Ashton Gate - Bristol City

Ashton Gate - Bristol City
By SeasideEssexXile

No doubt the only people chuffed that we get to play Bristol on a Tuesday night are Mr + Mrs H & the kids. The manager will get to see them midweek as he continues his long commute between his home and his new found love in tangerine. That said and, as Bristolian as he is, Holloway is a gas head through and through and the red half of the city will no doubt add that thought to their gesticulations towards him. What a time to be a pool fan though. Our highest league position in over 30 years, attractive attacking, dare I say flowing, football is our current game and we should fear no-one. This is a tough trip and with a small squad full of injuries the international break can`t come quick enough for the manager + players, never mind Mrs H.

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 1904the 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.

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, but as with everything it's all apparently down to the 2018 bid. With a capacity of 21,500+ we'll be sat behind the goal in part of the Bristol Trade Centre Wedlock Stand there's room for 2,800 away fans here, although due to this being a Tuesday night match I'd expect to see around the 400-500 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. 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. Are you listening Nottingham?

Fear Factor Rating - 2

Tuesday is quickly followed by Saturday and another long hard away game. We want to be the best and we've got to pit ourselves against the best, it's worth remembering that it's only 16months since Brizzle were only 90minutes away from The Premiership. In true Worzel fashion let's hope that come 10pm on Tuesday night we're raising a glass of the cider whilst the oo'ing + arrgh'ing sounds are made as we look towards the top of the table.

Onwards + Upwards