Crewe Travel – Saturday

Crewe Alexandra v Hereford United
Football League 2
Saturday 7th August 2010 Kick-Off 3.00pm
Alexandra Stadium
Gresty Road
Crewe
Cheshire
CW2 6EB
Phone 01270 213 014

Brim full of optimism and no doubt a few glasses of refreshment, Bulls fans' make the trip to Crewe's Alexandra Stadium on Saturday for the opening game of an eagerly awaited season under the new owners and management. Simon Davey is one of a new breed of young managers hungry for success and it is maybe fitting that his opposite number on day one will be Dario Gradi who, this time next year, will have reached the ripe old age of seventy. Respect.

The Gresty Road stadium is a 10,000 plus all-seater ground dominated by the 7000-seat Air Products Stand on one side of the pitch. Visiting fans are given the Blue Bell BMW Stand opposite the towering Air Products. Admission prices are Adults £19, Seniors/Disabled £15, 12-16 £8.50 and U11’s £4.50. Fans are required to buy a ticket from the Away Ticket Office near the visitor's entrances before going to the turnstiles. Credit/debit cards are accepted, as, of course, is hard cash. ADVANCE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH HUFC OFFICES (08442 761939).

Coaches – HUISA Departs Radford's at 10.00 am with a fare of £16 (HUISA members £14) Bookings can be made through the HUFC office (08442 761939).
FUNBUS not running (going on the choo choo).

BY CAR - follow the A49 north via Lemner, Slopland and Whitchurch. From Whitchurch, take the A535 (sign Newcastle, Nantwich A530) then after about three miles join the A530 to Nantwich. At Nantwich, join the A534 (sign Crewe). As you enter Crewe, you will pass the Shell Crewe Road Service Station. At the lights, turn right onto South Street then left into Gresty Road. This route is around 88 miles but you should allow at least two hours and ten minutes. Postcode is CW2 6EB.

PARKING –there is a large car park at the ground but this fills up with home fans towards the start of the game. Late-arriving away fans are advised to use parking on the Weston Road Industrial Estate, which is a ten-minute walk from Gresty Road.

TRAINS depart Hereford at five to every hour with a journey time of ninety minutes. There is no "group saver" from Hereford but there is from Leominster. The best ticketing plan therefore is to buy a day return to Leominster (£4) and a "small group day" return from Leominster to Crewe (£13.80). Both tickets can be bought at Hereford before you depart. As you leave Crewe Station, turn left and Gresty Road is just a short walk. Return trains leave Crewe at twelve minutes past the hour every hour until 08.12 pm.

ALEHOUSES – The Borough Arms at 33 Earle Street probably has the best range of ale and is a fifteen-minute walk from the ground on the north edge of the town. For those parking on the Weston Road Industrial Estate, The Brocklebank (CW1 6FX) is convenient and provides reasonable food and Sky screens. The Rookery Wood is also on Weston Road. It is a large "Brewsters" pub that has improved greatly since a change on management in January. Nearer The ground, you will find The Royal Hotel on Nantwich Road (pretty much opposite the end of Gresty Road) although this is predominantly a fizzy outlet. My own favourite is The British Lion, which, again, is in Nantwich Road just a few hundred yards from the ground. The local 'Spoons is The Gaffers Row at 48 Victoria Street.

There are three CHIP SHOPS very close to the ground with the "Chip Stop" in Gresty Road and TJS and Full-Bellies on Nantwich Road.

Pubs near to the ground tend to have doormen on and HUFC fans travelling by train can expect Crewe’s finest to be in attendance for their arrival at Crewe Station.

I've posted this a little earlier than normal and will bring back to the top a couple of times during the week due to the recent increased interest in HUFC.

Enjoy.

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