Best away experience as a fan?

[Son of Cod]

(GAWS fans not welcome obviously.)

Girls and Women Supporter fans not allowed? Wow.

 

[Trapdoor]

Girls and Women Supporter fans not allowed? Wow.

Not sure if fishing but I'll bite anyway.

GAWS = Plymouth fans

 

[Myblueheaven04]

It really adds to the atmosphere when you have fans on all 4 sides of the pitch.

Can't see it happening at Brunton Park next season, there are no naturally huge clubs who you'd expect to bring in excess of 2000 away fans (which I think is around the point at which we would open the away ends). I expect Bradford will get close to that but not over it unless their game happens to be one that can guarantee them promotion/title. There's one or two other clubs like Grimsby, Plymouth and Swindon that potentially do it but only if the circumstances are right.

From memory the last few times we've had the Waterworks End open have been for

• Oxford getting promoted the other season
• Everton in the FA Cup
• Hartlepool's last away game of the great escape season

Luton were promoted at BP a couple seasons back while Lincoln came to BP needing just a point to be declared champions, and neither of those brought so many that we opened the Waterworks.


Definitely with you on the Shrewsbury train - a couple of my best mates from Uni are Shrews fans so hitting the town with them after we've just beat them really adds to the experience.

Pretty confident if we are challenging near the top we could bring 2k plus.
In fact we would..

 

[shoddycollins]

Pretty confident if we are challenging near the top we could bring 2k plus.
In fact we would..

You took just over 1600 to a sunny Morecambe in August with the season ahead still an unknown quantity. I figure you'd have to be having a very good season for an extra 400 on top of that to travel the additional hour up the M6 to Carlisle.

If it was something like, April/May and nice weather with you close to sealing promotion and/or on blistering form, then yeah that's maybe likely. If it's just a case of being in the playoffs in February or March with a chance of automatic promotion and howling wind and sideways rain across our away end then I don't think it would be much above the 1600.

The point about bringing 2000 is that we won't open the Waterworks End for you unless you're definite to bring enough fans for it to be worth it, so even if you feel you could top 2k you won't get the opportunity to because you won't get the allocation. It would need to be 2k no problem, pushing on 2.5k for us to do it.

I think Bradford and Salford will be your biggest away contingents of the season. Bradford will probably have a big allocation and it's not far to there. Salford is just around the corner for you right? And you'll be eager to show them up by outnumbering them and then giving Gary Neville a bloody nose.

 

[shoddycollins]

Not sure if fishing but I'll bite anyway.

GAWS = Plymouth fans

Green and White shite?

 

[F!RTHY]

You took just over 1600 to a sunny Morecambe in August with the season ahead still an unknown quantity. I figure you'd have to be having a very good season for an extra 400 on top of that to travel the additional hour up the M6 to Carlisle.

If it was something like, April/May and nice weather with you close to sealing promotion and/or on blistering form, then yeah that's maybe likely. If it's just a case of being in the playoffs in February or March with a chance of automatic promotion and howling wind and sideways rain across our away end then I don't think it would be much above the 1600.

The point about bringing 2000 is that we won't open the Waterworks End for you unless you're definite to bring enough fans for it to be worth it, so even if you feel you could top 2k you won't get the opportunity to because you won't get the allocation. It would need to be 2k no problem, pushing on 2.5k for us to do it.

I think Bradford and Salford will be your biggest away contingents of the season. Bradford will probably have a big allocation and it's not far to there. Salford is just around the corner for you right? And you'll be eager to show them up by outnumbering them and then giving Gary Neville a bloody nose.

107 mile from Bradford to Carlisle, but seems to take ages to get there.

I wouldn’t mind playing yous for the opening game. Pretty sure we’d fetch about 2,000ish.

 

[BlackHaddock]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Cleethorpes as their favourite away day. Our ground is located on the Lincolnshire Riviera, right by the clear water of the Humber estuary, just a short walk from the crystal North Sea and it's golden sands.

I have said before how global warming has brought Dolphins, Birds of Paradise and a Cock-or-two to our lovely twin towns of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

Make it your 'must go too' away fixture next season, you'll love it (bring a friend as well).

 

[shoddycollins]

107 mile from Bradford to Carlisle, but seems to take ages to get there.

I wouldn’t mind playing yous for the opening game. Pretty sure we’d fetch about 2,000ish.

I've never been to Bradford from Carlisle. I've been to Valley Parade before and the old NMFPT but I used to live in Liverpool so went that way, and the other time, might have combined it with a visit to my Nan in Donny. That road up through Settle and Kirkby Lonsdale looks tedious, someone should build a railway!

 

[SELatic]

I can't believe no one has mentioned Cleethorpes as their favourite away day. Our ground is located on the Lincolnshire Riviera, right by the clear water of the Humber estuary, just a short walk from the crystal North Sea and it's golden sands.

I have said before how global warming has brought Dolphins, Birds of Paradise and a Cock-or-two to our lovely twin towns of Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

Make it your 'must go too' away fixture next season, you'll love it (bring a friend as well).

