Internet Football Grounds Guide - Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, West Ham United

Contents
What's The Ground Like? Future Developments Looking Towards The Centenary Stand (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Eat & Drink? East Stand (photo) How To Get There By Car & Where To Park By Tube/Train Bobby Moore Stand (photo) Admission Prices Programme & Fanzines Ground Layout Fixtures 2007-2008 Local Rivals Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Feedback Return To The Main Menu
What's The Ground Like?
On one side of the ground is the impressive looking Dr Martens Stand that was opened in 2001. This large two tiered stand (which is reputedly the largest league ground stand in London), has a capacity of 15,000. Its most striking feature can only be seen externally, where an elaborate facade comprising of two castle turrets has been built around the reception area entrance. The turrets have been modelled on those appearing on the club crest. It is nice to see a Club actually trying to instil some character into a new stand. Opposite is the smaller two tiered East Stand, which was opened in 1969. Both ends are large, smart, two tiered stands. In the North East and South West corners there are video screens installed as well as an electronic score board in the South West corner. There is also a Digital Clock above The Bobby Moore Stand. Just outside the ground near the Boleyn Pub, is the handsome statue of England Captain Bobby Moore, holding aloft the World Cup Trophy which England won in 1966. The statue shows Moore being hoisted aloft by fellow West Ham players Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters with Everton defender Ray Wilson. Top Of Page
Future Developments
The building of a new East Stand plus extensions to the existing Bobby Moore & Centenary Stands, have been postponed by the Club. The developments would have taken the capacity of Upton Park to 40,500, but have now been put on 'ice' pending financial backing for them. Top Of Page
Looking Towards The Centenary Stand
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What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters
Away fans are housed in one end, in the lower tier of the relatively new North Stand (also known as the Centenary Stand). The usual allocation for away supporters is 2,200, but if demand requires, away fans can be allocated the whole of the lower tier of the North Stand, where up to 3,600 supporters can be accommodated. The ground is compact, with the fans are seated close to the pitch. This coupled with the passionate support of the West Ham faithful can make for a vibrant atmosphere. However this can be intimidating for away supporters, so exercise caution around the ground. I personally enjoyed my visit and it is certainly not as bad as it was a few years ago and the West Ham fans can still give rendition of their club anthem 'I'm forever blowing bubbles....'. Inside the ground the Shire Foods Chicken Balti Pie' (Ł2.20) is available. Top Of Page
Where To Eat & Drink?
I have been advised by a number of supporters that most of the pubs around the ground are quite partisan, and are for home supporters only. The Boleyn Pub on the corner near to the ground, plus Queens, The Greengate, Wine Bar, Village and 'The Central' pubs on Barking Road should all be given a wide berth by away fans. Kevin Hosking adds; 'Probably the best option for away fans is the Wetherspoons outlet called Millers Well which is opposite East Ham Town Hall. It is though about a twenty minute walk away along Barking Road (although it may be an idea to travel to East Ham tube station before the game, go to the pub and then walk to the ground). Another good option is the Denmark Arms also on the Barking Road near the East Ham Town Hall; this is a large pub which shows all live football games'. Lou Pearman adds; 'Away fans may also be able to drink in the 'Duke Of Edinburgh' near to Upton Park Tube Station. Turn left out of the tube station and walk to the mini roundabout and it's on your right. There are also a few pie 'n' mash shops nearby (a traditional East End favourite). Turn right out of the tube station and just opposite is 'Duncans Pie n Mash'. Don't be put of by the queue, because they don't hang about and serve you very quickly'. Top Of Page
East Stand
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How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Directions from the M25: Travel to M25 Junction 27, and go on to the M11 southbound. Follow the M11 south until it divides to join the A406 (North Circular Road). Take the Left Hand fork signposted A406 South. Do not follow the signs for the City. The end of the motorway joins the A406 from the left, creating a 4 lane road for a short distance. You need to be in one of the outside 2 lanes (this can be tricky if traffic is heavy). Proceed south (dual carriageway with slip roads) passing the junctions for Redbridge, and Ilford. Leave the A406 at the Barking junction. At the roundabout at the bottom of the slip road, turn right, taking the 3rd exit towards East Ham (Barking Road). Proceed West along Barking Road through several sets of traffic lights until you have passed the lights at East Ham Town Hall (big red Victorian building on the left just before the lights). 