Away Travel: Northwich 26th April
NORTHWICH VICTORIA
Saturday 26th April 2008, Kick-Off: 5.15pm
The Victoria Stadium, Wincham Avenue, Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6GB. Tel: 01606 815200
Directions by Car: Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and at the roundabout take the A556 towards Northwich. After around three miles, just as the road becomes a dual carriageway, turn right onto the A559 towards Lostock and right again at the lights onto the A559 (Hall Lane), towards Warrington. Not long after, turn left at the Black Greyhound pub, into Wincham Lane. Follow the road until the Renault Garage, turning left immediately after into Wincham Avenue. The ground may be found in the industrial estate a little further along to the right.
Parking: £2 for a space in the good-sized car park at the ground.
Train: With the match having been moved to 5.15pm, a same-day return train journey to Cambridge is, unfortunately, not possible. Should you opt for train travel, the advised route takes in changes at Ely, Peterborough, Doncaster and Stockport.
The ground is over two miles from the station. Exit the station and turn left onto Manchester Road, and right onto Station Road. At the large roundabout, head over to Warrington Road - the third exit. Continue along this road for over a mile, taking the first major road to the right - Chapel Street. This becomes Wincham Lane, so turn right before the Renault Garage into Wincham Avenue, and follow the road around to the right for the Victoria Stadium.
The Away Travel Club will be running a coach, priced at £23 for non-members, £21 for members and £15 for under 16's and Junior U's, due to leave Ely at 11.15am and the Abbey at 12 noon. Contact the club on 01223 566500 to book your seat.
Admission: On the covered terrace, £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, £5 for under 16's and £2.50 for under 11's.
Programme: £2
The Ground: United fans will be allocated a portion of the covered Dane Bank terrace, which runs along the width of the pitch. The stand is suitably steep, and should afford sufficient room for the travelling supporters. In addition, the un-terraced, uncovered area behind the goal is also offered to away fans. The Victoria Stadium is dominated by two stands, the aforementioned Dane Bank terrace, shared by fans from either side, and the all-seated seated Victoria Stand opposite.
Pre-Match Refreshment: Beer is served in the ground, beneath the stand, while the Black Greyhound (at the junction with the A559 - Hall Lane - and Wincham Lane) is also a popular destination, and one drivers should pass on the way in. The town centre is also home to a selection of eateries and pubs, as one would expect.
Local attractions: If you can bear two football matches in one afternoon, Witton Albion, of the Unibond Premier Division play at Wincham Park, within a stone's throw of the Victoria Stadium. Albion are in action against Worksop Town in a 3.00pm kick-off.
Elsewhere in the Cheshire town, one can visit the only museum in the UK dedicated to salt, bizarrely named 'The Salt Museum'. Sitting proudly on the A533, the museum is over 100 years old and is a Grade II listed building. The museum is open from 2.00pm until 5.00pm on Saturday, and entry will set you back £2.50 if you're an adult, and £1.30 if you're a child. There is also the option of purchasing a season ticket, if you can't get enough of sodium chloride.
Northwich is twinned with the town of Dole in France.
Henry Milward
