VfL Wolfsburg- Volkswagen Arena

Visits:1
VfL Wolfsburg 0-2 Everton (Europa League Group Stage, November 27th 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: Sud Ost Tier 2
Ticket Price (1st Visit): £15
Attendance (1st Visit):23,625
Address: Volkwagen Arena, In den Allerweisen 1, 38446, Wolfsburg, Germany

Transport

We stayed in Berlin so got the train to Wolfsburg. Couldnt be better, the train passes the ground and can be seen from the station on the other side of the river. About a 15-20 minute walk, all signposted the second you leave the station, which is only a few minutes walk itself from the city centre. Could barely be in a better location.

The Volkswagen Arena, all lit up

Food & Drink

Wolfsburg as a city took a bit of a battering since the draw was made, a lot relating it to my own home town of Skelmersdale but on a larger scale, as a relatively new town with virtually nothing to do. Hence most Blues fans stayed in Hannover or Berlin. Didnt think it was that bad though, a much smaller city than those two, but very modern and plenty of places near to the station to eat and drink. We spent most of the afternoon the day of the game in a big Spanish bar called Celona (Bar-Celona...get it?) Big inside, rammed with Everton fans, but still roomy enough that you get a seat and something to eat. And the staff were on fire, basically wait service, so none of the usual endless scrum at the bar just to get a drink. They also did possibly the best tapas I think Ive ever had. The place cant be recommended enough. 

A flawless view of Lukaku giving us the lead!

Inside the Ground

I like the ground, very unique and striking from the outside, the green lights add to the whole place too. The lower tier has those safe standing rail seats, but being a European game, were locked in the seated position against us. It also had quite a large fence though, which I imagine was very intrusive. We were in the upper, views absolutely flawless. 

A mostly Blue Castrol Tribune celebrating!

Atmosphere

The Germans like their ultras, the whole Nord Kurve was packed and noisy throughout. The whole ground was excellent for making a noise though, as it was absolutely bouncing in the away end as well when it got going. The atmosphere in and around the ground all day and night was excellent.

Wolfsburg's Nordkurve ultras

Anything Else

A bit of a different welcome to the one we got in Lille. Bit of a jump to go from near sexual assault by stewards and robocops, to a couple of ordinary bods in yellow jackets who were joking around with you while they're checking that bulge in your pocket actually is your wallet! The police were the same as they were in Nuremberg too. A presence, you knew that if anything kicked off, they'd be on you, but that was it, just a presence, a reminder to behave. And it was never needed, we werent even kept in the ground afterwards, and even in the city waiting for the train back to Berlin, fans were still mixing just fine.

The Sudkurve housing the Blues fans

Overall

My second German ground, and the experience was good as the first. Quite simply, they do football for the fans so much better than we do. And everyone has a good time for it. A ground worth visiting.

Volkswagen Arena Photos (Plus some from Berlin, including Hertha BSC's Olympic Stadium)

Lille OSC- Stade Pierre Mauroy

Visits:1
Lille OSC 0-0 Everton (Europa League Group Stage, October 23rd 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: Sud Est Level 2
Ticket Price (1st Visit): £16
Attendance (1st Visit):42,000
Address: 261 Boulevard De Tournai, 59690 Villeneuve d'Ascq, Lille, France

Transport

The ground is well served by the city Metro, with two stops both within good walking distance and well signposted with good walking routes. It cost us 2.20 Euro for a matchday special return from the city, though if you were doing a one way journey, its only 1.50 Euro. The ground is also only a few miles from the city airport.

Stade Pierre Mauroy exterior

Food & Drink

Dont bother inside the ground. Dont sell half the stuff they say they do, then their idea of a chicken panini was a half cold food poisoning on a baguette. The ground has quite a few food outlets opposite the away section, I wouldnt definitely recommended taking in one of these before you go in. There are several hotels next to the ground too, which all have bars they are happy to let fans use.

The centre of Lille the afternoon of the game!

Inside the Ground

Brand new and state of the art, reminded me of a mini Wembley. And all the views are fine too...as long as you dont happen to be next to one of those enormous fences that European clubs are a big fan of erecting next to the away fans. Luckily for us, there was absolutely no steward organisation in the away end at all, with stewards openly telling fans to 'go where they want.' So I spent the whole game stood up at the back so I could see over the fence. Like Wembley, it has a large corporate section situated between the two main tiers of each stand. Also like Wembley, it was half empty for this game.

