Awaydays

Ilkeston Town, New Manor Ground, Awsworth Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8JF.

Telephone: 01159 324094

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 45 minutes*

Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour*

Directions: Take the M1 to Junction 26, then take the A610 towards IKEA, taking the first exit – signposted Awsworth and Ilkeston A6096. Turn left at the end of the slip-road, and keep on the A6096 signposted Ilkeston at the next roundabout. Follow this for about a mile or so, looking for a small signpost marked Cotmanhay – turn right here onto Newtons Lane, the ground is along here after about ½ mile on your left.

Parking: Parking is found with a small car-park just after passing the ground (which I think costs a quid), or on Awsworth Road on the verges.

What to Expect: The New Manor Ground has one of the most unusual features in the league in the corner, in the shape of a great big clock tower! There is cover on three of the four sides, whilst on the fourth side there is a bit of an overhang in front of the clubhouse. As you can see above, the main seating area is a bit of an oddity, with a low level stand catering for the majority of seats – whilst in the corner there is an elevated section of seating next to the clock tower. The clubhouse is sizeable enough, and caters for all your refreshment needs and the souvenir shop. Admission for this is £7.00 and the excellent 44 page “Ilson Review” is £1.80.

AFC Fylde: Kellemargh Park, Bryning Lane, Warton, Lancashire, PR4 1TN.

Telephone: 01253 794555

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 2 hours 5 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 55 minutes*

Directions: Head across to the other side of the Pennines the best way you know – Snake Pass, Woodhead – and head towards the M60 Manchester Ring Road. Leave the M60 at Junction 15, taking the M61. Follow this as far as the M6, and leave the M6 at Junction 32, taking the M55. Leave this motorway at Junction 3, taking the A585 to Kirkham and Fleetwood. Continue to follow the A585, go through two roundabouts, at the third (A583) go straight on into the B5259 Ribby Road. Follow this for just over a mile, and turn left into Bryning Lane, signposted Warton. The ground is about a mile along here, on the left. Car parking a bit tricky for latecomers as the only room available is on the approach road and the bottom of the pub car park - with some additional to be found in an adjacent field. These roads and car-parking, facilities etc are being improved in the next coming weeks according to Fyldes recent match programme - but unlikely to be ready for our visit.

What to expect: Inside this one the ground is as basic as you like – with the new 200 seater stand the ONLY cover in the ground. If it rains, prepare to get cosy. As far as refreshments go there is a small tea bar behind the goal you enter behind, for those of you that want something a little stronger the Birley Arms is adjacent to the ground - apparently here the beer is excellent and they serve some pretty substantial bar meals. Admission for this one is £5 Adults, £3 Seniors, £2 Juniors 8-15 Years, Under 8's are Free. Normally the programme has been included in the admission costs, but for their FA Vase run they were sold additionally for a £2 sum, so expect it to be the same for our visit.

One last thing, the seaside is about ten miles away - well Blackpool Pleasure Beach is anyway - you can get there in 20 minutes… if you want…

Alsager Town: Town Ground, Wood Park, Alsager, Cheshire, ST7 2DP

Telephone: 01270 882336

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 30 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 30 minutes*

Directions: I'll bow to the AA Routefinder for this one, and head over towards and via Buxton. Go out the other side towards Congleton. Take the A53, before joining the A54 and onto the A537. At the lights turn right onto the A536 (signposted Congleton, Birmingham) and at the roundabout go straight on to the A536. At the next lights go left, staying on the A536 (signposted Congleton, Birmingham), before continuing onto the A34 another six miles on. Go through Congleton (following signs for Newcastle), until you reach the junction with the A50. Turn right onto the A50 at the lights, and continue forward at the end of the road, bearing left at the lights onto the B5077 - Crewe Road - signposted Alsager. Nearly there now, just turn into the first road on your right - Moorhouse Avenue, then second right into Woodside Avenue. The ground is accessible via Woodlands Court at the end. Please allow extra time for this one, coming over the Peak District CAN add an extra thirty minutes easily if you allow yourself to be delayed by the more leisurely motorists that use this route.

Parking: "Match day parking is available in adjoining streets to the south of the ground. No cars are allowed inside the ground on match days for away players or spectators."

What to expect: The ground has one covered bank of seating at the turnstile side, with a bit of covered terracing alongside. On the opposite side of the ground is the "Farside Terrace", home to the Farside Ultras, Alsager's own version of the ...erm... insert your own famous mad bunch of supporters here. Other than this it is one level standing all round. Admission here is £6.00, with the programme costing £1.50.

