BOSTON UNITED

Saturday 25th October 2008, Kick-Off: 3pm

Boston United FC, Staffsmart Stadium, York Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 6JN. Tel: 01205 364406

Directions by Car: Take the A10, then A1101, before opting for the A17 (signposted Sleaford). Continue along this road, heading for Sleaford, until reaching the Sutterton Roundabout, where you should take the fourth exit onto the A16, signposted Boston.On entering Boston, proceed over the railway crossing and bear right at the next set of traffic lights (towards Boston College). Head over the small Haven Bridge and along the dual carriageway (John Adams Way), when you ought to be able to see the floodlights of the Staffsmart to the right. Turn right at the next set of lights into Main Ridge, and the next right into York Street, where the ground may be found.

Parking: There is some at the ground itself, which is usually free of charge, and there is additional availability in the surrounding streets.

Train: From Cambridge, you'll likely be directed via Ely and Grantham.  The station is a ten to fifteen minute walk from the ground, despite the lengthy directions... Head down Station Street towards the Stump (a large church tower), and at the police station, cross the car park and go around the right of the police station building. Now, take the footpath over the river before turning right up an alleyway - Church Lane - towards the market place. Keep going straight on, past the Britannia Inn, and across a pelican crossing. Veer right down South Street and cross the road, then take a small road to the left - Spain Lane. Carry on along this road until you reach the dual carriageway. Cross over, and the ground is ahead, down Spayne Road.

The Away Travel Club will be running two coaches to the game, priced at £11 for members, £14 for members and £8 for Junior U's and Under 16's. The coaches are due to leave Barton Road coach park in Ely at 11.15am and The Trade Recruitment Stadium at 12.00pm. Call the club on 01223 566500 to book your seat.

Admission: Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 16's £3.  The game will be segregated and Cambridge United supporters are asked to use Turnstiles 7,8,9 & 10 to gain entry into the ground.

Programme: £2.50

The Ground: U's fans will be housed in the Jakeman's Stand (Town End); a plentiful, covered terrace (accessible via Spayne Road), as many will remember from our last visits in early 2004/5. Having fallen so rapidly from Football League to their current station in the Unibond Premier, Boston's ground meets league regulations, and as such, is a thoroughly decent construction. Opposite the away terrace is a mish-mash of a stand, made up of a mélange of seats and terraced areas, with the players' tunnel in one corner. While to the left lays the all-seated Staffsmart Stand, and opposite this the terraced Spayne Road terrace.

Pre-Match Refreshment: There are a fair number of presentable 'drinkers' in the vicinity and in the centre of this market town. The Eagle and The Coach and Horses are near to the ground, while in the centre (a five-minute walk away), have a wander for yourself  - The Britannia attracts favourable reviews. There is also a fair-sized supporters bar next to the main entrance on York Street, which ought to admit away supporters.

Meanwhile, the fish & chip shop over the road from York Street is a popular pre-match stop-off. I went there last time but couldn't decide what to have, so just had some chips. Unfortunately I was too shy to edge past someone to get some tomato sauce, so the chip shop visit wasn't the highlight of the day. But don't let that stop you popping in.

Local Attractions: The Stump, which train travellers should pass on their way from the station, is a quasi-famous attraction, and, apparently, is massive. Also known as St. Botolph's Church, it is one of the largest parish churches in England, and from the top on a clear day, one can see trees, people and sky. You can't miss it. Elsewhere, you might recognise the traditional market, because Cambridge actually has a market square too.

There are also some nice teashops... so why not grab a few pals and have a Boston tea party (sorry).

Boston is twinned with it's American namesake, and Laval in northwest France.

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