Blues fans pack the Sud

Atmosphere

Lille fans do that really irritating European thing where they have some dullard on a megaphone droning away and getting shouty responses from the rest of the 'Ultras.' No doubt they made more noise than most English grounds do, but whats the point when its so stilted and choreographed? We had thousands there all over the ground. Not as good from us as it should have been.

Lille ultras in the Nord

Anything Else

Same old French and their police treatment of English fans. I go into a lot more detail on my other blog here. An absolute joke. We were also kept in for about half an hour after the game to 'allow the crowd to disperse.' There were still thousands of Lille fans milling about and buying food outside when we finally got out. More like we were kept in to 'allow the riot police to get into position to try and intimidate us some more.' Scumbags.

General view from the back of the upper tier

Overall

The actions of the police, and the enormous fence blocking half my view really soured the experience. Probably a nice ground to visit if you're not English or in the away section.

Stade Pierre Mauroy Photos

Bamber Bridge FC- Irongate Sir Tom Finney Stadium

Visits: 1
Bamber Bridge 1-4 Chorley (FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round, October 11th 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: All sides
Ticket Price (1st Visit): £7
Attendance (1st Visit):2,214
Address: Irongate, Brownedge Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6UU

Transport

The ground is just off the M6 at the junction of the M65. All street parking, but fortunately for me, my dad works in the area and knew a good little place on the industrial estate next to Sainsbury's. Just a short walk down a little path under the smallest railway bridge probably in the world!

Unprecedented queues to get in!

Food & Drink

Didnt eat inside the ground, good clubhouse at the ground, though very slow getting served with there being such a massive crowd for this game.

View from the covered end

Inside the Ground

Not bad for Evo-Stik level. Uncovered end in front of the clubhouse, and the uncovered grass bank down one side. The seated Main Stand is opposite, while the other end has a covered terrace.

Teams lining up in front of the Main Stand

Atmosphere

Huge crowd for Brig, they had to shut the turnstiles 10 minutes before kick off, the crowd understandably swelled due to Chorley being a local rival, an international break, and even Preston not playing. And for a mostly uncovered non league ground, the atmosphere was great. I doubt it's like that every week though!

The covered end in the second half

Anything Else

The clubhouse end of the ground

Overall

Decent little ground for their level.

Irongate Photos 

Cambridge United FC- Abbey Stadium

Visits: 1
Cambridge United 1-0 Plymouth Argyle (League Two, August 9th 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: Newmarket Road End
Ticket Price (1st Visit): £16
Attendance (1st Visit): 6,009

Transport

Loads of street parking right near the ground, and didnt take that long getting back to the A14, especially considering there were roadworks.

Welcome to Cambridge United

Food & Drink

Couple of bars on site at the ground, but its only a 15 minute walk or so and plenty of pubs in the city centre. Didnt have anything inside the ground.

The team lines up in front of the Main Stand as a League club for the first time in 9 years

Inside the Ground

Half and half standing and seating and all covered! Away fans get the newest all seater South Stand, as well as half the Habbin Terrace down the side if the demand is there. The all seater Main Stand runs down the other touchline, with the Newmarket Road End Terrace behind the goal.  

The Habbin Terrace

Atmosphere

It was a huge occasion for Cambridge, with it being their first game back in the Football League after 9 years away, but unlike a pretty sterile occasion at Mansfield for their first game back 12 months ago, the atmosphere more than matched the occasion. Plymouth brought a healthy number up with them, but not a clue how much noise they made because but for a little lull after they missed a penalty first half, it was pretty relentless from the Cambridge fans.

The Newmarket Road End just before kick off

Anything Else

Special moment when the winning goal was scored, coming from local boy Josh Coulsen, Ive seen very few goals that were celebrated as wildly as that one. It wasnt just a wild celebration, but one of those where you could just feel the relief all around the place, and that all the crap of the last few years was behind them and didnt matter anymore. Great moment.

Cambridge about to miss a penalty in front of the Plymouth fans in the South Stand

Overall

Its far from perfect, but a quality little ground with a great atmosphere. Good city to visit too if you can put up with all the cyclists!

