Grimsby v Palace - Saturday 2nd March 2002
Grimsby Town v Palace Saturday 2nd March 2002
*******************************************
Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, DN35 7PY
Main Telephone No: 01472-605050
Ticket Office: 01472-605058
Tickets 14.00 for adults - 8.00 for concessions.
Away fans are located in the Osmond Stand, at one end of the ground, where just under 2,000 supporters can be accommodated. One downside of this stand is that there are a number of supporting pillars which could impede your view of the game. Remember to wrap up warm as there can be a biting wind coming off the North Sea.
Palace Coach Travel
Coaches depart Holmesdale Road at 7.45am. prices - Gold members 15.75, Season Members / Club Members 19.00 & Non members - 21.00. Coaches depart Holmesdale Road at
12.30pm
*Travelling by Car*
M1 to Junction 32. M18 to Junction 5. From ALL locations follow M180 / A180 into Grimsby. Go straight over first roundabout (signposted Docks,Cleethorpes A180).
Then follow signs for Cleethorpes, A180 onto the Grimsby Road. The ground is on the left after a couple of miles, behind MacDonalds. Parking shouldn't be a problem, as the town centre is only a bit further on and you should find something there quite easily.
An alternative route 'might' be to follow the A1 to Newark, and then follow A46 into Grimsby, go straight on at roundabout after duel carriageway, following signs to Cleethorpes. At Grimsby College, get in right hand lane and keep following signs for Cleethorpes. At Isaac's Hill roundabout turn left onto Grimsby Road, ground is on the right hand side behind the Drive Thro' MacDonalds.
Palace Train Travel - leave Kings Cross at 9:15am, change at Doncaster - due to
the Arriva Trains strike there may be a coach from Doncaster
instead of a train. Prices are 30.00. Please contact Gildo or Chris
*Directions from Railway Station*
Either walk along the prom to the ground- come out of the station and turn left and left again(a footbridge crosses back over the railway line near the ground), or walk up the Grimsby Road (passing pubs, food, shops, etc.). For the latter, come out of the station
and turn right and right again (walking parallel to the rail line). Where road becomes a 'No Through Road' into a backyard, turn left into Poplar Road. At T-junction, turn right into Grimsby Road.
Taxis from the station are approx 2.00
Buses 45 3F & 9X run along the Grimsby Road
*Information for Disabled Fans*
Wheelchair spaces: Large enclosure in the NE corner of the Main Stand, and no problem accommodating visiting fans Cost: Disabled fan and helper seven quid each.
Booking: essential (although if supporters turn up on the day, every effort will be made to accommodate them) Parking: None available Blind facilities: Eight seats available with hospital radio commentary. (Cost 5 pounds each)
*Eating and Drinking* (Also see the section at the end for up to date local info!)
There are a couple of pubs close to the ground, but these aren't recommended because of the home fans. There are plenty of pubs, bars, clubs, cafes, restaurants, curry houses, etc. in Cleethorpes ('a smaller, cheaper Southend!'), similar to many seaside resorts(even though it might be a bit out of season). Fish and chip shops
along Grimsby Road (between town and stadium), as well as 'Leaking Boot' It’s a pub which is large and footy friendly providing a large back room just for the away supporters - good if you’re wearing colours!!. It also has a large car park and allows in children. It’s en route from Cleethorpes station to the ground. It also offers 2 course meals for a fiver. Plus there is a separate restaurant with a la carte menu. Open from 11-4 and 7-11
The Punchbowl at 195 North Promenade is recommended by Richard Grice
“We went there last season and it's miles better than the Leaking Boot. Pool table, good food (fish & chips has to be done in Cleethorpes) and it was empty out of season. There's never any trouble according to the bar staff I asked.
From Cleethorpes station (if you make it) walk towards the ground along the sea front, it's about ½ a mile on the left (because on the right is the sea).”
