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Hull City Ground Name: |
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| Contents | |
| What's The Ground
Like? Future Developments KC Stadium (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? South & West Stands (photo) Where To Drink? Looking Towards The North Stand (photo) How To Get There & Where To Park By Train Local Rivals West & North Stands (photo) Admission Prices Fixtures 2007-2008 Ground Layout Programme Price Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu |
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| What's The Ground Like? | |
| The Kingston Communications Stadium
(commonly referred to as the KC Stadium) was opened in December 2002. It cost almost £44m to build, by Birse
Construction and is home to both
Hull Football & Rugby League Clubs. I'm not a fan of
most of the bland new grounds,
but the KC Stadium is an exception to this rule.
Built in a parkland setting, the stadium can be seen for some distance
around and will undoubtedly win awards for its impressive design. The stadium is totally enclosed, with the West Stand being around twice the size of the other three sides. The roof rises up and curves around the West Stand, giving the stadium an interesting look. Inside the curves continue as each of the stands slightly bow around the playing area, drawing the eye to sweep panoramically around them. Each stand is single tiered, apart from the two tiered West Stand. This stand also has a row of executive boxes running across its middle. There is an electric scoreboard at the North End of the stadium, where the Police Control Box is also situated. The pitch looked in excellent condition on my visit in January, plus it has had under soil heating installed. The p.a. system within the stadium is also excellent. All told this a stadium that would not look out of place in the Premiership. |
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| Future Developments | |
| Craig Harper informs me; 'The Club have plans to add an additional tier to both the East & South Stands, which will increase the capacity of the KC Stadium to around 34,000'. However, no firm timescales have been announced as to when this may take place. | |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are located in the North Stand End of the ground,
where up to 4,000 supporters can be housed, although the normal allocation
is half that number. As you would expect a visit to the KC Stadium is far pleasanter than it was to the old Boothferry Park. The facilities
available are good, plus there is not a bad view of the playing action to
be found anywhere (although you are a little set back from the
pitch). On the concourse alcohol is available, plus
burgers, pies etc.. including the
delicious
'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie'
(£2.20). I
found the atmosphere to be good within the stadium, but unfortunately
there is an element of Hull support that feel the need to berate away supporters throughout the game.
This coupled with the fact that there are no pubs nearby that
welcomes away fans, means that although it is a truly magnificent
stadium it is still not the greatest of days out. Please note that the stadium has been designated a no smoking and a no standing area. The latter decree does seem a little ridiculous. This has led to some unpleasant confrontations between away fans and stewards, so you have been warned. You can though smoke on the concourses but not at your seat. |
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| There are a number of pubs
within a few minutes walk of the stadium, but these are all designated as
being for home supporters only. Most Hull fans still seem to be
heading for pubs situated around Boothferry Park. These are best avoided
by away fans particularly the Silver Cod and 'Admiral
of the Humber' pubs. Otherwise you can head for the nearby
City Centre, where there are
plenty of pubs to be found. David Jenkin a visiting Exeter fan
recommends; 'the Sandringham pub, near to Hull main station, in the City
Centre. On my visit the pub was both friendly and welcoming'. Robert Walker adds; 'If you are walking to the stadium from the City Centre there are several pubs on Spring Bank, including the Editorial and the Tap and Spile. Or there is the Admiral of the Humber (a Wetherspoons outlet) on Anlaby Road near Hull Paragon Railway Station'. Whilst Keith Brown informs me, 'behind Paragon station is another pub called the Yorkshireman, which was okay'. Otherwise alcohol, Carling & Tetleys are served within the stadium at £2.50 per pint. However for some high profile matches, the club do not provide alcohol to away supporters. |
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| The stadium is fairly close to
the old Boothferry Park ground, but slightly nearer to the town centre,
which is 3/4's of a mile away. If
you used to approach the old ground down Anlaby Road, pass the ground on
your right, go under the railway bridge, and at the second set of traffic
lights, turn left into Walton Street and you're there. From The West: Leave the M62 at Junction 38 and join the A63, towards Hull. Stay on the A63 and the stadium is clearly signposted (KC Stadium) as you approach Hull. About one mile from the centre of Hull leave the A63 (also signposted for the Hull Royal Infirmary) and take the 2nd exit at the roundabout. Turn left at the lights and then over the flyover, right at the next lights and the ground is down on the right. From The North: Leave the A164 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. The stadium is 3 miles down this road on the left. Car Parking - Jo Johnson informs me; 'the stadium has its own massive car park right next to the stadium, with access from Walton Street. It is floodlit, with a covered surface (that is, not a mud bath) and open to home and away supporters alike. If you get there early and want to go into the City centre, there is a park and ride bus to and from the car park. The cost of parking for the game is £3. It's easier to park at Hull than at any ground I know of - but there is one drawback, namely, getting away again at the end of the game. It can take up to half an hour if you park a long way from the exits. Also, visitors need to be aware that there are two exits onto Walton Street after a game, the one to the right as you face Walton Street allows right turns only, and the one to the left allows left turns only. Visitors will want the left one to get straight back onto Anlaby Road'. Alternatively there is a Park & Ride facility signposted off the A63 (shared with home supporters). Many fans opt to park in one of the many town centre car parks and then walk out to the stadium. Chris Bax adds; 'It is perhaps easiest is to park at the Infirmary (clearly signposted from the A63) where parking is only £2 for 4 hours (£3 for 8). It's a 10-15 minute walk to the ground from there'. Whilst Robert Walker adds; 'The most convenient car park in the city centre is the Pryme Street multi-storey car park, which is open to 7.30pm. Leave the A63 at the Myton Street exit and head North towards the city centre. You will pass Paragon station on your left. At the next traffic lights turn right into Spencer Street and then immediately left into Prospect Street and follow road round to the right into Pryme Street. Car park entrance is on right. There is also an NCP car park at the end of Pryme Street and Council surface car parks off Freetown Way. To walk to Stadium cross over Ferensway and walk along Spring Bank. Turn left onto Derringham Street by Polar Bear pub and then right onto walkway to the stadium'. Please note that some residential areas near to the stadium have been made residents only parking zones, so don't park there as you may well end up with a parking fine. John Womersley adds; 'There is some street parking less than five minutes walk away. Leave the A63 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. Pass Boothferry Park and forward onto Anlaby Road towards the Hull Royal Infirmary, You will pass the KC stadium on your left. Go over the flyover, and turn right at "The Eagle" pub into Coltman St then take the 2nd right into Cholmley St then 4th right into the Boulevard. There are many side streets without parking restrictions. To get to the ground simply walk to the top of the Boulevard and go up the pedestrian walkway to the stadium. To Get home simply go the other way down the Boulevard, then left into Hessle Rd, after 1/4 mile you'll come to a roundabout which takes you onto the A63 (Clive Sullivan Way) and M62. 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. |
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| By Train | |
| The Stadium is 15 minutes walk from Hull Paragon station. Visiting fans should leave the train station on the South side and turn right onto Anlaby Road. The stadium is about 15 minutes walk away straight along Anlaby Road. Thanks to Robert Walker for providing the train information. | |
| Local Rivals | |
| Grimsby Town, Scunthorpe United and from a little further afield Doncaster Rovers & Leeds United. | |
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| Admission Prices | |
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Home Fans: De Vries West Stand (Lower Tier): Adults £23, Concessions £14 De Vries West Stand (Upper Tier): Adults £22, Concessions £12 De Vries West Stand Family Section (Lower Tier): Adults £18, OAP's £14, Juniors £10 De Vries West Stand Family Section (Upper Tier): Adults £18, OAP's £12, Juniors £9 Ideal Standard East Stand: Adults £21, Concessions £12 Ideal Standard East Stand Family Section: Adults £17, OAP's £12, Juniors £9 MKM South Stand: Adults £23, Concessions £12 MKM South Stand Family Section: Adults £17, OAP's £12, Juniors £9 Away Fans: Smith & Nephew North Stand: Adults £23, Concessions £12 |
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| Fixtures 2007-2008 | |
| For the Hull fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). | |
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| Programme | |
| Official Programme: £3. | |
| Disabled Facilities | |
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Paul Robinson informs
me; 'Many fans feared the demise of
Boothferry Park, and were not in favour of the move one mile across the
city, but I doubt if you would find anyone who would swap back now.
Disabled facilities were pitiful at Boothferry, with a Disabled ‘stand’ in
the South –East corner of the ground at the bottom of the stand looking
everything like a disused bus shelter. Not so the state of the art
facilities afforded to Tigers fans 2004. Every stand in the stadium has a
purpose built Disabled user platform, easily accessible from the wide
concourse that circumnavigates the inside of the whole stadium. Stewards
patrol every Disabled access area on the outside of the stadium, and if
assistance is required it’s there on hand. Once through the entrance and
up the lifts, the concourse awaits with its bars, food kiosks and betting
shops. Throughout the concourse are TV’s showing Sky Sports as well as
highlights of Hull City games. Once through the entrance into the arena,
(curiously titled ‘Vomitories’) the Disabled platform awaits with plenty
of space for wheelchairs, and seats for their companions. The St Johns
ambulance are stationed at the platforms which is also a good idea, as
they are immediately on hand.
The platforms themselves have a great position in each of the stands. Each stand has two platforms, and there is easy access seating and space for a wheelchair at pitch side. The Kingston Communications Stadium has arguably the top facilities in the country for disabled supporters and provides 304 spaces for wheelchair users and their helpers. There are also a further 300 spaces for the ambulant disabled. Wireless audio commentary is also available. Admission is free for wheelchair users while the carer pays the admission price for the relevant area of the stadium. Wheelchairs can also be hired if required to assist from their car to the seating area. Proof of ID, car registration number, and a refundable £5 deposit are required. Half time refreshments can be pre-ordered and delivered to the disabled areas. For home fans who are in receipt of DLA a parking space immediately outside the stadium is available, and visiting fans who wish to book a space should contact Alan Chilton at the club on 0870-837-0003.' |
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At The
Kingston Communications Stadium: |
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| Fans Reviews Of The KC Stadium | |
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Chris
Bennett (Plymouth Argyle) 6/5/07 Mark Gillatt (Blackpool) 11/09/04 |
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| 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 Hull page click here. | |
Feedback |
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| If anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please e-mail me and I'll
update
the guide. |
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