Friday 30th October 2009
QPR v Leicester 19.45
Saturday 31st October 2009
Bristol City v Sheff Weds 15.00
Coventry v Reading 15.00
Doncaster v Blackpool 15.00
Ipswich v Derby 15.00
Middlesbrough v Plymouth 15.00
Peterborough v Barnsley 15.00
Preston NE v C.Palace 15.00
Scunthorpe v Swansea City 15.00
West Brom v Watford 15.00
Sunday 01st November 2009
Cardiff City v Nottm Forest 17.00
Monday 02nd November 2009
Sheff Utd v Newcastle 19.45
Gary Speed: “We played well against Cardiff City on Saturday, but we gave away some sloppy goals.
“The spirit’s there in the camp.
“When you’re on a run like this, you work for each other, and if you do, you know you’re going to get a result, and get back on track.
“That’s what we’re working really hard for. We need a result now, and if it’s against the league leaders, then great.
“We know it will be difficult – Newcastle have had a great start to the season.
“They’ll be full of confidence. Newcastle United are a big draw, and there will be a lot of their fans there.
“They got a good win against Doncaster at the weekend.
“By all accounts Doncaster played well, but Newcastle got there in the end, which is the main thing.
“Newcastle have been a difficult situation, and Chis Hughton is doing a great job. He’s one of the people in football who you respect and like, and everyone’s delighted that they’re doing well.
“Hopefully, that’ll change on Monday, but it’s great they’re up there. At this stage, it’s better for us to play one of the top teams.”
BRAMALL LANE - SHEFFIELD UNITED
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From The North:
Leave the M1 at Junction 36 and follow the A61 into Sheffield. Follow the A61 into Sheffield passing Hillsborough Stadium on your right. Continue along the A61, which becomes the ring road around the western side of the city centre. You will eventually reach a roundabout at the junction with the A621. At the roundabout turn right onto the A621 Bramall Lane. The ground is a short way down on the left.
From The South:
Leave M1 at Junction 33 and take the A630 into Sheffield City Centre. On reaching the inner ring road follow signs for A621 Bakewell, the ground is about a 1/4 of a mile the other side of the city centre. It is located on the A621 (Bramall Lane). Street Parking.
Alternatively, if you want to avoid Sheffield City Centre, then you may find it easier to park at Meadowhall Shopping Centre (unless of course it is in the run up to Christmas or the January sales, when the centre is very busy), just by Junction 34, of the M1, where you can park for free. You can then take a yellow tram to the City Centre and then walk to the ground. The tram journey time is around 20 minutes and costs less than �2 return. Mark Needham adds; 'it's worth noting that if you are coming up from the South, that you can leave the M1 at Junction 29 (Chesterfield) and follow signs for Sheffield A61. This is particularly useful if the M1 is slow around J30, as it often is!'
By Train
The ground is walkable from Sheffield mainline train station, (10-15mins). As you come out of the station, walk left along the main road. Where the road splits take the right fork which is Shoreham Street and continue down this road to the ground.
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Halliwells (aka the Bramall Lane) Stand at one end of the ground, where around 3,000 supporters can be accommodated. Chris Bax adds; 'Any tickets still available for the away end can be purchased from two dedicated away ticket windows just up from the turnstile entrances'. The delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (�2.20) is available inside the ground.
The United fans are particularly passionate and vocal about their club. This makes for a great atmosphere at games, but also can make it somewhat intimidating for the away supporter. It was one of those grounds that by just listening to the crowd you could tell what was happening on the pitch. I found it quite amusing as having to go for a leak just before half time, I could hear the home crowd shout Goo-on as a Sheffield United attack began. Then this got louder & louder as the United team got closer to the goal, Goo-on, Goo-on, Goo-On! and then the air turned blue as whoever it was missed the chance!
Where To Drink?
Nick Turrell a visiting Brighton fan adds; 'About a ten minute walk away on Queens Road is "The 'Earl" pub, which on our visit was okay for away fans to drink in'. Otherwise somewhat further along the road from the away end (about 3/4's of a mile past the B&Q on the left) is the Bridge pub which also has been recommended to me.
Paul Webb a visiting Birmingham City fan adds; 'On a number of occasions we have visited the Norfolk Arms pub in the centre of Sheffield. It is by the Ibis Hotel and not far from the train station. A friendly, traditional pub with regulars that make you welcome. It's walkable to the ground, or the bar staff can order a taxi while you leave your car there'. Also near to the station is the Globe, which as Simon Lorch a visiting Chelsea fan says: 'I found that the Globe pub around a five minute walk from the station and a 15 minute walk from the ground welcomed home and away fans as long as there was no singing. The majority of fans there where Chelsea and the doors where policed 2 hours before the game but it was a nice friendly pub serving good ale'. Simon Cumming a visiting Barnsley fan recommends 'The Howard which is a good pub for away fans. Service was very good and it's well policed.' This pub is located near to the railway station.
The pubs near to the ground such as the, 'Sheaf House', 'Railway Hotel', the 'Golden Lion' and on Bramall Lane; 'The Railway' & 'Cricketers' are for home fans only. Otherwise alcohol is available inside the ground.