For visiting football fans, what is the best football stadium in the Britain?

[Red 4 Ever]

I just wanted to find out exactly what people on here think is the best stadium in in Britian.

The reason I ask it from the perspective of away fans is that I hope to get rid of any bias people have towards their own team's ground. Otherwise I would just say Old Trafford and not take into consideration any other aspect of visiting Old Trafford as a fan.

So in terms of atmosphere, the view, away ticket pricing, and the overal match day experience and of course the achitectural merits, what is the best footbal stadium in the uk that you have visited on your away travels?

[Joeman]

Overall i think the Millenium stadium is the best but i am being a bit bias because i live in Cardiff but i have been to Wembley and i my opinion i doesnt come close to the Millenium.

[Boards]

Probably not Ibrox or Parkhead - possibly the two most threateningly situated football stadiums in Europe.

[Columbus]

Originally Posted by Joeman

Overall i think the Millenium stadium is the best but i am being a bit bias because i live in Cardiff but i have been to Wembley and i my opinion i doesnt come close to the Millenium.

I didn't find Millenium as good as i thought, it's ugly on the outside, it wasn't particularly easy to find the right entrance, partly at fault of the shit map on the ticket, when inside it wasn't amazing more bog standard and then once over the initial awe of the size, you realize that the boring bowl shape of the stadium actually doesn't compare to the more traditional style of four closely compact stands. Personally im not a fan of all these modern convienience first stdiums, i love the atmosphere and experience much more in the smaller less done up stadiums like turf moor and Barnsley and hillsbrough, they have much more spirit and character and for me embody a football away day mored than clean modern boring efficient stadiums. Plus it adds to make a better atmosphere, you want to stand up and chant and you feel more sort of like a pack of people and you really are away from home so you want to show it off more, in the modern ones you just get comfy and sit down most of it.

[Sparks]

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport...142776,00.html

How the Premier League's 20 grounds rate for away fans, as voted for by Observer Sport's fans network. Everyone loves a trip to the Toon - but The Riverside? 'So bland it hurts'

Sunday August 12, 2007
The Observer

1 Newcastle, St James' Park Rating: 9
2 Everton, Goodison Park Rating: 8
3 Fulham, Craven Cottage Rating: 8
4 Aston Villa, Villa Park Rating: 7
5 Portsmouth, Fratton Park Rating: 7
6 Sunderland, Stadium of Light Rating: 7
7 West Ham, Upton Park Rating: 7
8 Tottenham, White Hart Lane Rating: 7
9 Birmingham, St Andrew's Rating: 7
10 Man United, Old Trafford Rating: 6
11 Arsenal, Emirates Stadium Rating: 6
12 Bolton, Reebok Stadium Rating: 5
13 Chelsea, Stamford Bridge Rating: 5
14 Liverpool, Anfield Rating: 5
15 Reading, Madejski Stadium Rating: 5
16 Blackburn, Ewood Park Rating: 4
17 Man City, Eastlands Rating: 4
18 Wigan, JJB Stadium Rating: 3
19 Derby, Pride ParkRating: 3
20 M'Boro, Riverside Rating: 1

Newcastle

St James' Park

Sunday August 12, 2007
The Observer

What's it like?

Full of half-nude Geordies with moobs. Brilliant cathedral-like ground looming over the city, all enclosed with distinct, slightly uneven stands. Features the largest cantilevered structure in Europe for the beardies to admire, and it's still full of character.

And the away end?

The sky. It's up 14 flights of stairs at the top of the Sir John Hall Stand. Room for 3,000. Great views of the city, but you're a long way from the pitch - shirt numbers can be a blur. Good acoustics, though, and the legroom and steepness of the tier are perfect.

Article continues
To eat

Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie? Yes, plus the usuals all in branded Toon packaging, served in big concourses full of plasma screens. Decent facilities.

Where to drink?

There's beer in the ground, but there's no reason to drink there when the billions of pubs and bars in town are a short walk away. Most away fans tend to congregate near the station.

Make a weekend of it

The best local attractions Saturday night at the Bigg Market. Marvel as semi-naked youths pub-crawl in deep midwinter. Or for a more sedate trip, stay in Whitley Bay.

Best home fans' chant

'Me brother's in borstal, Me sister's got pox, Me mother's a hooker down Hartlepool docks, Me aunty got murdered, Me uncle went mad and Jack the Ripper's me Dad, Lalalalalalalalalalala TOON!'

