Bloomfields, Quinton Road, Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8DA
Tel: 01449 721000; Twitter: @NeedhamMKTFC
History:
The club was founded in 1919 and spent many years in the local Ipswich and Suffolk District Leagues. Then in 1995-96, they were promoted to the a Eastern Counties League. The club also moved to their new ground, Bloomfields, named after former player Derrick Bloomfield. There was progress which saw two promotions in recent years and after some league restructuring, the club's successes culminated in a third promotion last season to reach the highest level in their history- although finding themselves the most southern of the "northern" teams. In 2022–23, the Marketmen also reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 2–0 at Burton Albion.
Capacity: 4,000
Record attendance 1,748 v Cambridge Utd (FA Cup, Oct 2013)
Last season: 1st (Southern League Premier champions, promoted)
Record victory: 10–1 vs Ipswich Wanderers (2007, FA Cup)
Defeat: 0-6 Wingate & Finchley (2015)
Honours: Southern League Premier Division Central champions (2023/34), Eastern Counties League champions, 2009-10; Isthmian League Div 1 North champions 2014-15
Nickname: The Marketmen
Colours: Red
Manager: Kevin Horlock
Chairman: Keith Nunn
Click for Streetmap of ground
Admission (2024/25): Prices are £15 for adults, £10 concessions (over 60) and £5 for 12 to 16-year-olds. Tickets will be available online via the link here.
From
the North (Darlington, 242 miles, 4hrs 20 mins). For home-based Darlo fans, this is 20 miles further than Bishop's Stortford last season! Follow the A1 (M) and the A1 as far as the Newmarket bypass/A14 turnoff in Cambridgeshire.
Then take the A14 via Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds, before following the A1120 (right turn) towards Needham Market joining the B1113 Stowmarket Road. Turn right into Barrett's Lane after the Three Tuns pub and left into Quinton Road.
Parking: There is a car park at the stadium.
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club
Coach Contact:
Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 01325 250531 or 07951 434731 to book
a seat. 10am, £20. Details
of the supporters' group travel can be found here and a reminder about behaviour.
The stadium is 15 minutes walk from Needham Market railway station in the town. Walk into the High Street via Jubilee Crescent, turn right and left into The Causeway. It's then a left turn onto Quinton Road to reach the ground. It's a long journey if you're travelling by train - London trains change at Ipswich and from Darlington it involves a trip via London.
A bit of a disappointing pick of pubs but as it's a very long trip, anyone making it will be glad of something....
The Swan, 9 High Street, Needham Market IP6 8ALGreene King pub, with a decent food menu. An easy stroll (10 minutes) to the ground.
The Lion, 44 Ipswich Road,
Needham Market
IP6 8EH
Old fashioned pub dating from the 17th century at the furthest end of the town, 15 minute walk from the ground. There may be one real ale.
At the ground:
There is a club bar and Hub Cafe but no details.
There's the Official website, which doesn't have much useful information on it for visiting fans to be honest on facilities, the ground or catering/bars.