Belper Town: Christchurch Meadow, Bridge Street, Belper, Derbyshire, DE56 1BA.
Telephone: 01773 825549

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 45 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour*

Directions: This one is pretty easy - get into Belper on the main A6 road and the ground is set back on the right hand side as you are coming in from Ambergate and Matlock. The hard part is telling you how to get to Belper! Personally I'd come in through Chesterfield on the A61 and drop through Higham just after you get through Clay Cross - but others like to come in from the A38 turning off at the A610 (signposted "Ripley/Nottingham") 4th exit at roundabout towards Ambergate. At junction with A6 (Hurt Arms Hotel) turn left to Belper. Ground is on right just past first set of traffic lights with the giant mill building on your right just before.

Parking: We do have a car park, it is the training area behind the goal, very rarely fills so not a problem. Just drive down the path to the gate and you will be let in as normal (after paying your admission), if for whatever reason it is full (or it is too much like a Glastonbury field after a deluge of rain), then you can effectively drive down to the rear of the Club House and park on what is the Sports Clubs land.

What to expect: Christchurch Meadow is a nice mix and should suit everybody really. There is a long stand that runs the length of one touchline, whilst opposite there is a covered terrace. Behind the goals you have one raised terrace and one flat terrace. The Nailers Club is one of the plushest you'll find, and is definitely recommended for those of you in need of a pre-match pint.

Thanks to Neil Laughlin down at Belper Toon for his help with the above info.

Blyth Spartans AFC, Croft Park, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 3JE

Telephone: 01670 35237

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 3 hour 10 minutes*

Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 2 hour 55 minutes*

Directions: It’s A big day out – even bigger if you decide to drive. Take the M1 north (as you’d guess) continuing onto the A1 (M) going up through the rest of the county as far as Newcastle. Pass Newcastle keeping on the A1, and exit at the A19 towards Seaton Burn and Cramlington; at the Moor Farm roundabout take the second exit onto the A189, exiting this at the A1061 signposted Blyth and Cramlington. Keep on the A1061 until the 4^th roundabout – here turn left onto the A193 (signposted Industrial Estate), and at the 2^nd roundabout (so that’s six in total after leaving the A189) turn right onto Plessey Road. The ground is on your left.

Parking: For those of you that are driving, there is ample street parking here.

What to expect: This is a classic non-league ground if ever there was one. The main stand has now been repaired since my last trip up there, and now has two levels of seating. There is covered standing behind one goal (the Carlsberg Stand), and along the touchline opposite the Main (Port of Blyth) Stand. The only side with no cover is the bit nearest the Social Club, which I’m sure will be well used on Saturday. Admission should be £9.00, with concessions £5.00 and an extra £1.00 if you want to sit down. Programmes are £1.50 this season; a wide range souvenirs are available from the club shop, which is in the corner opposite the Social Club, nearest the Carlsberg Stand.

Bradford Park Avenue: Horsfall Stadium, Cemetry Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2NG

Telephone: 01274 691020

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 55 minutes*

Directions: Get yerselves up the M1, head to Bradford on the M62, get off at junction 26 for the M606 and get to the last junction (signposted A6036 Halifax) heading up past Odsal Stadium on your left hand side. At next roundabout carry on towards Halifax on the A6036, signposts for Horsfall Stadium should start to appear along here. - drive on for a mile untill you see the Kings Head pub, Immediately before here is Cemetary Road, turn left down here and the ground is on the left.

Parking: There is a car-park, however there is plenty of road parking which is more convenient.

What to expect: The stadium is one with very little option of where to watch the game from. The main stand is pretty large, but there is very little in the way of standing, the stewards will have none of that. Actually it is the regulations of the Bradford council, there is a massive terrace either side of the stand, but you can't stand there. I reckon we'll all meet together in the middle of the stand then...

Brigg Town: The Hawthorns, Hawthorn Avenue, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 8PG.

Telephone: 01652 651605

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 10 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour*

Directions: One from the pretty recent past this one folks, so I'm sure not mny of you need help. But anyway, get yerselves onto the M180 (if you don't know how to do that, there is no hope) and exit at junction 4 and take A18 to Brigg. Leave Town via Wrawby Road, following signs for Airport and Grimsby. 100 metres after Sir John Nelthorpe School and immediately after bus shelter turn left into the Recreation Ground (signposted Football Ground) and follow road round into club car park.

Parking: It is a relatively large car park at the Hawthorns, can't tell you how many spaces, but it is big enough to house our traveling hoardes.

What to expect: Back in the NCEL days this was one of MY favourites in the league, sadly the same could never be said for the boys on the pitch! The ground has a full length of the pitch seated stand on the far side from where you come, whilst on the near side there is a smaller not as comfy version. Other than that, there is no cover to shelter you from any inclement weather, with the spaces behind both goals being open to the elements. The bar is pretty good here, although from memory I can't remember for the life of me what the food is like - I think it is more likely to be from a chip van!