In local pub row, don't insult

Shearer's not boring on TV, Peter Beardsley isn't ugly and Gazza's not mad.

Overall away trip rating: 9

Doesn't get much better than this. Massive ground, city-centre location, huge range of pubs and usually ultra-friendly, in a non-cheesy way. It's a must-visit.

[2005]

The Millenium stadium is one that I have always admired but never seen. I've seen Wembley for my own eyes and it is stunning beyond belief.

[Red 4 Ever]

I have not seen the Millenium stadium in the flesh either and I too have always admired. However, I seen a pic of it recently and one of the ends is actually the stand from the old stadium. Personally that made me think that it cheapened it all a bit. Nice ground though all in all. And the corners too - from the tv it looks like there is no roof over the fans at the top of the stands.

As for Wembley, I have seen that for real and thought it was awesome. I don't know why some people on these threads are slagging it off to be honest. From the inside it looks amazing with great views all round and the outside is just as impressive with the arch looming high. It's like some people can never be satisfied. In comparison to the old Wembley it is a far better experience for the fan, and in comparison to other similar sized grounds around Europe I think it is better than the rest (ie San Siro, Nou Camp, Olimpico, Bernebau).

However, one of the best grounds I have been to in Britain as far as my away day experiences are concerned is White Hart Lane. The away stand is steep enough to give a really good view from the corner. Although it could be something to do with the game itself when United came back from 3-0 down at half time to win 3-5. One of the best away days I have had.

[tom85]

Looks wise the Millenium isn't the best but in terms of a venue and location it is in my opinion second to non! I went to see the Playoff finals 3 seasons ago and it was the best day out I've had at football (and not just because Wednesday went up) its right in the centre of Cardiff so great for pubs and bars but its also next to the Park so families can go and sit away from the drunken hoards. The atmosphere inside was great and although on TV the stadium looks huge it is actually very compact your so close to the pitch and the vues are great. Not been to wembley yet but its going to have some job to compeat with Cardiff.

[MoreOrLess]

I don't tend to go to alot of away games but I'v always liked Molineux, nice and close to the town center and the ground really holds the atmosphere in.

The Millenium stadium has a really good location aswell but as someone mentioned the facilties are rather basic and IMHO the lower tear is too flat and overhung to provide good views of the pitch. I can take having a bad view in the first few rows as its made up for by being so close to the action but I was struggling to makeout what was going on at the far end from about 15-20 rows back last time I went.

[Republica]

the best away atmosphere ive had was at the stadium of light. but this could well be just a bias due to it being a great day and a great win!

[Sitback]

Originally Posted by Sparks

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport...142776,00.html

How the Premier League's 20 grounds rate for away fans, as voted for by Observer Sport's fans network. Everyone loves a trip to the Toon - but The Riverside? 'So bland it hurts'

Sunday August 12, 2007
The Observer

1 Newcastle, St James' Park Rating: 9
2 Everton, Goodison Park Rating: 8
3 Fulham, Craven Cottage Rating: 8
4 Aston Villa, Villa Park Rating: 7
5 Portsmouth, Fratton Park Rating: 7
6 Sunderland, Stadium of Light Rating: 7
7 West Ham, Upton Park Rating: 7
8 Tottenham, White Hart Lane Rating: 7
9 Birmingham, St Andrew's Rating: 7
10 Man United, Old Trafford Rating: 6
11 Arsenal, Emirates Stadium Rating: 6
12 Bolton, Reebok Stadium Rating: 5
13 Chelsea, Stamford Bridge Rating: 5
14 Liverpool, Anfield Rating: 5
15 Reading, Madejski Stadium Rating: 5
16 Blackburn, Ewood Park Rating: 4
17 Man City, Eastlands Rating: 4
18 Wigan, JJB Stadium Rating: 3
19 Derby, Pride ParkRating: 3
20 M'Boro, Riverside Rating: 1

Newcastle

St James' Park

Sunday August 12, 2007
The Observer

What's it like?

Full of half-nude Geordies with moobs. Brilliant cathedral-like ground looming over the city, all enclosed with distinct, slightly uneven stands. Features the largest cantilevered structure in Europe for the beardies to admire, and it's still full of character.

And the away end?

The sky. It's up 14 flights of stairs at the top of the Sir John Hall Stand. Room for 3,000. Great views of the city, but you're a long way from the pitch - shirt numbers can be a blur. Good acoustics, though, and the legroom and steepness of the tier are perfect.

