The ground is largely an open one, with only fair-sized structure, an unusual looking Main Stand, being present. This covered all seated stand, runs for around half the length of the pitch. The seating is raised above pitch level and there are a number of supporting pillars. Opposite there is a small covered ‘temporary’ seated stand, which has now been in residence since 2008. The Hilton Road Side, as it is known, contains 519 seats and is for the use of away supporters. Unfortunately, it too has a number of supporting pillars running across the front of it. Views from both stands are further impeded, by the bases of floodlight pylons, that run along the perimeter of the pitch. At the Clackmannan Road End of the ground, there is a small covered terrace, which at least gives home fans some protection in poor weather. The opposite end, the Railway End, is a small open terrace. It has an artificial 3G playing surface.
In 2014 Recreation Park was renamed the Indodrill Stadium, in a ten-year sponsorship with a Singapore based drilling contractor to the construction, mining and exploration industries.
Away fans are housed in the temporary Hilton Road Stand on one side of the ground. This all seated stand does have a number of supporting pillars running across the front of it, that could impede your view, but at least it is covered. If demand requires it then the Railway End terrace can also be allocated. However, this terrace is open to the elements, so be prepared to get wet. Normally a relaxing and enjoyable visit.
Away fans are housed in the Hilton Road Stand on one side of the ground, which due to its temporary nature, is rather basic. This all seated stand does have a number of supporting pillars running across the front of it, that could impede your view, but at least it is covered. If demand requires it then the Railway End terrace can also be allocated. However, this terrace is open to the elements, so be prepared to get wet. Normally a relaxing and enjoyable visit.
There are no bars in the immediate vicinity of Recreation Park. Duncan Condie informs me; ‘I believe that The Bank on Bank Street and the Thistle Bar at Junction Place, are both good pubs for a pre-match drink. Both are in the town centre about 5-10 minutes walk along Clackmannan Road’. Near to the Town Hall on Drysdale Street is a Wetherspoons pub called the Bobbing John.
The ground is easy to find as it is located on the A907, on the East side of town. If approaching from Stirling, continue on the A907 through the centre of Alloa and you will eventually reach the ground on your left. There is no parking available at the ground for supporters so it is a case of finding some street parking, although away from the ground as there are parking restrictions on roads nearby.
Alloa Railway Station is in easy walking distance of Recreation Park. It is served by trains from Stirling and Glasgow. Ian Chapple adds; ‘Come out of the station, walk past the Asda and turn left. The ground is about a 5-10 minute walk away’.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
All areas of the ground*
Adults £16
Over 65’s/Under 16’s £8
* For the visit of Hibernian, the above ticket prices are raised by £2 for adults and £1 per Over 65/Under 16.
Official Programme £2
Stirling Albion.
Alloa Athletic FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
Record Attendance
13,000 v Dunfermline Athletic
Scottish Cup, 3rd Round replay, February 26th, 1939.
Average Attendance
2018-2019: 1,179 (Championship League)
2016-2017: 531 (League One)
2015-2016: 1,121 (Championship League)
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.
If you require hotel accommodation in Alloa or Stirling then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.
Official Web Site: www.alloaathletic.co.uk
Unofficial Web Site: The Return Of The Duffle
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Special thanks to Geoff Jackson for providing the photos of the Recreation Park football ground in Alloa. Check out Geoff’s Cumbrian Groundhopper blog.
Alloa Athletic v Raith Rovers
Scottish League One
Saturday 27th January 2018, 3pm
Tony Smith (Doing the 134)
Alloa Athletic v Ayr United
Scottish League One
Saturday 25th November 2017, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral fan)
Alloa Athletic v Airdrieonians
Scottish Division One Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg
Saturday 13th May 2017, 3pm
Paul O'Shea (Doing the 42)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Recreation Park?
My own team's season had finished so a trip up to Clackmannanshire for another ground to tick off presented itself and with the game finely poised it promised to be exciting.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled up by train via Glasgow and arrived a couple of hours before kick off. The weather was grim, heavy rain, so I headed into town in search of refreshments.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Alloa isn't a big place and for the real ale lover it is a bit of a desert. The best you can do is take refuge in the Wetherspoons Bobbing John which has six ales on starting at a surreal £1.69 a pint. I popped in the nearby Thistle but didn't bother as was the case in the Old Brewery which had no cask beer on at all.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Recreation Park?
The rain eased off and the short walk up to the ground took no time and £8 later I was inside. Coming through the gate the Main Stand on the left looked okay but I chose to go behind the goal with the home fans in a kind of covered shed. The Airdrie fans had turned up in numbers and they occupied the stand that runs down the opposite side from the changing rooms, a strange thing, it looked like the roof and rear were made of canvas.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a cracking game, a real end to end job but it stayed 0-0 at half time. The Airdrie fans were vociferous, whilst Alloa supporters were nervously quiet. Plenty of choices in the snack bar, bacon butties and pies. The option of a pie in a bun seemed popular as were the bridies, a potato based concoction.
Airdrie, with their 1-0 advantage from the first leg only had to see out the final 45 minutes, but they fell behind to a super strike from Jon Robertson. Alloa should have wrapped it up shortly after but missed a sitter from six yards. Inevitably the game edged towards full time locked at 1-1 overall and what I dreaded came to be. I couldn't stay for the extra time as I was on an Advance ticket and had to leave for my train. The steward who let me out couldn't believe I as leaving!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting back to the station is a doddle but that was no compensation as the game finished level and went to a penalty shootout, Alloa winning 4-3.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite the weather, little choices of pubs and missing extra time it wasn't too bad a day at Recreation Park. The home fans I stood with were okay and it was well worth the admission money.