Cammell Laird: Kirklands, St Peters Road, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH42 1PY.
Telephone: 0789 1962150

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 2 hours*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 50 minutes*

Directions: Head towards Manchester on your favoured route (Snake, Woodhead, M67, M62 etc) and take the M60 clockwise - heading southbound past Stockport. Take the M56 (signposted Chester, Warrington, M'cr Airport, B'ham), then leave the motorway at junction 15, joining the M53. Leave the M53 at junction 5 (signposted Birkenhead, Queensferry), then at roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A41 (signposted Eastham, Birkenhead). Continue along the A41 for about 4 miles (WATCH THE SPEED CAMERAS) until you reach a roundabout signposted B5136 - take the 2nd exit onto New Chester Road - (signposted Bebington, New Ferry) and continue along for approx 1 mile until sign for Lairds Sports Club, turn right down Proctor Road, ground on the left.

Parking: The Lairds Social Club have a pretty large car-park - enough for at least 50 spaces - and if this is full there is plenty of on-road parking to be had.

What to expect: Kirklands is another tidy little ground, with a very nice social club alongside. You will be guaranteed a warm friendly welcome, especially as the home team are pushing this game as a celebration of their own Centenary, so don't worry about a hostile reception! My mate over there Glocko informs me that he will be printing a special 48 page full colour special programme for the game - retailing at a bargain £2.00 - with BehindTheFlag contributing a fair amount of stuff to it. Admission is £6.00 adults and £3 concessions. Should be a good day out.

Thanks to Paul Mcloughlin over at Cammell Laird for his help with the above info.

Carlton Town: Bill Stokeld Stadium, Stoke Lane, Gedling, , Nottingham, NG4 2QS

Telephone: 0115 940 2531

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 10 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 15 minutes*

Directions: Okay, now many of you went last season, be aware IT HAS CHANGED A HELLUVA LOT SINCE THEN! My mate Brian at Carlton has told me to let everyone know the new directions, so here goes: most people prefer to get down to that side of Nottingham by getting off the M1 at junction 29, go along A617, towards Mansfield, then turn right at the lights and take the A6009 (signposted M1 South, and Derby A38), returning back onto the A617. Turn onto the A614 (heading towards Nottingham, 3rd exit), eventually branching left onto the A6097 (signposted Leicester) Epperstone By-pass. At the A612 roundabout take the third exit, follow this towards Nottingham until you reach the new A612 Gedling By Pass (on your left) and follow to the next set of traffic lights at Severn Trent Works. Turn right on to Stoke Lane. Entrance to Carlton Town is immediate right. (Ground can only be accessed via this new Gedling By Pass Road). If you are coming from the M1 at junction 26, I suggest you go to the UníBond wébsíte and follow the ones on there.

Parking: It is a decent sized car park here, and whilst Carlton have seen an increase in attendances, there should still be plenty of room for all of us!

What to expect: The food and drink side of things are all located in the same place - so if tha' wants some beer wi' thi' chip cob, then it is the same counter! The thing about the bar I have always found is there are too many chairs and tables rammed in for my liking, and you don't want to get trapped in the far corner! The ground is very much as before, with the seating behind the goal to your right as you come in, and other than that, it is pretty open. Take a brolly if it looks like rain! Admission for this one is £6.00 adults, £4.00 OAPs, £2.00 kiddies and programmes retail at £1.50.

Many thanks to Brian Dennett at Carlton for ramming this info down my neck. Cheers Bri'.

Colwyn Bay: Llanelian Road, Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL29 8UN
Telephone: 01492 514581

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 2 hour 30 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 2 hour 20 minutes*

Directions: This is yer marathon drive. The best bet is to head over to Manchester first via your favoured route (Woodhead, Snake, Stockport, M62) aiming towards the M60 Ring Road, heading south towards Junction with M56 (signposted Chester, Warrington, M'cr Airport, B'ham). Continue to the end to join the A5117 and continue forward at roundabout at the first exit (signposted North Wales, Queensferry), at the traffic lights bear left onto Welsh Road - A550 (signposted North Wales, Queensferry). Keep on this road, it turns into the A494, and then the A55, for 35 (yes, THIRTY FIVE) miles until you reach Junction 22. At end of slip road turn left, up the hill to the min-roundabout, straight across into Llanelian Road. Ground is approx ½ mile on your right.

Parking: There's plenty of road car-parking around the ground, but with a guaranteed 300+ attendance, how close you get to the ground is a bit of an issue.

