Scarborough's Main Stand. This is the oldest of three seated areas at the McCain Stadium.

So what is it with all these 'Boro's' in the Conference? There's Nuneaton Borough, Stevenage Borough, Farnborough and, last but not least, Scarborough. Most definitely not least, as Scarborough have traditionally been one of the better non-league clubs in the country and indeed were the first non-league club to earn automatic promotion to the Football League in 1988. Better to draw a discreet veil over their time in the League mind you - a best ever finish of fifth in the Third Division followed by their eventual relegation back to the Conference in 1999 is hardly the stuff of which legends are made. Still, they have at least got to the Football League in the first place so its hardly our place to be too critical...... Apart from their league years however the high points of Scarborough's existence came in the 1970's when in a remarkable run of success the club won the FA Trophy in '73,'76 and '77 and were runners-up in '75.

Actually, thinking about it, Scarborough's eventual relegation back to the Conference was exactly the stuff of which legends are made - but rather more for the manner in which they went down: A journeyman on-loan goalkeeper scoring for Carlisle deep into injury-time against Plymouth on the final day of the season to save the Cumbrians at the expense of the Seadogs, and the name 'Jimmy Glass' was immortalised for ever.... Well, Scarborough fans remember who he is, anyway!

One of the two identical stands behind Scarborough's goals. Away fans don't get any terracing at the McCain Stadium, and were instead fleeced at a rate which was the highest admission price in the Conference until Chester came along. Ex-league clubs - dontcha just love 'em? Things have now improved, we hear.

'Are you going to Scarborough fair, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme' - so warbled millionaire songsters Simon and Garfunkel somewhat nonsensically in the 70's, and how present day Seadog fans must wish that their club had even a fraction of the wealth that the harmonically hirsute duo have earned from singing about their town.... All of which is a somewhat laboured way of saying that Scarborough FC are in the financial brown stuff - again!

The Seadog's [what exactly is a Seadog? An alsatian with a lifejacket? - landlubber ed] have lurched from financial crisis to financial crisis ever since their relegation from Division 3 to the Conference three years ago, hardly helped by their penchant for installing, er, 'colourful' chairmen (the present incumbent excepted, naturally), plus insisting on remaining full-time against all common-sense on average gates of around 1,200 - it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that all that is a recipe for financial problems, if not actual insolvency.

No rocket scientists on the Scarborough board, but maybe some escapeologists evidently - last season the club managed to succesfully stave of at least two winding-up orders, including one brought by the inland revenue; and were forced to transfer-list, sell or otherwise release their better players and highest earners, including the likes of forward Steve Brodie and defender Paul Ellender, in an effort to wipe out some of their many debts. Since then some measure of financial stability has returned, but in recent weeks chairman and owner Malcolm Reynolds has been warning that the club's future is dependent on selling their current ground at Seamer Road and re-building elsewhere - the option of last resort for many clubs.

The covered side terracing opposite the main stand. This is the only terraced area in the McCain Stadium and is for home fans only. This is where you'll hear most of the noise generated by home supporters - the home end and main stand tend to be fairly quiet.

Prediction corner
Mid-table mediocrity was Scarborough's lot last season, but their eventual 12th place finish was marginally better than the 16th place we predicted for them. If this was being written before the season started like we planned, then if we were being completely honest then we would have predicted much the same outcome for them this term. In the event this is being written some 20 games into the new season and Scarborough are actually doing much better than that - 5th as we speak, top of the form table and looking a very solid outfit. They bought in wisely during the summer, including veteran strikers Keith Scott and Neil Campbell, not to forget our very own former French midfielder Olivier Brassart and it's hard to see them letting their good start to the season go to waste now. Their full-time status will also help them on the pitch at least, even if their bank manager might not like it. Final position: A play-off place.

If driving, be aware that parking in Seamer road is non-existent, not legally anyway. The Police advise that you use the Weaponness Valley Road Coach and Car Park which is in a side road north of the ground. To get there, go northbound past the ground, then turn right at the traffic lights into Valley Road. This road bends to the right and under the railway bridge, after which you should turn right into Ashburn Road. It's signposted in the area as a coach and car park so should be relatively easy to find.

The away end (the McCain is segregated) has a tiny hole in the wall in the depressing concrete corridor behind the stand that pretends to be a food outlet. Just as with their clubhouse there was little on sale, and it all looked thoroughly unpleasant.

Local Pubs :

The Scarborough Flyer, the nearest pub to the ground - and about the worst in town. If you are walking from the station, you'll pass this on your right hand side as you walk down Seamer Road. If you have already reached the ground, walk towards the town centre, and it is on your left hand side.

Unlike most northern, or southern for that matter, seaside towns where pubs are a soul and palette destroying mix of disco 'fun' pubs, chain pubs, and naff theme bars, Scarborough has a host of proper boozers. What also stands out is that bar prices are generally designed for the smaller pocket - or the annual influx of Scottish tourists.

There are several pubs within walking distance of the ground. The nearest is the Scarborough Flyer on Seamer Road between the football ground and the town centre. They do Bass there and have a pool table available, and being the nearest is predictably crowded on match days.

Get further into town and there is a veritable feast that awaits you. The Hole In The Wall (does cider and vegetarian food) in Vernon Road, the Indigo Alley (Taylor Landlord but no food) in North Marine Parade, and the Jolly Roger in Eastborough can all be recommended amongst others. Down on the harbour front the Newcastle Packet and The Lancaster have been recommended to us by locals. Cider Jaaarn may be tempted by the latter as it's run by two Forest Green supporters!

However we won't be looking past the Tap and Spile on the junction of Seamer Road and Falsgrave Road (heading towards the station). This place is first class. There's an excellent and large range of real ales on tap, and proper cider to look after us West Country folk! Cheap food in hefty portions is available at lunchtimes, and there is a non-smoking room where young families are welcomed. The landlord was of pleasant disposition, as were the locals.

The Tap and Spile : Beer, Scrumpy and Cheap Food! Paradise! This pub is on the junction of the north end of Seamer Road and Falsgrave Road.

Diagonally opposite the Tap and Spile is the New Tavern which we know very little about, so visit it and let us know what it is like inside! Moving towards the station on Falsgrave Road, again on the opposite side to the Tap and Spile, is The Ship Inn which again has a reputation for dirt cheap food. Its a single roomed pub where again families are welcome.

More chances to stuff yourself silly come in the form of Raffels which is on the junction of Belgrave Crescent, on the south (Tap and Spile) side of the road. This is a more up-market affair with a restaurant-like feel, and is generally a popular place with tourists as well as football fans. Once again families are welcomed here.

Finally, close to the station, you'll find the Lord Rosebery, a big Wetherspoons place built on two levels of a Victorian Building, where inside you will find plenty of real ales, some farmhouse cider, and food served round the clock.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

High, they’re so used to tourists they can probably hold a conversation with a Geordie.

Top-Tip :

Don’t mention how you’ll always remember that Jimmy Glass goal....