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Accrington Stanley

Wham Stadium - Accrington Stanley Stadium

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Capacity: 5,450 (3,100 seated)
Club Nickname: The 'Owd Reds
Year Opened: 1968
Pitch Size: 111 x 72 yards
Address: Livingstone Road, Accrington, BB5 5BX
Phone: 01254 356 950
Pitch Type: Grass
Shirt Sponsors: Wham
Fax: 01254 356 951
Undersoil Heating: No
Manufacturer: Macron
Home Kit: Red
Away Kit: White and Sky Blue stripes
Third Kit: Black with Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, Pink and Purple
Last Update: August 15, 2024

The Wham Stadium (but still known to many fans as the Crown Ground) is on the smallish side but is set in a picturesque area, with views over fields and hills behind the Coppice Terrace at one end of the ground. The ground has recently seen some new investment with the construction of a new 1,100-capacity single-tiered, covered all-seated stand on the Whinney Hill side. Called the Eric Whalley Stand after the former Club Chairman and Owner, this tidy-looking stand has helped improve the overall look of the stadium.

On one side of the ground is the Jack Barrett Memorial Main Stand, which at first glance looks like one stand, but in fact, it is comprised of two small stands. They sit on either side of the halfway line, with an open gap between the two. Both are all seated covered stands and they have an unusual array of tubular steelwork, running across the top of them. The Main Stand was renamed the Jack Barrett Memorial Main Stand, in memory of a supporter who helped re-form the Club after due to financial problems they were forced to resign from the Football League in 1962.

Both ends are fairly new-looking affairs, of which the home end, the William Dyer Electrical Stand is covered, whilst the Coppice Terrace opposite is open to the elements. Both these ends are terraces. The ground has a set of four modern-looking floodlights that were installed at the start of the 2018/19 season. There is also a large video screen located in one corner of the ground between the Whinney Hill Side and Coppice End.

Away fans are mostly housed in the Coppice Terrace at one end of the ground, where up to 1,800 fans can be accommodated. In addition around 500 fans can be accommodated in the new Eric Whalley Stand on one side of the pitch.

The Coppice Terrace is of a reasonable height and is located quite close to the playing action, so it allows fans to get a good view of the game. However, the terrace is uncovered so it can be quite hard to generate some noise from this area. The facilities located behind the stand are adequate.

Although having only around six rows of seats, the Eric Whalley Stand does have a roof and is free of any supporting pillars. The Club currently don’t charge fans any extra to sit in this seated stand, which also has better facilities than the Coppice Terrace.

  • The Crown – 318 Whalley Road, BB5 5DQ
  • Peel Park Hotel – Turkey Street, BB5 6QT
  • Grants Bar – Manchester Road, BB5 2BQ
  • The Albion – 243 Whalley Road, BB5 5HD
  • The Royal Oak – Sparth Road, BB5 5PZ
  • Forts Arms – 1 Lower Barnes Street, BB5 5TA
  • Old England Forever – 13-15 Church Street, BB5 5HT
  • The Commercial Hotel – 1 Church Street, BB5 2EN
  • The Crafty Fox – 21 Abbey Street, BB5 1EN

Food on offer inside the ground includes; a range of Pukka Pies; All Steak, Chicken Balti, Meat & Potato and Cheese & Onion (all £2.80), Sausage Rolls (£2), Cheeseburgers (£3), Burgers (£2.60), Hot Dogs (£2) and Pot Noodles (£1.80).

Wham Stadium is only a mile north of the Accrington town centre and can be reached via the A680 Whalley Road.

There is limited parking near the entrance to the stadium which is located on Livingstone Road (BB5 5BX).

Away fans are located in the Coppice End, as well as the Whinney Hill Stand when the demand is high. Meanwhile, for home supporters entering the Main Stand, the turnstiles are located just past the Main Reception and the Stanley Store.

Accrington Stanley
General view of The Wham stadium – Copyright: xClivexHowesx PSI-19089-0003

Leave the M6 at Junction 29 and take the M65 towards Blackburn. Continue past Blackburn towards Accrington and leave the M65 at Junction 7. Then take the left-hand exit at the roundabout onto the A6185 towards Clitheroe (this is in the opposite direction to Accrington). At the first set of traffic lights turn right onto the A678, towards Padiham, and then at the next traffic lights, turn right onto the A680 towards Accrington. After about half a mile along the A680, you will pass the Crown pub on your left. Take the next left into Livingstone Road and then an immediate left for the Club car park. The car park is small in size and costs £5 and as you would expect it fills up pretty quickly. Otherwise street parking.

Post Code for Sat-Nav: BB5 5BX

Accrington Railway Station is about a mile away from the ground. It is served by trains from Manchester Victoria and Leeds. Leave the station and travel down the slope (signposted M65 Blackburn) towards the large viaduct roundabout in the centre of town. Take the Milnshaw Lane exit at the opposite side of the roundabout alongside the Perry’s Peugeot dealership. After approximately 100 metres this road then joins Whalley Road.  Bear left up the hill and follow Whalley Road for about a mile, passing the hospital, a set of traffic lights and then a mini roundabout.  Take the next right after the mini roundabout junction into Livingstone Road. The football club is approximately 100 metres on the left of Livingstone Road. Thanks to Rob Heys for providing the directions.

For fans wanting to stay overnight in reasonably priced accommodation, here are a couple of suggestions.

All parts of the ground

Adult: £20-£25
Concession: £15-£20
12-17: £10-£15
U12: £5

The reformed Accrington Stanley have been in their current home since back in 1968. Over the years the stadium, the four stand stadium deteriorated considerably to the point where the Accrington ground was widely considered to be amongst the worst in the professional game. In more recent times, the club have poured investment into the stadium though and, whilst small, the stadium is well received by most who visit.

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.

Here is footage of Stanley supporters celebrating inside the Wham Stadium after Accrington gained promotion to League One in the 2017/18 season:

Record Attendance

At The Crown Ground:
5,397 v Derby County
FA Cup 4th Round, 26th January 2019

Average Attendance
2023-2024: 2,788 (League Two)
2022-2023: 2,988 (League One)
2021-2022: 2,915 (League One)
2020-2021: 0 (Covid) (League One)
2019-2020: 2,862 (League One)

Reviews

Avatar of Steve Andrews Steve Andrews
Game AttendedAccrington Stanley v Newport County
CompetitionLeague Two
Date05/08/2023

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I was looking forward to visiting Accrington Stanley as I’ve always respected the fact that Accrington have come back from the wilderness after going out of the league in 1962.

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

I travelled up with the Newport County Supporters Club. We set off from South Wales at 8-00am and arrived in Accrington at 1-00pm.

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

Before the game I visited Stanley’s Coley’s bar. This bar is on the whole side of the ground and is really impressive. Inside it was similar to a lot of city centre sports bars. It had multiple TV’s showing the early game, extensive views of the pitch, friendly staff and competitive quality beers. Both sets of fans were mixing well and all were looking forward to the new season.This bar in my opinion puts a lot of higher league clubs to shame. Well done Stanley.

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

This is a neat and compact ground with modern stands. Ideal for this level of football.

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

The game was competitive for the first 20mins but Accrington took the lead soon afterwards. From then on they took control and dominated play. However it wasn’t until the final 10mins and with two further goals did the score reflect Stanley’s dominance. This was the first game of the season so the atmosphere as expected was good throughout the game. Regarding the ‘pie question’ I had a vegetarian pie at half-time which was of good quality.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

After the game the journey was straight-forward and I arrived back in South Wales around 9-15pm.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

An enjoyable day out, competitive match, compact stadium and a first class sports bar.

Images

Accrington StanleyAccrington StanleyAccrington StanleyAccrington StanleyAccrington StanleyAccrington Stanley
Avatar of Stewart Howe Stewart Howe
Game AttendedSutton United
CompetitionLeague Two
Date16/09/2023

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I have been to most of the grounds in L2. So was looking forward to this visit.

