Forest Green Rovers v Barnet FC
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 5th August 2017
Kick off: 3pm
Stadium: The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, GL6 0GF
Telephone: 01453 834 860
Club Colours: Green & Black
Nickname: Rovers or Greens
Key Personnel:
Mark Cooper is the current “gaffer” at the Lawn and he has had a wealth of previous management experience with Peterborough, Swindon, Notts County plus a host of non league clubs. He joined FGR in May 2016. The son of ex Leeds and England full back Terry Cooper, he was a much travelled midfield player and made over 500 appearances for 15 different clubs.
Brief directions by road:
Nice and easy this one and its great to be visiting this lovely part of England again! On to the M4 Motorway and exit at Junction 18. Take the A46 northbound towards Stroud (not Bath) for approx. 17 miles. Remain on this A46 road and it will eventually take you directly into Nailsworth. If you were to leave the M4 a junction earlier at junction 17 and travel via the A429 and the picturesque and isolated B4014, this will also take you to Nailsworth but the first option is the quickest and more straightforward albeit a lot less scenic. Wind down hill and dale into the centre of Nailsworth and just before the Clock Tower at a mini roundabout, take the left turn into Spring Hill (signposted Forest Green and Nympsfield). The New Lawn is about a mile up the steep hill and on the left.
Car Parking:
Nailsworth Primary School also offers parking at £5.00 per car. The car park at the stadium is reserved for pre-booked guests and blue badge holders.
Directions by Train:
Unfortunately the closest station to the FGR ground is in Stroud (4 miles away). A train from London Paddington may involve a change at Swindon but the journey is only around 90 minutes. Taxis are quite expensive therefore made for sharing. However the 93 and 46 bus routes from the station run close to the ground every half hour. The train is my band of brothers’ choice of transportation to the game and a visit to the Lord John pub is in order within a minute or two of disembarking!
Eating and Drinking Locally:
Surprisingly, Nailsworth centre isn’t the place to head for although there are a couple of very good outlets for refreshment notably the George on Newmarket Road or the Britannia. I can recommend and very highly the Tiputts Inn about 2 miles south of Nailsworth in Horsley on the A46, outstanding food or of course if it is sheer class you seek look no further than The Rose & Crown which is a magnificent 17th century inn in Nympsfield village a mile or two west of the ground – 3, The Cross, Nympsfield GL10 3TU.
I have another suggestion as always. On the A46 before you reach Nailsworth and close to the village of Tiltups End, there is a lay-by which is home to ‘Kathleen’s Cafe’ one of those welcome little ‘teas and hot snacks’ huts owned by the Ingover family. It is has been there for years and years and a bit of an institution in Gloucestershire. It is suffering from acute old age and is very lop-sided these days so be careful!. (There are toilet facilities there too!) I hear from a very reliable source that the owner Kathleen cooks the tastiest and most reliable poached egg and sausage or bacon and mushroom sandwich in the County and is always pleased to see visiting fans to chat about Rovers.
Social Club:
The Green Man, which is built into the back of the Main Stand. This bar serves real ale, hot veggie food and all will be made welcome. Away supporters also have exclusive use of an away bar: a marquee located at the front of the ground. If you are craving a Meat Pie, Beef Burger or Hot Dog while in the ground, then you will be disappointed, as the club has decided not to sell any meat products.
Ground Description:
The main Western Thermal Stand is the main focus in the ground and has room for around 2,000 plus executive boxes. Opposite is a small open West Terrace, which is normally allocated to visitors but is uncovered and only seven steps high, while the Nympsfield Road Terrace is to the right and the South Terrace to the left. Both of these structures were relocated from the old Lawn ground when the club moved in 2006/7. The capacity of the stadium is a healthy 5,140.
Admission Prices:
Adults £16, Over 65’s £12, Under 21’s/Students £8, Under 16’s £5 (in advance)
Previous Meetings and Memories:
Our last visit to the Lawn featured a last minute winner from Bondz N’Gala in September 2014. 2-1 the score with the other goal an Andy Yiadom rebound from a missed John Akinde penalty. Mrs Reckless came to that game and there is a press picture somewhere of the Bees fans celebrating the Bonzo goal with me hugging my pal John Cosgrove and not Mrs R who is celebrating on her own – it’s what we do!
Our visit to the old Lawn in March 2005 was fun too as goals from Ben Strevens and Liam Hatch bought home the spoils. Our record against FGR at The old Lawn wasn’t too bad as 1 win 4 draws and only 1 defeat illustrates although we were royalty entertained by a Robbie Sawyers special in a 2-2 draw in 2001 and an enthralling 4-4 draw in October 2002.
Celebrity Watch:
If one enjoys hob knobbing with those who accommodate blue blood then this part of the Kingdom will appeal to you as the district has many royal connections. Prince and Princess Michael of Kent live in the nearby village of Bisley. They pop ‘round to see their second cousin once removed Princess Ann at Gatscombe Park – which is a
corgi walk up the hill from their place – quite often on their way home from dining with their dear friends of 60 years Lord and Lady Reading who have the enormous double garaged detached corner house by the bus shelter and post box in the village of Chalford. Camilla Parker Bowles, the future King Of England’s wife used to have a two bed maisonette in Nailsworth and was regularly seen picking up essentials in the Stop ‘n’ Shop. Authors The Rev W Audrey (Thomas & Friends) and Jilly Cooper plus Tony (Baldrick/Time Team) Robinson and Mike (Tubular Bells) Oldfield all live/lived locally and never had season tickets at The Lawn. Jack Russell the England wicket-keeper is however a regular visitor.
