Diego_Sideburns Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 (edited) Banks's Stadium, Bescot Crescent, Walsall, WS1 4SA Away supporters are housed in the Dains (William Sharp) Stand at one end of the ground, where around 2,000 away supporters can be accommodated under cover. There are a few supporting pillars at the front which could impede your view. The good news though, is that even a small number of away fans can really make some noise and a good atmosphere. The away end is served by a food kiosk in each corner near to the toilets, which creates a bit of a bottle neck at half-time. The food though, if you are prepared to wait, is excellent, especially the chicken balti pies (Walsall claims to be the first club to sell them). Disabled facilities: The club provides 25 parking spaces for home and away fans, which incorporates the full range of disability with orange / blue badge. Access is level around and throughout the stadium There are 35 wheelchair spaces with 35 carers’ seats alongside across the length of the Walsall Bite Size Stand at pitch-side for use by home and away supporters. The Purple Stand has 66 wheelchair/carer spaces on its concourse There is a purpose-built lounge with toilet facilities for disabled supporters and their carers under the Walsall Bite Size Stand which contains catering facilities with dropped counters. There are two fully-trained stewards in the room to assist as and when required. How to get there: By train: Trains from Walsall take three minutes to Bescot rail station and the Stadium is a two-minute walk. Trains run there on a local line from Birmingham New Street and the journey time is around 20 minutes. There is a regular service on Saturdays along this line but it is advisable to check on the Tuesday night service. By bus: Buses leave from Bradford Place Bus Staion in the town centre. Services 401 and 405 stop on Bescot Crescent outside the stadium and service 404 stops on West Bromwich Road, a short walk from the stadium. By car: The ground is right next to the M6, in fact you can see it from the motorway just north of the RAC Control Centre. Unfortunately, this stretch of motorway normally has a large traffic jam on both Saturday lunchtimes and early weekday evenings, so allow extra time. From The M6 North: Leave the M6 at Junction 9 and take the A461 towards Walsall. Bear right on to the A4148 (Wallowes Lane) and turn right at the second set of traffic lights. You will see the ground on your left. From M6 South: Leave the M6 at Junction 7 and take the A34 towards Walsall (beware though of speed cameras on this stretch of dual carriageway). At the end of the dual carriageway turn left at the Bell Inn public house into Walstead Road (sign-posted Bescot Stadium, Bescot Station Park & Ride). Continue straight on this road for two miles, passing another pub called the Tiger on your left. You will come to Bescot Stadium and entrance to the away end on your right. Car Parking: There is a good-sized car park located at the ground (cost £3) behind the away stand. Bescot Railway Station also offers car parking for £2. Alternatively there is some street parking off Wallowes Lane. Parking is not permitted on the retail park and avoid parking on the nearby Morrisons Supermarket car park (built on the site of the old Fellows Park), as unless you can prove that you are shopping there, you run the risk of being wheel-clamped. Where to drink: Note: Alcohol is not served inside the stadium. More often than not The Saddlers Club allows away fans in for £1, but you have to get there early (opens at 5:30pm on Tuesdays) because, with there being so few pubs in the vicinity, it gets busy and then priority is given to home fans. NOTE: Away fans should avoid the Fulbrook pub near to the stadium. The nearest recommended pub is the King George V in Wallowes Lane, but it gets busy which can make it a bit difficult to get served quickly. It is about a 15 minute walk away, opposite the Morrisons Supermarket. If you are walking from the stadium, go out of the official car park and past McDonald's on your right. Take a left turn into Wallowes Lane. At the end of the lane turn left onto the main road and the pub is just set back on the left. Where to eat: The Saddlers Club serves food for the early birds, and there is a McDonald's at the retail park adjoining the stadium. There is of course the option of staying more centra, where there are more pubs and prospects of food and getting a taxi to the stadium. There is a Wetherspoon’s called The Imperial close to the train station that might be worth a look. Map of the area: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/oldmap.srf?x=40...p=oldsearch.srf Walsall attractions: If you have plenty of time and want to find out more about local industrial heritage and why Walsall FC is known as ‘The Saddlers’ you can visit the Leather Museum on Littleton Street. http://www.whatsonwalsall.co.uk/default.as...0&sC=page10 Also there is the Walsall Museum on the third floor of the Central Library building http://www.whatsonwalsall.co.uk/default.as...1&sC=page10 Town centre short and long-stay pay and display car parks are located on Intown Row, less than 500 metres from the Museum. There are disabled parking spaces available on Tower Street, behind the Central Library building. The Museum is a short walk away from local bus and train stations. Edited November 9, 2009 by Diego_Sideburns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dux Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Any idea how much tickets are for Walsall? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Any idea how much tickets are for Walsall? According to the Walsall F.C. OS; Adult: £20 Senior citizen (over 60) - £12 Junior (under 18) - £12 Save £2 on each ticket by buying in advance. Cash admission available at the turnstiles on the day. So saddle up, get on down to the Midlands and sup your Banks's ale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinedreams Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 The hotel next to the ground is very expensive as a few of us found out to our dismay last season.....If I remember rightly 2 JD and coke and a pint of something was approx £13.00!