WOLVES v NEWCASTLE
DIRECTIONS AND CAR PARKING
From The South
Leave the M6 at Junction 10 and take the A454 towards Wolverhampton. Continue to follow the A454 right into Wolverhampton (be wary of speed cameras on the A454). On reaching the traffic island that intersects with the ring road, turn right. As you approach the 2nd set of lights look for the signs for football parking. The ground is over the second set of lights on the right. Alternatively, if you turn left into the city centre you may find a space in one of the many council run 'pay & display' car parks (see Car Parking below).
From The North
Leave the M6 at Junction 12 and take the A5 towards Telford and then turn onto the A449 towards Wolverhampton. On reaching the traffic island that intersects with the ring road, turn right. Then as South.
Car Parking
Just off the ring road near Molineux is the Civic Hall car park, normally remains open for night matches and costs £4 for three hours or £5.50 for four hours or £3 for evenings (entering the car park after 5pm). Terry a visiting Chelsea fan adds; 'Although the city centre car parks are handy, the area is busy with shoppers so you may like we did get stuck in long queues to get into one. I'd recommend parking in the car parks that you see further away from Molineux and taking the 10/15 minute walk; it also means you are back on the motorway quicker after the game'. There is also some limited parking available at the stadium itself at a cost of £8 per car. David Drysdale informs me; 'There is some street parking to be found on a small industrial estate near to Wolverhampton Railway Station. It is in the region of Kennedy Road (off Culwell Street). It is then about a ten minute walk to Molineux.' There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Molineux Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Post Code for SAT NAV: WV1 4QR
BY TRAIN
Wolverhampton Railway Station is around a 15 minute walk away from Molineux. From the main station entrance proceed straight on towards the city centre and as you reach the inner ring road turn right. Just follow the ring road as it continues in a circular pattern around to the left. Eventually you will see the Molineux on the right.
PUBS FOR AWAY FANS
Well, it may be a great stadium, with good atmosphere, but the main drawback with a visit to Molineux is the lack of away friendly pubs for visiting supporters to drink in. Now there are a number of pubs situated around the ground, but they do not admit away fans, which to a certain extent I can understand. But what is a real shame is that unlike many new stadiums that are located out of town with not much in the way of drinking holes located around, Molineux is only a 10 minute walk away from the city centre where there are plenty of pubs to be found. However by far the greater majority of these are for home supporters only on matchdays (even the Wetherspoons has bouncers on the door demanding to see your match ticket for one of the home sections before being allowed entry).
One exception is the Bluebrick beside the Premier Inn hotel. The Bluebrick has been designated by the Police as an away pub and is handily located near to the railway station. If arriving by train then as you leave the station entrance, walk straight on up the station approach. Immediately before the bridge going over the ring road, take the pathway going down on the left. Walk down to the path beside the ring road and turn right. Proceed under the bridge and walk along the path. Then take the next right onto Wednesfield Road. Go under the railway bridge and you will see the Premier Inn on your right. The Bluebrick is just behind the hotel.
Alcohol is available inside the stadium this includes Carling (Pint £4), Banks's Bitter (Can 440ml £3.60), Aston Manor Cider (Bottle 500ml £4), Guinness (Can 520ml £4.20), plus wine and spirits (£4.10).
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR AWAY FANS?
Away fans are housed in the lower tier of the Steve Bull Stand, which runs along one side of the pitch, where up to 2,750 away supporters can be housed. Fans in this stand are sat quite far back from the playing area, which gives the illusion that the pitch is larger than at most other grounds. Wolves fans are housed in the upper tier above the away section making for some 'interesting conversations' between the home and visiting supporters.
For cup games then if required part of the Stan Cullis Stand at one can also be allocated, where an additional 1,500 visiting fans can be housed, high up on one side of the upper tier (towards the Steve Bull Stand side of the ground). David London a visiting Crystal Palace fan adds; 'Views are excellent from the front of the Stan Cullis Stand away section, although if you are at the top then it's all a bits distant. It's a lot of stairs up to the upper tier and when you get to the top puffing and blowing a friendly steward tells you that you should have asked to use the lift!'
The facilities are fine, including the catering, serving a range of pies including; Steak, Rogan Josh, Potato & Meat, Vegetable, Cheese & Onion (all £3.10), Cornish Pasty (£3.10), Sausage Rolls (£3.10) Hot Dogs (£3.60), Burgers (£3.60) and Chips (£2.50).
Musical delights at the ground include just before kick off, 'Hi, Ho, Silver Lining' with the crowd singing 'Hi, Ho, Wolverhampton!' On one visit I got talking to a couple of Wolves fans on the train up to Wolverhampton and they suggested going for a drink in the city centre before the game which I did. I had quite an enjoyable time and they even took me right up to the away supporters entrance, shook my hand and wished me luck! very hospitable. I personally did not experience any problems during my visits, but I have received a number of reports of others that have not been so lucky. It is strongly advised that colours are kept covered around the ground and the city centre (and that goes for your cars too).