Reebok Ground Guide

For the last trip of the season SeasideEssexXile delivers the goods for this Lancashire Hotpot

The Reebok Stadium – Horwich Wanderers

60 years since the greatest cup final ever. Wouldn`t it be nice to pee on the parade once again of the team who lasted a solitary season beyond our flirtation with the Premier League.
We all started the season brimming with the confidence from last seasons` last gasp miss, it faded like the seats in the North. Will they ever be replaced? Will our hopes be rekindled next season? In Ince we`ve become solid if not spectacular. With our safety secured this will be the last time we`ll see some of the old guard in tangerine, let`s go out with a bang

The Stadium
Bye bye Burden, 1997 saw the opening of the Reebok.

The move was unpopular with many fans. This was partly due to the new stadium being built out-of-town, and partly due to sentimental attachment to the old stadium and its history. In recognition of this, the street on which the ground stands is called Burnden Way.

The lead consultant/architect of the project was Lobb Sports, but the local firm of Bradshaw Gass & Hope acted as planning supervisors and quantity surveyors. The value of the contract was £25 million. The stadium was opened on 1 September 1997 by the Labour Party deputy prime minister John Prescott.

The Reebok Stadium is named for long-time sponsor, Reebok. Again, this was unpopular with many fans, as it was considered impersonal, and that too much emphasis was being placed on financial considerations.

With a 28723 capacity, rarely full but with their season not over, the 32000 tangerines will add some colour and noise to the place.

How To Get There
M55, M6 south. Join the M61 Leave the 61 at junction 6 and take the exit from the sliproad roundabout onto the A6027 Mansell Way. The ground is literally there.

For the sat navvers – BL6 6JW
For the Virgin lovers amongst us – The Reebok Stadium is situated 4 miles west of Bolton town centre. The closest train station is Horwich Parkway, within 400 yards of the ground.

Where To drink
Limited to say the least. There`s no love lost between us I`ll be gobsmacked if they let us drink anywhere near the ground. The Barnstormers is on Lostock Lane. If we`re lucky plod will steer us towards the BeeHive, only 250 yards from the ground. Ale is on sale within the ground, although they have been known not to serve it on the big games.
The Middlebrook retail park has plenty of restaurants but are bouncer led and you`ll do well to get in to one.

Plod & Stewards
Plod will have a decent presence. Stewards are reported as being very hands on. Fear Factor Rating – 5.

For the younger of fans this will simply be another game, for the older of us forget Preston as the rivals for those of us there on that tragic day, Bolton will always be the most disliked of rivals. Never forget.

Onwards + Upwards