Accrington Stanley were delighted to welcome a very special guest to the Wham Stadium earlier this month when they hosted Salford City, as football fan Jon Darch continued his remarkable journey through the English game.
Jon, who is from Bristol, is undertaking the famous “Doing the 92” challenge, aiming to visit all 92 current stadiums across the Premier League and English Football League. He is doing so in style, making the most of matchday hospitality along the way, and his visit to Accrington Stanley saw him enjoy a memorable experience in the club’s 1968 Lounge.
A lifelong Bristol City supporter, Jon’s love of football grounds stretches back to the 1970s and 1980s, when he watched his boyhood club rise and fall through the divisions, giving him the opportunity to visit a wide variety of stadiums.
His journey continued when he spent three years studying in Manchester, taking in many matches across the North West, before a spell working in radio saw him following Crewe Alexandra. Over time, however, away days became less frequent.
It was only last year that Jon decided to total up the grounds he had already visited, and Accrington Stanley became the 65th stop on his quest to complete the full 92. With renewed determination, he is now hoping to finish the challenge within the next three to four years.
Reflecting on his visit to the Wham Stadium, Jon was full of praise for the hospitality experience, highlighting the quality of the food and drink on offer in the 1968 Lounge and the warm welcome he received throughout the day.
Jon said, “The hospitality facility at Accrington Stanley was a really nice surprise. The service has been very good, we’ve had a little stadium tour as well, and it has been a very nice experience. I would definitely recommend hospitality at Accrington Stanley, it is very good value for money.”
Jon also spent time chatting football with lifelong Stanley supporter Stephen Lowe and confidently predicted a 2–1 home win. While the scoreline did not quite play out as forecast, he did get the result right, as Accrington Stanley claimed a hard-fought 1–0 victory thanks to Alex Henderson’s goal.
Events Manager Karen Gettins said: “It was wonderful to host Jon and to play a small role in such a special challenge. We’re delighted he enjoyed his time with us and his experience in the 1968 Lounge, and we wish him the very best of luck as he continues his ‘Doing the 92’ adventure.”
