A Rough Guide To Cambridge United Monday, 22nd Aug 2022 10:30 It is our first ever game against Cambridge United and most travelling Saints fans are glad it is away so they can chalk off another ground from the list, so here is all the info you will need for the trip. The Abbey Stadium is a compact ground with a capacity of 8,127 although its record gate is 14,000 set in 1970 in a friendly against Chelsea. Since their return to the League after a sojourn in the National League for a few years, they have a solid hard core of support of around 4,500 - 5000 fans, last season their first back in the third tier saw them average 5, 668, although this would of course be artificially increased by Pompey's visit where by conservative estimates the away end had 15,000 Pompey fans plus a bell in it. The Stadium. It is a combination of old & new, there is a main stand which was built in 1967, a terrace opposite and behind one goal the traditional home of the Cambridge fans, a small covered terrace. The new luckily for us is a stand built in 2002 and both all seated and covered. The stadium is a little out of town though and a bit of a walk if you are either staying in the City centre or going by train. The Away Section. As mentioned this is a modern stand and also has the advantage of being raised about 8ft from ground level, very similar to the stand at Dagenham & Redbridge for those who went there a decade or so ago. It's total seating capacity is 1,600, although for segregation purposes it is usually restricted to slightly less than that. The entrance to the away section is reached by walking along a path through Coldham Common, which is a field that is used from time to time for grazing. It is said to be a little difficult to locate and poorly lit for evening games. On looking at the ground from the main Newmarket Road the path to the away sections is down the right-hand side of the ground. There are the usual food options, however It doesn't seem to sell beer, although I may be mistaken. Where To Drink There is a supporters club on the ground which allows in away supporters, however it gets busy and the risk is that it is full up by the time you get there. Near to the away turnstiles there is an outdoor fan zone which welcomes all fans (away fans have to show their match ticket to enter). It has a bar facility the ‘Abbey Arms’ that normally has a real ale on offer, plus food outlets. music and entertainment. Otherwise there are few pubs near to the ground, along Newmarket Road going to towards the city centre approximately 1/2 a mile from the ground is the Wrestlers pub, which also offers Thai food. Otherwise it may be in an idea to drink in the centre of Cambridge before the game or enroute. Local Rivals Cambridge and Peterborough haven’t always been playing their games in the same leagues but there is a real rivalry between the teams. This is largely centred on the fact they’re the two biggest clubs in their region; just an hour separates the two cities. Other teams of a similar distance away such as Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Northampton or even Luton all have rivalries of their own, so the Cambridge V Peterborough rivalry is more one of convenience. Getting There. By Car Take the M3 to the M25 and then head towards Heathrow, follow the M25 round to the M11 and then head North on that motorway to Junction 14 and then join the A14 towards Newmarket. Turn off onto the B1047 signposted for Cambridge Airport. Car Parking There is no designated parking available for away fans at the ground. There is some parking to be had on the streets surrounding the stadium and also some off road car parking is available behind the stadium. Indications are that despite the low numbers in attendance after the game traffic can get snarled up, so the advice is to park as far away from the stadium as possible if you want to avoid the jams. By Train The main Cambridge Railway Station is over two miles away, although I suspect that few will go up and down by train on the day due to being unable to get back to London in time to catch the last train to Southampton. If you do go by train then to walk to the ground Leave the station and take the first right hand turn into Tenison Avenue. Just beyond the traffic lights turn right into St. Barnabas Road. Follow this road along over the traffic lights and into Gywdir Road. Go through the traffic barrier and take the first left turn into Norfolk Street. Then take the first right turn just past the newsagents into St. Matthews Street, pass the church and take the 4th right into New Street. Follow all the way along until you reach Coldhams Lane. Head left here and then take the first right onto Newmarket Road, continue along this road for the ground. By Plane Anyone who has seen that annoying EE advert where a plane is landed at Cambridge Airport may be pleased to learn that the Airport is only a short walk from the ground, however using air travel is not recommended, who would want to go on a plane that is landed by a air traffic controller sitting in someone's lounge. As usual if anyone has been to the stadium or indeed Cambridge fans visiting this site have any useful information to add, please do so in the comments section below. Abbey Stadium Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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