Going to Wolves on 5th January?
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Saturday 5th January, 2.00pm
Molineux, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton. WV1 4QR. Tel: 0870 442 0123
Directions by Car: Exit the M6 at Junction 10 and take the A454 via Willenhall to Wolverhampton ring road. At the first traffic island on the ring road, take the 4th exit (signposted A449 Stafford). Proceed straight on through two sets of traffic lights and at the third set, filter right into Waterloo Road, where Molineux can be found 500 yards to the right. (WV1 4QR)
Parking: There is very limited and rather expensive parking at the ground itself, otherwise, street parking is in order, but beware resident schemes. It seems parking is a rather troublesome issue, with the ground close to the town centre and with many nearby streets reserved for residents' parking. However, there are a number of 'pay and display' car parks in the town centre - the other side of the ring road - so take a left rather than right at the lights. Though, given the time of year, a quick exit after the game is unlikely.
By Train: Wolverhampton can be reached from Cambridge, via London Euston. From the station, Molineux is a 15-minute walk. Leave the station and proceed straight on towards the town centre and, on reaching the inner ring road, turn right and follow it as it bends around to the left, until the ground appears on your right.
The Away Travel Club is running heavily subsidised coaches to the game, fares priced at £10 for non-members, £7.50 for members and £9 for children. To book your place, contact the club 01223 566500.
Update: Due to the fantastic uptake to this offer there will be 24 coaches in total, so departure times from the Abbey Stadium are now staggered from 9.00am onwards. See this article for full details.
Admission: This match is all-ticket and there will be no away tickets available on the day. Tickets are available from CUFC Ticket Office until 4pm on Thursday 3rd January; contact the club for details.
Programme: £3
The Ground: United fans will be housed primarily in the lower tier of the Steve Bull Stand, along the length of the pitch - visiting supporters should enter this stand via Turnstile Block 3. In addition, there will be a U's contingent nearby in the Jack Harris Flank, behind the goal to the left - visiting supporters should enter this stand via Turnstile Block 5. The Steve Bull Stand lower tier holds 3,200 but is not all that deep - with fewer rows than our own South Stand. The Jack Harris Stand meanwhile is a single-tiered steeper affair. Check your ticket to see which stand you will be in.
The impressive Championship arena is constructed almost symmetrically - with the Billy Wright Stand opposite the Steve Bull, likewise two-tiered and housing the dressing rooms, and the Stan Cullis Stand almost identical to the Jack Harris behind the other goal.
Click here (Wolves map) for a larger map
N.B. Steve Bull is a Wolves legend, who scored 250 goals in 474 appearances for the club. He was also capped 13 times for England in the late 1980s and early 1990s, scoring 4 goals, despite not playing in the top division. Jack Harris is a former club director, who passed away in 2005.
Pre-Match Refreshment: There are a number of pubs in the vicinity of the ground, and near to the station, though some, particularly those nearer to Molineux, are for home fans only. The Great Western, near to the station, serves real ale, but it may be worth covering colours up to ensure you are served. Elsewhere, the town centre is nearby, where there are a number of watering holes and eateries, though some tend to be reserved solely for home supporters and will turn away colour-wearing away fans. Alcohol is also served inside the ground, in the concourse.
Local attractions: Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Lichfield Street in the town, and is home to extensive Pop art galleries - the second largest collection in the country of this art movement. The building itself is Grade 2 listed, and entry to the gallery is free. While St. Peter's Collegiate Church in the centre is also a decent looking construction, and home to the mildly famous (in Wolverhampton) church choir.
Wolverhampton, a millennium city, is the country's 13th largest. And not only that, mid-90s electro rock band Babylon Zoo were based in Wolvo.
The city's motto is, "Out of darkness, cometh light" and on January 5th, that light will be amber.
Henry Milward
