Dagenham & Redbridge
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Stadium
But still known to many fans as Victoria Road Capacity: 6,000 (2,200 Seats) Address: Dagenham, Essex RM10 7XL Main Telephone No: 02085921549 Fax No: 020 85937227 Ticket Office: 020 8592 1549 (ext 21) Team Nickname: Daggers Year Ground Opened: 1917 Pitch Size: 112 x 72 yards Shirt Sponsors:West &
Coe Home Kit Colours:Red
& Blue Away Kit Colours:
Light Blue With White
Trim Kit Manufacturers: Vandanel Official Web Site: www.daggers.co.uk Unofficial Web Sites: DiggerDagger Unofficial Forum Daggers
Diary
The stadium has been
improved recently with the construction of the
Traditional Builders Stand (aka Pondfield End) at
one end of the ground, which replaced a small open
terrace. This new all seated stand which was opened
during the 2009/10 season, is a sizeable
affair, housing 1,200 spectators. The stand is
covered, raised above pitch level and has
windshields to either side. Although only eleven
rows high, it is free from supporting pillars and is
quite steep, meaning that fans are kept close to the
playing action.
On one side is the relatively modern Main
Stand, which was opened in 2001. Sponsored
by Carling, this 800 capacity stand, is covered and
all seated, with the team dugouts situated at the
front of it. The stand comprises of six rows of
seating and has a
small executive area at the back of it.
The stand, which is free of supporting
pillars, is elevated above pitch level which
means that supporters have to climb small sets of
steps at the front of it, to gain access. The stand
though, only runs for three quarters of the length
of the pitch and at one end towards the Traditional
Builders Stand, another separate stand exists. This
stand which is called the Barking College Family
Stand, is a small covered, seated stand. It
is smaller in height that
the Main Stand and contains around 200 seats, with
some supporting pillars running along the front of
it. Again it is raised above pitch level and is
accessed via a small staircase.
The rest of the ground
is terracing, with a small open terrace
behind one goal and a covered terrace along one
side. The home end, the Bury Road End (aka the
Clock End), has a small basic electric scoreboard
situated above it. This area also contains the club
shop and Police control box. The North Terrace,
which runs along one side of the pitch, is
known affectionately by the Dagenham fans as 'The
Sieve' as apparently at one time it was famed for
its leaking roof. This old fashioned looking
terrace, is partly covered to the rear and has a
number of supporting pillars. It also has a
television gantry perched upon its roof. Unusually
the teams emerge from not from the main stand, but
from a tunnel located in the new Marcus James Stand
at one end of the ground. The stadium is completed
with a set of four modern looking floodlights.
Away
fans are housed in the new Traditional Builders
Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 1,200 fans
can be accommodated in this area. As you would
expect from a new stand the views of the playing
action and facilities are both good. I
experienced no problems, apart from outside the
ground, it was not obvious (unless I missed
the signs) showing where the entrance to the away
section was. It is in fact at the other end of the
ground to the main entrance. So as you go through
the main entrance, walk straight on through the
car park, past the supporters club to the right,
and then walk along the back of the Main Stand.
The entrance is down on the right at the corner of
the ground. Away coaches are brought in at the
back of the away section, but on the other side of
a park, which can make for an interesting
walk especially if it is a night match.
The stand itself is easily the best stand at the
stadium, so it is intriguing that it is given over
to away supporters. It is raised above pitch
level, meaning that you have to climb a small set
of steps to enter it. One drawback is that the
team's tunnel is located in this stand and awning
is pulled out to the playing area before kick off.
This means that at this time fans can't easily
access the other side of the stand along the front
of it, as they are effectively 'cut off' until the
awning is withdrawn again. On the plus side away
fans are treated to their own indoor bar area.
On my last visit I found Dagenham to be fairly
friendly and the stewards generally relaxed. There
wasn't many away fans in attendance, so
the atmosphere with so few was fairly
flat and I noticed that a fair number of balls
were kicked out of the stadium during the game, as
the stands are so small. The refreshments are
quite good with a selection of Pukka Pies, Burgers
and chips available.
