Weston-super-Mare
Optima Stadium
Capacity:
3,500 (Seats 470)
Address:
Winterstoke Road, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, BS24 9AA
Telephone:
01934 621618
Club Nickname:
Seagulls
Year Ground Opened:
2004
Home Kit:
White and Black
The Optima Stadium is a modern looking but rather simple looking ground that was opened in 2004. Half the stadium (one side and one end) doesn’t have any facilities for spectators as such, apart from a small hard standing area around the perimeter fence and a small covered area behind one goal. The biggest stand is at North End of the stadium, which is an odd fair. It is generally a good-sized covered terrace (with a capacity of nearly 2,000), but incorporating a small block of seating, which is situated directly behind the goal. The seating area of around 200 seats, is just four rows high, meaning there is terrace behind and to each side of it. I can only assume that the seats were put in place to allow the club to comply with league regulations for the number of seats a club must have at their home ground. As otherwise there doesn’t seem to be a logical explanation as to why the seats were put there in the first place. On one side are two small covered seated areas, that sit astride the player’s tunnel on the half way line. Oddly the team dugouts are located on the opposite side of the ground on the open side, leading to a procession of players and officials at half and full time. The ground is completed with a set of four tall looking floodlights.
In 2019 the Woodspring Stadium was renamed the Optima Stadium in a three-year corporate sponsorship team.
Weston-super-Mare plays in the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division South. This is at Step 3 below the Football League and one League below the National Leagues North and South.
A visit to the Woodspring Stadium is normally a fairly relaxed day out. The facilities inside the stadium are fine, although the normally sparse attendances don’t do much to create atmosphere. As nearly all matches are not segregated then this means that visiting fans can gain access to the Clubhouse at half time. Weston-super-Mare is one of the better seaside towns in England, so why not make a weekend of it?
There is a sizeable and comfortable club house at the ground. Russell Cooper adds; ‘The nearest pub is the Walnut Tree on Winterstoke Road. It is around a ten minute walk away’. With the stadium entrance behind you turn right and the pub is further down this road on the left.
Leave the M5 at Junction 21 and take the A370 towards Weston town centre. Continue across three roundabouts and at the 4th (where there is a McDonalds) turn left into Winterstoke Road. Go straight across the mini roundabout, over a railway bridge and you will see the ground on your right hand side. There is a fair sized car park at the stadium.
Weston-super-Mare Railway Station is situated around a mile and a half away from the stadium, which is a 25-30 minute walk away. It is served by trains from Bristol Temple Meads.
As you come out of the station entrance turn right and then follow the station approach road around to the left. At the bottom of this road you will reach a T-junction where you turn left. You will then reach another T-junction with the A370 dual carriageway, where you turn right. Continue along the A370 passing by two roundabouts and an Asda store on your left. At the third roundabout that you reach (with a McDonalds outlet on one side) take the third exit onto Winterstoke Road (signposted Weston Industrial Estate). The stadium is further down this road on the right.
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Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.
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Adults £12
Concessions £8
Under 16’s £3
Under 8’s Free
Family Ticket (2 Adults + 2 Under 16’s) £20
Concessions apply to Over 60’s, Students, Members of the Armed Forces, or working in the NHS.
Official Matchday Programme £3.
Weston-super-Mare FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
Clevedon Town and Bath City.
Record Attendance
2,949 v Doncaster Rovers
FA Cup First Round, 18th November 2014.
Average Attendance
2018-2019: 656 (National League South)
2017-2018: 495 (National League South)
2016-2017: 435 (National League South)
If you require hotel accommodation in Weston-super-Mare area 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 Web Site: www.westonsmareafc.co.uk
Unofficial Web Site: None at present
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Special thanks to Russell Cox for supplying the photos of the Woodspring Stadium. Russell has his own Football Grounds blog called The Wycombe Wanderer.
Weston-Super-Mare v Gosport Borough
Conference National League South
Tuesday 11th August 2015, 7.45pm
Billy Clark (Gosport Borough fan)
Why you were looking forward to going to the Woodspring Stadium?