What to expect: Surrounded by hills, the ground is covered along one side of the touchline and behind one of the goals. The other touchline is uncovered (terracing) and behind the other goal is uncovered also. The ground has a capacity of 2,500 with a main stand with 403 seats. Admission is £6.00 adults, £4.00 concessions (14 to 17 years old) and a quid for under 14s. Programmes are £1.50, and are pretty good by all accounts. One little worry is the recent reports of a bit of "hostility" towards visiting supporters from the local "chav" population; however the club stewards are striving to ensure this trend bites the dust, and are more than willing to escort you back to your cars if you feel in the slightest bit worried. I am assured they are a great bunch of lads over there, so long as you don't start with the "Eng-er-lund" chants!!!! Feedback from this one the first time we went - very friendly and sporting. Best away ground in a long while!

Gateshead: International Stadium, Neilsen Road, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, NE10 0EF.
Telephone: 0191 4783883

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 2 hours 40 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 2 hours 35 minutes*

Directions: If you are brave enough to set out on this five hour plus round-trip, well done I salute you! As you'll be aware you need to heed north to the "Heed" (sorry, no more Geordie-isms from hereon in) using the M1 and A1(M) to get into the Tyne and Wear area. To get to the Stadium, which is well signposted apparently, exit the A1(M) just after the Washington Services on to the A194(M) and follow this all the way to the end, and at the roundabout turn on to the A184 towards Gateshead. The stadium is on the right about three miles along.

Parking: Massive car park, with no issues for anyone no matter what time you turn up.

What to expect: Anyone remember the Don Valley days? Nuff said... Gateshead are playing a great card with the admission prices on Saturday - admission is £4.00 adults, £2.00 for Under 16s. Programmes are the bog standard £1.50. There is a snack bar, club shop and a bar for a li'l ol' alcoholic drinky-poo for those who want to partake.

Goole AFC: Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Marcus Street, Goole, East Yorkshire, DN14 6TW

Telephone: 01405 762794

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 50 minutes*

Directions: If you don't know thias one then you must be new here! Right then, get yerself onto the M18 - go north and go towards Hull on the M62. Get off at Junction 36, following the signposts for Goole A614. From here it is fairly well signposted, with "Goole AFC" signs at each vital turn - but for the ones who always think that these may get moved in a Wacky Races style, the rest of the directions are as follows: after about 1.5 miles, turn right into Boothferry Road. Continue along here (signposted Town Centre) until you see the Tesco Express on your left, just before here turn right into Newport Street - the ground is at the end.

Parking: Road only folks, and despite it looking pretty rough, none of ours (touch wood) have had any issues in all the times we've been.

What to expect: I'll take it you've already been, in which case "how accurate am I?" Athletics track makes it totally pointless trying to watch from behind the goals, so the choices are the main stand or the Dunhill Road side. The main stand is half standing, half seated, and can be a bit rowdy with the oldies who stand there. The Dunhill is a little more civilised and all standing, and it is suggested we all meet there again - superstition and all that, we won last time! Admission is £6.00, £4.00 and £2.00 - the usual split. Programmes are £1.50. The best thing about a visit here is food. Yes, the pie is homemade and won the BTF "Who Ate all the Pies" contest the other year.

Grantham Town: South Kesteven Stadium, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.
Telephone: 01476 402224

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 15minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 15 minutes*
Directions: This one is also pretty easy - Find your way onto the A1 (your choice) and get off at the A607 exit (signposted Grantham, Melton Mowbray), then at roundabout take the 1st exit onto Swingbridge Road (signposted Earlsfield Industrial Estate). About half a mile on you come to a "T" junction, Trent Road, turn left on here (you can more or less see the ground at this point) and about 100 yards or so on your right turn into the car park.

Parking: There's plenty of space at this one, the car park is pretty big. There are about 400 spaces available, and their biggest attendance is under 300, so you should have no issues.

What to expect: The stadium is a council owned multi-sport facility - a bit like a mini Don Valley Stadium - thus has a running track between the pitch and spectator facilities. Best vantage points are on the far side terracing, or in the elevated main stand. It does have a nice bar behind the main stand ("Strikers"), which can be accessed from the inside if you want a half time pint.

Gresley Rovers: The Moat Ground, Moat Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9RE
Telephone: 01283 216315

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 15 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 20 minutes*

Directions: Follow the M1 south to junction 23a, turn off on to the A42 southbound. Continue on the A42 to Ashby-de-la-Zouch then turn off onto the A511 toward Swadlincote. At Woodville turn off the A511 onto the A514 toward Church Gresley, follow the road signs to Gresley, the School Street turn off is second on the right after the Gresley island. Take the first turn on the left in School Street to take you to the ground. Bit tricky to find I guess, but allow an extra twenty minutes or so than suggested and you'll be fine.

Parking: There is areasonably sized car-park thingy opposite the main entrance, but if this is filled - well the street parking is pretty limited given the narrow (and one-way) road system round the ground.

What to expect: This is an odd little ground, but full of character. The main stand is pretty good, but the rest of the cover is set at odd levels - a bit like Ossett Albion. The food is excellent here, sadly the faggots weren't available last season.

