SCFC2
Stoke City on Saturday 25 January 2020 at 15:00
Distance from the Liberty Stadium: 173 miles ~ 3.5 hours.
Address: bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke on Trent ST4 4EG
Telephone: 01782 367 598
Web Site: www.stokecityfc.com
bet365 Stadium
What’s the bet365 Stadium Like
The stadium is high on a hill with no buildings close, so looks impressive from a distance, especially at night.
The home fans can make a big noise, so the atmosphere should be pretty good. Up to 2,800 Swans fans can be housed in the south stand at one end of the ground.
Excellent facilities are available in the ground with good views of the pitch as well with Carlsberg, Pedigree, cider, wine, spirits, pies, pasties and sausage rolls sold in the bars.
Be wary of wearing club colours around the ground and in the pubs.
Visiting Stoke
There is quite a bit to do in the Stoke-on-Trent area, from learning about its famous pottery heritage to visiting the air museum at RAF Cosford, some 24 miles away, which is well worth a visit.
If you’re planning on making a weekend of it, the ‘North Stafford Hotel’ (ST4 2AE) is right outside the train station, with ‘The Plough Motel (ST4 4EN), Kenwood Guest House (ST4 2DP), ‘Wheatsheaf Hotel’ (ST1 4LW), ‘Victoria on the Square (ST1 4JH) and ‘Quality Hotel (ST15NB) not far away.
What’s On in Stoke
Alton Towers (ST10 4DB) and Trentham Monkey Forest (ST4 8AY) are popular attractions nearby but unfortunately are closed during January.
The night before the game, The Rocket Man – A Tribute to Elton John is on at the Victoria Hall (ST1 3AD) with tickets costing from £24.15.
On the Saturday at Regent Theatre (ST1 1AP) there is the 020 Dance, a drama with tickets starting at £14.40.
Middleport Pottery (ST6 3PE) has pottery classes and making your own pot. It costs £30 for an hour, which covers 4 people and includes bisque (clay to ceramic, no decoration) and firing.
Pubs and Food in Stoke
There aren’t many pubs near the stadium other than Holiday Inn and Harvester next to it. Parking at Harvester is £10 but takes ages to leave after the game.
On the canal behind the main stand are two barges, one sells traditional oatcakes, the other sells beer; both are very popular.
Power League (ST4 4TN) is 0.2 miles away has a bar with Sky TV, parking is £4.50 or Longton Rugby Club (ST4 8WG) is a mile away, with parking costing £5.
Near the train station is The Terrace (ST4 2BW) which is 2.5 miles away. A shuttle bus to the stadium stops outside the pub (£4 return), back there after the game.
Parking near the Stadium
There is little parking near the ground and you need to book the official car park, which is a nightmare to get out of after the game.
There’s parking (about £5) at the industrial units on Great Fenton Business Park (ST4 4LZ), a signposted 10-minute walk.
To the north of the stadium, there’s street parking on Grove Road (ST4 3AY), a 15-minute walk along a footpath.
There are limited parking spaces (£4) at Screwfix Direct warehouse (ST4 8GR), which is one mile from the ground with easy access onto the A50 after the game.
There are shuttle buses from Glebe Street near Stoke train station with street parking at the former PMT bus garage and £4 return on the bus, taking 5 minutes.
After the game, the buses are behind the Novus Stand and getting out of Stoke onto the A500 should be easy.
You can also choose from a selection of private car parking spaces near the bet365 or Britannia Stadium – including on-street parking, off-street car parks and around 8 reservable parking spaces from just £4.00 per day.
Trains to Stoke
Stoke railway station is two miles away from the ground by foot or £7 by taxi.
Trains leave Swansea for the 4-hour trip at 07:22, 07:40, 08:22, 09:23 and 09:34.
Trains back to Swansea are at 17:07, 17:44, 18:07, 18:44 and 19:07.
For the Travelling Jacks making the trip – Be Loud, Be Proud and Be Positive!