrincham vs Salford City and I got my picture taken with Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Now you’ve joined the small band of 92ers do you plan to keep visiting new grounds as they are introduced to the League, or do you consider it to be a one-off, job-done deal?

No, I’ll keep updating my 92. I’ve started on the National league now and when Everton open their new ground I’ll visit there too. I’ve also Done the 42 in Scotland – not many fans have done that Double!

What was your memento/proof of each visit – programme, photo, ticket stub, badge?

I keep all the tickets and I take photos. I’ve got photo albums with pictures and tickets and also I write in the scores as well. I used to keep programmes, but I had that many the Mrs wasn’t too happy.