Heading West on Saturday? Here's what to expect from an away day at Bristol Rovers
Tickets
822 tickets had been sold by the time they went off sale on Thursday afternoon. Seated tickets are sold out, but 300 remaining terrace tickets will be available from the ground on the day priced:
Adults: £18
U22s: £14
Over 65s: £10
Under 16s: £10
Turnstiles
What was initially a temporary move to get The Gas back into Bristol does seem to have more than a degree of permanence for now, although infinitely better than their previous tenancy.
The Memorial Stadium was designed as a rugby ground and, despite a significant number of tweaks, does retain that air about it, probably epitomised by the main west stand which is the focal point of it, quite a curious structure. Our seated accommodation behind the goal is not so much a structure, more of a temporary, yet now permanent, fixture again as it is, ironically at Masters weekend, more of a golf course facility, but it does have cover, albeit of a marquee variety.
There are a couple of supporting pillars and the leg room isn't brilliant, but if it means a bigger away allocation then it's no bad thing. Meanwhile, on the terrace, this is on the side of the pitch in the south-east corner of the ground beside the Uplands Stand opposite the intriguing one, though we all enter via the same turnstiles. If you are making your way to the seats, turn left and walk through the terrace when your tickets are then checked at the gate and in you go.
The terrace itself is uncovered, pretty crush barrier free and the view is not too bad at all although no doubt it will be a little cosy.
It's a little shallow and, in fact, the view is probably a bit better the nearer you are to the corner flag as the adjacent stand can get in the way a bit. That said, terrace types get to use the loos in there, whilst looking on wistfully as the home fans enjoy refreshments under cover - please be kind weatherman.
Food and Refreshments
As alluded, it is a dry ground for away fans, but the small tea bar-esque hut at the rear of the terrace is quite quaint, friendly and you can't complain about what's on offer at all - open throughout the game as well so this should hopefully alleviate queues at half-time as it is in full view of the pitch. There are also catering facilities behind the seats, along with a few outlets outside the ground. The best chippie is probably along Gloucester Road and although it may initially seem you are in the middle of nowhere, plenty of takeaways and a couple of cafes are within quite easy walking distance.
In terms of liquid refreshments, there are a few to choose from, though anywhere that says home only means just that. The Annexe Inn on the corner of Nevil and Seymour Roads is pretty sound, ditto the nearby Sportsman. The Bristol Fryer on Gloucester Road is nice, whilst the best shout within immediate proximity is The Wellington on the same thoroughfare. In the City Centre, the area around the old docks is cracking, whilst JD now has a presence inside Temple Meads Station.
Travel
Relatively simple though the traffic can build up at the last leg of the journey. The Post Code is BS7 0BF, take the M5 to Junction 16 then join the A38 towards Bristol city centre. Basically keep going until you see The Wellington pub, then the ground is a left turn just after this on Filton Avenue. There's no parking at the ground but plenty of street parking, primarily on Muller Road or Gloucester Road, with further options adjacent to The Wellington.
Trains are easy enough from London Paddington, but it can get a bit fiddly after that. The first option is to disembark at Bristol Parkway, where there is not a lot, then either take bus 73, 73A or 73B to the ground, around a twenty minute trip or so. Alternatively, carry on to Bristol Temple Meads, which offers a few more alternatives. There is a station about a 20/25 minute walk away, namely Filton Abbey Wood and regular services run from Temple Meads, particularly between 11.30 and 1.30 and only take about 10 minutes, it's just the trundle after. Similarly, post match bit of a stroll but there are trains at 17.43, 18.10, 18.16, 18.28 and 18.43 which have a short journey time. Buses also run from here, numbers 70, 71, 72 and 73 take about half an hour. Or you could club together, take a cab and get the driver's mobile!