Steels corner house is in the A.A good food guide but people may need to book tel 01472692644. for the best indian food in town try Indigo in the market place opposite Steels again very popular so ring first on 01472603720. All these are within 2 minutes of the suggested digs on foot, also within walking distance are some good bars try Schuberts again in the market place, or the Carousel in the dolphin hotel. The bars are not recommended on match day as a small minority of the locals tend to be hostile
The Submarine near the station for a drink. Most pubs in the town centre should be pretty safe before the match.
The Fish & Chips in Cleethorpes are legendary and there are some good outlets located near to the ground. Hobsons fish and chip shop near to the Leaking Boot and the ground comes recommended. Other recommendations include the Blundell Park Hotel, which if you arrive early serves some good food at reasonable prices (expect to pay around £5 for a good portion of fish and chips). The Rutland Arms is also recommended for both home and away fans to mingle, however this a little way from the ground and doesn't allow in children. (it is about half a mile before Blundell park, turn left at Ramsdens superstore and left again, and you'll see the pub at the opposite end of their carpark. If in coaches, then from where you will be parked, head back the way you came, along the sea wall for 5 mins and you'll see the pub). The Imperial pub by the ground is not recommended for away fans. There is also a McDonalds situated right by Blundell Park.
Also the first turning left off of St Peters Avenue is Short Street - leading to Market Street which has several takeaways & restaurants. Near the ground is Avon Fisheries & the Picnic Basket.
For those making a weekend of it there is an italian restaurant that stays open until 3 am, which is unlicensed:- good food, plus go and fetch the vino you bought at the offie earlier = extended night out
If you're travelling a fair way to Blundell Park, then why not a weekend of it by staying in the seaside town of Cleethorpes? It has all that you would expect from a small seaside resort.
Cleethorpes Tourist Office can be contacted on 01472 323111
*Staying in Cleethorpes*
The stadium is just north of the town centre / seafront. There are
plenty of B&Bs and Guesthouses for anyone planning to make a weekend
of it. ISAACS HILL is good for ridiculously cheap B & B's Here are a few phone numbers:
The Priory Guest House on 01472 200914
-Cliff Lodge Hotel, 10/11 High Cliff, (on seafront, about 10 minutes
from town centre. Couple of decent pubs close by including a
micro-brewery. Recommended! 01472 691583)
-Aavon Court Guest House, 4 Isaac's Hill, (All facilities, 01472
698706)
-Ascot Lodge Guest House, 11 Princes Road, (Small, but at the top of
town towards stadium,01472 290129)
-Burlington Guest House,2-4 Albert Road, (Near railway station &
centre,01472 699071)
-Dovedale Guest House, 18 Albert Road, (More rooms than average,
01472 692988)
Gladson Guest House, 43, Isaacs Hill, Cleethorpes 01472 694858 / 239642 john.pearce@diamond.co.uk
-Holmhirst Hotel, 3 Alexandra Road (Central, 01472 692656)
St Ives - guest house on Isaacs Hill tel 01472 691852
Vines guest house also on Isaacs hill tel 01472 690524.
Camelot guest house again on Isaacs hill tel01472 691433.
Dolphin Hotel on the sea front 01472 204711
Wellow hotel on Kings road 01472 695589
all the accommodation is within walking distance of the ground and a large selection of bars,
clubs and restaurants
The better Crazy Golf course is the one next to the large amusement
arcade...(!)
As for nightlife recommended is The Paradise Club - one of two clubs on the pier - as well as Park Lane opposite the pier
Also Baton Rouge, The Dolphin & Barcelona nightclub for night entertainment
AND NOW FOR SOME MORE INFO WHICH IS LOCALLY RESEARCHED INFO FROM CRIS LEHMAN!
