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1. Why you were looking
forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Great club, last day of the season and friends who support the two Sheffield
clubs recommended it. It looked like a fairly modern ground and I hadn't
been since the 80's watching another club there.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking:
Easy ground to find. Heading M5 southbound leave at Junction 1 and turn
left, you can't miss it! Parking is everywhere, on industrial estates, on
grass, central reservations, take your pick.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
Went to McDonalds, conveniently opposite the ground and had a chat with some
home fans. They were great, but it was a big day for them with a play-off
place on the line. They recommended a place up the Birmingham Road called
the Royal Oak where we made a quick stop. According to a couple of lads, the
beer wasn't great. I was stuck on the juice.
Inside the stadium there was a decent atmosphere. The home fans were fairly
welcoming, which was surprising, as we didn't get that on previous visits to
the Midlands, with Wolves, Stoke and Birmingham. I had expected the same
from West Brom, yet I was pleasantly surprised. Atmosphere was a bit flat at
times.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then
other sides of the ground:
Ground was great. Jeff Astle gates were a fitting tribute as I remember him
from years ago. The stand to our left and the in front were a decent size
and fairly modern, and so was ours. The one on the left desperately needs
work to bring it in line with the others. Not much leg room and no-standing
policy strictly adhered to.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
Don't mention the game. We were outplayed, outclassed. 7-0 full time. We
were shocking but we were already safe which made the blow a bit lighter.
Pies were nice, the famous chicken balti pie. Stewards were very strict and
very schoolyard-bully type.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Jumped in the car sat in traffic, but it wasn't that bad, mainly because a
lot of home fans stayed behind at the final whistle. Plain sailing once on
the M5.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I'd like to see a better game where we put up a real fight but the stadium
is a massive improvement from the 80's, the fans were OK, stewarding was
poor, food was good and I would consider returning, hopefully putting in a
better display!
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