BRIDGWATER Town will be welcoming a bumper crowd for this weekend’s clash with Bridport at Fairfax Park – including visitors from Norway and Germany.

The match, which kicks off at 11am on Sunday, is one of seven included in this year’s Western League Groundhop weekend and will see more than 200 groundhoppers take in the Premier Division clash.

Chris Berezai, who organises the Groundhop, told the Mercury: “This is the fifth year of the Western League groundhop and next year will probably be our last, as we will have covered every ground.

“I have always said the Western League is my favourite Step 5 ground in the country. I grew up in South Wales so it was never too far to travel and I’ve always liked it - they are good clubs run by friendly people with decent facilities.

“My favourite ground doesn’t actually exist anymore. It was Clyst Rovers but that got taken over by Exeter Airport.”

This year’s groundhop begins at Brislington versus Odd Down on Friday night, and Berezai is looking forward to the community that has been established through such events reuniting for the weekend.

“We are expecting around 220-250 with us this weekend, with perhaps a few more joining us on Sunday,” he said.

“Our German friends are driving through the night on Thursday to join us, while we are also expecting some Norwegians. People come from all over the UK – Scotland, the north of England, Kent, Norfolk – and there is quite a large groundhopping community around Bristol.”

Berezai has recently chalked up his 1,400th ground – Jens, his German groundhopping pal, has passed 7,500 – and is looking forward to his second visit to Bridgwater on Sunday.

“My team are Swansea City, so I saw the Swans play a pre-season friendly there in 2005,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a 'proper' game there.”

For those wishing to join the groundhoppers this weekend, here is the schedule.

Brislington v Odd Down (Fri, 7.45pm)

Longwell Green Sports v Welton Rovers (Sat, 11am)

Clevedon Town v Buckland Athletic (Sat, 2.15pm)

Hallen v Shepton Mallet (Sat, 5pm)

Cribbs v Hengrove Athletic (Sat, 7.45pm)

Bridgwater Town v Bridport (Sun, 11am)

Bristol Telephones v Keynsham Town (Sun, 2.15pm)