“As for drinking before the game, the police typically warn away fans to stay away from all pubs except the back bar of The Leaking Boot (5 minutes from the ground.) This is sound advice but having done some of my own ‘research’ over the last two weeks, I can advise the following updates. When Sheffield United played Grimsby two weeks ago, they were deemed to be a risky team, given the local rivalry. As such, several pubs closed and others were locals only. The police on duty that day suggested The Submarine (practically opposite the pier in Sea Road and two minutes from the station) as a safe place for away fans. Certainly Man City filled it back in December and turned it into something of a ‘Drum & Money’ a legendary pub which those of you who’ve been to Ipswich will be familiar with.) It’s not the prettiest pub but there’s plenty of room, plenty of big screen TVs with Sky and a pool table.
As of this Tuesday, two of Cleethorpes’ more well known pubs The Bootlegger (in the High Street) and Schubert’s (Market Street, which runs parallel with the High Street) were happy to advise that they’ll welcome Palace fans in. The Bootlegger also does a reasonable line of food as well, although of course, when you come to these parts then the only food you should really go for is the fish and chips. Beckett’s (Market Street) is a great fish and chip shop but if you walk the extra 3-4 minutes you’ll find Suthies in St Peter’s Avenue, which was voted Best Fish & Chip Shop in the region for 2001. Believe me it’s deserving of the award!
Don’t bother trying to get into Mitchell’s Bar on Cleethorpes High Street, which is generally home fans only before games (told me I couldn’t go in as it was locals only and I only live 150 yards from it!!!!), although it is one of the main pubs on the pub crawl circuit on a night time.
Of course, it’s not just about the pubs and this is one of the few trips that give you the chance to have a bit of fun on the seafront. There were plenty of beach football games going on with the Sheffield United fans two weeks ago and in the warmer months, football fans can often be seen in the numerous arcades and even getting a a bit of sunbathing in on the beach before the match! Given the amount of 0-0 draws Grimsby have had this season, this can quite often be the highlight of the day!
Those of you driving in off the A180 will come across The Imperial near the ground but again it’s best not to drink in there…..unless you’re Jean Claude van Damme! You’ll also see on your right hand side a pub called The Albion, so those of you who use its namesake in South Norwood High Street may wish to ‘complete the set’ so to speak and have a beer in here. I haven’t been in so I can’t comment on what it’s like.
Those of you missing out on the delights of Cleethorpes thanks to the Arriva train strike will get as far as Grimsby Town station if you use Central Trains. Walking out of the station you’ll see a big pub called Huxter’s which unfortunately is boarded up but don’t let this put you off. If you cross the main road and go straight into the pedestrian precinct you’ll see a couple of pubs barely two minutes form the station, including the Litten Tree, a chain familiar to those of you in Croydon and Sutton. There are other pubs dotted about town (Tivoli Tavern, Lloyd’s etc) but nothing out of the ordinary. Getting a cab from here to the ground will cost around £3 -£3.50.
As for the night, walking along Cleethorpes High Street you’ll come across Voodoo Lounge, the Bootlegger, Baton Rouge (nightclub-style place) Dominic’s (a bit rough and ready and the beer is diabolical) Mitchell’s, Bar Racuda (the new kid on the block and always busy) and The Swashbuckle (has a disco on Saturday nights and always very lively.) This lot are all on the one strip and virtually next door to each other. In addition you’ve got O’Neill’s and Flares (which will be familiar to those of you who go round Croydon these days) The Dolphin and Schubert’s. To round things off, many of these places stay open until 2am (Flares is the most popular these days and there is often a lengthy queue to get in) but you also have long term stalwarts of the club scene in NE Lincs: The Barcelona (favoured by the older crowd;) Park Lane (25-35 age group;) The Paradise Club (25-35 again) on the pier and Pier 39 (also on the pier funnily enough,) which is in the Blue Orchid mould.
For full train details in the wake of the Arriva train strike, be sure to check out www.fromtheterrace.co.uk/palace and click on the travel link.”
Latest from Arriva trains there are 2 trains running from Doncaster to Cleethorpes on Saturday – one at 8.01 am and one at 11.11 am which arrives in Cleethorpes at 12.22.
All information is correct to the best of my knowledge, apologies in advance for any mis-information.
|
