Imps on tour 2004
The travel guide assume that you know roughly which direction the towns we are playing in are!
Please note all stats are correct at time of printing. GMVC games are not included in stats.
Macclesfield – Tuesday March 2nd
Leave the M6 at junction 17 and turn onto the A534 towards Congleton. On reaching the town centre follow signs for A54 Buxton. Follow the A54 for around 5 miles then turn left on to the A523 towards Macc. You will see the ground on your left upon entering the outskirts of Macclesfield.
Car Parking:
There’s plenty of street parking to be had but beware as there have been a few incidents of car crime in the area (it is Lancashire). Alternatively there is a field that they use on match days usually signposted from the A523.
Pubs:
The Silkman, next to the ground on London Road, welcomes away fans. Be warned though, it gets packed and you may prefer to wander a little further away from the ground.
City at The Moss Rose:
City have travelled north to face Macc on 7 occasions, most recently last season where Peter Gains sublime strike earned us all 3 points. Our 1-0 defeat on 4th April 1998 saw both gippo keeper Richardson and our very own Ben Sedgemore sent off, although Ben was a Macclesfield player! Quite how Jason Barnett stayed on the pitch that day is a mystery! We’ve lost just twice here, and won 3 times.
Cheltenham – Saturday March 6th
From the M5: Exit at junction 10 onto the A40I9 toward Cheltenham. Take the left exit at the roundabout, go straight over two mini-roundabouts, then turn right and follow signs for Prestbury. Turn right into Albert Road, the left at the roundabout into Prestbury Road and right into Whaddon Road - the ground is on the left.
Parking
The club has a large, cheap car park at the ground and it is preferable to the alternative which is street parking in the Whaddon area, where car crime is a problem.
Pubs:
You can get a pie and a pint in the club bar at the ground, and this is probably the best bet by a long way!
City at Whaddon Road:
City have played just four league and cup ties at Whaddon Road, with the most recent our 2-1 reverse in 2001. Kingsley Black netted that day for the Imps, with Lee Thorpe surprisingly seeing red! Our last victory was the first game of the new millennium when goals from John Finnigan (now Cheltenham) and Paul Miller (now of Greenacres retirement cottages) gave us 3 points and a 2-0 win.
Leyton Orient – Saturday March 20th
From North: Exit M25 at junction 27 and follow signs to M11 London (NE) onto the M11 southbound. After 7.0 miles, where motorway ends and road divides, keep right (s/p A406 N. Circ. Rd W, London N and W) onto the North Circular Road. Take 1st exit (s/p Whipps Cross, A104, West End A503). At roundabout take 1st exit (s/p The City A104) onto the A104. At (Whipps Cross) roundabout after 1.2 miles, take 2nd exit (s/p Bakers Arms, Leyton) and keep left where road divides into Lea Bridge Road. After 0.5 miles, just past Esso garage, turn left at lights (s/p Leyton, Stratford) into Leyton Green Road. Left after 0.3 miles (s/p Leyton Leisure Lagoon), and left at T-junction into Leyton High Road. After 1.2 miles, turn right into Balmoral Road to ground.
Car Parking:
It's street parking! The roads near the ground fill up early, but there are residential streets for miles around. One possibility is to park near the Birkbeck Tavern and walk from there - it takes about ten minutes.
Pubs:
The Supporters Club bar admits away fans for a small admission charge. It is also CAMRA recommended. It fills quickly though so you might prefer The Coach & Horses between Brisbane Road and Leyton High Road; it does good food and real ale.
City at Orient:
City last beat Orient on our travels in 1999 where a last gasp Lee Thorpe goals was almost cancelled out by Amara Simbas even later consolation in our 3-2 win. Trips to Brisbane Road (Matchroom Stadium whatever) haven’t always been fruitful though with City conceding 51 goals there in 27 appearances.
