Last Update:
August 22, 2024
The Lamex Stadium has been improved recently with the opening of a new North Stand at one end of the ground in December 2019. This new covered all-seated stand replaced a small terrace and has a capacity of 1,428 seats housed in one single tier. The rest of the ground is also modern and tidy looking and unusually for a newer ground still has a bit of individual character about it.
On one side is the all-seated covered Main Stand that looks quite impressive and is single-tiered. It is unusual in so much that at the back of the stand on either side of it, there are large gaps between the back of the roof and the stand below. Whilst in the middle of the stand at the back, there are a number of glass-fronted areas to various Club offices.
Opposite is the fair-sized East Terrace, which is covered and quite steep. Even though like the rest of the ground, the stand is relatively new, it does have a gable with a clock sitting on its roof above the halfway line, which gives it a touch of character. Oddly though it has a sizeable service tunnel located towards the centre of the stand with the terracing extending around it.
At one end is the South Stand, which is another single tiered, all seated, covered stand. This stand which was opened in 2001 is given to away supporters. There is an electric scoreboard on the roof of this stand. The stadium is completed with a set of four modern floodlights, with a pylon in each corner.
On promotion to the Football League, the Club changed its name from Stevenage Borough FC to Stevenage FC, which was its original name when founded in 1976. The ground for many years was called Broadhall Way but was renamed the Lamex Stadium in a corporate sponsorship deal.
Away fans are located at one end of the ground in the South Stand, where up to 1,400 supporters can be housed. As you would expect from a relatively new stand the facilities and views of the playing action are good. If demand requires it then part of the Main Stand can also be given to visiting supporters, bringing the total allocation up to 2,000.
The atmosphere within the stadium is aided by a drummer on the home East Terrace, who keeps the Stevenage fans going throughout most of the game. If you are into plane spotting then you can watch a steady stream of airplanes descending into Luton airport from the away end.
There is a good selection of catering on offer: pies, sausage rolls, pasties, burgers and hot dogs. While alcohol is also served before the match and at half time. Stevenage away is usually an enjoyable day out and one that fans of most other clubs look forward to.
Rob Parker a visiting Macclesfield Town fan adds:
“The club is one of the most friendly I’ve ever visited, with everyone from the stewards to the staff in the shop keen to be as helpful as possible. The home fans were passionate about their club but in a non-threatening way, which made for a relaxed atmosphere.
“Away fans were admitted into the spacious social club behind the South Stand, with no admission charge. Large numbers of home and away fans mingled inside and outside without a hint of trouble. There were no long queues at the (reasonably priced) bar and plenty of room as well. There was a large TV screen showing the early kick-off.”
There is a large Club House bar at the ground, behind the South Stand, which is popular with both home and away fans alike. However, for some high-profile games, the bar will be open to home fans only, but this is only for a small minority of games. Pub alternatives near the stadium include:
- The Old Post Office – Unit 2 The Plaza Leisure Development, The Town Square, Stevenage SG1 1PF
- Man in the Moon – Broadwater Cres, Broadwater, Stevenage SG2 8ET
- Our Mutual Friend – Broadwater Cres, Broadwater, Stevenage SG2 8EH
The Lamex Stadium is known for providing some of the best burgers in the game, with their famous ‘Boro Burger’ (pictured below) receiving plenty of attention on social media over the years.
If you are visiting the ground, it is certainly worth trying.
The boro burger at Stevenage FC (@StevenageFC)
💷 £6 pic.twitter.com/hFnbkEelEo
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) November 23, 2021
With three different car parks located outside the ground, most fans should find entering the Lamex Stadium fairly easy.
Whether you will be arriving by car or by foot, travelling away supporters will want to head towards the turnstiles behind the South Stand, located just off MonksWood Way.
Entry is just as simple for home fans too, with Stevenage supporters able to follow public footpaths around to the other three stands and will be able to easily find the turnstile areas that are most suitable for their respective seats in the ground.
Leave the A1(M) at Junction 7 and take the A602 towards Stevenage. Go straight across the first roundabout and as you approach the next roundabout you can see the floodlights of the ground over on the right.
However, if you go straight across the roundabout then you will see the entrance to a large car park on your left (called Fairlands Valley), which is free to park in and has a capacity of around 500 cars. The car park though has only one entrance/exit, so this can lead to bit of a bottleneck after the game has finished.
Please avoid parking at the nearby Roaring Meg Retail Park on Saturday and midweek matchdays, as you are only allowed to park there for 90 minutes. Staying longer could see you with a £100 parking ticket. Otherwise, there is street parking to be found in the local area.
Post Code for SAT NAV: SG2 8RH
Stevenage Railway Station is about one mile away from the Lamex Stadium. Leave the station booking hall and turn left towards the town. Take the stairs on the right before the bridge over the dual carriage way and head along the A602, Lytton Way. At the roundabout which has the police station on the right, take the second exit into Six Hills Way. At the next roundabout take the third exit (South) continuing along the A602, Monkswood Way, passing a large Asda store on your right. After about 3/4’s mile (McDonalds/Burger King etc.. will be on your right) you will arrive at a roundabout and the Lamex Stadium will be opposite you on the other side of the A602.
There is a shuttle bus service operated by Arriva Buses on matchdays, that runs on a loop covering Stevenage Bus Station, Railway Station (Stop N) and the Lamex Stadium. In addition, you can also get the Arriva No.5 Bus from Stevenage Town Centre to the ground, from Stop E at Stevenage Bus Station.
