HUDDERSFIELD TOWN v NEWCASTLE UNITED
DIRECTIONS AND CAR PARKING
The John Smiths' Stadium is located just off the A62 Leeds Road. It can be easiest reached from Junction 25 of the M62. Simply follow the signs for Huddersfield (A62) and you will reach the stadium over on your left.
If approaching from the South, then leave the M1 at Junction 38 and take the A637 towards and then the A642 into Huddersfield. As you approach the town centre try to keep to the right hand lane as you will turn right at the roundabout and onto the A62 Leeds Road. The stadium is a short distance down this road on the right.
Alternatively if coming up from the South and looking for somewhere to park then along St Andrews Road there are a number of small businesses that offer parking for around £5. To find these, then aa you approach the town centre you will pass a Lidl store on your left. Go through the next lights and after passing a KFC and Iceland shop on your right, move over to the right hand lane and then turn right at the next set of traffic lights into St Andrews Road. Keep straight along this road and you will soon see the stadium over on your right.
There is also a fair sized car park located at the ground which costs £6.
The John Smith's Stadium is generally well signposted around Huddersfield town centre.
Post Code for SAT NAV: HD1 6PX
BY TRAIN
The John Smith's Stadium is walkable from Huddersfield Railway Station, it should take no more than 15 minutes at a comfortable pace. After coming out of the Railway Station, turn down past the front of The George Hotel. Go straight over the crossroads into Northumberland Street and walk down across the Ring Road straight on into Leeds Road. Turn right down Gasworks Street. Straight over the crossroads to the ground.
PUBS FOR AWAY FANS
John Ellis a visiting Leicester City fan recommends the Gas Club on Gasworks Street, about five to ten minute walk from the Stadium. 'On our visit there was a good mix of home and away fans. The Club does charge a £1 entry fee, but both the drinks and food were reasonably priced. You can also park in their car park at a cost of £3'. Please note that after the game the Club reverts to a 'home fans only' bar.
Tim Oscroft informs me; 'The Head of Steam pub at the railway station is pretty good and serves food too'. Also near to the railway station is the Cherry Tree pub. This Wetherspoons outlet is located on John William Street and is popular with away fans. Otherwise if you like your real ale, then Huddersfield has a number of entries in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Those in the town centre closest to the ground include; The King's Head (very near to the Head of Steam), The Sportsman on St John's Road, the Vulcan in St Peter's Street and Slubbers Arms on Halifax Old Road.
There is also a cinema and entertainment complex behind the North Stand, which also contains the Rope Walk pub. Craig Murray a visiting AFC Bournemouth fan adds; 'We went for a pre-match pint at the Rope Walk. Inside it was a mixture of home and away fans and the locals were very friendly and happy to chat about footy. We were also very impressed by the pub`s queuing system! Basically a straight line queue and 4 staff working flat out, which meant it moved quite quickly.'
Alcohol is also made available to away fans inside the stadium, including of course John Smith's! (£3.50 a pint), Fosters (£3.50 a pint), Bulmers Cider (330ml bottle £3.50), Bulmers Red (330ml bottle £3.50), Fosters (330ml bottle £3.10), Red or White Wine (187ml bottle £3.70).
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR VISITING SUPPORTERS?
Away fans are located at one end of the ground in the Chadwick Lawrence (South) Stand, where up to 4,000 supporters can be accommodated. The facilities in this stand and the view of the playing action are both good. The acoustics of the stand are good also, meaning that a relative small number of fans can really make some noise. There is also a Ladbrokes outlet and a bar serving alcoholic drinks at the back of the stand, which remains open during the first half and half time. I have enjoyed my visits to the John Smith's Stadium, I have always been thoroughly impressed with the stadium and the general set-up.
Food on offer inside the stadium, includes; Cheeseburgers (£3.50), Hamburgers (£3.20), Hot Dogs (£3.20), Peppered Steak Pie (£3.50), Meat and Potato Pie (£3), Chicken Balti Pie (£3), Cheese and Onion Pie (£3) and Sausage Rolls (£3)