Happy birthday to me, Coventry City away on my 24th. Iain Dowie returns to his former club for the first time a week on Saturday.
Ground Name: Ricoh Arena
Capacity: 32 000 (all seated)
Address: Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry, CV6 6GE
Main Telephone No: 0870 421 1987
Ticket Office: 024 7657 8000
By Car:
Off the M6 at Junction 3 and then park up in the first place you see. If you do want to drive to the ground follow the A444 towards the city centre and look for the ground after a mile. If you can't see it see an optician.
Map:
Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.
Parking:
As with all new grounds the parking is an inadequate nightmare. Who would have thought visiting fans want to come by car? Never fear though, Coventry have a 'green travel plan' in place! Well thank goodness for that, never mind making the kick off, how big is your carbon footprint for this trip eh? EH? The 'green travel plan' runs as follows: Are you coming to the game on a bicycle? No? Well you are the spawn of Satan and we wish to have nothing to do with you.
Next the ground there is a Tesco where several friends of mine parked last season, although I'm not sure it's technically allowed so I'm not responsible for any tickets handed out. Failing that if you come off the M6 at junction three then take the first exit at the roundabout, and first exit again you can park in a field that offers a quick get away afterwards at a small price., We've used it last two visits and it was excellent.
There are a number of smaller car parks just off the M6 next to the ground. These all charge a fiver, some are private, some are official.
The people involved with the parking and drinking at the Black Horse got in touch last season. Leisure Ireland, located a few minutes drive away from Junction 3 of the M6, has 200 secure spaces next to the pub and you're straight out onto the M6 afterwards. The cost to park there is £4 per car and to find the car park, follow the 'pink arrow' signs from Junction 3 of the M6. Not sure if that's the case this season.
By Train
As with all new grounds it's miles away from the nearest station, who would have thought football fans want to come to a game by train anyway? Taxi is just about your best bet if arriving at the station in the middle of the city.
The trip itself takes just over an hour from Euston and a return ticket is available for £28 based on buying two singles in advance and coming back at either 1757 or 1851.
Pubs:
As with all new grounds pubs are few and far between near the ground. I mean how were they to know football supporters might fancy a drink before the match? On our last few visits we've drunk in the Black Horse just the other side of the M6 and about a 15 minute walk from the away end. There's parking in a nearby field and we've always had a friendly welcome there before.
Tickets
Again our initial allocation here seems strangely low considering the ground holds 30,000 and there’s only ever one man and his bored dog in it. QPR have 1042 tickets but will be given more if these sell. Adults £25, seniors and students £12.50, juniors £11.50, disabled £12.50 a pair.
Links:
Detailed fans' guide to the Ricoh Arena
Official website