 |
||
Bristol
Rovers
|
 |
|
| Contents | |
| What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Uplands Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? DAS Stand (photo) Where To Drink? South Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train Blackthorn End (photo) Admission Prices Programme Price Ground Layout Local Rivals Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2011-2012 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Old Eastville Ground Other Places Of Interest Hotel Accommodation Memorial Stadium Location Map |
|
|
|
|
| What's The Ground Like? | |
| The
club moved to the stadium in 1996 and
two years later bought the ground from the then owners Bristol
Rugby Club. Although the Memorial Stadium has
seen some changes since the Football Club took up
residence, it still has the feel of a rugby ground
about it. On one side is the DAS Stand, which with its pavilion looks more like a cricket stand. It has a row of hospitality boxes across the top, with a few rows of seats in front. Below is an area of terrace. Just under this stand's roof is a television gantry and a small electric scoreboard. The stand runs for about half the length of the pitch and straddles the half way line. On one side of it, towards the Blackthorn end is a small covered terrace, used as a family area, whilst the other side has a small covered area of temporary seating, called the South West Stand. Opposite is the Uplands Stand, taller than the DAS Stand, but similar in length. This stand has covered seating to its rear and terracing at the front. It has open terracing to either side, one of which is given to away supporters. The team dug outs are located in front of this stand, although the dressing rooms are located behind the DAS Stand. This leads to quite a procession of players and officials at half time and full time. At one end is the unusual looking South Stand. This was originally erected as a temporary stand, to fill the previously empty end. It has now been opened for a number of seasons now, although it still looks, with its green seats and bright white roof, more suitable for an outdoor show jumping competition than a football ground. The stand only runs for just over half the width of the pitch, has several supporting pillars running across the front and has been nicknamed 'the tent' by Rovers fans. Opposite is the Blackthorn End, which is a covered terrace for home supporters. The ground is shared with Bristol Rugby Club. |
|
|
After planning to re-develop the Memorial Ground, the Club are now considering a move to a new stadium located close to the Avon Ring Road, by the University of the West England (UWE), on the outskirts of Bristol. The scheme would see the site of the Memorial ground, being sold to a supermarket chain and the income form that deal being used to finance the building of the new 20,000 capacity stadium. The stadium would also be home to Bristol Rugby Club. Planning permission needs to be granted before the scheme can go ahead, but if successful, the Club could be kicking off in their new stadium for the start of the 2013/14 season. More information including an artists impression of how the new stadium might look can be found on the UWE Stadium Consultation website. |
|
| Uplands Stand | |
|
|
|
| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away
supporters are mostly housed in an open
terrace on one side of
the Uplands Stand. This area is open to the
elements so you might get wet if it rains. The open terrace makes it difficult for away fans to really
generate some noise. Up to 1,100 away supporters can be accommodated in
this area. If the weather is poor then it may be a
better bet to head for one of the seats that are made available to away
fans in the South Stand at one end of the ground. I must
recommend the huge Cornish pasties (£2.50)
that are sold at the ground, huge and tasty, plus they
even do vegetarian ones which makes a change. Also
on offer are a range of pies including the the Chicken Balti Pie. I did not experience any problems
on my visits, however I noted that the Rovers fans seemed to tolerate
away fans rather than being over friendly. They can
still do a good rendition of their club anthem 'Goodnight Irene', when
the occasion stirs. I found it quite amusing that the Rovers fans are nicknamed gasheads. Nick Wootten of Bristol informed me that this term comes from where the old Eastville stadium in Bristol was sited. Next to a (sometimes smelly) gas works! In fact it was rumoured that if Rovers were losing at half time, the gas would be turned up, to put off the opposition! |
