walsall v palace - sat 22nd November 3pm
Walsall v Crystal Palace
22nd November 2003 3pm
Ground Name: Bescot Stadium
Capacity: 9,369
Address: Bescot Crescent, Walsall, WS1 4SA
Main Telephone No: 01922 622791
Ticket Office: 01922-651410
Official Web Site: www.saddlers.co.uk
Admission Prices For Away Supporters
Adults 16.00??? concessions (under 16 & over65) £12.00
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the William Sharp Stand, and 1,914 tickets are allocated
A trip to Walsall can be disappointing in terms of trying to get there and the stadium itself, but is more than countered by the relaxed atmosphere around the ground and the friendliness of the Walsall fans themselves.
The main disappointment with the stadium is that there are a fair number of supporting pillars in each stand if we have a big away support then it could be quite annoying, if you are unlucky enough to get seated behind one.
Disabled facilities
Space for 16 supporters in the Bank’s Brewery Stand. Cost - free for disabled person and helper, booking is essential. Parking is available outside the Bank’s Brewery Stand, please book. There are no special facilities for blind supporters.
Palace coach travel
Coaches depart at 9.30am - the fare is 22.00 for guests, 19.80 for season ticket holders/members & 17.60 for gold members.
Travelling by train
Note that if you go by train, Bescot Stadium has it's own station, which is situated behind the away end and is only minutes walk from the turnstiles. Trains run there on a local line from Birmingham New St and the journey time is around 20 minutes.
How To Get There By Car And Where To Park
The good news is that the ground is right next to the M6, in fact you can see it from the motorway just north of the RAC Control Centre. The bad news is that this stretch of motorway normally has a large traffic jam on it.. So allow yourself some extra time to get there. Leave the M6 at Junction 9 and take the A461 towards Walsall. Bear right on to the A4184 (Wallowes Lane) and turn right at the second set of traffic lights. You will see the ground on your left. (more detailed instructions below)
FROM THE SOUTH AND WEST:
Keep on M5 past junction 1 to where the road divides. Bear right (s/p The Northwest, Walsall, Wolverhampton M6). After 1.6 miles, the road joins the M6. Exit at the next junction (junction 9, s/p Wednesbury). At roundabout, take the third exit (s/p Walsall A461). After 0.2 miles, turn right where road divides, Bescot Stadium is signposted, into Wallows Lane. Straight through traffic lights, over bridge, and right at the lights into Bescot Crescent. Note, that the queue to turn right at these lights can stretch back to the bridge, it is best to get into the right hand lane before hand. The ground is on your left after the Retail Park.
FROM THE NORTH AND EAST:
Exit M6 at junction 9 (s/p Wednesbury) and at roundabout follow sign to Walsall A461. Then as from South and West.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FROM EAST (M6) & SOUTH
Exit M6 at junction 7 (s/p Birmingham N, Walsall A34). Ignore misleading roundabout signs. Instead keep to left-hand lane and follow signs to Walsall onto the A34. After a further 1.1 miles, turn left by Bell into Walstead Road (s/p Bescot Stadium and Bescot BR). After 1.4 miles straight across at crossroads (junction of Walstead Road and West Bromwich Road). Away parking is on the RHS after 0.5 miles.
Parking
There are separate car parks for home and away fans costing £3, but you can park on the Retail Park for free. You can also park on the streets off Broadway West. You cannot park on Bescot Crescent!
The station car park at Walsall is 2.00 per car and is just opposite the ground.
With average crowds around the 5,000 mark, there are not many problems getting away. It is obviously a little slow, but there are usually police and/or traffic wardens controlling the traffic at each end of Bescot Crescent. If you do decide to head off early, you have been warned.
PETROL:
There are petrol stations on Wallows Lane and at Morrison's department store.
Bus
Bus nos 401, 402, and 405 run from Walsall town centre along Bescot Crescent. A ‘Pete’s Travel’ bus no 637 runs from Bradford Place in the town centre along Broadway West
Where To Drink
The King George V in Wallows Lane (opposite Morrisons) is a large friendly pub with lounge and family room, darts, pool, TV and beer garden. It is about a five - ten
minute walk from the stadium and is open all day. (this was the one we went to pre-match a couple of seasons back which had free sandwiches too!!!)
The Fulbrook which is a little further away on the other side of Bescot Crescent is also recommended.
The Tiger - Walstead Road - is a large traditional pub with excellent matchday atmosphere. Serves food 11.30-1.30 and 6-8. Families welcome. Pool, darts, big-screen TV. Beer garden. Open all day.
At the stadium there is the Saddlers Club, which sometimes allows small numbers of away fans in at a cost of 1.00. Please note that alcohol is not served inside the stadium.
Following two pubs are on the A34 Birmingham Road, the route from junction 7 of the M6
The Bell - Large country style pub with excellent menu 12-9pm. Families welcome. TV, beer garden, Open all day from 12
The Beacon / Harvester - extensive menu, disabled facilities. Open all day.
Food
Inside you will find the infamous and piping hot 'Balti Chicken Pie' on offer at 1.80 - and they come recommended as “far and away the best food at a football ground”. Chips are also available. Whilst on the adjoining retail park, that you pass on the way in to the stadium, there is a McDonalds. There is also a chip van parked outside the ground.
Those travelling via the A34 could try the L&S Middleton Fish and chip shop and the cross-roads of Walstead Road and West Bromwhich Road. Open all day serves pukka pies and kebabs.
Andy’s Fish bar is by King George V pub - also serving pukka pies and fish and chips.
Morrison’s supermarket has a cafe too.
Programme
2.00 - Well put together with good articles. There is an excellent programme shop behind the William Sharp Stand.
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