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Ground Name:
Withdean
Stadium |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground Like? Future Developments North Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Looking Towards The New North East Stand (photo) Where To Drink? The South Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train The West Stand (photo) Admission Prices East Stands (photo) Local Rivals Fixtures 2009-2010 Programme Price Ground Layout Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
| Brighton's
original Goldstone Ground was
closed in 1997 after being the Club's home since 1902. The Club then spent two seasons in exile, ground sharing
at Gillingham. Before returning to the South Coast in 1999, to take
up temporary residence at the Withdean Athletics Stadium, whilst
also looking for a suitable site to build a new stadium. After a
long drawn out battle the Club have finally received planning
permission to go ahead with the building of a new ground on the
outskirts of Brighton and so hopefully in the next few years the
Club will say farewell to the Withdean. The initial impression of the stadium is of its picturesque surroundings, set into a hillside and mostly surrounded by woodland, giving it somewhat of a rural look. On three sides of the stadium are a number of basic 'temporary stands' which are uncovered and hence open to the elements. Only the North Stand on one side of the ground can be described as permanent, as this was in existence prior to the football club taking up residence (and will no doubt remain, when the Club eventually leave). This is the only stand that has some roof cover, albeit only partially to the rear and has a large Pavilion type building located behind it, which looks quite out of place at a football ground. The pitch is surrounded by an athletics running track, hence the supporters are set well back from the field of play. Although the temporary stands are generally on the small side, this cannot be said of the South Stand. This stand was designed by McAlpine and has a capacity of 4,500. | |
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After years of wrangling and red tape, the Club have finally begun work on a new 22,500 capacity stadium at Falmer on the outskirts of Brighton, adjacent to the University of Brighton campus . It is hoped that if things go to plan that the Club could be kicking off in its new home for the start of the 2011/12 season. Photos of its construction can be viewed at the Countdown2Falmer website. | |
| North Stand | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away
fans are housed in the West Stand at one end of the
stadium, in a small 'temporary' stand, more reminiscent of
the structures at golf's British Open than a football ground. This
seated stand is uncovered and has a capacity of 900
seats. On occasion this may also be shared with Brighton
supporters, if the away Club elects to take a
smaller allocation. Fans are set very well back from the pitch as
there is a semi-oval grassed area behind the goal and then a running
track in-between that and the stand itself. You would expect from such an open stadium that the atmosphere would be fairly flat. However, the Brighton supporters really try hard to get behind their team and this made for a good atmosphere. The fans also make the most of the temporary nature of the stands, by making quite a large din by stamping their feet on the metal floor. The open nature of Withdean makes a visit daunting on a cold, wet day. Malcolm Townrow a visiting Plymouth Argyle fan informs me; 'I had heard previously that the Brighton ground was a bit bleak, but I can honestly say it was one of the most if not the most friendly places I've visited as a visiting supporter anywhere. The stewards were first class and being able to mix with home fans in the Sportsman's directly next to the pitch was a joy. Parking the car was no problem and even the stewards out there and the bus drivers gave excellent service. Even though we won 2-0 which I suppose colours my view of things all in all the experience was superb. No being shoved around by police with no humanity and they showed every courtesy and consideration for all fans. I'm glad it didn't rain though!' Neil Cullen a visiting Southampton fan adds; 'I went with the attitude that the Withdean would be a poor ground, with poor facilities. But after a great day out there I left with the thought that it was a nice place to visit. The Sportsman pub was friendly and there was a good crack with the home supporters who were welcoming. The stewards and ground staff were friendly and helpful, more than you can say about a lot of places you visit. Okay the pitch was a long way off, and luckily we had sunshine, but all in all a good day out'. Whilst Peter Bennett tells me; 'When I went recently with Orient, there was very little noise from the Brighton fans- apart from the 25 or so hard core “singers” in the South Stand. The view from the away end is like the old Wembley, you are very low down and miles from the pitch. Definitely not a ground to go to after a few beers as you’d probably fall asleep as the game seems so remote from the away seats.' I had a fairly enjoyable day out at the stadium. This was my last ground visited of the current 92 and the club were most accommodating in allowing me to have my photo taken on the pitch before the game. Special thanks to Club Secretary, Derek Allan for his hospitality. | |
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| Where To Drink? | |
