Rushall Olympic FC v Darlington
Saturday 23rd March 2024, 3pm
Vanarama National League North
Rushall Olympic FC: Dales Lane, Rushall. Walsall. West Midlands WS4 1LJ @ROFCOfficial
Ticket prices (2023/24): Prices should be Adult £14 (£13.50 advance), concessions (over 60, 16-17 year-olds, students. emergency. NHS and armed forces)- £10 (£9.50); under 16 £6 (£5.50); under 12 - £2 (£1.50).
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From the North (160miles from Darlington, approx 3hrs): After leaving the M1 at junction 28 take the A38 towards Derby, via Kirkby in Ashfield. Continue as the road becomes the A5148. As you near the M6 toll, take the A5 and then follow onto the A461 Walsall Road, passing The Boat Inn. There is a left turn onto the B4154 Daw End Lane at the McDonalds, which takes you to Rushall and the ground on your right on the lane (opposite the Royal Oak Indian restaurant).. There’s a large private car park at the ground, costing £2.
Darlington
FC Supporters' Club AAA Cars 01922 451111
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The nearest railway station is Walsall, which is situated 3.5 miles away. The 997 bus between Walsall and Birmingham passes close to the stadium and can be caught at Walsall bus station. It takes an hour from Birmingham on this bus so it might be quicker to catch a train to Walsall and then the bus (five minutes walk away from the station, the Birmingham-bound bus then takes seven minutes from Walsall - get off at the Royal Oak Indian restaurant stop - and the service runs every half hour) <
The official
Rushall Olympic website has information about the club and stadium.
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At the ground: There is the Coll's Bar clubhouse (right as you enter the turnstiles) which is open to away supporters and is a very modern facility, with a bar. Pubs in the village:
The Manor Arms Park Road, off Daw End Lane, Rushall, WS4 1LG The Boathouse Park Rd, Rushall, Walsall WS4 1LG Walsall: 
The Black Country Arms, High Street, Walsall Well worth the trip, this Grade II listed town centre real ale pub promises 20 beers and ciders. It's part of the Black Country Ales chain, which also has pubs in Birmingham. It is on two floors and the choice of ales was excellent on our visit, while there are also cobs and snacks. The pub features its own beers, as well as other changing ales. Open from 12pm. DAFTS recommended. Victoria, 23 Lower Rushall Street, Walsall WS1 2AA Good choice of real ale in small rooms. Not far from Walsall railway station but needs a taxi or train to the stadium. White Lion, 150 Sandwell Street, Walsall, WS3 3EQ. Back street, sloping boozer on the road towards the ground. Real ales include a local mild. The Fountain Inn, 49 Lower Forster Street, Walsall WS1 1XB is another local CAMRA award winner in the past. It's a really excellent community local, with the Backyard Ales brewery and other changing beers featured. Very reasonably priced beers too. This is a backstreet pub up the hill - but still only five to 10 minutes walk from the station. DAFTS recommended. The Lyndon House Hotel Upper Rushall Street, Walsall, WS1 2HADecent real ale choice is CAMRA-recommended, it also does food and accommodation. There are about 15 rooms - it was a comfortable and very reasonably priced stay, with excellent breakfasts. DAFTS recommended. Those staying around Birmingham, there are some good suggestions on the Birmingham CAMRA site. Can we strongly recommend, The Wellington on Bennett's Hill, off New Street for sheer choice, while a short walk away is The Colmore, Colmore Row - a Thornbridge pub.. |
The Pics Pantry serves hot food plus snacks and refreshments. |
History:
The club's origins date to the 1890s and players included miners from the old Aldridge pit. But they disbanded just before World War Two, with the present club formed in 1951, playing in local Walsall, Staffordshire and Midlands leagues. One of the founder members Graham Wiggin went on to score a club record 445 goals in 546 games. In the mid 70s for a short period they moved from the village to the Aston University sports ground before securing land at Dale End, Rushall. In latter seasons in the pyramid, they clinched promotion via the play-offs from the Northern Premier First Division South in 2011, after winning the Midlands Alliance title six years before and gaining a long awaited place in the Southern League before reorganisation saw them moved "north". They sealed promotion in May to their highest level yet after beating Nuneaton in a play-off final penalty shoot-out.
