Away Travel: Ebbsfleet United
EBBSFLEET UNITED
Tuesday 2nd September 2008, Kick-Off: 7.45pm
Ebbsfleet United FC, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Gravesend, Kent, DA11 9GN. Tel: 01474 533796
Directions by Car: Head onto the M25 and follow signs for the Dartford crossing. After coming off the Dartford Bridge, keep in the left-hand lanes and after the toll, still in the left-hand lanes, turn left onto the A226 towards Northfleet. Continue along this road until you reach the ground, on the main road, to your left.
There is an area known as Ebbsfleet Valley, but don't be confused, look for Northfleet, if you're using satellite navigation. Though the club has expressed a desire to develop a new stadium the Valley.
Parking: In the past, there has been parking available behind the away terrace, otherwise, opt for street parking off the main road.
Train: The ground is around 300 metres from the station. On exiting the station, head up the slight incline to the main road. Once here, turn left and wander down the hill, where you should see Ebbsfleet's Stonebridge Road home on your right.
Should you opt for train travel, do be prepared for a late return to Cambridge, with the journey taking in the final departure from Kings Cross, which arrives in Cambridge at 1.39am. Additionally, it is worth checking that the London Underground is in full working order, before setting off. The tube journey itself does also involve a change, with the best option probably the Northern Line from Waterloo to Leicester Square, then the Piccadilly to Kings Cross.
The Away Travel Club will be running a coach to the game, priced at £10 for members, £13 for non-members and £7 for Junior U's and Under 16's. It is due to leave Ely at 4.00pm and the Trade Recruitment Stadium at 4.45pm.
Admission: Adults £13, £7 for Students, seniors, Under 16's. Transfer to seating is also available, for an additional £2.
Programme: £2.50
Pre-Match Refreshment: Handily perched on the corner, an actual stones throw from Stonebridge Road, is the Cooper Arms pub, complete with beer garden. That's your best bet before the game, while there are a couple of fast food outlets up a short walk up the hill. Alternatively, you may wish pop into the petrol station across the road for a Twix or similar.
The Ground: Looking slightly dishevelled, Stonebridge Road has been around for a while. United fans will be afforded the expansive open terrace behind a goal, offering a view not too shabby, particularly at higher vantage points. A wood-based grandstand can be seen to the left, with a shallow area of terracing, some of which is covered, opposite.
Local Attractions: There are few, especially as the kick-off is an evening one. Bluewater shopping centre isn't a million miles away, or perhaps pop over to the big smoke if you've the day off. Kent is often referred to as 'The Garden of England', so you could have a wander about in shorts, prodding plants and idly kicking a flat football around, if you like. Incidentally, on my visits to Kent, much of the region appears to have been covered in concrete, as though the county were a giant Victoria sponge smothered in cheap, tasteless marzipan. Having, in the not too distant past, travelled to the grounds of Forest Green, Salisbury, Exeter and Eastbourne I can confidently exclaim that the scenery on route to all these places is far superior to anything I've seen in Kent.
Northfleet, in the district of Gravesham, has a population (2005 estimate) of 13,300, which will surely be doubled when the amber army chug into town - we took twice that to Aldershot apparently.
Henry Milward