|
|
|
|
| Where To Drink? | |
| Pete Stump recommends; 'The Queen Vic pub on the Gloucester Road (five minutes walk from the ground) which usually has a comfortable mix of home and away fans - unfortunately it's not that big and does get busy'. Rhys Gwynllyw a visiting Wrexham supporter recommends the Annexe Inn next to the Sportsmans Arms. 'The Annexe Pub is friendly has previously been listed in the Good Beer Guide. Last time I was there it had seven real ales on tap. I had no hassle at all in my Wrexham top'. Steve Pugh adds; 'The Annexe Inn is in Nevil Road, which is about ten minutes walk from the ground. You can find it by following the signs for the County Cricket Ground'. Otherwise there is a bar behind the clubhouse terrace that allows away supporters in. | |
|
|
|
| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
|
Exit M5 at junction 16
(Signposted Filton) and join the A38 (South) towards Bristol City
Centre. The ground is about five miles down the A38. You will pass the
large British Aerospace works and further on, you will pass on your
left the Inn on the Green and the Gloucester pubs. You then pass the Wellington
pub on your right and continuing along the A38 Gloucester Road, turn
left into Filton Avenue. The entrance to the Club car park is the
second right down this road. There is a fair amount of street parking
around the sides and back of the Wellington pub. |
|
| By Train | |
| The nearest railway station is Filton Abbey Wood, which as Peter Moody informs me; 'is approximately 1.5 miles or 20-25 minutes walk away from the ground'. More likely though you will end up at Bristol Parkway which is about two miles away from the ground and is really too far to walk from, so you are probably best to jump in a taxi or buses 73/73A/73B run from the station past the stadium. | |
|
|
|
| Admission Prices | |
| Home
Fans* DAS Stand (Seating): Adults £24, Over 65's/Students £18.50, Under 16's £17.50 DAS Stand (Terrace): Adults £18, Over 65's/Students £10, Under 16's £9 Uplands Stand (Seating): Adults £22, Over 65's/Students £13.50, Under 16's £12.50 Uplands Stand (Terrace): Adults £16, Over 65's/Students £9, Under 16's £8 Family Terrace: Adults £16, Over 65's/Students £9, Under 16's £5 South West Stand (Seating): Adults £19, Over 65's/Students £11, Under 16's £10 South Stand (Seated): Adults £18.50, Over 65's/Students £10.50, Under 16's £9.50 Blackthorn Terrace End: Adults £16, Over 65's/Students £9, Under 16's £8 Away Fans* Uplands Stand (Terrace): Adults £16, Over 65's/Students £9, Under 16's £8 South Stand (Seated): Adults £18.50, Over 65's/Students £10.50, Under 16's £9.50 * The above prices quoted are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets purchased on matchday cost £2 more per ticket. |
|
| Programme Price | |
| Official Programme: £3 | |
| Ground Layout | |
|
|
|
| Local Rivals | |
| Bristol City & Swindon Town. | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. | |
| Fixtures 2011-2012 | |
| Bristol Rovers FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
| At
The Memorial Stadium: 12,011 v West Bromwich Albion, FA Cup 6th Round, February 9th, 2008. At Eastville; 38,472 v Preston North End, FA Cup 4th Round, January 30th, 1960. Average Attendance: 2010-2011: 6,253 (League One) 2009-2010: 7,043 (League One) 2008-2009: 7,171 (League One) |
|
| Fans Reviews Of The Memorial Ground | |
| Peter Radford
(Wycombe Wanderers) 30/01/10 Kristian Sundqvist (Neutral) 12/12/09 Teddy Cunningham (Millwall) 18/04/09 Rhys John (Swansea City) 18/03/08 Carl English (Swansea City) 18/03/08 |
|
| Old Eastville Ground | |
| To see photos of Bristol Rovers former Eastville ground then to take you to the Old Grounds & Stands Section of the Guide. | |
| Other Places Of Interest | |
| If you're into historical ships then the first steam ship the SS Great Britain is moored at the historic dockyards. The area around the docks is quite pleasant with some good pubs. If arriving by train you can get a ferry boat to the dock yards from Temple Meads station. | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. 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. The Hotels listing also includes details of how far away the accommodation is located from the football ground. Access their Bristol Hotels and Guest Houses page. | |
| Map Showing The Location Of The Memorial Stadium, Railway Stations & Listed Pubs | |
|
Instructions for using the
map: |
|
| Feedback | |
| If
anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide. |
|
|
|
|
