This weekend Walsall Football Club travel North to take on Bradford City in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Once again we have teamed up with ToThe92.co.uk to bring you the latest information on the Bantams' Valley Parade.
Valley Parade has undergone a number of changes since the fire back in 1985 that claimed 56 lives. It has an all seated capacity in excess of 25,000 which is well advanced from the needs of a side as far down the league rankings as they are. Both the Carlsberg Kop and the Main Stand are huge builds and are joined together with the corner filled in. The Midland Rd stand offers unrestricted views but the TL Dallas stand behind the goal has a number of supporting posts.
AWAY SUPPORTERS
Visiting supporters are once again accommodated within the TL Dallas Stand behind one of the goals. Up to 1,840 can be catered for, although given the opportunity, I would choose to sit in the upper tier of this stand rather than the lower, as the view of the action is significantly better. The facilities are generally very good although there are a couple of supporting pillars that may impede your view.
WHERE TO DRINK
Pubs that are safe to drink in for away fans with children welcome close to the ground are the Oakleigh and Park Hotel (both off Manningham Lane towards Shipley), the New Beehive in Westgate at the top end of town, Haigy’s (a little closer as you walk to the ground from Westgate), and The Bolton, Goldsborough, and Corn Dolly which are to the east of the ground.
TRAVELLING BY CAR (via FootballGroundGuide.com)
Leave the M62 at Junction 26 and take the M606 for Bradford. At the end of the motorway, keep to the right hand lane and take the Ring Road East (signposted A6177 City Centre).
From this point the stadium is well signposted through the use of a football image. At the next roundabout turn left continuing along the Ring Road East, passing a McDonalds on your left and then an ASDA superstore. At the next roundabout turn left onto the A650 (signposted City Centre/Keighley).
After crossing a further two roundabouts the road becomes three lanes. Keep in one of the two right hand lanes (signposted Keighley/Skipton). Continue straight along this road towards Skipton and eventually you will be able to see the stadium in front of you, over on the left.
At the Car Dealership on your left, turn immediately left into Station Road. At the top of Station Road turn left along Queens Road, then the second left into Midland Road for the away entrance. For the main offices continue along Queens Road and at the traffic lights turn left into Manningham Road. The ground is quarter a mile away on the left.
CAR PARKING
Parking is limited around the stadium on match days and local supporters suggest parking up and getting a bus to the stadium from one of the local routes. However, if you arrive early, you may find street parking nearby.
TRAVELLING BY TRAIN
The nearest/closest train station to Bradford City's Coral Windows Stadium is Bradford Forster Square. Services are operated by northern rail. Bradford interchange also connects with Leeds city station for national express east coast and cross country services. It is highly recommended that you enlist the services of a taxi as the stadium is a fair walk from the station.
If you feel like a good walk then, leave the station to the right of the ticket office, either up the six or so flights of stairs or up the long ramp further on. This brings you out on Manor Row, where you should turn right. Keep on this road passed the City Gent pub to a massive crossroads.
Here, you can either go straight over and walk all the way down Manningham Lane, passed The Bradford Arms Pub to Valley Parade, just before the Petrol Station.
Alternatively, fans in sitting in Dallas or Midland Road Stands (away end) will find it easier to turn right at the main cross roads, then turn left on to Midland Road after 100 yards and follow the road all the way to the turnstiles.
INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY: TOTHE92.CO.UK