For those travelling away fans intending on staying in Stevenage overnight, here are some hotels near the Lamex Stadium with good reviews:
- Holiday Inn Stevenage, St.George’s Way, Stevenage SG1 1HS
- Premier Inn Stevenage Central Hotel, Horizon Technology Park, Six Hills Way, Stevenage SG1 2DD
- The Poachers, 129 Bedwell Cres, Stevenage SG1 1NA
While all three of the above examples are relatively affordable, we always recommend shopping around online to find the best deal ahead of booking.
Stevenage ticket prices for the 2023/24 season are as follows:
- Adults: £20-25
- Concession: £18-23
- Under 18s: £14-18
- Under 12s: £5-12
Broadhall Way has been around since the early sixties but Stevenage have only been occupants of the ground since 1980. Originally, two different Stevenage sides – Athletic and Town – had called Broadhall Way home and that caused issues for the newly formed Stevenage in their infancy; the club had wanted to continue playing their home games on the same pitch but the playing surface was so badly damaged before the inaugural game that a new home was needed. That saw King George V playing fields become home. Eventually though – in 1980 – Broadhall Way was fit to move back into. In 2001, it was expanded and largely remains in the same state other than the new North Stand.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Record Attendance
8,040 v Newcastle United
FA Cup 4th Round, 25th January 1998.
Average Attendance:
2022-2023: 3,473 (League Two)
2021-2022: 2,128 (League Two)
2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
2019-2020: 2,906 (League Two)
2018-2019: 2,715 (League Two)
2017-2018: 2,611 (League Two)
Lowest attendance
The latest development at the Stevenage stadium is that the work has been completed on the North Stand. The work finished in 2020 with the total cost coming in at around the £1m mark, which was partly funded by the Football Foundation and the rest from supporters via a bond scheme. It took the capacity to just shy of 8,000.
Since then, however, no major renovation have been made to the ground.
Ground Layout
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Stevenage v Salford City
League 2
Saturday 15th February 2020, 3pm
Stephen Ormerod (Salford City)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
I have only recently started following the Ammies and this was my first away day with them. Also, Stevenage was a ground I have never visited so another one to chalk off.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled on the official coach which is heavily subsidised at a mere £10. We left at 9.15 am and despite the ominous backdrop of Storm Dennis, we made excellent progress down the A1(M). We made a quick stop and arrived just after 1 pm. The ground is not far from the A1. It is signposted and we parked in the very large car park opposite the North Stand. Don't attempt to cross the road though if you value your life, as it is very busy. Instead, use the underpass to the right of the car park exit up the footpath which gets you across and the away end is signposted.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
With nearly two hours most of us decanted to the supporters club which is smart modern and reasonably priced (£3.30 for a pint of Tetley's). Food is also served here but I waited till we got inside the ground. The locals were welcoming and friendly as we're all the club staff I came across. There was a big screen showing my home town club Burnley away at Southampton and their win was a good omen!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
The Lamex is a tidy modern stadium. The away end has good views but some of the seats are in need of replacement. There is a burger bar serving what I found to be good food – £4.50 for a 1/4 pound cheeseburger with onions. The rest of the ground is neat – nicer than many modern stadia.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Stevenage bossed possession but created little with it on a glue pot of a pitch. A move of real quality in the first half was enough to win the game for Salford though we really did ride our luck at times. As we won it was of course very enjoyable. The Stevenage drummer was incessant and contributed to a good atmosphere. The away fans we're of course in good voice.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Back under the underpass (please don't attempt to cross the dual carriageway) and on the coach in three minutes. The car park soon cleared and in what seemed like no time we were heading north up the A1.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good ground and facilities though the food bar on the away end would struggle with a big crowd. Recommended.
Stevenage v Leyton Orient
League 2
Saturday 1st February 2020, 3pm
Owen Elsom (Leyton Orient)
Stevenage v Leyton Orient
League 2
Saturday 1st February 2020, 3pm
Graeme Whitton (Leyton Orient)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
Living in Scotland now I don't get to see Orient very often plus this was another new ground for me (my 111th overall).
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The train journey from London was easy and the walk to the ground was straightforward if you follow the directions others have given on this website. I have to say though that I found absolutely nothing to like about the town itself.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Just because I had some time to kill I had a quick pint in the Old Post Office (very near the bus station). It was a nice enough place but nothing special to recommend it. It served a decent pint of London Pride. No real interaction with the home fans but the atmosphere around the ground was pretty relaxed.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
The ground was okay. The Lamex is a neat and tidy modern stadium though the entry and exit points to the away stand once you are inside got very congested. Better stewarding is needed.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere in the away end was very good as Orient cruised to a 3-0 win. The home fans were very subdued.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting out of the ground was easy enough then a walk back to the railway station through a seemingly interminable series of walkways and underpasses. I was very glad to see the railway station!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed the game as my team had a comfortable win but I hated the town. A massive retail park, some truly hideous 60's brutalist buildings and a horrendous walkway/traffic system. I've been all over the UK watching football and this is one of my least favourite places. I won't be hurrying back.
Stevenage v Cambridge United
League Two
Saturday 28th September 2019, 3pm
Christopher Mason (Cambridge United)
Stevenage v Peterborough
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 16th July 2019, 7.45pm
Pete Woodhead (Doing the 92)
Stevenage v Bradford City
League Two
Tuesday 20th August 2019, 7:45pm
Chris (Bradford City)
Stevenage v Exeter City
League 2
Saturday 10th August 2019, 3pm
Liam Hazell (Exeter City)
Stevenage v Exeter City
League 2
Monday 22nd April 2019, 3pm
John Baker (Exeter City)
Stevenage v Carlisle United
League Two
Saturday 13th April 2019, 3pm
Craig Milne (Carlisle United)
Stevenage v Swindon Town
League Two
Tuesday 12th March 2019, 7.45pm
Andy Brewitt (Doing the 92)
Stevenage v Bury
League 2
Saturday 9th March 2019, 3pm
Ian Bradley (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
A ground I haven't yet visited.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took a train from Doncaster direct to Stevenage. The journey took approximately one and a half hours. Then a number 4 bus from the adjacent bus station to the ground which takes around 15 minutes.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As I will not partake in the overpriced fayre at the ground I dined in Stevenage town centre before I got the bus to the stadium. I chatted to some Boro fans before the game and found them friendly and knowledgeable about their club but they did seem astonished that a Yorkshireman would want to visit deepest Hertfordshire to "groundhop".
