Foxes And Albion Can Close Gap On Toon!

Last updated : 20 November 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

NU

Friday 20th November 2009  
Swansea City  v  Derby 19.45
 
Saturday 21st November 2009  
Barnsley  v  Cardiff City 15.00
 
Coventry  v  C.Palace 15.00
 
Doncaster  v  QPR 15.00
 
Ipswich  v  Sheff Weds 17.20
 
Leicester  v  Plymouth 15.00
 
Middlesbrough  v  Nottm Forest 15.00
 
Reading  v  Blackpool 15.00
 
Sheff Utd  v  Peterborough 15.00
 
Watford  v  Scunthorpe 15.00
 
West Brom  v  Bristol City 15.00
 
Monday 23rd November 2009  
Preston NE  v  Newcastle 19.45

TB

NORTH-EAST GIG GUIDE -

FRI 20TH NOV 2009
THE WHOLE HOG The Blacksmith Arms, Gosforth
THE GASLIGHTERS The Red Hackle Jarrow
STILMARILLION £3 The Three Tuns, Sheriffs Highway Gateshead
THE SOURCE The Durham Ox, Coundon
STORM Queens Head, Shildon
THE FALLEN The Pier, Whitby
BEHIND BARS The Keelboat, Washington
HEAVY LOAD Wardley Legion, Gateshead
TERRY GORMAN BEHIND BARS The Keelboat, Washington
LOUNGE LIZARDS Robin Hood, Jarrow 
ROADSTUNNER Wheatsheaf Inn, Chilton
NEW AGE JAM Carville Hotel Carville Road Wallsend Tyne and Wear
BLACK RIVER BAND Ship Inn  Wylam
THE MONOLOGUES The Station, Killingworth
BULLET The Office South Shields
TUBESNAKE Sleepers, East Boldon
THE WHODLUMS The Studio The Studio Hartlepool 
THE STROBES Eauzone Cafe Bar, Norfolk Street, Sunderland
SOUL REBELS The Cleveland Redcar
THE FORCE The Masons Arms, Plessey Road, Blyth
BEEBLEFISH The Royal Tavern, Blyth
RIOT The Black Bull Wardley
THE DUSTY TOOLS Lord Nelson Jarrow
SHOOTER The Daisy Hill  Sacriston
THE BEER MONKEYS The Clarendon, Redcar
THE CHEVRONS  The Normanby, Normanby Road, Normanby
LOUNGE LIZARDS Robin Hood, Jarrow 
THE PANTHERS The Duke Of Cumberland, Sunderland Road, Felling
KNEEJERK REACTION The Black Bull, Bridge Street, Morpeth
DAKOTA The Garricks Head, Salutation Rd, North Shields
WITCHKRAFT Heart Of Oak, Oakerside Road Peterlee
POOR BOYS Magnesia Bank Camden Street North Shields 
PHIL CAISLEYS DIRTY DOGZ Block & Tackle Ploverfield  Way Ashington
FRANKIES CAFE Falcon Eastwood Terrace Prudhoe
FM Fat Ox Whitley Road Whitley Bay
ATHENAS CHILD O'Neills Neville Street Newcastle
JEN STEVENS & THE HICCUPS Poachers Cottage Armstrong Road Callerton Newcastle
STEVE DAGGETT Smugglers Bar Marine Walk Roker Sunderland
SHANGHAI Star Inn Westgate Road Newcastle
YANI LIVE ONCE TJ Doyles Hanover Place Sunderland
TUBESNAKE Sleepers, Station Approach, East Boldon
GRAHAM RUSSELL The Hastings Arms, Seaton Deleval
BECKETT Steels Social Club, Sunderland
ALEXANDRA PALACE £2.50 Houghton Buffs Houghton le Spring
WATERSHED The Lord Clyde, South Shields
ACOUSTIC MAGIC CLEAR BLUE SKIES The Black SwanShields Road Stobhill, Morpeth
THE GREEN ROOM The Guide Post, Ryhope
BULLET The Office South Shields
BAZOOKA JOE The Ox and Plough Washington
THE SHEIKS Annie McArthys, South Shields
JOHN HEDLEY & KELLY MCNALLY The Sour Grapes Newgate Street Morpeth
DAMASCUS The Priory (was Percy Arms) Front Street, Tynemouth
DAVE RIDLEY & HELEN CLEARY Milbourne Arms, Holywell, Whitley Bay
EMERALD THIEVES charity Event Easington District Huntington’s Disease Association (HDA) Easington Colliery Club