Guiseley AFC: Nethermoor Stadium, Otley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS20 8BT.

Telephone: 01943 872872

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 25 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 15 minutes*

Directions: The ground is on the A65 Leeds – Otley Road, so is fairly easy to find. How you get there is a matter of preference really, my personal way of getting there is heading up the M1, continuing on to the M621 until Junction 2 (Leeds United FC turn off). Head right on the roundabout there, heading along the A643 (which turns into the A58) and onto the A58 (M), exiting onto the A65 Kirkstall Road (signposted Otley). Turn left along here, and keep going. The ground is on the right hand side after about nine miles of suburban driving.

Parking: There are two car parks (one small / one large) adjacent to ground plus on-road parking in Otley Road and Ings Lane. BUT NOT Ings Crescent!

What to expect: Tidy little traditional football ground, with the main stand (sadly only part open due to fire damage) and two covered terraces the offering shelter from the elements. Refreshments here are the usual, and you won’t be disappointed if you want your pies and peas. However if you want to make a day of it, the original Harry Ramsden’s is walking distance of the ground. Admission to this one is £7.00, £3.50 concessions, with programmes £1.50.

FC Halifax Town: Shay Stadium, Shay Syke, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2YS
Telephone: 01422 341222

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 20 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes*

Directions: Dependant on which way you choose to come, either through Huddersfield or up the M1 and M62, you will come in via Junction 24 of the M62. Head towards Halifax on A629 and the Town Centre. After 3-4 miles the ground is on the right (Shaw Hill) signposted The Shay. Turn down here; the car-park is on your left.

Parking: The car park is quite sizeable at the Shay, for our Presidents' Cup tie they charged £3. Ridiculous.

What to expect: You’d expect The Shay to be pretty top notch being an ex-Football League ground, but expect to be slightly disappointed. Okay, size-wise it is big, but the facilities are either dilapidated or unfinished. The stand shown above is the old main stand, this has many seats either missing or broken, and those which aren’t are cramped. The “new” stand opposite is unfinished, so don’t expect to be allowed in there, but behind both goals are huge covered terraces that give a great view of the action. The bar is underneath the nearest of these as you come in through the turnstiles, with food available at a burger van nearby. Admission? £10 adults, £7 concessions, £5 under 12s!!! Programmes £2. Expensive! (Note - for this competition FCHT HAVE reduced the admission for this one for £5 maximum).

Kidsgrove Athletic: The Stan Brown Stadium, Hollinwood Road, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST7 1BQ
Telephone: 01782 782412

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 40 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 45 minutes*

Directions: The AA Routefinder always suggests you go to the Stoke area via Buxton, Leek and the A53 - a hint: DON'T! Unless you want to have a pleasant little slow (emphasis on s-l-o-w) trundle through the Peak District and North Staffordshire Moorlands along with the Saturday afternoon pub-lunchers. "Oooh - look at that sheep!" If you want to get there with as little fuss as possible, get down the A38 and along the A50, it might be longer but there is very little "unknown delay". If you choose to go along with this one, take the A50 into Stoke, then out the other side past the Britannia Stadium onto the A500 towards the M6. Exit this at the A34 (Talke) turn-off, after about two miles hang a right at the traffic lights by the pub on the corner, onto the B5371 Cedar Avenue. Take the second right onto Lower Ash Road, following it round to the third left onto Hollinwood Road, with the ground at the end of the road. Parking is tight, so I suggest getting a nice road spot on your way up.

Parking: The car-park doesn't appear to be the biggest, and seems to be big enough for officials and about ten or twenty more cars maximum. The area around Kidsgrove's ground is a quiet little residential area, and street parking seems to be the best (and easiest) option for everyone.

What to expect: You aren't going to be stuck for either cover or seats here, this is one of the few grounds at our level that has cover on all four sides. The club claim to have exactly 1,000 seats, I haven't actually counted them, but I won't argue - having said that, they are the bench kind, and most people choose to stand at the front rather than use them. Inside there is a tidy little pub-cum-clubhouse, showing Sky Sports at half time, and a nice little food bar - which is more like a chippy than your usual UniBond food stall. Admission for this one should be £6.00, with the programme £1.50.

Loughborough Dynamo: Watermead Lane, Nanpantan Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3YE.
Telephone: 01509 237148

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hours*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 5 minutes*

Directions: Seriously – could this be any easier? Exit the M1 at Junction 23 and turn towards Loughborough (A512). At the first set of traffic lights turn right on to Snells Nook Lane, then at the crossroads (the Priory pub is on your left) turn left on to Nanpantan Road. Turn into the right after ¾ miles on to Watermead Lane. The ground is at the bottom of the lane, with the pay gate just after the gates on the left.

