Ashton Gate - Ground Guide

Now Holloways gone the abuse towards our new manager will be non-existent from the home crowd. Appleton comes across as an inoffensive bloke (playing club career aside) and most will wish him well. Bristol were promoted from the 3rd Division at the same time as us, they nearly made it to the Premiership in that first season but since then they`ve struggled. They`ve signed a lot of our targets, and whilst money doesn`t always bring you success it certainly doesn`t buy you love. That has to be earned, and the hard work in picking up the pieces of the Holloway era starts here.

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
Home to the Robins since 1904 the ground hasn't had a particular healthy life, with the roof of the South Terrace destroyed by gales in 1916, fire which partially destroyed the Old Stand in 1929 and air raids in 1941 which destroyed the entire grandstand. However, recent years has seen the construction of the Dolman Stand in 1970 at a cost of £235,000 and the John Atyeo Stand which replaced the away terrace at a cost of £1.8 million in 1994. The stand took the name of a player who registered 597 League appearances for the club before retiring from football in 1966.

Away fans are sat at one end of the ground in part of the Wedlock Stand, which is shared with home supporters. Room for 2,800 I expect around the 750 mark to travel.

The Club have announced that they are intending to move to a new purpose built stadium, based in Ashton Vale (near to the Park & Ride area just off the A370. This is around half a mile away from Ashton Gate). The Club have purchased the land and have received outline planning permission for a 30,000 all seated stadium, comprised of four separate stands. However, no firm timescales have been announced as to when this development can go ahead. The Club hope to sell the Ashton Gate site to a supermarket chain.

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. The Avon Packet has a mix of both sets of fans as does the Dovegate - a 10minute walk from the ground.
Ale is not on sale inside the ground.

Plod & Stewards
With no history between the two clubs, I expect a low key approach by both.

Fear Factor Rating - 2

A full weeks` worth of training - it certainly is a case of out with the old and in with the new. Injuries are starting to mount, and to crucial players. On the plus side, Holloway left us with over 40+ to choose from. Whilst the manager will be looking to stamp his own mark on our club Saturday sees the ideal opportunity for some new faces to take their opportunity too. Same result as last season will keep everyone happy.

Onwards + Upwards

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