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

We drove up from South London. Fortunately we had little problems with the traffic. We were advised to park locally as there are no parking restrictions on local roads.we parked in Talbot Road just a five minute walk from the ground.

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

We went straight to the ground. All the staff were friendly and helpful.

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

I liked the ground. One of my favourites in the second division.

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

A great game for the home fans as Sutton lost 4-1! For the first time this season both set of supporters chose to support their club with no negative chanting from either set of fans. That’s so refreshing to see.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Got away without delay.No problems with local traffic.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Accrington Stanley are a credit to the EFL. Our social media was full of praise for the club. Below is a photo of the away end.

Images

Accrington Stanley
Avatar of Richard Appleyard Richard Appleyard
Game AttendedMorecambe
CompetitionLeague one
Date01/10/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

We are 3 Newcastle supporters who have adopted Accrington as our second team,and we go at least once a year.

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

Journey over was easy,and we parked at our hotel a mile from the ground and walked to the stadium

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

We had booked the hospitality at the ground,so had a very nice 2 course meal ,and a few pints there before the game.This was in the new stand and it was excellent.

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

Ground now looks very tidy with the 2 new stands

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

Game was good with a 3-1 win for Accrington.Half time coffee and biscuits in the hospitality lounge .

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Walked back to our hotel got changed and then spent the evening in Accrington.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Great day and everyone at Accrington are very friendly
Avatar of Antony Davies Antony Davies
Game AttendedAccrington vs Portsmouth
CompetitionLeague 1
Date23/10/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I had never visited Accrington while our respective form suggested Pompey might be able to put our poor history at the Wham behind us

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

Finding the ground was simple enough, when you approach Accrington there are plenty of signs. The ground seemed to be away from the town itself but once we arrived I found a field nearby managed by a local football club who just asked for a donation to park.

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

Accrington have a good reputation as a family club and it is fully deserved. Every fan we met was friendly - after a few drinks in a nearby pub we went to the marquee at the home end which had a bar and live music. Again, everyone was brilliant. An cheery old boy in suit even came up to us and gave us all pin badges with both clubs crest on. After he went on his way a couple of home fans informed us he was the clubs owner!

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

Accrington is a relatively small club and the size of the ground reflects this. However, it adds to the charm of lower league football. Shipping container toilets, a stand with no roof and views over fields behind - I loved it.

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

A brilliant game added to a great day. Pompey started strongly and eventually scored to lead 1-0 at HT. In the second half Stanley got back into it and scored 2 quick goals to have us worried. However Pompey got a deserved equaliser 5 mins from time which felt like a win tbh. The stewards were really friendly - one even lifted my youngest onto the pitch at full time and encouraged the Pompey players to give her high-fives as they walked off - she even managed to get a match shirt from one of them. Brilliant stuff.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Due to the low numbers at the game - I think it was around 4k with 800 odd Pompey fans there were no queues qnd we were on our way with no fuss once we got out of the first backed-up road.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

A good game, some of the friendliest fans Ive met and a real old school football ground. As long as these two clubs are in the same league, this will be one of the first fixtures I look for in future. Well done Accrington- a well run club who put on a great away day.
Avatar of Alf Cullen Alf Cullen
Game AttendedAccrington V Plymouth Argyle
CompetitionLeague 1
Date13/11/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

First visit to Accrington. Heard they are a friendly club amd wanted to see if Argyle could keep their great run going.

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

Due to the very late confirmation that the game was on due to potential international call ups. The nearest hotel I could get was in Preston. Travelled there on Friday by train via Birmingham then over to Accrington on Saturday morning. Got number 7 bus from bus station that stops exactly outside the ground.

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

Walked to the club shop which is a bit isolated across the club car park and got a programme. The fan fest tent was also very busy there as was the adjacent pub. As a non drinker I gave these a miss and walked to Livingston Road to access the away stand turnstiles. There are also bars, food facilities and tables behind the away stand Got a bottle of Diet Coke and went to my seat to read programme. Did not talk to any away fans but the ladies in the club shop were very friendly and helpful.

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

Tidy little ground. Terraces at both ends (away uncovered) and seats on both sides though the stands have a temporary air about them ( a bit like Gilllingham but with roofs and facilities). Ground looked almost full though only 3130 there (705 from Plymouth)

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

The home fans were very noisy but in the words of the Wealdstone Raider, ‘You’ve only got one song’. Got a bit repetitive. In the second half they did start singing Beatles songs though for sone obscure reason. Argyle fans kept singing but the lack of a roof on the terrace kills the atmosphere from the away fans. Argyle could not seem to get started in the first half but still went in 2-0 up. Second half Stanley put us under the cosh for 15 minutes and got a goal back. Sone nervy moments until a screamer from Ryan Broome and a Ryan Hardie header put the game to bed. Score flattering for Argyle but who cares. Stewards very laid back and no segregation in the seats.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Traffic was gridlocked after the game so rather than wait for the bus I walked the mile (downhill) back to the Train station. Then a train that stopped at every station back to Preston. Waited for bus and back in hotel before 7pm.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Nice ground , excellent public transport systems. Great result.
Avatar of John Scott John Scott
Game AttendedAccrington v Bradford
CompetitionFriendly
Date31/07/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Another tick off the 92 list.

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

Despite Googlemaps telling me this was only 125 miles from Newcastle, the suggested journey time told me the route was slow in parts. Fine for the 1st bit, down the A1 then A61 to the Harrogate area. From there it was cross country via the A59 which was picturesque but challenging. After missing the ground by driving past for about a mile i got my bearings and parked up on the main (A680) road into town no problem.

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

Went to the club shop while waiting for the ticket office to open. Luckily i got talking to the fans liaison officer who very kindly took me into one of the stands and told me a bit about the club and it's history. Took a pic with me overlooking the pitch. Ate in the Crown pub just behind the ground. £5 for pie, chips and peas. Good value portion too. Both sets of fans mixed happily.

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

Small but tidy ground. No cover on the away terrace so wouldn't be the best on a bad day. There's a mural of press bits from past and recent history along the length of the home stand wall behind the goal.

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

Facilities were good. A marquee was up for both sets of fans with some live entertainment. Couple of food outlets within the home terraced end. Bradford raced into a 2 goal lead within 20 mins and despite Accrington improving massively 2nd half that's how it stayed.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Was fairly easy getting away having parked on the main road out. 1st half a mile was slow with the football traffic of course. Gambled on a change of route for getting home by taking the M65 past Colne then up to Skipton via the A56. Quicker and less stressful.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

I was well impressed with the club and people connected with it. Friendly and helpful throughout. They value their followers and hate to say that they are the polar opposite of my club Newcastle United in that respect.
Avatar of Paul (Rotherham United) Paul (Rotherham United)

Accrington Stanley v Rotherham United
League 1
Saturday 22nd February 2020, 3pm
Paul (Rotherham United)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

Having been to Accrington a couple of times in the past, I know it's generally a decent away day. My team were flying high at the top of the table so I went in anticipation of us adding another win to our superb away record.

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

We travelled by car through the Woodhead Pass and once over the Pennines we found our way to Accrington with relative ease. We parked in a grassy field behind the ground for a small donation towards the Accrington women's football team.

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

We called into a McDonald's just outside Accrington for a bite to eat before completing the journey. Once there we just pretty much went straight in the ground. The Stanley fans are a very friendly and welcoming bunch, always have been.

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

The Wham Stadium is small and compact and looks a lot tidier now with the new stand down one side. The floodlights were swaying in the freezing gale force winds as we made our way onto the open terrace behind the goal. The facilities are very basic, temporary cabin toilet blocks, no shelter anywhere (unless you choose to go in the seated stand) but it still had a very retro feel to it. Standing on an open terrace in horrible weather is almost obsolete at Football League level, it's good for the soul!

