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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. There is an array of food on offer;
Cheeseburgers (£3), Burgers
(£2.90) and foot long hot dogs
(£3.90), plus a range of, sausage rolls
& pies including the Chicken Balti Pie
(£2.50). The Club catering is supplemented by a burger van.
Alcohol in form of Tetleys Bitter or Carlsberg Lager is also
available at £3.30 per pint.
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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