TANNADICE - THE HOME OF THE ARABS ....
What's The Ground Like?
The ground was improved in the 1990's with the construction of two new stands and an extension to the existing Main Stand. One of these is the impressive two tiered George Fox Stand, running along one side of the pitch. This stand has a large lower tier and a smaller top tier. It opened in 1992 and was named after a former Chairman of the Club. On the other side is the Main (South) Stand, which was renamed the Jerry Kerr Stand in 2003, after a former player and manager. As Aidan Hegarty informs me; 'The original Main Stand was opened in 1962 and holds a place in the history of Scottish football grounds in being the first in Scotland to be constructed with a cantilever roof to provide column free viewing'. It is also unusual in that the stand is slightly 'L'-shaped, just extending around the South East corner of the stadium. Niall Wallace adds; 'It was intended at the time that the whole ground would be re-built in a similar manner to the Main Stand, but due to lack of finance it never happened. It is worth noting though that the Club was the first ever to have a glass fronted lounge in the Main Stand for the benefit of sponsors. This was opened in 1971 and overlooked the pitch, something that is now a common sight in grounds across the country today'.
The Main Stand was extended in 1997 so that it now runs the full length of the pitch. The extension replaced what was known as the 'Fair Play Enclosure', so named as it was funded from an award made to the Club from UEFA in 1987. The stand is two tiered and has a strip of perspex running across the back of it, just below the roof to allow more light to reach the pitch. The relatively new extension to the stand can be identified as it has an unusual roof jutting out towards the pitch. At one end of the ground is the West Stand (known affectionately as 'The Shed'), a former terrace with seating now fitted to it. Parts of the original terrace that are no longer used for spectators can be seen on either side of it. There are a couple of supporting pillars in this stand that could hinder your view of the pitch. Opposite is the covered two tiered East Stand, opened in 1994. This was renamed the Eddie Thompson Stand in 2008 after the Club Chairman.
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are normally housed on one side of the Jerry Kerr (Main) Stand at one side of the pitch, where around 1,000 supporters can be accommodated. For old firm games and local derbies, then the whole of this stand plus the West Stand can also be given to the away support, increasing the allocation to around 5,400. George Hobb a visiting Hearts supporter adds; 'the ground can sometimes lack a little atmosphere. Plus try to avoid arriving at the ground early, so that you get to miss that awful club mascot!'. I have also received reports of fans being ejected from the ground for persistently standing during the game, so be on your best behaviour.
Where To Drink?
The Centenary bar near to the ground welcomes both home and away supporters. The bar has two rooms within it, one of which is used for home fans and one for away supporters. George Hobb recommends 'The Clep Bar on Clepington Road. Great pies, friendly bar staff and very reasonable prices. It is only five minutes walk from the ground'.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Follow the A90 through Dundee. Leave the A90 at the junction with the B960 (sign posted 'Football Traffic'/Dundee), and turn right onto Clepington Road (B960). Continue along Clepington Road for one mile where you will reach a roundabout. Go straight across the roundabout and after a short distance you should be able to see some floodlights over beyond the houses on your right. Take the 2nd right into Arklay Street and then right into Tannadice Steet for the ground. Street parking.
By Train
Dundee train station is over two miles away from the ground and is quite a walk away from the ground (25-30mins). Best to jump in a taxi.
Leave the station via the long covered footbridge, take the exit to the right before the walkway enters the Nethergate centre, this exit has steps down to Union Street. Go to the top of Union St & turn right into the High St, after a couple of hundred yards veer left into the pedestrianised Murraygate and proceed to the Wellgate centre. Go via the escalators in the Wellgate centre to the top floor of the centre and exit onto Victoria Road. (If Wellgate is closed, turn left along Panmure Street, right up Meadowside and right onto Victoria Road to rear of Wellgate Shopping Centre).
Here you have two choices, via the Hilltown (Shorter distance but like climbing the north face of the Eiger) or via Dens Road (much longer but far less likely to induce a heart attack).
Option 1 (for those fit enough) cross Victoria Road to the foot of the Hilltown walk up this for approx 1/3 mile (it feels like 3) till you reach the junction of Main St & Strathmartine Road this is easily recognisable by the ornamental clock near the junction. Turn right onto Main St and proceed until you reach the junction with Isla St (Church on the corner opposite the excellent Snug Bar). Turn left into Isla St & you will see the ground directly ahead of you.
Option 2 Turn right onto Victoria Road proceed about 1/4 mile, veer left at the Eagle Mills into Dens Road. Pass Dura Street, Alexander Street and Dens Road Market then right into Arklay Street. Once you reach Tannadice Street you can see the Tannadice ground.
Aidan Hegarty adds; 'when progressing through the Wellgate centre the security staff can get a bit over-zealous on matchdays so hide those team colours at that stage'.
Neil Gellatly adds; 'Alternatively frequent bus services are available from Albert Square.