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

The game as a spectacle was horrible. Constant 60mph swirling winds ended any hope of the game having any real quality about it. Both teams dug in and there was little difference between the team at the top of the division and the one near the bottom. Rotherham took the lead in the second half, Stanley equalised almost instantly, a recurring problem of ours this season. But we turned the screw and stepped it up in the last 15 minutes (when the winds calmed down) and got the winner in injury time. Limbs were flying everywhere in celebration in the away section. The stewards did well to keep most would-be pitch invaders in the stand.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

We were one of the first into the car park before the game, so naturally one of the last out. Pretty straight forward though and had some good-natured banter with the Stanley fans who wished us well for the rest of the season. Unbeknown to us at the time, one of our supporters had been taken seriously ill outside the ground after the game and has since sadly passed away.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A top away day. Stood out in the wild freezing winds for a couple of hours to the point where I couldn't feel my toes was made worthwhile by the last gasp winner. Accrington Stanley deserve so much credit for the way they conduct themselves as a club, surviving in a tough division on a fraction of the budgets of most other clubs in League 1. Classy supporters too.

Avatar of Ben Castle (Tranmere Rovers) Ben Castle (Tranmere Rovers)

Accrington Stanley v Tranmere Rovers
League 1
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3pm
Ben Castle (Tranmere Rovers)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?
 
Another awayday, a new ground to tick off my list and a close one so will be a lot of Tranmere supporters coming.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
I got on the supporters club coach at 11 am from Prenton Park which arrived at a pub in Accrington around 12:20.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
Me and a couple of my mates walked from the pub to a McDonald’s in Accrington town centre which was a long walk. There wasn’t much around the town centre and seemed fairly empty. We went to the McDonald’s then made the walk back to the ground.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Wham Stadium?
 
Accrington’s ground is small, in fact, it is the second smallest in the English Football League at the moment. Despite the ground being small it looked quite modern from the outside since this ground wasn’t built a long time ago.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
I was in the standing terrace at one end, with no cover, which reminded me of our non-league days. Despite the open terrace hindering the atmosphere a bit we still made a lot of noise. Tranmere went 1-0 up inside the first 10 minutes from a header from a set-piece. The first half was even with both sides having chances but not putting them away. 
 
The second half was even as well with both sides having chances but just before 80 minutes Tranmere scored a second from a corner to put us 2-0 up. Accrington managed to pull one back from a headed own goal. The final 10 minutes were tense trying to hold on to the lead with Accrington getting a man sent off just before the end. We did just about manage and hold on to a 2-1 win. Our fans were amazing bringing over 1000 to Accrington.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
I got on the supporters club coach and arrived back at Prenton Park 2 hours later. Would’ve been earlier but our coach had to stop because of a window problem..
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
I enjoyed my day out to Accrington it’s one of those classic football grounds to go to where you’ll enjoy the football. I’ll definitely be back there next season if we stay up.
Avatar of Rob Pickett (Oxford United) Rob Pickett (Oxford United)

Accrington Stanley v Oxford United
League One
Saturday 5th October 2019, 3pm
Rob Pickett (Oxford United)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

A "local" game with me living in Sheffield. I hadn't been to Accy's ground for over 6-years. Oxford had had an uplift in fortunes, so I was looking forward to a decent game on a crisp autumn afternoon.

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

Accy is easy to find off the motorway network and I parked at the Accrington Sports Ground next door for £3. Very pleasant sports ground volunteers manning the car park.

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

The home fans seemed fine and a convivial atmosphere was noticed. The Crown next to the ground was a decent sized pub with plenty of outdoor space. Served decent real ale and had The Little Crown food stand outside dishing out the standard fare. It was all very civil.

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

Since I have last been here there has been a fair amount of work to the ground (which appears to be ongoing). The seating and lick of paint is a major improvement. The away end needs covering, although that didn't bother us on the day. But you can stand on the terrace there!

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

There are temporary toilet facilities as the upgrade work continues. The catering was okay (only had a tea). Stewarding was friendly and professional which a couple of League 1 clubs in the North West need to take note of. The game was a decent enough affair. The final score was 2-2 which a neutral would say was a fair result. Oxford had the better of the first half, but Stanley were fairly dominant in the second half.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Slight traffic delays but it doesn't take too long to get to the motorway network.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A good, positive, old-fashioned day out. If we are in the same division next season, I'll be going again.

Avatar of Peter Williams (MK Dons) Peter Williams (MK Dons)

Accrington Stanley v MK Dons
League 1
Saturday 31st August 2019, 3pm
Peter Williams (MK Dons)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

My first visit to this ground against a team who we should be beating if we are to advance in the division.

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

Arrived by official coach which parked very near the ground after a good journey considering the speed restrictions on the M6.

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

Visited the Club shop and then the Fan Zone to enjoy a drink or two at £2.50 a pint. Live music was provided which everyone enjoyed although speaking to a number of home fans they said they had heard better ! Why can't every club do something along these lines especially as all profits benefit the club?

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

Small but perfectly formed with a very good atmosphere in existence. We were behind the goal on the terraces which is uncovered and therefore got a bit damp when it rained. We could have sat alongside the pitch in a covered stand though. I do like this type of ground though which caters for all types of fans ie those who like a bit of comfort and those who prefer a bit of old fashioned standing.

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

From a Dons point of view, it was terrible and we got what we deserved i.e nothing. We scored against the run of play in the first half and were second best in the second half. Having said that we had a goal chalked off in time added on for we believe offside which was an awful decision. We didn't deserve a draw though. The stewards were first class (helpful, chatty and funny) and the facilities very good.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Bit of a delay getting back to the motorway but I suppose it was to be expected.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

Result and performance aside, it was a great day out and the town of Accrington should be very proud of what their football club have to offer. I would strongly recommend all fans of other clubs to visit the Crown Ground.

Avatar of Christopher Smith (Fleetwood Town) Christopher Smith (Fleetwood Town)

Accrington Stanley v Fleetwood Town
League 1
Saturday 30th March 2019, 3pm
Christopher Smith (Fleetwood Town)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

As soon as Accrington's promotion to League 1 was confirmed last season (and our survival ensured), it was one of the games I earmarked for the fixture release. I'd never been to the Wham Stadium before despite Accrington being less than an hour away. Also with a play off place not yet out of the equation for Fleetwood, I wasn't' going to let anything get in the way of me going to this game.

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

In a damning indication of the Fylde coast roads and the traffic problems, it took us longer to get from Fleetwood to the M55 (a distance of 12 miles) than it did to get from the M55 to Accrington (a distance of 30 miles). Despite this, we were there in less than an hour on the supporters coach. The first thing to notice of the ground was how sunken it was in relation to the adjacent main road. The second thing was how small and narrow the road for away coach parking was. Even with only five coaches, it was a struggle getting them all turned around and parked up. I get the impression that if there were any more away coaches, then some would need to be parked haphazardly.

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

We had plenty of time to kill, so went to the Crown pub that overlooks the ground. With it being the only pub within the immediate vicinity, it was heaving with both sets of fans. Nevertheless, the service was fine and there was never any problems between the fans, who were all mingling about with one another.

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

The Wham Stadium gets a lot of stick on some of the League 1 social media pages but I really like the ground. The mish-mash of different stands gives a really unique feel and the benefit of a small stadium is that you're close to the pitch wherever you are. The away end is an open terrace which is fine on a sunny day in March but probably less so on a rainy November day. The new Eric Whalley Stand on one side is a very nice build, and the facilities at the back of it were top notch, with a spacious area and several sheltered bar tables offering a bit of practicality for the fans. All four of us had tickets for this stand, but in the second half I and my brother moved into the open terrace for the atmosphere. It was easy enough to do with 478 away fans present but you might struggle to move between the stands if its a sold out away allocation.

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

In what has proved to be typical fashion this season, the first half was a really poor affair. Too few chances created and too many cynical fouls made by both teams. The atmosphere from both sets of fans which had started off fine, dissipated as the half went on. The second half was a lot better though. Five minutes in, Fleetwood's on-loan Stoke centre half Harry Souttar powered in a header from a corner and sent the Fleetwood fans into raptures. From there the atmosphere in the away end really ramped up. It was party mode for us, with singing, bouncing and the occasional lighting up of a smoke bomb. I must say, the stewards were excellent in the sense that they never approached or confronted anyone, instead, allowing any friction to disappear by shaking hands with some of the fans at the final whistle, and letting the police talk to anyone with the smoke bombs. 

