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Billericay Town

AGP Arena

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Capacity: 5,000 (Seats 2,000)
Club Nickname: The Blues or Ricay
Year Opened: 1970*
Pitch Size: 101 x 67m
Address: Blunts Wall Rd, Billericay, CM12 9SA
Phone: 01277 286474
Pitch Type: Grass
Undersoil Heating: No
Last Update: June 13, 2022

The AGP Arena had quite a transformation in 2017 with three new stands being erected at the ground. Both ends had very similar looking covered terraces installed, whilst a new all seated stand called the Harry Parker Stand was erected on the clubhouse side of the stadium. This smart looking covered stand is around half the length of the pitch in size and runs from the halfway line down towards the Blunts Wall Road End. There is though a row of supporting pillars running across the front of it. On the other side of this stand is a mixture of club buildings including a two storey structure, which looks like it is used as a Directors/Corporate area. Opposite is the Family Stand. Although only four rows high, this all seated stand is covered and runs the full length of the pitch. Located on the roof above the halfway line is a small television gantry that looks reminiscent of a pigeon loft. The stand has a slightly unusual look in that across the roof is a large metal frame that has a number of adverts displayed upon it. Alas, the bases of the four floodlight pylons on this side of the ground are located directly in front of this stand which could impede your view. Both ends are small covered terraces, with the North End being slightly larger than the Blunts Wall Road End. Again there is a row of supporting pillars running across the front of each of these stands. Another unusual feature is that within the perimeter of the ground, in one corner, near the stadium entrance is a large tree which overlooks the stadium. Outside the ground, the rear of the Harry Parker Stand is covered with an impressive row of large murals.

In 2017 the New Lodge Football Ground as it was originally known was renamed the AGP Arena in a corporate sponsorship deal.

Normally most matches at the AGP Arena are not segregated. However when they are, then part of the Blunts Wall Road End is allocated to visiting supporters, located towards the Family Stand side. This terrace is covered and is shared with home supporters, which can make for some banter between the fans (who are in close proximity and there is just a small gap marked with tape and some stewards to keep the fans apart) and a good atmosphere. It does though have a row of small supporting pillars at the front of it that could impede your view. A Burger/Hot Dog catering unit is brought in for these games, as well as a bar facility. Unusually for a Club at this level, then cash is not accepted at the turnstiles. Tickets need to be bought either online from the Billericay Town website (ticket sales for both home and away fans) or from the ticket office at the ground.

There is a sizeable clubhouse at the ground that normally admits visiting supporters unless the match is segregated. The clubhouse has real ale available and also shows Sky Sports. Otherwise Billericay High Street is around a 15-20 minute walk away, where there are a number of pubs to be found, including a Wetherspoons outlet called the Blue Boar. There is also the Railway pub on the High Street and the Coach & Horses on Chapel Street, both of which are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Also around a mile away from the ground on Mountnessing Road, is the Inn on the Green, which has the added benefit of showing Sky Sports.

Leave the M25 to Junction 28 and take the A12(E) towards Chelmsford. Leave the A12 at Junction 12 and head for a short distance towards Mountnessing (B1002). At the next roundabout take the second exit onto Widvale Road (signposted Billericay). Continue along Wivdale Road as it bears right and then becomes Wash Road. At the next mini roundabout take the first exit onto Rayleigh Road. This is the A129 Billericay Road. On reaching a Ford Garage on the left hand side of a crossroads turn right onto Tye Common Road and then take the second next right onto Blunts Wall Road for the ground. There is no parking available for supporters at the ground so it is a case of finding some street parking,

Postcode for SatNav: CM12 9SA

Billericay Railway Station is located one mile away from the ground or around a  20 minute  walk. It is served by trains from London Liverpool Street and the journey time is around 30 minutes. As you exit the station entrance, proceed straight up the station approach road in front of you. At the top of the station approach road, turn right onto Radford Way. At the bottom of Radford Way turn right at the mini roundabout onto Stock Road. Proceed across the bridge above the railway. After passing the Railway Pub on the right, take the next right hand turn into Western Way. Continue straight along Western Road for around three-quarters of a mile, until you will reach Blunts Wall Road, where you turn right for the ground entrance.

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:

Adults £13
Concessions £9
Under 18’s £3
Under 11’s £1

Matchday Programme £3.

Chelmsford City and East Thurrock United.

Record Attendance
4,582 v West Ham United
Friendly Match, 8th August 2017.

Average Attendance
2018-2019: 1,262 (National League South)
2017-2018: 578 (Isthmian Premier League)

If you require hotel accommodation in Billericay or nearby 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.

Official Website: www.billericaytownfc.co.uk

Unofficial Website: Billericay Town Unofficial

If there is anything that needs to be updated or if you have something to add to the Guide to the AGP Arena Billericay Town then please email me at: [email protected].

Special thanks to Marcus Dews for providing photos of the New Lodge, Billericay Town.

Ground Layout

Ground Layout of Billericay Town

Reviews

Avatar of Ian Thomas (Havant and Waterlooville) Ian Thomas (Havant and Waterlooville)

Billericay Town v Havant and Waterlooville
National League South
Tuesday 3rd March 2020, 7.45pm
Ian Thomas (Havant and Waterlooville)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the AGP Arena?

