Sky TV Ready To Put Noose Around Pardew's Neck

Last updated : 10 August 2013 By Footy Mad - Editor

Newcastle United's Capital One Cup second round tie against Morecambe has been selected for live broadcast by Sky Sports.

It goes without saying, Sky fancy an upset and a big story.

The kick-off is 7.45pm on Wednesday, August 28th, but that could change to 8pm if Sky see fit.

The Shrimps knocked out Wolves in the first round.

TRAVEL INFO FOR TOON FANS ...

What's The Globe Arena Like?

After 89 years at Christie Park the Club have moved to a new purpose built stadium. At a cost of around £12m, the Globe Arena (which is named after the company Globe Construction that built the stadium) was opened in 2010. The stadium is dominated by the Peter McGuigan Stand one side. This stand which is named after the current Club Chairman, has a capacity of just under 2,200 seats. This all seated, covered stand, has a box like feel, with a corporate glassed area to the rear. It is though free of supporting pillars and has windshields to either side, essential for a football ground located near the coast.

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?

Away fans are mostly housed in the East Terrace at one end of the ground, where just under 1,400 supporters can be accommodated. In addition the Club also make around 300 seats available in the Peter McGuigan Stand, which is shared with home fans. As you would expect with a new stadium the view of the playing action is good. However the facilities are not that great, more to do with lack of space at the back of the terraced stand, more than anything. They also have separate queues at the refreshment hatch for food and alcohol, which is not great when you want something to eat with your drink and vice versa. However, if you get chance try one of the Club's pies, which are highly acclaimed.

Rob Parker adds; 'I sat with the Rotherham fans in the Peter McGuigan Stand. To gain entrance I had to edge through the tightest turnstile block I’ve ever known, and then proceed down a narrow four-foot wide open alleyway into the stand, passing the entrance to the toilets and the refreshments kiosk, where there was a small scrum of fans around the serving window, which is built into the back of the stand.

One thing of note was the apparent lack of segregation of home and away fans in the Peter McGuigan Stand – despite being sat in adjacent blocks there were no barriers, netting, or even any stewards between the two groups, even the facilities below the stand were shared. The Bay Stand end is large enough for most League Two sides and is happily free of pillars, while the low roof makes it easy to make a decent atmosphere. It is actually raised above pitch level, so you have to walk up some steps to get to it, unlike the slightly larger MBW home end. The overriding impression of the ground is that it’s a modern remake of Christie Park, complete with two covered terraced ends, the larger given to home fans, the open tiny terrace along one side, with the Main Stand dominating the ground. If Morecambe can develop the North Terrace, currently roofless and very open, this will probably be one of the better grounds in the division. Whether they do so remains to be seen'.

Where To Drink?

The closest bar that admits away supporters is on the Regent Leisure Holiday Park. This is situated just a few minutes walk away from the stadium along Westgate (with the stadium entrance behind you, turn right, cross over to the other side of the road and the Regent Park entrance is down on the left). David Foster a visiting Chesterfield fan adds; 'I had a drink across at the Regent Caravan Park. This was fully accessible, offered a decent pint and food, plus had Sky television on a big screen and generally had a good atmosphere.' You can also park at Regent at a cost of £3 per vehicle.

Otherwise if you turn left out of the stadium entrance then around a ten minute walk away (located opposite a Lidl supermarket on Westgate) is the William Mitchell pub, which also shows Sky Sports. If driving to the stadium from the direction of Lancaster you will pass a Toby carvery which offers reasonably priced food.

A better bet (as we are at the seaside after all) is to take a 15 minute walk down to the sea front. With the entrance to the stadium behind you turn right and it is then a straight road up to the promenade. On reaching the sea front (where there are some great views across Morecambe Bay) turn right and you will reach a few more bars, including Davy Jones Locker in the basement of the Clarendon Hotel, as well as a cafe, for those feeling peckish. Continuing to walk along the front for about another five minutes you will reach the Ranch House pub. Good real ale on offer, hot pies at reasonable prices, large screen TV showing Sky Sports and an adjoining small amusement arcade to keep the kids happy, then what more would you want?

If arriving by train then you may care to try a Wetherspoon outlet in the town centre, called the Eric Bartholomew on Euston Road or on the sea front the Station Promenade pub, which also has a Wacky Warehouse for the young children. Anthony Yellop a visiting AFC Wimbledon supporter adds; 'We stumbled upon the Kings Arms which is located right opposite the Eric Morecambe statue. The upstairs has 4 pool tables, 2 darts boards, 3 massive televisions and a table football game. It did a really nice breakfast and had great staff. It was only a £5 cab ride to the ground, a brilliant base camp for larger groups'.

Near to the old Christie Park is the York Hotel, which was popular with away fans visiting the old ground. It lays on a double decker bus in matchdays to take fans to the new stadium from the hotel. See the York Hotel website for more details. Daniel Pemberton a visiting Lincoln City fan adds; 'I parked at the York Hotel, it was very friendly and did a nice meal. The Hotel lays on a bus (Cost £1) to take you to the ground, however I walked it and only took 10 minutes. Come out the main entrance to the hotel, turn right then immediately right again and follow the road down, you come to a sports and social club "Trimpell" on your left, continue on down past some stables on your right. The alley way brings you out right by the ground'.

There is also the CAMRA listed Smuggler's Den on Poulton Road, which if you have time on your hands is worth a visit. Otherwise alcohol is served inside the stadium in the form of Carling, Guinness, Caffreys & Strongbow.

How To Get There And Where To Park

Exit the M6 at junction 34, then take the A683 towards Lancaster and take the A589 towards Morecambe. Go straight across two roundabouts passing a McDonalds outlet on your left. At the next roundabout (where there is a Toby Carvery) take the first exit into Westgate Road (signposted West Promenade, Sandylands). Continue along this road for about one mile and you will reach the stadium on your right.

Parking at the stadium is for permit holders only so it is a case of finding street parking. If you continue along Westgate passing the stadium on your right, then on the other side of the railway bridge there is plenty of street parking to be had in the side roads on either side.

By Train

Morecambe railway station is around a 25-30 minute walk away from the ground. As you come out of the railway station turn left down Central Drive past Frankie and Benny's, a Morrisons superstore and a KFC outlet and you will reach the sea front. Turn left along the promenade passing the Ranch House pub on your left and then take the 5th left into Regent Road. Proceed straight up Regent Road and continue along into Westgate. You will reach the stadium on your left hand side, just over the railway bridge. Morecambe is served by trains from Lancaster.

David Foster adds; 'From near Morecambe train station you can get a bus number 6 or 6A, from the bus stop located opposite Frankie & Benny's. This drops you right outside the stadium. Coming back there is a bus stop outside the ground, the bus then which goes into town along the sea front and then onto the railway station.'

Paul Legon informs me; 'There is new bus service number 12, that runs from Lancaster Station via the Heysham By-Pass to the Battery on Morecambe sea front. This is a 3 minute walk from the end of Regent Road. It is by far the best bus for supporters arriving at Lancaster station'.

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