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Hull
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| Contents | |||
| What's The Ground Like? Future Developments KC Stadium (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? MKM South & Cranswick plc (West) Stands (photo) Where To Drink? North and Neil Hudgell Solicitors (East) Stands (photo) How To Get There & Where To Park Looking Towards The MKM South Stand (photo) By Train Local Rivals Cranswick plc (West) Stand (photo) Admission Prices Fixtures 2011-2012 Ground Layout Programme Price Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Location map of the KC Stadium |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |||
| The
KC Stadium was opened in December 2002. It cost almost
£44m to build, by Birse Construction and is home
to both Hull Football & Rugby League Clubs. I'm not a fan of most of the bland new grounds, but the KC Stadium is an
exception to this rule. Built in a parkland setting,
the stadium can be seen for some distance around and
has won a number of awards for its impressive
design. The stadium is totally enclosed, with the Cranswick plc (West) Stand being around twice the size of the other three sides. The roof rises up and curves around the Cranswick plc (West) Stand, giving the stadium an interesting look. Inside the curves continue as each of the stands slightly bow around the playing area, drawing the eye to sweep panoramically around them. Each stand is single tiered, apart from the two tiered Cranswick plc (West) Stand. This stand also has a row of executive boxes running across its middle. There is a large video screen at the North End of the stadium, where the Police Control Box is also situated. The pitch looked in excellent condition on my visit in January, plus it has had under soil heating installed. The p.a. system within the stadium is also excellent. |
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| Future Developments | |||
| Craig Harper informs me; 'The Club have plans to add an additional tier to both the East & South Stands, which will increase the capacity of the KC Stadium to around 34,000'. However, no firm timescales have been announced as to when this may take place. | |||
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |||
| Away
fans are located in the North Stand End of the ground,
where up to 4,000 supporters can be housed, although the
normal allocation is half that number. The facilities
available are good, plus there is not a bad view of the
playing action to be found anywhere (although you are a
little set back from the pitch). On the concourse
alcohol is available, plus burgers, Hollands pies
etc.. I found the atmosphere to be good within the
stadium, but unfortunately there is an element of Hull
support that feel the need to berate away supporters
throughout the game, which was somewhat unsavoury. Dave Winsor a visiting Nottingham Forest fan adds; 'Our seats were roomy and comfortable with a raised behind the goal view. Plenty of leg room and helpful stewards along with a nice fat matchday programme and a really good selection of food and drink from the concourse all contributed to the favourable impression. An interesting ground with much more to it than the usual depressing flat pack stadium of some other designs'. Phil a visiting West Ham United fan tells me; 'The stadium is great with good facilities on the concourse. I was located right at the back of the away section and the view was very good with no obstructions'. Please note that the stadium has been designated a no standing area, which on the face of it seems a little ridiculous. This has led to some unpleasant confrontations between away fans and stewards, so you have been warned. Craig Waites a visiting Bradford City fan adds; 'On my last visit I felt the Policing was over the top. It was like going back to the 1980's'. |
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| Tim Jones a visiting Aston Villa
supporter informs me; 'The Brickmakers pub virtually
opposite the stadium car park entrance is now open
to away fans. Good atmosphere, friendly Hull fans, Big
screen Sky Sports and a burger van outside'. Whilst
Villa fan Neil Tate adds; 'There is the nearby Walton
Street Social Club that lets in away
supporters. Although it costs £1 to go in,
it has good cheap beer, is of a good size and
offers a separate area for sale of food such
as burgers and chips etc.. There were plenty
of fellow Villa fans in there during our recent
visit. Turn right out of the main car park entrance and
it is down the road on the left hand side.' There are a number of other pubs within a few minutes walk of the stadium, but these are all designated as being for home supporters only. Most Hull fans still seem to be heading for pubs situated around Boothferry Park. These are best avoided by away fans particularly the Silver Cod pub. Otherwise you can head for the nearby City Centre, where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Sam Carroll suggests the 'Linnet & Lark' on Princes Avenue. As Sam says; 'It has lots of TVs showing Sky Sports, making it perfect to watch the early or late kick off games. It is a 15 minute walk away from the stadium, going across the pedestrian footbridge over the railway line. Also there are a number of other bars dotted along Princes Avenue, which should be okay for away fans to drink in. These include PAVE, which has a great selection of beers from all around the world and quality food. Look out for their "matchday special" pint, pie, peas and mash for just £6. There is ample parking in the streets off the avenue. Closer to the stadium around a 15 minute walk up Walton Street, is the Avenues pub on Chanterlands Avenue, that welcomes both home and away supporters.' Robert Walker adds; 'If you are walking to the stadium from the City Centre there are several pubs on Spring Bank, including the Editorial and the Tap and Spile. Or there is the Admiral of the Humber (a Wetherspoons outlet) on Anlaby Road near Hull Paragon Railway Station'. This Wetherspoons pub is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Andy Beill adds; 'I'd recommend The Punch Hotel pub. It is situated in the town centre next to the Princes Quay shopping centre, so not far from the train station. It does great homemade food'. Otherwise alcohol, Carling & Marstons are served within the stadium at £3.20 per pint. However for some high profile matches, the club do not provide alcohol to away supporters. |