SAT 21ST NOV 2009
BORDERLAND Nikhs Bar, 11-13 Stanley Street, Blyth, Northumberland 
FREEWAY The Three Tuns, Sheriffs Highway Gateshead
TUMBLIN DICE The Phoenix Cramlington 
SPARTAN The Northumberland Hussar, Heaton, Newcastle
THE FIBBERS Smugglers Bar Marine Walk Roker Sunderland
THE DUSTY TOOLS Sleepers. Station Approach, Boldon
HEAVY LOAD The Lambton Hounds Inn, Pity Me, Co. Durham
KONCEPT Cricket Club , Sacriston.
THE GASLIGHTERS The Elmfield Social Club  Hebburn
BLACK RIVER BAND Red Lion  Ouston, Chester-le-Street
THE SOPRANOS The Sandancer, South Shields
THE KICKS The Angel, Durham
TERRY GORMAN Hetton Community Centre, Hetton Le Hole
AVATAR Bubbles, Ashington
KRISIS The Durham Ox, Counden
THE MONOLOGUES The Royalty, Sunderland
THE INVASION Harry's Bar, Thornley
THE HAPPY CATS Forest Hall Ex-Servicemen’s Club NE12 
BULLET The Vane Silksworth 
THE PAUL RODGERS STORY The Grand Bishop Auckland
THE STROBES The Fox & Hounds, Main Street, Ryton
REQUIEM The Midian
SOUL REBELS The Albert, Scarborough
POWERAGE £6 Crook Town FC
THE BEER MONKEYS Blackhall WMC
THE PERSUADERS The Park, 406 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough
ARENA Acklam Iron & Steelworks Club, Middlesbrough
COVERED TRACKS The Plough Killingworth
JD The Duke of Albany Albany Village Washington
CRUSH The Stone Bridge Durham
RUSS TIPPINS The Holborn Rose & Crown, S. Shields
FREEZE SUCKER The Borough, Vine Place, Sunderland
WITCHKRAFT The Turbina Sid Chaplin Drive, Newton Aycliffe
BLUES DELUX Magnesia Bank Camden Street North Shields 
THE NOTE Pelaw Inn, Gateshead
THE HI.FI SPITFIRES  The Duke Of Cumberland, Felling
ANGELS OF HARLEM Castles pub Durham, claypath bank, ( formerley shamrox ) 
FREE & COMPANY Black Bull Whitley Road Benton Newcastle
RELOAD Dudley Social Club Western Terrace Dudley 
SOMEBODY ELSES OMELETTE Earl Grey High Street Gosforth
THE ALLEYCATS Fat Ox Whitley Road Whitley Bay
ED WESLEYS ELVIS TRIBUTE Jolly Steward Fulwell Avenue South Shields
FM Mallard Stockton Road Seaham
POOR BOYS Moorhouse Front Street Seaton Burn
THE LONGSANDS O'Neills Neville Street Newcastle
NEW AGE JAM Park Lane Park Lane Gateshead
MISS KITTY XMAS SHOW Rose & Crown North Street Winlaton
DYLANESQUE Star Inn Westgate Road Newcastle
BREATHING SPACE 7 P.M cc Studio Tower Street Hartlepool
THE RATTLERS TJ Doyles Hanover Place Sunderland
PHIL CAISLEYS DIRTY DOGZ Travellers Rest The Leazes Burnopfield
GRUMPY OLD MEN Whitburn Lodge Mill Lane Whitburn Sunderland
KRISIS Coundon WMC, Crescent View Bishop Auckland
STICKY FINGERS The Wheatchief Roker Avenue, Sunderland
GRAHAM RUSSELL  The Fir Tree, Wingate
OLD CODGER The Brittania Houghton le Spring
MCADAMSTOREY The Spreadeagle, North Shields
BORDERLAND Nikhs Bar, 11-13 Stanley Street, Blyth, Northumberland 
RIOT Steels Social Club, Sunderland
CITIZENS ERASED Royal Tavern, Blyth 
FRANKIES CAFE Sutherlands, Stone St., Windy Nook
GADJI Lemington Labour Club, Newcastle
RAZOR SHARP The Old Tannery, Hexham
JO JAMES BAND The George, Seaham
ROCKIN ZIMMERS The Lord Clyde, South Shields
LAST MINUTE Dr Browns Middlesbrough
ACOUSTIC MAGIC CLEAR BLUE SKIES The Village Inn Easington village, peterlee
TIGER FEET cc Easington Colliery Club, Seaside Lane
REET HOT CHILLI PEPPERS The Office South Shields 
FAST EDDIE MILLER Billingham Catholic Club.
ANDREW KERRY SOUL COLLECTION
£2.50 Doors open 6-30pm Stella Washington
MIDNITE BEAR Blackhall WMC
BIG RIVER The Garricks Head North Shields
SOMETHING REAL The Brandling Villa, South Gosforth 
BAD REPUTATION cc Peterlee Catholic Club, Peterlee
KNEE JERK REACTION The Board Inn Stella Blaydon

