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| Contents | |
| What's St James'
Park Like? Future Ground Developments Doble Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Blackthorn Big Bank Terrace (photo) Where To Drink? The Grandstand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train Looking Towards The St James' Road End (photo) Admission Prices Programme Price Disabled Facilities Ground Layout Local Rivals Fixtures 2012-2013 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation St James' Park Location Map |
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| What's St James' Park Like? | |
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The ground is a mixture of the old and the modern. On one side is the old Grandstand that was originally opened in 1926. It is all seated, covered and has windshields to either side. However, it is in size about half the length of the pitch and although part of it straddles the half way line, it mostly sits to one side towards the St James’ Terrace End. This means that the area to the other side of stand is open and apart from a row of floodlight pylons is unused for spectators. Although not readily apparent from inside the ground, this is due to the very close proximity of a railway line, running behind this side of the ground. The Grandstand also has an unusual set of small floodlights aligned along the front of its roof, that protrude at an awkward angle. Opposite is the Flybe
Stand which is the newest addition to the ground and
was opened in 2001. This smart looking all seater
stand, is single tiered, with some executive boxes
located in the middle to the rear. It has the
players tunnel and team dug outs situated at its
front. At one end is the 'Big Bank' covered terrace,
which was opened in February 2000 and replaced a
former open terrace. This stand is quite impressive
looking and with a capacity of just under 4,000,
means it is now the largest terrace left in the
Football League. Unusually both the Flybe & Big
Bank Stands, have an open gap between the roof and
back of the stands. The other end is a very small
open terrace, called the St James Road terrace. This
end is given to away supporters. It is that small,
you can clearly see a row of houses that sit beyond
it, from which the residents get a great view of the game! |
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| Future Ground Developments | |
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The Club have embarked
on a public consultation on their proposals to
re-develop the old Grandstand and away terrace. The
two new stands (both all seater) would result in an
increase in capacity of St James' Park to 10,500,
with the Grandstand having a capacity of 2,800 and
the stand for away fans of 1,690. The new
Grandstand would also contain new club offices,
corporate facilities and team changing rooms.
The scheme would also see the construction of nearby
student accommodation and some additional retail
units. These would off set the estimated £7m
cost of the developments. An artists
impression of the proposed |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are mostly housed in the St James’ Road terrace at one end of the ground, where just over 1,000 fans can be accommodated. In addition the Club make 150 seats available to visiting supporters in the Grandstand. The facilities in both these areas are basic. The views from the St James’ Road terrace are not great as due to its limited size fans are situated quite low down and close to the pitch. It is also does not have a cover and is open to the elements. Although the Grandstand is covered, it does have some supporting pillars running across its front which may affect your view. I personally have enjoyed my visits to St James’ Park, with no problems experienced. | |
| Blackthorn Big Bank Terrace | |
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| Where To Drink? | |
There
is a Social Club at the ground itself, which
allows in away supporters. Close to the stadium is
the Wells Tavern on Otherwise, the ground is walkable from the city centre where there are plenty of pubs. Mike Faulkner from Somerset, recommends the Duke Of York and the Amber Rooms in Sidwell Street. Tony Fort recommends 'The Victoria' on Victoria Road (follow Victoria Street from the back of the Grandstand). As Tony says 'You can park here (for free) but it is a good 10-15 minutes walk from the ground and steep! The pub is great, very "studenty", but full of friendly Exeter supporters. Both the food and ale were excellent both from a quality and value perspective'. Whilst Mick Hubbard adds; 'We walked on from the city centre towards the ground and, instead of following Old Tiverton Road which leads to the ground, we forked right, up Blackboy Road and stopped at the Bowling Green pub, which is about a quarter of a mile from the ground. We enjoyed this pub very much - good beer (i.e. proper ale), comfortable and quite airy, very friendly (locals were hospitable and fans of both clubs mixed amicably) and a separate pool table for those so inclined. A definite recommendation'. |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
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Leave
the M5 at Junction 30 and follow signs for Exeter
city centre along Sidmouth Road (A379) and then onto
Rydon Lane (A3015). Take the Sidmouth Road turn off
(B3183) towards the city centre. Keep going towards
the town centre as the road becomes Heavitree Road.
On nearing the city centre take the fourth exit at
the large roundabout onto Western Way. At the next
roundabout take the second exit onto Old Tiverton
Road, then turn left into St James Road for the
ground. There is street parking, but quite a way
from the ground as there is a local residents scheme
in operation. |
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| By Train | |
Exeter Central is the closer of the two mainline stations is just under a mile away from the ground and should take around 20 minutes to walk. As you come out of the main station entrance, turn left and proceed along |
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| Admission Prices | |
| Home Fans*: Flybe Stand (Centre): Adults £25, Over 60's £19, Under 18's/Students £15 Flybe Stand (Wings): Adults £24, Over 60's £18, Under 18's/Students £14, Under 12's £5 Atass Big Bank: Adults £17, Over 60's £12, Under 18's/Students £5, Under 12's £2 Stagecoach Family Grandstand: Adults £21, Over 60's £15, Under 18's/Students £6, Under 12's £2 Away Fans*: Stagecoach Family Grandstand: Adults £21, Over 60's £15, Under 18's/Students £6, Under 12's £2 St James Road Terrace: Adults £17, Over 60's £12, Under 18's/Students £5, Under 12's £2 * These prices are for normal games. Matches such as local derbies may cost up to £3 more per ticket. |
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| Programme Price | |
| Official Programme £3 | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
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There are 31 spaces for wheelchair users for home fans and three for away supporters. The spaces for away fans are located in an elevated area of the Flybe Stand which is covered, which is close to, but not located with the rest of the away support. For further details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. |
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| Local Rivals | |
| Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United. | |
| Fixtures 2012-2013 | |
| Exeter City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
| 21,014 v Sunderland, FA Cup 6th Round Replay, March 4th, 1931. Average Attendance: 2011-2012: 4,474 (League One) 2010-2011: 5,393 (League One) 2009-2010: 5,832 (League One) |
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| Fans Reviews Of St James Park | |
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Paul Willott (Doing
The 92/Preston North End) 17/3/12 |
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| 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 St James' Park football ground.
Access their Exeter Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. |
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| Map showing the location of St James' Park, railway stations and listed pubs | |
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Instructions for
using the map:
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| Feedback | |
| If anything is incorrect
or you have something to add, please e-mail me duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide. |
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