TICKETS
526 tickets had been sold by the time they went off sale on Thursday afternoon and will be on sale from the ground on the day with an increase of £5 for adults from the previous price:
Adults: £25
Over 60s: £15
Student: £15
U16s: £10
U11s: £5
TURNSTILES
Valley Parade now goes by the moniker of The Northern Commercials Stadium, although not a great deal else has changed since our last visit. Again, we will be situated in the upper tier of the TL Dallas Stand which sits in glorious isolation behind the goal.
The access route up the stairs to the stand isn't massive so be prepared for that, while locating your seat can prove difficult. The leg room is a bit on the tight side and there are supporting poles. The area behind the stand is pretty much open air so there is no concourse as such. There is also a policy in place where no bags are allowed in the ground "unless absolutely necessary”. That said, in previous visits the stewards are friendly and not heavy-handed at all, indeed all round it's pleasant.
FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS
Bradford has been voted the ‘curry capital’ of the UK for a number of years now and experience says that the less flash the establishment looks, the better.
There are quite a few eateries for all palates on the main Manningham Road and food is available in the ground from a small outlet, although alcohol is not available inside. In the city centre, however, you are spoilt for choice.
Recommended is the City Vaults while The Ginger Goose was nice. Nearest the ground that is away friendly is The Bradford Arms on Manningham Lane, although everywhere is pretty much OK, although the City Gent may be best watched.
Going beyond the ground, however, is the excellent Cartwright Hotel which was first visited out of curiosity, but turned out to be a great find - good value, good food, satellite TV and parking.
TRAVEL
Not too bad a trip, whatever your preferred route. As ever, aim for the M62 to leave at Junction 26 towards Bradford. The Post Code is BD8 7DY.
Join the M606 towards Bradford then take the A6177 (Ring Road East). Keep going on this until the A650, follow the signs to Skipton and Keighley and the ground is well signposted and soon visible from here. If you see a parking spot in sight it may be best to grab it as it is predominantly street parking.
If coming by train, first things first, the weather forecast in the south is not great so be prepared for a potentially disrupted journey into London. Trains primarily run from Kings Cross, either directly to Bradford or via Leeds. Bradford has two stations, Interchange and Forster Square, the latter of which being closest to the ground.
If coming into Interchange, the bus station is next door and there are plenty which run up to Manningham Road near the ground. If you fancy the walk, it's basically a walk across the city centre, then up the hill, aiming for Manningham. From Forster Square, you can see the ground virtually immediately, just go up the hill, you'll come across the City Gent then just basically follow your nose. Trains run from Leeds to Interchange at 8, 20, 35 and 51 minutes past the hour directly, returning at 3, 24, 39 and 54. Forster Square trains from Leeds go at 10 and 40 past the hour, returning at 00 and 31. These are all direct, journey time less than half an hour.