SUN 22ND NOV 2009
BEEBLEFISH Royal Tavern, Blyth
THE ROGUES The Crown, Brotton.
BLACK RIVER BAND Duke of Wellington  Kenton
THE SOUL REBELS The Three Tuns, Sheriffs Highway Gateshead
BUSKERS NIGHT 3- 6 p.m Pearl Bar, Best Western Grand Hotel  Hartlepool 
ROADSTUNNER Bensham Jockey, Gateshead
ACOUSTIC BUSKERS NIGHT  The Duke of Cumberland,  Sunderland Road Felling,
MORE TEA VICAR The Copt Hill, Houghton le Spring
SMALL WONDERS The Normanby, Normanby Road, Normanby
ACOUSTIC BUSKERS The Block and Tackle  Ashington
ACOUSTIC BEATLES Poachers Cottage Callerton
GLADSTONE The Sour Grapes, 86 Newgate Street, Morpeth, Northumberland
HIGH & DRY Marquis of Granby, Sunniside,
THE SOURCE (unplugged) 5.30 p.m The Cottage in Cleadon Village 
SKUNK ANANSIE £15 Barrowlands Ballroom, Sauciehall Street, Glasgow
THE SOURCE unplugged The Cottage, Cleadon
SUNDOWN The New Tavern, Concord, Washington
SWING FEVER 4 P.M Magnesia Bank Camden Street North Shields 
THE NOTE The Wheatsheaf, Roker
THE ARRIVAL 6 p.m Bensham Jockey Bensham Road Gateshead
THE REPLICAS 6 p.m Rose & Crown North Street Winlaton
THE RATTLERS ACOUSTIC 4 p.m Smugglers Bar Marine Walk Roker Sunderland
LAST MINUTE 4 p.m Star Inn Westgate Road Newcastle
MUSICIANS UNLIMITED noon cc Studio Tower Street Hartlepool
FOUR WORRIED MEN Whitburn Lodge Mill Lane Whitburn Sunderland
ACOUSTIC BUSKERS 5p.m The Alexandra , Queen Alexandra Road , Sunderland 
GRAHAM RUSSELL The Times Inn, Seaham
ELENBAK The lambton Arms Hotel, chester-le-street.
GADJI (4pm-6pm) Speadeagle Pub, Preston, North Shields
THE POOR BOYS 4 p.m. The White Swan, Morpeth
JO JAMES BAND The Clock, Hebburn
LAST MINUTE 4-6p.m The Star Inn, Westgate Road, Newcastle
ACOUSTIC MAGIC CLEAR BLUE SKIES 2 P.M Pegswood Social Club Pegswood, pegswood Northumberland,
101 The Golden Fleece Silksworth, Sunderland
SUN DEVILS+ FRIENDS 
Charity Gig In Memory Of Kenny Hopps £5    6 p,m The Office South Shields
BUSKERS  NIGHT The Golden Lion Spa Well Lane Winlaton Mill Blaydon
ACOUSTIC BUSKERS NIGHT Borough Arms Gateshead
GLADSTONE The Sour Grapes Newgate Street Morpeth
DAVE RIDLEY & HELEN CLEARY Paddywhacks, Green Terrace, Sunderland

NU2

DEEPDALE - PRESTON NORTH END

How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave M6 at Junction 31 and follow signs Left for Preston. Go up a steep hill (often a police speed trap on the hill, so stick to 30) and  follow the road down to a mini roundabout (speed camera by the BP garage on the left). At the roundabout with the Hesketh Arms turn right into Blackpool Road. Go straight on over three sets of lights and just before a fourth set, the ground appears set slightly back on the left. Parking is mainly in the streets surrounding the ground.

Mike Holroyd adds; 'as you turn right at the Hesketh Arms roundabout into Blackpool Road and then pass a park on the left there is now another speed camera to watch out for. The Police also sometimes set up another mobile speed trap on the forecourt of the fire station on the left, so watch your speed. Plus as you near the ground don't be tempted to park up on the grass verges, you are likely to find after the game that you have been given a ticket for it!' Steve Thornley informs me; 'Parking for cars is available for ?3 a car at Moorfields Special School. The car park is manned by volunteers from the school and all proceeds go into school funds. Just follow the directions above and at the last set of traffic lights continue straight on for about 200 yards, and you will see the school on the left near Moor Park'.

