SeasideEssexXile takes a look around Ashton Gate for any ‘Pool fans making the trip to Bristol City on Saturday.
Ashton Gate – Bristol City
By SeasideEssexXile
We always knew that come February / March with a run of 10 games in a matter of 7 weeks our fate may well have been a long way to being settled or, as in typical hen night out in the town fashion, we would end up going all the way. Unfortunately at present there’s no respite and last weeks gutless display rounded off a hat trick of home defeats. So surely there`s no better time than to go and play the team that’s doing the exact opposite of us. We’ve won one of the last seven in the league whilst City have lost just the one in their last seven.
Hope springs eternal.
How to get there
Join the M55 then the M6 South. Avoid the toll road and at J8 join the M5 signposted the South West. Leave the M5 motorway at junction 18, travel along the Portway (A4) following the signs for Bristol Airport / Taunton (A38). Over the swing bridge (Brunel Way), branching left into Winterstoke Road, and left again at Cruickshanks Mercedes Garage for Ashton Gate. Limited street parking is available.
Sat navvers – BS3 2EJ.
For the Virgin lovers amongst us – Bristol Templemeads station is a 2 mile trek so a joey would be the order of the day.
For those flying via Samm Airways, Bristol International Airport is a 10minute car ride away.
The Ground
It’s years since I’ve been to Ashton Gate. The impression nowadays is that it’s a ground that has had all it’s ever going to have done to it. There’s been talk of the club moving to a new stadium within a couple of years, being a Pool fan how reliable these dates are is anybody’s guess, one things for certain no doubt it could be a million light years away and it’d still be up and used before Bloomfield is ever completed.
Sat behind the goal in part of the Bristol Trade Centre Wedlock Stand there’s room for 2,800 away fans here, although recent performances (despite our decent away record) will see around the 500-600 mark travel to this game.
Where to drink
The Pumphouse & the Nova Scotia by the waterfront in the Cumberland Basin are the favourite haunts for away fans. The Cottage Inn is a freehouse situated in the old docks and has a good reputation. Ale is not on sale inside the ground.
Plod & Stewards
With no history between the two clubs, Oyston’s banning orders are diminishing the last bastions of anyone who dares to stand and shout in the name of the mighty. I expect a low key approach by both.
Fear Factor Rating – 3
Unrest has been in abundance since last weekends efforts. The South, the manager(s), players coming in, you name it and all have been met with sketchy responses from the Chairman. Like London buses, they’re coming we just can`t say exactly when.
As the old song goes – ‘There may be trouble ahead`.
