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Ground Name: Blundell
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground
Like? Future Developments Carlsberg & Osmond Stands (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Eat & Drink? Carlsberg & Pontoon Stands (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Ground Layout Admission Prices Programme Price Local Rivals Disabled Facilities Fixtures 2008-2009 Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
| At one side of the
ground is the Carlsberg Stand, which is the tallest stand
and is two tiered and covered. However
this stand only runs half the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line.
Opposite is the old Main Stand, which is small covered
all seated stand and has a large number of supporting pillars running across
the front of it. Part of this stand dates back to 1901, possibly making it
the oldest surviving stand in League football. Both ends are small
covered affairs. Home
fans are located in the Pontoon Stand at one end, away fans at the opposite
end in the Osmond Stand. The
corner between this stand and the Main Stand is also filed, as the stands
are joined at this point. For big games the Club increases the capacity of the
ground by 500 by installing blocks of temporary seating in the open corners
of the ground. (see the green seating areas on the photos below). It is interesting to note that the Pontoon Stand gets it name from the fish docks in Grimsby and as at one time many of the crowd would have worked on 'the pontoon', then it is an apt name. Grimsby fans still identify with their town's fishing heritage, with the chant 'We only sing when we're fishing!' |
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After a lengthy process, the Club have received outline planning permission to build a new stadium at the Great Coates Interchange of the A180 and A1136. The new stadium has a proposed final capacity of 20,100, although initially the first phase of the scheme will see around 12,000 seats being put in place. The stadium will be called the ConocoPhillips Stadium, following a corporate sponsorship scheme. The development, which will cost around £14m, will also include a retail park. Formal time scales have yet to be announced as to when construction will begin, but the Club hope that they will be kicking off in their new home for the start of the 2008/09 season. |
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| Carlsberg & Osmond Stands | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are
located in the Osmond Stand, at one end of the ground, where 2,200 supporters can be
accommodated. One downside of this stand is that there are a number of supporting
pillars which could impede your view of the game. Blundell Park is a rather small
ground and sometimes gets over criticised by visiting fans. But there is
normally always a passionate crowd, which contributes to a good
atmosphere. Remember though to wrap up warm as there can be
a biting wind coming off the North Sea. Tim Porter a visiting Torquay fan informs me; 'In the right-hand corner of the away end there is a small bar (Scottie's Bar) which was really friendly although it has obviously seen better days - a bit like the bars you get at quite small non-league grounds'. Whilst Craig Waites a visiting Bradford City fan adds; 'Across the road from the ground is the Blundell Park hotel which welcomes both home and visiting supporters. Home fans are very friendly both before and after the game. View from the away end is as you would expect from an old stand in the lower leagues but a good atmosphere can be generated. The snack bar is cheap & the service very quick. Visiting fans are free to enjoy their day, stewards are relaxed & won't say too much when you get excited & stand up. All in all a very enjoyable day out, just how football should be'. |
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| Where To Eat & Drink? | |
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Unfortunately the traditional pub for away fans the
Leaking Boot pub has now closed down. This means that there is not much
choice for a pint for away supporters close to the ground. Dave Peasgood
recommends the Blundell Park Hotel, which if you arrive early serves
some good food at reasonable prices (expect to pay around £5 for a good
portion of fish and chips). The Rutland Arms is also recommended for both
home and away fans to mingle, however this is some distance from the ground
and doesn't allow in children. (it is about about half a mile before
Blundell park, turn left at Ramsdens superstore and left again, and you'll
see the pub at the opposite end of their car park. If in coaches, then from
where you will be parked, head back the way you came, along the sea wall for
5 minutes and you'll see the pub). There area also a
number of pubs along Cleethorpes sea front but this is around a 20 minute
away. The Imperial pub by the ground is not recommended for away
fans. If you do venture into Cleethorpes or arrive by train at Cleethorpes Station, then situated on the Station Approach is the 'Number 2 Refreshment Room' which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. A bit further into the town centre just off the front on Highcliff Road is Willy's Bar which is also featured in the Guide and even brews its own beer. The Fish & Chips in Cleethorpes are legendary and there are some good outlets located near to the ground. Josh's fish and chip shop near to the closed Leaking Boot pub comes recommended. There is also a McDonalds situated right by Blundell Park. |
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| Carlsberg & Pontoon Stands | |
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| How To Get There And Where To Park | |
| First thing to remember is that the ground is not actually
in Grimsby, but the neighbouring town of Cleethorpes. The ground is on the
A180 which runs between Grimsby & Cleethorpes. Cleethorpes is well signposted from
Grimsby town centre. There is no car park at the ground, therefore only street parking. As you drive along the A180 towards the ground, the home end appears first, then after the McDonalds is the away end. From there, continue towards Cleethorpes and try any of the side streets to the left or preferably the right and you should find a parking spot okay. For a map showing the location of the ground 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 | |
| Cleethorpes railway station is about a mile from the ground and takes around 15-20 minutes to walk. Exit the station and turn right; then turn left onto Station Road. At the end of Station Road turn right onto the High Street. Follow this road down to the roundabout; where you turn right onto the Grimsby road (A180). Continue straight for approximately half a mile and you will see the floodlights of the ground on your right. Turn right into Neville Street and then left onto Harrington Street; entrance to the Osmond Stand for away fans is on the left. Thanks to Andy Cowling for providing the directions. | |
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| Admission Prices | |
| Home Fans: Upper Carlsberg - Adults £18, Concessions £12, Under 15's £8 Lower Carlsberg - Adults £16, Concessions £12, Under 15's £8 Pontoon Stand Adults: £16, Concessions £12, Under 15's £8 Main Stand - Adults: £18, Concessions £12, Under 15's £8 Away Fans: Osmond Stand - Adults: £18, Concessions £12, Under 15's £8 Please note that concessions apply to over 65's & under 18's. In addition the unemployed can also qualify for a concessionary rate in the Pontoon Stand. |
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| Programme | |
| Official Programme £2.50. | |
| Local Rivals | |
| Scunthorpe United, Hull City & Lincoln 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 2008-2009 | |
| For the Grimsby Town fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website) | |
| Record & Average Attendance | |
| Record Attendance: 31,651 v Wolverhampton Wanderers, FA Cup 5th Round, February 20th, 1937. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 9,528 v Sunderland, March 13th 1999 Average Attendance: 2007-2008: 4,115 (League Two) 2006-2007: 4,379 (League Two) 2005-2006: 5,151 (League Two) |
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| Fans Reviews Of Blundell Park | |
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John
Gledhill (Darlington) 19/3/05 Alan Davis (Peterborough United) 5/9/03 |
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| 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 Cleethorpes & Grimsby 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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