Football Ground Guide: Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Kop Stand & South Stands (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? West Stand (Leppings Lane End) (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park Local Rivals North Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Fixtures 2009-2010 Programme Price Ground Layout Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
Although the ground has not had the level of new investment some other clubs have recently received, it is still a beautiful ground oozing character. It has four large separate stands, all of which are all covered and are roughly the same height, giving a uniform feel to the stadium. On one side is the North Stand. This large single tiered stand was opened in 1961. It was hailed as an architectural marvel, as at the time it was the largest cantilever stand ever built in Britain and only the second such type of stand to have been constructed (the first was at the Old Showground in Scunthorpe). The two tiered South Stand on one side of the ground is the largest of the stands and is superb looking. Considering that it was opened in 1914 and was designed by the famous football ground architect Archibald Leitch, then it is a testimony after so much time that we still marvel at it. Plus it still outshines many new stands that have been built even in recent years. On its roof is the trademark of a Leitch Main Stand, the gable. This triangular structure on the roof, contains a clock and is adorned with a copper football. The stand has a large lower tier with a small upper tier above. At the back of the lower tier is a row of executive boxes. The team dugouts and Directors Box are located on this side. At one end is the Spion Kop. This was previously a huge open bank of terrace, that was at one time the largest in Britain. It gained a roof in 1986 and was made all seated in 1993. Opposite is the West Stand or Leppings Lane End. This two tiered stand was opened in 1966, in time for the Club to host some World Cup games played that year. Like the Kop, it has a number of large supporting pillars. One corner of the ground is filled with seating between the North & West Stand, this area is uncovered. On the other side of the West Stand is an electric scoreboard, under which is tucked a Police Control Box. Unusually for such an old ground, it doesn't have a set of floodlight pylons. Instead the stadium is illuminated by lights running across the front of the stand roofs. Outside the ground near the main entrance is a memorial to the 96 fans who died at Hillsborough in 1989, at the FA Cup Semi Final between Liverpool & Nottingham Forest. The memorial is normally covered in flowers left by those who wished to pay their respects. Top Of Page
Future Developments
The Club have announced plans to increase the capacity at Hillsborough to 44,825. The increased capacity will be mainly gained by the re-development of the Leppings Lane End, including the 'filling in' of the corner between this and the South Stand, as well as the corners either side of the Kop. In addition, both the Kop & West Stands are to have new roofs, with the existing supporting pillars being removed. The North Stand will also be extended to include 17 new executive boxes. The overall cost of the scheme is Ł22m. It is hoped tht works would be completed by the end of 2013. Hillsborough has been selected as one of the potential venues in England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup. Apromotional video showing artists impressions of the new developments can be viewed on the official Sheffied Wednesday website.
Kop Stand (far left) & South Stand (on right)
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are normally placed in the upper tier of the West Stand (the Leppings Lane) end of the ground, where up to 3,700 away supporters can be accommodated. If there is a particularly large following (or for an FA Cup Tie) then the corner described above may also be made available, plus the lower tier of the West Stand. This can take the allocation up to 8,000. There are a number of supporting pillars in the West Stand, which could impede your view. Inside there is a range of Shire Foods pies available including the Chicken Balti Pie (Ł2.40). The refreshments though are served from behind a metal mesh, which gives the area a prison like feel. I had an enjoyable day out at Hillsborough, where I found the atmosphere around the ground to be relaxed. I thought the ground was certainly one of the best in the League, if not the country, in terms of setting and attractiveness. Lee Hicklin adds; 'About a hundred yards down Leppings Lane there is a programme and football memorabilia shop, which is worth a visit'. Top Of Page
Where To Drink?
