Football Ground Guide: Blundell Park, Grimsby Town FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Findus & Osmond Stands (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Eat & Drink? Findus & Pontoon Stands (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Ground Layout Admission Prices Programme Price Local Rivals Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2009-2010 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
At one side of the ground is the Findus Stand, which is the tallest stand and is two tiered and covered. However this stand only runs half the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line. Opposite is the old Main Stand, which is small covered all seated stand and has a large number of supporting pillars running across the front of it. Part of this stand dates back to 1901, possibly making it the oldest surviving stand in League football. Both ends are small covered affairs. Home fans are located in the Pontoon Stand at one end, away fans at the opposite end in the Osmond Stand. The corner between this stand and the Main Stand is also filled, as the stands are joined at this point. For big games the Club increases the capacity of the ground by 500 by installing blocks of temporary seating in the open corners of the ground. (see the green seating areas on the photos below). It is interesting to note that the Pontoon Stand gets it name from the fish docks in Grimsby and as at one time many of the crowd would have worked on 'the pontoon', then it is an apt name. Grimsby fans still identify with their town's fishing heritage, with the chant 'We only sing when we're fishing!' Top Of Page
Future Developments
After a lengthy process, the Club have received outline planning permission to build a new stadium at the Great Coates Interchange of the A180 and A1136. The new stadium has a proposed final capacity of 20,100, although initially the first phase of the scheme will see around 12,000 seats being put in place. The stadium will be called the ConocoPhillips Stadium, following a corporate sponsorship scheme. The development, which will cost around Ł14m, will also include a retail park. As of yet formal time scales have yet to be announced as to when construction will begin. Top Of Page
Findus & Osmond Stands

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are located in the Osmond Stand, at one end of the ground, where 2,200 supporters can be accommodated. One downside of this stand is that there are a number of supporting pillars which could impede your view of the game. Blundell Park is a rather small ground and sometimes gets over criticised by visiting fans. But there is normally always a passionate crowd, which contributes to a good atmosphere. Remember though to wrap up warm as there can be a biting wind coming off the North Sea. Tim Porter a visiting Torquay fan informs me; 'In the right-hand corner of the away end there is a small bar (Scottie's Bar) which was really friendly although it has obviously seen better days - a bit like the bars you get at quite small non-league grounds'. Whilst Craig Waites a visiting Bradford City fan adds; 'Across the road from the ground is the Blundell Park hotel which welcomes both home and visiting supporters. Home fans are very friendly both before and after the game. View from the away end is as you would expect from an old stand in the lower leagues but a good atmosphere can be generated. The snack bar is cheap & the service very quick. Visiting fans are free to enjoy their day, stewards are relaxed & won't say too much when you get excited & stand up. All in all a very enjoyable day out, just how football should be'. Top Of Page
Where To Eat & Drink?
Unfortunately the traditional pub for away fans the Leaking Boot pub has now closed down. This means that there is not much choice for a pint for away supporters close to the ground. Dave Peasgood recommends the Blundell Park Hotel, which if you arrive early serves some good food at reasonable prices (expect to pay around Ł5 for a good portion of fish and chips). The Rutland Arms is also recommended for both home and away fans to mingle and also allows in children, however this is some distance from the ground. (it is about about half a mile before Blundell park, turn left at Ramsdens superstore and left again, and you'll see the pub at the opposite end of their car park. If in coaches, then from where you will be parked, head back the way you came, along the sea wall for 5 minutes and you'll see the pub). There area also a number of pubs along Cleethorpes sea front but this is around a 20 minute away. The Imperial pub by the ground is not recommended for away fans. If you do venture into Cleethorpes or arrive by train at Cleethorpes Station, then situated on the Station Approach is the 'Number 2 Refreshment Room' which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. A bit further into the town centre just off the front on Highcliff Road is Willy's Bar which is also featured in the Guide and even brews its own beer. Russell Taylor informs me; 'O'Neills pub in Cleethorpes (just outside the railway station) has declared itself the 'away supporters pub' so visiting fans are now able to enjoy a drink or two before walking to Blundell Park. When exiting the train station, turn right and walk for approximately 20 metres up the ramp until reaching the top before turning left (Station Road) and the pub is visible. To walk to Blundell Park from here takes approximately 15-20 minutes, when exiting the pub (top of the High Street) follow this road down to the roundabout; where you turn right onto the Grimsby Road, continue straight for approximately half a mile and you will see the floodlights of the ground on your right'. The Fish & Chips in Cleethorpes are legendary and there are some good outlets located near to the ground. Mariners (previously called) Josh's fish and chip shop near to the closed Leaking Boot pub comes recommended. There is also a McDonalds situated right by Blundell Park. Top Of Page
Findus & Pontoon Stands
Top Of Page
How To Get There And Where To Park
First thing to remember is that the ground is not actually in Grimsby, but the neighbouring town of Cleethorpes. The ground is on the A180 which runs between Grimsby & Cleethorpes. Cleethorpes is well signposted from Grimsby town centre. There is no car park at the ground, therefore only street parking. As you drive along the A180 towards the ground, the home end appears first, then after the McDonalds is the away end. From there, continue towards Cleethorpes and try any of the side streets to the left or preferably the right and you should find a parking spot okay. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Top Of Page
By Train
Cleethorpes railway station is about a mile from the ground and takes around 15-20 minutes to walk. Exit the station and turn right; then turn left onto Station Road. At the end of Station Road turn right onto the High Street. Follow this road down to the roundabout; where you turn right onto the Grimsby road (A180). Continue straight for approximately half a mile and you will see the floodlights of the ground on your right. Turn right into Neville Street and then left onto Harrington Street; entrance to the Osmond Stand for away fans is on the left. Thanks to Andy Cowling for providing the directions. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Home Fans: Upper Findus Stand: Adults Ł18, Concessions Ł12, Under 15's Ł8 Lower Findus Stand: Adults Ł16, Concessions Ł12, Under 15's Ł8 Pontoon Stand Adults: Ł16, Concessions Ł12, Under 15's Ł8 Main Stand: Adults: Ł18, Concessions Ł12, Under 15's Ł8 Away Fans: Osmond Stand - Adults: Ł18, Concessions Ł12, Under 15's Ł8 Please note that concessions apply to over 65's & under 18's. In addition the unemployed can also qualify for a concessionary rate in the Pontoon Stand. Top Of Page
Programme
Official Programme Ł2.50. Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Scunthorpe United, Hull City & Lincoln City. Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Fixtures 2009-2010
For the Grimsby Town fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 31,651 v Wolverhampton Wanderers, FA Cup 5th Round, February 20th, 1937. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 9,528 v Sunderland, March 13th 1999 Average Attendance: 2008-2009: 4,475 (League Two) 2007-2008: 4,115 (League Two) 2006-2007: 4,379 (League Two) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of Blundell Park
Richard Hulme (Peterborough United) 26/4/08 John Gledhill (Darlington) 19/3/05 Alan Davis (Peterborough United) 5/9/03 Top Of Page
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 Cleethorpes & Grimsby page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide.
Return To The Main Menu