Internet Football Ground Guide - City Of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City FC

Contents
What's The Ground Like? City Of Manchester Stadium (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? Colin Bell & North Stands (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Looking Towards The North Stand (photo) Local Rivals Admission Prices Ground Layout Programme & Fanzines Fixtures 2007-2008 Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Stadium Tours Maine Road Hotel Accommodation Own A Share In Manchester City Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
After playing at Maine Road for 80 years, the Club moved to the new City Of Manchester Stadium in August 2003. The stadium was originally built for the Commonwealth Games, held in 2002. After that event it was agreed Manchester City would become the new tenants, thus incurring the envy of clubs who would also relish the chance to gain such a wonderful stadium. The club have spent Ł20m in refitting costs, so that it is now more of a football ground rather than an athletics stadium. The running track has been removed and the stands extended further downwards (adding a further 10,000 seats to the capacity) so that the spectator areas are closer to the playing action. The stadium has a bowl design and is totally enclosed. Both stands on either side of the pitch are virtually identical, being semi circular in shape, three tiered, with a row of executive boxes running across the stands between the second and third tiers. The ends are smaller in size, being two tiers high, again with a row of executive boxes, but this time running across the back just below the roof. Both these ends are of the more traditional rectangular design. The second tier around the stadium slightly overhangs the lower. The roof runs continuously around the stadium stretching up over the stands and down to the ends, creating a spectacular effect. There is a perspex strip just below the roof and the spectator areas, allowing light to reach the pitch. The upper tiers are steeper than the lower, ensuring that spectators are kept close to the playing action. Iain Macintosh adds; 'An interesting feature of the new stadium is the openable louvres in each of the four corners. These are located at either end of the level three seating in the East and Colin Bell stands. These are closed when in use, however, when the stadium is unoccupied, they are opened to allow the wind to blow through the enclosed bowl, helping keep the grass pristine'. There is also a small basic electric scoreboard in one corner of the stadium, in-between the East & Key 103 stands, adjacent to the upper tier of the away fans section'. Peter Llewellyn adds; 'Many City fans still call their new home Eastlands, used when it didn’t have an official name. Some have suggested The Blue Camp, others New Maine Road but officially it’s The City of Manchester Stadium. Unlike many other stadiums and stands, there are no letters across the seats, so there is nothing like MCFC spelt out across them'. Man City get my vote for the weirdest looking mascots in the league. Whilst most clubs have elected to re-create some furry creature, Man City have as their mascots a pair of aliens called 'Moonchester' and 'Moonbeam'. Top Of Page
City Of Manchester Stadium
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
The stadium is certainly less intimidating for away fans than Maine Road ground and from the outside it looks simply spectacular. However, I think because it looks so good from the outside the expectations are raised somewhat; when you actually enter inside, you are a little disappointed as the inside does not match the exterior, looking somewhat bland in comparison. Away fans are located in one side of the Key 103 (South) Stand at one end of the ground, in both the upper and lower tiers, where up to 3,000 fans can be accommodated (4,500 for cup games). The view of the action is pretty impressive although the leg room is a little tight. The facilities are also pretty good with spacious concourses, large plasma flat television screens showing the game and a good selection of food on offer, including chips and the delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (Ł2.20). On offer is also a 'pie and a pint' for Ł4. Atmosphere within the new ground is sadly lacking compared to Maine Road, but I'm sure this will develop in time. I did hear though on my visit one good rendition of the Man City fans anthem 'Blue Moon'. My only real complaint was the lack of distance between the home and away supporters. Only a few seats and a row of stewards stood in-between the two sets of fans, which led to a lot of unpleasant baiting between the two. And of course it was always the away fans who were adjudged to be causing the problems by the stewards (although I'm sure that if I visited on another occasion I probably would have seen the same Man City fans baiting in the same manner) and this led a number of away fans on my visit being escorted out of the stadium. After the game has finished fans are kept apart immediately outside via a large fence which is erected by the Police, which seems to lead to a lot of exchanges of unpleasant abuse. Some away fans have suggested that it may be best to keep colours covered on making your way back to your transport. Please note that smoking is only permitted within the stadium on the concourses themselves and not at your seat. Gaining entry to the stadium is rather different than most other grounds. Rather than give your ticket to a turnstile operator, you swipe your ticket across a sensor which then allows entry. Stewards are on hand if you have any problems. Peter Llewellyn adds; 'If you are an adult trying to get into the stadium using a concession ticket (OAP or child) the stewards will know and you'll be ejected. Top Of Page
Where To Drink?
