Blue Square Premier Ground Guide - Away Days, Aggborough, Kidderminster Harriers

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

I was looking forward to going to Aggborough as this was Albion's first pre-season friendly of the season and although I am a life long Albion supporter, like many other Albion fans, Kidderminster is my home town. The stadium itself being a 10 minute walk from my home.

2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking:

As a Kidderminster resident the journey to Aggborough and finding the ground is not really relevant and I walked to the ground. For those fans travelling to Kidderminster by train Aggborough is about a 10 minute walk. If arriving at Kidderminster station from the direction of Birmingham, walk up the ramp and turn left, walking down the hill towards the town centre. You'll find that 90% of the people who alight at Kidderminster will walk in this direction. Keep on walking and after about 2 minutes you'll see the large Magistrates Court to your left, head towards the court and keep going along an alleyway that will take you straight to the ground, which is clearly visible straight ahead. Alternatively you can keep walking down the hill until you come to Hoo Road, walking up Hoo Road will again lead you straight to the ground.

If arriving at Kidderminster station from the direction of Worcester come straight out of the station and walk straight ahead, then follow the directions as above.

There will be plenty of people around to ask but you'll find this won't be necessary, the ground can clearly be seen to your left.

For those planning to travel to the town by train from Birmingham please be aware that trains run from Moor Street and Snow Hill stations in central Birmingham and not from Birmingham New Street.

Both Moor Street and Snow Hill stations are only a few minutes walk from New Street.

For those arriving by car there is a car park at the back of the away terracing and a much larger car park at the back of the home end.

Getting away from the ground from the larger car park can be very time consuming as there is only one entrance out.

None of the residential roads off Hoo Road allow car parking by football fans.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy.... home fans friendly?

Although I went straight to the ground I am very familiar with the local area. There is a decent Fish & Chip shop just across the road from the station, in addition walking down the hill towards the town there are numerous other take-aways.

There is a pub opposite the station called The Railway Bell, on some match days they have bouncers on the door but I understand most away fans can get access as long as they are sensible. For the real ale fans there is an excellent pub, just in front of the main entrance to Kidderminster station called the King & Castle, part of the Severn Valley Railway complex. A popular pub that has appeared in the "Good Beer Guide"
.

There is also an excellent little pub that is seldom used by away fans but still handy for the ground, if arriving by train turn right away from the town centre, you will come to a road called Farfield and The Station pub is just on your right.

Kidderminster have their own social club next to the ground and away fans can gain access by paying a small fee, there is also another pub in front of the main stand called The Harriers Arms but I have never been in there so cannot comment. Kidderminster Harriers do not have a hooligan problem and from my experience wearing colours around the ground and in the town centre is unlikely to present any problems for sensible supporters.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground.

Aggborough is a very good non league ground which if anything is probably too big considering their present non league status. Very neat and tidy and all the stands in the uniform red colour. There is covered terracing behind each goal and smart seating areas in two relatively modern stands along the side of the pitch. Seating for away fans is on the corner of the new East Stand. The view is excellent with the seats on quite deep terracing and there is reasonable leg room.

The away end can be accessed via the car park at the rear of the terracing (which could really do with tarmacing to tidy it up) or by walking behind the East Stand if approaching from the railway station or the Social Club. Entrances for away fans are well signposted. I understand away supporters coaches park directly behind the away end.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

The game itself was a typical low key pre-season friendly. Albion had split their first team squad and were also playing at Walsall later in the afternoon so this meant that our support, of about 500 would have been mainly Worcestershire based as the bulk of our support had chosen to watch the game at Walsall. The stewards were friendly and helpful and the toilets are quite spacious and seemed quite clean and well maintained.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

With the attendance around the 1000 mark there were no problems getting away, also a few of the Albion supporters had left well before the end to make the dash up the M5 to watch the game at Walsall which was kicking off just over an hour after the Kidderminster game finished. Being local I was home within 10 minutes of the final whistle.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I'd recommend Kidderminster for away supporters, it's a decent ground, all away supporters being housed in either a smart stand or decent covered terracing and a number of pubs within just a few minutes walk plus the Social Club at the stadium itself. Kidderminster fans are friendly and you'll be fine in your club colours, I'd definitely recommend visiting Aggborough.