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Contents
What's The Ground Like?
Uplands Stand (photo)
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
DAS Stand (photo)
Where To Drink?
South Stand (photo)
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
By Train
Blackthorn End (photo)
Admission Prices
Programme Price
Ground Layout
Local Rivals
Disabled Facilities
Fixtures 2009-2010
Record & Average Attendance
Fans Ground Reviews
Old Eastville Ground
Other Places Of Interest
Hotel Accommodation
Feedback

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What's The Ground Like?
The club moved to the stadium in 1996 and two years later bought the ground from the then owners Bristol Rugby Club. Although the Memorial Stadium has seen some changes since the Football Club took up residence, it still has the feel of a rugby ground about it.

On one side is the DAS Stand, which with its pavilion looks more like a cricket stand. It has a row of hospitality boxes across the top, with a few rows of seats in front. Below is an area of terrace. Just under this stand's roof is a television gantry and a small electric scoreboard. The stand runs for about half the length of the pitch and straddles the half way line. On one side of it, towards the Blackthorn end is a small covered terrace, used as a family area, whilst the other side has a small covered area of temporary seating, called the Guinness Stand. Opposite is the Uplands Stand, taller than the DAS Stand, but similar in length. This stand has covered seating to its rear and terracing at the front. It has open terracing to either side, one of which is given to away supporters. The team dug outs are located in front of this stand, although the dressing rooms are located behind the DAS Stand. This leads to quite a procession of players and officials at half time and full time.

At one end is the unusual looking South Stand. This was originally erected as a temporary stand, to fill the previously empty end. It has now been opened for a number of seasons now, although it still looks, with its green seats and bright white roof, more suitable for an outdoor show jumping competition than a football ground. The stand only runs for just over half the width of the pitch, has several supporting pillars running across the front and has been nicknamed 'the tent' by Rovers fans. Opposite is the Blackthorn End, which is a covered terrace for home supporters. The ground is shared with Bristol Rugby Club.
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Future Developments

The Club have received planning permission to re-develop the Memorial Ground, into a 18,500 capacity stadium. The scheme will involve completely re-building the ground, moving the pitch in an eastward direction and incorporating residential accommodation around the outside of the stadium.

It was hoped that work would commence at the end of the 2007/08 season, with the Club ground sharing with Cheltenham Town for around 18 months whilst the work was being undertaken. However, the scheme has incurred some financial problems, so the Club are embarking on trying to find another suitable investor. It is now unclear as to when the scheme will commence.

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Uplands Stand



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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away supporters are mostly housed in an open terrace on one side of the Uplands Stand. This area is open to the elements so you might get wet if it rains. The open terrace makes it difficult for away fans to really generate some noise. Up to 1,100 away supporters can be accommodated in this area. If the weather is poor then it may be a better bet to head for one of the seats that are made available to away fans in the South Stand at one end of the ground. I must recommend the huge Cornish pasties (?2.50) that are sold at the ground, huge and tasty, plus they even do vegetarian ones which makes a change. Also on offer are a range of pies including the the Chicken Balti Pie. I did not experience any problems on my visits, however I noted that the Rovers fans seemed to tolerate away fans rather than being over friendly. They can still do a good rendition of their club anthem 'Goodnight Irene', when the occasion stirs.

I found it quite amusing that the Rovers fans are nicknamed gasheads. Nick Wootten of Bristol informed me that this term comes from where the old Eastville stadium in Bristol was sited. Next to a (sometimes smelly) gas works! In fact it was rumoured that if Rovers were losing at half time, the gas would be turned up, to put off the opposition!
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DAS Stand




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Where To Drink?
Pete Stump recommends; 'The Queen Vic pub on the Gloucester Road (five minutes walk from the ground) which usually has a comfortable mix of home and away fans - unfortunately it's not that big and does get busy'. Rhys Gwynllyw a visiting Wrexham supporter recommends the Annexe Inn next to the Sportsmans Arms. 'The Annexe Pub is friendly has previously been listed in the Good Beer Guide. Last time I was there it had seven real ales on tap. I had no hassle at all in my Wrexham top'. Steve Pugh adds; 'The Annexe Inn is in Nevil Road, which is about ten minutes walk from the ground. You can find it by following the signs for the County Cricket Ground'. Otherwise there is a bar behind the clubhouse terrace that allows away supporters in.

Posted By: Cheltenham_Canary on April 25th 2010 at 09:02:03

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