limpid Posted February 24, 2010 Administrator Share Posted February 24, 2010 This thread is to discuss travel to the game. Please use this thread to arrange meetings. If there is a Rough Guide for this team, please remember to post some updates if you have any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I went last season but I didn't arrive in the ground until 5 minutes after kick off due to rushing from work. It was quite intimidating for me to walk back to my van with a claret and blue scarf on, especially after they pinched it in the dying seconds. There was a great atmosphere inside the ground but there was some trouble afterwards which sort of put a downer on precedings from their point of view. However, I will be going again this time around, are there any away fan friendly pubs near to the ground or am I better off grabbing a quick pint in the city centre before venturing out to the ground? And how far is the train station from the Britannia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mammoth10 Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 I went last season but I didn't arrive in the ground until 5 minutes after kick off due to rushing from work. It was quite intimidating for me to walk back to my van with a claret and blue scarf on, especially after they pinched it in the dying seconds. There was a great atmosphere inside the ground but there was some trouble afterwards which sort of put a downer on precedings from their point of view. However, I will be going again this time around, are there any away fan friendly pubs near to the ground or am I better off grabbing a quick pint in the city centre before venturing out to the ground? And how far is the train station from the Britannia? It's about a mile from the train station to the ground. Last season the polive took us straight off the trains (well replacement buses) at the station andput us in a decent pub over the road, then we were put on buses outside there straight up to the away end at 2.30. Would imagine it will be more of the same this year for rail travellers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 There's a harvester by the ground but that tends to be home fans dominated, same for Hanley really (the actual City centre) and Stoke which is close to the train station. If you're coming up by car I'd say a better bet would be to stop off in Stone or Newcastle Under Lyme as some decent boozers and you're a bit further out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john007121 Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 As mammoth10 points out - pre-match events seem to be the same as last season... I have just rang the usual designated away fan pub – The North Stafford Hotel - and the staff are 99% sure that this will be the pub Villa fans are designated for this fixture. The hotel informed me that the usual drill is – Fans arrive by train, the police escort you from the station to the hotel (which is literally over the road from the station exit), you can drink in the hotel and about 14.00/14.30 the police will start escorting the Villa fans onto coaches which drop fans off within the away end of Britannia. The Hotel informed me this entire operation (policing, coaches etc) is in practice for nearly all away fans with a good rail connection. The coach comes with a charge, I imagine a few quid, but I will certainly be using it. As ‘Wedge’ points out Stoke can be a little intimidating. When you arrive at Britannia the coach will drop you inside a ‘caged’ area - basically a fenced off area by the away fans turnstiles. Sorry I didn’t enquire about procedures after the match. I would recommend ringing the hotel nearer to the time to confirm – 01782 744477. They were very helpful. Hope this helps.. UTV..!! PS – Fingers crossed we will all be back in Silverspoons on the 10th/11th April… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undesirable Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 As mammoth10 points out - pre-match events seem to be the same as last season... I have just rang the usual designated away fan pub – The North Stafford Hotel - and the staff are 99% sure that this will be the pub Villa fans are designated for this fixture. The hotel informed me that the usual drill is – Fans arrive by train, the police escort you from the station to the hotel (which is literally over the road from the station exit), you can drink in the hotel and about 14.00/14.30 the police will start escorting the Villa fans onto coaches which drop fans off within the away end of Britannia. The Hotel informed me this entire operation (policing, coaches etc) is in practice for nearly all away fans with a good rail connection. The coach comes with a charge, I imagine a few quid, but I will certainly be using it. As ‘Wedge’ points out Stoke can be a little intimidating. When you arrive at Britannia the coach will drop you inside a ‘caged’ area - basically a fenced off area by the away fans turnstiles. Sorry I didn’t enquire about procedures after the match. I would recommend ringing the hotel nearer to the time to confirm – 01782 744477. They were very helpful. Hope this helps.. UTV..!! PS – Fingers crossed we will all be back in Silverspoons on the 10th/11th April… All sounds a bit like a throwback to the 80's. Are they yet to start eating cooked food in Stoke on Trent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Haha I live here and the answer is.......just about. I have knowledge of where you can park free and withing 15 mins walking distance of the Brit if anyone's driving up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthBirminghamVilla Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Going to have an early visit to the Briar Rose before this game to have a beer and breakfast and then look at getting a train to the game. Anyone else doing this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 I have knowledge of where you can park free and withing 15 mins walking distance of the Brit if anyone's driving up. Go on then, share your knowledge... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Depends how well you know Stoke! Basically if you're coming off the M6 at whatever junction Stoke is, go on the A500 and get off at the Hanford Interchange (one before the Britannia) going towards Newcastle-under-Lyme. Then turn right at the first traffic junction into London Road. After half a mile, turn left into one of the side roads and you can park there for freeeeeeee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shillzz Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Just Got my ticket booked. Went with Official travel which ive never done before but for £14 you cant complain too much. Is anyone else doing this? / Is it a good option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undesirable Posted March 8, 2010 Share Posted March 8, 2010 Jumping on the train from New Street, it's only £13 return and the journey is only 48 minutes, just enough time for a couple of cans. Should be a good day out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's a few days before the game and I still don't know how I'm getting there! Advice? And how are you getting there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthBirminghamVilla Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's a few days before the game and I still don't know how I'm getting there! Advice? And how are you getting there? I am going on the train. £13 something return from New Street. Briar Rose for early morning beers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaldonAVFC Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Im on the official coaches again , crap atmosphere on them , drop right outside entrance, there's a huge pub two minutes away , the harvester already mentioned and you can get a beer in ground ... Just hope we've learnt the long throw lesson . Atmosphere inside is VERY good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wedge Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 It's a few days before the game and I still don't know how I'm getting there! Advice? And how are you getting there? I am going on the train. £13 something return from New Street. Briar Rose for early morning beers Sounds good pal, I might do something similar, although I dunno if I can be bothered to go into town first before setting off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emma_villan1 Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 I'm going to be driving to this game, used to live in Stoke so got a good idea of where I can park! Was quite intimidating last season going back to the car in Villa shirt when they scored in last few minutes! Also I was the on the end of the row where we were separated from the Stoke fans, kept trying to throw things at us I wasn't best happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wainb Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 i will be driving to stafford and catching the train to stoke, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Undesirable Posted March 10, 2010 Share Posted March 10, 2010 I'm going to be driving to this game, used to live in Stoke so got a good idea of where I can park! Was quite intimidating last season going back to the car in Villa shirt when they scored in last few minutes! Also I was the on the end of the row where we were separated from the Stoke fans, kept trying to throw things at us I wasn't best happy! Stoke generally sound like a bunch of muppets, i know every supporter base has it's renegades, villa pride themselves on having some proper mental if amiable and jolly fans, but Stoke seems to be all about police escorts into the away end and fans inside the ground throwing shit at you. Is there a lot of sand in Stoke's collective vagina? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roonst83 Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 I'm going to be driving to this game, used to live in Stoke so got a good idea of where I can park! Was quite intimidating last season going back to the car in Villa shirt when they scored in last few minutes! Also I was the on the end of the row where we were separated from the Stoke fans, kept trying to throw things at us I wasn't best happy! Stoke generally sound like a bunch of muppets, i know every supporter base has it's renegades, villa pride themselves on having some proper mental if amiable and jolly fans, but Stoke seems to be all about police escorts into the away end and fans inside the ground throwing shit at you. Is there a lot of sand in Stoke's collective vagina? So much for their "intimidating" away following, when we played them at VP it was like a family day out! They couldnt even fill it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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