Blue Square Premier Football Ground Guide - Wessex Stadium, Weymouth FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? The Main Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? Carlsberg Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train AKI Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Hollybush Stand (photo) Fixtures 2008-2009 Programme & Fanzine Ground Layout Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
A well maintained tidy stadium that although a relatively new one (it was opened in 1987) is more reminiscent of an older ground. This is mostly due to the large traditional floodlights that are located in each corner. There is cover on all four sides of the stadium. On the west side is the Main Stand, which is a covered seated stand that runs for around half the length of the pitch. The seating area of the stand is raised well above the level of the pitch, meaning that you need to climb a small staircase to access it. In front of the stand on either side of the halfway line are the team dugouts. Both ends are similar sized covered terraces, whilst on the remaining side of the ground there is also a small covered terrace. This area is called the AKI Stand and is affectionately nicknamed the Babs Windsor stand by the Weymouth fans (you'll have to ask one to find out why!). The rest of the ground mostly comprises of portions of open terrace, to either side of the stands and in the corners. Special thanks to Dave Parsons for helping me out with a lot of the information for this page. Top Of Page
The Main Stand
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Segregation is in force for all games. Away fans are most housed in the Hollybush Terrace at the car park end of the ground. This end is a covered terrace, with some open terrace to one side. Away supporters are also given a number of seats in the Main Stand. A Ł2 supplement to sit in this area is payable inside. There is a catering van available, which serves burgers, hot-dogs, chips, hot and cold drinks etc. and, for larger followings, a kiosk behind the Main Stand serving hot/cold drinks, pies and pasties. There is a programme shop inside the stadium, which can be accessed by visiting fans. It is a haven for collectors of more historic programmes. Programmes and half time draw tickets are available both inside and outside the ground and the Club shop is accessed outside the Main Stand. Top Of Page
Where To Drink?
There are some bars at the ground itself. One called the ‘Terras Tavern' is available for away fans to use. This small bar is accessed from outside the ground at the back of the Main Stand. Otherwise there is not much around the ground itself. The nearest pub is the ‘John Gregory’ which is half a mile away (turn left out of the car park, take the first right hand turn and then the 4^th exit at the Wessex Roundabout). This pub also serves food and there is plenty of parking available in the adjacent shopping centre. Otherwise it is a case of journeying into Weymouth itself where there are plenty of pubs to be found including a Wetherspoons outlet, called 'The Swan' that has a handy taxi rank situated outside. A special bus service runs from the town centre to the ground on matchdays. See 'By Train' below. After the game away fans are welcome to use Wessex lounge, which may be an idea to allow the traffic to die down, before embarking on the journey home. Top Of Page
Carlsberg Stand
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How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From Dorchester take the A354 towards Weymouth. On entering Weymouth you will reach the Manor Roundabout. Take the take the 3rd Exit still on the A354, signed to 'Town Centre' and follow the brown signs for ‘Wessex Stadium’. At the next roundabout take the 3^rd exit onto the B3157. After a little while you will be able to see the stadium floodlights in front of you. At the next roundabout take the 3rd exit and then immediately left for the car park entrance. There is a cost of Ł2 per car to park there. However spaces are limited so make sure you arrive early. Plus after the game there is normally some congestion leaving the car park as there is only one exit. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. Top Of Page
By Train
Weymouth station is located just under two miles away from the ground. There is an hourly service To/From London Waterloo (approx. 2hrs 45miins journey) via Southampton run by South West Trains and a more infrequent service To/From Bristol Temple Meads (approx. 2hrs 30mins journey) via Westbury and Yeovil run by Wessex Trains. Dave Parsons adds; 'The Match day Special Bus: There are two football special buses which are provided by Wessex Bus from Kings Statue on the seafront departing from Bus Stop K2 adjacent to the Tourist Information Centre, at 2pm on Saturdays and 7.00pm for midweek matches. Kings Statue is located a short stroll from the railway station. On exiting the station head across the forecourt towards the traffic lights and cross over King Street outside the Somerset Hotel. Turn left and head towards the seafront (you will see the Jubilee clock in front of you). Turn Right at the Jubilee Clock and cross over at the crossing to the beach side of the esplanade (don't go down the subway!!!!). Now walk along the esplanade for about 400 metres and you will see the Tourist Information Centre, which is next to the Bus Stop. Opposite us a pub called the Cork and Bottle. The bus then picks up at Town Bridge which is located at the harbour end of St Thomas Street (very useful if you've been drinking in town), then along North Quay (picking up behind The Boot, for you real ale fans), Chickerell Road and Radipole Lane, picking up at bus stops en route to the Wessex Stadium. After matches the buses depart from outside the main gate. Getting back to town the Football Special Bus as described above is easiest. Or if you stay for a few more ales ring for a taxi from the club bar!!! Taxis: If you want to get to the ground early to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the bar and catering facilities, your best bet is to catch a taxi. They are reasonably priced compared to a lot of towns and if there are 3/4 of you (or more if you can get an 8 seater) it can be cheaper and quicker to get a taxi. It will cost approximately Ł5/Ł6 from the station/town to the ground. Alternative buses: You can catch the following First Bus Routes No. 5 Radipole - This route gets you closest to the ground and has a 40 minute frequency in the day time, but nothing in the evening. Ask the driver for Chafeys Avenue which is just a 2 minute walk from the Wessex Stadium. No. 3 Hereford Road - This route has a 10 minute frequency during the day and half hourly during the evening. Ask for Radipole Lane which is a 6/7 minute stroll along Radipole Lane to the Wessex Stadium. Both buses can be caught from King Street Roundabout just a few minutes from the station. Head out of the station and turn right down King Street. Cross over and turn left at the roundabout. The Bus Stop is located next to the roundabout in front of the Bus Garage. Both routes go via the Town Centre and pick up at Commercial Road (behind Debenhams) and Town Bridge at the harbour end of St Thomas Street'. Top Of Page
AKI Stand
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Local Rivals
Dorchester Town & Salisbury City. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Seating: Adults Ł16 Over 65's & Students Ł11 Under 16's Ł7 Family Ticket 2 Adults + 2 Children Ł34* Terraces: Adults Ł14 Over 65's & Students Ł9 Under 16's Ł5 Under 7's Free (when accompanied by a paying adult) Family Ticket 2 Adults + 2 Children Ł30** * In addition the Club offer a number of 'Premier Seats' at a cost of Adults Ł22, Over 65's Ł15, Students Ł13 & Under 16's Ł10. This includes a car parking space, programme, tea, coffee, snack and access to the players lounge before and during the game. ** The family ticket must be bought in advance of the game (by 11am for Saturday games and 5pm for evening games). Access to the seating area is by the payment of a Ł2 transfer inside the stadium. Top Of Page
The Hollybush Stand
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Fixtures 2008-2009
For the Weymouth Fixture List click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme
Official Programme Ł2.50 Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: 6,600 v Nottingham Forest FA Cup Round 1, November 14th, 2005. Average Attendance: 2008-2009: 1,092 (Blue Square Premier) 2007-2008: 1,411 (Conference National) 2006-2007: 1,968 (Conference National) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The Wessex Stadium
Toby Greenhalgh (Torquay United) 12/02/08 Top Of Page
Hotel Accommodation
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Weymouth page click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide.


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