Alfreton Town v Darlington
Saturday 26th August 2023, 3pm
Vanarama National League North
| Alfreton
Town FC: The Impact Arena, North Street, Alfreton, Derbyshire, DE55 7FZ Tel: 01773 830277 or 01773 836164 Twitter: alfretontownfc History:
The club was
founded in 1959 following the merger of Alfreton Miners Welfare and Alfreton
Utd clubs. Town had some success in the Midland Leagues, before joining
the Northern League in 1987, eventually winning promotion to the NL premier
in 1996, before suffering relegations in the late 1990s. Under Chris Wilder's
management in 2002, the Northern Counties club won four trophies, then
his successor Dave Lloyd won another promotion to the UniBond League Premier,
including a run of 17 straight wins. A good showing saw them earn a place
in the new Conference North. In 2004, Town also took Macclesfield to a
replay after reaching the FA Cup first round for the first time.
Gary Mills and finally Nicky Law have reshaped Alfreton, who after knocking
on the door of promotion, finally reached the Blue Square Premier as Conference
North champions in April 2011. Town were relegated back to the Conference North in 2014 after three seasons. Town finished a very creditable fifth last season. Click here for streetmaps of the Alfreton ground
Admission in 2023/24: £15 for adults (aged 21 and above); £10 OAPS, £10 (ages 16-21 and students); £3 for children aged 12-15 and free if accompanied by an adult. Admission is by cash at the turnstile (card/contactless coming soon. How quaint!). The terrace was uncovered but we were allowed into the covered shed in the centre behind the goal during a downpour. Away
fans enter via the turnstiles at the Alma Street end of the ground - and segregation will be in operation. There
is a limited number of seats, covered terracing, toilets and catering
- pie and chips were reasonable, with a good choice of hot drinks too. |
From the North (Darlington, 115 miles): From M1, leave at junction 28 onto the A38 towards Derby. Follow for two miles then take the slip road onto the B600. Turn right at main road towards the town centre. After half a mile, turn left into North Street as you pass a catholic church. The ground is 150yds down on the right. Parking: Pay and display parking is available on Rogers Lane DE55 7FF and also at Severn Square, DE55 7BT, both are a five to 10 minute walk from the arena. The club asks fans to be considerate of residents on the estate next to the arena, particularly to avoid Connaught Court, Bentley Close and North Street. There is street parking, although it's suggested not parking too close to the stadium unless you want to get caught up in traffic afterwards. There is parking at the North St entrance behind the Bentley St end of the ground. Darlington
FC Supporters' Club Don’s Taxis 01773 833665 |
It's a 15-20 minute walk from Alfreton Station. Turn right on Mansfield Road and walk uphill towards the town centre. Take the second turn left onto Prospect Street (the post office is on the left, a chip shop on your right). Continue for along Prospect Street until you reach the top, then cross Nottingham Road at a pedestrian crossing. Ahead is a catholic church and North Street - where the stadium is - is along the right of the church. You'll find the Impact Arena, 150 yards down this road. For the away terrace, walk down Alma Street until you reach the entrance.
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There are two bars at the ground, with the one on the right as you come in recommended for away fans - entry is free and it's open from 1.30pm.
The King
Alfred, 58 High Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BE The
Waggon and Horses, 9 King Street, DE55 7AF is further
away from the ground. It's CAMRA recommended Wetherspoon's pub and does
a discount on food for CAMRA members.
The Supporters Association has a list of local pubs for those who want to drink away from the ground.
The nearest pub to the stadium is The Victoria, Nottingham Road,
DE55 7GL This is two minutes walk away and there should be two
real ales on too. Away fans are welcome and there are rolls but no hot
food. Another is The Bluebell, 30 High Street, while there
is a pub called The Station on Mansfield Road, which is a quarter
of a mile up the hill from the station
Real ale alternatives in the area are: The Hay, 135 Main Road, Shirland
which has a good choice of beer and cider (two miles north of Alfreton).
Or off the M1 along the B6019 try The
Clock DE55 2AA, which is in the Good Beer Guide, and Devonshire Arms
both at South Normanton approx 1.5m east of Alfreton.
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The official
site has most of the basic information but is a little short on detail.
This Is Derbyshire and Alfreton Chad
©Photos: Ted Blair
Alfreton is a former coal mining town in the Amber Valley, not too far from the border with Nottinghamshire. If staying in the area, there is a Premier Inn (Mansfield) which is east of Alfreton, just the other side of the M1 from South Normanton, or a Travelodge near the A38/A61 junction.
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There are a few fish and chip shops, a Subway and kebab shop in the town and a Macdonalds on the B600. |
