Interview: Mal Stephenson - Groundhop UK

NBSFC Kit Man and avid GroundHopper, Mal Stephenson

Mal Stephenson, our kit man and dedicated groundhopper, gives his own story as we welcome GroundhopUK to the KD Stadium for our fixture vs Carlisle City....

So Mal, let’s begin right back at the start...what got you into groundhopping?

I bumped into a Carlisle United fan who had been to see them at every football league ground in the 92 in the late 70s / early 80s and was inspired by that. So I started going to watch the local teams – SAFC, NUFC, Hartlepool etc playing away, and it just evolved.

In 1989 I completed every ground in England in the Football League, Watford was the 92nd ground, beating Leicester City 2-0.

I then decided to do Scotland, finishing in 1994 at Dundee United, completed the National League in 1996 at Hednesford, the National North and South at Braintree in 2013, and the Northern Irish Prem in 2015.

Since 1989 there’s been a lot of new grounds, so I always make an effort to go to any new stadiums in their first season of opening; Manchester City and Leicester City as examples. My most recent new stadium was Evertons impressive Hill Dickinson Stadium in August 2025 when they took on Mansfield.

How many grounds have you been to?

Approx 800.

Favourite ground?

So many to pick from, but Barcelonas Camp Nou was incredible, with a crowd of over 110,000 when I attended.

What makes groundhopping such a loved hobby?

I would say a mix of personal achievement, and something to constantly look forward to. For example, after tonights game vs Birtley Town, I’ll fly to to Belfast tomorrow morning to tick off another ground, leaving just 2 remaining in the Northern Irish Championship.

What makes the perfect groundhop experience?

Ticking off a new ground, a good game of football with a few goals, a friendly atmosphere and welcoming club/fans/volunteers.

One ground you still want to go to?

Would love to tick off the biggest football stadium in the world....wherever that is! 

(After a quick google it looks like that is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea....might have to give that one a miss, Malcolm!)

And one ground you would revisit?

None.....always got to be a new one!

Most games you’ve seen in a week?

Not a week, but in 2004 I was part of a Guinness Book of World Records most games in one day:

• 11:00 - Greenwood Meadows FC

• 13:00 - Pelican FC 

• 15:00 - Dunkirk FC

• 17:30 - Sandiacre Town FC

• 20:00 - Graham Street Prims

And finally, what’s changed the most since you start groundhopping?

The facilities.....especially the toilets and food!