Bradford v Pompey: Away-Day Guide

• Ground: Valley Parade. Opened: 1886. Capacity: 25,136. Record attendance: 39,146

On Saturday, March 3, Kenny Jackett’s Pompey will travel to Yorkshire to take on Bradford City at Valley Parade.

The ground, which is known as the Northern Commercial Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is found at the postcode BD8 7DY.

The Bantams’ stadium has a capacity of 25,136, although their record attendance stands at 39,146 following an FA Cup fourth round tie against Burnley on March 11, 1911.

On Saturday, Pompey fans will be in the covered, two tiered, TL Dallas Stand.

This stand is situated at one end of the ground.

• Getting there: Leave the M1 at junction 42 and take the M62 west towards Halifax and Bradford.

Leave the M62 at junction 26 and take the M606 for Bradford.

At the end of the motorway, keep to the right-hand lane and take the Ring Road East (signposted A6177 City Centre).

From this point the stadium is well signposted.

At the next roundabout, turn left to follow the ring road, passing McDonalds on your left and then Asda.

At the next roundabout turn left on to the A650 (signposted City Centre/Keighley).

After crossing a further two roundabouts the road becomes three lanes.

Keep in one of the two right-hand lanes (signposted Keighley/Skipton).

Continue straight along this road and eventually you will be able to see the stadium in front of you, over on the left.

At the Kia car dealership, turn immediately left into Station Road.

At the top of the road turn left along Queens Road, then the second left into Midland Road for the away entrance.

Allow plenty of time as Bradford can get very congested on match days.

There is a cash point at Tesco Express in Manningham Lane, near the ground.

• Parking: On-street parking is available by the ground.

There is usually a large stretch of parking available on Midland Road.

The club advise you lock all valuables away, though.

Please do not park in Foster Square car park as it has a limit of only one-and-a-half hours.

• By train: If you are planning to travel to Bradford by train, our best advice is to think again.

Northern Rail has announced a day of industrial action on Saturday, March 3.

There is no way of knowing how many trains will be running.

Even if you are able to travel from London Kings Cross to Leeds or Doncaster, onward trains to Bradford Forster Square Station – which is the nearest station to the ground – or Bradford Interchange Station, are expected to be disrupted.

For more information, log on to the National Rail website ojp.nationalrail.co.uk

If you do brave the trains, then to walk to the ground from Bradford Forster Square will take about 10 minutes.

Leave the station to the right of the ticket office – either up the six or so flights of stairs or via the long ramp further on.

This brings you out on Manor Row, where you should turn right.

Keep on this road past the City Gent pub to a massive crossroads.

Here, you can either go straight over and walk all the way down Manningham Lane, past The Bradford Arms Pub to Valley Parade – just before the petrol station.

Blues fans sitting in the away end will find it easier to turn right at the main crossroads, though.

Then turn left on to Midland Road after 100 yards and follow the road all the way to the turnstiles.

From Bradford Interchange Station, it is about a 20-minute walk to the ground.

The bus station is located next door and numbers 622, 623, 626 and 662 will take you to Manningham Lane, from where you will be able to see the ground.

• Eating and drinking: The Bradford Arms pub, 77 Manningham Lane, BD1 3BA, a few minutes from the ground, serves food, has Sky Sports and will welcome Pompey fans. As will The Queen pub, 36 Bridge Street, BD1 1JU.

In the retail park near Bradford Forster Square Station are McDonalds, Greggs and Subway.

About 10 minutes’ walk from the ground, the Cartwright Hotel, 308 Manningham Lane, BD8 7AX, offers accommodation and has a bar.

For real ale lovers, try The Sparrow, 32 North Parade, BD1 3HZ – with its list of cask, keg and bottled beers.

Inside the stadium there are kiosks selling the usual pies, burgers, hot dogs and sausage rolls, along with hot and cold drinks.

Alcohol is not always available to visiting supporters.