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Ground Name: Ninian
Park |
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| Contents |
| What's The Ground
Like? Future Developments Grandstand & Canton Family Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? Popular Bank (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Train John Smiths Grange End Terrace (photo) Admission Prices Local Rivals Programme & Fanzines Ground Layout Fixtures 2007-2008 Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Other Places Of Interest Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
| What's The Ground Like? |
| Ninian Park is what I
can only describe as a 'proper traditional' football ground. As Cardiff are
looking to move to a new stadium, then I suggest you visit this gem before
its too late and it is gone forever... The John Smiths Grange End is a large former open terrace that now has a roof installed. This end is shared between home and away supporters. Opposite is the Spar Family Stand. This small, covered, all seated stand, has a number of supporting pillars running across the front. The overall appearance of this stand has changed recently, with the roof repainted with a large advert for the Clubs sponsors Redrow. On one side of the ground is the Popular Bank Stand. This has a raised seating area to its rear and terracing at its front. There are a couple of supporting pillars in the seated area, whilst the roof does not cover the front terrace. Painted onto the roof is a huge advert for a local bread maker. On the other side of the ground is the Grandstand. This two tiered stand is covered and all seated and again has some supporting pillars. The ground also benefits from having some striking floodlight pylons at each corner of the ground. |
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The Club have received planning permission to build a new 30,000 capacity stadium, on the present site of the Leckwith Athletics Stadium, opposite Ninian Park. Preliminary work has already begun on the site, the first phase of which is to build a new athletics stadium nearby. The scheme will also see the building of a retail park and Ninian Park. once vacated would be sold for residential housing. The stadium will cost £38m to construct and will be built in such away that it could be subsequently expanded to 60,000 if required. It is hoped that the Club will take up residence in their new stadium by Christmas 2008. |
| Grandstand & Canton Family Stand |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? |
| Away fans are housed on one side of the
John Smiths Grange Terrace at one end of the ground. Around 1,000 away fans can be
accommodated in this covered area, but this can be increased if demand requires it
(maximum 2,000). Strangely, this area has a mix of seating to the front
and terrace to the rear. This end is also shared with home
supporters with a the obligatory 'no-mans' land in-between.
Food is available in the form of a range of pies (£1.90),
pasties (£1.60). hot dogs (£2.50). bacon rolls (£2.50). cheese burgers
(£2.60), and chips £1 and the intriguely named 'Welsh burger' (£2.50).
I personally did not experience any problems when I went, but
it is worth bearing mind that the Cardiff fans are passionate about their club and this
can make for an intimidating atmosphere. I would recommend that colours are
kept covered up around the ground and in the adjacent car parks. Scott Chapman a visiting Plymouth Argyle supporter adds; 'I found Cardiff to be particularly intimidating. There were a large amount of police on duty and away fans had to receive a police escort out of the ground after the game had ended, not the most pleasant of away trips last season.' |
| 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 Cornwall Hotel, which is also a pub, that has been recommended by Mike Dibble. It's 5-10mins walking distance from the ground and stands in Cornwall Street (Taxi £2.50 From Central station). As Mike says; 'I use the Cornwall pre match and have never witnessed any trouble over the last five or so years I have frequented it, Away fans are left to enjoy a trouble free pint. It has the usual variety of beers on tap including Brains and has a useful Chinese/chippy directly opposite for a munch.' |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park |
| To avoid driving
through the centre of Cardiff, leave the M4 at junction 33 and take the A4232 towards
Cardiff/Barry. Keep on the A4232 towards Cardiff and then leave the dual
carriageway at the B4267 exit, signposted 'Cardiff (Leckwith) Athletics
Stadium'. Follow the signs for the stadium and after about half a mile you
will see Ninian Park over on your right. There is a huge car park
across the road from the ground
and at the nearby Athletics Stadium. For a map showing the location of the ground click here (to take you to the Street Map website). To go to a simplified page, containing the directions and pub info, which you can print out click here. |
| By Train |
| The nearest train station is Ninian Park Halt, which is only a couple of minutes walk from the ground. This station is on a local line which is served by trains from Cardiff Central. Alternatively as Barry Hodges informs me; 'Grangetown station is around a 10-15 minute walk away from Ninian Park and is served by fairly frequent trains from Cardiff Central, that continue onto Penarth or Barry Island. On leaving Grangetown station turn left, cross the main road and then turn right into Sloper road for the ground'. |
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John Smiths Grange End Terrace |
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| Admission Prices |
| Home Fans: Grandstand Upper Centre: Adults £30*, OAP's/Under 16's £22 Grandstand Upper Wings: Adults £25*, OAP's/Under 16's £15 Grandstand Lower: Adults £24*, OAP's/Under 16's £15 Popular Bank Seating Centre: Adults £25*, OAP's/Under 16's £15 Popular Bank Seating Wings: Adults £24*, OAP's/Under 16's £15 Popular Bank Terrace: Adults £16, OAP's/Under 16's £10 John Smiths Grange End Terrace: Adults £22, No Concessions Spar Family Stand: Adults £18, OAP's £10, Under 16's £5 Away Fans: John Smiths Grange End (Seating): Adults £25*, OAP's/Under 16's £15 John Smiths Grange End (Terrace): Adults £22, OAP's/Under 16's £15 * A discount of £2 is available on these ticket prices, if purchased prior to matchday. |
| Local Rivals |
| Swansea City and from a little further away, Bristol City. |
| Programme & Fanzines |
| Official Programme £3. The Thin Blue Line Fanzine: £1. It is usually published five times a season usually & can be purchased by sending a cheque or postal order payable to 'Andrew Turton' at; Thin Blue Line PO Box 265 Cardiff CF23 3YH £2.50 for 4 issue subscription, or 50p per issue plus 1st class stamp. You can also buy Ariel photographs of Ninian Park £3 inc. postage. Barmy Army Fanzine: 70p - For back copies and subscription info visit the Barmy Army website. Ramzine Fanzine: £1. |
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| Fixtures 2007-2008 |
| For the Cardiff fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). |
| Disabled Facilities |
| For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. |
| Record & Average Attendance |
| 62,634 Wales v England, October 17th, 1959. For A Cardiff Match: 57,893 v Arsenal Division One, April 22nd, 1953. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 15,223 (Championship League) 2005-2006: 11,720 (Championship League) 2004-2005: 12,976 (Championship League) |
| Other Places Of Interest |
| A popular
destination with visiting supporters
prior to the game is a visit to the Millennium Stadium.
Although no longer hosting the domestic football
cup finals, it is still
one of the best stadiums in Britain. The
stadium offers regular tours on most days throughout the year and is only
a couple of minutes walk from Cardiff Central railway station. The tour
itself costs: Adults: £5.50 Children 5-16 years: £3 Children Under 5's: Free Concessions (OAP's Students, Unemployed, Proof required): £3.50 Family Ticket: 2 Adults + 3 Children £17 I have been on the tour myself and would definitely recommend it. It lasts around 45 minutes and is one of the better tours that I have been on, full of interesting facts, coupled with a sense of humour. You can book your tours on: 02920 822 228. |
| Fans Reviews Of Ninian Park |
|
Matt
Goldstraw (Stoke City) 28/8/04 Lee Roberts (Doing The 92) 17/2/01 |
| Hotel Accommodation |
| If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going. To access their Cardiff page click here. |
| Feedback |
| If anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please e-mail me and I'll update
the guide. |
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