Stevenage v Barnet

Sky Bet League 2

Saturday 1st April 2017

Kick-Off 3:00pm

Stadium: 

The Lamex Stadium, Broadhall Way, Stevenage Hertfordshire SG2 8RH 

Telephone: 

01438 743322 or 01438 223223 

Club Colours: 

Red and White 

Nickname: 

Borough 

 

Key Personnel:

Darren Sarll is the current boss at Broadhall Way and had a short career as a player in the Non League notably with “Towns” Hitchin, Bedford and Dunstable before taking a coaching role at Stevenage. He had spells as coach at Rotherham and Brentford before returning to Stevenage in in 2012. He was given the reins in February 2016 after the sacking of Teddy Sheringham. 

 

Directions to the Ground:

A1(M) North to junction 7 Novotel Roundabout. Turn right towards Stevenage South (A602). Go straight over the first roundabout. Follow the A602 and Broadhall Way is then straight ahead. You will see the floodlights on your right. 

 

Car Parking: 

There is a very large free car park on the left hand side of the road directly opposite the ground. (Careful crossing the road everybody!). 

 

Directions by Train: 

The nearest station to the ground is Stevenage which is about one mile away from the ground. The Arriva No 5 from the nearby Bus Station takes ten minutes. The club also offer a very efficient and regular Shuttle Service to and from the ground cost £1.00. 

 

Eating and Drinking Locally:

The Standard Bearer the local Wetherspoons outlet can be found in the Bus Station near the Pound Shop. Our Mutual Friend is easily the best pub in the area and can be found on Broadwater Crescent, a 10-15 minute walk from the ground – decent Ruby Murray bar meal if you get there early enough to order as it gets busy. Coincidently it is near to a Pound Shop. The Roebuck on London Road is another good option and is also about a 10-15 walk away. Both served decent sales and food. The local retail park offers 

a Harvester and a Pizza Hut. The social club at the ground allows away fans and is very safe and secure for all ages as the stewarding is very good. 

 

Ground Description:

The main stand runs the full length of the west touchline. The majority of Stevenage fans prefer to congregate on the East Terrace opposite. It also runs the full length of the pitch and is covered at the back. Barnet fans will be given the covered all seating area behind the goal the South Stand which has room for around 1,400. The turnstiles can be found adjacent to the Broadhall Suite social club. To the left of the main stand is the partially covered North Terrace which is the only area of the ground which is under developed at present. Capacity is a shade over 7,000. 

 

Admission Prices: 

Adults £24, Concession £21, U16s £12, Kids £10. 

 

Previous Meetings and Memories:

Our last visit was in January 2016 and a 0-0 draw was battled out in front of 3,800. 

A splendid photograph that sat on the wall of the Durham Suite at Underhill basically explained Saturday September 9th 2003. With the team 1-0 down injured and substituted Capt. Marvel Ian Hendon was dispatched by Martin Allen to join the Bees army behind the goal who were instantly lifted. It led to Peter Beadles’ lethal finish and a Grazioli winner and the scenes were something to behold. My first visit was in 1975 in the Southern League Division 1 North when they were Stevenage Athletic but that was in Black and White! 

 

Celebrity Watch and Other Info: 

Stevenage were originally known as Stevenage Town and then Athletic and when that club went bankrupt in 1976 the new club was formed. They were promoted to the Conference by winning the old Isthmian/Diadora Premier League in 1993/94 pipping Enfailed to the title – well done! . They became Stevenage Borough before reinventing themselves. A stunning piece of trivia is that Stevenage can be reached via two junctions of the A1 – 7 or 8. I have three cousins and an Uncle living in Stevenage who have become life long Stevenage fans but only when they play Barnet! 

Marty Wilde the singing sensation of the late 1950’s and early 60’s was born in Stevenage. His daughter Kim (We’re The Kids In America) probably wasn’t born in Stevenage – but she was less of a singer and more of a sensation! If you decide to travel to Broadhall way via the country route, i.e. the B197 via Knebworth, then I advise you to leave your precious valuables at home. In the 1730’s the stretch of road between Woolmer Green and Knebworth was a haunt of Dick Turpin the infamous highway robber. Many a London bound coach was told to stand and deliver. I must confess I always thought Dick was a Geordie as he was (a in a Geordie accent) “Ha Way Man”.