Don’t just take our word for it when it comes to the best ways to get there, where to park, where to stay, or which pub to go when you’re going to see your team play West Brom away. Find out what other away fans thought of their visit to The Hawthorns in our away day reviews.
You can share your own away day experience by sending us a review. Let us know how you travelled to the ground, which pubs you visited, where you ate, what you thought of the stadium, and anything else that might interest other away fans.
You can email your review (plus any photos) to info@awaygames.co.uk or by filling in our online review form here.
Review by Derby County fan Jacob Hackett
Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?
I came to The Hawthorns in the 2016/17 season when Derby knocked West Brom out of the FA Cup and absolutely loved it, and with both teams in good form I knew it’d be a good match to watch.
How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?
I got a lift with a friend and parked up for £5 near the ground. It was easy to get in and out, and the quickest I’ve ever got back from an away game despite it not being the nearest.
If you drove, was it easy to find car parking and make your way to the stadium?
Very easy, and cheap for football parking too.
Where did you eat on your away day and was it good value?
McDonalds just down the road. The classic matchday grub worked a treat.
What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?
Wasn’t a huge variety of drinks to choose from, but a good lot of alternative food was available.
What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?
Great view, enough space to stand up and enjoy the match, always like it there.
What was the atmosphere like during the match?
Home fans support was poor. Derby fans were class though so it made it 10 times better.
How friendly were the home fans out of 10?
10/10 – didn’t even notice they were there!
How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?
Very easy, quick get away.
How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?
£25. I got a McDonalds, two drinks, and my ticket for that price so it was very good value for money.
Would you recommend this away day to other fans?
Definitely! Nice ground, no trouble, good view.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell other away fans?
We smashed them 4-1 in their own back yard, and that’s that.
Review by Derby County fan Jordan Bestwick
Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?
I chose to go to this game because, like most football fans, away games are my favourite thing about football and I was looking forward to the atmosphere and seeing my mates.
How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?
I travel by mini bus and the game was on a Wednesday night so traffic around the ground was pretty busy but besides that it was a easy run.
Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?
We stopped at a pub called The Deer’s Leap about 7 miles away from the ground and there was no atmosphere, but when i’ve been to West Brom previously, we’ve gone to the Royal Oak, which is around a 5 minute walk to the ground. It is a great place to be for cheap booze and a decent atmosphere!
Where did you eat on your away day and was it good value?
Didn’t have food however there are plenty of burger vans around the ground and a McDonald’s that seemed pretty decently priced.
What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?
The beer was decent but we didn’t have any food.
What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?
The view to the pitch was excellent and the away end is great but after the match the stairs are pretty packed and take a lot of time to go down.
What was the atmosphere like during the match?
The atmosphere from the Derby fans was fantastic. However, the West Brom fans were very quiet but that’s understandable when you’re losing 3-0 for most of the game.
How friendly were the home fans out of 10?
7/10
How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?
By bus it’s a 15 minute wait then all the buses go together and you’re out of there pretty quickly.
How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?
I spent around £30 in total on beers and the ticket was £11 for me so it was very good value.
Would you recommend this away day to other fans?
Yes it’s a definite must do!
Is there anything else you’d like to tell other away fans?
Make sure you get there early with traffic being quite busy around the ground.
Review by Bolton Wanderers fan Steve Tudor
Why did you choose to go to this game and why were you looking forward to it?
I have never visited the Hawthorns and as this was the opening game of the season and spirits were high I decided that it would be a great time to pay the Baggies a visit.
How did you travel to the game and how easy was it?
I drove from Bolton and encountered no problems on the sometimes unreliable M6. I gave myself plenty of time and arrived in West Bromwich with time to spare.
If you drove, was it easy to find car parking and make your way to the stadium?
I had read somewhere that it’s better to park on the opposite side of the motorway roundabout to the ground in order to get away quicker after the game. With this in mind I found a car park within a hundred yards of the junction that charged £5 for secure parking with an easy getaway. It’s at the National Metalworking Centre.
Which pubs did you go to before the game and what was the atmosphere like?
It was a scorching day so me and my sixteen year old son headed for the outdoor fanzone just outside the ground on Birmingham road. There was a good mix of home and away fans having a drink and watching the lunchtime match in a safe and friendly atmosphere.
What did you think of the food and drink available inside the ground?
I didn’t partake as the concourse was very cramped and a little uncomfortable if I’m honest.
What did you think of the away end and your view of the game?
Outstanding, unimpeded views of the action.
What was the atmosphere like during the match?
A big Bolton following ensured a great atmosphere in the away end. The home fans were a little quiet.
How friendly were the home fans out of 10?
10/10 – No problems were encountered and the WBA fans came across as a friendly and knowledgeable bunch who love their club.
How easy did you find it to get away from the stadium after the game?
A little tricky as you have to navigate a housing estate on leaving the away end due to the exit gate being locked for half an hour after the final whistle. However a friendly local pointed us in the right direction and we soon got back to the car park.
How much did you spend in total on this away day? Was it good value for money?
Half a tank of petrol, a fiver for parking and a tenner or so for drinks plus a stop off for lunch at Hilton Park services added up to a reasonably priced away day.
Would you recommend this away day to other fans?
Absolutely, a great away trip and highly recommended. Finding the ground is a breeze as it sits less than a mile from the motorway. Home fans are friendly and the stadium is modern and seating comfortable. Downsides are the cramped concourse and the tricky exit, but really these are minor gripes.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell other away fans?
Don’t try to smuggle anything into the ground as the body searches are the most comprehensive I’ve ever come across!
Photo’s submitted from away fans on their visit to West Brom:
