Cheltenham
Whaddon Road
Capacity 7,066
Address Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5NA
Ticket Prices £20 for visitors (seating).
www.ctfc.com
I visited Cheltenham’s Whaddon Road ground for the second time in September 2010, although it’s much changed from the days of the late 90′s. When I first visited, travelling supporters were treated to a basic terrace stand with portaloo facilities. Now the club have progressed on the pitch, things have developed off it too.
Away supporters are now housed in the Carlsberg Stand which is a typical modern seated stand. It holds approximately 1,100 supporters and was built in late 2005. It gives good views of the pitch and also has a perspex roof which apparently allows more light to hit the pitch and help stimulate growth. When I visited, Boro fans were allocated half of the stand (left side) and were allowed to stand throughout. The stewarding was fairly relaxed.
At the other end of the ground is a small terraced stand named the “Speedy Skips Stand”. It’s covered, but is fairly compact in size. On one side of the pitch is the Stagecoach Main Stand. This looks like a very old fashioned “Grandstand” type structure that straddles the half-way line. This stand has the changing rooms and tunnel within it as well as the club’s sports bar. This stand has seating at the top and terracing at the bottom.
Lastly, the In2Print Stand sits on the opposite side to the Stagecoach Main Stand. This is a 2000 seater stand, similar to the one we have at Broadhall Way, just without the tunnel. One thing I found a bit “different” was the fact that there was no wall or gate between part of the stand and the pitch.
Overall, it’s a nice, neat and tidy ground. It has certainly improved since I first visited it back when both clubs were in the Conference.
Stagecoach Stand
Getting to Cheltenham
By car
Sat Nav reference: GL52 5NA
Cheltenham is a fairly simple journey from Stevenage, but is quite a drag. Get onto the M25 anti-clockwise going towards Heathrow and exit at junction 16 for the M40. Exit the motorway at junction 8 where you will pick up the A40 going towards Oxford. Follow the A40 for a good 40 miles before you go into Cheltenham itself. Turn right into Hales Road and follow this road for just under a mile. Turn right onto Whaddon Road and the ground will be on the right hand side at the bottom of the road.
By train
Going to Cheltenham on the train requires going into the Capital first. Get into London Paddington and find a Great Western service to Cheltenham. This will take you to Cheltenham Spa station. The ground is about 2 miles away from the station, so it’s advised that you get a bus or taxi to the ground.