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
It is a lovely little ground surrounded by woodland with good facilities for fans, especially kids which the club caters for well. It will be a tidy modern stadium when the North Stand is built.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A tight scrappy game that had 0-0 written all over it before Nicky Maynard's header won the game for the visitors in the 94th minute.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A very easy journey home on an Arriva Football shuttle bus back to the town centre and my train home was bang on time, happy days.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A thoroughly enjoyable day in Hertfordshire visiting a friendly little club.
Stevenage v Port Vale
League Two
Tuesday 23rd October 2018, 7.45pm
Andrew Davidson (Doing the 92)
Stevenage v Crewe Alexandra
League 2
Saturday 10th March 2018, 3pm
Donald (Doing the 92)
Stevenage v Reading
FA Cup Third Round
Saturday 6th January 2018, 3pm
Stefan Cox (Reading)
Stevenage v Coventry City
League Two
Tuesday 21st November 2017, 7.45pm
Frank Alsop (Coventry City fan)
Stevenage v Notts County
League 2
Saturday 11th November 2017, 3pm
Phil Bell (Doing the 92 fan)
Stevenage v Accrington Stanley
Football League 2
Saturday 6th May 2017, 5.30pm
Adam Houlden (Accrington Stanley fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
I have been looking forward to this game since it became apparent that Stevenage needed a result to get in the play-offs. It also gave Stanley a chance for some payback for what happened on the final day of last season when they frustrated and held us to a draw and stopped us getting promoted. It was my fourth visit to Stevenage Broadhall Way, which is a nice tidy ground.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled on a supporters coach which took five hours to reach Stevenage including a services stop. The coach parked in a large car park over the road from the Lamex Stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Having eaten at the motorway services, we collected our match tickets and went for a pre-match drink in the Stevenage Supporters Bar. The home fans kept themselves to themselves perhaps a bit nervous!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
This was my fourth visit to Broadhall Way, or Lamex Stadium as it is now known, so I knew what to expect. We were in the normal away end behind one goal as usual. There was plenty of home support which made for a good but nervy atmosphere.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a well deserved and easy 3-0 win for Stanley over a poor and nervy Stevenage.Revenge is sweet! Home crowd very subdued once Stanley went 2-0 up but had been making plenty of noise up to then. Stewards were okay.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Usual queue and 20 minute delay getting off car park but straight forward afterwards. Back home at 12.30am.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great end to a topsy turvy season. Great to do to Stevenage what they did to Stanley and plenty to look forward to next season including another trip to Broadhall Way.
Stevenage v Mansfield Town
Football League 2
Saturday 22nd April 2017, 3pm
Andrew Wood (Mansfield Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
Off to see the Yella's, the wonderful Yella's, the Stags. A day off work, so time to see my home town team in action. Plus both teams were in touching distance of the play-off clash positions which promised much.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
My journey to Stevenage by rail from the South Coast where I live was easy. The Lamex Stadium is signposted from the train station, but it's then easy to get lost in the labyrinth of subways below the main road. Keep your eyes peeled for 'Asda', and once you've got through their car park, it is then an easy, if uninspiring walk to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I just had a meal in town, as there's nothing other than a couple of retail parks between town centre and ground. The few home fans I encountered were friendly enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
I have no idea how old the Lamex Stadium is, but it looks very modern, and similar in my opinion to Crawley Town. A covered terrace behind one goal for home fans, and same along one length of pitch. A covered stand alongside other length of pitch, with covered seating for away fans behind the other goal. Plus a bog standard scoreboard and clock.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was an awful game in truth, Stevenage never got going and their fans were moaning throughout. The Stags had about four good chances and scored via Danny Rose on the stroke of half time. It remained like this to the final whistle. It was a comfortable 1-0 win, as you can get. I decided to watch match from the terrace as I don't like seats. Food good, and reasonably priced. Cheeseburger at £3.50 edible by footy standards, plus pies, chips and the full footy menu. A small bar area was available selling Carlsberg/London Pride and cider at £3.30 for 500ml. Loos were clean and spacious.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Nice easy walk back to the railway station, most of the locals seemingly live away from the town centre.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good away win for Stags keeping us within range of a play off place. I quite like the ground. Although it's modern and slightly bland, I wouldn't mind going again, but only if the Stags are playing!
