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Ground Name: Memorial Stadium |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground
Like? Uplands Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? DAS Stand (photo) Where To Drink? Bass Terrace (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train Becks (South) Stand (photo) Admission Prices Programme Price Ground Layout Local Rivals Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2007-2008 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Old Eastville Ground Other Places Of Interest Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
| The
club moved to the stadium in 1996 and two years later
bought the ground from the then owners Bristol Rugby Club.
Although the Memorial Ground has seen
some changes since the Football Club took up residence, it still has the
feel of a rugby ground about
it. However that is all about to change as the
Club are embarking on a total re-development of the stadium, which will see
a new ground ready in 2010. The works will mean that from the start of
2008/09 season, the Club will ground share with Cheltenham Town, whilst the
new stadium is being built. On one side is the DAS Stand, which with its pavilion looks more like a cricket stand. It has a row of hospitality boxes across the top, with a few rows of seats in front. Below is an area of terrace. Just under this stand's roof is a television gantry and a small electric scoreboard. The stand runs for about half the length of the pitch and straddles the half way line. On one side of it, towards the Bass End is a small covered terrace, used as a family area, whilst the other side has a small covered area of temporary seating, called the Guinness Stand. Opposite is the Uplands Stand, taller than the DAS Stand, but similar in length. This stand has covered seating to its rear and terracing at the front. It has open terracing to either side, one of which is given to away supporters. The team dug outs are located in front of this stand, although the dressing rooms are located behind the DAS Stand. This leads to quite a procession of players and officials at half time and full time. Opposite is the unusual looking Becks (South) Stand. This was originally erected as a temporary stand, to fill the previously empty end. It has now been opened for a few seasons, although it still looks, with its green seats and bright white roof, more suitable for an outdoor show jumping competition than a football ground. The stand only runs for just over half the width of the pitch, has several supporting pillars running across the front and has been nicknamed 'the tent' by Rovers fans. The ground is shared with Bristol Shoguns Rugby Club. |
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The Club have received planning permission to re-develop the Memorial Ground, into a 18,500 capacity stadium. The scheme will involve completely re-building the ground, moving the pitch in an eastward direction and incorporating residential accommodation around the outside of the stadium. Tony Hughes adds; 'Work will commence on the building of the new stadium at the end of this season. The extent of the works will mean that the Club will need to ground share with Cheltenham Town for around 18 months, before returning to the new Memorial Stadium in 2010'. |
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| Uplands Stand | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away supporters are housed in an open terrace
on one side of the Uplands Stand. This area is open to the
elements so you might get wet
if it rains. The open terrace makes
it
difficult for away fans to really generate some noise. Up to 1,100 away
supporters can be accommodated in this area. If the
weather is poor then it may be a better bet to head for one of the seats
that are made available to away fans in the XXXX South Stand at one end of
the ground. I must recommend the huge
Cornish pasties (£2) that are sold at the ground, huge and tasty,
plus they
even do vegetarian ones which makes a change. Also on
offer are a range of pies including the
delicious
'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie'.
I did not experience any
problems on my visits, however I noted that the Rovers fans seemed to
tolerate away fans rather than being over friendly. They
can still do a good rendition of their club anthem 'Goodnight Irene',
when the occasion stirs. I found it quite amusing that the Rovers fans are nicknamed gasheads. Nick Wootten of Bristol informed me that this term comes from where the old Eastville stadium in Bristol was sited. Next to a (sometimes smelly) gas works! In fact it was rumoured that if Rovers were losing at half time, the gas would be turned up, to put off the opposition! |
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| Where To Drink? | |
| Pete Stump recommends; 'The Victoria pub on the Gloucester Road (five minutes walk from the ground) which usually has a comfortable mix of home and away fans - unfortunately it's not that big and does get busy'. Rhys Gwynllyw a visiting Wrexham supporter recommends the Annexe Inn next to the Sportsmans Arms. 'The Annexe Pub is friendly has previously been listed in the Good Beer Guide. Last time I was there it had seven real ales on tap. I had no hassle at all in my Wrexham top'. Steve Pugh adds; 'The Annexe Inn is in Nevil Road, which is about ten minutes walk from the ground. You can find it by following the signs for the County Cricket Ground'. Otherwise there is a bar behind the clubhouse terrace that allows away supporters in. I have been informed that 'away fans should avoid the John Cabot pub'. | |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
| Exit M5 at junction 16 (Signposted Filton) and join the
A38 (South) towards Bristol City Centre. The ground is about five miles down the A38. You
will pass the large British Aerospace works and further on, you will pass on your left the
Royal George and Duke Of York pubs. At the next traffic lights, the Memorial Ground is
signposted to the left and is about 100 yards down this road. If you go over the lights
you will see the Wellington pub on your right. There is a fair amount of street parking
around the sides and back of the pub. For a map showing the location of the Memorial Stadium click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. |
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| By Train | |
| The nearest railway station is Filton Abbey Wood, which as Peter Moody informs me; 'is approximately 1.5 miles or 20-25 minutes walk away from the ground'. More likely though you will end up at Bristol Parkway which is about two miles away from the ground and is really too far to walk from, so you are probably best to jump in a taxi or buses 73 & 74 run from the station past the stadium. | |
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Thanks to Tim Bays of the BRFC 1883, unofficial Rovers site for providing the photo above. |
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| Admission Prices | |
| Home Fans* DAS Stand (Seating): Adults £23, Concessions £17.50 DAS Stand (Terrace): Adults £17, Concessions £9 Uplands Stand (Seating): Adults £21, Concessions £12.50 Uplands Stand (Terrace): Adults £15, Concessions £8 Family Terrace: Adults £15, Over 65's £8, Under 16's £5 Guinness Stand (Seating): Adults £18, Concessions £10 Becks South Stand (Seated): Adults £18, Concessions £10 Bass Terrace End: Adults £15, Concessions £8 Away Fans* Uplands Stand (Terrace): Adults £15, Concessions £8 Becks South Stand (Seated): Adults £18, Concessions £10 * The above prices quoted are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets purchased on matchday cost £2 more per ticket. |
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| Programme Price | |
| Official Programme: £2.50. | |
| Ground Layout | |
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| Local Rivals | |
| Bristol City, Swindon Town, Cheltenham Town & Cardiff City. | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. | |
| Fixtures 2007-2008 | |
| For the Bristol Rovers fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
| At The Memorial Stadium: 12,011 v West Bromwich Albion, FA Cup 6th Round, February 9th, 2008. At Eastville; 38,472 v Preston North End, FA Cup 4th Round, January 30th, 1960. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 5,480 (League Two) 2005-2006: 5,989 (League Two) 2004-2005: 7,077 (League Two) |
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| Fans Reviews Of The Memorial Ground | |
| Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 24/4/01 | |
| Old Eastville Ground | |
| To see photos of Bristol Rovers former Eastville ground then click here to take you to the Old Grounds & Stands Section of the Guide. | |
| Other Places Of Interest | |
| If you're into historical ships then the first steam ship the SS Great Britain is moored at the historic dockyards. The area around the docks is quite pleasant with some good pubs. If arriving by train you can get a ferry boat to the dock yards from Temple Meads station. | |
| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Bristol Rovers page click here. | |
| Feedback | |
| If anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please e-mail me and I'll
update
the guide. |
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