I was looking forward to visiting the Woodspring Stadium once again as last season we beat them 5-0! This season I was travelling with my friend and trying to convince him to come to more non-League away games. This was certainly one ground I wanted to visit again, although it was a Tuesday night it would be worth the trip.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled on the team coach which I always do. We left at 3pm and arrived at the stadium just after 6. The ground can be complicated to find for the first time visitor as it's in the middle of an industrial estate off the main road.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I met one of my friends who lives locally in Weston, in the clubhouse bar. We spent around an hour there before we left. The home fans were very friendly as always. (Last season they gave us all free sausages and chips, but after we beat them 5-0 there was no repeat of this for this season).
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The ground is average, dominated by one huge terrace behind one of the goals. The rest of the ground seems slightly abandoned. They have a small all seated stand about 5 rows in height along the side you enter from. Also there is a "terrace" behind the other goal which has one step and a metal roof.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was another good game for the Boro'. It was a lively feisty affair, when Bennett put the visitors 1 up in the 15th minute we always believed we were going on to win. When he doubled the advantage 3 minutes later it was a confidence performance to the end of the first half. In the start of the second half the hosts were out to get back in the match. They dominated proceedings for around 20 minutes before Bennett grabbed his hat-trick, a free-kick on the wide straight to his head which was powered in, cue wild celebrations from the away entourage. 8 minutes from time the visitors and Justin Bennett grabbed their fourth goal. The atmosphere was great and a really enjoyable experience. The stewards were quiet and I hardly noticed them, I found the food very expensive at £4 for a cheeseburger and £3 for a hot dog! Although it was good quality it didn't make up for the price.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was easy, we didn't leave till 10.15pm due to the players having to change etc. We then stopped and "invaded" the local Mc'Donalds which was entertaining. We got back to Gosport around 1am and I was in bed asleep by two after a fascinating day out.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
This was a great day out and I would certainly come back again. Weston-Super-Mare is a lovely place and in three games there we've won all three. A very enjoyable ground and I look forward to returning in the future.
Weston-super-Mare v Hungerford Town
National League South
Tuesday 13th September 2016, 7.45pm
Chris Richards (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Woodspring Stadium?
I was holidaying in the North Somerset area and took the opportunity to take in a match at The Woodspring Stadium.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I drove what was for me, just the one junction up the M5 from where I was staying, to Junction 21 and the Weston turn off. If you follow the signs to the beach you pass the ground on the right hand side on Winterstoke Road. Car parking was free and there were plenty of spaces.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I arrived at 7pm and went straight into the ground. As with most non-league grounds there was a decent sized bar and a food outlet. The tea at £1 was fine. The burgers at £4 were not so good value. I declined. At least they did a decent pin badge – A ground hopping staple.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Woodspring Stadium?
The ground itself doesn't have much that is more than one storey high, so the ground is pretty easy to miss, but it fits in easy with it's surroundings. Another non-league bonus was I could walk right round the stadium. One end (the North) is a largish terrace where the home noise gathered. Some awkward seating was placed about 6 or 7 rows directly behind the goal. I walked down one side (the West) which was just a concrete path adorned with a camera tower. The other end was another concrete path but with a reasonable covering. I sat in the East Stand next to the local press.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
I sat amongst the locals and soon got talking to a couple of fellas about football. They were both Bristol City season ticket holders who took time out to follow Weston when they could. The game was nicely poised with both teams having a decent run of the ball. Unfortunately, the local press had to report on a 1-0 win for the visitors after they snatched a goal in the last 10 minutes.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The car park emptied quite easily onto the quiet Winterstoke Road and I was back in Burnham within 30 minutes. It might be a bit busier on a Saturday afternoon.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I really enjoyed my evening at the Woodspring Stadium. Late summer football is always a favourite of mine and it was a pleasant 90 minutes. The locals were friendly, the football was of a decent standard and I saw a good match. The catering was a bit disappointing but if you can wait – the fish and chip capital of the world is just down the road!
Weston-super-Mare v Truro City
National League South
Sunday 1st January 2017, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Woodspring Stadium?
Apart from Truro City this is the hardest ground for me to get to in the National League South. So the visit involved an overnight stay and careful planning to then return home via London and to see my team (Ipswich Town) play at Queens Park Rangers on the following day.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled down by train on the 31st with no problems and stayed in a Bed & Breakfast in Locking Road. The walk south to the ground on the day of the match was in drizzle and it was cold. The directions in this guide were spot on to find the Woodspring Stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I was pleased to find that the turnstiles were open in good time so that I could get in out of the wet and mud outside. I then went into the bar and on asking for a coffee. I was directed through behind the bar into an other (much warmer and cosier) bar where a coffee machine was situated. Later on I tried to find the way back out to the stand, not wishing to go behind the bar again, and was told the only way out was to exit the ground completely and then enter via the turnstile again and show my ticket! Very odd. However it is clear that the social facilities at the ground would be good for a function meal etc.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Woodspring Stadium?
Where possible I like to have a complete walk around the ground and despite the drizzle, I did that looking at the stands etc on the way round. The large stand behind the north end of the ground with the 196 seats at the front is impressive. I ended up sitting in the back row of the 'Main' Stand and next to the press man who was also the stadium announcer. What seemed rather odd to me is that some people chose to stand out in the rain on the far side of the pitch when there was ample room under cover.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
This is a local derby for Truro! They got off to a cracking start with a goal, but then things seemed to go wrong for them. The final score was 4-2 with two of the Weston-super-Mare goals coming from superbly taken free kicks.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I did the walk back to Locking Road (on my own) and at the west end of that road I found a superb cafe, which was a chippy and carvery combined, either eat in or take-away. It is close to the roundabout at the junction of Locking Road and Regent Street and near a coach storage area. Ideal for the railway station. The carvery was very good and reasonably priced, but avoid the apple crumble!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Travelling so far and having to book up so far in advance is always a worry with the weather and the possibility of the game being called off at the last minute, but all went to plan.
Weston-Super-Mare v Welling United
National League South
Saturday 18th February 2017, 3pm
Alan Hanson (Welling United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Woodspring Stadium?
I was looking forward to the game because I like the West Country and the Woodspring Stadium was a new ground for me to visit
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was very easy M25 to M4 then M5 South to A370 over four roundabouts. At the fourth turn left by McDonalds and the ground is situated on the right just over the humpback bridge. There is plenty of car parking available at the Woodspring Stadium costing £1.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went in to Weston-Super-Mare and had a nice meal in a bar/restaurant over looking the beach and sea. The fans were friendly enough which is normal at non league level.
What yo u thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Woodspring Stadium?
The Woodspring Stadium is relatively new and clean looking. Two sides just have hard standing with cover behind the goal. There is a Main Stand in which I sat just in front of the local press. The main terrace behind the goal is a strange affair with about two hundred seats directly behind the goal in four rows with standing all around it. The main home support are situated there. Very odd looking indeed.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a good game Welling got a well earned 2-2 draw after twice leading there was good vocal support for both teams. The facilities are basic and the food stand looked shabby. There is a bar and a small club shop. They sell a good club badge but sold out of programmes which was a major disappointment as I collect them for every game I attend. Having travelled 200 miles I was not best pleased, you would have thought they would have printed enough considering the attendance was 502. I didn't really find the staff or stewards particularly helpful or friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting out of the car park was easy and was soon back on the M5 motorway going home.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed my day out overall. It was a warm day and had an enjoyable lunch outside overlooking the sea. The match itself was good and Welling got a 2-2 draw away from home. The Woodspring Stadium is a clean but basic ground with a good atmosphere. But the lack of a souvenir programme still annoys.
Weston-Super-Mare v Wrexham
FA Cup First Round
Sunday 11th November 2018, 12.45pm
Gareth Thomas (Wrexham)
Weston-super-Mare v Bath City
FA Cup Fourth Qualfying Round
Saturday 20th October 2018, 3:15pm
Jody Grabham (Neutral)