Rochdale – Saturday April 3rd
Spotland Stadium is just over 2 miles on Junction 20 of the M62. Exiting at Junction 20 you should follow signs for Rochdale A627(M). Bear left at the first roundabout you come to on the A627(M), passing B & Q on your right. You will quickly approach another roundabout at which point you will pick up signs for 'Spotland Stadium'. However, should you miss these signs you should carry on straight at the roundabout, the 2nd exit, and after around 2 miles on this road you will come across the ground on your right-hand side.
Car Parking:
There is a large car park behind the WMG stand.
Pubs:
There is the Studds social club in the WMG stand that serves food and drink; there is also the Ratcliffe Arms at the other end of the ground. Both these serve JW Lee beers so the more discerning pallet might prefer The Cemetery at the top of Sandy Lane.
City at Spotland:
Ben Futcher late goal at Spotland last season gave City their first win there since Tony Loughlan gave us a 1-0 win in 1993. Not usually happy hunting, Rochdales last victory over us on their own patch was back in 1996.
Northampton – Monday April 12th
Sixfields is another easy ground to find. It's located right on the junction of the A45 and A4500 trunk routes, between the MI and the town centre. If you take a wrong turn on one of the area's many roundabouts, the signposts to follow are those marked 'Sixfields Leisure'.
Parking:
Car Parking at Sixfields used to be easy, unfortunately the developers have got to the area and what was open land is now an all-shopping, all-eating complex and they don't care too much for the football fan.
You need to arrive early to find a space in the designated South Car Park at the ground. Otherwise it's strret parking and a fair walk.
Pubs:
The pubs on the Sixfields site don't like fans wearing away colours, and if you do get in they are incredibly busy on match days. Those arriving by train have the best choice as there is a good selection of pubs by the station and in the town centre.
City at Sixfields:
City have failed to take 3 points from Sixfields in the last 12 years, our last victory coming way back in October 1992. Our last visit their was August 1999 where a 5th minute Steve Howard goal gave the Cobblers a 1-0 win. The last City player to net at Northampton was Steve Holmes back in 1997, when a last minute penalty from Veteran Roy Hunter prevented City coming home with a full points haul.
Carlisle United - Saturday April 17th
Exit the M6 at junction 43, Take the first turnoff at the roundabout, it will be signposted for Carlisle City Centre. Follow the road through 2 sets of traffic lights, after you go through the second set the ground will come into view on the right hand side, just continue on this road until you arrive at the stadium.
Parking:
Parking is plentiful about Brunton Park, there is a large carpark situated behind the away end which is ideal for travelling fans.
Pubs:
Pubs around the station are the best bet for away fans. The pubs near the ground don't like away fans. Police advice is that away fans keep all colours covered in the town centre.
City at Brunton Park:
Of the 64 meetings between these two sides non can be more memorable for those who made the trip than last seasons 4-1 win for City. The almost Scottish outfit managed to grab a 2-1 FA Cup win, but the last league reverse was back in 1999 when Richard Tracey scored the only goal of our Division Three clash. Citys other notable win was in 1995 where Darren Huckerby, Gary Bannister and Tony Daws gave us a 3-1 win in front of 12,412 spectators.
Bristol Rovers – Saturday May 1st
Exit the M5 at J16 and take the A38 in toward Bristol city centre. After five miles turn left at the lights onto the B4469, then right at the next lights into Filton Avenue.
Parking:
There is a club car park, however, if it's full, you're probably too late for convenient street parking as well - best arrive early.
Pubs:
The A38 Gloucester Road has loads of football friendly pubs and plenty of eateries as well.
City at The Memorial Ground:
Our last trip south that yielded any points was back in the dismal 2001/02 season when a last minute Justin Walker goals gave us a 2-1 victory over then fellow strugglers. Last seasons 2-0 defeat, courtesy of Ben Futchers own goal and Guiliano Graziolis penalty did little to dampen our spirits. That 2002 win was Citys first victory against Rovers away since 1982.