Gloucester City v Darlington

Saturday 16th December 2023, 3pm
Vanarama Conference North

 

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Gloucester City AFC: New Meadow Park Sudmeadow Road, Gloucester, GL2 5HS Twitter: @GCAFCofficial History: First formed in 1883, there were various false starts before the club became members of the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League in 1925 and later the Birmingham Combination. After World War Two, the club began a long association with the Southern League; it also reached the FA Cup 1st round on three occasions. In 1989, City won the Southern League Midland title while also taking Cardiff City to a replay in the FA Cup 2nd round. They narrowly missed out on promotion to the Conference the following season. The club was not unused to flooding but in 2007 when the River Severn burst its banks, Meadow Park was left under 8ft of water. It found itself in exile, playing at Forest Green, Circencester, Cheltenham and Evesham - and remarkably City managed to win promotion in the play-offs to the Conference North. After two seasons in Conference South, they moved back to the North in the cut and have also moved back to their old ground in Gloucester. They are now managed by former England, Blackburn and Southampton goalkeeper Tim Flowers. Record Attendance: 4,500 v Dagenham & Redbridge, FA Trophy Semi-Final, 1997 Capacity: 3,000 (300 seats) Last season: 7th Honours: Southern League Prem Div playoff winners 2008–09; Midland Div champions 1988–89; Southern League Cup winners 1955–56. FA Trophy semi-finals 1996–97. Record victory: 12–1 v Bristol Saint George (1934) Defeat: 0–14 v Brimscombe FC (1923) Nickname: The Tigers Colours: Amber and black Manager: Tim Flowers Chairman: Patrick Chambers Famous fans/players/connections: Admission prices (2023/24) TICKET DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED but last season it was Adults £13; ages 16-18 (student/concessions/OAPs) £10; children £5; under fives free, in the South Stand (standing) behind the goal. Tickets can be bought in advance or paid for at the turnstile.	From the North(M5) (From Darlington - 3 hours 58 mins - 230.8 miles) Take the A1 (M), M1 and leave on the M42 junction, joining the M5 South at junction 4a. The leave the M5 at junction 11 and take the A40 westbound towards Gloucester. At the roundabout take the 4th exit (A40) towards Ross. At the next roundabout go straight on (2nd exit) staying on the A40. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit left towards the city centre. Go right at the next junction towards Hempsted (A430). Straight ahead at the next set of lights and Sudmeadow Road is the third right turn just before the next set of traffic lights. Parking: There is no parking at the ground. Recommended is three hours free parking at Sainsbury's on St Ann Way GL2 5SA, a five minute walk away. There is also Castlemeads Car Park, GL1 2NH (pay & display, 10 minute walk) and Gloucester Quays Car Park, Baker Street GL2 5RG (four hours parking for £5 and is a 12 minute walk). Darlington FC Supporters' Club Coach Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Group, 07376 368 553. Payment for each coach trip must be either paid for in full before travel, or a 50% non-refundable deposit paid in advance. Anyone wishing to travel on the coaches must join before the day of travel. Membership £5 per season Gloucester Taxi Co Tel: 01452 341341 Gloucester Taxis 01452 500880 Associated Taxis 01452 311700 A Star Taxis 01452 555222	The nearest train station is Gloucester, which is about a 25 minute walk away. Stagecoach buses 8 and 11 stop just a minute or two walk from the stadium and both leave from the city centre. It's a bit of a twisty walk to the ground but stop for a drink at the Glooucester Quays development, and you're not far away. The official site has lots of useful information and is easy to follow. Cheltenham Echo Cheltenham council
At the ground: The 1883 Bar The stadium clubhouse, with drinks and Sky TV, at the east end of the ground at the half way line. Entry will depend on segregation and by discretion. Real ale near ground/town centre: The closest to ground is a new build Marstons pub High Orchard, 2 St Annes Way, Gloucester, GL2 5FZ This is good for food and families but not real ale enthusiast unless you like Banks's. Better drinking can be found slightly further from ground at Gloucester Quays:- Tank which is run by the Gloucester Brewery - an excellent pub with good food and ales - who also have a tap house in a nearby warehouse. Brewhouse and Kitchen / and if you want cheap beer a Wetherspoons, The Lord High Constable Of England If you are looking for stop-offs between station and ground, the following are OK: Turks Head, 76 Southgate St, Gloucester GL1 2DX A micro pub in the pedestrianised area between station and the quays. Angie's 1 Bull Lane, Gloucester, GL1 2HG. Gloucester's smallest bar tucked up an alley in the city centre. Probably the best pub in Gloucester is The Pelican, 4 St Mary's St, Gloucester GL1 2QR A Wye Valley pub nearer to rugby ground than football and a bit of a detour but worth visit if you have time. Real ale alternative: Deya Brewery Taproom, 27 Lansdown Industrial Estate Gloucester Rd, Cheltenham GL51 8PL A short walk from the back of Cheltenham railway station (10 minutes on train from Gloucester), the brewery tap bar (12 noon opening) serves a huge range of excellent Deya ales.	.