All you need to know ahead of Rovers trip to the Reebok Stadium.
Venue: The Reebok Stadium
Capacity: 28,723
Address: Burnden Way, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6JW
Main Telephone Number: 0844 871 2932
Official Website: www.bwfc.co.uk
Date: Saturday 7th December 2013 (Kick-Off: 3pm)
Sat Nav Postcode: BL6 6JW
Bolton Wanderers moved from their old Burden Park ground to the all-seater Reebok Stadium in 1997.
The Reebok Stadium is seen by many as one of the most visually pleasing stadiums in the county. The inside is functional and tidy, but not unsurprisingly lacks the ‘wow’ factor of the stadium's external appearance. It is totally enclosed and each stand has a conventional rectangular lower tier, with a semi-circular upper tier above. Situated between the two tiers is a row of executive boxes. Above the stands there is a gap between the back of the stands and the roof to allow additional light to reach the pitch. The roofs are then topped with some diamond shaped floodlights that sit above a striking supporting tubular steel supporting structure. There is large video screen in one corner, situated between the South and Nat Lofthouse Stands. One unusual feature of the ground is that the teams emerge from separate tunnels on either side of the halfway line. Outside the stadium is a statue of former player and legend Nat Lofthouse.
Away Fans
Away fans are housed in the two tiered South Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 5,000 supporters can be accommodated, although the normal allocation is nearer 3,000. The lower tier is shared with home supporters, but the upper tier is given entirely to away fans. The leg room and facilities within this stand are good and the atmosphere is boosted in the home end by the presence of a drummer. Away fans should note that the bottom rows of the lower tier are not covered by the roof and therefore you may get wet if it rains!
Where to Drink
There is the Barnstormers on Lostock Lanewhich admits away fans. From the M61, go past the stadium on your left, move into the right hand filter lane and turn right at the traffic lights into Lostock Lane, the pub is on the right. There is also a mixture of street parking and paid parking (at some industrial units) in this area.
Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground, although for some games such as local derbies, the Club opt not to sell any. Alcohol available inside the ground, includes; Carling (£3.20), Worthingtons (£3), Magners (£3.30) and Echo Falls Wine (£3.70). In another good move then the Club allow you to pre-order and pay for your half time drinks, before the game has kicked off, through the purchase of tokens, thus making it quicker to get your hands on your interval liquid refreshments.
There are a number of bars on the nearby Middlebrook Retail Park (Reebok Stadium is on the Middlebrook Retail estate). However most of these have bouncers on the doors that only admit home fans on production of a matchday or season ticket, There are though plenty of eating outlets on the Retail Park; KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway and a Bolton Wanderers themed McDonalds as well as several other themed restaurants.
Travelling by Car
Take the M6 to Junction 21a, take eastbound M62 leaving at Junction 12. Follow signs for M61 (Bolton/Preston) and leave the M61 motorway at Junction 6. The ground is visible from this junction and is clearly sign posted.
Travelling by Train
Horwich Parkway railway station serves the stadium, with regular trains from Bolton's main railway station. Horwich Parkway is only a few minutes walk from the stadium. The easiest way to find the stadium is simply follow the floodlights!
Last Visit:
Doncaster Rovers have never travelled to the Reebok Stadium, and the last time Rovers played an away fixture against Bolton was way back in the 1986/87 season. It was visitors who took the three points that day, as they ran out 1-0 winners in the old Third Division.