Abbey Stadium Photos

Celtic FC- Celtic Park

Visits: 3 (1 Unofficial)
Celtic 1-0 Everton (Pre Season Friendly, July 2006)
St Johnstone 2-0 Dundee United (Scottish Cup Final, May 17th 2014)
Celtic 0-2 Borussia Monchengladbach (Champions League Group Stage, October 19th 2016)
Stands I’ve Been in: Lisbon Lions Lower, Jock Stein Upper, North Stand Upper
Ticket Price (1st Official Visit): £28
Attendance (1st Visit Official): 47,345

Transport

Walked it from the city centre twice, be prepared if you do, its one hell of a walk! Drove once, there is a lot of street parking on the side streets off Duke Street, especially on Bluevale Street, where you may have to give someone a quid or two to 'mind your car' to the north of the ground, and considering the crowds, not too bad for getting out after. 

The Celtic Way, leading up to the Main Stand, 2016

Food & Drink

You cant find a pub in Glasgow, you're blind! Went in a pub called Turnstiles near the ground that was quite small but did a pretty good job of serving fast in a full pub! Inside the ground, other than the usual...pizza! Not some cruddy 'pizza pod' or a slice, an actual half a pizza! You dont get that in England! 

A large section of the North Stand goes potty as St Johnstone score their Cup clinching second goal, 2014

Inside the Ground

Cracking ground, imposing on all sides with the big two tiers, only for the smaller Main Stand, which somehow still fits with the rest of the ground despite being much smaller. 

View from the away end, looking at the Jock Stein Stand, pre season 2006

Atmosphere

Celtic have a reputation of their own of course, but it seems the ground itself is great for creating an atmosphere regardless of who's inside, as it was excellent for this cup final. For the Champions Leaue game, the pre match build up was as good as Ive seen everywhere. The roar that went up when the Champions League music started as the teams lined up was amazing. It was quite up and down during the match though, understandable given the team's performance. The Monchengladbach fans could be heard loud and clear throughout. 

Looking towards the emptying Lisbon Lions Stand as St Johnstone parade the Scottish Cup, 2014

Anything Else

A little bit of history in the making, seeing St Johnstone win the first major trophy after 130 years! Having now done two Scottish Cup Finals and 3 English Cup Finals at 4 different venues, Scotland really do so much more than we do down here to make it a day for the fans. A much higher percentage of the tickets going to the fans of the clubs, no segregating pubs, reasonably priced tickets, no over the top policing, fans just left alone and allowed to enjoy the occasion, the way its supposed to be.

Dundee United fans pack the Main Stand

Overall

Great ground, great atmosphere, and one worthy of hosting the Cup Final too. One everyone should definitely visit for a big night at least once.

Celtic Park Photos

Altrincham FC- Moss Lane

Visits: 1
Altrincham 2-1 Guiseley AET (Conference North Play Off Final, May 10th 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: Hale End
Ticket Price (1st Visit): £13
Attendance (1st Visit): 4,632

Transport

The ground is not far from Altrincham tram station, so very accessible. I drove and it's all street parking. Worth keeping an eye on the permit holder only bays in the streets near the ground, as some  of them are only valid on weekdays.

Ground exterior

Food & Drink

Like all non league clubs, there is the clubhouse. Due to segregation for the play off final the day I went, away fans were not allowed access, but the club did have a deal with a big pub just a few minutes walk from the away end to allow away fans in instead so that was okay. The pies are very good, so definitely worth waiting until you get inside! If you dont want to wait that long, there is a chippy opposite the Main Stand too.

Guiseley fans in the Hale End

Inside the Ground

Classic little non league ground, the seated Main Stand covers about two thirds of one side, with the rest of the ground standing. Away fans have the luxury of the uncovered Hale End (definitely a bad thing on the day I went when frequent torrential showers was the order of the day...) while home fans have cover in the Popular Side and Golf Road End.

The Golf Road End following celebratory pitch invasion

Atmosphere

It was Altrincham's biggest crowd in 32 years, and a promotion final, so naturally, it was relentless from both sets of fans. Cant imagine its that good all the time!

The Popular Side

Anything Else

The winning goal in this game was one of the most incredible moments Ive seen in football. Extra time had been played out virtually without incident because both sets of players were absolutely dead on their feet, and penalties looked inevitable. So as the board went up to signal the added time, Altrincham made a sub, I presume to waste time or a specialist penalty taker. But as play resumed, both Guiseley defenders left the ball for each other, Altrincham's striker ran through one on one but the keeper saved...and the loose ball rolled right to the feet of the sub to score with his first touch within seconds and win promotion. Heartbreaking stuff.