The game was a far better spectacle in the second half, with more chances for both teams (Though some of the questionable tackling still remained). While Barton's post-match suggestion that we were disappointed not to have scored 3 or 4 was a bit over exaggerated, if another goal was scored, it was probably more likely to have been a Fleetwood second than an Accrington equaliser. The pitch was in a really poor condition, so I can see why there are efforts being made to replace it in time for the final few games of the season. Any home advantage is surely being undermined the state of the pitch, which has more rough terrain than a Lake District walk.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Although there were no altercations in the ground, once outside, there was a couple of extremely unpleasant confrontations between a handful of Fleetwood and Accrington supporters- not something I'd ever thought I'd see between two generally well behaved and good natured sets of fans. It soured the day a little, especially seeing families and children not too far aware from the confrontations. After a few minutes, we set off back for Fleetwood and were back within 50 minutes.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

The unsavoury scenes after the game, coupled with a social media spat between Joey Barton and Accrington's chairman, has probably soured relations between the two clubs somewhat which is a shame because I really enjoyed the away day (Probably one of the best I've ever been on) and I do have a soft spot for Accrington Stanley and all their hard work battling adversity and getting into League 1. I hope they aren't relegated come May as it will be a ground that I will more than likely visit whenever Fleetwood plays there. In the meantime, it keeps faint play off hopes alive for Fleetwood whilst virtually ended any lingering relegation worries.

Avatar of Ezra Kagan (Coventry City) Ezra Kagan (Coventry City)

Accrington Stanley v Coventry City
League One
Saturday 2nd March 2019, 3pm
Ezra Kagan (Coventry City)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

I generally attend more away games than home, given I live in Yorkshire. It was about an hour by train from where I live so there was no excuse for not getting over to the game.

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

I travelled by train from Yorkshire and followed the instructions given on this Football Ground Guide website on how to reach the stadium from the station. It was a relatively simple walk even if the weather conditions weren't the best.

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

There didn't appear to be a lot going on as you get closer to the ground; just a couple of corner shops and a pub, but I wasn't bothered as I was only interested in getting into the stadium.

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

I turned into a street of small houses and the ground is situated directly behind them. My first impressions were positive, it had a certain charm to it and the club clearly try to make it as family friendly as possible. Was able to grab a pint in the beer tent and both home and away fans were mingling and the atmosphere was friendly and jovial. The away end is an uncovered standing terrace but that's how I prefer to watch my football. We also had a section of support in the Eric Whalley Stand.

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

The first half was dire, especially from Cov's point of view. Next to no action, but we were able to nullify a niggly and physical Accrington side. Despite the poor performance, conditions and pitch which looked like it was being used by the local farmers market the Coventry supporters were in fine fettle. A demonstration against the clubs owners was well received as was our vastly improved showing in the second half. The game was won in the 60th minute when our forward ghosted two defenders inside the book and drilled a well-executed finish into the bottom left. The stewards and in fact all connected with Accrington Stanley FC were gracious and helpful, a credit to their town.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Just as easy as getting to the ground, except the heavens opened and I got drenched!

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

Certainly one of my better recent away day experiences with the Sky Blues. Would definitely come back to watch us play here again.

Avatar of Matt Burtz (Neutral) Matt Burtz (Neutral)

Accrington Stanley v Coventry City
League One
Saturday 2nd March 2019, 3pm
Matt Burtz (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

My trip across the pond to attend two Everton games, and specifically, their derby against Liverpool being moved to a Sunday allowed me an opportunity to see a game at the traditional time of 3pm on a Saturday. I was staying in Liverpool and there was a wide array of games in both England and Wales to choose from. I ultimately decided that I wanted to see a Football League game at a small ground. Fleetwood Town was my other option but after some research I deemed it to be a bit too difficult to get to, so Accrington it was. The fact that the original Accrington was a founding member of the Football League along with Everton was the icing on the cake.

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

I took the train from Liverpool Lime Street to Accrington with a change in Preston. My train from Preston only had two carriages and was way too small to handle all the Crystal Palace fans who were headed to Burnley; we were squeezed in like sardines. After forcing my way onto the platform in Accrington I ventured first to an ATM to get cash, then to Ladbrokes to place some bets, and finally, to a pub have some lunch. Accrington is a compact town and it was an easy walk to the ground from the pub, with plentiful signage guiding the way (though with Google Maps it's more or less impossible to get lost anymore).

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

I went to the Park Inn on Manchester Road (A680) on the basis of many online reviews noting its good food. My fish and chips were delicious and I was on my way to the ground at about 1:30. I didn't really see anybody that I could tell was for sure going to the game until I turned the corner into the car park, but the home fans certainly didn't strike me as the hostile sort.

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

If it weren't for the light towers I wouldn't have been sure that I arrived, that's how low slung the Wham Stadium is. The club shop was housed in a trailer and the ticket window was in an unassuming wooden structure. With Accrington Stanley making their first appearance in the third tier none of this was surprising to me and it was in fact somewhat charming. I bought a programme first, then my ticket, then a scarf. At the ticket window, I announced myself as a first-time visitor and asked where I should sit. For twenty pounds I was given a ticket in the third row of the Main Stand, basically on the halfway line. It would have been difficult to find a better seat. I had some time to walk around and was able to check out the terrace behind the goal before visiting the food/drink window behind the opposite stand for my first ever cup of Bovril. It didn't really seem like the entire place had a capacity of 5,000 but the terraces probably allow for much of that crowd.

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

All in all the game was a bit ordinary. Neither team created much of anything in the first half, with Accrington Stanley coming closest with a free kick that just missed. As I was beginning to wonder if my first ever scoreless draw was in the cards, Coventry City's Bright Enobakhare (on loan from Wolves) snaked his way into the area and slotted it home to send their fans in the uncovered terrace into delirium. Stanley didn't seriously threaten to score the rest of the way and the visitors emerged with a deserved 1-0 victory. I went to the restroom at halftime and it was a bit small, but not so small that I missed any of the second half.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

I walked out the way I came in and was back in the city centre in less than 20 minutes. Unfortunately, it had started raining by the end of the game and it was quite windy also, so it wasn't the most pleasant walk, but I had a pint in a pub to get out of the rain as I waited for my train.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

It was basically everything I hoped for from a Saturday 3:00 kickoff: a tidy, compact ground; lots of kids in their kits enjoying their day out; football that was perhaps not of the greatest quality; a loud away following; and a Bovril. I rather enjoyed myself. The people of Accrington are rightfully proud of their club and I would happily go back.

Avatar of Ashley Barnes (Doing the 92) Ashley Barnes (Doing the 92)

Accrington Stanley v Oxford United
League One
Tuesday 19th February 2019, 7.45pm
Ashley Barnes (Doing the 92)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

I had planned to attend a previous Accrington game, but this had been postponed and so I was looking for the first opportunity to visit.

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

I drove from Sheffield and it was very straightforward via the M60, M66 and A56. It was a night match and so I could see when I was near the ground, as I could see the floodlights. Parking was very easy. There were lots of places on the side roads.

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

I arrived about 15 minutes before the game, without a ticket, but found it easy to buy one at the ground. I sat in the Main (Jack Barrett) Stand and was told that I could more or less sit where I liked, despite having a seat number, and so I did. I also walked along the side of the stand to get to behind the home terrace (William Dyer Electrical Stand) where there were a bar and a "pie shop". All the home fans I came in contact with were very friendly.

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

The stands are small, but there is a pleasing and coherent shape to them. The new stand looks in proportion and in keeping with the rest of the ground. I felt sorry for the Oxford fans who chose to stand in the uncovered terrace, as it poured with rain throughout. Although, when they scored I appreciated that many Oxford were under cover too, sitting in the new stand.

