Bishop Auckland v Darlington

Saturday 18th August 2012, 3pm
EBAC Northern League Division 1

 

Bishop Auckland FC: Heritage Park. Stadium Way, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham. DL14 9AE (Sat Nav: DL14 9TL) Tel: 01388 604605 History: The club's origins - and colours - go back to the 1880s and Oxbridge theology students studying in Durham. Founder members of the Northern League (NL) in 1889, between 1893 and 1988 the club won the NL 18 times; while they also won the old FA Amateur Cup three times in a row 1955-1957. The end of the 20th century brought some upheaval for the club as it looked to relocate to a new stadium. It finally achieved that with the new stadium redevelopment being opened in 2010. The club also announced a two year deal to groundshare with homeless Darlington in the summer of 2012. Capacity: 2,003, the main stand seats 250 and the cover behind the west goal has room for 472 Last season: 8th Honours: Northern League champions 19 times; NL Premier Division Runners Up: 1996/7 Nickname: Colours: Light and dark blue shirts Manager: Colin Myers Chairman: Terry Jackson Click for street map © Bishop Auckland FC - click on photo for slideshow   Ticket prices (2012/13): The match has sold out: Hot food and hot drinks will be available from both Billy's Burger Vans and caterers Flavour Catering from multiple points around the ground. Function room bar will be open as usual for drinks and snacks with the usual ranges of beers, wines & spirits. All supporters are welcome to use all facilities. An additional marquee bar will be available to the East of the main stand which will be serving John Smiths and Fosters only. There will be additional snacks and soft drinks available from the Club Shop which will be situated in the foyer at the west end of the main stand. The ground will be open at 1pm, and bar and catering facilities will all be open at that time. You are encouraged to get to the ground as early as possible on matchday. Bishop Auckland: Admission is £5 for adults and £3 for Over 65s or Under 16s. There are no other concessions available. Seating will be available on a first come first served basis. Wheelchair provisions will be made both in and adjacent to the main stand. For concession tickets, you may be asked for proof of age on admission to the ground. Admission on matchday is via east and west turnstiles. If tickets remain unsold, then cash sales will be through the east turnstiles only, and will be clearly marked on the day. Supporters are urged to arrive early for the game, and wherever possible to use public transport, or car-share, as only limited parking will be available on site. Turnstiles will open at 12.30pm. Darlington FC (home games): Standing £8 adults, £5 concessions and £2 for ages 6-16. Free under fives.	From the North (11.5 miles from Darlington): From junction 58 from the A1, take the A68 towards Bishop Auckland. At the West Auckland by-pass, turn right at the roundabout. Go straight across at the next roundabout and the stadium is located 500 yards on your left. Parking - there are nearby industrial estates, but be careful about restrictions at nearby supermarkets and retail park. The club carpark is small.   Darlington FC Supporters' Club Coach £tbc Contact: Darlington FC Supporters Club, 01325 243911 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. Atlas Taxis 01388 450717 Aabat Taxis 01388 607607 Luke's taxis 01388 664801 R&S Taxis 01388 458228 Video highlights of the 3-1 win at Bishop Auckland from www.northernleaguefootball.co.uk	It's a 1.6 mile walk to Heritage Park from the railway station, so a bit of a trek. There aren't frequent services to Darlington unfortunately. Trains take about 25 minutes with cheap day returns £4.10. Suggested times: 12:54 (arr 13.20), rtn: 18.02 (arr 18.28) For more details, go to National Rail Planner There are service buses - either the OK1 or X1, which runs every half hour out of Darlington and stops at the retail park (takes 35-40 minutes). Or the 5, 5a or 5b from Darlington via Newton Aycliffe and Shildon (300 yards walk) Places to stay: Premier Inn, West Auckland Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL14 9TW, 0871 527 8096. Close to the stadium. The official Bishop Auckland website is a thorough and informative guide to the club. Northern Echo
For real ale, if not Darlington beforehand, there is: The Grand Hotel, Holdforth Crest, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6DU This promises a selection of real ales, up to six, as well as cider. Handy for the station but around a two mile hike to the ground. But the good news is the landlord, Dave, otherwise known as Shrewsbury Exile to DAFTS is an old friend. He says: "At present we offer six real ales (or five plus a real cider, which is more common) and will welcome Darlington fans with open arms! For those with longer memories, you may remember me as 'Shrewsbury Exile' from my days following Darlo (before running a pub took over my weekends!) Better news is probably the fact that we will be prepared do £2 a pint on ales, standard lager, ales and cider for our fans. If there is enough regular interest, I am prepared to investigate the possibilities of trying to negotiate favorable taxi/minibus rates for our fans on matchdays!" DAFTS recommended. Stanley Jefferson, 5 Market Place, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NJ Named after Bishop's famous son, Stan Laurel, this is a Wetherspoon's alternative. Further out up into town, so around three miles from the stadium. Locomotion Number One at Heighington railway station. Nearest the ground: The March Hare, St Helen, Bishop Auckland DL14 9AE A new Marston's pub, which does food, very close to the stadium. Tindale Crossing Brewers' Fayre, West Auckland Road, Bishop Auckland DL14 9AP Usual pub-restaurant chain, easy walking distance of the stadium. The Station, 66 Station Road, St Helen Auckland, Bishop Auckland, DL14 9EX The Bay Horse, Woodhouses, St Helen Auckland, Bishop Auckland, DL14 0LL At the ground: The Heritage Bar, Bishop Auckland FC The bar is open to all supporters.	There is plenty of fast food in the vicinity with both a MacDonalds and a Starbucks five minutes walk away and a KFC within three minutes walk. © Bishop Auckland FC - click on photo for slideshow