Stevenage v Grimsby Town
Football League Two
Saturday 28th January 2017, 3pm
Kevin Dixon (Grimsby Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
Until the home game earlier in the season, we had never played Stevenage. They having been promoted to the league at the same time as we were relegated to the Conference in 2010, so a new ground for most Town fans.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Simple journey via the A46 and A1, just under 150 miles, with a coffee stop at Peterborough Services. The Lamex Stadium is signposted from the A1, and I chose to park in the free car park opposite the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Arriving just before 2pm, I went straight into the ground, being subjected to what has now become almost a standard pat down by the stewards. The locals I met walking across were friendly enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
The Lamex Stadium is generally a nice tidy affair. The away South Stand is all seated, and was pretty much full, as we had sold our allocation of almost 1400. The Main Stand to the left is another all seater, with a row of executive boxes along the top part. There is a covered terrace on the right side of the ground, and a small terrace behind the opposite goal. This is the only part that looks like it needs an upgrade, overall not a bad little ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Town chose today to have another of their off days, much to the disgruntlement of the travelling support. Stevenage scored a cracking free kick in the 4th minute, which should have been a wake up call. But we huffed and puffed through the game, without troubling the home goalkeeper, and succumbed to a soft second goal around the hour mark. The Stevenage fans on the right hand terrace were noisy throughout the game, egged on by their drummer, but our fans were not up to their usual singing standard, probably down to the poor performance. The stewards were fine, despite a number of our fans insisting on standing against the perimeter fence rather than sitting in their seats. Not sure about the food, which I didn't try. The toilets were clean but quite small, and I hear there was a rather long queue at half time.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game Having read some of the other reviews, I was expecting a hold up getting out of the car park, so I wasn't disappointed. Unlike many others, who seemed to want to push and shove, and squeeze into non existent gaps, I sat and waited until the rush died down, and finally pulled away at 5.15pm. With a stop for refreshments back at Peterborough, I was still home before 8pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A decent day out to Broadhall Way, marred only by the inept performance of the team. But as someone has said on our fans forum, we are consistently inconsistent.
Stevenage v Cambridge United
Football League Two
Monday 26th December 2016, 3pm
Edward Trafford (Cambridge United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
Going to see Cambridge play on Boxing Day has become something of a family tradition for us and is usually a good day out. This year Cambridge were playing away, but as Stevenage is not too far we got an opportunity to tick a new ground off the list.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey from Cambridge was fairly easy on the motorway particularly as the roads were quiet on Boxing Day. The free car park opposite the ground that had been recommended to us, was unfortunately already full when we arrived as Cambridge have a big following. So I was one of many people parked precariously on the dual carriageway outside the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We had pulled off the A1(M) one junction early to have a quick pint in a pub that my dad had found in the 'Good Beer Guide' so once we arrived pretty much went straight into the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
The Lamex Stadium is a small but modern ground, with a one side and one end seated with the remaining two sides comprised of terracing. Despite the game being sold out for away fans the home end was far from full – the club have surely missed out on additional revenue by not giving Cambridge extra tickets.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a very good game of football with both sides trying to win it. Cambridge had more obsession but both sides created chances. In the end Cambridge just about deserved the 2-1 win. There was a heated argument at the start between a group of younger Cambridge fans who wanted to stand up and some older fans behind who wanted to sit down. Fortunately it was resolved just before the stewards got involved by someone else offering to swap seats with the younger fans.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground and back onto the motorway was trouble free.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a very enjoyable day out at the Lamex Stadium with the right result from a Cambridge point of view. This win keeps us in the play-off spots. It is a shame that Stevenage do not give away fans the choice to stand even when there is a big away following and plenty of space available on the terraces.
Stevenage v Stoke City
League Cup Second Round
Tuesday 23rd October 2016, 7.45pm
Lee Sockett (Stoke City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
This is what football is about. I was supporting Stoke City when we were in the lower reaches, but my boys only know the Premier League and I wanted to show them that not all grounds are like the Premier.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We drove down from Stoke, it was a nice little trip. The Lamex Stadium is really easy to find and has a big FREE car park across the road from the ground. Access to the stadium was then via an underpass.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Because we were early we were able to visit McDonalds which was down on the nearby retail park and go to Asda to pick up some goodies for the return trip. The home fans were visible and seemed friendly as we walked around without issue. The Stoke team bus arrived and we were able to get up close. My boys even got some photos with a few of the players.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
I was expecting a match box and that's what it is, but decent view from the rear of the away end behind the goal and great to see terraces again for homes fans.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere with the home fans was good but as soon as we scored it killed the game and when the second went in before half time it was game over. Was surprised by the strength of team we fielded and was great to see Peter Crouch get a hat trick and then st the end come over to the fans and give the match ball to a young supporter. Facilities were what you would expect but only one way in/exit to the away stand, lead to delays getting back after a toilet stop at half time and the kiosk queue was large to say the least.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Didn't take long to get back to the car and off the car park before the official coaches departed.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great away day to a Football League club. The Seam did the job and the visiting fans left happy.