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

It was a really good game (especially in the second half, which saw five goals and lots of near misses). Accrington simply seemed more ruthless in front of goal and ended up winning 4-2. I enjoyed the songs sung by the Accrington fans, which seemed at times to be a medley of 1980s classics. All in all, an enjoyable experience.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Quick and easy to get away. I would guess a crowd of only about 3,000 were there, which meant that it was easy to park close and so get back to your car and be quickly away.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

When groundhopping, you get a different feel from the clubs you visit. My memories of Accrington are positive (perhaps that's because the game was good) and I would recommend it as a friendly, accessible and good value ground to visit.

Avatar of James (Derby County) James (Derby County)

Accrington Stanley v Derby County
FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 26th January 2019, 12:30pm
James (Derby County)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?
 
As soon as we were drawn against Accrington I was keen to go, as it seemed a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the ground. A lot of my recent away days have taken me to larger, more modern stadiums, so I was looking forward to seeing a more traditional one.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
A very simple journey, with no traffic to contend with. There was plenty of street parking available, and we parked up five minutes walk from the ground.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
We had a look around the ground, generally taking in the area, before taking our seats. The fans that we spoke to were extremely welcoming and friendly.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Wham Stadium?
 
My first impression was of the stadium's size; it really does seem tiny next to some stadiums! The two ends are terraces, while the sides are seated. Derby had been given two stands, so we were in one of the seated sections, quite close to the Accrington terrace. There were only six rows of seats, so wherever you were you felt close to the pitch.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The game had more energy than quality, truth be told, with Accrington stifling Derby well but not carving out too many clear-cut chances themselves. Derby grabbed a late winner through Martyn Waghorn, but it was the referee's decisions which provided the headlines, sending off Dan Barlaser and Jayden Bogle, while failing to send off Ross Sykes for a kick on the prone Bogle towards the end of the first half. The atmosphere was fantastic – the home fans really made an event of it. The stewards are probably the friendliest I've met, wishing the fans safe journeys home as we left – it's the little touches! I had a chicken balti pie and a pint of Accy Ale for £5, both enjoyable.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
A slight bit of traffic as we left, but nothing horrific. After that, plain sailing.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A wonderfully enjoyable day out. Would absolutely love to return, hopefully through another cup-tie or an Accrington promotion! Accrington Stanley really are a credit to the Football League.
Avatar of Harry Davies (Peterborough United) Harry Davies (Peterborough United)

Accrington Stanley v Peterborough United
League One
Saturday 29th December 2018, 3pm
Harry Davies (Peterborough United)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?
 
With both teams pushing for a play-off place, this game promised to be a keenly contested affair. The ground is small and quirky due to Accrington's non-league roots, making it a more interesting proposition than the (often soulless) modern stadiums.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
The journey was an eight hour round trip on the coach from Peterborough. The coach was able to park next to the away end.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
A very friendly programme seller pointed us in the direction of a couple of good pubs with a large selection of local ales. We also ate at the chippy located 5 minutes away from the ground, which was reasonably priced and good quality.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Wham Stadium?
 
The first impression from outside was how small the ground was. However, from the inside, it is a smart affair with all the stands of a similar size and a matching set of floodlights. But on a chilly winters day, the open terrace was very cold however it offered a very good view.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The game itself turned out to be a one-sided affair, with the Posh coming away with a 4-0 victory. The Stanley fans however never stopped signing from their terrace and generated a fair atmosphere. By contrast, the open away end made it difficult for the Peterborough fans to generate any noise. The stewards must be the friendliest and most helpful I have ever come across, creating a very welcoming and comfortable experience.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
Getting away was easy, back to the coach for the four hour trip back to Peterborough.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A good day out to the sort of ground which is sadly disappearing from the Football League, with lots of old school charm. A good win for the Posh made the long journey worthwhile. Credit to all involved at Stanley for being the most friendly and welcoming club I have visited.
Avatar of David Crossfield (Barnsley) David Crossfield (Barnsley)

Accrington Stanley v Barnsley
League 1
Saturday 17th November 2018, 3pm
David Crossfield (Barnsley)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?
 
It was my first ever visit to Accrington. Barnsley had not played them since the 1960's. A lot was made about the connection between the two Towns Pals Battalions, which went over the top together on 1st July 1916 on the Somme. Barnsley fans were really looking forward to the game and we sold all our ticket allocation.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
It was a tortuous journey as Northern Rail were on strike. Bus to Leeds. Train to Manchester. Bus to Accrington. We got a taxi to the ground because we were running late as we had booked hospitality. We walked back to the bus station after the game. It's a steady ten minute walk.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
We booked hospitality. It's the first time we've done this, but it was a special treat. It was excellent. A three course lunch and table service. Handpulled ale £2 a pint until 2 pm. Great service. Very friendly. Most clients were Barnsley fans or neutrals.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Wham Stadium?
 
It is a very small ground. The best vantage point is probably the open kop terrace that houses away fans. We sat near the dugouts and the halfway line. It wasn't a great view from such a low level.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
Stanley made us very welcome. Whilst I missed most of it in hospitality, the marquee for fans went down very well. No problems with fans mixing. Lots of positives from away fans. The Accrington Chairman even produced accounts to show how valuable income from away fans was. Great to be treated like people.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
No problem. An easy stroll back to the bus station.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A great day out despite travel problems. Accrington fans and officials won us all over with their welcome. More away days should be like this.
Avatar of Steve (Charlton Athletic) Steve (Charlton Athletic)

Accrington Stanley v Charlton Athletic
League One
Saturday 18th August 2018, 3pm
Steve (Charlton Athletic)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?
 
I had never visited Acrrington before and have always wanted to after seeing a certain milk advert.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
We made our journey by car. Accrington was fairly easy to get to using the motorways and A roads. We parked down a street with a 10-15 minute walk away from the ground. We may have visited a few pubs on route!
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
Tried looking for a bar to get into at the ground after reading various reviews. We received mixed messages from the stewards who were not very helpful. We ended up having a drink behind the away stand, where beer was sold from a shed. It wasn’t bad as it was summer but it might not be so nice when winter visits Lancashire.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Wham Stadium?
 
The Crown Ground had a proper local feel to it. What it lacked in capacity, it made up in charm. A vintage lower league ground. The away stand was basic and had no roof but I kind of liked it. At the time only three stands were in operation (the fourth down one side was being built) but there was still plenty of atmosphere inside the ground from both sets of fans. The fans are located very close to the pitch so the players could easily hear what you thought of their performance.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The atmosphere was great, despite the low crowd. The stewards although not helpful before the match, let you get on with supporting and we’re quite nice and pleasant with some good northern charm. The facilities were basic as you could expect and the catering was limited to a burger van selling all the usual stuff, but overall one of the better away days.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
Quite easy to get out of the ground and had no issues getting to the main roads.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
Overall not a bad little away day. Both sets of fans were vocal and we were made to feel welcome. Despite the 1-1 scoreline I would definitely go again, as long as the weather holds out.
Avatar of Phil Armstrong (Carlisle United) Phil Armstrong (Carlisle United)

Accrington Stanley v Carlisle United
Football League Two
Saturday 9th September 2017, 3pm
Phil Armstrong (Carlisle United fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

Accrington is pretty much a local derby for Carlisle despite being 100 miles apart. Also having never been to the Crown Ground before, due to the game being on a work night or a winter’s day in the past I couldn't miss the opportunity to pay a visit on this occasion.

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

Accrington is easy enough to navigate to, once leaving the M6. I found street parking in abundance around the Wham Stadium.

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

There is not really much in terms of shops near the ground, although there is a decent chippy and convenience small shop with cash machine adjacent nearby. There are a couple of pubs close by also, but I never ventured into then but they looked okay. I wasn't bothered by any home fans.

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

The Wham Stadium reminds me a lot of Morecambe’s Globe Arena, but without the snazzy Main Stand. The away end is just open aired terracing and I found the safety barriers awkward to lean on. Coupled with the fact that it was torrential rain just made the afternoon a lot less enjoyable.

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

The game went horribly wrong for Carlisle getting battered three – nil. The atmosphere although enjoyable at first dropped quickly and chants got to the point where our own fans where mocking our own team towards the end. Players got a toxic welcome coming off at full time as they had to pass the away fans to get back to the dressing room. Did not get much of an atmosphere vibe from the home fans but that could be because they were muted by ours.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

The main route back to the motorway was busy and the rain made things more fun having to drive through flooded junctions. I probably should have pulled over for a while but the weather cleared the closer we got to Preston.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I'm glad that I visited Accrington but probably will not return until they cover the away end, especially in winter months. The rain was brutal to the point that I have started to consider seats rather than terracing rather than the other way around.

Avatar of Jack Richardson (Mansfield Town) Jack Richardson (Mansfield Town)

Accrington Stanley v Mansfield Town
Football League Two
Saturday 19th August 2017, 3pm
Jack Richardson (Mansfield Town fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?
 
I wasn't really, we haven't beaten Accrington since they arrived in the Football League, the definition of a bogey team! We've made some impressive signings and under Steve Evans we have a man who knows how to win promotions so I was hopeful the Accrington hoodoo could be finally ended!
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
We opted to drive. Four of us left Mansfield shortly after 10.30am with the car bar open for service. A collision on the M1 and heavy traffic on the M62 meant we arrived into Accrington shortly before 1pm. Car parking is available at the ground at a cost of £5, however, you are advised to book via the club at least 24 hours before. However, there was plenty of street parking around the ground.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
We parked across from the Crown Pub, so we headed straight there. Inside there was a mixture of home and away fans, plus there was a good choice of beers/ciders/ales and various TV's showing the early kick off. The home fans friendly and many were in conversation with our own fans.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Wham Stadium?
 
The Crown Ground is what it is, and it's steadily improving, however, it still has a major non-league feel to it. There are terraces behind both goals. The home terrace is covered allowing the home fans to make plenty of noise, with two small stands running the length of either side of the pitch. Views from the open away end are good, you have the option of standing behind the goal or seating along the side of the pitch. Burger van and bar open in the away end.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
The game itself wasn't great, Mansfield who are still gelling after 13 new signings should have gone in at half time with at least three goals however the teams went in 1-1. at the break. Lee Angol getting his first for Mansfield Town after Accrington led early on. The second half was a non-starter for the Stags, lacking cutting edge we were undone with the last kick of the game and fell to a 2-1 defeat, the hoodoo continues. The stewards were low key, a few of our fans took beers onto the terrace, a sensible approach was taken by the stewards, allowing them to sup up before taking their bottles away!
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
It was easy enough to get out of the ground, then just a five minute walk back to the car and we arrived back into Mansfield at 7 pm..
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
A typical visit for the 481 Mansfield fans to Accrington Stanley resulting in a 2-1 defeat. The Wham Stadium is a characteristic ground and Accrington are a family club who keep surprising year on year. A disappointing result, however it would not stop be returning there again.
Avatar of Louis Sanderson (Plymouth Argyle) Louis Sanderson (Plymouth Argyle)

Accrington Stanley v Plymouth Argyle
Football League Two
Saturday 17th December 2016, 3pm
Louis Sanderson (Plymouth Argyle fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

I had my eye out for this long trip up to Lancashire from the start of the season. Me and my friend Jack had our tickets booked as soon as they came out, for the one last away game before Christmas to the club famous for that milk advert.

The Wham Stadium

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

We took the supporters coach organised by Argyle. I left my village near Plymouth at 5:40am and got on the coach at 6:20. The Crown Ground isn't miles away from the M65 and the town/club is well signposted as soon as you get past Blackburn. We parked on one of many small suburban roads next to the ground.

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

After deciding against going to the very nearby Crown pub accessible by steps next to the ground, we continued down the main road and found a very nice fish and chip shop.We then continued on the main road into the town and took around the limited choice of unattractive shops and the market place. Accrington isn't exactly a tourist destination.

View From the Away End

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

The Crown Ground is surrounded by a lot of potholed roads and by a couple of football pitches which had a game going on them. The club shop is quite nice, albeit very small and a bit cramped. Most of the offices outside look quite temporary but the ground does have a very cosy feel going with it. From the inside, it is very small on all sides. The Coppice Terrace at one end is for away fans. It is a very nice one with plenty of space around it. We stood up top in the temporary standing part at the back which had a bit of a chill to it, but a very good view of the game and plenty of room to space out. The Whinney Hill Stand to our right, is very small, three rows in height, and offers a tight low-down view of the game. I did really like the look of the ground despite its size! A disadvantage of the size was I lost count of the amount of balls which left the stadium; if I had more time, I would have gone to collect some! Player calls around the pitch were also really audible which was a weird thing compared to Home Park.

Main Stand

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

Before the game, my mate bought a burger, which he said was really good, and Bovril for £5. Atmosphere was surprisingly good and the Stanley Ultras and Argyle fans had a real singing contest for most of the match. The match itself was a tight affair and was settled by superb McCormick goalkeeping in the Plymouth goal and a scrappy Craig Tanner goal on 76 minutes, which gave Argyle the win. The toilets were a bit of a mess in all honesty with rotten floorboards and being a bit too hidden away. Stewards were helpful and kept low key. Overall a good match and atmosphere.

The Away End

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Jack and I hopped on the supporters coach which was metres from the exit and we were stuck in some traffic for about 10 minutes which was to be expected. The journey as soon as we got onto the M65 was a smooth one home, even getting to the same service station as the Argyle team bus which was nice.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I really enjoyed my trip in the end, Accrington was a fun ground to be in. The small size has a lot of charm and character, especially with being able to watch another football game behind us pre-match. I would recommend Accrington Stanley as an away game, and I would go again.

Attendance: 1,573 (433 Argyle fans)

Avatar of James Walker (Stevenage) James Walker (Stevenage)

Accrington Stanley v Stevenage
Football League Two
Saturday 19th November 2016, 3pm
James Walker (Stevenage fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

Overall I wasn't looking forward to this game much. I had seen the weather and knew we were in for pouring rain, snow, sleet, heavy wind and hail whilst being on the open terrace, fun!! We had enjoyed a lovely day here back in May on the final day of the season, which was a blisteringly hot day. Stevenage grabbed a point on that occasion to deny Accrington promotion, which was made all the sweeter by the arrogance of their manager John Coleman, not a popular figure among Stevenage fans (who have quite a strong dislike to Accrington in general). So we were all hoping for a similar result today to keep Coleman quiet once again. A feat we were all desperate to achieve even more after reading Colemans programme notes and some of the comments he was making about us.

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

Making the journey was easy, on the supporters coach as usual. A 9am departure saw us arrive at the Wham Stadium for soon after 1.30pm and parked just on the road outside the ground.

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

We arrived at the stadium just in time to watch the Stevenage team arrive, so went to see and speak to them as they arrived, before going in to the club shop for programmes (£3) and badges (£2.50). After that we decided to go in to the club bar to avoid the pouring rain until we had to enter the open terrace. You need to present a valid match ticket to enter the bar and they will remove your stub there, and then when it's time for the game you can just walk through another door that connects the bar to the Main Stand. From there you just walk around to the away end and the stewards will let you straight through.

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

It's very rare to go to a ground that makes the Lamex look big in comparison, but the Wham Stadium certainly does that! The away end looks like the biggest stand there. The two seated stands along both lengths of the pitch are about 5-6 rows back each, and the home terrace goal is about the same too.

