1. Why you were looking forward
to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
This is a
ground I have been wanting to go for around two years, but
never made it, so at least I got there this time. I once
went to the old Ayresome Park as an away fan with some Oldham mates and
found it very intimidating in the open corner area so I was
interested to see how things have changed in 20 years.
2. How
easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I left Rochdale at 9.30 for a
Sunday 1.15 kick off and found the journey very easy apart from the
roadworks on the A1, the A19 is by far an easier way to go and that is
what I did on my return home.116 miles going and 2 hours , coming
back 107 miles and 1 hour and 30 mins.
Car parking was very easy due to
this website, come off at the roundabout as stated and turn right, then
turn first left after going over the A66 .You can then turn right onto at
least 5/6 streets with loads of free parking and its about 15 mins walk
and so easy to get back on the A66 to go home. Good for
that!
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home
fans friendly?
With being 90 mins early I
do what I usually do and walk around the ground just to have a nosey
and see whats going on. I got a ticket for the home end North West
upper (note in this section rows 20 to 27 are padded seats why i dont know
but are comfy and the cheapest in the house £23 ). Then it was for
refreshment time, I had a burger then a sausage sarnie (I
had missed breakfast) from a stall outside the
ground. Surprisingly both were cheap and very good.
4.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then
other sides of the ground?
The ground to me is nothing
special , it reminded me of Derby county but thats the way never grounds
are going (give me Hillsborough anyday). Not really much to say about
these newer grounds apart from they do their job , seat you in safety and
try to get as much cash out of you as they can.
5. Comment on
the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets
etc..
The game itself was probably the worst game i have seen
as a neutral and the atmosphere was pretty poor from both sets of fans,
felt like a pre season game and was a big let down.
6.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
With
there being such a poor crowd and the good parking area I was on my
way in minutes after walking to my car, this is a real plus and I
advise people to look at this when travelling to the
riverside.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day
out:
A good day out spoiled by the fayre on show, the
football was shocking but the travelling , eating and parking made it an
easy day out.