Article continues
To eat

Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie? Yes, plus the usuals all in branded Toon packaging, served in big concourses full of plasma screens. Decent facilities.

Where to drink?

There's beer in the ground, but there's no reason to drink there when the billions of pubs and bars in town are a short walk away. Most away fans tend to congregate near the station.

Make a weekend of it

The best local attractions Saturday night at the Bigg Market. Marvel as semi-naked youths pub-crawl in deep midwinter. Or for a more sedate trip, stay in Whitley Bay.

Best home fans' chant

'Me brother's in borstal, Me sister's got pox, Me mother's a hooker down Hartlepool docks, Me aunty got murdered, Me uncle went mad and Jack the Ripper's me Dad, Lalalalalalalalalalala TOON!'

In local pub row, don't insult

Shearer's not boring on TV, Peter Beardsley isn't ugly and Gazza's not mad.

Overall away trip rating: 9

Doesn't get much better than this. Massive ground, city-centre location, huge range of pubs and usually ultra-friendly, in a non-cheesy way. It's a must-visit.

I don't believe this list was voted by fans but more or less from one sports editor from The Observer. Now anyone who is an away fan and goes to away matches will tell you that Fratton Road's away stand is one of the worst in the country. The seats are cramped, hardly any toilets, no roof, looks like a bombs gone off, no catering for the away fans. It's bollocks. No tell me, how the fuck does it get voted over The Emirates, White Hart Lane, Old Trafford etc etc.

[Sitback]

Originally Posted by 2005

The Millenium stadium is one that I have always admired but never seen. I've seen Wembley for my own eyes and it is stunning beyond belief.

You've never seen it because Tottenham are shit. I have been there four times to watch Le Arse.

[Boards]

Originally Posted by Sitback

I don't believe this list was voted by fans but more or less from one sports editor from The Observer. Now anyone who is an away fan and goes to away matches will tell you that Fratton Road's away stand is one of the worst in the country. The seats are cramped, hardly any toilets, no roof, looks like a bombs gone off, no catering for the away fans. It's bollocks. No tell me, how the fuck does it get voted over The Emirates, White Hart Lane, Old Trafford etc etc.

Character, soul, essence. The fashionistas wont appreciate the stadium unless its as sterile as a dentists surgery and you can chat quietly with person sitting next to you while munching your prawn sandwiches.

[JamesWales]

Its all much of a muchness. Any trip to a big city is always going to be great, especially if you've got a good bunch of lads with you, and you can get a cheap hotel and make a good weekend of it. The view is obviously important, but the view at every ground is incomparable to what it used to be 15 years ago, so it is less of an issue than in the past. What has become more of an issue is the attitude of the stewards and how strict they are. Some are increasingly oppressive and ruin many a day out (Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Reading hang your heads in shame)

All in all, you cant beat a trip to the Millennium stadium for the weekend, and for pre and post match eating and drinking etc. Its not me being biased, its based on the view (which aside from parts of the lower tier is superb), and the location in the city centre close to hotels, bars, restaurants, museums, parks, train station etc etc etc. A trip to a Wales six nations game really is something that should be on many peoples lists of things to do.

As for away days, I've always enjoyed Portsmouth, Villa, a trip to Anfield, and a London away game if you make a weekend of it.

[Brummyboy92]

St andrews, joke probaly the Millenium stadium

[Isaac Newell]

Originally Posted by Boards

Probably not Ibrox or Parkhead - possibly the two most threateningly situated football stadiums in Europe.

I take it you've never been to The Den

[Boards]

I take it youve never walked through the East End of Glasgow. The area around the Den isn't remotely threatening in comparison.

[cinosanap]

Hmmm, Ibrox is really in a threatening area. Unless your wearing green obviously...

[Isaac Newell]

Originally Posted by Boards

I take it youve never walked through the East End of Glasgow. The area around the Den isn't remotely threatening in comparison.

No, but everyone I know who's been up to see a game in Glasgow has enjoyed it immensly, even as an away fan. Everyone i know who's been to the Den comes back with a sickly look on their face.

Maine Road used to give me the willies but old Roker Park's the scariest ground I've been on.

[AndyKane]

The area around Parkhead isn't that threatening if you walk along the Gallowgate. If you have anti-Unionist sentiments, DON'T walk through Bridgeton and the London Road.