The Away End

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

The game itself was scrappy and poor, but completly understandable given the awful weather! For most of the game it was a case of how long it would be before the game was abandoned, but it proved not to be! A scrappy game livened up on 71 minutes when Matty Godden slammed Stevenage in front, sending us bonkers and singing and dancing in the rain. Accrington didn't threaten too much, apart from one time when they were through one on one with Jamie Jones, with Jones making a fantastic save to preserve the lead, and ultimately, the points for us. The food here was lovely, with a hot dog costing £2.50, chips £2 and a hot chocolate £2, all of which were great and strongly needed in weather like this. The Gents were clean enough but the floor was similar to an ice rink due to the water from peoples shoes, a serious health hazard. One bizarre thing was in the gents, somebody had thrown the paper towels in to the urinal meaning you had to use your own tissues to dry your hands!

View From The Open Away Terrace

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Getting away from the ground was easy as it just involved walking 50 yards to the coach and then straight away without too much traffic, followed by a good journey home saw us arrive back at the Lamex for just after 10pm.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A day where we witnessed almost every type of weather that we could possibly get in this country. However ultimately the game was a success and a fantastic day out. A superb three points!

Half Time Score: Accrington Stanley 0-0 Stevenage
Full Time Result: Accrington Stanley 0-1 Stevenage
Attendance: 1,283 (44 away fans)

Avatar of Steve Jestico (Leyton Orient) Steve Jestico (Leyton Orient)

Accrington Stanley v Leyton Orient
Football League Two
Friday 25th March 2016, 3pm
Steve Jestico (Leyton Orient fan)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Wham Stadium?

Remembering the old Milk Ad this was one which on my bucket list from when the 2015-16 fixtures came out.

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

No problems . Accrington Railway Station is easy to get to. London up to Preston and change there for Accrington. Took a a taxi from station up to the Crown Ground at a cost of £3. We got this cab from Adams Taxis, whose office was located at the bottom of the station ramp.

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

Went into the Crown Pub adjacent to the ground. The Bar Staff were excellent. The food was nice and the local Accrington Supporters very friendly indeed.

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

I thought it was a bit spartan. Still has a non-league feel to the ground. There were also Portacabin loos and a temporary looking stand at the away end . The seats provided were very cramped with little legroom  But the parts of the ground for home fans looked pretty good. Maybe an upgrade on the away parts is in order.

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

The game itself was a bit scrappy with little quality, but the one real bit shown resulted in the winner for Accrington who won 1-0. The Accrington Ultras make a fair old noise and keep it up all game. There was a big van serving all sorts of refreshments behind the away end, but the loos are small and cramped Stewards are okay but I had a problem getting in. The turnstile was on the small side for a large chap like myself and the Head Steward thought I was trying to "Bunk in" after being told by the turnstile operator to use the nearby gate!

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

Getting away wasn't too bad as it we had booked a taxi back to the railway station. But on a separate hote, the staircase leading from the ground to the crown pub is very narrow and could do with widening. 

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

I enjoyed the day out. Accrington Stanley is a nice place to visit and the Crown pub can't be more highly recommended. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the result!

Avatar of Martin Brooks (Hull City) Martin Brooks (Hull City)

Accrington Stanley v Hull City
Capital One Cup, 1st Round
Tuesday 11th August 2015, 7.45pm
Martin Brooks (Hull City fan)

Why you were looking forward to going to the Crown Ground?

I enjoy visiting the older grounds. So going to the legendary Accrington Stanley Crown Ground to support my local team in a competitive match was an opportunity not to be missed.

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

We travelled by car. The journey time was roughly two hours with no delays despite traversing the M62 corridor in the time leading up to rush hour. THe Crown Ground was easy to find off Whalley Road with plenty of on-street parking in the side roads by the Grey Horse pub.

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

We arrived just over two hours before kick off and, after parking in Radnor Road, we walked down to Whalley Fish and Chip Shop opposite the Grey Horse Pub. The chip shop has a back room where we sat down for fish and chips with a cup of tea and the added benefit of a television. The staff were very courteous and helpful. We then visited the Grey Horse pub where The Tigers' travelling fans had amassed for a pre-match drink. Plenty of staff behind the bar to cope with the extra custom and were pleasant too. A pint of Thwaites was enjoyed by the non-driving members of our group. All the locals/fans we met were friendly.

What you thought on seeing the Crown Ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?    

The Cown Ground simply bursts with character. We walked around the outside, as much as we were able to, had a chat with a friendly steward, and then visited the Club shop, where there was something for everyone. Most of the Hull City supporters stood on the uncovered terracing behind the goal. In addition a limited number of seats were available for those that wanted them in the covered Whinney Hill Stand, down one side.

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

With Hull City being relegated from the Premier League the previous season, this match was not the formality that one might have expected. Accrington Stanley produced a very spirited and well organised performance which, on another day, could have resulted in a victory for the home side. After a very even first half the Tigers brought on some of their lively young players at the hour mark, which resulted in a few more chances being created. However, with a 2-2 score at the end of extra time, the match went to sudden death penalties which saw City scrape through after 6 penalties were taken by both sides. Both sets of fans were evenly matched in number with a total attendance of 2,118. This created a very good atmosphere despite the away end being uncovered and the away fans had quite a bit if banter with the home goalkeeper, which was very entertaining. Stewards were all helpful and pleasant, there was food available in the ground but having eaten before we got to the ground we didn't try it. The gents toilets at the away end were Portaloos, whilst the ladies was housed in a Portacabin. The number available was more than adequate for the amount of fans, with a minimal wait.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

With only around 2,000 fans leaving the ground and surrounding area was not a problem, however, due to roadworks, we were prevented from accessing the M62 at the nearest point and were diverted through Rochdale. This did not affect the journey time, though, which again was roughly two hours.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A very enjoyable away trip made all the more enjoyable by the friendly attitude of the people of Accrington, both inside and outside the stadium. One of the joys of visiting this Stadium is the proximity of the players to the fans, so close as to be able to see the beads of sweat on the players' faces. This is an experience which is highly unlikely in any of the modern grounds. All in all a pleasure to visit and one which I hope I can repeat at some point in the future.

Avatar of Marcos Brown-Garcia (Hull City) Marcos Brown-Garcia (Hull City)

Accrington Stanley v Hull City
Capital One Cup, 1st Round
Tuesday 11th August 2015, 7.45pm
Marcos Brown-Garcia (Hull City fan)

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the Crown Ground?

I was looking forward to visiting the Crown ground because I hadn't been before therefore I could tick it off the list. I was also looking forward to the visit as it would take me back to the early days of supporting Hull City as a lad in the doldrums. I prefer these days out to the glamour and glitz of the Premier League.
 
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

The journey was very easy, straight down the M62 then M66. Smooth passage to the ground. We got there about 45 minutes before kick off and there was little traffic. The ground has loads of street parking around the ground with no restrictions. Parking was available right outside the away end. When we arrived there were endless spaces. 

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?

We parked up and headed straight to the ground. There didn't seem to be anywhere to eat around the ground. There was a pub (not sure of name) about 5 mins from the ground which was packed with City fans. No problems with home fans as didn't see any.

4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

My first impression was the ground was in a nice area, the ground itself I thought "perfect, just like a non league side" right up my street. Upon walking into the away end you could either stand behind the goal in a biggish terrace or sit down the side of the pitch. We had the full stand behind the goal and one side. I decided to sit. The stand only has 4 rows of seats and you are very close to the action. I loved it, you could hear all the player banter, give the players/officials banter and for the younger fans you could get player photos/autographs easily. The terrace behind the goal was full, but strangely even though the fans were singing it didn't omit sound well at all. Opposite us there was a seating stand for home fans which was slightly bigger than the 4 rows we sat on and behind the other goal was another smallish seated stand were the loud Accrington fans sit.

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

The game was played like a friendly on Hull Citys behalf but Accrington were lively and seemed really up for it. During 90 mins although very watchable, not much happened. The game went to extra time and that's when the entertainment began. In 30 mins 4 goals were scored and the game finished 2-2. It went to penalty's and Hull city won 4-3 on pens. 
The atmosphere was really good, we were sat closer to the Accrington fans behind the goal and they sang non stop for 90 mins. They also had a drum which added to the effect. Hull City fans sang also but the acoustics from the terrace is poor.
The stewards were really relaxed and chatted about all sorts. Accrington has a real non league feel and you get the feeling the stewards also run the club shop and pull pints in the bar after. We sat and stood at the back of the stand and none of the stewards said anything. In fact you can move around as much as you like. 

