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Rochdale: Directions, Beer & Food


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WARNING: This information may be out of date in an ever-changing world.

Rochdale Football Club, Spotland Stadium, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DR.

Away supporters are housed in the Willbutts Lane Stand (recently renamed the Westrose Leisure Stand). There is space for 3,200 of us and the acoustics are excellent, so there is no excuse for not making ourselves heard.

Disabled Facilities:

There are two parking areas in front of the Main Stand and behind Pearl Street Stand for up to 21 cars. The away fans’ allocation should be booked in advance. Level access throughout.

There are 28 wheelchair places for away fans in the Willbutts Lane Stand. All positions are at pitch level with helpers alongside. (Movement by fans at pitchside can restrict views at times.) Two adapted toilets in the stand; catering not dedicated - ask steward for assistance.

How to get there:

By Road:

Exit the M62 at Junction 20 and take the A627(M) towards Rochdale. At the end of the A627(M) you should be in the left hand lane to turn left at the traffic lights. Go straight on over the roundabout (approach in the middle lane) into Roch Valley Way. At the next crossroads (where the Cemetery pub is on the corner) go straight onto Sandy Lane, and the stadium is on the right after approx 0.75 mile.

By Rail/Bus:

409 bus from the top of Sheepfoot Lane to Rochdale.

Rochdale Station is around 3 miles from Spotland. Take a taxi from the station or catch the No.436 bus which travels from the bus station to Spotland via the railway station.

On foot immediately as you leave the station there is a roundabout in front of you. Cross it, keeping to the left and take the second left into Lower Tweedale Street. Follow this street until its end where it meets Manchester Road. Turn right along Manchester Road (which is a dual-carriageway). Pass Drake Street and then cross the Manchester Road via the pedestrian crossing. Now the left hand side of the dual carriageway, carry on in the same direction as before. Turn left into Dane Street (where you will see a large ASDA store) and this leads into Mellor Street (A6060). At the end of Mellor Street turn left along Spotland Road (A680) and then left again into Willbutts Lane for the stadium.

Car Parking:

Parking at the stadium is now for permit holders only, so it is a case of either street parking (side streets around the ground fill up very quickly and space is very much limited) or using the matchday parking facility at Oulder Hill School, although it is not known whether this will be available for this match. The school is located on the way up to the stadium, on the left hand side, along Sandy Lane (it is then a 10 minute walk uphill to the ground). If you do elect to park on the street then be wary of the ‘residents only’ parking scheme, as otherwise you could end with a parking ticket for your trouble.

WARNING: Rocky_Latics warns to be vigilant in parking your car on Spotland estate (near the shops - you can't miss it) as over the last 3 years it has had a growing reputation for cars being damaged. There was an incident against Hartlepool last season, as reported in the local newspaper, in which fans had "Dale" keyed onto their car bonnets and wind-mirrors were broken.

Most cars for this type of game will be parked on Sandy Lane itself and and down by the Cemetery. Cars should be safer if parked further up Sandy Lane and on the opposite side of Edenfield Road. This also makes more sense, especially if you want to get away quickly, as Roch Valley way, which most Latics fans will take, is chaotic on a normal matchday (the traffic light system is not favourable to traffic going up and down Roch Valley Way). It's easier to park there then exit either down by Asda or through Falinge.

WARNING: RobOAFC warns not to park on Asda, as they are very quick to clamp your car if you have not returned to it within two hours and he thinks it's a £60 penalty charge.

Another alternative is, if you fancy a drink in the town centre, park at the Town Hall using the pay and display and walk up.

Where to eat:

There is a highly-recommended fish and chip shop on Willbutts Lane, usually with lengthy queues.

Pies (with a good reputation) and pasties are available inside the stadium.

Where to drink, subject to Police restrictions:

There are three drinking venues at the stadium. Two of them, Studds and the Dale Bar, will be for home fans only, but the Radcliffe Arms, located at the car park entrance on Sandy Lane, will welcome away fans. It has Sky TV and disabled facilities, and children are allowed on matchdays.

Inside the stadium alcohol is available, although it is cans poured into plastic glasses.

Local Pubs:

A few minutes from the ground in Willbutts Lane is the Church Inn which is used to away fans on match days. It has a pool table but is only a small pub so it will fill up quickly and may take a while to be served.CLOSED

Close to Sandy Lane, at 470 Bury Road, is the Cemetery Hotel. It serves a range of real ales and rolls at the bar in the evening. Plenty of home fans use it, and it is said to have a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. Parking may prove difficult here.

A short way along the road at No. 520 is the Dog and Partridge.CLOSED

The Merry Monk, 234 College Road is a Victorian-era locals pub with an out-door drinking area and its own car park. Three varieties of Hyde’s ales are usually on the pumps, along with a guest beer or two.CLOSED

The Healey Hotel, 172 Shawclough Road is about a mile and a half from the stadium on the B6377. Traditional terrace pub with three rooms.

The Albion freehouse and bistro, 600 Whitworth Road is a multi-roomed local with home cooked food.

Alternatively, head into the town centre on "The Esplanades", where there are plenty of bars. The Litten Tree stopped letting people in for the cup game at 6pm for the League Cup game against Latics. Next to the Litten Tree is the Flying Horse, which serves real ale.

The best real ale pub in the town centre is the Baum on Toad Lane next to the Co-op Museum.

Edited by Diego_Sideburns
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  • 2 years later...

The Elephant and Castle further up Bury Road is open again, and further up still is the Hare and Hounds which is a decent boozer and does good food. I used to live in Norden, and believe that the Brown Cow had a sign outside when Preston played them a few weeks ago saying away fans welcome. It's a bit out of the way though if you're coming from Rochdale Centre.

 

We'll be in the Baum though, any excuse to go in there.

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Spread Eagle for me, it was on Waterloo Road innit.

 

I'm surprised the Star Inn on Edenfield Road hasn't been mentioned, cheap booze. Not sure if it's a Dale pub or not but it's only five minutes walk away. That was shut for about three years so it may have been closed when the original post was written. The Turf Tavern is further up again, across from the petrol station. (Edenfield Road is the main road behind Wilbutts Lane).

 

Used to like the Spread Eagle, I think it was closed for a while but looking online it has re-opened.

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I'm surprised the Star Inn on Edenfield Road hasn't been mentioned, cheap booze. Not sure if it's a Dale pub or not but it's only five minutes walk away. That was shut for about three years so it may have been closed when the original post was written. The Turf Tavern is further up again, across from the petrol station. (Edenfield Road is the main road behind Wilbutts Lane).

 

Used to like the Spread Eagle, I think it was closed for a while but looking online it has re-opened.

That's a seriously brisk 5 minute walk from the Star, did you miss the 1 in front of the 5?! Edited by deyres42
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