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 The hotel next to the ground is very expensive as a few of us found out to our dismay last season.....If I remember rightly 2 JD and coke and a pint of something was approx £13.00!!! That's why the Ramada Encore is not one of my recommendations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinedreams Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 That's why the Ramada Encore is not one of my recommendations. Managed to work that out for myself, thanks, a mistake that won't be happening again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 Managed to work that out for myself, thanks, a mistake that won't be happening again They charge high prices to keep the riff-raff out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinedreams Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 They charge high prices to keep the riff-raff out. To add insult to injury though the pint that I did have was off!!!!! had to take it back for an exchange, opted for a bottle then but then checked the best before date.....as you do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 9, 2009 Author Share Posted November 9, 2009 (edited) To add insult to injury though the pint that I did have was off!!!!! had to take it back for an exchange, opted for a bottle then but then checked the best before date.....as you do At those prices they won't do enough trade to keep the lines clear......allegedly. I believe at a hotel in Brighton once, they were practically giving drinks away. Edited November 9, 2009 by Diego_Sideburns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky_Latic Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 The hotel next to the ground is very expensive as a few of us found out to our dismay last season.....If I remember rightly 2 JD and coke and a pint of something was approx £13.00!!! Some were too pissed to even notice the prices. Thank god it wasnt my round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share Posted November 22, 2009 Bumped .....in case anyone has now decided to make the trip after that exciting last half-hour yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oafc88 Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Is there an official coach going down? cant see anything on the OS. If there is one, anyone now how much it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Bump- maybe Diego should have heeded his own advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 (edited) Bump- maybe Diego should have heeded his own advice. I acknowledged that by saying.... So we went to the nearby Park Inn Hotel, in spite of being warned on here about its high prices by fans who went in last season. The prices were designed to keep out the riff-raff, without the need to employ a bouncer. A cheeseburger cost £8.50! They'd made so much profit by 7:15pm, they could afford to turn away three thirsty travellers from afar. I offered them a sniff of my Guinness but they were too dejected to accept the offer. Edited November 26, 2009 by Diego_Sideburns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 I acknowledged that by saying.... The prices were designed to keep out the riff-raff, without the need to employ a bouncer. A cheeseburger cost £8.50! They'd made so much profit by 7:15pm, they could afford to turn away three thirsty travellers from afar. I offered them a sniff of my Guinness but they were too dejected to accept the offer. Oh I don't disagree that you acknowledged it but maybe you should have walked the extra to the other establishment you mentioned 15 minutes away instead (the King George V) or got a taxi to the town centre- it might have been cheaper. £8.50 is expensive for a burger but this is a hotel its the price you pay (bearing in mind many will be on expenses) and I don't blame them for turning away extra customers they will do their staffing on the residency not on the number of customers. Plus who is more important to them the happiness of their residents, who would normally prefer not to have their meal accompanied by football fans despite some of their number being law abiding pensioners, or the football fans who are blatantly only there for a few hours. It was obvious you weren't expecting great things but you still found something to complain about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takemeanywhere Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 The door to King George V was firmly shut. Also, all present in the hotel had first tried the Saddlers Club, where it is usually possible to get a beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rudemedic Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 The door to King George V was firmly shut. Also, all present in the hotel had first tried the Saddlers Club, where it is usually possible to get a beer. So was the King George an appropriate recommendation? The Saddlers Club (which I have been in) is quite good having got in early enough, but that was obviously one of those things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takemeanywhere Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 So was the King George an appropriate recommendation? The Saddlers Club (which I have been in) is quite good having got in early enough, but that was obviously one of those things. You can only go off the available information. King George V has been fine in the past, as has The Saddlers Club (as you have said). All I'm saying is that the hotel was very much a last resort. Next year, if we're in the same division, we'll make other plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 Next year, if we're in the same division, I'll be known as Takemeanywhereexcepttheparkinnwalsall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 ...who is more important to them the happiness of their residents, who would normally prefer not to have their meal accompanied by football fans despite some of their number being law abiding pensioners, or the football fans who are blatantly only there for a few hours. It was obvious you weren't expecting great things but you still found something to complain about. We were expecting to be treated like any other customers in need of food and drink. What is so offputting about football fans that residents would prefer not to eat their meals in the same room as them? At least one Latics fan was a resident, but would he have still put the other residents off their meals? One other resident was wearing an England football shirt - would that put the other residents off their meals? All we ask is to be treated the same as any other group in society. What's wrong with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 To be fair, what may have been a little inconvenient to not only the staff but the residents as well was the fact that the door alarm was going off as a result of the same Latics fans who were refused at the door, sneaking in 'round the back. What little leverage you may have had before this, evaporated quick smart. Anyways, another one crossed off. I hope there's none of this in Norwich. Note to self: Whilst in Norwich, avoid deliquent Latics pensioners and their entourage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego_Sideburns Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share Posted November 26, 2009 Note: Whilst in Norwich, pensioners should avoid deliquent Latics fans who can't be taken anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 You can say that again Terry, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takemeanywhere Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 To be fair, what may have been a little inconvenient to not only the staff but the residents as well was the fact that the door alarm was going off twice as a result of the same Latics fans who were refused at the door, sneaking in 'round the back. What little leverage you may have had before this, evaporated quick smart. Credit where credit's due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 Credit where credit's due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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