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| The stadium is fairly close to
the old Boothferry Park ground, but slightly nearer to
the town centre, which is 3/4's of a mile away. If you
used to approach the old ground down Anlaby Road, pass
the ground on your right, go under the railway bridge,
and at the second set of traffic lights, turn left into
Walton Street and you're there. From The West: At the end of the M62, continue onto the A63 towards Hull. Stay on the A63 and the stadium is clearly signposted (KC Stadium and a football symbol) as you approach Hull. About one mile from the centre of Hull leave the A63 (just after you pass B&Q on the opposite side of the carriageway and is sign posted Local Infirmary Infirmary) and take the 2nd exit at the roundabout. Turn left at the lights and then over the flyover, right at the next lights and the ground is down on the right. From The North: Leave the A164 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. The stadium is 3 miles down this road on the left. Car Parking Jo Johnson informs me; 'the stadium has its own massive car park right next to the stadium, with access from Walton Street. It is floodlit, with a covered surface (that is, not a mud bath) and open to home and away supporters alike. If you get there early and want to go into the City centre, there is a park and ride bus to and from the car park. The cost of parking at the stadium is £5. It's easier to park at Hull than at any ground I know of - but there is one drawback, namely, getting away again at the end of the game. It can take up to half an hour or more, if you park a long way from the exits'. Tony adds; 'There are two exits from the car park onto Walton Street after the game. The right hand exit is often the quickest to leave by. As you turn right out the car park, this leads to Spring Bank West, where you have to turn left. Follow this road onto the next roundabout and turn left into Calvert Lane. Cross one set of traffic lights into North Road then at the next set of traffic lights turn right onto Boothferry road (you'll see the old Boothferry Park floodlights just off to your left). This takes you onto the A63'. Alternatively there is a Park & Ride facility signposted off the A63 (shared with home supporters). Many fans opt to park in one of the many town centre car parks and then walk out to the stadium. Chris Bax adds; 'It is perhaps easiest is to park at the Infirmary (clearly signposted from the A63) where parking is only £5 for 4 hours. It's a 10-15 minute walk to the ground from there'. Whilst Robert Walker adds; 'The most convenient car park in the city centre is the Pryme Street multi-storey car park, which is open to 7.30pm. Leave the A63 at the Myton Street exit and head North towards the city centre. You will pass Paragon station on your left. At the next traffic lights turn right into Spencer Street and then immediately left into Prospect Street and follow road round to the right into Pryme Street. Car park entrance is on right. There is also an NCP car park at the end of Pryme Street and Council surface car parks off Freetown Way. To walk to Stadium cross over Ferensway and walk along Spring Bank. Turn left onto Derringham Street by Polar Bear pub and then right onto walkway to the stadium'. Marcos Brown-Garcia tells me; 'The housing estate directly oppostite the Hull Royal Infirmary offers lots of free on street parking spaces. This esate has no parking regulations.' Please note that some residential areas near to the stadium have been made residents only parking zones, so don't park there as you may well end up with a parking fine. John Womersley adds; 'There is some street parking less than five minutes walk away. Leave the A63 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. Pass Boothferry Park and forward onto Anlaby Road towards the Hull Royal Infirmary, You will pass the KC stadium on your left. Go over the flyover, and turn right at "The Eagle" pub into Coltman St then take the 2nd right into Cholmley St then 4th right into the Boulevard. There are many side streets without parking restrictions. To get to the ground simply walk to the top of the Boulevard and go up the pedestrian walkway to the stadium. To Get home simply go the other way down the Boulevard, then left into Hessle Rd, after 1/4 mile you'll come to a roundabout which takes you onto the A63 (Clive Sullivan Way) and M62. Map showing the location of the KC Stadium (at the bottom of this page). |
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| By Train | |||
| The Stadium is around a 20 minute walk
away from Hull Paragon station. Turn left at the end of
the railway station plaform and then left into the bus
station (without going outside the station). Exit the
bus station at the far end. Walk past Tesco on your
right, cross over Park Street at the traffic lights.
