Island Games: 'I've visited over 5000 football grounds around the world'

BBC News

5 days ago

Steve Broughton is a high scorer in what is known as "groundhopping" - a hobby which involves attending football matches at different stadiums far and wide.He has notched up an impressive tally during his decades-long pastime, attending games at more than 5,000 football grounds around the world. This week he is in Orkney with his partner, Joanne Sheppard, to tick off even more grounds during the 2025 International Island Games. "I just generally collect football grounds by watching a game on each one," Steve says. "I've been doing it for about 35 years and over that time, I've gone to about 5,250 grounds."
Steve grew up in London, but was born in Leicester. He now lives in Manchester with Joanne.His first game was England v Holland at Wembley Stadium when he was just 14- years-old and he has retained an interest in international football.This year alone he has been to five matches in Serbia, including a couple in the country's top tier Super Liga.He does go abroad to watch games, but not as often. He's aiming to see at least one match in every country that's in UEFA. He currently has 10 left to visit. Outside Europe, he's been to games in South Africa, USA and Canada.
"I used to go and watch the local non-league team where I grew up and when I moved away to college, I started going to different matches," he said."I found it more interesting going to different games each week, rather than supporting a club."The 56-year-old runs a blog called 'Steve B The Groundhopper', where he writes a brief report on each of the matches he watches.And this year's Island Games - which has returned to Scotland for the first time since 2005 - has provided an ideal opportunity to increase his tally. Ten of the 24 islands in the games are competing in the football which is being hosted by schools and community centres across Orkney.Steve has previously been to the island games in the Isle of Wight in 1993.
"The way the tournament works is there's seven grounds being used. Two of them, I have been to before, the other five I haven't," said Steve. "Over the course of three days, I can tick off all five while also enjoying the sights and sunshine, making a holiday out of it."As a form of football tourism, he says it's a pastime that combines a love of the beautiful game with the joys of travel and exploring. "I go all over," he said. "I certainly remember going to Eriskay in the Western Isles which I think is quite famously an unusual ground in a fantastic setting. "Places like that are based in community. When the football's on, the whole community comes out in support to watch the game."
Joanne says she is a football fan too and enjoys the trips to see new places."I am a football fan but I'm not a groundhopper," she said. "I don't go to every game, I certainly haven't been to 5,250 grounds."What I like about it is that I get to come along and see loads of different places. I mean, who wouldn't want to come to Orkney in this weather?"