Maidenhead United

What was a bit of a quirky ground has now started to get a more modern fresh look, with the opening in 2014 of a new covered seated stand on one side of the ground. This stand, which is known as the Railway Stand, is comprised of seven rows of seating and has a capacity of 550. Although fairly simply constructed, it is smart looking and is free of supporting pillars. It runs for about half the length of the pitch, sitting astride the halfway line. The Bell Street end of the ground is a simply covered terrace which is split into two separate sections. It is quite eye-catching as 'Maidenhead Utd FC' has been painted onto the back wall of the terrace in large black and white letters. Opposite at the other end is the smaller East Terrace, that does have some cover towards its middle. The other side of the ground lets the ground down somewhat. Apart from one small open terrace and the team dugouts, it is home to a large ugly radio mast and an outline concrete open-sided building that contains amongst other things; a 3G training pitch. 

A trip to Maidenhead United is a must for any football ground enthusiast. As the York Road football ground is officially acknowledged as the oldest continually used football ground in the world, having first seen the game played there in 1871. Bramall Lane is Sheffield is an older ground (1862) but has not been continually used by one Club, as Maidenhead's has.

On the rare occasion that fans are segregated, they away supporters are given part or all of the Bell Street End. This simple terrace does have a small cover at the back and up to 450 fans can be accommodated in this area. For these large games then additional outside catering and toilets are brought into service for the visiting fans. There is quite a sense of history that you feel when visiting York Road, considering that it is such an old ground. Plus if you are a trainspotter then you are in for a 'treat' as beyond the back of the Main Stand there is an elevated railway line where one quite often sees during the match another InterCity train bound for London come hurtling along. Inside the ground food on offer includes a range of Pies (Steak & Kidney, Beef & Mushroom, Cheese & Onion, all £3.50), Magpie Burgers (Burger, Bacon, Cheese, £3.50), Cheeseburgers (£3.50), Vegetarian Burgers (£3), Bacon Rolls (£3), Sausage Rolls (£3), Chips (£2), Jacket Potatoes (£4), Chips and Curry Sauce (£2.50), Chilli and Chips (£3.50).

There is the Stripes Bar at the ground itself or next door is the Conservative Club which sells real ale. Otherwise, Maidenhead town centre is only a five-minute walk away where there are plenty of pubs to be found including a Wetherspoons outlet on the High Street called the Bear and the Maiden's Head. Both these pubs and the Conservative Club are included in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Close to Maidenhead Railway Station on Queen Street is O'Neills pub, which also serves cask ales and shows televised sports.

If you have a bit of time on your hands then just over a mile away from the ground on Gringer Hill (SL6 7LY) is the community-owned Craufurd Arms. This pub which is also listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide has up to five real ales on tap and shows BT and Sky Sports.

Leave the M4 at Junction 8 and take the A404(M). At the end of the A404(M) take the A4 (Bath Road) towards Maidenhead. On reaching the town centre you will come to a large roundabout. Bear left (the 2nd exit) continuing on the A4. Go straight across the first roundabout and at the second turn right into Forlease Road and then second right into York Road. The entrance to the ground is down on the left. There is no car parking at the ground itself, but there are plenty of pay and display car parks dotted around the nearby town centre, including a multi-storey at Nicholsons Shopping Centre (£4.10 for 4 hours) on Broadway. There is a small car park located across the road from the ground but this has a maximum stay of just two hours.

Maidenhead Railway Station is located less than half a mile away from the York Road Ground and is only a five minute walk to the Bell Street turnstiles or ten minutes to the main entrance. The station is served by trains from London Paddington, Oxford and Reading. 

As you come out of the station entrance turn right and walk up to the main road at the end of the car park. Turn left along this road and cross over to the other side using the nearby pedestrian crossing. Keeping the Bell pub on your right, turn right into Queen Street and then the next right hand turn into York Road. The entrance to the ground is further down on the right.

Brian Scott informs me; 'You can get back to the station a bit quicker after the match has ended, by using the exit behind the Bell Street End. This leads into Bell Street and then directly onto the Railway station.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Adult £15
Concessions £10
Under 16's £5*

Concessions apply to OAP's, Students with current NUS card and the Unemployed.

* Juniors who become Club Members can receive free admission to League matches.

Official Matchday Programme £3

Maidenhead United FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).

Marlow and Slough Town.

Record Attendance
7,920 v Southall
FA Amateur Cup Quarter final, 7th March 1936.

Average Attendance
2018-2019: 1,369 (National League)
2017-2018: 1,475 (National League)
2016-2017: 1,012 (National League South)

If you require hotel accommodation in Maidenhead then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. 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 help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.