The trip to Elland Road, Leeds.

Leeds United v Hereford United
Football League 1
Saturday 27th September 2008 Kick-off 3.00 pm.
Elland Road
Leeds
LS11 0ES
'Phone 0113 367 6000
Ticket Office 0845 121 1992

If there was ever a measure of the progress made by HUFC over the last few years, it might be worth recalling that at around this time in 2005 fans were preparing for a trip to Canvey Island. Whilst no longer the top-flight outfit that saw the likes of Bremner, Clarke, Hunter and Giles, Elland Road is still a daunting prospect for visiting teams. The likelihood is that a crowd of over 20,000 will generate an atmosphere unrivalled during this campaign.

The stadium, including The John Charles Stand, has a capacity of just over 40,000 with HUFC fans expected to be accommodated in the Southeast corner of the stadium (entrance 13 near the Billy Bremner statue). Stadium plan : http://www.leedsunited.com/page/StadiumPlanAndPrices/0,,10273,00.html

Admission to the match is currently all-ticket: Adults £16, Conc. £12 and Juniors £8.
Tickets are available until 4.00 pm on Thursday from The Club office (08442 761939).

Coaches: HUISA departs from Legends at 8.30. Tickets (£20) can be purchased from the Club office (08442 761939).
HUMADS departs Malvern 07.45, Ledbury 08.00 and Legends at 08.30. FULL
FUNBUS departs Legends at 08.30. Fare £15. A few places remain. Ben on 07812 144831.

By car: All the recognised on-line route-planners plump for the M5, M42, A42 and M1. Leave the M1 at Junction 43 and join the M621. When you pass the ground on your left, take the next exit off the motorway (J1) and turn left onto the A6110 ring road. Take the next left onto Elland Road for the ground. The distance from Edgar Street is 176 miles with travel times varying between 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours. Fans driving will therefore have to make their own judgement on what time to leave. There are a number of car parks around the ground with the Official Leeds site quoting free on-site parking. For Sat. Nav. users, the postcode is LS11 0ES.

Rail: Leeds train station is roughly 2 miles from the ground, and so you are either looking at a long walk, or more likely one of the shuttle buses that cost £2.50 return to the ground. As you come out of the station entrance, cross the road and head down the stairs opposite so you land on the street that runs below. Turn right and cross the road and head towards the double-decker buses. The front bus sells tickets. You'll be dropped off at the ground on the corner of the North and East stands. Walk down past the East Stand (the biggest stand at Elland Road) towards the South Stand to find the away turnstiles. The pick-up point for the return journey is again from the Northeast part of the ground.

Alehouses: Despite being next to the "away" end, The Old Peacock is very much a home pub and therefore best avoided. The nearest visitor's pub is The Drysalters, which can be found at the southwest corner of Elland Road close to Junction 1 of the M621. The usual mainstream beers and lagers are served and it also does reasonably priced food from 12 noon on matchdays. Children are welcome and it has big screen TV's. On the opposite side of the M621 and just south of the canal you will find the Cross Keys in Water Lane, Holbeck which is about 1.5 miles from the ground. Here you will find up to 4 real ales and better than average food. In the same area but in Back Row is The Grove Inn. This is a traditional real ale drinkers pub with Adnams Broadside, Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Caledonian 80, Moorhouses Black Cat, Wells Bombardier plus other guest beers. Food is not served on Saturday lunchtimes. There are a couple of 'Spoons in Leeds with the nearest to the ground being close to the station in City Square. Finally, if you’re looking for something a little different away from Leeds, you will be hard pushed to beat the Fernandes Brewery Tap in Avison Yard Wakefield (WF1 1UA – J40 M1). On three floors, it houses a gem of a real ale bar with two REAL ciders and up to eleven ales with a separate Bier Keller with continental smorgasbords (meat and cheese).

Enjoy.

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