I loved my trip to Cleethorpes this year! Right on the seaside, a boozer next to the station, proper fish and chips on the cheap and a 3-0 win. Other than Fulham, probably my favourite away last season.

 

[shoddycollins]

I loved my trip to Cleethorpes this year! Right on the seaside, a boozer next to the station, proper fish and chips on the cheap and a 3-0 win. Other than Fulham, probably my favourite away last season.

Sounds like proximity to water is a big pull for you, you really need to visit Brunton Park in November.

 

[Myblueheaven04]

Sounds like proximity to water is a big pull for you, you really need to visit Brunton Park in November.

I've lived in workington for 10 yrs now.....if it's water latics fans like then Carlisle can most definately offer that !!

 

[GTFCfish]

Sounds like proximity to water is a big pull for you, you really need to visit Brunton Park in November.

Or Braintree in July.

 

[shoddycollins]

Or Braintree in July.

Or Lincoln on Danny Cowley's birthday, if you don't mind it being a bit salty

 

[Chris FGR]

I like Luton. Proper old school ground, proper old school atmosphere proper old school smell. Town had some decent pubs as well, plus did a bit of shopping and got some great food in Bury Park, much nicer area then people make out. Might go there on holiday this year.

 

[Son of Cod]

I like Luton. Proper old school ground, proper old school atmosphere proper old school smell. Town had some decent pubs as well, plus did a bit of shopping and got some great food in Bury Park, much nicer area then people make out. Might go there on holiday this year.

Kenilworth Road is my fave ground for sure. Will be a sad day for English football when they move. Hoping to get there for a game next season.

 

[Chris FGR]

The thing for me is that a football ground shouldn't be about comfort, it isn't the fucking cinema.

It's about atmosphere, character, there being a slight edge/threat of violence, squeeezed on a terrace, proper freezing weather with the smell of beer, piss and fags in the air. Some places have got padded seats now ffs. Football is getting diluted with all these shit new comfortable stadiums and football tourists. Grounds like KR are proper throwbacks to the golden era of my dad's generation. Elland Road and Goodison stil have some of that feel too, but they're all seater which is shit. Proper football. Shame they're all disappearing..

 

[Son of Cod]

The thing for me is that a football ground shouldn't be about comfort, it isn't the fucking cinema.

It's about atmosphere, character, there being a slight edge/threat of violence, squeeezed on a terrace, proper freezing weather with the smell of beer, piss and fags in the air. Some places have got padded seats now ffs. Football is getting diluted with all these shit new comfortable stadiums and football tourists. Grounds like KR are proper throwbacks to the golden era of my dad's generation. Elland Road and Goodison stil have some of that feel too, but they're all seater which is shit. Proper football. Shame they're all disappearing..

The best thing I ever read about Kenilworth Road was by Ian_Wrexham back in the Conference days when he said something about how going to Luton away was like going to football in the 80s because of the confusing warren of mazes and the underlying air of racism/violence/tension in the air.

Good shout out to Elland Road, another of my favourites. Have never been to Goodison though, but it's on my list of places to go to. It is such a shame they're all disappearing. I've been going to more non-Town games in London just so I can get to these grounds before they go. Crossed off Griffin Park, Selhurst Park and Loftus Road this season - all decent. New grounds are all well and good for creating revenue streams, but you need to spend big to get anything remotely unique. Is your wooden one still going ahead? Will more than likely get mocked because of the whole DV/vegan tie in thing, but that looked lovely.

 

[Chris FGR]

Is your wooden one still going ahead? Will more than likely get mocked because of the whole DV/vegan tie in thing, but that looked lovely.

Outline planning permission being finally heard by the council next month.

 

[Greenacres]

Is your wooden one still going ahead? Will more than likely get mocked because of the whole DV/vegan tie in thing, but that looked lovely.

Designed by Zaha Hadid architects no less, who aren't exactly associated with poor quality. One thing is certain, it will definitely stand out among some of the identikit stadiums that seem fairly commonplace in the lower leagues.

 

[Son of Cod]

Designed by Zaha Hadid architects no less, who aren't exactly associated with poor quality. One thing is certain, it will definitely stand out among some of the identikit stadiums that seem fairly commonplace in the lower leagues.

Indeed, I'm in that industry myself and they're one of the most successful practices in the UK for sure. It's quite staggering to me that they could potentially be designing a L2 stadium. It'll be beautiful if it gets built, I reckon.

 

[Greenacres]

Indeed, I'm in that industry myself and they're one of the most successful practices in the UK for sure. It's quite staggering to me that they could potentially be designing a L2 stadium. It'll be beautiful if it gets built, I reckon.

It was a few years ago that the design for the stadium went out to tender, as far as I can remember there were something like 100 architects who submitted bids, several from outside the UK. This was narrowed down to around ten, from which the wooden design was selected. Some of the other designs that made the shortlist were a little bizarre, one looked like the set for the teletubbies, but I feel that the final choice was the right one. I mentioned this to someone who works in the construction industry and their reaction (less expletives) was something like "that is massive, you won't be disappointed if it is built!...I respect their judgement on such matters and hope they will be proven right.

