Morecambe v Barnet
Sky Bet League 2
Tuesday 14th February 2017
Kick-Off 7:45 pm
Stadium: The Globe Arena, Christie Way, Westgate, Morecambe LA4 5TB
Telephone: 01524 411 797
Club Colours: Red and Black and White
Nickname: The Shrimps
Official Club Website: www.morecambefc.com
Key Personnel:
Jim Bentley has been at the helm since May 2011. Former central defender Bentley was a youth at Manchester City and had been a player at Morecambe for a decade and, before that, at Telford United.
Brief Directions by Road:
A bit of a trek this one!
We take the M1 onto the M6. Exit the M6 at its junction 34(A683) and head towards and into Lancaster.
Stay on the one way system in Lancaster and look out for the A589 from Lancaster into Morecambe.
Cross over the river and then look out for the splendid sight that is Lancaster Castle on your left on top of a hill.
Go straight over two large roundabouts on the second of which you will find one of those appalling drive through Chavburger joints.
At the third roundabout, called the Shrimp Roundabout, take the first exit into Westgate Road (signposted West Promenade).
Go past the Fire Station on your right and after about a mile you will see the Globe Stadium also on your right.
Car Parking:
Parking is still at a premium at the club, especially for visiting fans, so your best bet is to continue past the stadium on Westgate and carry on under the railway bridge where you will find unrestricted and plentiful street parking available.
Directions by Train:
The journey time is a good four hours with changes at Preston and Lancaster possible depending on which train you take.
Morecambe station is near the seafront and approximately a 30-minute walk from the ground.
From the promenade turn left and left into Regent Street (superb Indian Restaurant on the corner if you are staying over – serves chicken tikka with goat’s cheese, very unusual on my tandoori travels).
Through into Westgate and you will see the ground on your left just over the railway bridge.
The bus 9 or 9a from the bus stop outside Frankie and Benny’s will drop you outside the stadium.
Trains back home that evening suffice to say…no chance.
Eating and Drinking Locally:
I can vouch for Upstairs Downstairs, the best pub on the Seafront.
As a seaside town fish and chips are really well represented. Atkinsons, by far the best in the district, can be found at 16-18 Albert Road, LA4 4HB just off the sea front.
The Globe Arena has recently picked up a top award for its home-made pies.
Ground Description:
After 89 years at Christie Park the club moved to a new stadium for the start of the 2010 season and so we shall no longer see the main stand at the old Christie Park which was built in 1962 and cost just £20,000.
It occupied half of the touchline and I believe it was designed by the same architects responsible for the main stand at Underhill two years later, albeit on a slightly larger scale. The similarities were evident if you looked closely.
At a cost of around £12m, the Globe Arena is typical of modern football stadia. The focal point is the Peter McGuigan Stand. Named after the current Chairman the stand has room for around 2,200 seats.
Opposite the North Terrace is a shallow open terraced area, no doubt to be developed in time. It resembles the old Car Wash terrace at Christie Park – perhaps the club wanted fans to feel at home?
Both ends have covered terraces. The larger West Terrace for home supporters and the smaller East Terrace, with room for around 1,400 for visitors. Seating is available for visiting supporters too.
Admission Prices:
Peter McGuigan Stand: Adult £21, Concession £17, Children £6.
Our Last Meeting & Memories:
Our last visit was in April 2016 when two Michael Gash goals were not enough in a 4-2 defeat.
After a Mark Byrne screamer in 2011 it dawned on me rather quickly I am “past it” after tumbling down the steep steps to try and get to the celebrating Barnet players – I used to manage a Terrace Run with ease but, alas, no longer!
We were Morecambe’s first ever Football League opponents in August 2007 – the teams celebrated with a 0-0 draw.
More than 2,000 witnessed a Conference play-off position clash in February 2004 which saw Barnet take a three goal half-time lead through a side foot finish from Joey Gamble, a Ben Strevens curler and a poached goal that Giuliano Grazioli would have been proud of from a goal machine called Simon Clist. Morecambe pulled one back in the second half but the result was never in doubt.
The one sided 5-1 victory in September 2004 at Underhill was also extra special – it featured a brace from Grazioli, an Ian Hendon penalty, plus goals from Simon King and Nicky Bailey.
