GD's Sunderland Ground Guide

02 January 2002

[ Thanks to Simon Wright of Grorty Dick for letting us publish the following article, which was too late for their current issue, and won't be much use for the next one as it comes out on the day of the match and wouldn't drop through the letterbox until after most people had left home... ]

Sunderland: FA Cup Round 3 (January 5th 2002 - 12.30pm kick off)

compiled by Simon Wright with help from Stephen Pike

WOT ABOUT THE DRAW, THEN?

This draw didn't initially have much appeal, longing as I do for an FA Cup draw we can actually win. Admittedly, Albion didn't have much chance of a bye but that apart, our FA Cup non-progress is an unfunny joke for a club who are historically a Cup side.

I've mellowed considerably since then. My concerns about normal Premier league prices thankfully weren't realised. The Black Cats found FA Cup gates last season running at 25% less than League attendances so they've responded with less-than-than-half-price tempting prices. Tickets, as we all know, were £10 adults and £5 concessions (normally £23 and £17).

GROUND STUFF

Another plus - The Stadium of Light is an exciting stadium. It looks the part and sounds the part. This is one class place and it's still growing. the 48,000 capacity will increase to 55,000 by 2003 to coincide with the opening of a Metro link and if that isn't enough, there's room for even more expansion. We have most if not all of the Metro FM stand behind one goal. Doesn't seem to be enough. But the case for and against are well aired now.

The stadium is allegedly non-smoking and unbelievably non-swearing in the seating areas yet there is a quarter of mile of bars. Oh come on! Who appointed Sunderland as our moral guardians and just where do they draw the line? Lager is £2.20 a pint in the bar, by the way. The pre-match rousing music sets the standard that everyone tries to emulate. Prokoviev's "Romeo and Juliet" followed by Republica's "Ready to Go" is a veritable assault on the eardrums. Maybe it affects the Mackems too because word has it that they are no longer that hot on the vocals front. Despite many visits, I never did hear the Roker Roar.

The Mackems are an amicable bunch and are unlikely to hassle you in the local pubs. With their canny accents, one feels instinctively drawn to them. A Mackem, by the way is simply a resident of the city of Sunderland and no insult is intended. The term is a derivation of the phrase "Mak' em and "Tak' em" , a World War 2 expression when Wearside shipbuilders were asked to help build ships on the Tyne. The Geordies resented this, fearing the incomers would "Mak" the ships and "Tak" away their jobs.

WHERE TO DRINK - EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER

Aye, local pubs. We fondly imagine our crowds are healthy leading to inevitable queuing in local pubs. In Sunderland, every match day resembles the first day of Christmas sales. Getting served is an art form here. The nearest is the Colliery Tavern in Southwick Road which faces the SoL (Stadium of Light). It's a small place and resembles a rugby scrum. A separate can bar only eases the pressure slightly. Officially no away supporters here so unless your Wearside accent is impressive look elsewhere. Also within 5 minutes walk is the Halfway House at 133 Southwick Road. This Scottish & Newcastle house is easy for away supporters not familiar with the area to miss. The bar service is renowned for its speed due to the sheer number of bar staff on duty. Doesn't guarantee you'll be able to lower your arm sufficiently afterwards to drink but...

Otherwise, there are three main other drinking areas. Upon leaving the A19 for the A1231, the Wessington is a Whitbread / Brewsters pub almost immediately on your left. It's open all day and is very family friendly. Daz Ward, he of Ultras fame, will be drinking in there on Saturday night and would welcome other Baggie people to join him and his Mackem mates. This is quite a handy pub for the park and ride scheme (see separate info).