Mark Doyle informs me; 'another pub that caters for away supporters is the New Bridge Inn on Penniston Road, which is the main A61 that runs by the stadium. Head up the A61 in the opposite direction to Sheffield City Centre (Meadowhall & M1) and you will reach the pub on your left just before Wadsley Bridge,' Terry Potts, recommends the 'Wadsley Jack' on Rural Lane. It's about a 15 minute walk (uphill though) from the visitors end. Dave Reid informs me 'if you continue up the road past the Wadsley Jack there is the Rose & Crown pub which also welcomes away supporters'. Also I did pass a couple of pubs (the Norfolk Arms & The Red Lion) on the way into Sheffield on the A61 from the M1, where away fans were drinking. Bill Harris a visiting Millwall fan adds; 'I found an excellent Pub called The New Barrack Inn on the A61 just before McDonalds on the way to the ground, from the city centre. Forget the exterior, inside the pub has some excellent decor and no juke boxes or fruit machines. Although on my own I was made to feel very welcome and spent a good couple of hours talking football to the locals'. For those with a little bit more time on their hands or planning to travel to the ground by Supertram, then the Hillsborough Hotel near the Langsett/Primrose View tram stop (two stops from Hillsborough going towards Meadowhall/Halfway) may be worth a visit. This CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed pub, has a range of real ales available, hot food and is home to the Crown Brewery, whose beers it also has on offer. John Piper adds; 'From the Langsett/Primrose view stop. Cross over the road and walk back about 50 metres, in the direction of the stadium. Afterwards just hop back on the tram (Yellow route - destination Middlewood) and get off at the Leppings Lane stop. An all day ticket (Megarider) is currently Ł3'. Please note that alcohol is not available to visiting supporters in the away section of the ground. Top Of Page
West Stand (Leppings Lane End)
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How To Get There And Where To Park
Leave the M1 at Junction 36 and follow the A61 into Sheffield. Continue along the A61 for approximately eight miles. You will see Hillsborough Stadium on your right. This is not the shortest route to the ground, but this is definitely the easiest and avoids Sheffield City Centre. There is some street parking to be had if you arrive early, otherwise there are some unofficial car parks along the A61 that charge in the region of Ł3. Gary Rickett-Ambrose adds; 'There is a car park directly behind the Kop and the Wednesday Club shop. It is called the wednesdayite car park and is open to fans of both teams. It costs Ł5 for visitors'. Matthew Nicholls a visiting Gillingham supporter informs me; 'I find it easier to park at Meadowhall Shopping Centre (unless of course it is in the run up to Christmas or the January sales, when the centre is very busy), just by Junction 34, of the M1, where you can park for free. I then take a yellow tram to Leppings lane, which costs Ł3 return and takes about 35 minutes'. 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
Sheffield Railway Station is situated in the town centre, two miles from the ground. Either get a taxi up to the ground or the bus station is a one minute walk from the railway station. Cross over at the pedestrian crossing, and follow the signs. Head for the far side of the terminus. Bus no. 53 to Ecclesfield runs regularly to the ground (every ten minutes), the journey time is about 30 minutes. Jeremy Dawson informs me; 'if arriving by train, by far the easiest way to get to the ground is by tram, which run every ten minutes during the day. Leaving the station on a blue tram, you can either change to a yellow one in the city centre, which takes you to Leppings Lane (right by the ground), or stay on the blue one to Hillsborough, which is 10 minutes walk to the ground'. The journey time of the tram is around 20 minutes. Matt Wilcock adds; 'on matchdays regular shuttle buses run from the road at the far side of the bus station They are marked football'. Top Of Page
North Stand
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Local Rivals
Sheffield United, Leeds United, Rotherham United, Barnsley, Chesterfield & Doncaster Rovers. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Home Fans: South Stand: Adults Ł29 (B Ł26) (C Ł22) Over 60's/Under 18's Ł18 (B Ł15) (C Ł13), Under 11's Ł15 (B Ł13) (C Ł11), Under 8's Ł10 (B Ł9) (C Ł7) North Stand: Adults Ł26 (B Ł24) (C Ł22) Over 60's/Under 18's Ł15 (B Ł13) (C Ł11), Under 11's Ł13 (B Ł11) (C Ł9), Under 8's Ł8 (B Ł7) (C Ł6) Hallam FM Kop: Adults Ł21 (B Ł18) (C Ł17) Over 60's/Under 18's Ł12 (B Ł10) (C Ł8), Under 11's Ł8 (B Ł7) (C Ł6), Under 8's Ł6 (B Ł5) (C Ł4) Away Fans: West Stand (Leppings Lane End): Adults Ł26 (B Ł24) (C Ł22) Over 60's/Under 18's Ł15 (B Ł13) (C Ł11), Under 11's Ł13 (B Ł11) (C Ł9), Under 8's Ł8 (B Ł7) (C Ł6) Concessions apply to over 60's, under 16's and student members of the Club. A Ł1 discount per ticket can be gained if the tickets are bought online through the Club. Top Of Page
Fixtures 2009-2010
For the Sheffield Wednesday fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme
Official Programme Ł3 Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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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
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 72,841 v Manchester City, FA Cup 5th Round, February 17th, 1934. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 39,640 v Manchester United Premier League, February 2nd, 2000. Average Attendance: 2008-2009: 21,542 (Championship League) 2007-2008: 21,418 (Championship League) 2006-2007: 23,638 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of Hillsborough
Stuart Jones (Southampton) 13/8/05 Anthony Wallis (Hull City) 8/12/04 Paul Sammons (Preston) 1/3/03 Tim Rigby (Wolverhampton) 1/2/03 Chris O'Hanlon (Nottingham Forest) 26/12/02 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 Sheffield 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.
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