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Birmingham City FC
St
Andrews
Away Fans
Away supporters are housed on one side of the
Gil Merrick Stand, which is at one end of the stadium in the lower
tier. The normal allocation is 3,000
tickets, but this can be increased to around 4,500 for cup games (when the whole of the lower tier is
allocated). There are Birmingham fans housed above the away
supporters, as well as to the other side of the stand (fans are
separated by plastic netting). The facilities and the view from this
stand are pretty good. Apart from the usual array of food on offer,
alcohol in form
of John Smith's Bitter or Fosters Lager is also
available at £3.20 per pint. The Club also offer a 'pie and a pint'
for £5.50.
John a visiting Burnley informs me; 'The
beer inside the ground was drinkable and the Balti pies were
delicious! On the downside, the seat I had been allocated was in Row
21 seat 002 which was right up against the wall. I've had more
legroom on a package tour flight to the Canaries! What really
annoyed me were a small section of the City fans who spent the
entire game screaming abuse and gesturing to the away
fans'.
Alan Sexton a visiting West Ham supporter adds; 'The
ground itself is three quarters of the way to being a top class
stadium but desperately needs a new Main Stand. If this is built,
joining with the Tilton Road and Railway Stands then St Andrews will
be one of the best if not the best ground in the Midlands.
Atmosphere wise it was the best ground I have visited all season for
sheer volume before and during the game. As for the concourses
they left little to be desired and were extremely crowded, the scrum
to try and get a pie was not for the faint hearted'.
Well,
having watched the Blues since 1972, I can
honestly say that I have almost seen it all. The good, the bad and
the ugly. The atmosphere at some games can be electric, at others
virtually non existent. The club itself has come on a great deal
under the ownership of David Sullivan and the Gold brothers and the
stadium has been transformed. The crowd when
on form can still give a great rendition of the Blues anthem 'Keep
Right On To The End Of The Road'.
It is worth bearing mind
though, that a certain section of Birmingham fans are particularly
passionate about their club and this can make for an intimidating
atmosphere for away supporters. I would advise as a precaution to
keep your club colours covered around the ground or in the city
centre.
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