The mural! The former owner was obviously a larger than life character and had spent a fair bit improving both the team and ground, including the painting of a huge mural to his dream on the back of the Main Stand.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

The ground itself is tucked away just out of town. Following the sat nav from the south coast was relatively straight forward taking about 3 hours however due to traffic around the M25. Parking at the ground is £5 so instead, we parked on the road outside, only a 2 minute stroll to the ground.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

We arrived close to kick off so went straight in the ground. The clubhouse is large and welcoming with 2 separate bar areas for alcohol or soft drinks etc.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the AGP Arena?

I understand the ground has 4 new stands erected recently but they forgot to level the pitch. I've not seen a ground that both slopes sideways and lengthways. Due to the recent rain, the pitch was rolled mud rather than grass.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The game was largely a hard-fought match, the one piece of exceptional skill resulted in the winning goal, for the visitors with a curling effort into the top corner.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

An easy journey back in under 2 hours.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A great evening out and always better with a win!

Avatar of Paul Woodley (Neutral) Paul Woodley (Neutral)

Billericay Town v Eastbourne Borough
National League South
Saturday 3rd August 2019, 3pm
Paul Woodley (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the AGP Arena?
 
I like to go to new grounds when I have a spare Saturday. So as Billericay is quite easy to get to from where I live I choose this match.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
I travelled from South London. I caught a train from Stratford which only takes 25 minutes. Then about another 20 minutes walk to the ground through a very nice residential area.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
My friend visited a chippy on the way to the ground but we arrived nice and early and went in the impressive supporters club bar which had 3 TV's on showing different channels. It had a friendly atmosphere.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the AGP Arena?
 
The stadium looks as if it's been spruced up for the new season. All sides are of a decent size and good in that they all have cover from the British weather! Lots of pillars though.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
I was impressed with the standard of football. Eastbourne had the best of the first half but Billericay bossed the second. Just when we had accepted that it would be 0-0 Billericay scored winner in injury time. I thought the prices for food were steep for non-league but there were good all-round facilities.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
An easy walk back into Billericay Town centre. We had a couple of drinks and food in a Wetherspoons pub before heading home.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A good day out.
Avatar of Brian Scott (Neutral) Brian Scott (Neutral)

Billericay Town v East Thurrock United
National League South
Wednesday 30th October 2018, 7.45pm
Brian Scott (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the AGP Arena?
 
I've been wanting to visit Billericay for over a year but waited until the ground improvements had been done. This is a club very much on the up having gained promotion last season from the Bostik Premier League.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
It was a 61 mile drive down the A12 from Suffolk and then down to Billericay. There was a problem with the final half mile as Tye Common Road was closed due to a big hole opened up in the road. This did not really matter much as I had to park up and walk to the ground. There is no public parking at the ground.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
Once in the ground, I had a walk around and decided to sit in the west stand with the strong wind behind. Having read about the mural behind the east stand I also had a look at that. Had I not read this guide I would have missed it. It gives a history of the clubs fortunes in pictures and words.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the AGP Arena?
 
I was really impressed with the ground, the new stands, the state of the pitch and the floodlights. Just a shame about all the posts and floodlight pillars in the way of vision. Also, there were plenty of toilets and food outlets. This must be one of the better grounds in this league giving consideration that they have never been at a higher level.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
East Thurrock started strongly and were two goals up by the 54th minute. They looked odds-on winners. That is until Billericay woke up! East Thurrock were stunned by the three goals scored against them between the 63rd and 73rd minutes. Billericay go top of the league.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
It was an easy drive home along the quiet roads, arriving home at 10.50pm
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
An excellent evenings entertainment, with the five goals. What a contrast to the boring 0-0 I watched last Saturday at Spennymoor.
Avatar of Marcus Dews (Neutral) Marcus Dews (Neutral)

Billericay Town v Concord Rangers
National League South
Tuesday 7th August 2018, 7:45pm
Marcus Dews (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the AGP Arena?
 
This was my first game of the new season and with Billericay Town newly promoted I was looking forward to both a good game and to seeing what their owner had do with to the place. I wasn´t to be disappointed!
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
Very easy by train from London Liverpool Street to Billericay and then a pleasant walk through the town and down to the ground, which took about 15 minutes at a meandering pace.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
As I was early I had three pints of IPA from the excellent clubhouse within the ground whilst watching the warm-ups. There were plenty of food and drink options in the town itself, but I grabbed a cheeseburger in the ground, which was very tasty. There was also a sweet shop in the clubhouse complex.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the AGP Arena?
 
New Lodge is an impressive ground with cover on all four sides. and a tree within 15 feet of one of the corner flags, which pleased me immensely. However, there are a lot of small supporting pillars all around the ground, also every 15 feet or so. This isn´t really an issue as they´re slender supports, but the four floodlight pylons in front of the side stands do restrict views as they´re chunky and right close to the pitch. I was very impressed by the overall tidiness of the ground and that clearly a lot of money has been spent on it. But you have to see the mural on the back of the Main Stand to believe it. A thing of wonder and amazement.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The game itself was an enjoyable 1-1 draw, and the atmosphere generated by the 1,351 crowd was impressive. 'Aye aye yippee, we come from Billericay' was stuck in my head for a couple of days after the game, and it was a good attendance for a midweek August match.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
No problem for me, but the lane leading out of the ground and shared with the car park had no lighting so less mobile people would struggle. It was then a brisk walk back to the train station and home.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A really enjoyable first game of the season and everyone seemed happy with the result. Glenn Tamplin was certainly happy with the equaliser. To quote Phoenix Nights, 'it's a cracking little club'.