All you need to know ahead of Rovers trip to St Andrews.
Venue: St. Andrew’s Stadium
Capacity: 30,016
Address: St Andrews Ground, Birmingham B9 4RL
Main Telephone Number: 0844 557 1875
Official Website: www.bcfc.com
Date: Tuesday 3rd December (Kick-Off: 7.45pm)
SatNav Postcode: B9 4RL
Approximately three quarters of the ground have been rebuilt since the mid 90's. One large two-tiered tiered stand, incorporating the Tilton Road End and Spion Kop, completely surrounds half the pitch and replaced a former huge terrace. The new Tilton Road End was opened for the start of the 1994-95 season, with the new Spion Kop following in 1995. At the back of the Spion Kop Stand, which runs along one side of the pitch, are a row of executive boxes, as well as a central seated executive area which also incorporates the Directors Box. The other recently built stand, the recently renamed Gil Merrick Stand (previously known as the Railway End) was opened in February 1999. It is a large two tiered stand and unusual in having quite a small top tier, which overhangs the lower area. Again there is a row of executive boxes in this stand, housed at the back of the lower section.
Only one 'old' stand, the former Main Stand which was opened in 1952, now remains of the former St Andrews. This is a two tier stand running along one side of the pitch and has a row of executive boxes running across its middle. This stand is the smallest at the stadium and looks particularly tired amongst its more modern neighbours. This stand which is now known as the Garrison Lane Stand also houses the press area, television gantry and has the team dugouts located in front of it. The team dressing rooms are situated within the Gil Merrick Stand, which results in the teams entering the field of play from one corner of the stadium between this stand and the Garrison Lane Stand. Also in this area is a large video screen that was erected at the start of the 2009/10 season.
Away Fans
Away supporters are housed on one side of the Gil Merrick Stand, which is at one end of the stadium in the lower tier. The normal allocation is 3,000 tickets, but this can be increased to around 4,500 for cup games (when the whole of the lower tier is allocated). There are Birmingham fans housed above the away supporters, as well as to the other side of the stand (fans are separated by plastic netting). The facilities and the view from this stand are pretty good.
Where to Drink
Most of the pubs near to the ground can be quite intimidating for away supporters and are not recommended. However there is the Brighton pub on the Coventry Road which does tolerate away fans in small numbers. This pub is about a ten minute walk away, going past Woolworths & Morrisons on your left There is another friendly pub within proximity of the ground, called The Cricketers Arms and is about 10 minutes walk. To find the pub (with your back to the away section) walk along the road ahead of you going away from the ground (not the road going right up by the stadium, but the road going towards Morrisons). Walk through Morrisons car park heading towards the store then join the road next to it, which is called Green Lane. The pub is 30 seconds from there on the left.
If you are walking to the ground from the city centre, then you may care to stop at the Anchor Pub on Bradford Street, renowned for its range of real ales on offer, and named Birmingham 'CAMRA Pub Of The Year' on more than one occasion. The pub is situated just behind Birmingham Coach Station. Otherwise alcohol is served within the stadium.
Travelling by Car
Leave the M6 at Junction 6 and take the A38(M) (known locally as the Aston Expressway) for Birmingham City Centre. Continue past the first turn off (Aston, Waterlinks) and then take the next turn off, for the Inner Ring Road.
Turn left at the island at the top of the slip road and take the Ring Road East, sign posted Coventry/Stratford. Continue along the ring road for two miles, crossing straight across three islands. At the fourth island (there is a large McDonalds on the far left hand corner) turn left into Coventry Road going towards Small Heath. Birmingham City's ground is about a 1/4 of a mile up this road on your left. The ground is well sign posted on the Inner Ring Road.
There is a small car park directly outside the entrance to the away end, but availability of space for cars is determined by how many away coaches are expected as they park in the same car park, which may mean for certain games that there is no space available for cars at all. There is however, plenty of street parking off the left hand side of the ring road. Either around the small park at the third island you cross or along the road next to and behind the BP garage before the fourth island. Bear in mind that if you arrive after 1.30pm these areas are likely to be already full. There are some local schools and firms that offer parking facilities for around £5.
Travelling by Train
The nearest station is Bordesley, which is about a ten minute walk away from the ground, but is only served by trains from Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street. Normally scheduled trains do not stop at Bordesley, so they don't show up on national timetables searches, so you are best to check the London Midland website for more details.
If you arrive at New Street Station in the city centre, either walk to Moor Street station (five minutes) take a taxi (about £7) or embark on the 20-25 minute walk to the ground.
As you come onto the concourse of New St station, bear to the left of the escalators and through the glass doors. Walk down towards to the end of the Station Service Road. Cross to the other side of the road at the bottom (where there is a new shopping centre) turn right and follow the purple pedestrian signs for Digbeth Coach Station. These will see you descending a flight of stairs at the side of the shopping centre on your left and then going down a road with the Markets on your right and a large church on your left. Follow this road around to the right and then take the next left to take you up to the main dual carriage way. Turn right along the dual carriageway, passing the impressive looking Crown Pub on your left. Cross over the dual carriageway to the Crown pub side of the road and continue walking away from the City Centre. You will come to a fork in the road where you want to bear left going underneath a railway bridge. Passing the Clements Arms (not recommended for away fans) on your left just continue straight down this road, crossing a large roundabout (with a McDonalds over on one corner). The entrance to the away section is further up the road on your left.
Last Visit:
The last time Rovers travelled to St.Andrew’s was on 10th December 2011 in a Championship encounter. Shortly after half-time, loanee Marc-Antoine Fortune scored his first goal after joining from West Brom to give the visitors the lead. However, Rovers left with nothing after a late Marlon King brace wrapped up the points for Birmingham.
Read the Away Guide to Birmingham by CLICKING HERE