What is The Macron Stadium like?
The stadium was built by Birse Construction and opened in 1997. From the outside it looks simply stunning and can be seen for miles around. The inside is fully enclosed and each stand has a conventional rectangular lower tier, with a semi circular upper tier above. Situated between the two tiers is a row of executive boxes. Above the stands there is a gap between the back of the stands and the roof to allow additional light to reach the pitch. The roofs are topped with diamond shaped floodlights that sit above a striking supporting tubular steel supporting structure. There is large video screen in one corner, situated between the South and Nat Lofthouse Stands. One unusual feature of the ground is that the teams emerge from separate tunnels on either side of the halfway line. What Is It Like For Away Supporters? Away fans are housed in the two tiered South Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 5000 supporters can be accommodated, although the normal allocation is nearer 3000. The lower tier is shared with home supporters, but the upper tier is given entirely to away fans. The leg room and facilities within this stand are good and the atmosphere is boosted in the home end by the presence of a drummer. Inside the stadium: There are proper queuing barriers and exit lanes. One person takes the order and deals with the money, whilst another prepares your order at the same time. Outside the stadium: There is a McDonald's opposite the ground on Middlebrook Retail Park. There is also a KFC, Pizza Hut, Nandos, Chiquito's, Costa Coffee (in the cinema) and a Subway. Less than 5 mins away there is a Tesco and an Asda for any other bits and bobs. With regards to drinking... well, the 3 pubs nearest to the ground are Scott's Bar, Harvester or the Middlebrook Tavern - all 3 are strictly home fans only, bouncers on doors and they ask to see tickets. Away fans are officially accommodated in the Beehive on the 'Beehive Roundabout' (BL6 4BA) click the link for a map for walkers coming on the train (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf...ed=0CAsQ_AUoAg) its about 5/10 mins walk from the ground - no directions to the ground from here are needed, the Reebok Stadium dominates the skyline for miles around, so you just need to head for that! The pub is a 'Brewers Fayre' type place attached to a Premier Inn so serves food as well. Failing that, Barnstormers or the Bromilow Arms on Lostock Lane 'accommodate' away fans but are not designated away pubs - there is a mixture of home and away fans. These are also about 5/10 mins from the ground but in the opposite direction to the Beehive - Lostock Lane is on the map above. If your planning on drinking in Bolton town centre, be warned - most of the pubs will not allow away fans in - not as a 'rule' but just to prevent trouble. If you do, cover up colours and don't go in huge groups. The only pubs I'd recommend staying away from are Yates and the Flying Flute - these are on Bradshawgate and next-door to each other - they tend to be frequented by the more 'hardcore' Bolton fans and as a rule away fans are not allowed in these pubs full stop. There is a great pub called The York that's just outside the train station - its advertised as a 'football fan friendly' pub and accommodates both home and away fans and even gives free chip butties on occasion! The York is a friendly place. The ground is a long way away from Bolton town centre so you will have to be on the train least 1 hour before KO to have any chance of making it on time. A one-way ticket from Bolton to Horwich Parkway is about £3.00, again you don't need directions from the station as Horwich Parkway is the Macron Stadiums 'own' station - its literally on the doorstep. All in all, our fans are a pretty friendly bunch and you should have no trouble. Obviously, every club has its idiots though - hence why I advised to stay away from Yates and the Flying Flute in the town centre. The ground is actually in Lostock - one of the more affluent areas in Bolton. If you're staying over and fancy a few jars, Horwich is a pretty nice place just up the road and is less 'lairy' than Bolton on a Friday night and will cost about 4/5 quid in a taxi from the Beehive/ground. A lot of away fans generally report that the stewards can be a little 'over zealous' - be careful what you say to them... best to keep quiet and tell them to 'eff off' when leaving! There is 125 room hotel located behind the away end of the ground, 19 of which have views of the pitch. Thanks to Reebok Rebel for the Useful Info! |