The Main Stand

Overall

Decent little non league ground, good balance and a good size.

Moss Lane Photos

Brighton & Hove Albion FC- American Express Stadium

Visits: 1
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Blackpool (Championship, April 21st 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: North Stand
Ticket Price (1st Official Visit): £30
Attendance (1st Visit): 27,610
Address: Amerrican Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Falmer, East Sussex, BN1 9BL

Transport

Dont drive there! The ground is surrounded by a parking permit ring of steel the like of which Ive never seen! And given the queues for the train back to Brighton, the advice given on the Football Ground Guide to park at Lewes and get the train from there is good advice indeed. Still a massive queue there too, but nowhere near as bad as heading back into the city. If you can go via Lewes on the train rather than Brighton, do it! The only upsie to the transport chaos is that public transport is free with a match ticket (or proof of purchase if you’re collecting your ticket on matchday) in a wide area around the ground on matchdays.

Approaching the ground from Falmer Station

Food & Drink

There are plenty of places to eat and drink near Brighton or Lewes Stations, not a lot near the ground, but the stuff in the ground is very good if thats what you’re stuck with. The pies are pricey (probably no more than most other football grounds these days I suppose), but absolutely to die for. The bars at the ground also remain open long after the game, in an effort to alleviate the transport chaos mentioned above.

The East Stand

Inside the Ground

Its not even been there 2 full seasons yet, but already has had plenty of changes made with the capacity raised. The two ends are small single tiers that are dwarfed by the two much bigger sides. The two tiered East Stand on one side, and the bigger three tiered West Stand, which is reminicscent of a bit of a mix between Chelsea' s West Stand with the small middle tier, and Manchester City’s two side stands with the rounded top tier. Lovely ground to look at from the inside, only criticism is its a bit dull on the outside with no real big frontage. The ground also has the nice small padded seats they have at MK Dons, and a big screen behind each goal.

The West Stand celebrates Brighton taking the lead

Atmosphere

Really good, even when it was only a few singing in the North Stand, it felt very noisy, so good acoustically.

Blackpool and Brighton fans in the half empty South Stand

Anything Else

Me in my commemorative Brighton shirt after completing the 92

Overall

The transport dependency spoils what is otherwise a good day. The ground itself is up there with MK Dons and Man City as the best of the new build stadium generation by a mile.

Amex Stadium Photos

Bradford Bulls RLFC- Odsal

Visits: 1
Bradford Bulls 6-46 Leeds Rhinos (Super League XIX, April 17th 2014)
Stands I’ve Been in: Away terrace
Ticket Price (1st Official Visit): £20
Attendance (1st Visit): 10,106
Address: Odsal Stadium, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 1DS

Transport

Its right off the M606, which is only really as problem because it causes the traffic to back up. As it was so busy when I arrived, I just parked at the sports centre across the street from the turnstiles, and got out pretty handy…only to find they close the road that leads back to the M606, so be warned and be aware you need to know another way home!

View from the grass banks at the back of the terracing

Food & Drink

There is a pub just opposite the ground, but inside is just fine. Its a very odd set up, as there is just an absolute succession of burger and food vans and bars scattered about at the top of the terraces. Huge choice so cater for every taste.

Mostly Bradford fans in the side terrace

Inside the Ground

Its very old…the site is enormous, you can see how the place used to hold so many, but its looking very unloved these days, with a lot of sections of the terrace cordoned off. Uncovered terraces make up for two and a bit sides of the ground, the all seater Provident Stand down one side, and then the weird corporate Coral Stand behind the sticks.

The odd Coral Stand

Atmosphere

The fact the majority of the ground is uncovered meant it was pretty dire. Didnt help that it was such a one sided game, as the Bradford fans were understandably pretty miserable, while the Leeds fans it seems just couldnt be bothered. Disappointing all round.

Predominantly Leeds fans behind the posts

Anything Else

View from the side terrace

Overall

Im glad Ive been there, it has a lot of good things about it, but its generally now really showing its age, and given Bradford’s problems on and off the pitch, it wont be changing any time soon.

Odsal Photos