Bootle v Darlington
Saturday 13th September 2025, 3pm
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
| Bootle FC The Berry Street Garage Stadium, Vesty Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L30 1NY Tel: 0151 832 3030. @Bootle_FC Click for Streetmap History:
The original Bootle club began in 1879, sharing facilities with the local cricket club. After missing out to rivals Everton for a place in the new Football League, Bootle joined the Football Alliance and Division Two by 1892. The club also reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup in 1890. But financial problems led to them folding. There was a short-lived revival of club after World War Two before the modern Bootle FC was established in 1953. The Bucks won the Lancashire Combination in the mid-1970s and moved to their new ground, Vesty Road, by 2006 when they prospered in the North West Counties League, winning division one in 2009. The club was promoted to the Northern Premier West at the start of the 2021–22 season. In 2023-24, despite the best away record in the division, the Bucks lost in the play-offs, and the folllowing season was a disappointment.
Admission prices: Prices are the same as for normal league games - £10 adults (age 18-64) with concessions £5 (over 65 and ages 16-17) and £3 15 and uhder (with an adult). Tickets are available online in advance. There is no segregation planned so fans normally stand at the end their team is attacking. |
From the North (144 miles from Darlington, 2hrs 30 mins): A1 and M1, joining the M62 towards Merseyside, before branching off onto the M57. At the junction for Aintree Racecourse, instead of following the A59, take Dunnings Bridge Rd/A5036 and Park Lane, before a right turn into Bridle Road and left into Vesty Road. Parking: The ground is on an industrial park and the club says there are open car parks around the ground.
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club
Taxis:
Metro Radio Cabs 0151 933 6000
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Aintree station is the closest Metro/Merseyrail station to the ground, which is about 15-20 minutes walk away. From the station, turn right into Park Lane and then left into Bridle Way. Vesty Road is further along this street - turn left into it and onto the industrial estate, where the ground can be found. Aintree station is 16 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street. Don't make the mistake of using the Bootle Strand station, as it's a long way from the ground. Bootle itself is being used as a transport/parking hub for fans using the new Everton stadium and they are also at home today. There is also a bus No 58, which goes from Sir Thomas Street/Victoria Street in Liverpool and drops off in Bridle Road/Bridle Way (35 minutes) near the ground.
Train times
For more options, go
to National Rail Planner
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Near the ground: The Raven, 72–74 Walton Vale, Liverpool, Merseyside, L9 2BUThis is 1.5 miles from the ground, further down the A59, but offers all the Wetherspoons beer and food options. The Queen's Arms, 240 Warbreck Moor, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 0HZ The Vines, 81 Lime Street andthe Liverpool Brewing Co Brewery Tap 72 Lime Street, City Centre, Liverpool, L1 1JN are two choices near the station, the former an established heritage pub and the other a craft and cask ale bar. |
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The stadium has catering facilities on site which provides the usual burgers, pies, curry and chips and so on. |
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 There's a simple official website, which doesn't have a lot of information besides the very basic. |
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