There are not a great deal of pubs around the stadium, and the few available are predominantly for home support. However, 'The Stanley' (aka Sports Bar) pub does let in away fans in small numbers. It is about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, just set back from the main A6010 (Pottery Lane), going towards Ashburys train station. The easiest way to find it is to locate the large Asda store behind one side of the stadium (there is also a McDonalds outlet next door to the store, plus there is a cafe located inside it) and on facing the superstore turn right and proceed down the main road, you will come to the pub on the left. It does cost Ł1 for adults to enter the pub, (they even stamp your hand as if you were entering a night club) but children are at least admitted free. Inside there is a large screen showing SKY Sports, good service and a good mix of home and away support. Keith Bradley a visiting Newcastle United fans informs me; 'About ten minutes walk from the ground is the Bradford Inn on Bradford Road. Although looking a bit run down from the outside, it was full of away fans, fairly friendly and the bar staff tried to be as efficient as they could in serving the large numbers. Otherwise alcohol is available inside the stadium (lager Ł2.40, cider Ł2.40, John Smiths bitter Ł2.30). Dave Clinton adds; 'If you want a pint beforehand then it is probably best to drink in the city centre. My tip, as we do, would be to head to the Printworks in Manchester, near Victoria station. There is a connecting tram service from Piccadilly. There are loads of pubs at the Printworks, with plenty of choice of food. It’s a 20 minute walk away from the stadium or a five minute cab ride, (about Ł3). The pubs around Piccadilly itself are not too clever, Deansgate would be a good place to head for if you are taking in the City centre, this is about 30 minutes walk, with a load of bars down the bottom end going towards Victoria station. The alternative cheaper pubs near the ground are Mary Ds, or The Crossroads on Grey Mare Lane. Mary Ds does restrict entrance to Blues only on derby days, however, it’s a fantastic football atmosphere and there has been no trouble in there to date'. Mary Ds is located on Grey Mare Lane, across the road from the away entrance behind the huge new sculpture, that looks like it was inspired by a game of Kerrpunk! . Chris Fogarty adds; 'away fans should avoid the Queen Victoria pub at the bottom of Grey Mare Lane'. Top Of Page
The Colin Bell & North Stands
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How To Get There And Where To Park
The stadium is located in the North East of Manchester. From the South M6: Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and follow the A556 towards Stockport and then join the M56 going towards Stockport. Continue onto the M60 passing Stockport and heading on towards Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right. From The M62: Leave the M62 at Junction 18 and then join the M60 Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right. Whilst Iain Macintosh informs me; 'I find this an easier route to the ground; Leave the M60 at Junction 24 and take the A57 (Hyde Road) towards Manchester. Turn right onto the A6010 (Pottery Lane). There are quite a number of unofficial car parks on both sides of Pottery Lane, costing around Ł5 per car. Pottery Lane becomes the Alan Turing Way and goes right past the stadium on your left'. Car Parking: There is some parking available at the stadium itself which costs Ł5 per car. The East Car Park is nearest to the away entrance. Please be aware that there is a residents only parking scheme in place in the streets near to the ground, which extends about a mile out from the stadium. So if you want to street park, it means parking further away and then walking to the stadium. Some unofficial car parks have sprung up mostly charging around Ł5 per car. Peter Llewellyn adds; 'The road links are busy even on non-match days so make sure you allow plenty of time. The stadium is part of Sportcity so car users should follow the brown Sportcity signs until near the 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. Top Of Page
By Train