However the facilities leave a lot to be desired. The bar/programme booth behind the away terrace is in a wood hut and had no change. The toilets are portakabins.
 
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

After the game we got out easily and once in the car was back on the motorway within minutes. No problems at all.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

Loved the day out, one of my best away days in ages! A real small club feel to everything. Clearly not for everybody and some will hate the tight leg room, the ancient facilities, but I love that thing. 

Attendance: 2,100 (including 1,100 City fans)
Final score: Accrington 2-2 Hull (Hull win 4-3 on pens)

Avatar of Steve Ellis (Exeter City) Steve Ellis (Exeter City)

Accrington Stanley v Exeter City
League Two
Friday, November 28th, 2014, 7pm
Steve Ellis (Exeter City fan)

1. Why were you looking forward to going to this ground and easy was your journey and finding the ground?

Another new ground for me which over the years I've always missed out on getting to, due to work or other commitments. The journey as expected was going to be a long one travelling from Exeter on the supporters coach, leaving at 11:30am and arriving at Accrington at 6:20pm. Which was slightly later than planned due to traffic and road works.

2. What did you do before the game, pub, chippy….home fans friendly?

Before the game I more or less went straight into the ground and bought a £3 bottle of beer inside, from a small cabin behind the away end. Food is also sold behind the terrace with prices starting at £3. The home fans seemed friendly enough. Please note that or anyone who is well built, getting through the turnstiles might be a problem as they are quite narrow, but stewards will open the side gate.

3. What you thought on seeing the ground,  first impressions of away end and then other sides of ground?

Parts of the ground seemed to be very basic, and still very non league like. But on the plus side with the way it's run like most small clubs it's run on a budget with its staff and volunteers. Away supporters are housed in the open Coppice Terrace at one end of the ground, which for our visit the weather was cold, but thankfully not wet. At the other end of the pitch is the Sophia Khan stand and to the left, the Main Stand. Both of these looked quite modern. Down the other side is the Whinney Hill Stand, an old grandstand with an extra portion of terrace for away fans plus limited seating for visiting supporters.

4. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, refreshments and thoughts on getting away from the ground after the game.

The game was played at a good tempo with both teams looking for the points but Exeter came out on top with a 3-2 win. Atmosphere was good despite the away end not having any cover. Stewards were low key and helpful. Most of the time I didn't even notice that they were there.

After the match we got straight back on the coach, which was parked on the main Livingstone Road, which was a short walk away. The journey home was good and uneventful, reaching Exeter at 1:30am. Overall I felt that this ground is not one I'd particularly like to return to but if it was a match that meant something I probably would make the long trip.

Attendance: 1443 (away 158)

Avatar of John and Stephen Spooner (Southend United) John and Stephen Spooner (Southend United)

Accrington Stanley v Southend United
League Two
Saturday, August 9th, 2014, 3pm
John and Stephen Spooner (Southend United fans)

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground?

Everyone looks forward to the opening game of the season and Southend have seemingly strengthened the side for a real promotion push. Manager Phil Brown pitting his experience against James Beattie.
 
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

We drove from North Wales (exiled Southend fans) via M56, M6, M65 about 74 miles each way, clear roads taking 1 hour 30 minutes. There is no car parking at the ground but we got there early and found ample street parking outside the ground.

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?

We took a packed meal with us and sat in car listening to football on radio and read the 46 page match programme. Not many fans to talk to round outside of ground, but appeared pleasant.

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

The ground was easy to find by following the guide on this site. The ground is neat and compact, the away end is standing with barriers to lean on, and the area has been extended with 7 extra aluminum steps at the rear.
 
The home end is not very big and the stand opposite the main stands the Whinney Hill seated area is small and cramped, overlooked by a modern housing estate. There is no clock or scoreboard visible home and the toilet as you enter the away end is a temporary portakabin type hut that  is cramped and insufficient.

The pitch was like a bowling green, being the opening game of this new season 2014/15. On a warm sunny day, the sprinklers were on before the game and during the interval, ensuring a perfect pitch good for teams hoping to pass the ball rather than kick and rush.

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

The game was a tight tense affair with Accrington seeming intent on keeping a clean sheet after a poor opening run last season. It was lacking atmosphere with not much to shout about and the open away end does nothing to enhance the sounds of fans chanting or cheering. Southend fans were probably tired after a long hot journey from Essex and delays on the M6 in Cheshire after an accident.

Southend had a chance early in the 2nd half to take the lead but Corr missed the penalty. The game looked like ending scoreless until 84 minutes when Southend gained a 2nd penalty which Lee Barnard coolly slotted to give us a winning start in a long campaign.

The stewards were good and did not have much to do, which is always pleasing. The chips, hot dogs and burgers looked reasonable but seemingly no pies available.
 
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

It was easy to get away from the ground and main roads were clearly sign posted.

7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

A good day out and we won our first away game of the season. The weather was warm and sunny with a slight breeze across the pitch to ensure pleasant conditions. It appeared a tough opening fixture but the result meant for a happy weekend.

Attendance 1,505 (330 Southend fans)
Final score: Accrington 0-1 Southend

Avatar of Peter Moor (Groundhopper) Peter Moor (Groundhopper)

Accrington Stanley v  Bournemouth
League Two
Saturday, September 17th 2009, 3pm
Peter Moor (Neutral fan)

1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):

Who wouldn’t look forward to a trip to Accrington, founder members of the Football League and one of the true homes of football?  Sadly, their elevation to the League seems to have brought as many problems as it has solved, and with the club sending out a financial SOS (“Save Our Stanley”) with collecting boxes and fundraising events very much in evidence there is the sad prospect that this might not be a League ground that much longer. With crowds generally struggling to reach 2,000 the prospects don’t look good, even if (on the field) the team does okay.

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

A brisk 20-minute walk from Accrington station, away from the town centre: a proper pre-match walk.  Just look for the viaduct (the town’s most prominent landmark), find Whalley Road and you’re there. 

3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?

The Peel Park (some way from the ground, but Good Beer Guide listed) is a real gem: despite an unpromising location, it’s cosy, has friendly staff and a great selection of real ales. Home and away fans mingle happily in The Crown (carry on along Whalley Road a few yards past the Livingstone Road turn-off to the the ground): no real ale, but cheerful, speedy bar staff. But best of all is The Grey Horse, an unpretentious local, (on the other side of Whalley Road): bigger than it looks from the outside and cheerfully whacking out pints of local Thwaites beer.

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

Like Accrington itself, it’s…er…small. The away end is a real throw back…no cover, but fine views towards the Lancashire hills…okay on a mild October afternoon, less fun on a rainy January night. The stands at the two sides are tiny, and half of the Whinney Hill stand is cordoned off. The Sophia Khan end is where the home fans congregate, with the stand-ups (unusually) behind the sit-downs. It’s hard to imagine 5,000 (the official capacity) squeezing in here.

5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..

Even the prospect of playing League leaders Bournemouth (who brought a fair sprinkling of fans when you consider the journey from Dorset to East Lancs) couldn’t pull in a crowd above 1,800. Accrington gave as good as they got in the first half, but Bournemouth’s extra class showed in the second half and a goal fifteen minutes from the end kept them at the top of the table.

Culinary speaking, there can be no doubt that this is pie country: but the only choice at the ground is between gravy and peas to accompany to your meat (I do not know what kind) and potato pie. The pie and peas combo is comforting and oddly delicious.

The atmosphere generated from the Sophia Khan end is impressive, helped by a drummer who I have also noted on Accrington’s travels.

6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game ?

No problem at all but with a crowd of just 1800 you wouldn’t expect there to be. Accrington station would struggle to deal with more than a couple of dozen supporters, I feel.