This week's guest is the Reverend Kate Bottley and she has nominated Ordsall Road, home to East Retford RUFC as her ground jewel. The nation's favourite vicar (sorry Richard Coles) joins the podcast to talk about her life in and around sport, the important role sports clubs have in communities to help bring people together and how for a brief moment she considered doing I'm A Celebrity to pay for a new clubhouse for her rugby team. We even managed a little Googlebox chat. A truly joyous episode. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the broadcaster Qasa Alom and he has nominated AC Milan's San Siro stadium as his ground jewel. You'll know Qasa from The Travel Show and as the lead presenter of Today at Wimbledon but it was over Christmas and New Year when he appeared on Celebrity Mastermind that I learned about his deep love for Milan's Rossoneri. It was an absolute delight to speak to Qasa about a ground he knows so well. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the journalist Daniel Storey. Daniel is the Chief Football Writer at the i and has nominated Grimsby Town's Blundell Park as his ground jewel. This season Daniel is attempting to visit every single Premier League and Football League ground and chronicling that effort in the i newspaper. We talk about his early football adventures in Africa and Europe, his love of grounds and end of the line towns where the football club is at the heart of the community. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our first ever returning guest! Comedian, actor, podcaster, former PE teacher Mike Bubbins graciously re-joins the podcast in Super Bowl week to nominate Lambeau Field, home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers as a ground jewel. A lifelong Packers super fan, Mike finally got to attend a game at Lambeau Field's frozen tundra this Thanksgiving. Let him tell you about his experience of Lambeau and Titletown, USA - home of the only co-operatively owned NFL franchise since 1919. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the sports broadcaster Orla Chennaoui and Orla has nominated Croke Park, Dublin, home to Gaelic Athletic Association as her ground jewel. Croke Park is the largest non-soccer stadium in Europe and has special cultural and political significance in Ireland as it was the site of a massacre in 1920 during the Anglo-Irish War. Orla is a Derry Girl, growing up in Northern Ireland during that tumultous political time. Croke Park speaks to her love of sport and also to her identity (and it didn't hurt that Derry won the GAA All-Ireland Football Championship for the first time at Croker when she was in her teens). Now an accomplished broadcaster, the national stadium still holds a special place in her heart and this is a tremendous episode of The Ground Jewels. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the author Christopher Hylland and Chris has nominated La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, home to Boca Juniors as his ground jewel. Chris' debut book Tears at La Bombonera was a critically acclaimed travelogue on his footballing journeys through South America and now he's back with a follow up Dame Bola: A Journey Through the Language of Argentinian Football So, who better to take us on a virtual tour of this iconic chocolate box stadium? *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the comedian, novelist and francophile Ian Moore and Ian has nominated Carrow Road, home to Norwich City as his ground jewel. We rendezvous with Ian as he takes us on a sojourn through the important stadiums and sporting venues of his life. From growing up in Blackburn, moving to East Anglia, to his current dual existence as a bed & breakfast owner in the Loire valley/comedian on the UK comedy circuit. An episode not to be missed. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the historian and author Phil McGowan and Phil has nominated Twickenham as his ground jewel. This month is the 115th anniversary of the first international match played at Twickenham (England beat Wales 11-6) and the 'Home of Rugby' has undergone numerous changes since the cabbage patch was acquired by RFU. Not least just last year selling the naming rights to the historic stadium to the insurance giant Allianz. Who better to talk about this ever evolving ground than the curator of World Rugby Museum, which is based at Twickenham itself. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As a year end treat we've wrapped up some of our favourite guests and stories from the past 12 months for your listening pleasure. Kate Mason on Wimbledon Centre Court Martin Kelner on Station Road, Swinton Adam Rutherford on Portman Road, Ipswich Henry Winter on St James' Park, Newcastle Jonny Owen on Penydarren Park, Merthyr Jen Offord on The Valley, home to Charlton Athletic John Taylor on Old Deer Park, home to London Welsh Charles Dagnall on the Tampa Stadium Aatif Nawaz on the Rose Bowl, Hampshire Tim Vickery on San Januario, Vasco De Gama, Zoe De Toledo on the Championship Course Ian McMillan on Oakwell, Barnsley Jim Waterson on Bootham Crescent, York I hope you have as much fun listening back as I did re-editing it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year James Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the broadcaster Jarrod Kimber and Jarrod has nominated The Melbourne Cricket Ground as his ground jewel. A Melburnian to his core Jarrod was the perfect guest to discuss this iconic and important stadium. For a long time, the world'd largest cricket ground, the MCG has hosted two Cricket World Cup Finals and was the birth place of both Test cricket and ODI cricket. Not content with being one of the world's most important cricket venues 'The G' as it's locally known is also the spiritual home of Aussie Rules football and was the first stadium in the Southern Hemisphere to host an Olympic Games. The MCG was known for its vast and partisan Great Southern Stand, and in particular the raucous Bay 13, where only the bravest opposition fieldsman would dare venture. In recent times, the MCG has become world renowned for its Boxing Day Test match but Jarrod was able to tell us so much more as he kindly shared his experiences of watching Sheffield Shield cricket and VFL/AFL games at 'The G'. I hope you enjoy this special episode. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the singer Carly Paoli and Carly has nominated Windsor Park, Belfast ground jewel. We discussed Carly's experiences singing at major sporting events including football internationals and the Ryder Cup opening ceremony Here's Carly singing both the Northern Irish anthem and Italian national anthem at Windsor Park, Belfast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NidWcOUC2pY https://carlypaoli.com/ *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the cartoonist David Squires and David has nominated The County Ground, home of Swindon Town FC as his ground jewel. We discussed David's youth in Wiltshire, his first game against Tranmere Rovers, the club's golden period under first Lou Macari, then Ossie Ardilles and finally Glenn Hoddle, who David believes is the best player he ever saw in a Swindon shirt. We also touched on the lack of investment in the ground/club of late and by law as it's a podcast featuring Swindon the magic roundabout was mentioned. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the journalist Jim Waterson. Jim has nominated Bootham Crescent, the former home of York City FC as his ground jewel. We discussed Jim's early years growing up in York, the famous cup victory over Fergie's Manchester United volunteering for the club, it's yo-yo existence in the 21st century and the closure of Bootham Crescent which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. It's genuinely one of my favourite episodes. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn. Nigel has nominated Aspin Lane, home of Knaresborough Cricket Club as his Ground Jewel. Sport generally and cricket specifically has always played a huge part in the former Bristol Rovers, Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton keeper's life. We discussed Nigel's post-football cricketing exploits for Knaresborough and Cornwall over-50s, as well as some of the grounds he loves (both football and cricket) *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the writer and architectural historian Simon Inglis. Simon has nominated Villa Park, home of Aston Villa Football Club as his Ground Jewel. His book Football Grounds of England and Wales was first published in 1983 and it has been chosen by readers of The Times as the fourth best football book of all time. We discussed Simon's Villa Park origin story, sight lines, smells and what makes Birmingham a truly exceptional city. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the poet, playwright and journalist, Ian McMillan. Ian has nominated Oakwell, home of Barnsley Football Club as his Ground Jewel. Ian is an acclaimed writer known for his strong and distinctive South Yorkshire accent as well as being the first poet-in-residence at a Premier League club, an idea dreamed up in a pub. We discussed what makes Oakwell special including, the magnificent floodlights; the poetry of football and what Ian beautifully calls 'The Theatre of Annecdote'. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ground Jewels is back for another season to celebrate special sporting places. Each Friday sports author James Dixon will invite a guest to share with you their Ground Jewel and together they will explore what makes that place special. In this preview episode, James discusses what happened to him this summer, talks about his trip to Paris, including some of the fantastic venues that are being used for the Summer Olympics; and he teases some of the great grounds that are coming up on this season of The Ground Jewels. #VillaPark #LaBombonera #TheOval #Oakwell New episodes every Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the writer Henry Winter and Henry has nominated St James' Park, home of Newcastle United as his Ground Jewel. Henry is an acclaimed journalist and the current Sports Journalist Association and Football Supporters Association 'Football Journalist of the Year'. We discussed what makes Newcastle and St James' Park special including the walk from the train station, the watering holes around the ground and the famous Gallowgate End. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is the writer Jen Offord and Jen has nominated The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic as her Ground Jewel. Jen is the author of the fantastic bookThe Year of the Robin: Watching It All Go Wrong for Charlton Athletic and the World. In addition to her writing Jen is the co-host and producer of the hugely popular Standard Issue podcast, for which she has interviewed many leading sports stars. We discussed her Charlton origin story, the time the club was locked out of its own ground and the political fight the supporters had to undertake to get back to The Valley; as well as how she's now sharing her love of The Addicks with her daughter. *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's guest is Aatif Nawaz and Aatif has nominated The Rose Bowl, the home of Hampshire CCC, the Southern Brave and (sometimes) the Southern Vipers, near Southampton as his Ground Jewel. Aatif Nawaz is an actor, writer and stand-up comedian , who has recently seamlessly transitioned to being a cricket presenter and commentator for the BBC, including on the iconic Test Match Special programme. Aatif has nominated the Rose Bowl, in part, because in 2020, during the Covid pandemic he lived there alongside his heroes like Wasim Akram and Shane Warne. Listen to his memories of a unique time *** Hosted by sports author James Dixon ('The Fix' & 'World in Union') the Ground Jewels podcast is dedicated to celebrating the deep connections individuals have with their favorite sports grounds. *** Artwork by Luke Williamson - https://www.lukewilliamsonart.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices