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1. Why you were
looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may
be):
I wasn't massively excited about the game, with Fleetwood
flying high near the top of the table and Harriers near to the bottom but
it was early in the season and anything was possible. I'd missed the FA
Cup replay at Highbury Stadium the previous season through illness (I was
less annoyed about it when they got promoted), so I was looking forward to
what I expected to be excellent northern food!
2. How easy was your
journey/finding the ground/car parking:
We shot straight up the M6
and arrived much earlier than anticipated, but we parked on the main road
which goes right past the stadium, on the side of the away end. We did
have to stop and ask for directions as there is a six-way island and the
floodlights disappeared from sight!
3. What you did before
the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?
Went to the chippy near
the ground. Despite advertising traditional fish and chips, they served
those horrible french fries but it was cheap so no massive complaints.
There's a social club or something similar immediately next to the away
turnstiles, but away fans aren't allowed in so we opted to go straight
into the ground rather than amble about looking for a pub (though one was
recommended by a passer by).
4. What you thought on
seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the
ground?
The away end isn't bad at all - quite a steep terrace which
is covered and has excellent acoustics. There's a cage/fence thing which
they move up and down depending on how many fans they're expecting - a
respectable 55 for a night game packed a small area of the terrace. At the
opposite end was a packed terrace for home fans and on the left is a
seated stand which is of adequate quality. On the right hand side, behind
the dugouts, is a building site - where I'm told a large seated stand is
being built. Home fans can walk behind the dugouts to change ends at half
time (like in the good old days!).
5. Comment on the game
itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game was in
large parts an enigma - we were dominated but were 1-0 down for much of
the game. However we kept on singing almost non-stop for the 90 minutes
and were rewarded with a 79th minute equaliser. The home fans were nowhere
to be seen prior to the game - the home turnstiles must be at the far end
as I didn't see a single scarf of replica shirt before entering the
ground. Home fans were poor first half but in the second half when they
moved next to us they sang a few songs, nothing special considering they
outnumbered us probably eight to one on the terrace. Disappointingly they
booed their man of the match. Stewards weren't noticed, which probably not
a bad thing. I only bought a hot chocolate which I think was £1.20 (hot
vimto is available but I think it's disgusting!).
6. Comment on getting
away from the ground after the game:
We were back on the road
within five minutes of the whistle. The main car park must, like the
turnstiles, be at the other end of the ground. We were quickly back on the
motorway and motoring along before the M6 closed down to one lane suddenly
and despite a close shave where a wing mirror was lost, we got home
safely.
7. Summary of overall
thoughts of the day out:
An excellent evening as I wasn't expecting
to return home with any points. We created a brilliant atmosphere and got
a good result - what more can you ask for?!
Morgan Nock,
Kidderminster Harriers supporter |