Stevenage v. Stoke City
Football League Cup Second Round
Tuesday 23rd August 2016, 7.45pm
Philip Green (Stoke City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
The Lamex Stadium is just 20 minutes up the road from where I live so it was a no-brainer to go there to see the Potters take on Boro. Knowing that a good friend of mine had spent most of his life in Stevenage and would take me just added to the ease of making the decision. I also like to go to evening games – especially when the weather is warm and when I am going to be home before midnight. Finally, I enjoy visiting other football grounds, particularly ones I'm not likely to see in a league match for some time! Despite all this, I was still a bit nervous about the game because Stoke have a history of underperforming against lowly opposition.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I was picked up by my mate Eugene an hour before kick-off and we parked up in the large car park opposite the ground. It's not often that you get free off-street parking which is so convenient! Despite being pretty early and there being free parking in the adjacent retail park ( only available for evening games) the car park was almost full. The ground is very well signposted off the A1(M), so I would have found it easily had I been driving.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Because my mate had his son with him, we didn't go for a pre-match beer in the Broadhall suite, which is open to home and away fans. This would have been an attractive option on such a balmy evening! Instead we went to our separate stands. All the home fans were very friendly, as were the stewards.The pre-match entertainment was provided by having to dodge the balls being fired into the stands by some wayward Stoke shooting as there was no net behind the practice goal! Toilet facilities were large but (as another reviewer has noted) did not have sinks. The sanitiser gel had run out before kick off, which was frankly unsatisfactory. I am amazed that Stevenage can still get away with such facilities this day and age.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
Three sides of the ground are very tidy. The south (away) stand is the largest and is very neat. Access and exit is all via the south-west corner, though, which led to horrendous queues at half time and people still taking their seats well into the match. My view though from the second row was excellent. The Main Stand is also quite tidy but very quiet (as many of the seats were not taken). The East Stand Terrace which had its resident drummer was well occupied and the drummer provided a bit of entertainment, but got pretty tedious after a while. The little clock tower above the tv gantry was quite quirky and presumably modelled on the clock tower in the town centre. The Lamex Stadium does have an electronic scoreboard, but as this is above the South Stand it is not visible to away fans. The less said about the North Stand, the better. It appeared to be just a couple of rows deep and was uncovered for about a third on the north east corner. Apparently the club want to expand this stand but there is a restrictive covenant on the land so they are unable to do so.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Many Stokies (myself included) were pleasantly surprised about the quality of the team Mark Hughes had put out, with "only" six changes from the startng lineup against the thumping from Man City three days previously. This might have been to give some of the players a bit of a confidence boost, or purely because we nearly got booted out by Luton at at the same stage of the competition last year. Having said that, the game was abysmal for the first ten minutes or so before Stoke fizzled into life with a Crouch opener. Once Bardsley had fired his screamer in the 32nd minute, the result never looked in question. Despite this, Stevenage never looked like giving up and became exposed at the back as they pressed for goals. This led to Crouch scoring with a pretty easy header and with some old-school showboating with a scissor-kick to complete his hat trick. As mentioned above, the drummer did his best to keep the Stevenage fans going but it was a tough job. My mate said he thought the Stoke fans were quiet but I would dispute this… it became a bit of a party atmosphere towards the end. I bought my half-time chocolate before the game and was glad I did as many people returned empty-haanded from the refreshment kiosk as the queues were so long. This was perhaps because of everything being freshly cooked. Even though the club must have known about the size (800+) of the Stoke following, the tea hut simply wasn't up to the job. Perhaps Stevenage should explore extra facilities for bigger games as they could surely have earned more precious cash from hungry fans? The stewards were nearly all from Stoke, which was slightly bizarre. They were completely laid back as you can imagine. A final memory of the game was seeing Crouchy pick up the match ball and present it to a young Stoke fan. It was a touching moment and one I'm sure the lad will remember for a long time.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
My mate Eugene graciously agreed to give me a lift home despite the drubbing and we met just outside the ground. It took us ten minutes to get out of the (very dark) car park and I was home 20 minutes later. Ideal! A useful tip for fans at evening kick-off games would be to bring a torch and/or park near the away supporters coaches as finding one's way around the pitch black car park was tricky.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
All in all, this was a great evening out, not least because of the 25C temperature and the good result but also because it was so convenient for me (3.5 hours out of the house round trip as opposed to eight for matches in Stoke). Stevenage is a brilliant community-focused club and it would be great to go to the Lamex Stadium again.
Stevenage v Barnet
Football League Two
Saturday 23rd January 2016, 3pm
James Sweeney (Barnet fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Lamex Stadium?
Another local derby with the barmy army and my second visit to Broadhall Way. We knew there would be a lot of Barnet fans going and there would be an electric atmosphere.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was very straight forward – A1 and A1(M) takes you from my house to the ground in about 40 minutes. Leave at junction 7 for Stevenage and onto the A602. Go straight over the first two roundabouts. On the second roundabout you pass the ground which is on your right. Just after this roundabout there's a big car park which can hold up to 1000 cars (Although it can get very muddy in winter mind!) Once you've parked you can either risk it by crossing the road and hope there's no cars speeding or use the underpass system which takes you to the away and main stand entrance.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We had treated ourselves to fish and chips at out local Neptune Chip Shop in Mill H where we go for home games as it is just off the A1 (and well worth a visit if ever your coming to Barnet away!) The home fans we encountered were friendly and most of them congregated in the East Terrace along one side of the stadium, over to our right.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Lamex Stadium?
Stevenage have a pretty neat ground. On one side there's the Main Stand which is about ten rows high. Opposite this stand is the East Terrace where the home fans congregate. This stand also has a tv gantry and a clock on top of it. There is a drummer within the stand who tries to get the fans singing (but without much succes on our visit). On the north side closest to the A602 is a small home terrace, although the East Terrace looked to be more popular with the Stevenage fans. Opposite this North End is the South Stand where the away fans are housed. A lot of noise can be made from this stand, as its metal construction makes for a good drum! The stand is also about ten rows high so beware for flying shots coming in! Also on a clear day you can see the planes going in and out of Luton Airport.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Stevenage 0-0 Barnet. Game was boring to be honest but the atmosphere was class from the Barnet fans. Even some of our players who were out through injury came and joined the Bees fans. They even joined in with chants and songs with the bee army. The atmosphere was that good in the away end that I couldn't hear much from the Stevenage fans.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was dark by the time the game had finished and there are no lights under the stand so it is pitch black walking out. Also there is a low beam which props the stand up so it is not ideal for tall supporters. Also all the street lights were not on for some reason so it was pitch black on the road and the car park (where there is only one exit and may take up to an hour to get out of). Also the road is a dual carriageway so you have to drive half a mile to the next roundabout to head back for the A1(M).
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good day out – quality turnout from the barmy army and a ground I will definitely visit again.