3/4 mile further, you pass the ground on your right (behind a parade of shops, including the Hammers Shop). At the next lights (Boleyn Arms Pub on right hand corner), turn right into Green Street. The main entrance to the ground is 200 yards on your right. Thanks to Gareth Howell for providing the directions. On Saturday matchdays, parking is very restricted with little or no off-road parking. The best areas to look for spaces are roads left of Barking Road, once you are past the lights at East Ham Town Hall. Andy Wright suggests; 'You can park at Newham General Hospital, where there is a pay and display car park, which costs Ł1.50 for four hours, or Ł3.50 for six. To find the hospital; From Barking Road, passing the ground on your right, after a few traffic lights turn left into Prince Regent Lane (Newham General is signposted at the lights ), the hospital is just up this road and is about a 15 minute stroll away from the ground'. Rob Wells adds; 'As a season ticket holder who travels to home games from Nottingham I can offer an alternative route from the M11 to avoid the nightmare of Barking Road on a Saturday. After leaving the M11 on the A406 take the exit for A12 signposted Stratford. Stay on this road taking the underpass to the Green Man roundabout, which is a major junction. Then take the A11, again signposted Stratford. After about three miles turn left onto the A112 signposted East Ham, through Plaistow. Carry on over the junction with Barking Road (A124). Third left after this junction is Glen Road, which takes you to the aforementioned Newham Hospital for parking. I find this journey a lot easier, although not recommended for midweek matches as the traffic gets too heavy'. Whilst Alex Stewart suggests an alternative route; 'come off the M25 at J29 and take the A127 to Upminster. Park at Upminster tube station (Ł1 for the day) and for Ł3.50 you can get a return ticket to Upton Park which will get you there in less than 25 minutes'. Chris Ackrill agrees; 'I've experimented over several years with various routes to the stadium, and my conclusion is that it saves time and frustration by parking well in the suburbs and getting a tube. Getting anywhere near the ground by road can easily add on an hour, and it'll be the hardest hour's drive you've ever had. Things are no better on Sundays either'. For a map showing the location of the ground and the surrounding area 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 Tube/Train
The nearest tube station is Upton Park which is on the District, plus the Hammersmith & City Lines. The station is a short walk from the ground. Please note that West Ham tube station is nowhere near the ground. Steve Cook adds; 'the queue at Upton Park tube station after the game can be horrendous. You are better off going for a couple of pints and letting the queues die down. There are plenty of pubs along Plaistow High Road which are only a 5-10 minute walk from the stadium and as long as visitors are 'well behaved' they are more than made welcome'. Adam Long a visiting Reading fan informs me; 'After the game you are probably best to walk up to East Ham, which will at least mean you will get a seat, before everyone else gets on at Upton Park'. Craig Belcher a visiting West Brom fan adds; 'Rather than face the long queues at Upton Park, we walked down to the next station on the line, Plaistow, which is only a ten minute walk away from Upton Park. We managed to get on a tube okay, as apparently according to station staff the tubes are not filled to full capacity on leaving Upton Park''. Just turn left after Upton Park station, into Harold Road. Walk down to the end of this road (it becomes Terrace Road) and then bear left into Pelly Road/Clegg St. At the bottom of Clegg Street is a T-junction with Plaistow High Street. Turn right into the High Street and Plaistow station is further down on the left. Whilst Andrew Saffrey suggests; 'Forest Gate station is about 25 minutes walk from Upton Park, and it's much less busy than Upton Park Station after the final whistle. It is served by local Great Eastern trains from Liverpool Street. Turn right out of the station, then left at the corner next to the pizza shop into Hampton Road. Walking down Hampton Road, turn first right into Richmond Road, a small street with traffic calming and lots of roundabouts. Go straight down this road and this eventually becomes Green Street. Then for the long walk down Green Street which has lots of shops and takeaways, before arriving at Upton Park'. Top Of Page
Bobby Moore Stand
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Admission Prices
Common with most Clubs, West Ham operate a category system (A & B) for matches whereby tickets cost more for the most popular matches (category A). Home Fans Dr Martens & East Stands (Upper & Lower Centre): Adults Ł61 (Ł49), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł33.50 (Ł27) Dr Martens & East Stands (Upper & Lower Wings): Adults Ł55 (Ł45), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł30.50 (Ł26) Dr Martens (Upper Corners): Adults Ł49 (Ł43), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł27.50 (Ł23) Dr Martens (Lower Corners): Adults Ł43 (Ł34), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł24.50 (Ł20) Bobby Moore Stand (Upper): Adults Ł49 (Ł43), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł27.50 (Ł23) Bobby Moore Stand (Lower): Adults Ł43 (Ł34), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł24.50 (Ł20) Centenary Stand (Upper & Lower Tiers): Adults Ł43 (Ł34), Senior Citizen/Juniors* Ł24.50 (Ł20) Away Fans: Centenary Stand (Lower Tier): Adults Ł43 (Ł34), Senior Citizen/Juniors Ł24.50 (Ł20) * Senior Citizens & Juniors who are also Club members can gain a further discount on this matchday price. Top Of Page
Programme & Fanzines
Official Programme: Ł3.50 On The Terrace Fanzine: Ł2 Over Land And Sea: Ł2.50 Top Of Page
Ground Layout
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Fixtures 2007-2008
For the West Ham fixture list click here (to take you to the BBC Sports Website). Top Of Page
Local Rivals
Chelsea, Millwall & Tottenham. 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: 42,322 v Tottenham Hotspur Division One, October 17th 1970. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 35,050 v Manchester City Premier League, September 21st, 2002. Average Attendance: 2006-2007: 34,722 (Premier League) 2005-2006: 33,743 (Premier League) 2004-2005: 27,403 (Championship League) Top Of Page
Fans Reviews Of The Boleyn Ground
Jon Teale (Chelsea) 1/03/08 Chris Walsh (Everton) 21/4/07 David Witherspoon (Ipswich Town) 14/5/05 Iain Macintosh (Manchester City) 21/9/02 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 West Ham and general London page 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.

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