SCFC2West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City on Saturday 7th April 2018 at 15:00.
Address: The Hawthorns, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4LF
Telephone: 0871 271 1100
Web-site: www.wba.co.uk
What’s It Like
Swans fans are on one side of the Smethwick End, which is shared with home supporters. The facilities and the view of the pitch are OK, although the leg room is cramped. The concourse at the back is pretty small, so it can be a bit squashed. The turnstiles have automatic bar code readers, with stewards on hand if you have problems. Alcohol is available within the ground along with burgers, a range of pies, sausage rolls and pasties.
The Hawthorns
Visiting the Midlands
Birmingham is the second largest UK city, and has a multitude of eating and drinking places to suit every appetite. Ethnic food is highly popular and every region of Asia is represented in its restaurants. Birmingham has loads of museums, art galleries and theatres.
There are plenty of places to stay nearby if you fancy making an overnight stay of it and enjoying all Birmingham has to offer. Hotel near the ground are Premier Inn, The Park Inn and The Hare & Hounds.
Although miles from the sea, Birmingham has a National Sea Life Centre (B1 2HL). Tickets for Sea Life Birmingham bought online can mean savings of up to 40%. On-line it’s from £12.50 and entry for kids under 3’s is free. (Entry to the 4-D cinema is included). It’s open 10am-6pm and has a soft play area too.
5 Star Wrestling is at the Genting Arena (B40 1NT) on the Thursday, tickets are from £17.85 up to VIP tickets for £170.40. Harry Styles is there on the Saturday, tickets are from £50.45.
Cadbury World is open 10-3 in the week. Prices are £16.75 for adults, £12.30 for kids (under 4’s free), with Family tickets (2+2 £49.96) and (2+3 £59.95). Book online for the cheapest prices.
StarCity (B7 5SA) has a Vue cinema, ten pin bowling, mini golf, laser station, a football centre, gym, casino, a climbing centre. It’s really close to the motorway and a place where quite a number of hours can be spent.
It’s Eggs-ellent Easter from 28th March – 15th April at Drayton Manor Theme Park (B78 3TW) with egg hunt trails and Easter selfie trails. There are loads of events in Thomas the Tank Engine Land. The rest of the park is open as normal for the thrill rides. Booking online gives a discount of nearly 50%.
Pubs and Grub
There are no away fans pubs close to the ground. For a great pub and amazing Indian food, head to The Vine (B70 8DB). There’s street parking in the area and it’s a 15 minute walk to the ground. You need to be there a good 2 hours before kick-off as it gets mentally busy in there. That tells you all you need to know about how good the food is there.
The Park Hotel (B70 6RS) is just off J1 of the M5 and a 10 minute walk to the ground. The car park is £5 and away fans are welcome. There is also plenty of street parking around the hotel.
Desi Junction (B70 6PB) is close by too. The Royal Oak (B71 3RQ) has good beer they also serve Asian food. A little further afield and en-route is The Stores (B69 2AS), just off J2 of the M5. It’s a lively pub that does regular pub grub. You’ll have to smuggle in McDonalds food from the local outlet as it’s not allowed in the ground.
There’s a ‘Fan Zone’ across the road from the ground on the corner of Halfords Lane and Birmingham Road. It has live music, a large screen showing sport, plus food and drink is sold welcoming away fans.
Parking
There’s street parking or a few match-day car parks at local industrial units or at Hawthorns station for around £5. The Beeches Road Methodist Church (B70 6QE) costs £5, has CCTV and is a ten minute walk away and easy to get onto the M5 after the match.
Train and Metro
The closest stations are The Hawthorns (5 minute walk) and Smethwick Rolfe Street, (15 minute walk). The Hawthorns is served by a Metro service from Birmingham Snow Hill station, whilst Smethwick Rolfe Street is served by trains from Birmingham New Street.
The Metro service takes 8 minutes to the Hawthorns from Birmingham Snow Hill and trains run every 15 minutes. Train tickets are not valid on the Metro and you have to buy a separate ticket for it (ask for a matchday special adult return). Birmingham Snow Hill station is signposted from Birmingham New Street and is a 10 minute walk away.
Trains leave from Swansea at 07:59, 08:29 and 09:29 arrive at Birmingham New Street 3 hours later.
Trains back are at 17:42, 18:42, 19:12 and 19:42 getting in at 20:42, 21:43, 22:20, 22:44 and 22:44.
For the Travelling Jacks making the trip – Be Loud, Be Proud and Be Positive!