WBA - The Hawthorns
Website:
www.wba.co.ukUnofficial sites:
BaggiesWest BromAddress : The Hawthorns, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B71 4LF.
Telephone : 0121 525 8888
Tickets : 0121 553 6634
Capacity : 28,000
Away Allocation: 1900 but upto 5000 for large followings.FixturesTo see West Brom's remaining fixtures
Click HEREDIRECTIONS & PARKINGTo see a map of the ground and surrounding areas click hereBy CarThe ground is located on the A41 (Birmingham-West Bromwich Road). If approaching from outside the area the ground is about half a mile from Junction 1 of the M5. On leaving the M5 take the A41 towards Birmingham, the ground is on your right. Beware though of speed cameras on this stretch of the A41. Street parking or alternatively there are a few private matchday car parks at some local industrial units near the ground, or at Hawthorns station which costs £4.
By TrainThe closest railway stations are The Hawthorns which is about five minutes walk from the ground and Smethwick Rolfe Street, which is about a 15 minute walk from the ground. The Hawthorns is served by a metro service from Birmingham Snow Hill station, whilst Smethwick Rolfe Street is served by local trains from Birmingham New Street. The metro service takes eight minutes to the Hawthorns from Birmingham Snow Hill and trains run every 15 minutes.
Thoughts:Away fans are housed on one side of the Smethwick End, where the normal allocation is 3,000 seats. This means that this stand is shared with home supporters. For cup games, the whole of this stand can be allocated to away fans, raising this figure to 5,200. The facilities and the view of the pitch in the Smethwick end are okay, although the leg room is a little cramped. I have been to the Hawthorns on a number of occasions and have always found it to be a fairly friendly place. The only thing against a visit in terms of a day out is a nearby pub for away fans, meaning that most elect to drink inside the ground instead. Considering that the concourse at the back of the Smethwick End is pretty small in comparison to its overall capacity, then it has an uncomfortable feel, especially when there is a large away support. One tip on finding your seat in this stand, is to remember that although your ticket is marked with the letter of the row, say Row B Or Row LL, the plates indicating the row in the stand read B1 or LL1. As you would expect a number of fans get confused by the addition of the number 1 and start to wander around the stand looking for their seat. So you have been warned.
Pub guide and extrasThere are only really two pubs close to the ground, and both operate a members only policies on matchday. Therefore, your best bet is to try West Bromwich High Street, as this offers plenty of pubs. Do recommend that you don't wear away colours though! The easiest way to get to the High Street is on the Metro link, or by catching a no 79 or 74 bus from Birmingham Road.
'The Vine' which is about a 20 minute walk from the ground. From Junction 1 of the M5 turn left towards West Bromwich town centre (opposite direction to the ground). Take the first left into Roebuck Street. The Vine is down on the left. You can also street park in this area and walk to the ground. If you continue towards West Bromwich going over a small mini roundabout, then on the right just before the lights is the Desi Junction pub.
An alternative is to drink in Birmingham city centre and then jump the Metro from Snow Hill station to West Brom.
Away Fans:Smethwick End - Adults £35 (A) £29 (B) £25 (C) £28
Over 60's/Under 18's £20 (A) £16 (B) £13 (C) Under 16's £16 (A) £13 (B) £10 (C)
Official Programme £3
Baggies Newspaper Fanzine - £1.50
Disabled FacilitiesFor details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS)
Click HERE. Or try the West Brom Disabled Supporters Club
HEREFurther information on West Brom from
footballgroundguide.co.uk and
The Football Supporters Federation