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Mark Collins informs me 'the Sportsman at the rear of the North Stand is now open on matchdays, though expect it to be crowded'. This pub also has a carvery if you are looking for a bite to eat too. Otherwise Peter Hodd suggests 'the Preston Brewery Tap, located one mile south of the stadium, on the main A23 and is football friendly, but very crowded. Alastair Webb recommends; 'I would recommend the Station pub on Hampstead Road. The pub which is in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide serves a good selection of ales and is located literally just outside the Preston Park station entrance (although admittedly on the opposite side to the way fans exit the station for the ground)'. Mick Hubbard adds; 'The Station is an excellent traditional pub, selling good beers (including Harveys Sussex Bitter) and has Sky Sports. It's about a 15 minute walk away from the stadium'. Whilst Gareth Pattison informs me; 'About five minutes walk away from Preston Park station along the A23 (going towards Brighton rather than the stadium) is the Crown and Anchor. The pub is a bit less crowded than the others mentioned and offers meals too'. Outside Brighton Mainline Station there are a number of excellent pubs'. Phil Kramer recommends the Evening Star, on Surrey Street. It is away fan friendly and only two a minute walk away from the station. It is in the CAMRA good beer guide and serves real Sussex ale and cider'. Please note that alcohol is not served within the stadium. | |
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Thanks to John Cowen for providing the above photo. | |
| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
| The stadium is
located two miles away from the town centre and is just off the
London Road (A23). There is no parking allowed within a mile of the
ground, due to matchday restrictions in place around the stadium
(one of the conditions that was agreed for allowing Brighton to play
there). Kevin Ditch informs me that 'there is an excellent park and ride scheme which is available about one mile north of the ground, at Mill Road. Given that 90% of away fans come from the north and travel down the M23/A23, this is the ideal site, as it is right next to the main road'. Colin Peel adds 'I found the Park & Ride scheme to be brilliant; I got back in my car after the game, for the start of Sports Report!'. Remember that your match ticket includes a park and ride ticket for either the train or bus. Mick Hubbard adds; 'We
used the park and ride which was a bit of a fiasco. We did
what we were told and followed the park & ride signs from the
A23, only to find ourselves right at the stadium! This is
because the Withdean is itself a park & ride for Brighton town
centre on non-matchdays.The park & ride
used for the ground is not well signposted. The best
advice I can give is to go down the A23 and look out for a Spar and
BP garage on the right at a roundabout, not long after you go under
the A27. Turn right at this roundabout into Mill
Road. Mill Road is blocked off on matchdays and used as a
parking area. When we got there, about 12:45, it wasn't open so
we had to wait about 10 minutes and then another 10 minutes sitting
on the bus waiting for it to go. It took another 10 mins to the
ground and then we had a 15 minute walk to the pub so we weren't
best pleased! Worse still, the drop
off point is different to where you catch it after the game.
It drops you off right outside the ground but you get the return bus
from a main road nearby. Best to ask directions as it is not
obvious and there is no signposting'. | |
| By Train | |
| The
nearest railway station is Preston Park which is about a 10-15
minute walk from the ground. The station is served by trains from
London Victoria, Kings Cross & London Bridge (it is cheaper to
travel from the latter two). On coming out of the station and
walking down to the bottom of the hill, turn left along the A23 for
the stadium or right for the Preston Brewery Tap pub. After the game
there is a football special waiting which takes you back along the
short journey to Brighton. I chose to do this by parking in the city
centre and then getting the train (it only takes five minutes) to
Preston Park. This way you get the chance to sample the pubs around
the station! Alastair Webb adds; 'It's worth pointing out that the free travel ticket that you get with your match ticket not only includes train travel from Brighton to Preston Park but also from Haywards Heath to Preston Park. This means that the many fans who are heading South on the London-Brighton mainline can save a few quid by only buying a ticket to Haywards Heath and then using their matchday travel voucher from there'. | |
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| Admission Prices | |
| Home
Fans: North Stand (Centre): Adults £26.50, Senior Citizens £18 Under 16's £16.50 North Stand (Wings): Adults £25, Senior Citizens £18 Under 16's £16 South Stand (Centre): Adults £24, Under 21's £17.50, Senior Citizens £16 Under 16's £14.50 South Stand (Wings): Adults £23, Under 21's £16.50, Senior Citizens £15, Under 16's £13.50 East Stand: Adults £23, Under 21's £16.50, Senior Citizens £15, Under 16's £13.50 Family Area: 1 Adult + 1 Under 16 £27, Adult + 1 Under 10 £23.50, Additional Adult £23.50, Senior Citizen £15, Under 16 £13.50, Under 10 £1 Away Fans: West Stand: Adults £23, Senior Citizens £15 Under 16's £13.50 Please note that as part of the restrictions imposed on the Club when playing at Withdean, no match tickets will be on sale on the day of the game. All match tickets must be bought in advance and contain vouchers to use local transport to and from the stadium. This voucher is also valid for the train journey between Brighton & Preston Park. | |
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| Local Rivals | |
| With a lack of other league clubs in the area, Brighton fans have focused on Crystal Palace. | |
| Fixtures 2009-2010 | |
| For the Brighton fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). | |
| Programme & Fanzine | |
| Official
Programme £3. Seagull Love Review £1. | |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
|
At The Withdean
Stadium: | |
| Fans Reviews Of The Withdean Stadium | |
| Peter Radford (Wycombe Wanderers)
18/11/09 Chris Donkin (Hull City) 16/12/05 Lori Kilpatrick (Coventry City) 17/09/05 | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Brighton page click here. | |
| Feedback | |
| If anything is
incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail
me and I'll update the guide. | |
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