Stevenage v Southend United
League Two
Saturday 21st February 2015, 3pm
John & Stephen Spooner (Southend United fans)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
This was our first time visit to The Lamex Stadium, so another opportunity to add to the number of grounds that we have visited. Southend were sitting fourth in the League and well placed for promotion and Stevenage were mid table. So we travelled with high hopes of getting a positive against a team, led by manager Graham Westley and beset with injury problems. Southend Manager Phil Brown had promised changes to the team after losing our last game at home to lowly placed Accrington Stanley. He duly made six changes to the line up for this visit to Stevenage FC.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey for us as North Wales exiles was straightforward down the M6, M1, A505, A1(M) and A602 following satnav and the guidance on this site. It was a cold dry day. The journey of 195 miles each way was incident free apart from roadworks on the M6 and speed restrictions. We were pleased to see a large car park opposite the Lamex Stadium which was free of charge. The busy road between the car park and the stadium is best avoided by using the subway to walk the short distance to the away end.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Stayed in the car to eat pre packed lunch, listened to football commentary on BBC5, and read the programme, of 64 pages, priced £3 with a few interesting articles and match reports. We then met up with two friends who had travelled from Southend on supporters coach. Home fans were friendly.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The first sight of the ground were the floodlights and it is relatively modern but compact. The away end has 12 rows of seats with reasonable leg room. Having to sit in ticket allocated seat ensured the usual arguments with stewards by fans believing they were entitled to sit or even stand, where they wanted. The Main Stand is similar looking to the away end, with it being all seating and about 12 rows high. Opposite and to our right were terraces, allowing fans to stand, like they did in the old days. The home end has a stand going about three quarters the width of the ground giving a slightly lopsided appearance. The pitch was heavily sanded and was cutting up even as the teams went through their preparation prior to kick off. Plus the public address system is loud enough to kill any conversation!
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was hard fought, with Stevenage scoring in the first half. Southend levelled early in the second half and even took the lead with a penalty. A good turnout of 1000+ Southend fans in a crowd of 3,198 ensured a good atmosphere particularly in the second half. Stevenage then levelled and went on to score a 3rd goal to go in front. With Southend desperately throwing everyone forward to try and rescue a point, Stevenage broke in the last minute and scored a 4th to stun the away supporters who had expected so much more, having beaten them 2-0 at Roots Hall. We didn't bother with food at the ground due to long queues at the kiosk at the rear, and didn't use the facilities.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A hail storm bad enough to sting your face as we left the ground summed up our day after going down to our worst result of the season. Getting away from the ground was easy enough, having parked near to the car park exit and traffic quickly cleared as we headed North on well signposted roads.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The only thing to spoil the day was the result, but you can't win them all. Stevenage is a small ground but worth a visit, easy to find and get away from, and friendly atmosphere.
Stevenage v Oxford United
League Two
Saturday 31st January 2015, 3pm.
Jake Hardiman (Oxford United)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I always enjoy watching the Yellows play away from home, and was hopeful of a first victory of 2015. The Lamex would also be another new ground for me.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Although it required a bit of running in London so as to make certain trains, the walk to the ground from the station was easy enough, if a little long, and we arrived in plenty of time, around an hour before kick off.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
As usual, we took a walk around the ground, culminating in picking up our tickets from the helpful and friendly ticket office. Home and away fans mixed freely without trouble.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
A lot like Dagenham Redbridge, my last Oxford away day, away fans at Stevenage appear to have been given the nicest stand, in the all-seated South Stand. This was fairly steep, and offered impressive vistas of both the pitch and the ground as a whole. To our left was the Main Stand, and, to our right, the East Terrace. These are both of similar height, just smaller than the South Stand, and run the length of the pitch. At the far end of the ground was the North Terrace, which runs the full width of the pitch, but only 3/4 of which was covered. Overall, the Lamex seemed like a genuine lower league ground, with an interesting mix of stands and terracing.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
With Stevenage just below the playoffs in the League and Oxford sitting comfortably in between mid-table and the relegation zone, one couldn't help but feel slightly pessimistic about the game's result. However, in a competitive and entertaining first half, the underdogs more than matched their hosts, and the teams went in level at the break with the score 0-0. The second half began in much the same way, but the deadlock was broken just before the hour mark when Oxford's Johnny Mullins rose highest to meet a Michael Collins free kick with a towering header which soared into the top corner, prompting delirium in the away end. The scenes quickly became yet more unbelievable, when Patrick Hoban's header was superbly tipped onto the bar, only for Oxford's home grown young winger Callum O'Dowda to react quickest and fire the rebound on the bounce into the far corner less than 10 minutes later.
For the remaining 20 minutes, the Yellows comfortably held on for an impressive first win of the calendar year. 522 United fans made the journey to Hertfordshire out of a total crowd of 3,146, and generated a fantastic atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes, increased yet further by the two goals. The home fans in the East Terrace also created a decent atmosphere, although this was somewhat dampened by the two Oxford goals. The stewards were very helpful and friendly, allowing us to sit or stand where we liked, which was particularly useful on such a cold, wet day as this.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
This was quick and easy, as we simply had to retrace our steps back to the station on the massive high of an away win.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A fantastic day out which might just have to be done once again!
Stevenage v Exeter City
League One
Saturday, December 20th 2014, 3pm
Steve Ellis (Exeter City fan)
1. Why were you looking forward to going to this ground?
This was to be my first visit to the Broadhall Stadium and with the two teams in a similar position in the league, the game was set up to be quite a tasty encounter.
2. How easy was your journey and finding the ground?
The journey to the ground was straight forward, as always I travelled up on the supporters coach, leaving Exeter at 8am, arriving in Stevenage just before 1pm. The coach dropping us off in a car park the other side of the road behind the North Stand.