Following blue pedestrian signs to KC Stadium go along
Londisborough Street (where there is a handy fish and
chip shop). Cross Argyle Street and onto pedestrian
walkway and bridges over railway lines to stadium. For
away end turn right at the bottom of steps. Thanks to
Brian Scott a visiting Ipswich Town supporter for the
directions. |
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| Local Rivals | |||
| Leeds United, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town, Sheffield United & Sheffield Wednesday. | |||
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Cranswick plc (West) Stand |
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| Admission Prices | |||
| Home Fans: Cranswick plc (West) Stand: Adults £26, Over 60's/Under 23's £16, Under 16's £12, Under 11's £5* Neil Hudgell Solicitors (East) Stand Adults £24, Over 60's/Under 23's £14, Under 16's £10, Under 11's £5* MKM South Stand: Adults £24, Over 60's/Under 23's £14, Under 16's £10, Under 11's £5* Family Areas: Adults £26, Over 60's/Under 23's £16, Under 16's £5, Under 11's £3*, Under 5's Free** Away Fans: North Stand: Adults £24, Over 60's/Under 23's £14, Under 16's £10, Under 11's £5* * Under 11's tickets are only available to be purchased prior to matchday. ** Free tickets must be claimed prior to matchday. |
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| Fixtures 2011-2012 | |||
| Hull City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website). | |||
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For a
stadium plan showing the individual block numbers |
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| Programme | |||
| Official Programme: £3 (Not available inside the stadium). | |||
| Disabled Facilities | |||
| Paul Robinson informs me; 'The disabled
facilities are state of the art. Every stand in the stadium has a purpose
built Disabled user platform, easily accessible from the
wide concourse that circumnavigates the inside of the
whole stadium. Stewards patrol every Disabled access
area on the outside of the stadium, and if assistance is
required it’s there on hand. Once through the entrance
and up the lifts, the concourse awaits with its bars,
food kiosks and betting shops. Throughout the concourse
are TV’s showing Sky Sports as well as highlights of
Hull City games. Once through the entrance into the
arena, (curiously titled ‘Vomitories’) the Disabled
platform awaits with plenty of space for wheelchairs,
and seats for their companions. The St Johns ambulance
are stationed at the platforms which is also a good
idea, as they are immediately on hand.
The platforms
themselves have a great position in each of the
stands. Each stand has two platforms, and there is
easy access seating and space for a wheelchair at
pitch side. The Kingston
Communications Stadium has arguably the top
facilities in the country for disabled supporters
and provides 304 spaces for wheelchair users and
their helpers. There are also a further 300 spaces
for the ambulant disabled. Wireless audio commentary
is also available. Admission is free for wheelchair
users while the carer pays the admission price for
the relevant area of the stadium. Wheelchairs can
also be hired if required to assist from their car to
the seating area. Proof of ID, car registration
number, and a refundable £5 deposit are
required. Half time refreshments can be pre-ordered
and delivered to the disabled areas.
For home fans who are in receipt of DLA a parking
space immediately outside the stadium is available,
and visiting fans who wish to book a space should
contact the club.' Admission prices for
wheelchair and helper are £16 in the West
Stand and £14 for other areas. |
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At The
Kingston Communications Stadium: |
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| Fans Reviews Of The KC Stadium | |||
| Josh
Brennan (Portsmouth) 23/10/10 Chris Bennett (Plymouth Argyle) 6/5/07 Mark Gillatt (Blackpool) 11/09/04 |
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| Old Boothferry Park | |||
| To see photos of Hull's former Boothferry Park ground then visit the Old Grounds and Stands Section of the Guide. | |||
| 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 Hull Hotels and Guest Houses page. | |||
| Map showing the location of the KC Stadium, Railway Station and Listed pubs | |||
| Instructions
for using the map: - Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in / out using the + / - keys. - Click and drag an area of the map to move around or use the up/down, left/right arrows - Click the Satellite button to see aerial view photograph.
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Feedback |
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| If anything is incorrect or you have something
to add, please e-mail me at: duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide. |
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All rights
reserved
Last Updated: 18 January 2012
