Back page It’s a busy week here at BackPageFootball, and today sees Ed Diggins return with the second part of his look at Premiership away trips.
The top ten away grounds in the Premiership (6 – 10) –
6. Fratton Park
Club: Portsmouth
Away End: Milton End
Allocation: 1850
May not be the best looking stadium in the world, but overall it’s a good day out. An eight hour roundtrip for most fans at least if you are travelling by car or bus, which we always do. Plenty of pubs around the ground and accessibility by walking is pretty easy once you have parked up. One year we were there, they had constructed a marquee for the away fans, which was decent, but we did not see it on our last trip. The away allocation is most of the Milton Stand behind the goal, which was uncovered until a few years ago. That has added to the atmosphere now and also means a bit of protection from the weather! Overall, while the facilities are not the best, it is an old style ground which allows you to have an enjoyable day and a wicked amount of noise. Pompey need a few more songs though, it’s the same two or three every time we go there!
7. White Hart Lane
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Away End: South/West Corner
Allocation: 2900
Again, it is very easy to get to by train/tube. We got to Liverpool Street first and then headed for the White Hart Lane Station, which is just a few minutes’ walk away from the ground. There aren’t many places to drink by the ground, so we stopped in Kings Cross area first and then headed to Liverpool Street area. There have been issues with reduced allocations due to standing, but this is now becoming a growing issue across England, so we would not hold that against Spurs! Always a good atmosphere and view, the away fans are really close to the home section, which leads to great exchanging of abuse. Top day out.
8. Upton Park
Club: West Ham United
Away End: Sir Trevor Brooking Stand
Allocation: 2150
Getting into the ground is expensive; tickets for this one do not come cheap! Getting to the stadium is easy however via the tube system at the nearby Upton Park station which is on the District Line. Be prepared to have to wait about 30 minutes afterwards though as there are always queues for tubes après match. It is another old fashioned ground which leads to a cracking atmosphere, both in the home and away ends. The general area involves a lot of walking through side streets. Drink in town or by the ground in a pub called Millers Well, which is about 20 minutes walk away.
9. The Stadium of Light
Club: Sunderland
Away End: South Stand
Allocation: 1800+
Sunderland is a good for making a weekend of it, mainly down to it being far away from most other cities in England! Anytime we go there, it’s a stay over job. The stadium itself is class having only been built in recent years with unobstructed views from all sections of the ground. Atmosphere can be electric within the stadium. Facilities inside the ground are quite good but can be very packed before and during the half time break. There are no real dedicated away pubs in the area, though we have visited two – The Albion and The Democratic, which are both very close to the ground. Sunderland train station is about a 20 minute walk to the ground and if you would like a connecting Metro, look out for the St. Peters stop which serves the away end better than the Stadium of Light stop. Overall, a great day out. Something different.
10. KC Stadium
Club: Hull City
Away End: North Stand
Allocation: 1800
An old style football ground, yet modern with a decent view from the away end. It is also a surprisingly easy ground to get to and always has a decent atmosphere in both the home and away ends, leading to a cracking day out. In our first trip we got the train, and it was about a 20 minute walk from the Hull Paragon station to the KC. Last time we were there, we took the car so did not drink in the area, but other fans said it was to be avoided anyway. The best bet is to get cans really. Inside the ground, the concourse is very lively before the game and at half time with plenty of beer available for away fans. One negative is the strictness on standing, which can cause confrontation with the stewards, however this can also add to the atmosphere!
Make sure you stop by tomorrow as Ed reveals the top five.
No mention of that fecker with the bell at Pompey?!
I’d have them bottom for that alone.
yes indeed, he is a dislikeable character. sits in the opposite end though, so not that easy to hear him all the time.