GROUND HOG DAZE

AARON FLANAGAN has notched up an incredible 395 football grounds around the world... but the intrepid fan won't stop travelling as he reveals: Football is NOT a TV programme

- MIKE WALTERS

HE has been chased by sheep and threatened by a group of travellers when he asked for his ball back.

And after visiting 395 grounds across Britain and abroad, Aaron Flanagan's next adventure is often determined by drawing lots from a brown paper bag.

The highlights include an off-duty copper being sent off for a professional foul on a streaker and breathtaking views at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Flanagan has been to a game at 78 of the 92 clubs in the Premier League/EFL, or 127 out of 164 in the top six tiers of English football.

Ground No.395 was Hastings United's home defeat by Cray Valley Paper Mills in the Isthmian League Premier Division at the Pilot Field on Saturday - a rustic old ground on most hoppers' bucket list.

At 32, Flanagan readily concedes there are obsessive ground-hoppers who have beento m ore football venues than him.

But they probably haven't been charged by a flock of sheep on a trip to North Wales.

"It's true match at Glantraeth on attending a Anglesey, in a rare case of ovine hooliganism I was chased by sheep," he said.

"And as a youngster, I was doing a bit of ballboy service at Woodley Sports (a young Flanagan in his replica kit, lower inset) when the ball got booted out of the ground.