Or the pubs around Roker remain popular. To reach this area, carry straight on at the big roundabout just past the SoL and you'll be in Roker Avenue heading towards the sea front. Obviously, Roker Park itself is a housing estate now but the pubs continue to do a roaring trade such at the Lion in Roker Avenue and The New Derby in Roker Bath Roads. The SoL is quite a pull from here so leave ample time. I personally used the Grange in Newcastle Rd last time (coming in on from the A19, carry on past the ground and turn left at a big roundabout in Newcastle Road). We were about the only group of Albionites in the pub! Still, friendly enough and the pub includes a small car park for early arrivals. The walk is about 15-20 minutes straight down Newcastle Road so there's not a lot of time pre-match - but post-match?

Finally, the town centre is a possibility, boasting car parks; fine pubs and a railway station about fifteen minutes walk from the ground. Only a possibility though as the less pleasant element sup here. To reach the town centre, turn right at the big roundabout into North Bridge Street and cross the Wear. Turn right on the far bank into St Mary's Way or straight on into Fawcett Street. One of the best-known hostelries is the Weatherspoons house in this street - the William Jameson at 30 Fawcett Street. This is the biggest pub in the city, with room for one thousand, and still manages full capacity both before and after the match. Good craic though, as the Irish might say. Most pubs here admit visitors such as the Wheatsheaf, The Premier Club and The Fort. The SoL is around 10-15 minutes walk away across the bridge. Definite no-go places are the Terminus and Jacksons. Don't ever think about visiting these places.

PUBLICATIONS

Other than the £2 programme, there are many alternatives for your cash. The Wearside Roar is an independent glossy A4 magazine priced at £1.95. A5 and also glossy is the long running fanzine A Love Supreme at £1.80. The latter is massively successful and has their offices close by. They also run away travel and in between ALS, issue another publication Sex and Chocolate at a mere £1.20. ALS has had a downer on WBA ever since the apparent over-loading of the Rainbow Paddock for Sunderland's visit a few years ago. They had a valid complaint but I'm not sure why they felt the need to vilify Albion supporters at the same time. Legion of Light is a club magazine (£3?) - free to season ticket holder apparently. The new Dick is on sale too.

CAR PARKING

Handy car parking is just about non-existent and all exit roads ground to a halt after the game. The Park and Ride scheme on the Enterprise Park is an alternative. It's signposted from the second roundabout on the A1231. The buses run from 90 minutes before kick off and afterwards run until everyone is returned to their cars. Leave plenty of time though because the buses get stuck in the traffic too. Or the car parks in the city centre are worth a go. St Mary's is recommended at 70p per hour.

STAYING OVER?

Anyone seeking accommodation for an overnight stay should visit www.a1tourism.com. Most of the guest houses, hotels etc are on the Roker seafront and assuming they haven't all decamped for a winter stay in Benidorm, prices start at £18 single and £20 double. The SoL is just about walkable from here, depending on how far up the coast you may be. Wrap up warm though- I can guarantee the weather will not be kind.

HOW FAR?

This is our longest away trip of the season (at this point followers of Pompey, Gillingham, Palace and indeed Sunderland themselves chorus, "You call that long? - Hah!). The return trip is just over 400 miles from WBA. The route is now even more straightforward than ever because the M1 has been extended past Leeds to meet the A1, thus bypassing the M18. So it's just a case of getting to the M42 then heading North up the M1 and onto the A1. Exit at the signpost "Teeside A19" and stick with the A19 for 51 miles. Then follow exit signs for Sunderland A1231. Stick with this road and you can't miss the Stadium of Light.

However, Dave Hewitt reckons "From personal experience as I do this trip every couple of weeks or so, it is quicker to take the old route via the M18 and A1 from Doncaster. Saves in the region of 15 minutes, also the road around Meadowhall is always congested going North or South." So take your pick.

Best Website: www.readytogo.net - the pick from a dazzling assortment

Tin Hat Rating: 0/5 - I've never seen any problems there at all

Previous Stories:

  16 December 2001:  Wallwork for Albion?

  11 December 2001:  Sunderland: £10 a ticket

  11 December 2001:  Going down the Kabul road...

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