There is a fair
sized Social Club at the ground, which apart
from a few high profile games, welcomes away
supporters and costs 50p to enter. It is fairly
basic, but comfortable and shows SKY Sports
television. It is also contains a local betting
outlet and a programme booth. The beer is
reasonably priced with hand pulled Youngs Bitter
available. Inside the ground alcohol is available to
away supporters in the Traditional Builders
Stand.
If it is a pub that you prefer, then going further
along Rainham Road and going past Golds Gym is the
Eastbrook pub. Otherwise, to be honest, there is not
much of interest in the area, so there is not much
point in wandering off too far.
Simon Crawford adds; 'If you have time, try
getting off the tube at Barking (four stops before
Dagenham East). The station is right in the middle
of the busy High Street and there are vast amounts
of takeaways and cafes. Walk out of the station and
to the left is a Wetherspoons called The Barking Dog
and next door to it is the Spotted Dog, a real ale
establishment, normally serving ales by the
Brentwood Brewing Company'. George Cook informs me;
'If you get off at the
next tube station along from Dagenham East which is
Dagenham Heathway then diagonally opposite that is a
Wetherspoons pub called The Lord Denman.'
Leave the M25 at Junction 27 and take the M11
towards London. At the end of the M11 continue
onto the A406 towards Docklands (A13) and London
City Airport. At the intersection with the A13,
turn onto this road in the direction of
the Dartford Crossing. At the junction with
the A1306, leave the A13 and join the A1306
towards Dagenham. At the third set of traffic
lights turn left just before the McDonalds
into Ballards Road. At the end of this road you
will come to a large roundabout, (known as the
Bull roundabout, after the public house of the
same name) at which you turn left, into Rainham
Road. Proceed up Rainham Road passing Dagenham
East tube station on the left and Victoria Road is
a quarter of a mile further on, on the same side
of the road.
From The South:
Leave the M25 at Junction 31 and take the A13
towards Central London. After approximately 4.6
miles, exit the A13 onto the slip road, signposted
Dagenham/Dagenham East. At the end of the slip
road at the double roundabout turn right, then
going under the A13. At the T-junction turn left
onto the A1306. At the second set of lights turn
right onto the B178 (Ballards Road). At the
end of this road you will come to a large
roundabout, (known as the Bull roundabout, after
the public house of the same name) at which you
turn left, into Rainham Road. Proceed up Rainham
Road passing Dagenham East tube station on the
left and Victoria Road is a quarter of a mile
further on, on the same side of the road.
Car
Parking
There
is no parking available at the ground
itself. However there is plenty of street
parking, some of which is available on the
main Rainham road.
Take the District Line
to Dagenham East (and not Dagenham Heathway). Turn
left as you come out of the station and the ground is
clearly sign posted and only five minutes walk away.
Please note that the journey by tube from Central
London can take around 45 minutes. Neil Le Milliere
adds; 'The tube journey out there can be a bit of a
nightmare and it's probably better to get a train from
Fenchurch St to Barking Station and then a tube to
Dagenham from there'. Oyster &
Travelcards are valid for this journey.
Home Fans*:
Carling Stand (Seating): Adults £19, Concessions £13. Barking
College Family Stand (Seating): Adults
£16, Concessions £11, Under 18's
£7, Under 7's £2**
Terraces: Adults £15,
Concessions £10, Under 18's £6, Under 7's
£1**
Away Fans*: Traditional Builders Stand
(Seating): Adults £19,
Concessions £13
* The prices
quoted above are for tickets purchased prior to
matchday. Tickets bought on matchday cost
more; typically £2 extra on a ticket.
** When accompanied by a full paying adult (one
under 7 per adult) and purchased prior to
matchday.
If you require hotel
accommodation in the area then first try a hotel
booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer
all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and
pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed &
Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and
Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is
straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will
earn a small commission if you book through them,
but it will go to help with the running costs of
keeping the Guide going. The Hotels listing also
includes details of how far away the accommodation
is located from the Victoria Road football ground.
Remember that you can use the above link or panel
below
to book any other hotels that you may need for
business
or leisure, either in the UK or abroad.
Map
Showing The Location Of Victoria Ground, Tube
Station and Listed Pubs
Instructions for using
the map:
- Use the bar on the left of the map to zoom in /
out using the + / - keys.
- Click and drag an area of the map to move around
or use the up/down, left/right arrows
- Click the Satellite button to see aerial view
photograph.