3. What did you do before the game, pub, chippy….home fans friendly?
On arriving we took a 10minute walk, past the away entrance following the main road down to the Roebuck Inn, a small pub and hotel. Away fans do meet there, but on this occasion not many had made it as there had been an accident on the motorway, which had caused severe delays. Drinks seemed a to be priced averagely starting at around £3.40. Sky Sports is also shown here.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end and then other sides of ground?
The actual stadium is nice, quite modern for League 2 with four separate stands instead of the all in one bowl. The away fans are housed in the South Stand at one end, which is all seated but with good leg room. The East Stand on one side is all terraced, whilst the remaining two stand, the North and West stands are both all seated, but there is also a small terraced section in the North Stand.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, refreshments etc.
The game was tasty, but scrappy with hard challenges going in and Stevenage coming out as 1-0 winners. The atmosphere was good with both sets of fans singing all helped by all the stands being covered. The stewards were low key and helpful, I didn't have any refreshments but was told the bacon roll and the chips were good. No alcohol is served in the stadium. The toilets under the stand were basic but clean.
6. Comments on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away afterwards was easy as the supporters coach was waiting in a bus stop right behind the North Stand. We got back to Exeter at around 9.20pm.
Attendance: 2,878 (260 away fans apparently)
Stevenage v Oldham Athletic
League One
Saturday, August 3rd 2013, 3pm
Chris Johnson (Oldham Athletic fan)
Where to begin with Stevenage? Well we travelled there by train and after a short 25 minute walk (admittedly we may not have taken the most direct route) via the impressively large Stevenage police station we arrived at The Lamex. We took the advice from the Guide and headed straight for the club bar located under the away stand. On entering we were met with quite a rabble of home and away fans looking to get that pre-match pint in. However, eventhough it was a sizeable queue, it moved quickly and before we knew it we were stood outside in the sunshine enjoying our beverages.
The home fans were very friendly and one chap, struck up a conversation with us expressing his delight for Blackpool and its renowned £2.28 pint which he signed off with an enthusiastic cordon bleu style raising of the hand to the lips and kissing the air.
Once we’d got into the ground there wasn’t much in the way of refreshment outlets other than one small food shack. The stand itself, despite being behind the goal mouth offered a very good view of the pitch, the roof was tested half way through the second half when the heavens opened and by and large most fans remained dry, with the exception of a few rows at the very front.
There was however disappointment at half time. I left to use the facilities about five minutes before the end of the first half and on my way back tried to purchase a pie and a pint from the aforementioned shack but to my horror I was informed that there was no beer to be had inside the ground, After the initial shock wore off I remembered that I’d suffered a similar tragedy at other grounds and consoled myself with the thought of a hotter than the sun Balti pie. Sadly it wasn’t meant to be as the young lass behind the counter informed me that they had sold out of pies, so I moodily trudged back to my seat with a hot dog. The day was not lost though after a fabulous individual effort from Cristian Montano Oldham secured a 4-3 win.
Post game we took a leisurely stroll to the Stevenage old town….. where to begin…. if you like grey then this is definitely the place for you. Admittedly post game when all the shops were shut wasn’t the best time to stroll through the town but it’s undeniable post-apocalyptic chic does seem to drain the soul. Eventually we stumbled across a Wetherspoons and took in the patio area which had a splendid view of the local (currently closed) club Flava and various youths up to no good.
As we walked back to the train station we did see the Welcome To Stevenage sign which had the rather creative tag line of “Where The Imagination Takes Hold.”
Stevenage v Scunthorpe United
League One
Saturday, October 1st 2011, 3pm
Daryn McCleave (Scunthorpe United fan)
Having already made one visit to Broadhall Way for the Conference South play-off final in 2008 between Eastbourne Borough and my adopted side, Hampton & Richmond Borough, I was looking forward to another visit. This time with my recently relegated home town club Scunthorpe United against newly promoted Stevenage, for their first ever encounter between the two clubs.
Now living in South West London, I arrived at Stevenage rail station via Richmond and Finsbury Park stations at 1.15pm. Walking to the ground I bumped into three fellow visiting supporters at the roundabout underpass just past the police station who had no idea where the ground was! After being slowed down by the not-so-quick walkers (and telling them about this website!), I arrived at the ground at 1.45pm, where I made my way into the clubhouse.
Hats off to Stevenage for keeping alive the non-league experience and allowing both sets of fans to mingle in the spacious bar. They do have a polite doorman but on this visit there wasn't a hint of trouble. Despite there being a big queue at the bar I was served reasonably quickly, and it's always a pleasant surprise when you can pay for two pints with a five pound note!
I entered the ground just after 2.30pm, in the relatively new stand behind the goal given to visiting fans. On my previous visit I was situated behind the opposite goal in the small covered terrace so it was good to see the stadium from another vantage point. From the away end there is unobstructed views of the pitch, and the stewards seemed happy to allow fans to stand as long as no one was inconvenienced behind them. I do feel the facilities in the away end need improving though, one single snack bar and toilets (without sinks, just hand sanitizer!) just at one end of the stand are not sufficient for League One. We took 500 but double that and I expect it to be somewhat uncomfortable jostling for the amenities! Due to the length of queue, I decided against sampling the catering.
The Stevenage fans on the steep covered terrace running alongside the pitch got behind their side well, but fortunately for us, despite being outplayed for long periods of the game, Scunthorpe scored late in each half to go 2-0 up. Despite the hosts pulling one back immediately after our second, we held on for the final two minutes of added on time to take all three points.
After a fairly brisk walk back to the station via the town centre, I arrived back with plenty of time to catch the 5.38pm to Finsbury Park. A comfortable, enjoyable day out had been had with the added bonus of a win. I won't hesitate in planning for Stevenage away in the future.
