Stadium:Fraser Eagle Stadium, Livingstone Road Accrington BB5 BBX

Telephone: 01254-356-950

Club Colours: Red & White

Nickname: The Stanley

Official Club Website: www.accringtonstanley.co.uk

An early start required for this one everybody – M1 and M6 junction 29 and onto the M65 signposted Blackburn. Leave the M65 at Junction 7, taking the Clitheroe turn off the roundabout. Turn right at the first set of traffic lights opposite The Clayton Business Park, following the A678 (Blackburn Road). Follow the road over the Canal Bridge to the next set of traffic lights. Turn right again going over the motorway bridge and towards Accrington on the A680 (Whalley Road). After approximately half a mile turn left into Livingstone Road to find the ground, which is 50 yards past the Crown Hotel on the left. These directions are based on those provided by Accrington Stanley FC.

Over 300 free spaces in two car parks available at the ground, and unrestricted in the surrounding streets.  Bees fans will be probably be directed to their own parking area close to the away terrace turnstiles.

Directions By Train 

A train from London Kings Cross will take around 4 hours with a change at Leeds. Accrington Station is a good 25 minutes walk away from the ground although the route passes numerous pubs! A bus from the station stops outside the Crown Pub, which virtually overlooks the ground and this runs every 15 minutes.

The coach will leave the Pavilion at 8.30am and the ticket price is £25. The Pav will open at approx 7.00am for pre-journey refreshments.  Discounts on travel are available for season ticket holders, club members and association members. Bookings for coach travel for all 2012/13 season away games can be purchased online or by calling 02084496325.

The place is inundated with pubs and many close to the ground on Whalley Road. The Crown literally overlooks the ground and is very friendly. My sources reveal that The Whittakers Arms 322 Burnley Rd is particularly happy to receive away fans. It is situated close to the old Peel Park ground from Stanley’s past. However there are many excellent pubs in the town centre too that come recommended notably The Park Inn on the 68 Manchester Road which is supposedly haunted by an ex landlord called Edwin. It probably has a high fence surrounding it! The snack bars in the ground serve up excellent hot dogs, burgers and chips. Outside the ground is a Fish Bar which is very conveniently placed close to the ground in Whalley Road and opposite The Grey Horse pub it comes highly recommended by my contacts and I can recommend the Steak Puddings (meat and gravy encased in suet) which were available last season.

The social club is out of bounds to away fans before the game.

This trip is one of the longest away days and the attraction of an overnight stay becomes very appealing. It’s grim oop north they say, but I am not so sure. I award an OSF of 6/10 just because one of the greatest British movies ever Whistle Down The Wind was shot just north towards Clitheroe. British cinema at its best.

The club recommends Maple Lodge 70 Blackburn Road, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington. Tel: 01254 301284 for En-suite bed and breakfast accommodation -check out their website http://www.maplelodgehotel.co.uk or the Wicketts Hotel 3 Blackburn Road, Rishton, Lancashire Tel: 01254 877878.