WBA Ground a must vist (Hawthorns, the (West Bromwich Albion FC))

Member Name: Joe1344

Product:	Hawthorns, the (West Bromwich Albion FC)
Date:	29/07/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Food,Esy to get to

Disadvantages: Bad result

Name: The Hawthorns
Inauguration: 3 September 1900
First match: West Bromwich-Derby 1-1
Capacity: 27,900 seats
Record Attendance: 64,815; West Bromwich-Arsenal, 1937
Address: Halfords Lane, West Bromwich B71 4LF

This ground has all the making of a classic football stadium,On big match days the west brom fans can really get behind there team and make a wall of noise,This ground is the biggest ground in the UK above sea level so you are to be sure to wrap up warm on winter days as it get a bit cold.The stadium was built along time ago it was first built in 1900 September where is held around 67,000 people.Since then alot of changes have happened to football and grounds all over the UK was moved from terracing to all seater staduims this reduced the capity by over half, in 2001 west brom re built the rainbow stand that's now know as the east stand it now holds 8000 people and is one of the best stands at this ground

Getting there?
Getting to this ground is one of the easier to get to The ground is located on the A41 (Birmingham-West Bromwich Road). If approaching from outside the area the ground is about half a mile from Junction 1 of the M5. On leaving the M5 take the A41 towards Birmingham after that you should see the ground right in front of you

Away Fans
The away fans are housed in the smethick end this is both shared by home and away fans and away fans get upto around 2900 seats on match days,If its the cup they will get upto 5,200 which is the whole stand.The facilities and the view of the pitch in the Smethwick end are okay, although the leg room is a little cramped if its sold out.,There are stewards on hand if you get a problem and on my last visit fans there fans where searched before they got into the ground and they are not aloud to take any food into or around the stadium,Drinks and food was only aloud to be bought inside the ground and tops off drinks was removed

Where To Drink
There are a few pubs outside the ground in west brom to go for a drink after or before the game but if your going as an away fan its best to check out the vine pub its got great food and home and away fans enjoy banter in there, its ground a 20 minture walk from the ground to get there you must From Junction 1 of the M5 turn left towards West Bromwich town centre (opposite direction to the ground). Take the first left into Roebuck Street and then the vine is down on your left hand side.


Food and drink inside the ground
Food and drink inside the ground is pretty nice as well it cost around 3.00 for fish and chips and 2.90 for beer the special one i liked was the batli pie these are around 2.00
Directions & Car Parking
It can be very hard to get a car park space near the ground so your better of paying 4 pound for he car parks about 5 to 10 min walk from the stadium,The nearest one to park in would be the hawthorns station car park and this is probably the easier one as the others are always sold out if you don't get there in time

By Train and Metro
By train when you get off you are only a 5 min max walk from the staduim so its very useful,
The closest railway stations are the hawthorns which is about five minutes walk from the ground and smethwick which is around a 15 minture walk to the ground

Overall i would rate this ground a 7 out of 10

Summary: WBA ground is nice tiny classic football ground