Glentoran FC- The Oval

Visits:1
Glentoran 1-0 Dungannon Swifts (Danske Bank Premiership, August 6th 2016)
Stands I’ve Been in: Terracing
Ticket Price (1st Visit): £10
Attendance (1st Visit): 1,475
Address: Mersey Street, Belfast, BT4 1FG 

Transport

There are a few bus services that go down the Newtownards Road and drop you off down the street from the ground. Unfortunately for us the weekend we went, it also happened to be Belfast Pride, so the buses were up the wall, road closures etc. Absolutely no problem getting a bus back though, and not a problem you'll have every time you visit! We ended up having to walk from the city centre, which if you're stuck like we were, isnt all that far.

Ground exterior

Food & Drink

Never ate anything in the ground. The crowds arent the biggest anyway, so there is only the one burger van behind the terracing, and the supporter's bar inside the Main Stand.

  

The Main Stand

Inside the Ground

A must visit for me having never made it to Wigan's Springfield Park, as the grounds are so similar! The old style Main Stand down one side, opposite is the covered side, with two big curving open terraces ate either end. Complete with grass bank at the back of the home terrace!  

Home terracing and grass bank!

Atmosphere

There wasnt really an atmosphere in the sense we're used to in England, it was much more like the kind of atmosphere at non league games, reminded me a lot of Southport. It's that relaxed kind, where you'll get more comedy from the odd shout rather than witty chanting! 

Looking across the away terrace

Anything Else

The ground is in a Loyalist area of Belfast, made obvious by the murals and Union Jack bunting all the way down Newtownards Road. For obvious reasons, sectarianism was the abuse fans were warned about over the tannoy before kick off, and as much as positive steps have been made in Northern Ireland, it's still worth being aware that the divides are still there should you visit and venture away from the city centre. 

The Railway Stand

Overall

If you have an interest in groundhopping, and especially old school British grounds, this is a must before it is redeveloped.

The Oval Photos