Stevenage v Bury
League Two
Saturday, May 7th 2011, 3pm
Andy Lawson (Bury fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
We were already promoted and had the chance to be champions depending on other results. Either way it was hopefully our last game in League Two for a while.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Apart from getting lost coming through Luton from the M1 the ground is really easy to find from the A1(M). The car park was already full but carried on to the next roundabout and turned left. There was plenty of street parking available.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Due to not arriviing until 2.45 we just parked up and queued to get in the ground. Even though it was all ticket there were still big queues.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The away end is farthest away from the road and it looks like a typical non-league ground from the outside – although once inside it does look of a good standard.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The atmosphere was terrific as we were celebrating our promotion and had some banter with the home fans – but it never looked like getting out of hand. The game itself was an entertaining 3-3 draw, but with Chesterfield winning their game it meant that we had missed out on going up as champions.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We had to walk back through the home fans but there was no trouble. Due to parking on the street we were back on the A1(M) in no time, whilst the people in the car park were still struggling to get out.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out – no problems whatsoever, would go there again without a second thought.
Stevenage v Barnet
League Two
Saturday 3rd January 2011, 3 pm
James Sweeney (Barnet fan)
Why you were looking forward to going to the Broadhall Way ground?
As our biggest rivals in the league, we had a short trip up the A1 in early January 2011. We were a bit unsure as we had had a terrible season so far, but we eventually decided to go up to Stevenage as there was about 800 Bees fans making their way up from Underhill and it is just past the M25.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was very straight forward. I live very close to the A1 in North London so not far at all. Onto the A1 through the Hatfield tunnel, to Junction 8 for A602 and round the roundabout heading back towards the A1 and turn left into the ground complex. We parked at a car park across the road from the ground, which was as you would expect full of Stevenage fans but they did allow away fans to park there.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
I know I shouldn't be saying this as an avid barnet fan, bit their stadium is pretty nice. The Main Stand is the same as the away end but on one side and opposite is a terrace like the one at Underhill. Opposite the away end is a small, covered terrace for home fans which looks like it can't hold very many supporters. The away end was very neat and could probably hold about 1,200 if necessary.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was another dismal defeat for Barnet as we sank to a 4-2 defeat against the side that came to underhill and demolished us 3-0 in the first half. Goals came from Steve kabba and Mark Marshall but only after we went down 4-0 before 60 minutes. The Bees fans kept up a good atmosphere in the away end despite the result.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We turned into the A1 and made it back within half an hour as there was no traffic. We had heard the news that Stockport, Lincoln and Hereford had won so that meant we was further adrift from safety.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Another defeat saw us closer to relegation. But it was a nice ground and we kept singing right until the end even though we had lost to one of our biggest rivals.
Stevenage v MK Dons
FA Cup 1st Round
Saturday, November 6th 2010, 3pm
Micheal Pala (MK Dons fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Stevenage FC is a fairly local team to where I live and also a new league team since they’ve never played in the Football League before. I heard so much about them from Luton Town circles where a rivalry has built up between those two clubs and I was eager to see what Stevenage FC was really like. From an MK Dons perspective, I had mixed feelings about this match as MK Dons had selection issues ahead of the fixture and knowing that Stevenage are a good team (they must be to escape the Conference League), this had the potential to be an FA Cup upset.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Stevenage FC was easy to find – I input the postcode into my Sat Nav and it brought me there without any trouble. The car park was clearly signposted and is very big but most of all – it was free of charge! It is literally across the road from the stadium and whilst you’ll be crossing a busy dual carriageway, there is an underpass.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I went into the Club Shop to purchase some souvenirs. The shop is small and well stocked and the staff were friendly. Walking around the outside of the ground I passed many Stevenage fans and they were no trouble whatsoever. I did see a bar where home and away fans were happily congregated.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Crossing the road from the car park, I passed the entrance to the home end and was pleasantly surprised when a steward said hello. I did read on this web site that Stevenage was a friendly club and this confirmed it. Other stewards were friendly and helpful when I asked for directions to the Club shop.
The stadium is quite small with lower stands, tall floodlights and open corners but is fairly modern. There is a scoreboard/mobile screen on the opposite side of the pitch, clearly visible from three sides, and an analogue clock halfway down the pitch and above the home main terrace.
Away end is all seated, situated behind the goal and there was sufficient space to move around unlike some old grounds, which can be cramped.
There are three home stands; an all-seater stand running down one side of the pitch and terrace stands behind the opposite goal and running down the opposite length of the pitch.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The stewards and staff at this club are very friendly to away fans. Once in the ground, I purchased a burger + chips + mineral water. The prices were similar to other grounds but the food, especially the chips, were nice.
Stewards inside the ground were helpful and I did see one helping a lady carry several items of hot drink and food back to her seat.
Toilets are basic but were clean, roomy and stocked up.
The Stevenage fans are passionate about their club and whilst you get the usual banter, they were very well behaved and were no danger whatsoever.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The only drawback to having a large car park is that it can take time to exit it after the match. If you’re in a hurry then you need to arrive here early and park near the exit and consider leaving just before the end of the match. Otherwise, I left on the whistle and it took me about 20 minutes to exit the car park. Once on the main road, I didn’t have any problems with the traffic through and out of Stevenage.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Stevenage FC is a nice friendly club and if you’ve never been here before, I definitely recommend making a visit. The ground is clean and safe and definitely somewhere where it’s safe to bring your children.
You can wear your colours around the vicinity of the ground without feeling threatened and the stewards will make you feel most welcome.
Credit is also due to the Stevenage fans for helping their club to provide a safe and welcoming environment.
The match ended 0-0 with a good performance from both teams.