The closest train station is Ashburys which is a short five minute train ride away from Manchester Piccadilly Station. The stadium is about a ten minute walk away from Ashburys station. As you come out of the station turn left and after proceeding up the road you will come to the stadium on your left. Otherwise if you have time on your hands then you can embark on the 20/25 minute walk from Piccadilly Station to the stadium. At the bottom of the main station approach turn right into Ducie Street. At the end of the road turn right onto Great Ancoats Street. Cross over the road, then the canal and turn left into Pollard Street - this is well marked as a walking route to "Sportcity". Continue straight along Pollard Street which leads onto the A662 Ashton New Road and you will come to the stadium on your left. A shorter route from the station is to use the new exit to Fairfield Street (the taxi rank). As you come off the platforms, it’s in the left hand corner of the main concourse. Lifts or escalators down. (There’s also an exit from the little concourse off the bridge near platforms 13/14.) At the street exit head toward the railway over bridge, under that, then left again under the railway (Travis Street continuing into Adair Street), left at the end and right into Pollard Street (then as above). Alternatively you can get a taxi from Piccadilly Station (around Ł4.50) or a bus from Piccadilly Gardens - Go down the main approach from the station, then along London Road to Piccadilly Gardens; normal service and special matchday buses leave from the right hand side of the square (between Lever Street and Oldham Street) - Ł1 each way. 216 and 217 the main service buses, but 185, 186, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, X36 and X37 also go from the city centre to the stadium (and 53 and 54 from the city's ring road). On the return, the special buses leave from Ashton New Road just across from the away end. Thanks to Steve Parish for providing the above directions and bus information. Top Of Page
Looking Towards The North Stand
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Local Rivals
Manchester United. Top Of Page
Admission Prices
Like a number of Clubs, Manchester City operate a category system (A, B & C) for matches, whereby the most popular matches cost more to watch. Home Fans: Colin Bell Stand (level 2 middle tier): Adults Ł38 (A) Ł34 (B) Ł30 (C), No Concessions. Colin Bell Stand (levels 1 & 3): Adults Ł36 (A) Ł32 (B) Ł28 (C), Concessions Ł21 (A) Ł20 (B) Ł19 (C) East Stand; Adults Ł36 (A) Ł32 (B) Ł28 (A), Concessions Ł21 (A) Ł20 (B) Ł19 (C) North Stand; Adults Ł30 (A) Ł27 (B) Ł23 (C), Concessions Ł16 (A) Ł14 (B) Ł13 (C) Key 103 (South) Stand; Adults Ł30 (A) Ł27 (B) Ł23 (C), Concessions Ł16 (A) Ł14 (B) Ł13 (C) Away Fans: Key 103 (South) Stand; Adults Ł30 (A) Ł27 (B) Ł23 (C), Concessions Ł16 (A) Ł14 (B) Ł13 (C) * A discount of Ł1 is available on these ticket prices, if tickets are purchased prior to matchday. Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Fixtures 2007-2008
For the Manchester City fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzines
Official Programme: Ł3 (on sale inside the ground). King Of The Kippax Fanzine: Ł2. City Till I Cry Fanzine: Ł1.50. Top Of Page
Disabled Facilities
For details of disabled facilities at the ground please visit the relevant page on the National Association Of Disabled Supporters (NADS) website. Top Of Page
Record & Average Attendance
Record Attendance: At The City Of Manchester Stadium: 47,321 v Liverpool, Premier League, December 30th, 2007. At Maine Road: 84,569 v Stoke City, FA Cup 6th Round, March 3rd 1934. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 39,997 (Premier League) 2005-2006: 42,856 (Premier League) 2004-2005: 45,192 (Premier League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The City Of Manchester Stadium
Tommy Hurst (Liverpool) 28/12/03 Top Of Page
Stadium Tours
The club offer daily tours of the stadium. The tours cost; Adults Ł8.75 & Ł4.75 for concessions. The tour also includes a visit to the Club Museum & the City Sports Bar. Tours should be booked in advance by calling: 0870 062 1894. Top Of Page
Maine Road
To view some photos of Man City's previous Maine Road ground, then click here to take you to the Old Grounds & Stands Section of the Guide. Top Of Page
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 Manchester City page click here. Top Of Page
Own A Share In Manchester City
Framed Share allow you to buy a genuine share for someone else, which you can then give to them unframed, or in a frame of your choice. The recipients name will be on the share certificate, which shows that the person is now a shareholder in Manchester City plc. As a shareholder that person will receive the annual accounts of Manchester City plc and allow them to attend the Annual General Meeting of shareholders of the Club, where the Clubs senior officials attend and take questions. To find out more on how to purchase a share in Manchester City for yourself or someone else click here. Top Of Page
Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me and I'll update the guide. * Originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, Manchester City took up residence a year later.

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