DERBY COUNTY
DIRECTIONS AND CAR PARKING
From the M1, exit at Junction 25 and take the A52 towards Derby. The ground is signposted off the A52 after about seven miles. There are a couple of fair sized parks at the new Velodrome which is situated next to Pride Park and is convenient for the away supporters entrance, being at that end of the stadium. The cost of parking is £8 per car, or £6 if the car has four or more people in it.
Kenny Lyon suggests; 'Perhaps a better place to park for all fans is the cattle market car park. This is a pay and display car park and costs £6. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from the ground and is just off the A52. To get there, go past the normal turning for the stadium and go up to the 'pentagon roundabout;' take the first turning off there and then take the next left - you then drive about 300 yards back on yourself, passing it on your left as you drive along the A52'.
Pete Stump adds; 'Walking from the cattle market car park to the stadium, you will pass a KFC and a Burger King, where I noticed that matchday parking was available for £6'. Michael French a visiting Birmingham City fan informs me; 'If you take the stadium exit off the A52, then immediately on your right is Wyvern fireplace wholesalers who offer matchday parking at £6. Its only a 5-10 minute walk away from the stadium and offers a fairly swift getaway after the game'. There is also parking available at the Derby Conference Centre on the A6 London Road, which costs £5. Whilst Steve Cocker informs me; 'There is free street parking available on Downing Road on the West Meadow Industrial Estate (DE21 6HA), which is off the A52. It is then about a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. Make sure though that you get there in plenty of time before the kick off, as the road fills up quickly.' I have received reports of a number of cars being broken into on matchday around the stadium, so it may be wise to park at one of the official car parks, or at least somewhere that is offering secure parking.
Steve Hallam informs me; 'A stretch of the A52 between Nottingham and Derby is named Brian Clough Way in honour of the great mans achievements with both Derby and Forest'.
Post Code for SAT NAV: DE24 8XL
BY TRAIN
The ground is about a 10 minute walk away from Derby railway station and is signposted. A new exit has been opened at the station which leads directly onto the retail park, as Dave Plunkett adds; 'When you go up the stairs from the platform, turn right and walk to the end of the bridge. Go down the stairs, exit and turn right down Roundhouse Road. Bear left at the roundabout, go straight down Riverside Road or turn right go down Pride Parkway where there are couple of places to eat and drink). You will reach the ground in front of you'.
If you want the pubs by the station, then turn left at the top of the stairs from the platform and on exiting the station entrance turn right. Further down on the right just past the Brunswick cross over the road and then descend some steps use the underpass, and follow the fans. The stadium is a about a 20 minute walk in total from the station using this route.
PUBS FOR AWAY FANS
Pete Stump informs me; 'On a recent visit, the police directed us to a "Harvester" about five minutes walk away from the stadium. It was full of away fans, however we were told that they don't always admit visiting supporters.' Nigel Summers a visiting Brighton fan adds; 'The Navigation Inn on London Road, is okay for away supporters. It has free street parking outside, is on the A6 (so an easy get away after the game) and it is just a ten minute walk away from the stadium. There is a basic burger and chips food menu, decent beers, including Doom Bar on my last visit and shows televised football. Home fans also frequent the pub, but it was friendly enough.'
There are a couple of pubs opposite the station, but they tend to be for home supporters only. However, unless you are going to arrive mob handed, then it is probably best to turn right out of the station and make your way down to The Brunswick or Alexandra Hotel. Both these pubs have a railway theme, serve a great range of real ales and are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.. Although they both have bouncers on the doors away fans are normally let in as long as there is no singing. The Brunswick though does revert to a home fans only pub for local derbies. There are bars at the back of the stands, offering pints of Lager or Cider (both £4.10), however they do get quite crowded.
If you enjoy your real ale, then Derby is somewhat of a 'Mecca' destination for the discerning drinker. With a staggering 18 pub entries in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, most of which are located fairly central, plus a host of other good pubs too, it may be an idea to arrive earlier and explore some of these fine watering holes.
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR VISITING SUPPORTERS?
Away fans are now located in one corner of the stadium, between the East and South Stands, where up to 2,700 fans can be housed. The facilities within the stadium and view of the playing action are both very good. This coupled with normally a great atmosphere and a deafening PA system, make for a memorable experience. I have visited Pride Park a number of times now and have found the Derby supporters to be friendly and have not experienced any problems. Entrance to the stadium is via electronic turnstiles, meaning that you have to insert your ticket into an electronic reader to gain entry.
Available on the concourse are a selection of Pukka Pies (Chicken Balti, Meat and Potato, Cheese and Onion) all at £3.70, plus a 'Stand Up Pastie' (I wonder if it tells jokes?) at £3.70. At half time fans are allowed outside the stadium into a cordoned off area, where there is a catering unit selling Burgers, Hot Dogs etc... It also provides an opportunity for those who smoke to have a cigarette outside. There are televisions on the concourses showing the game going on inside, with commentary, so that you don't have to miss anything while waiting for your half time cuppa.
Please note that you have to buy a match ticket before entering the stadium from the lottery office adjacent to the away turnstiles. Entry to the stadium after an obligatory 'pat down' by stewards is then via electonic turnstiles where you have to insert your ticket into a bar code reader. I have received reports of away fans not being allowed entry into the stadium for being 'too drunk' in the opinion of the stewards, so be on your best behaviour. George Donovan a visiting Ipswich Town supporter adds; 'In my opinion Pride Park is the best ground in the Championship - yes, even better than Portman Road! - thanks to its location, proximity to the train station, good pubs best pub I've been to on the way to the ground (The Brunswick - over a dozen real ales always on tap including my fave Timmy Taylors Landlord), superb catering with no queues, fantastic view, friendly home fans and great PA'. The teams emerge to 'White Riot' by the Clash.
Justin Blore informs me; 'There is a Frankie & Benny's on Pride Park across the road from the club shop and a Subway outlet. Within 500 yards there's Burger King, KFC, McDonalds and Pizza Hut too!' There is also a Greggs and a Starbucks outlet built into one side of the stadium. Alas the Greggs is closed on matchdays (I guess not man fans would pay for a pie inside the stadium if they were).