Grimsby v Pompey: Away-Day Guide

BLUNDELL PARK

Opened: September 2, 1899

Capacity: 9,052

Record attendance: 31,651 against Wolves (FA Cup, February 20, 1937)

Next Saturday, Pompey supporters will be making the long trip north to Grimsby Town’s Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, DN35 7PY.

The Mariners ground has a capacity of just over 9,000 and Blues fans will be in the covered Osmond Stand at one end of the ground.

Wrap up warm, there can be a bitter cold wind off the North sea.

The last time Pompey travelled to Blundell Park was in their 2002-03 Championship-winning season, when Marc Burchill scored the only goal of the game for the Blues late on.

They also won the reverse fixture 3-0 at Fratton Park.

The first thing to remember is that the ground is not actually in Grimsby but the neighbouring town of Cleethorpes.

The ground is on the A180 which runs between Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

At the end of the M180 continue along the A180 towards Grimsby.

After around 14 miles you will near Grimsby town centre.

Continue along the A180 following signs for Cleethorpes.

On reaching a McDonalds sign on your left and the Blundell Park Hotel on your right, turn left into Imperial Avenue for the club entrance.

There is no car park at the ground, so you will have to find street parking.

As you drive along the A180 towards the ground, continue past McDonalds towards Cleethorpes and try any of the side streets and you should be able to find a parking spot.

The nearest station to the ground is Cleethorpes, which is around a 20-minute walk away.

The journey from Portsmouth will take around six-and-a-half to seven hours.

The trip cane be made either via London Kings Cross and Doncaster or via Winchester and Sheffield.

The last train to get you back to Pompey on Saturday leaves Cleethorpes at 6.26pm and returns via Doncaster and London Kings Cross.

On leaving the station turn right and head down the High Street, following the signs.

You will eventually come down to Blundell Park on your right.

Alternatively you can walk along the sea front.

Cleethorpes station is near the sea front, so on leaving the station, it is best to turn so you are facing the sea then proceed left along the front.

Just keep straight on until you see the ground on your left.

Just before the ground there is a footbridge over the railway.

Go over the bridge, turn right and you will find the away fans’ entrance further down on the left in between some houses.

You will pass by a number of chip shops and pubs along the way towards the ground.

Grimsby and Cleethorpes are renowned for fish and chips.

The County Fish & Chip shop is on Grimsby Road not far from the ground, or Steel’s Fish and Chip restaurant can be found in the Market Place in Cleethorpes.

There is an away supporters bar, Scotties Bar, in the away end, run by the Mariners Trust, which can only be accessed from inside the ground.

Opposite the ground in Grimsby Road, is the Blundell Park Hotel, which serves food and welcomes away supporters, but does get very full.

If you venture into town, or are travelling by train, then in Station Approach, DN35 8AX, you will find the Number 2 Refreshment Room which is listed in the Good Beer Guide. It serves real ale but not food.