A Clarets fan's view, with Stephen Cummings

FOLLOWING our trip to Walsall's Bescot Stadium on Saturday, I feel compelled to report that the stadium's architect suffers from what I can only describe as abject poverty of the imagination. Either that or he has a particularly virulent hatred of football supporters.

Allow me to elucidate. As we were deciding where to sit prior to kick off, it soon became evident that, no matter where we went, we would be unable to get a clear view of the pitch. The problem? Well there were five of them actually - five pillars which supported the roof of the stand in which we were housed.

The result was that every few yards, the line of vision was interrupted by a two foot wide section of steel. It is difficult to describe how immensely frustrating it becomes to watch a game of football under such conditions.

To get an idea of how irritating the whole scenario is, put on your favourite record and at regular intervals turn the volume down for a few seconds. You'll soon get the picture. Oh, I almost forgot, we paid £12 for the privilege.

Those amongst you who are travelling south to Kenilworth Road for the Clarets' encounter with Luton Town on Saturday will come across a similar problem. The Oak Road Stand is unique in my experience of English football stadia, in so much as not one of the 1,500 seats therein afford the paying punter a decent panorama of the pitch. Obstructive steel pillars are but one of the hindrances. The stand itself (situated behind the goal) is so low as to be bordering on the subterranean. The paying spectator is therefore denied any kind of perspective other than that of a worm.

Furthermore, if a fan sits directly behind the goal, approximately halfway up the stand, their line of vision will be blocked by the crossbar. I should know. I've done it. Again you can expect to part company with 12 of your English pounds for the whole sorry experience. The last time I was there, no concession system was in operation, so kids pay the full whack too.

In light of this might I suggest David Kohler, the Luton chairman, have his turnstile operators kit themselves out with Lone Ranger style masks, stripey jumpers and bags marked "SWAG" as they carry out this most outrageous and contemptible piece of daylight robbery.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.