DW STADIUM - WIGAN ATHLETIC
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are located in the North Stand at one end of the stadium, where up to 5,400 visiting supporters can be accommodated. The stadium is functional and the facilities adequate, but it just seems to lack something, to give it that memorable feeling. The view of the playing action and leg room are generally adequate. To the left of the away section, tends to be the Wigan fans who wish to sing congregate, who are aided by a drummer. On the concourse alcohol is available in the form of Tetleys and Carling. To try and bring some the order, there is a queuing system in force which is overseen by the stewards (plus if I remember correctly you could only buy two beers per person). Apart from the beer, I did enjoy one of the best meat and potato pies, that I have had in a long time.
Scott Carpenter a visiting Newcastle fan adds; 'the concourses seemed too small for the large amount of away fans attending on my visit, which led to it being rather uncomfortably crowded at half time'. Pat Bird a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan informs me; I was very impressed with the price to get in (£20), for a seat right behind the goal. The end given over to visitors was steeply banked with generous leg room. So far so good, however, I would have to agree with the comments of the Newcastle fan. It was an almighty struggle to get through to the loos at half-time. The concourse and toilet areas did not seem adequate to cope with a large away following. We parked in the car park behind the visitors end, which was fine, however, it took an age to get away after the match. For anyone visiting the DW you could do worse than have a meal after the match in one of the nearby restaurants before heading for home. Within 100 metres of the ground there is a Franky & Bennys, an Indian restaurant and a number of other establishments'.
Where To Drink?
Simon Wright a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan informs me; 'Beside the away turnstiles is a very large Marquee, which contains a bar specifically for the use of away fans. It has the usual bar, big screen television and sells pies, as well as teas and coffees. It's a great facility and welcomes families'.
The traditional pub for away fans visiting the DW stadium is the Red Robin, which is only a few minutes walk away from the ground opposite the Cinema Complex.
Otherwise in the centre of town is a Wetherspoons outlet called the 'Moon Under Water' which was popular with away supporters on my last visit. Also worth a visit is the award winning 'Anvil' pub, which is located next to the bus station. Both these pubs are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Also worth a mention is the Berkeley on Wallgate (near the railway station). This fair sized pub, had a good mix of home and away supporters on my last visit, serves five ever changing real ales and shows Sky Sports on a huge screen.
The 'Swan & Railway' pub in the town centre, opposite the entrance to Wigan North Western Railway Station is best avoided by away supporters. Otherwise alcohol is available inside the stadium.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From The South:
Leave the M6 to Junction 25 then take the A49 to Wigan. After around two miles you should pass an Aldi store on your left, before reaching a large roundabout, that is traffic light controlled. Turn left at this roundabout into Robin Park Road and continue into Scot Lane. The ground is down Scot Lane on your right.
From The North:
Leave the M6 at Junction 26 and follow the signs for Wigan town centre (this road meets the A49) then turn left into Robin Park and continue into Scot Lane. The ground is down Scot Lane on your right.
Paul Heywood adds; 'I would recommend that away supporters, travelling from the South, should come off at Junction 26 (see From The North) as there are often queues from Junction 25 towards the stadium.
Car Parking:
There is a large car park at the stadium, specifically for the use of away supporters, which costs £4 per car or motorbike, £10 for mini buses and £20 for coaches. As you may expect though, there is sometimes quite a delay in getting out of this car park after the game, especially of there has been a larger than normal crowd in attendance. Make sure though that you avoid parking on the nearby Retail Park, as parking there is restricted to two hours and I have been informed of a number of fans who have ended up getting parking tickets (£50) because of this.
By Train
Wigan's central railway stations (Wigan North Western & Wallgate stations) are a good 20 minute walk from the ground. So either take a taxi, or break up the journey with a few pub stops on the way!
On exiting Wigan North Railway Station turn left and go down the road heading under a railway bridge. On leaving Wallgate station turn right and go down the road passing Wigan North station on your left and then proceed under the railway bridge. It is a fairly straight walk along Robin Park Road passing the Jacobs Well Pub (at Wigan Pier) on your left, which is okay for away supporters. When you reach the Seven Stars hotel, you should be able to see the stadium over on your right. Either at the Seven Stars Hotel turn right and follow the locals on a shortcut along a canal to the stadium, or take the next road on the right.
Adam Hodson adds; 'I caught the train to Wigan Wallgate, crossed the road in between the two stations and I jumped on the 621 First Manchester Bus which dropped me off outside the Red Robin Pub. I then had a short 3-4 Minute walk from the Bus stop to the stadium. Bus No 600, a more Frequent service, runs up to Robin Park Roundabout from the two stations, It's about a 5-10 Minute walk from the roundabout to the Stadium.
WIGAN v TOON - THE HISTORY:
2011/2012 Sat 22 Oct Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Wigan Ath. Premier League
2010/2011 Sun 02 Jan Wigan Ath. 0 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premier League
Sat 16 Oct Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Wigan Ath. Premier League
2008/2009 Fri 26 Dec Wigan Ath. 2 - 1 Newcastle Utd. Premier League
Sat 15 Nov Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Wigan Ath. Premier League
2007/2008 Wed 26 Dec Wigan Ath. 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premier League
Sat 01 Sep Newcastle Utd. 1 - 0 Wigan Ath. Premier League
2006/2007 Sun 25 Feb Wigan Ath. 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
Sat 19 Aug Newcastle Utd. 2 - 1 Wigan Ath. Premiership
2005/2006 Sat 15 Apr Newcastle Utd. 3 - 1 Wigan Ath. Premiership
Wed 30 Nov Wigan Ath. 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. League Cup
Sat 15 Oct Wigan Ath. 1 - 0 Newcastle Utd. Premiership
1953/1954 Wed 13 Jan Wigan Ath. 2 - 3 Newcastle Utd. F.A. Cup
Sat 09 Jan Newcastle Utd. 2 - 2 Wigan Ath. F.A. Cup