In our continued series of guides to away games this season, Ann Noble gets the low down on a ground new to City fans from Rob Russell of Accrington Stanley Supporters Club.
Travel
By Car – The M65 motorway links to the M6 which is about 10 minutes west of Accrington situated at either junction 7 or 8 of the M65. If you are going direct to the ground then use junction 7, 1st exit at the roundabout, right at the lights, right at the next lights and the ground is around 800 yards on the left hand side. If you are going to the away fans pub then please use junction 8, follow the signs for Accrington along the A56 and come off at the first opportunity. Follow the signs for Accrington which will take you onto the A679 where the Whittaker’s Arms is 400 yards on your left. From the M1, M62, and M66 follow the signs for Accrington using the A56 easterly by-pass. This will bring you to the A679 (Burnley Road) where the Whittaker’s Arms pub is situated 400 yards along on the left.
By Train – Most trains into Accrington will have involved changing at Preston. Accrington train station is fairly central to the town centre. As you come down the ramp from the train station you can either turn right where you will find the town centre a two minute walk away, or you can cross the road, follow the street around the corner and you will find the McDonalds restaurant on the left. From here you would cross the road and follow that exit from the roundabout to the main road, turn left and the ground is about a fifteen minute walk away with a couple of pubs en route.
By Bus – Having travelled in by bus you will already be in the town centre, the buses on the market side will be pointing in the direction you need for the ground, or you could catch either the Hyndburn Circular or the Clitheroe buses. On either bus ask for the Crown, you will go through three sets of lights and the Crown is then two stops or 200 yards away. Cost is around a pound.
If you are walking then travel in the direction the buses are pointing, turn left at the top and then follow that road for a mile and a quarter, passing five pubs, three chippies (one a 100m detour but sign posted), an Indian restaurant and several kebab shops that will probably be shut…..
Official Pub For Away Fans – The Whittaker's Arms
The official designated pub for away fans is the Whittaker’s Arms on the A679 (Burnley Road). This pub has easy access for coach parties and serves hot or cold food and has the usual array of pub games in addition to a spacious beer garden. The pub is a 5 minute drive from the ground or a 15 minute walk. Police and football club advice is for all visiting fans to use this venue.
The Crown Inn is situated directly outside the football ground. Although it is designated as a home pub, it does welcome away fans. This pub is run by the Football Club and will become a haven of memorabilia from over the years.
The Oaklea Tavern is 150 yards up the road from The Crown in the direction of the town centre. It is a large pub with an excellent menu for the hungry visitor. They do welcome away fans although there is a strict dress code with no tracksuits or baseball caps allowed. Across the road is the Greyhound Inn an excellent pub with a range of guest ales and lagers from all over the world.
Eating
Oaklea Chippy The Oaklea Chippy is well known by the locals for supplying quality food. We often cater for the visiting team players and management on their journey home. Only 5 minutes walk from the ground we are ideally situated for you to curb those hunger pangs before cheering on your team.
McDonalds and KFC fast food restaurants. Head from the ground towards Accrington town centre. Having passed through two sets of traffic lights you will start going downhill. Halfway down the hill you will turn right at the Kwik Fit garage. Head down there to the roundabout and take the fifth exit onto the A679 (or stay on the right hand pavement and cross the road if walking). McDonalds is immediately on your left whilst KFC is about 600 yards further along the road. It is a 5 minute drive to either but walking would take around 15 minutes to McDonalds or 20 minutes to KFC. Alternatively if you have come by train it is only a 2 minute walk to McDonalds and it is on your way to the ground.
Central Taxis
Our preferred taxi rank would be Central Taxis. They have plenty of cars, are very central, sub contract to other firms if they can’t fulfil, and their prices are fair. If they say five minutes; they will be five minutes.
Tel: 01254 382111
Nightlife
The town centre as far as drinking is concerned is quite good in that there are about 12 pubs practically next door to each other around a central square. The area is Church St. Although it is not a particularly rough nightlife caution is advised as with any town centre.
Blackburn is around 5 miles (£8 taxi) away and has larger pubs and nightclubs although more spread out with a huge shopping precinct in the middle.
Preston is around 12 miles (£25) away and has the usual array of night attractions as you would expect with a city centre.
Our top tip would be to stay local to the football ground especially if staying at any of the local guest house up that way. There is the Greyhound, Crown, Oaklea and Grey Horse pub within a five minute walk. There would normally be entertainment on in at least one of these venues and there are usually a good few of the Stanley fans around well into the night.
The area is friendly and you will be well looked after. We frequently have groups of fans staying from Ireland and Norway who would tend to be in this area, guaranteeing a good night. If you are still up for drinks at 1am (closing time at these pubs) then the town centre will still be open.
With thanks to Rob Russell, more information can be found on the Accrington Stanley Supporters Club site http://www.stanleysupporters.co.uk