Gateshead v Barnet
Saturday 17th August 2013
The Skrill Premier League
Kick-Off 3.00pm
Stadium: The International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, NE10 0EF
Telephone: 0191 478 3883
Club Colours: White and Black
Nickname: The Tynesiders or The Heed
Official Website: http://www.gateshead-fc.com
Brief Directions by Road: Easy peasy, from the A1(M) exit onto the A194(M) just North of Washington Services, which is a very long way. Follow this road until the junction with the A184. Turn left towards Newcastle/Gateshead where after approx three miles you will see the stadium to your right.
Car Parking: There are numerous pay and display car parks in and around the stadium – basically take your pick. Street parking is unrestricted too.
Directions by Train: The Stadium is accessible via the very efficient Tyne and Wear Metro link from Newcastle Central. A mid morning train from Kings Cross to Newcastle will take around 3 hours.
Supporters Coaches: Barnet Football Club will be running a coach to every way first team game this season. The 2013-14 Travel Club is now open for fans to join by a monthly fee system or one off individual booking. Monthly Travel Club Memberships cost £38 for Adults, £30 for Concessions & Juniors and just £20 for U10s. As a member of the Bees Travel Club, the club guarantee your seat on every trip of the season. All the coaches are stewarded and will depart from The Hive and return to The Hive immediately after the match. For further information on the Bees Travel Club, please call the ticket office on 020 8381 3800 and select option two or visit The Hive in person.
Eating and Drinking Locally: As the bar at the ground is “home fans only” according to the website, allegedly some aliens have managed to cross the threshold but don’t blame me if you are stopped! The Schooner is the pub that everybody I have spoken to mentions as it overlooks the river and welcomes away fans. It can be found on South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3AF. But then there is honestly very little else unless you hit the town centre. For drivers arriving early the Reckless Recommendation is: The Malting House Carlisle Street, Felling, Gateshead NE10 0HQ. An old haunt of Gazza and Chris Waddle I am informed by one of my spies. Great beers and top food too with pool table and a nice garden.
Ground Description: An athletics stadium always gives me a European ground feel and watching the beautiful game from a distance isn’t popular. However the 12,000 capacity stadium has been the clubs’ home since 1972. It was built in 1955 and hosts not only Gateshead FC but also Gateshead Thunder RFC. The main Tyne and Wear stand is the only one of four areas normally open on matchdays and an area in the north west corner is given up to visitors. It has room for over 3,000. If the visiting club brings more than 1,200 fans they are then housed in the East Stand opposite which is fully covered. The main stand rake is very steep and a famous story from 1983 involves long time supporter Keith Morris (how are you doing fella?) who while over zealously celebrating, after Steve Mahoney had scored, tumbled down the steps head over heels at an alarming rate – I believe he was a tee totaler too!
Admission Prices: Adult: £14, Over 60s & Students £9, 16 & 17 Year Olds £7, U16 £2.
