Internet Football Ground Guide - Away Days, Ewood Park

Ewood Park - Blackburn Rovers
Saturday 7th May 2005
V Fulham, Premier League, 3pm
By David Wallace

As we planned our weekend away to watch Stoke City play Sunderland in the North East, we decided that on our way to our accommodation in the Lake District that we would take in the Premiership fixture between Blackburn and Fulham. With it been not the most attractive fixture in the Premiership calendar their was a good availability of tickets and the cheapest priced at Ł18 seemed not too bad at all.

We left the M6 and headed along the M65, getting stuck in no traffic whatsoever. When we went along the A666 we resisted the temptation to park at the first available Car Park which would have meant a good 1/2-3/4 of a mile walk to the stadium, and instead parked on the industrial estate near the Total Petrol Station for Ł3. The attendant was very helpful in directing us to the ground as our Blackburn geography was somewhat lacking, and we managed to find our way ok. However, finding the home supporters ticket office was the next big challenge, and the maps on the side of the stadium were no help whatsoever in trying to help us.

When we got to the ticket office, we were offered tickets by a chap for Ł10 each. However, we decided not to risk it and paid the full amount at the ticket office. Unfortunately, we ended up in the only undeveloped end of the ground, although I later remarked that at least we had a view of three excellent stands, as opposed to two excellent ones and a rubbish one!

The toilets for the CIS stand were very spacious and there was no queuing at all, something which really does annoy me especially as I hate leaving my seat early when nature calls and prefer to wait until half time. The only gripe with this stand was because it did not have a concourse, there was no beer on sale, and we had to make do with a Coca Cola to accompany our Chicken Balti Pie's.

The stewards were very friendly and joked with us about it being the last home game of the season and it was bitterly cold rather than the sun blazing. Our seats were for the outer wings and this provided a very good view of the goal in front of the Darwen Stand. The only downside was that we could not really see the giant screen from where we were sitting due to the angle we were at, I also don't think that the slight sunshine helped our cause.

Before the match we had joked that we thought it would be a boring 0-0 draw and nothing to rave about but we were proved wrong. In the sixth minute Blackburn went 1-0 up with a great finish to which we joined in the celebrations, somewhat artificially as we were not used to celebrating goals unless they came from Stoke players. One bizarre song that the home supporters seemed to sing was something along the lines of "Get in them" - about the only noise all day from them.

The second half was a much better affair, and with Fulham wrapping up the game, we also saw a player sent off for Blackburn after a foolish push on Boa Morte, and then minutes later a red for Fulham after a foolish push. The Fulham youngster really did show his inexperience, it was really that short a time after the Blackburn sending off. The Fulham red card was right in front of us and with the pitch being raised it did make you feel quite close to the action as he received his marching orders.

After the game we headed back to the car and got off the car park no trouble at all. By turning left and taking a right at the second mini roundabout, it should be noted that you don't seem to be heading towards the M65 but persevere for a minute or two longer and it is a cracking shortcut.

Our day out at Blackburn turned out to be quite enjoyable. It was a very relaxed attitude and an excellent game to go along with it. One thing I did think though was perhaps the Blackburn supporters could have learnt from Fulham's constant backing for their side, as the home side were rather quiet.