Kate Abbatt suggests; 'If you want to avoid the pre and post-match traffic, here's a handy tip to
avoid it. Instead of leaving the M6 at Junction 31, carry on to Junction 31a signposted, Preston East and Longridge. (This is a limited junction as you can only leave northbound and join southbound.) Keep in the right hand lane and go across the roundabout signposted Preston east, football ground and museum. Across the next roundabout (Anderton Arms on your right) and then left at the next one. At the next lights, go right onto Watling Street. You will go past the White Hart and a row of shops. At next lights by Fulwood Barracks, keep in the left hand lane. You can either park in Sumners, (turn left straight after the lights) or follow the road up to the big junction at Blackpool Road and the ground is on your left and take your chances with on-street parking. Sumners is better as you are the right side of the ground to get away quick after the game. Blackpool Road gets badly snarled up after games and the lights don't help it'.

 
By Train
Preston station is around a mile and a half from the ground and takes around twenty five minutes to walk, although you will pass some good pubs on the way. Leave the Preston railway station via the main entrance, and head right at the top of the drive. This is the main High Street. Continue along the High Street, passing all the regular big name shops. Some good pubs and eateries can be found down side streets off the High Street, so if you have time, take a look. Try the Old Black Bull, and Academy, the later being about the last place on the High Street that will allow away supporters before you get to Deepdale. Colours are not recommended around town. The High Street (or Church Street/Fishergate as it's known) is about a mile long, and you will pass a church and a bike shop as you come to its end. Simply carry on walking along this street, and when you reach the ring road, you head straight over the large traffic lights, heading towards Preston Prison. Turn left at the Prison into Church Street, then left into Deepdale Road. Continue straight along Deepdale Road, passing the Tom Finney sports bar, on the left which a home fans only pub, but if you have no colours you may get in. The ground is now another half mile in a straight line along this road on the right. Thanks to Kevin Wrenn for supplying the directions and general information.  

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the modern Bill Shankly Kop at one end of the pitch. Normally the allocation for away fans is approximately half of this stand (3,000 seats) and it is shared with home supporters. However for teams with a large away support, then the whole end can be allocated, raising the allocation to 6,000.

The views of the playing action and facilities within this stand are excellent. The stand is particularly steep, meaning that fans are kept relatively close to the pitch. On the concourse there are TV's by the refreshment serving areas showing the game live and with the bars being open during the game, this is too much of a temptation for some. There is a wide range of food available including bacon rolls, roll over hot dogs, burgers, plus pies from Shire Foods including the Chicken Balti Pie. I particularly enjoyed my last visit as the fans, stewards and even police all seemed to be fairly friendly and there was a good atmosphere being generated within the ground.  
 
Where To Drink?
The closest pub to the ground is the Tom Finney Bar, which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Generally it is a home supporters pub, but small numbers of away fans without colours shouldn't have any problems. Mick Hubbard adds; 'We settled on the unpromising Finney?s Sports Bar which was surprisingly quiet given its close proximity to the ground, it has Sky Sports TV, and name dedicated to Preston?s finest. In truth, it wasn?t great but we were able to get served quickly and enjoy a pint outside in the autumn sunshine'.

Further up Tom Finney Way (which used to be called Deepdale Road) from the ground, is Sumners, whilst across the road is the Royal Garrison pub. Sumners tends to be more friendly, with both home and away supporters mixing freely (although note that away fans are not admitted when there is a local derby). There is a good sized beer garden & car park at the pub. The pub does charge for parking (?3) but this can be redeemed against a purchase at the bar. Good food is available and children are allowed in. James Pritchett adds to get to the Sumners; 'Make sure you go towards Sainsburys and away from the Town Centre and it should take five minutes. As you go past Sainsburys turn right at the lights and it is half way up the hill. It should be full, but friendly. The pub welcome a mix of away and home support and are friendly towards families. It serves Theakstons on draught.' Whilst Charlie Guinan a visiting Nottingham Forest fan informs me; 'Sumners was good for away fans and apart from the beer they served an excellent pie, chips, mushy peas and gravy for only ?3.50.'

Paul Billington adds; 'In all honesty visiting fans should avoid town centre pubs simply because the police will move you on quickly if they see you and most pubs will refuse to serve away fans. If you arrive by train I would recommend the Vic and Station not for the decor but simply convenience.' Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground.