Peterborough United
Weston Homes Stadium
Capacity:
15,314
Address:
London Rd, Peterborough, PE2 8AL
Telephone:
01733 563 947
Fax:
01733 344 140
Ticket Office:
01733 865 674
Pitch Size:
112 x 76 yards
Pitch Type:
Grass
Club Nickname:
The Posh
Year Ground Opened:
1934*
Undersoil Heating:
No
Shirt Sponsors:
Mick George
Kit
Manufacturer:Nike
Home Kit:
Blue and White
Away Kit:
Black and Maroon
On one side of the ground is the BGL South Family Stand, which was opened in 1996 and replaced a former open terrace. Encased in supporting tubular steelwork, the 5,000 capacity stand is an impressive sight. The two-tiered stand is covered and all seated. There is also a row of executive boxes running across its middle. The other side, the Main Stand, is a much older stand, being first opened in 1957. It is two-tiered, covered stand and is all seated. At one end is the London Road Terrace. This covered terrace has a bright white roof and is a classic looking old stand, having its roof put in place in the early 1950’s. As to be expected from a terrace of such vintage it does have a number of supporting pillars running across the front of it, which could impede your view of the game. Opposite at the Moy’s End is a new all-seater stand that was opened in November 2014. It is a single tiered all seated stand that has a capacity of 2,500. This covered stand replaced a covered terrace that was very similar in appearance to the London Road End. It has been named the Motorpoint Stand in a corporate sponsorship deal. In one corner of the ground between the South Stand and the London Road Terrace, is a Police Control Box, whilst on the other corner is a tall, old-fashioned floodlight pylon. The ground had a set of four at one time, but three have been taken down as the London Road ground has been redeveloped.
It June 2019 the stadium was renamed the Weston Homes Stadium Stadium in a corporate sponsorship deal. Weston Homes have agreed to a ten-year sponsorship of the London Road Ground.
The Club have announced that in partnership with the local council that they are actively seeking a site to build a new stadium, in an area called the Embankment, close to the existing London Road ground. The stadium will have a planned initial capacity of 17,500, with the potential to be increased to 22,000. The club hopes that the new stadium would be ready for the start of the 2022/23 season. The new Peterborough stadium will meet Premier League standards as the Posh hope to gain promotion to the top flight in the not too distant future. It is likely that London Road will be redeveloped for housing.
Away fans are normally housed in part of the Main Stand (towards the Moy’s End) where just over 1,800 fans can be seated. The view from this stand is quite good, although the facilities inside (such as the refreshment area and toilets) are on the small side and are quite basic. In the upper part of the stand, the seating is wooden, giving an indication of the age of the stand.
Food available inside the ground includes the standard fayre of; Cheeseburgers (£3.80), Burgers (£3.70), Hot Dogs (£3.70), Various Pies including Chicken Balti, Steak and Cheese & Onion (£3.30), Pasties (£3.30) and Jumbo Sausage Rolls (£3.30). On the whole, on each of my visits, I have found Peterborough to be a good and fairly relaxed day out, with some good pubs in the locality too.
Andrew Bartlett a visiting Southampton fan adds; ‘Away fans sitting in Block A of the Main Stand, should be made aware that the leg room is quite tight. Otherwise a very pleasant old fashioned ground with welcoming stewards.’ Please note that the seating area is situated at the opposite end of the ground to the main London Road.
Close to the ground is an unusual drinking outlet called Charters. This former Dutch barge is moored on the River Nene, just a few minutes walk away from London Road. Upstairs is a Chinese restaurant, but downstairs there is a bar, which had on my last visit 12 real ales on tap. It was friendly enough and fans were able to take their drinks out onto the river bank, which makes it quite pleasant when the weather is good.
Alun Thomas a visiting Wrexham supporter adds; ‘We enjoyed the Palmerston Arms on Oundle Reload. It is away fan friendly and has around 10 real ales on offer. It is around a 15 minute walk away from London Road’. This pub is owned by Batemans Brewery and serves a number of their own ales, as well as additional guest ales. It is a strange pub, in so much that apart from one real ale on handpump, the rest of the ales are dispensed straight from the barrels in the cellar, which can be viewed through a glass window behind the bar. Please note that the pub doesn’t stock the likes of Guinness, Carling etc… The pub also doesn’t serve food, but doesn’t object to customers bringing in their own. A few doors away is the Yard of Ale pub, which also serves real ale and has the benefit of showing Sky Sports. Handily located near to these pubs which you pass on the way to the ground is the Woodston fish and chip shop. Both Charters, the Palmerston Arms and the Yard of Ale, are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
Whilst Gordon Pearson recommends the Peacock, which can be found ‘as you come over the River Nene, proceed down London Road past the ground on the left and the pub is situated on the right at the traffic lights next to a KFC drive through’. Further on from the Peacock, turning right onto Park Street is the Coalheavers Arms, which has a selection of ales and ciders, a sizeable beer garden and is family friendly. It normally has a good mix of home and away supporters on matchdays. You can also street park in this area.
Alternatively, the ground is within walking distance (10 minutes) of the city centre (which is very pleasant and complete with a cathedral) where there are plenty of good pubs to be found. Most have doormen present on matchdays, but seem happy enough to admit away fans. If you are arriving by train then the Brewery Tap near to the station on Westgate, is worth a visit. The home of Oakham Ales, this spacious bar serves good beer, Thai food and allows you a view into the brewery itself. Pete Cluderay informs me; ‘I discovered an excellent pub just up the road from the Brewery Tap called the Wortley Almshouses which is housed within quite an old building. It serves reasonably priced beers by Sam Smiths as well as food.’
Richard Feek tells me; ‘Pubs wise there are a couple of notable additions that have recently opened in the City Centre, The Bumble Inn which a small micro pub located on Westgate (opposite the Wortley Almshouse) although on the small side it was very welcoming and serves a range of Real Ales, Ciders and continental lagers. The Stoneworks is a recently opened Craft Beer bar which has opened on Church Street in the City Centre, this is a fair sized open plan bar serving a good quality selection of craft beers, ciders and spirits, something slightly different to the usual City Centre pubs. The Drapers Arms on Cowgate is a two-minute walk from the Station and is a large welcoming Wetherspoons pub. And finally the Solstice is hidden away behind the City Market on Northminster Road, this a large modern yet traditional bar showing sports on various screens, it also has a large outdoor and partly covered seating area outside with Plasma screens. Food is served as is Real Ale and the usual selection of drinks. Attached to the Solstice is Harrys Tea Room for those who would prefer a more relaxed non-alcoholic pre-match drink or two’.
Please note that alcohol is not made available to away supporters inside the stadium.
Throughout Peterborough’s 87 year old existence, the club has played all their home games in one stadium: The London Road Stadium. The ground is currently known as the Weston Homes Stadium owing to a sponsorship deal. Once upon a time it belonged to Peterborough United’s predecessors, Peterborough & Fletton United, however, that was many moons ago. Over the past century, the Weston Homes Stadium has seen a lot of major reconstructions and now it looks nothing like the original structure. Peterborough’s stadium used to be a 650 seater at one point but the stadium has since been expanded to 15,314 seats.
The ABAX Stadium is located on the outskirts of the city centre, on the A15 London Road. The ground is fairly well signposted around the city centre.
From the North/West
Drive into the city centre, follow signs for Whittlesey (A605) which will lead you to the London Road. The new stand is quite visible from some distance away, so keep a lookout.
From the South
Leave the A1 at Junction 17 and take the A1139 towards Peterborough. Then take the third exit slip road onto the A1260 (signposted City Centre). Leave the A1260 at the first exit (signposted Orton Malborne) and at the roundabout take the third exit onto Morley Way. Then at the next roundabout take the first exit onto Shrewsbury Avenue. After a half a mile you will reach a set of traffic lights (there is a car sales showroom on one corner) where you turn right onto Oundle Road (A605). Continue straight along Oundle Road and you will reach the stadium on your right.
There is no parking available to visiting supporters at the ground. There is a council pay & display car park just off London Road (turn right at the traffic lights after crossing the bridge over the River Nene, from the city centre and it is immediately on the right). This costs £4 to park there for the day. Otherwise, there is street parking to be found on side streets further up Oundle Road (going away from London Road). Please though check for any parking restriction signs on lamp posts, as the side streets nearest to the ground operate a residents only parking scheme.
Post Code for SAT NAV: PE2 8AL
Peterborough Railway Station is around a mile away from the London Road Ground. Turn right out of station and follow the main road, passing an Asda store on your right. At the traffic lights near to the Rivergate Shopping Centre, turn right. Go over the bridge and you can see the floodlights of London Road, over on your left. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the station to the ground. Thanks to Andrew Dodd for providing the directions.
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:
Like a number of Clubs, Peterborough United operates a Category System (A & B) whereby the more popular games cost more to watch. Category A prices are shown below with Category B prices in brackets:
Home Fans*
Seating**
Adults £26 (B £24), Aged 60 and over £21 (B £19), Under 22’s £17 (B £15), Under 18’s £10 (B £8), Under 12’s £8 (B £6), Under 7’s £1***
Terrace**
Adults £22 (B £20), Aged 60 and over £17 (B £15), Under 22’s £13 (B £11), Under 18’s £9 (B £7)
Away Fans*
Main (North) Stand A Wing Seating:
Adults £26 (B £24), Aged 60 and over £21 (B £19), Under 22’s £17 (B £15), Under 18’s £10 (B £8), Under 12’s £8 (B £6), Under 7’s £1***
* The prices shown above are for tickets bought in advance of matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game can cost up to £2 more. ** Fans who become Club Members can receive a discount on these prices. *** Under 7’s must be accompanied by an adult (over 18). Maximum of three Under 7’s per adult.
Also please note that proof of concession may be required on entering the ground.
Official Programme £3
Blue Moon Fanzine £2
Peterborough vs Northampton rivalry: Both teams are based along the river Nene, so their meetings are called the Nene derby. Peterborough and Northampton consider each other to be their main rivals.
Peterborough vs Cambridge rivalry: Meetings between these teams are commonly called the Cambridgeshire derby; Peterborough and Cambridge are the only two professional football teams in Cambridgeshire hence the atmosphere being taken up a notch when the two meet.
Peterborough vs Leicester City rivalry: This is actually one of the more recent rivalries to develop, as both teams did not consider each other as rivals until around 2008. The two then went head to head in the lower leagues for a period of time and a heat was brought to their meetings. Due to Leicester City’s success in recent years, however, this has become a very one sided rivalry, which looks unlikely to be reignited.
Peterborough United FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)
If you require hotel accommodation in Peterborough 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. Just input the dates below that you wish to stay and then select from the map the hotel of interest to get more information. The map is centered to the football ground. However, you can drag the map around or click on +/- to reveal more hotels in the City Centre or further afield.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Peterborough is famous for its Cathedral, which is right in the centre of the city. It is impressive both outside and in, with visitors welcome. You can of course at the same time, say a quick prayer for your team….
Record Attendance
30,096 v Swansea City
FA Cup 5th Round, 20th February 1965.
Average Attendance
2019-2020: 7,371 (League One)
2018-2019: 7,365 (League One)
2017-2018: 5,669 (League One)
Official Web Site:
www.theposh.com
Unofficial Web Sites:
Londonroad.net
Up The Posh
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Peterborough United v Watford
Championship League
Saturday April 21st 2012, 3pm
Joe Cummins (Watford fan)
I was really looking forward to the match because London Road is essentially the only ground with terracing I'd be able to travel to with Watford for some time. It was slightly disappointing however because if Watford had previously won a few more games, then this could have sent us to the play-off's as it was the second last game of the season. I was still looking forward to it however as I knew it would be a fun day out.
Getting to the ground was relatively easy as it was a straight road from the A1 all the way to London Road. We parked about 10 minutes away from the ground as we wanted to avoid post-match congestion. The station wasn't far away either so coming by train wouldn't be too much hassle. The ground is quite visible because of its large floodlights.
Upon leaving the car park, we crossed under a small subway onto a main High Street. There were various places to eat and drink there but there wasn't really the kind of pub me and my Dad were looking for. We crossed a bridge just off of the High Street and found this nice place with an outside seating area and a drinks kiosk. There were many Peterborough and Watford fans there so it made for a nice atmosphere before the game.
When I first arrived at the ground, I was quite impressed by the Norwich and Peterborough South Stand that was relatively big and had two tiers. The two ends were terracing of course and the low roof made for some nice acoustics inside. The Main Stand wasn't as impressive, but it housed 800 seats for away fans, if you didn't fancy standing.
The game was probably the best away atmosphere you could get at an away game this season. The low roof over the away terrace makes every song sound really loud and all away fans would probably be impressed by the atmosphere. Unfortunately, the home fans were some of the quietest bunch i've ever seen and there were a few " Library…" chants coming from us! The only time I heard them was when they scored.
The stewards were generally rather laid back and only really had to react when loads of Watford fans came to the front when we scored. The hospitality in the terracing was quite poor to be honest. There was one serving hatch that served all the general stuff as well as some pies, however since it was the only one it was always packed. There was also only one ladies/gents toilet, this caused queues and was very inconvenient.
The game itself was quite exciting resulting in a 2-2 draw. The home side took the lead early on through a penalty. Before Watford bounced back when the Peterborough keeper failed to clear his lines. Watford then took the lead when Sean Murray netted an excellent direct free kick. However Peterborough levelled the game when Davis knocked in a rebound from outside the box. The game was good to watch with both teams playing relatively well.
Getting away was pretty easy, you just had to walk across a dirt path until you reach the main road again. There didn't seem to be an awful lot of Police presence around the ground. However once we reached the car there was a lot of traffic getting out of the central area. The way back to the A1 was relatively easy as London Road joins onto the junction on the A1.
Overall I was rather impressed by the day out, the terracing was a laugh as I hadn't really been on one before. The game itself was quite good, even if we were only 14th by the end. I would recommend it to families and men alike because of the fact there is both terracing and seating for away fans. The ground is also not far from the centre of town so you can do a bit before the game as well.
Peterborough United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Championship League
Saturday September 22nd 2012, 3pm
Thomas Sperrink (Wolves fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was really looking forward to visiting Peterborough as I knew quite a few Wolves fans would be travelling and I expected a good atmosphere as most Wolves fans would be housed in the standing terrace.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was a really easy drive from Birmingham up the M6/A14/A605 and then we managed to find some free street parking off Oundle Road about 5-10 minutes walk from the ground.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We visited the Palmerston Arms for a pint as the landlord had posted on a Wolves message board that we would be welcome there (which I thought was a very nice touch as he also left his phone number should fans require parking). It was a great little pub with all the ales poured straight from the barrels which are housed behind the bar the other side of a glass window. The service was very quick and the beer was excellent. The home supporters were very friendly and although my father and I were happy to chat between ourselves I did notice a few conversations between opposing fans.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
We walked down to the ground and it was easy access to the away stands. We chose to buy our tickets in the seated area adjacent to the pitch while the majority of away support was housed in the standing terrace to our left behind the goal. The stand we were in was pretty dated with wooden seats and with standing areas behind each goal only the stand opposite us looked like it had been recently built. There were some supporting pillars in front of us but they didn’t block our view particularly badly.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
We both grabbed a balti pie and a Bovril before the game which were the best I’ve had in a couple of seasons, however we bought ours 20 minutes before kick off and they were the last 2 so I would suggest they probably do not stock enough for a larger away following. There are a couple toilets in the seated stand and the half time entertain was quite funny with the mascots having a running and throwing competition.
The game itself was utterly dominated by Wolves who scored a penalty mid way through the first half and added a second late in the second half but rarely looked troubled by a fairly toothless Peterborough side. The atmosphere was pretty good, although some moronic Wolves fans threw a couple of flares onto the pitch after we scored and despite a steward being about 3 foot away it was left to the goalkeeper to remove this from the field of play. In their defence the stewards in my stand were fine and created a relaxed atmosphere. The Peterborough fans did seem to rouse themselves in the second half when their side showed a bit more bite but in the end the timing of the goals kept the Wolves fans on top.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was easy enough, we walked back to the car and the traffic was a little heavy but not too bad.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I would definitely recommend a trip to Peterborough as the ground was a blast from the past and created a good atmosphere. I think the ground will probably change in the coming years so I would recommend getting a trip to London Road before it changes too much.
Peterborough United v Preston North End
League One
Saturday, October 5th 2013, 3pm
Paul Willott (Preston North End fan)
A fixture that for fans such as myself living exiled in the south-east stands out as a "must do" had extra spice in so far as the host club were now being managed once again by the son of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson after his not exactly successful stint at the helm of the Lilywhites. Also a plus point for me is that it stands out as one that begs to be done by public transport as the ground sits so close to the first major station that the express trains out of Kings Cross use, therefore some-one else can doe the "driving" for a change and I can enjoy a beer or two !
As my colleague and I wandered up to take our train out of Kings Cross I had a very excited anticipation of the fayre on offer with Peterborough unbeaten at home, second in the table, with Preston similarly unbeaten away and also flying high in the table, it had all the trappings of a great afternoon in prospect.
As we arrived in Peterborough in good time, we meandered through the city centre taking in the sights of this historic looking place complete with its Cathedral. Gradually, once we'd taken in some food, our feet plodded over the River Nene and the Cambridge to Peterborough railway line, from which vantage point one can just glimpse the start of the preserved Nene Valley railway before we decided to refresh our thirsty souls with some beers in "The Peacock" across from the ground. The pub also welcomes cars for a small fee on matchdays.
On a previous visit I had found doormen at said pub extremely reluctant to let away fans in, but this time we were made most welcome, and as the weather was dry and mild enough we took our beers out in the open area behind the pub to have a crafty smoke as we supped and engaged in discussion with some of the friendly home supporters about the world of football.
As kick-off approached we entered the ground and took our pick of seats still available in the section allocated to away fans. The matchday program interestingly documented that imminent demolition of the Moys Terrace was due to start with contracts being signed and there was a computer generated image of how the new stand will look.
The stand , whilst clearly old, is adequate and the roof allows the travelling support to raise as good an atmosphere as used to be generated under the roof of the Moys Terrace.
The match was a cracker, and although two soft-ish goals conceded during the first half gave Peterborough a commanding position, it was pleasing to see that they continued to make a game of it, pushing hungrily for more goals. In the second half, Preston seemed more assertive and could not be faulted for effort and endeavour rattling the woodwork on no less than 3 occasions with the home keeper seemingly beaten, although the home fans would no doubt counter with a goal of their own that was disallowed. Neither side let up until the referee blew for full time, so although slightly disappointed to lose, one felt more than satisfactorily entertained after 90 minutes of good entertaining football from two good teams.
Hence we returned towards the railway station, and to London where it seemed rude not to pay a visit to the most excellent bar above the station for a few more cheeky beers where we chanced upon a Coventry City supporter similarly exiled as myself who was equally happy to consume liquers as we put the world of football to rights . . . . .
A most pleasant and enjoyable day.
Peterborough United v Stevenage
League One
Saturday, November 23rd 2013, 3pm
Dan Cope (Stevenage fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
As a Stevenage fan, when the fixtures came out, the first match I looked for was away at Peterborough. I was thoroughly looking forward to this game as it was the closest thing to a derby we have in this league, and a chance to tick another ground off the list.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I jumped on the train at Stevenage which went direct to Peterborough. The train passed the ground before we arrived at the station so it was easy to figure out which direction to go. We turned right out of the train station, walked through the town center and the floodlights were easily visible so we just headed in that direction.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
My friend and i went to a pub called "The Office" which was about 10 minutes away from the ground, we had a couple of drinks and watched a thrilling Merseyside derby!
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
My first impression on the ground was how old it looked from the outside. The away section in the Main Stand had a very low roof and a pillar which slightly obstructed our view. The ground had two large terraces, one of which is normally used by away fans, however I believe this is going to be demolished soon. The stand opposite us had two tiers and looked very modern compared to the rest of the ground.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The only goal game from a 20 yard curler from Lucas Akins in the 20th minute, there were also 9 yellow cards and 1 red card in the worst refereed match i have ever seen. As expected, the 600+ Stevenage fans generated a fantastic atmosphere and really got behind the team. Sadly there was not much banter with the Posh fans, we didn't hear a peep out of them all game. The snack bar was tiny and did not serve burgers so I settled for an overpriced, dry, sausage roll. The toilets too were in a tiny shed like room.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After the game it was a simple walk through town back to the train station.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I thoroughly enjoyed my day, and 95% of that was due to the result and an entertaining game and it's another stadium I can tick off my list 🙂
Peterborough Utd v Crawley Town
League One
Saturday 25th April 2015, 3pm
Steve Herbert (Crawley Town fan)
Why you were looking forward to going to the London Road Ground?
The trip to London Road was to be part of my stag do weekend. We were actually staying in London for the weekend but I wanted to include a football away day as part of the celebrations!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Very easy, just 45 minutes by train from Kings Cross to Peterborough and you can actually see the ground on your right as you approach Peterborough station. From the railway station it's about a 10 minute walk to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As we were on a stag weekend we were interested in a good drink before the game. Our first stop was The Drapers arms (a Wetherspoons pubs) close to the station. The pub allowed both home and away fans in colours and all the cheap drink offers and prices that you expect from a Wetherspoons. We then visited Charters Bar, on the river, right next to the stadium. This was a brilliant pre match pit-stop with over 20 ales on tap! Highly Recommended especially on a warm sunny day!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
London Road is going through a modernisation period at the moment with two new and two old stands. Us reds were housed in the old Main Stand which even though it has pillars, still gives a decent view of the pitch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game turned out to be a thrilling 4-3! unfortunately we ended up on the wrong end of that scoreline. Despite the fact we went 3-2 up with 2 minutes left to play! If we had seen the game out we would still be in League One. The atmosphere was brilliant though, with a healthy 332 Crawley fans creating a brilliant atmosphere throughout. The stewards seemed friendly enough, but as its an old stand the toilets and catering facilities are well past there time! My advice would be eat before you go in. Also alcohol is not sold to visiting fans. Bit of a let down if your on a stag party!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problems getting away from the ground after, just followed the masses towards the city centre. The railway station is well sign posted and only a 10 minute stroll away.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite throwing away victory in the last few minutes which would of kept us Reds up! It was a brilliant game of football and a brilliant away day for my stag party! Many a beer was sunk, and i didn't end up the river! Will definitely be visiting Peterborough again, especially the Charters Bar!
Peterborough United v Walsall
League One
Saturday 19th September 2015, 3pm
Karl (Walsall fan)
Why you were looking forward to going to visiting the London Road football ground?
Having worked previously at the ABAX Stadium before as a member of security, I was interested to see how the ground experience was from a fans perspective. Plus it was a match that I was looking forward to, as Walsall were currently second in the league table.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
As I can't drive and didn't want to travel down on a coach/mini bus I decided the best option was catching the train from Birmingham New Street that goes direct to Peterborough. But on arrival at Peterborough railway station I did become a bit lost to start with, but as soon as I loaded Google Maps it was easy to find the ground. In the end it was just a 10-15 minute walk from the train station.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Once I arrived I decided to have a beer as it was midday and the Draper Arms which is a 5 minute walk from the train station was welcoming to away fans. I then wandered into the city centre and decided to have a burger and chips from a van that seems to be permanent. I then visited the Charter Bar on the river Nene, which had a great selection of real ales. With the nice weather it was a lovely place to sit outside.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Having worked at the stadium before, the ground is very split between the new and old. You can immediately see the difference in the newer stands compared to the London Road Terrace and the Main Stand in which the away fans are situated. The leg room in the stand isn't all that good especially with the old wooden seating.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was dull until the second half. As soon as Romaine Sawyers put the ball in the back of the net I thought that Walsall could have gone on to win, especially when Peterborough had a man sent off. But Walsall gave away a silly penalty four minutes from the end, which Posh ruefully accepted and equalised. The atmosphere from the away fans was brilliant as we never stop singing, yet the home fans only got behind their team when the drummer decided to bang his drum. The catering facilities are poor as they are just a hole in the wall, but the stewards were friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was easy and was great to chat to some home fans when walking back towards the train station.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed my experience as an away fan at this ground even though the result didn't go our way. Certainly would visit again if away fans weren't in the Main Stand. Perhaps they should be moved back to the newer Motorpoint Stand? as the home fans are not filling out this end.
Peterborough United v Milton Keynes Dons
Football League One
Saturday 28th January 2017, 3pm
Syed Ahmed (Milton Keynes Dons fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ABAX Stadium?
After going to Bolton and Scunthorpe earlier in the season, I had to turn down multiple offers to go to away games after refereeing youth matches on the mornings of the games. And although I was due to go to Port Vale a few weeks before this game, it sadly got postponed due to snow. But this game I knew I could go to with my friend as it didn't take long to get to compared to other journeys so I was able to referee the youth game and jump straight into the car, all in good time.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Our journey was swift with my friend's dad driving having travelled there many a time. Apart from struggling to find a good place to park, we had no issues with driving by car.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
After driving past the London Road Ground and Peterborough City Centre area, we walked there as soon as we parked up. We had shot off from Milton Keynes, leaving us not having had any lunch. Although we had been looking for a pub to sit and eat and watch the Liverpool v Wolves FA Cup game (my friend is a Man United fan and didn't let me forget about the loss as I supported Liverpool as well), none of the pubs seemed particularly welcoming to away fans so we didn't bother. In the end we sat and ate pizza from papa Luigi's who were keen to read the programme I had bought before going in as they starred in it. The Posh fans in there seemed to be pleasant and talkative. We didn't have any issues around the ground either.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ABAX Stadium?
I hadn't expected a great deal from the ground having known it was fairly old. Although the newer stand opposite the tunnel was impressive, I couldn't say the other sections were. There was a good following from the Dons fans so we couldn't move around too much but we sat on the row between the lower section of plastic seats and wooden seats so our legs weren't cramped like every other row behind us. The wooden seating was awful and we saw nails on the ground having fallen out from them. Due to the complete lack of space between rows people were having to climb over chairs to get up to the higher rows which wasn't great. I have definitely been in better stands but at least we weren't the unlucky few stuck behind a pillar.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
So having gone in early, we hoped there might have been a bar or something in the ground, but we were left very disappointed by all the facilities in general. They had two tiny refreshment bars barely tall enough to stand up in and the two sets of toilets could hold no more than five at a time. The atmosphere in the Dons area was fantastic but the rest of the ground was very poor. Dons sang and sang but no Posh fans every responded so we ended up making fun of multiple bits of Peterborough. One chant poked fun at the dodgy Bob the Builder look alike mascots, another one at Junior Morias, a Peterborough sub who in his large puffer jacket looked a bit like Akinfenwa. What topped it off was chants towards to youngish stewards, one a blond girl and another a largish ginger lad. Chants included 'we want our ginger back', 'she so know ginger' (in relation to him talking to this blond girl' and 'we've got our ginger back'.
The game its self started nervy for the dons after having needing a goal line clearance from our centre back after a goal keeper mare and also a ball that fizzed across the box. However the second half was all us with the flood gates opening after Harvey Barnes on loan from Leicester scored his second in as many games with a pot shot that rolled over the line. Striker Agard finished well, even after a clear penalty was turned don. But then Chuks Aneke scored a ridiculous volley that was hit so hard the camera on the replays I watched after the game nearly missed it. The same man finished the riot with a simple finish after terrible defending from a corner we had won. In all a fantastic second half, in which a considerable amount most of the posh fans had missed after leaving after the third goal.. It finished 4-0 to the Dons.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Although this wasn't a derby game, there was a considerable Police presence. I didn't see any disturbances almost as if posh fans knew they had been thumped. We quickly got back to our car and enjoyed our journey home very much, especially after Newport Pagnell Town, a local team in Milton Keynes, won in extra time in the FA Vase 5th round after being 2-0 down at half time and scoring in the sixth min of added time to make it 2-2.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, probably the best away day trip I have been on for some time purely because of the result. It was great to get revenge on the posh after they strolled to a win at our place. Finally it is looking up for MK Dons!
Peterborough United v Sheffield United
Football League One
Saturday 11th February 2017, 3pm
Felix McHugh (Sheffield United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ABAX Stadium?
It was my wedding anniversary and this match coincided. So a trip to see this game coupled with a romantic night in Peterborough seemed like an appropriate double celebration.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Straight down the A1. The ground is easy to find although I do long for the bygone era of looking out for the big floodlight pylons, which made locating grounds much easier.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Checked into hotel and then walked up to the ground. Peterborough seems like a friendly town and there was not the slightest hint of any aggro.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ABAX stadium?
It has been half a lifetime since I was last at London Road, and I was happy to see that some of the ground hasn't changed. It's nice to see a standing home end that still exists. There is a big stand down one side where the open terrace used to be; I wonder how the Club got planning permission for that. The new stand where the away terrace used to be is smaller than it looks on television, but the Posh had been very generous with their ticket allocation so I got a seat in the old Main Stand. It was a wooden seat, which is also a rarity these days, but my backside barely touched it because the entire Blades contingent spent the duration of the match standing up.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A cracking game. The Blades were on top but Posh defended bravely and had some dangerous looking players, but their final pass tended to go awry. Their goalie was having a good game but in the 87th minute Billy Sharp for the Blades popped up with the winning goal. The atmosphere in the Blades section was wonderful. As for Peterborough's fans, I don't know whether they made much noise or not because I was deafened by my own side's supporters and their non-stop singing. I even joined in a few times, myself.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy. Although there seemed to be Police everywhere because of the large number of away fans, but everything was okay.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out at Peterborough. I enjoyed the match, the late winner was a moment of pure joy and we slept in a nice comfy bed. We had pizza in the town centre afterwards and that was pretty good too. Peterborough isn't the most attractive town in the world but it's by no means the worst and it does have it's ancient bits. They don't half have funny accents, though!
Peterborough v Bristol Rovers
Football League One
Saturday 22nd April 2017, 3pm
Yaz Shah (Bristol Rovers fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ABAX Stadium?
We had a very slim chance of being in the push for a play off place for the remaining game next week but heavily dependent on three other results going our way. It was a simple journey for me up the A1.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Very easy drive until the final stage. Left my home in Harrow at 12:30 for the 80 miles up on the A1(M) then onto the A15. Very few signs going north on A1 for football ground when on A15 so I went too far. Got to ground at 14:15 and found street parking about 10 minutes walk. I would suggest that more signposts are put up to the ABAX Stadium from A1 and A15.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Nothing much except went and bought a ticket for £20. Home fans not too friendly? But no issues. Large police presence but saw no sign of any trouble.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ABAX Stadium?
We had been allocated the Motorpoint Stand at one end and it was reasonably occupied by us. Peterborough were playing for pride, we had something to play for. This was their last home game. Ground was good with clear views. I liked the London Road ground; it had a nice feel to it helped by a nice sunny day. The pitch looked good as well for so late in the season, not too dissimilar to ours.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a bad result for us. We had three or four corners in the first five minutes and were pressing hard. Our first small mistake led to their first goal at an acute angle off the post. We were then awarded a penalty which our striker missed/saved by their goalie. They then scored again through another mistake by us. 2-0 at halftime but still hope. We then conceded another goal through a stray pass and then went down 4-0. We had so many chances that were missed or cleared off the line. We scored two late goals through Rory Gaffney who came on as sub. 4-2 was flattering to them. Stewards were very friendly although I am not sure that I would like PUFC emblazoned on my back? Tea was good but expensive at £2.20. Toilets were modern and very clean compared to other grounds.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy via A15 to A1. Home just in time to watch last half hour of Chelsea beating Spurs in FA Cup semi by the same score of 4-2.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A very bad day for us as the three points would have put us in a very good position for our last home game vs Millwall as Millwall lost, Southend lost and Rochdale drew. The referee and linesmen were fair and good with a crowd of 5,500 of which approximately a 1,000 being Rovers. I am glad I went and I think we will beat Millwall next week and miss the play offs by one place. But still a great season for us after two successive promotions.
Peterborough United v Bradford City
Football League One
Saturday 9th September 2017, 3pm
Neil (Bradford City fan)
Peterborough United v Oxford United
Football League One
Saturday 30th September 2017, 3pm
Rob Pickett (Oxford United fan)
Peterborough United v Blackburn Rovers
League One
Saturday 9th December 2017, 3pm
Jim Rowley (Blackburn Rovers fan)
Peterborough United v Blackburn Rovers
League One
Saturday 9th December 2017, 3pm
Chris (Blackburn Rovers fan)
Peterborough United v Northampton Town
League One
Monday 2nd April 2018, 3pm
David King (Neutral fan)
Peterborough United v Barnsley
League 1
Saturday 6th October 2018, 3pm
David Crossfield (Barnsley)
Peterborough United v Bradford City
FA Cup 2nd Round
Saturday 1st December 2018, 3pm
Dan Maguire (Doing the 92)
Peterborough United v Shrewsbury Town
League One
Saturday 23rd February 2019, 3pm
Thomas Inglis (Neutral Visiting Dundee United Fan)
Peterborough United v Fleetwood Town
League One
Saturday 3rd August 2019, 3pm
Pete Woodhead (Doing the 92)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Weston Homes Stadium?
With my name being in the club title is was obvious I was going to attend this ground early into my 92.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Unable to comment on the parking as I was fortunate enough to have a family member who provided us with box level parking right outside the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Around the ground is plenty going on from food vans to blow up shooting games for the kids, all of which was free. It was the opening weekend of the season and both fans were friendly and no real issues.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Weston Homes Stadium?
The stadium was nice for a League 1 team and access to seats were via walking along the side of the pitch which was nice although not ideal for safety/potential pitch invaders.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A 3-1 away win for Fleetwood with a lovely chipped goal for the second. The game consisted of lots of failed long balls and the play changing from team to team constantly. There was no atmosphere and the stadium was nowhere near full.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Although I parked at the ground, the exit was easy and the area cleared pretty quickly.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Nice stadium, facilities as expected, however not the most exciting day out.
Peterborough United v Lincoln City
League One
Saturday 12th October 2019, 3pm
Mark Capewell (Lincoln City)
Peterborough United v Cambridge United
EFL Trophy Group Stage
Tuesday 12th November 2019, 7.30pm
Kevin Nash (Neutral Visiting Reading Fan)
Peterborough United v Bolton Wanderers
League One
Saturday 14th December 2019, 3pm
Matthew Bowling (Bolton Wanderers)
Peterborough United v Gillingham
League 1
Saturday 11th January 2020, 3pm
Matt Boughton (Gillingham)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Weston Homes Stadium?
This was a new ground for me. With Gillingham on a good run of form, and with our Manager Steve Evans returning to his former club, we were looking forward to our first visit to the newly named Weston Homes Stadium (or London Road, as I prefer)!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Our journey from Medway was just shy of 2 hours, with no hold-ups apart from long-standing speed restrictions on the A14 near Huntingdon. On arrival in the city, we paid to park in the Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park, which is really close to the ground providing a good getaway too.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Having arrived in good time just after 1 pm we made the very short walk to the Charters Bar on the River Nene. This is well worth a visit for any away fan; a first for me in having pre-match drinks on a barge! The downstairs bar serves a good selection of local ales and the bar staff are friendly. Home and away fans mingled without any hostility at all. After a swift drink, we left just after 2 pm for the short, 5 minute walk to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Weston Homes Stadium?
Considering the area around the stadium has clearly been recently redeveloped, London Road has been well left alone. Once we had identified the right turnstiles (a job in itself), we were guided up uneven stairs to the upper section. The facilities are basic, small and a throwback to a different era. Away fans are tucked at the end of the Main Stand, at the side of the pitch on wooden seats with very little legroom. Each stand is very different and it is clear the better, more modern areas and traditional terrace behind the goal are reserved for home fans!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself finished 0-0 although both sides hit the woodwork. Peterborough has a man sent off towards the end of the game but Gillingham couldn’t make them pay. The stewarding was very relaxed and appreciative of the fact that sitting down was very difficult for anyone taller than the average height! One of the benefits of an older ground with a low roof is the acoustics meaning you can get a good atmosphere going in the away end. While being close to the pitch there are a couple of pillars that impede views from the back of the stand. Finally, we made the error of eating inside the ground. £3.50 for the most basic steak and ale pie is excessive for the best of pies, but mine was overcooked and worthy of no more than a 6/10. Definitely eat outside of the ground if you can.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Pleasure Fair Meadow Car Park is so conveniently located than we were in our car just 10 minutes after the game finished. Fortunately, the Main Stand is closest to this too. Though there were some delays getting out of the city centre due to the volume of traffic, we were back in Kent by 7 pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Though the game finished 0-0 Peterborough was an enjoyable place to visit. Charters Bar is a unique drinking establishment and well worth your time as a visiting fan. The ground, while dated and in some need of refurbishment, has a charm about it although it is a shame the club don’t invest more in their facilities. Peterborough remains one of our closest away games and is one I’ll definitely consider attending again in the coming seasons.
Peterborough United v Rotherham United
League 1
Saturday 25th January 2020, 3pm
Martin Thirkettle (Neutral – but a soft spot for Posh)
Game Attended
Peterborough V Plymouth ArgyleCompetition
EFL Cup First RoundDate
10/08/2021Kick Off Time
19:45Team Supported
ArgyleWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
First time going to a game with my son for 25 years and my 6 year old Grandson's first ever 'Proper' game. First time visiting London Road for about 27 years so interested to see changes.How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Was visiting family so just over an hours drive from the other side of Cambridge on the excellent new A1(M) and A14 sections. My son has work colleagues who follow Peterborough so they tipped us off about street parking about a mile from the ground. Stopped en-route at an extremely busy Peterborough services for dinner.What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Walked straight to the ground and apart from two individuals who appeared to have partaken of some 'substances' we were generally totally ignored but no signs of hostility or animosity. People just seemed glad to be going back to see football in a stadium. Unfortunately, the programme kiosk in the away area was closed and appeared to be nowhere else to get a programme.What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
As stated in the guide we were in the East end of the main stand, all in the upper tier. We were sat on the front row on the gangway so had excellent leg room. The stand to our left was closed and the crowd was not particularly large at just over 4000 with 260 Argyle fans.Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Despite the best efforts of the hardy travelling fans (and my grandson) the atmosphere was subdued and became more so for the home fans as the game went on with Argyle scoring twice in each half for a comprehensive and deserved victory 4-0. The fourth goal bought a mass exodus from the home end and the stand opposite. Stewards were very friendly warning you as you entered the gated area to the away turnstiles that only card payments were taken. Apart from 3 bottles of coke at half time we did not purchase any thing.Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Walked back along London Road to the car leaving at 21:55 and did the 62 miles back in an hour.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Lovely family time and grandson was so excited but also very sleepy when he got home. Great result and perfect day. Has cost me a new away shirt for him but that is a small price to pay.Images
Game Attended
Peterboro v WBACompetition
ChampionshipDate
28/08/2021Kick Off Time
2000hrsTeam Supported
WBAWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Had never been to the town or the groundHow easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Easy to find the ground and parking after reading Football ground guide. Pranked at Oudle Rd municipal car park only £4 all day. Nice to not be ripped off.What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Went into the town centre couldn’t get into O’Neill’s to watch football on TV,as was for home fans. went to Wetherspoons, nice atmosphere . Noticed by the river there was a bar and garden where you could also drink as away support.What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The away end was new, you have to go up stairs to get to the concourse. Good view. Half modern half retro ground. Good atmosphere. Not great getting out. Only one way squashed up in Concorse and slow moving going down stairs. Wouldn’t want a fire evacuating there.Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Good atmosphere. Stewards were a little over zealous when we scored the winner in injury time. They don’t understand over exuberance.Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Getting away was very easy and comfortable.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Good day out. Nice place. Nice traditional type of ground. Home supporters were welcoming.Images
Game Attended
Peterborough v BluesCompetition
ChampionshipDate
18/09/2021Kick Off Time
3pmTeam Supported
Birmingham CityWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Never been to The Posh before and was looking forward to ticking off another ground.How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Peterborough is easy to find. I used the postcode for the Riverside Carpark and just followed the signs when I got into the city. I got there just before mid day, so no problems at all.What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I mates who travelled up for the game too. We met up at Charters Bar- the boat with a beer garden on the River Nene which had good choice of beers. With friendly Posh fans and nice weather, the atmosphere was great. Some Blues fans were- shall we say- a little boisterous.What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
A nice mix of old and new. I was in the new stand behind the goal which had a great view of the pitch.Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Less said about the game the better- the result was a fair reflection of the game. With almost 4000 away fans, the atmosphere was great. The stewards in the stand I was in were very hands off- resulting the the aisles packed with standing fans. It felt claustrophobic with with 4 fans standing together at the 2 seats next to mine. This seemed to be the case across the stand.Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Went back to Charters to meet the others for for a cola (and avoid the rush) before heading home.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
A terrible performance from Blues, and some of our fans didn’t represent the Blues with class, but Posh deserved the win. Peterborough away is definitely one of the better days out for the away fan.Images
Game Attended
Peterborough v Bristol CityCompetition
Sky Bet ChampionshipDate
02/10/2021Kick Off Time
15:00Team Supported
Bristol CityWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
I was looking to this game because it's fairly local to me as a Bristol City fan living in the North. It was a good chance to visit the ground for the first time in a few years.How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Very easy to find the ground. We travelled on the train and it was a 10/15 minute walk to the ground.What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went to a pub called the Cross Keys. It was advertised as a 5 minute walk to the ground on their Twitter but in reality was a 20 minute walk. VERY reasonably priced and the staff was very welcoming. Nice mix of Posh and City fans in there.What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
I must admit it was a old fashioned away ground with wooden seats. Side view of the game which is rare for away fans. Stewards very poor there was alot of fans stood on the stairs and me and my partner couldn't find our way to our seats so had to stand there for some time and she felt unsafe. We moved down towards the front and managed to grab some seats closer to the action. Weather didn't help as it's probably the wetest day i've been too!Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Game was a thriller! 2-2 at half time and a late winner for City! As above to my comments about the stewards the ones further down to where we sat was better but still in my opinion need to do more with fans standing on the stairs. I don't want to come across a bore i'm very much in favour of safe standing and love the atmosphere of away days but do fear for younger fans if they had to stand there. Faculties very poor, toilet was horrendous and very small. No concourse you had to go back outside and get drinks and pies etc.Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Getting away from the ground was easy for us as we just walked back to a pub near the train station and enjoyed a bite to eat and drink before leaving. Traffic looked busy but was flowing pretty smoothly.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Enjoyable day out with 3 points! Would recommend the away day if the weather is okay!Images
Game Attended
peterborough v millwallCompetition
championshipDate
11/12/2021Kick Off Time
1500Team Supported
millwallWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
went with friends who were peterborugh fans and was only 45 mins awayHow easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
very easy journey up by train and ten minute walk to the groundWhat you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
couple of drinks in town then few beers and food at the groundWhat you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
been before but this time in the newer stand behind the goalComment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
very good atmostphere , facilities good stewarding was ok only downside was to many crammed into the block was in so never had my booked seat and stood all the game , game was ok we lost 2.1 after being 1 nil upComment on getting away from the ground after the game
minimal policing/stewarding no issues at allSummary of overall thoughts of the day out
good day out just before christmas apart from the resultImages
Game Attended
Peterborough Utd v. Stoke CityCompetition
SkyBet ChampionshipDate
12/03/2022Kick Off Time
3.00pmTeam Supported
Stoke CityWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
London Road (as it was then) was the first league ground I set foot in over 40 years ago as a lad. Coming from Huntingdon, the Posh were my local team back then. I thought it was time for a revisit Given that it was forecast to be a lovely day (which turned out to be true!) and it was still easily accessible by train from Potters Bar where I currently live, it was a no-brainer. I'd seen from the Football Ground Guide that the stadium had changed a fair bit in the last four decades, so wanted to experience it for myself.How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
My daughter and I took the train up from Hertfordshire - I always try to go to matches by public transport if possible. The station is about a 15 minute walk from the ground without crowds - I'd suggest allowing at least 20 minutes closer to kick off (or to catch a train back afterwards).What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We spent a while in the Queensgate Shopping Centre (another place I'd frequent as a youth) and wandering around the lovely city centre before kick off. The atmosphere around town was great, with a fairly heavy police presence some distance from the ground. As we approached the ground, we got sucked up into the away fans' cordon, which certainly made crossing the roads easier! There was a lovely atmosphere outside the ground, with plenty of families around and a few places to eat. Given that I had my daughter with me, we didn't frequent any of the local watering holes, although I think it's fair to say that many of the travelling fans had done so...What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
After collecting our tickets, we made our way to the DeskGo stand. This was poorly signposted and all the turnstiles are on the opposite end (south) of the stand from the one most fans would approach from. Although the away end looked nice in the Football Ground Guide, the concourse was extremely cramped and there were the facilities were overwhelmed with fans. I'd have been quite anxious to have taken a younger child there. The Weston Homes Stadium has changed a fair bit since I was last there. The view from the away end was brilliant, even though we were in the front row. The main (north) stand has fallen on hard times a bit, and it was really sad to see half of it not used at present. On the south side, gone was the open terrace where I had my first experience of league football, to be replaced by a rather smart two-tier stand with a row of boxes between the tiers. Bizarrely, many of the front row seats were on not separated from the pitch by a wall or even advertising hoardings. This stand was about half full. In the distance was the London Road terrace which was also far from full.Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game started brightly but soon descended into a scrappy affair, with Stoke having most of the possession but giving the ball away on a frequent basis. Stoke opened the scoring after about half an hour, but the Posh responded a few minutes later with their first shot on goal. If anything, the second half was even less free-flowing. Stoke were awarded a penalty with the most blatant handball I've seen in a long time, and Boro also got one later on with a clumsy challenge. 2-2 was flattering to the home team, but Stoke haven't been able to defend a lead this season, so I wasn't surprised there was a late equaliser! The atmosphere amongst the Stoke fans was pretty raucous from the start, with flares being set off and reports of fighting between the away fans as well. We were right near one of the exits onto the pitch, and when Stoke scored the penalty, there was a surge towards it and a couple of fans managed to get onto the playing area. They were quickly ejected from the ground by the stewards. It could have been much worse and spoiled the ending of the match for me. Generally the stewards were very good-natured, despite the behaviour of my fellow away "fans". The home fans were pretty quiet throughout the game. Given that there were only about 7000 of them spread across three stands, with the away support of over 2000, this wasn't surprising. I ventured up onto the concourse at half time but didn't get any food as the queues were ridiculous. It was the usual fare of pies and so on. The stadium is completely cashless.Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
It took forever to get back on the concourse (a disadvantage of being on the front row) because all the exits were right at the back of the stand, rather than being half way up it. Outside the ground there seemed to be few stewards and this was surprising, given what had been happening inside. The walk back to the station was uneventful, although there were plenty of sirens going off around us.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Despite the crowd trouble towards the end, it was great to return to London Road. It's a proper stadium in the heart of the community. I really hope that Peterborough are able to redevelop the main stand, rather than move to an identikit stadium elsewhere.Images
Game Attended
Swansea CityCompetition
League gameDate
16/03/2022Kick Off Time
19:45Team Supported
Swansea CityWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Never been and another one just to tick off the listHow easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Came by train and got taxi to the gound which cost just over £5What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Had a drink in hotel opposite the station and didn't venture too far due to heavy rain all day/ night. No problems with home fans everyone just wanted to get into ground ASAP due to weatherWhat you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The outside is very old looking and a bit odd with old and new parts the away end which is about a 1/3 of the stand that runs the length of the pitch is a football you would expect 30-40 yrs ago proper wooden seats and big posts blocking your views. Two new stands and one old school terracing behind the goal.Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Midweek game, awful weather, Peterborough all but relegated they put up a reasonable fight with no atmosphere from their fans and obviously the Championship just that next step too much for them. About 500 Swansea City fans in attendance pretty good considering distance and a midweek game.Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Still raining everyone just wanted to get home.Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Rain !!Images