Review by Plymouth Argyle fan Ben

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

We choose to go to this game because it is one of our closest games this season (2 hours 30 mins). We were looking forward to going to this game because it was a new ground for us and not a lot of travelling which we love.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

We travelled by car to this game. The journey should only take 2 hours and 30 minutes but due to it being the summer holidays and traffic on the M5 all the way up, the journey actually took 3 hours and we spent most of the journey doing an average of 50mph because of traffic.

Other than that when you approach Forest Green Rovers it is based in a small town. It is easy to find the ground and traffic in and around the town was not too bad if you arrive early, but the roads can become congested (mainly after the game) with roads not ideal for high levels of traffic.

If you drove, was it easy to find car parking and make your way to the stadium?

We found a street called Nortonwood which is only a short walk (From 2 minutes – 10 minutes) from the ground. You need to arrive early to park on this street but would recommend parking here.

Where did you eat on your away day and was it good value?

We decided not to eat in the stadium as they only offer vegan options which we respect their values. So as we entered the town there is a chip shop called Walkers Fish & Chips. This was one of the best chippy’s I have ever been to the food was so nice I highly recommend it.

What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?

In the ground, we knew they supplied vegan food so we decided to eat somewhere else. However, we saw some of the fans having curry sauce and chips which looked very nice, and I know they sold some sort of pies and other options. I did queue up for a drink though which took a long time as there is only one food window but there were three people inside trying their best to get through the queue. The drink I got was a cola which was called green cola (Vegan) which was disgusting!

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

I dislike criticising other fans’ grounds, but it was not the best. The away end was not compatible with the amount tickets they sold us. We sold out and could not get everyone into the stand which led to fans having to stand at the bottom of the stand next to the pitch, two stewards were telling them they could not do but the steward radioed for help but they just ignored him. The away end has no roof unless you choose the seating option which only accommodates a small number of fans. The terrace which all the fans are on has about 8-10 steps one bar at the bottom and one at the top but definitely needs a bar in the middle. That was just as awful as it was crammed but it would be okay if they provided fewer tickets to fit all the fans into the stand.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

The atmosphere for the home fans was good in one stand behind the goal. Bit embarrassing that they had a drummer sitting on a bit of scaffolding above the fans but they kept singing until we scored and then were silenced when we were winning 3-0. The away fans were brilliant like usual, it could have been a bit better but still amazing like normal.

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

10 – Did not speak to any but no problems and seemed nice in and around the ground.

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Leaving the stadium was awful because we sold out our end and the only way out was through one set of double doors. Getting away from the ground is not the best as there is only one road to get out of the town. The buses block the road until they are full which causes gridlock but it only took around 20 minutes.

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

Ticket – £19
Petrol – £60

Brilliant value for money if it wasn’t for petrol prices.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

Yes! Nice little town, with limited places around the ground though unless you walk to the shops in the town which is about a 20-minute walk. The stand is not good if sold out or raining but if none of them are a factor then it was not too bad.

Review by Ipswich Town fan Ben

Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?

We chose this game as it is a stadium I’ve not been to before.

How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?

We travelled by car and it was easy to find. I parked at the primary school which is a very short walk to the ground. My brother came along and doesn’t walk so well these days so it needed to be close. The town centre is at the bottom of a steep hill so we went straight to the stadium.

What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?

We had a beer as soon as we got in the ground. There was only one outlet for 1250 people with 3 servers. The queue was huge but we had got there early. The servers did their best but it was ridiculously inadequate. Many people just didn’t bother. The pies has run out already. There was chips and a vegan burger option. I’m not a vegan but respect what the club stands for. I had just chips which were ok. My bother had the burger which he said was “ok” as he was so hungry! We also had a “green cola” each which we didn’t like much. There was water in tins for sale as well as a free water fountain for fans. One of the staff gave out cups and was encouraging people to drink as it was hot (25 degrees) and no roof on the stand.

What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?

It is a very small stand, no roof and goes along the length of the pitch. It was full (1,250 fans). Front to back was about 10-12 steps, not too crowded, with crush barriers in place. We were roughly in the middle and at the back but could not see either corner flag on our side. There was minimal seating at one end but not many seats and all taken.

What was the atmosphere like during the match?

Flat. With no roof on the away end, it is very hard for the fans to generate noise together as different chants start together. The home fans were generally very quiet as although their stands had a roof, one end wasn’t full and the main stand were seated and more akin to being at the theatre. The noisiest fans behind one goal were quiet mainly.

How friendly were the home fans out of 10?

10/10. In our experience, those we spoke to were really friendly and open about the game. Just as it should be. Although we always take big numbers to away games, 99% of our fans are ok.

How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?

Not good. Blocked in the parking at the primary school by all the buses and park and ride for 30/40 minutes. Then another 45 minutes to get down the hill by car and out of the town. The stadium is clearly in a poor position for 5,000 people to all leave at once when the town itself has a population of not much more than that.

How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?

Around £25. Average prices for drink / food at football so ok.

Would you recommend this away day to other fans?

I would in the sense that it’s actually a nice stadium, if small for league one football to allow 1,250 fans in when the infrastructure, roads, can’t cope.
I don’t understand how they sell that number of tickets 2-3 weeks beforehand, yet don’t plan correctly to feed them! The club lost a huge amount of revenue as many people just gave up trying to get a drink or food.

Is there anything else you want to tell us about your day?

Not just because we took all 3 points but we enjoyed our trip. However unless they sort out the issues already mentioned then I would be unlikely to visit again. I see that another, bigger stadium is planned and presumably in a better location nearer the main roads etc. I would certainly visit that one at least once although hopefully we will get out this league soon!