FIR PARK - MOTHERWELL
What's Fir Park Like?
The stadium is dominated by the large South Stand at one end. Almost twice the height of the other stands, it is two tiered with a row of executive boxes running across the middle. Opposite, the Davie Cooper Stand, is a small covered seated stand. The single tiered Phil O'Donnell Stand on one side of the ground, is both raised above pitch level and set back from it. This older stand has windshields to either side as well as a few supporting pillars. It is unusual in that the stand itself doesn't run the full length of the pitch, but the supporting steelwork does, making for an odd looking sight. According to Simon Inglis in his book 'The Football Grounds Of Great Britain', this was because it was originally intended in 1962 to build a full length stand but due to a dispute with a an owner of a house beyond the corner of that ground (a dispute which the club lost) it was never completed as intended. This stand was funded chiefly from the sale at that time of Ian St John & Pat Quinn to Liverpool. This did not go down well with the fans as many subsequently boycotted the stand and to this day it is the most sparsely populated section of the ground. Opposite is the smaller East Stand, which also has a number of supporting pillars, running across it.
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the South Stand at one end of the pitch. Normally only the lower tier is opened for away fans, but if demand requires it, then the upper tier can be opened also. Up to 5,000 fans can be accommodated in the two tiers. The view of the playing action from this stand is pretty good, as well as the facilities. David Tennant a visiting St Mirren supporter adds; 'Overall Fir Park is a good day out. The huge away stand was very nice to be in and the atmosphere was alright. No hassle around the ground, but some good banter was had with the home support.'
Where To Drink?
Craig Barry recommends the 'Jack Daniels Bar, which is the closest to the ground. It is popular with both home and away fans, each having their own bar'. Whilst Craig Irving adds; 'The Fir Park Social Club is on same road as the ground and is an extremely friendly boozer. Away fans are normally admitted, although restrictions may be put in place for Old Firm games'.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Leave the M74 at Junction 6 and head towards Motherwell. At the first set of lights that you come to turn right onto the B754 (Airbles Road) towards Wishaw. The ground is at the end of this road on the right. Street parking.
By Train
Airbles station is the closest to the ground, but is only served by a local service. You are more likely to end up instead at Motherwell Central station, which is around a 15 minute walk away from the ground. Alan McAulay adds; 'You exit the train station facing the main shopping street in the direction of the ground; go straight along it through the shopping precinct/centre; past the shopping centre car park, which leads to an underpass; go under the underpass, up the stairs and turn left; go straight on and the large stand gradually comes into view from behind Wilsons Furniture Store. The road 'forks' at this point with away fans, and those going into the old seated terrace going to the left and all other fans to the right. Away fans walking from Motherwell should note, that the road to the away end is a long and winding one (you think you're there when you see the stand, but it takes about another 5 minutes to access it), so should allow plenty of time. There is also a pretty good pub right next to Motherwell Central, but fans should remember to leave on time, the last time I was in Motherwell I missed the first ten minutes!'
WE TELL IT AS IT IS - NO BULLSHIT!
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PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
Motherwell (A) July 16
Rio Ave (A) July 20
Pacos Ferreira (A) July 23
Blackpool (A) July 29
St Mirren (A) July 31
Braga (H) August 10
Only 5% Wanted Pardew - What's The Percentage Now? PLEASE VOTE
Mike Ashley stunned us all ... and I mean ALL ... when he sacked Chris Hughton and brought in Alan Pardew.
Apparently, Ashley knows Pardew from a London casino the pair used to visit, and the former West Ham boss talked his way into the job.
At the time the appointment was made, ourselves (NU-MAD) and the Chronicle held a poll to ask the Newcastle fans if they were happy with the new manager.
Both polls showed only 5% of Toon fans were happy, and if the truth was known, I'd say 3% of those were Mackems gatecrashing the voting!
So ... with Pardew two and half years into the job ... has he turned the voting around? Has he won you over?
We were still in the relegation dog-fight until Swansea won at Wigan a week before the season ended, and there was growing concern after heavy home defeats to Sunderland and Liverpool.
Pardew gave his excuses, saying his squad was "wafer thin and too small to tackle a long season".
Yet on Thursday - having lost Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, James Perch and Dan Gosling on the way to Crystal Palace (FOUR PLAYERS LESS) he said: "I'm not too concerned because we have a big squad".
Confused? We certainly were.
So click the button - PLEASE VOTE.
Is he the man for the job ... or not?
VOTE HERE ....
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