Parking: A bit of the lane down to the ground is used for parking, if you get there early you can use that, but try and turn your car round before parking up as it becomes a bit of a three-point-turn fest for everyone getting out after the game. If you are a bit late or the attendance is a bit on the big size - there is still a sizeable car-park as you come onto the complex.

What to expect: I’m sure many of our traveling fans will have a good old moan at this one – but to be fair it has come a right old way to get to where it is today. More or less it is a railed off pitch, with the stand created by seating in front of the clubhouse / bar and a kind of “awning” giving shelter. Elsewhere there is cover in the shape of a bus-shelter! Be thankful we have this trip early in the season. The bar is not bad though, with the food being reasonable in both quality and price. The staff aren’t bad here either, and are very friendly, making you feel more than welcome. Admission for this one is £6.00, the programme retails at £1.50.

Nantwich Town: Weaver Stadium, Water Lode, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 5BS.
Telephone: 01270 621771

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 50 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 55 minutes*

Directions: Before we set off, those of you that use Sat-Navs - the postcode at the top doesn't work, nor does "Water Lode" - so a tip would be to use the co-ordinates 53°04'18.45"N 02°31'40.45"W. So, head yersel' over to Manchester in your favourite manner, get onto the M60 going south towards Stockport and at Junction 4, and head along the M56. Leave the M56 at junction 7, then merge onto the A556 (signposted B'ham, M6, Northwich, A556, Lymm, A56), follow this until you join the M6. Leave the M6 at junction 18, then at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A54 (signposted Chester, Northwich), continuing until you get into Middlewich. When you arrive in Middlewich the road changes from the A54 to the A530, continue out of town on this road, and after about ten miles of this turn left onto the A51 at the traffic lights (signposted Stone, Congleton). At the next traffic signals turn right onto the A530 (signposted Town Centre), and then onto the A534 into the town centre, at the next lights turn right onto Water-Lode and the ground is on the right at the next set of lights. Alternatively go via Derby and Stoke on the A38 and A50/A500 joining the A51 as above - it was a good choice for midweek, and based on the tales told by everyone else who went, probably a good choice for a Saturday.

Parking: There is a huge car park here, nice and tarmac-ed too.

What to expect: The £4 million Weaver Stadium is a new ground this season, after the club left their old ramshackle abode of 129 years in Jackson Avenue, so expect a brand-new-still-smells-of-wet-paint-state-of-the-art arena. For those of you who made the pre-season trip to Curzon Ashton, the ground has been built along the same lines as their ground, with a nice looking stand with some nice facilities. The rest of the ground is tidy, but underwhelming, with a shed opposite the main stand that runs for ¾ of the length of the pitch and flat standing elsewhere. Food is readily available from the "Dabbers Diner", (sadly, tea is £1.00 a go - pretty steep) whilst for those of you who want to get a souvenir of the day out, the club shop is housed inside the stand alongside a bar and a spacious function room. Admission for this one is £7.00 adults, £4.00 concessions (OAPs and tax-dodgers), £2.00 for kids, with programmes a whopping £2.00. If you get there TOO early and want to have a wander round, the town itself is a wonderful little gem to explore, with some historical buildings dating from the Elizabethan era - if you like that kind of thing that is! The chippy location though, it is a mystery... A little "did you know" footnote for you here; when the prep-work was being done for the new stadium, archaeologists unearthed a wad of ancient artefacts from the site - ranging from Roman coins to musket pellets from the civil war!

Quorn: Sutton Park, Farley Way, Quorn, Leicestershire, LE12 8RB.

Telephone: 01509 620232

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes*

Directions: Head down the M1, getting off at junction 23 - A512 Loughborough - following it as far as the Luff Ring Road (A6004), turn right at the roundabout passing the University on the right hand side heading towards Leicester (signposted A6). Pass over three roundabouts, at the fourth (junction with A6) take the THIRD exit signposted Quorn. The ground is on the left about 200 yards along.

Parking: Parking here is inside the ground, same as Belper Town with the paying arrangement too.

What to expect: The clubhouse is one of the best I've been in, and Sutton Park also has a pretty decent main stand (350 seats), but as far as everything else goes - pretty basic. Admission here is £6.00, with the programme costing £1.50.

Retford United: Cannon Park, Leverton Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 6QF
Telephone: 01777 710300

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 50 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 45 minutes*

Directions: Whichever way you are approaching Retford from, I'd expect you would be coming from Sheffield or Dronfield by using or crossing the A1. The directions from here are pretty much easy, with one little kink you need to be aware of, if you get that right you are away. Follow the A620 into Retford, passing the prison on your left, then after about 4 miles turn right at the roundabout towards Gainsborough, then right again onto the A638 at the traffic lights just after Morrisons (which used to be the old Retford Town ground, you know). Just a short way on this road, turn left by the Broken Wheel pub into Leverton Road (that's the dodgy bit, remember the pub's name or you'll be heading for miles in the wrong direction - no names mentioned) follow this for about half a mile and over a couple of hump back bridges - the ground is on your right with the car park signposted.

Parking: Car parking a-plenty as you approach the ground. Massive car-park, if not it's parking on Leverton Road, which IS a bit dodgy.

What to expect: Well I fully expect a fair few of you made the trip to our games last season, if not here goes... the ground's feature point is an excellent clubhouse, which has some good big screen entertainment if you get there too early and its cold. The majority of the ground is flat, pitch level standing, very much in a similar vein to ourselves (without the pub-side shed) or Carlton Town. There is a seated stand if you want to partake in that, which once was owned (I'm led to believe) by Worksop Town... could be wrong though...

Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup Final 2008: Sheffield Wednesday FC Ground, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 1SW

Telephone: 0870 9991867

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 20 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 10 minutes*

Directions: If you don't know by now... A61 out the top end of Sheffield on your left. Allow time for traffic - it is near rush hour you know!

Parking: Won't be as bad as trying to park when Wednesday play there, but I would advise the roads up by Herries Road South - or get the bloody tram (YELLOW LINE)!

What to expect: We've all been before - but as Deano has pointed out - admission is £6.50 including a programme. It has been suggested that the Sheffield supporters all congregate in the same part of the SOUTH Stand (thank you Mr Bell), which normally is towards the Kop side near the front. Bring as many friends as you can and sing your hearts out - it will be the culmination of a fantastic season (even if we win nowt).

Shepshed Dynamo: The Dovecote, Butt Hole Lane, Shepshed, Leicestershire, LE12 9BN
Telephone: 01509 650992

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 10 minutes*

Directions: Shepshed is directly off the M1 at Junction 23 – follow the A512 and at the first set of lights turn right. Go straight over one mini-roundabout and at the next (by the petrol station) take the last exit into Forest Street. Follow down this road (passing the Richmond Arms on the right), over the speed humps until you reach a sharp left bend. Supporters should turn right here into the school for parking (it’s a two minute walk from there to the ground). Players and officials should follow the bend round and past the Black Swan pub (on the left) and then turn immediate right into Butt Hole Lane.

Parking: As stated above, Andy recommends parking in the school.

What to expect: The Dovecote has been the home of football in Shepshed for over 100 years, but has only really been developed to any degree during the last quarter century – seated cover in a hotch-potch of stands is available on three sides of the ground. Admission is £6 for adults and £4 for concessions (free admission is available to members of our Junior Supporters Club). Programmes cost £1.50 and raffle tickets are 50p per strip – there are usually two prizes – and these are all on sale just after you pass through the turnstile. A warm and friendly welcome is guaranteed, whether you buy a programme and raffle ticket or not! The Clubhouse was redecorated during the summer and comfortably holds 100 people. The TV screen is normally tuned into Sky Sports News. The bar doesn’t have any real ale on tap – but this is available in bottles. Lager, cider and John Smiths smooth is available on tap. For those that like their ale to be “real”, try the Black Swan over the road. The Canteen is rightly renowned for it star offering – sausage, chips and mushy peas (AKA “Top Of The Shop!). Mint sauce is optional. Also available are hot dogs (real sausages!!), cheeseburgers (real burgers!!), chips butties, pies and pasties. A range of hot and cold drinks are also on offer. The Club Shop is open before the game, at half-time and immediately after the final whistle. It stocks a huge range of Shepshed Dynamo merchandise plus a massive selection of other clubs pin badges and programmes.

Thanks to Andy Mac at www.shepshed-bwa.co.uk for the info.

Spalding United: Sir Halley Stewart Field, Winfrey Avenue, Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 1DA

Telephone: 01775 713328

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 2 hours*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 2 hours 10 minutes*

Directions: What better way to spend August Bank Holiday? Depending on where you are coming from there are two ways of getting down here. You can approach on the A1 (south naturally), head down as far as Grantham (turning off on the A151), head into Spalding and out the other side until you reach the level crossing - go on for about 200 yards more, at this point turn left into Winfrey Avenue at the lights and the ground is along here on the left. Alternatively (if you are brave and from the south of Sheffield) head through Chesterfield on the A61, go through Mansfield on the A617 (you can also pick this up by getting off the M1 at junction 28), pick up the A46 at the roundabout (just north of Newark), go along here for about 12 miles until you cross the A1 (not joining it - you can also get this way if you want to get off the A1 here) and head on the A17 signposted Sleaford. This one is another 20 or so miles (watch out for speed cameras - very sneaky) of road, until you get to the Sutterton Roundabout, take the A16 this time (signposted Spalding and Peterborough) again watch out for them speed cameras! At the third roundabout take the A151, signposted Spalding, follow this until you reach that level crossing I mentioned earlier - the rest of the directions are the same.

