Away Travel: Kettering 13th April
KETTERING TOWN FC
Monday 13th April 2009, Kick-Off 3pm
The A-Line Arena, Rockingham Road, Kettering, Northants, NN16 9AW. Tel: 01536 483028
Directions by Car: Leave the A14 at Junction 7 and take the A43 towards Corby/Kettering. At the first roundabout turn right onto the A6003 towards Kettering and the A-Line Arena is further down this road on the left.
Parking: Street parking is the order of the day.
Train: Kettering station is a mile from the ground. Wander up the hill from the station entrance and take the first left into Northfield Avenue. Follow this road for a little while until the Main Stand appears ahead. Allow 10-15 minutes for the walk. Kettering is served by trains from St. Pancras, which elongates the journey from Cambridge rather. There should be a reasonable service on Easter Monday.
The Away Travel Club will be running two coaches priced at £7 for Away Travel Club members, £9.50 for non-members, £8.50 for Amber Army members and £5 for Under 16s. The coaches are due to depart Ely at 11.45 and the Trade Recruitment Stadium at 12.30. Contact the club on 01223 566500 to reserve your place. Amber Army members should have their membership card and proof of age handy when booking.
Admission: This match is all ticket for away supporters. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the CUFC ticket office. See this article for details.
Programme: £2.50
The Ground: The ground formerly known as Rockingham Road is a rather dilapidated affair. The Main Stand is the centrepiece, which rises above and comfortably outshines the remainder. Opposite is the low, covered Britannia Road Terrace, while behind both goals lie open terraces, with away supporters to be packed into the Rockingham Road End (and additionally a small portion of the Main Stand adjacent.)
With large numbers of travelling supporters expected, and the terrace rather shallow, the view may be compromised, particularly of action at the opposite end of the pitch.
Pre-Match Refreshment: There is a supporters club at the ground, but United fans may not be admitted before the match. Elsewhere, the Beeswing is a five-minute walk away - drivers should pass it on the A6003 on the way from the A14. For further watering holes and eateries, continue along the A6003 into Kettering town centre.
Local Attractions: There is a bowling alley next to the ground. Now I haven't been bowling for some years, possibly since I was 13. though when walking home from Cambridge town centre in 2006, I used the toilets in the bowling place next to the Hills Road bridge. Before arriving back at home I polished off a bag of Chipsticks. Anyway, in film and television, a trip to the bowling alley is usually portrayed as a smashing social occasion, so why not take the family, or a few friends, or a love interest for a bit of Easter Monday fun on the lanes.
On the subject of fun, Wicksteed Park, the UK's oldest amusement park is also in the town. Opened in 1921, the park boasts roller coasters, wet roller coasters and probably those tea cup things. Perhaps best avoiding if you're planning on some alcoholic refreshment beforehand or if you don't like sugar-filled children in Manchester United shirts.
Kettering is a market town, but also home to a number of well-known companies, including Weetabix. So let's hope the like of Rendell and Holroyd will be cereal offenders in the Town penalty area on Monday.
Henry Milward