 

[Chris FGR]

Indeed, I'm in that industry myself and they're one of the most successful practices in the UK for sure. It's quite staggering to me that they could potentially be designing a L2 stadium. It'll be beautiful if it gets built, I reckon.

Stadium has a minimum £40m budget I've heard, not including the A419 expansion into a dual carriageway running between the roundabout and M5 jct 13 etc. Expect it to look nice for that kind of money.

They are still hoping for the business/technology park across the road but are focusing on getting the stadium, training facilities car parks etc built first.

Original project was over £100m but obviously part of that has been put on hold. Serious investment from Ecotricity if it all eventually gets built. Which is why we're currently looking at getting more investors on board I reckon, hence the Candriam link up.

Gotta say I'm not sure if I'll like it, won't feel anything like the club I started going to as a kid. But there you go. Hope it at least has some standing.

 

[RebornKirtonRed]

Kenilworth Road is my fave ground for sure. Will be a sad day for English football when they move. Hoping to get there for a game next season.

Alright if you get dropped in by helicopter but if you've got to tread the streets to the ground then maybe best prepare yourself and watch Wrong Turning before you go,

 

[Stringy]

The thing for me is that a football ground shouldn't be about comfort, it isn't the fucking cinema.

It's about atmosphere, character, there being a slight edge/threat of violence, squeeezed on a terrace, proper freezing weather with the smell of beer, piss and fags in the air. Some places have got padded seats now ffs. Football is getting diluted with all these shit new comfortable stadiums and football tourists. Grounds like KR are proper throwbacks to the golden era of my dad's generation. Elland Road and Goodison stil have some of that feel too, but they're all seater which is shit. Proper football. Shame they're all disappearing..

Best ground I visited this season was Stadium MK. Leather seats, plenty of space and lots of middle class restaurants around the ground. In fact if I visit there again I might make a full day of it. Why go to Luton when you can go to Odeon, have a meal and go shopping before the game? Having a meal at MK was at least 100 times better than wandering around Luton trying to find a pub hoping not to get hit in the face.

Perhaps more clubs should go more corporate. Give away tickets to corporate clients so you have fewer neanderthals out too. Long live the soulless bowl.

 

[Chris FGR]

Best ground I visited this season was Stadium MK. Leather seats, plenty of space and lots of middle class restaurants around the ground. In fact if I visit there again I might make a full day of it. Why go to Luton when you can go to Odeon, have a meal and go shopping before the game? Having a meal at MK was at least 100 times better than wandering around Luton trying to find a pub hoping not to get hit in the face.

Perhaps more clubs should go more corporate. Give away tickets to corporate clients so you have fewer neanderthals out too. Long live the soulless bowl.

Love the sarcasm. Shame that there are so many posh soft corporate c*** ruining our game.

 

[Stringy]

I suppose it depends on how they do it. I genuinely thought that Stadium MK was great (sorry). I guess there's no lost culture to mourn with MK and in fairness it's in a great position. It would be a shame if every ground went the same way though.

Northampton I thought was in a similar set up to MK but felt very jaded and wasn't good. It's getting on a bit now. Chesterfield's there's not that much around it apart from the Tesco. I've heard positives about Colchester but haven't been.

Would I replace Kenilworth Road with Stadium MK? Absolutely (sorry again).

 

[Chris FGR]

Colchester is pretty shit location and had zero atmosphere (might be better when they get a decent crowd in). Stadium quite similar to Chesterfield and Shrewsbury inside, nowt wrong with them just a bit samey and boring.

Northampton is nothing like Stadium MK imo, I really don't see it?

Don't mind a Saturday going soft play, arcade, bowling, cinema and then TGI Fridays/Wagamama's/Nando's or something and it's great when they're all in one place but that's a family non football sanitised off season Saturday. That stuff shouldn't mix with football, it ain't right.

 

[Indian Dan]

Surprised nobody has mentioned us. Ground in a great location - walkable from anywhere in town, loads of pubs, and for your average away fan, very little hassle. Parking and exiting afterwards is a piece of piss. The actual football bit may be a bit shite but what more do you want out of a football away day?

 

[Chris FGR]

Surprised nobody has mentioned us. Ground in a great location - walkable from anywhere in town, loads of pubs, and for your average away fan, very little hassle. Parking and exiting afterwards is a piece of piss. The actual football bit may be a bit shite but what more do you want out of a football away day?

Meh. Some decent pubs to be fair, but whole place feels flat and depressed these days. We actually take a few there though so that's a decent laugh.

Got a puncture last time I went.

 

[BlackHaddock]

Surprised nobody has mentioned us. Ground in a great location - walkable from anywhere in town, loads of pubs, and for your average away fan, very little hassle. Parking and exiting afterwards is a piece of piss. The actual football bit may be a bit shite but what more do you want out of a football away day?

You still got that multiple mini roundabout thing outside the ground?