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Bolton Wanderers FC
Reebok Stadium
Away Fans
Away fans are housed in the two tiered South
Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 5,000 supporters can be
accommodated, although the normal allocation is nearer 3,000.
The lower tier is shared with home supporters, but the upper tier is given
entirely to away fans. The leg room and facilities
within this stand are good and the atmosphere is boosted in the home end by
the presence of a drummer. Alex Smith adds; 'away fans should note that the bottom
rows of the lower tier are not covered by the roof and therefore you may
get wet if it rains'. Whilst Paul Kelly warns; 'the stewards at the Reebok
can be a bit over zealous, often throwing out fans for little reason. My
advice to away fans is do not even think about celebrating a goal by going
further forward than the front row. They'll have you even if you're just
on the bit of track behind the adverts. Also you may be told to sit down
during the game, take heed and do so. Fans have been
removed who persistently stand up during the game'.
I was particularly impressed with
the stadium and for the first time in this country, I felt I could have easily been
sitting in a comparable stadium in the United States. The refreshment facilities are
good (albeit queuing times can be long on occasion) and I wish that other clubs
would copy the way that supporters in the Reebok are served. There are proper queuing
barriers and exit lanes. One person takes the order and deals with the money, whilst
another prepares your order at the same time. Simple when you think about it, it is just a
pity that other clubs seem to think that supporters enjoy the lottery of being in the
scrum that develops around the refreshment kiosk. The
stadium is certainly one of the best in England, although a capacity of
under 30,000 means that by Premiership standards it is on the small side.
A 125 room hotel has been built behind the away
end of the ground, 19 of which have views of the pitch. I just wonder if
hotel guests occupying these rooms may at some time put on their own half
time show!
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