Rochdale v Portsmouth: away-day guide

The Crown Oil Arena is located on Sandy Lane (OL11 5DR) and has a capacity of 10,000.

Blues fans will be located in the all-seated Willbutts Lane Stand.

Last season Pompey drew 3-3 with Dale, with a late Matt Done own goal rescuing a point for Kenny Jackett's side.

Getting there

The Crown Oil Arena is just over two miles from junction 20 of the M62.

Exit the motorway at junction 20 and follow the signs north for Rochdale, along the A627(M) '“ the opposite way to

Oldham.

At the end of the A627(M), at the first set of traffic lights, you should be in the left-hand lane.

Turn left, signposted Bury and Rochdale town centre.

Follow this road, with Tesco on your left, until the next set of traffic lights.

Here you need to be in the second of four lanes, to head straight across (signposted Blackburn) into Roch Valley Way.

At the next set of traffic lights, remaining in the left-hand lane, go straight ahead into Sandy Lane '“  the Cemetery pub should be on your right-hand side.

Continue along this road and after about half a mile the stadium will be on your right-hand side.

Car parking

Car parking at the ground is now for permit holders only, so it is a case of finding some street parking.

Take care because most of the streets in the immediate vicinity of the ground have residents-only restrictions in the yellow coned areas and these are patrolled by traffic wardens.

To avoid a parking ticket, best check first for any restriction signs before parking.

There is street parking along the main A680 (Edenfield Road) which can be found at the end of Willbutts Lane '“  only a 5-10 minute walk away from the stadium.

Parking is also available at Oulder Hill Community School, Greave Avenue (OL11 5EF).

It's located about half a mile from the ground.

From the station

Trains run to Rochdale from either Leeds '“ a journey of about an hour '“  or Manchester Victoria (20-minute journey).

However, on the day of the game there is scheduled industrial action which could affect both these routes.

See northernrailway.co.uk for more information.

Trains run regularly from London Kings Cross to Leeds '“ a journey of about two-and-a-half hours '“  or from London Euston to Manchester Piccadillu (a journey of about two hours).

Rochdale Station is about two miles from the Crown Oil Arena.

There is a taxi rank at the station, so probably best to jump into a taxi, rather than walking.

Alternatively, you can shorten the walking journey a bit by catching a Metrolink tram from outside the station into Rochdale town centre.

If you have time on your hands, however, and decide to walk to the ground from the station, then on leaving the main entrance proceed straight on at the roundabout in front into Maclure Road.

Follow this street (passing a fire station on your right) to the end and turn left at the T-junction onto Drake Street (A640).

Follow this right to the end until you reach Manchester Road (A58), which is a dual carriageway.

Turn right and walk along the right-hand side of the road.

At the major junction, which has traffic lights, turn left (crossing Manchester Road) into Dane Street (A6060).

Just after passing Asda on the right, bear right onto Mellor Street (still the A6060 - here Dane Street bears left).

Follow this road right to the end and bear left onto Spotland Road which soon becomes Edenfield Road (A680), bearing round to the left.

Take the second left onto Willbutts Lane for the ground.

By Metrolink

You can also travel by the Metrolink tram from central Manchester to Rochdale Interchange '“  a journey time of just under an hour.

Tram frequency is about every 10 minutes.

Take lines 7, 3 or 2 from Manchester Piccadilly to St Peter's Square, then change to Line 5 for Rochdale Interchange.

There is a town centre taxi rank about 100 yards away from the Interchange, or if you decide to walk to the ground from the Interchange (about 20 minutes) then as you come out of the Interchange turn right along Smith Street towards the town centre and then cross straight across the first roundabout onto the South Parade.

Continue straight across the next roundabout onto the Esplanade, with the Greater Manchester Police station on your right.

Then cross over the major junction with the Manchester Road (A58) and continue straight onto Dane Street.

After passing an Asda store on your right, bear right onto Mellor Street (still the A6060 '“ here Dane Street bears left).

Follow this road right to the end and bear left onto Spotland Road, which soon becomes Edenfield Road (A680), bearing round to the left.

Take the second left onto Willbutts Lane for the ground.

Eating and drinking

At the ground the Ratcliffe Bar will be open to Pompey supporters.

It is located at the car park end entrance to the ground, on Sandy Lane.

It will be open from midday, serving pies and showing Sky Sports.

There is a fish and chip shop facing the away end.

Not far from the ground is the Cemetery Hotel. It is at the bottom of Sandy Lane at 470 Bury Road (OL11 5EU).

It is an historic pub serving food and a selection of real ales.

Nearby at 520 Bury Road (OL11 4DQ) you will find the refurbished Bamford Arms, with Sky Sports, serving food and real ale.

In the town centre there is a choice of pubs and eating places, including a Wetherspoons, The Regal Moon, located at The Butts (OL16 1EY), The Flying Horse (37 Packer Street, OL16 1NJ), serving food, real ale and cider, and Yates bar (Fleece Street, OL16 1ND), which has BT Sports and serves pub grub.

Drums, Banners and Flags

According to the Rochdale FC website, drums are usually allowed into the ground, although this can be reviewed on match days.

Banners and flags with a fire certificate are allowed in the away end.

No flag poles are allowed in the ground.

For further details email Rochdale SLO Gina Buckley ([email protected])