Parking: Get there early and you might be allowed to park inside the ground on large grassed area on the far side of the pitch. Otherwise there is club car park outside the ground and a large pay and display supermarket car park just over the road.

What to expect: The ground is not much to talk about – one big stand as you come in and exposed on the other three sides – hopefully it won’t be as windy as last season! The clubhouse is a typical scout hut type construction so favoured in the non-league scene but with a fine flat screen TV that looks out of place with the surroundings. Very friendly staff and the beer and lager is very reasonable priced. As for food - excellent burgers, pies and other hot food. You will not be disappointed on the food front. Other than that, if you get there early, there is a historic (!) water tower outside the ground. Other than that there’s not much to do here.

Stamford AFC: Vic Couzens Stadium, Kettering Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2JR

Telephone: 01780 763079

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 30 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 25 minutes*

Directions: This one is a long one, but is relatively easy to get here. Head south on the A1, and exit onto the A43, turning left into Stamford. The ground is along here on the left, just before the Almshouses.

Parking: Not to worry about car-parking, there is a pretty sizeable space behind the main stand and clubhouse, just depends on the size of the crowd.

What to expect: A new one even for me this one! But my contacts tell me it is a very decent little stadium, with a reasonably sized seated stand on one side, and a covered terrace along the other, above the train station. The newly refurbished bar is one of the better ones in the league (allegedly) and does a roaring trade before the games, whilst inside the ground there is the usual tea and grub bar. Admission is what you might call PRICEY - £8 adults and £5 concessions. The programme is more than likely going to be £1.80.

Stocksbridge Park Steels: Bracken Moor, Stocksbridge, Sheffield, S36 5AN

Telephone: 0114 288805

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 30 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 20 minutes*

Directions: This is the local one this season - so very quick, very easy. Head out towards Manchester on the A616, take the Stocksbridge turn off and follow to the lights. Turn right along the main road, then at the clock tower turn left - almost doubling back on yourself. Follow this road all the way round to the top of the bloody hill. The ground is on your left, parking...

Parking: ...you have a choice of two. Street parking, or the little waste ground car-park opposite the ground. Careful how you park yourself in this little car-park, some of the locals tend to be a bit dim and have a tendency to block all ways in or out. Best bet is to get there early, use the road and face downhill for a nice easy getaway without the pain of waiting for some dozey sod trying to attempt a three point turn.

What to expect: The ground is only three sided, the only one in the UniBond, so the options are limited. There is a good view by the entrance, elevated quite a way up but away from the action, whilst below there is a covered terrace set a fair old way from the pitch. The "500 seated" stand is cramped but okay, don't get yourself sat on the front row, otherwise you'll be having to put up with people trying to get from one end of the ground to the other. Those of you with accessibility difficulties, this is one to miss, as some of the steps are quite steep, and getting to the open bit behind the far goal is pretty laboured for the best of us. The refreshment bar is usually well stocked, if you like Cup-a-Soup you are in luck, whilst it shares the room with a programme collectors' paradise in the club shop.

Warrington Town: Cantilever Park, Common Lane, Latchford, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 2RS. Telephone - 01925 653044.

Journey Time from Bright Finance Stadium: 1 hour 30 minutes*
Journey Time from Sheffield City Centre: 1 hour 25 minutes*

Directions: Head towards Manchester on your favoured route (Snake, Woodhead, M67, M62 etc) and take the M60 clockwise - heading southbound past Stockport. Take the M56 (signposted Chester, Warrington, M'cr Airport, B'ham), then leave the motorway at junction 9, then take left-hand lane (signposted Warrington A50). Continue on the A50 for 2.5 miles or so to the swing-bridge, turn left after bridge (Station Road - B5156) up the hill - bear left at the end of the road and then right into Loushers Lane and the ground is on your left.

Parking: Warrington have a small car park - with a business car park opposite - that is available. Other than that it is on street parking, but no-one has had a problem previously. There is a car park further down the road at the public park, but that is about 400 yards away. Club are running a coach to this fixture (limited spaces though) leaving the BFS at 10.00 am and Tankersley at 10.30. Price £6.00 and £2.00 under 16s.

What to expect: Cantilever Park is a neat little ground, holding 3,500 and is made up of 3,000 standing and 500 seating. Admission is £6.00 adults, £4.00 concession, £2.00 kids under 12. There is a club shop open inside the stadium just through the turnstile which sells Warrington Town gifts and Matchday programmes. There are catering facilities inside the ground which normally sells Pies, Chips, Burgers etc.

Thanks to Chris Lord and Rob Markwood over at Warrington for their help with the above info.