Shrewsbury v Portsmouth: what Blues fans need to know for trip to Shrews
The Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium (Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ST) has been home to the Shrews since 2007.
The ground has a capacity of 9,875 and is located on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.
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Hide AdBlues fans will be in the DM Recruitment North Stand, which includes platform seating for disabled fans accessed by lifts.
Last summer, Shrewsbury installed a safe standing area in the home Salop Leisure Stand.
How to get to there – by road
The Montgomery Waters Meadow Stadium is situated on the south side of Shrewsbury – a short distance from the A5 and A49.
From the M6 junction 10A, take the M54 towards Telford/Shrewsbury.
At the end of the M54 continue onto the A5.
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Hide AdAfter about seven miles there is a roundabout at the junction with the A49. Bear left at this roundabout, still following the A5.
At the next roundabout take the third exit onto the B4380 (Thieves Lane). Continue along Thieves Lane going over two roundabouts and this will lead you into Oteley Road.
The stadium is further down Oteley Road on the left.
Parking
The car park at the stadium is reserved for permit holders only.
Match-day parking is prohibited in the nearby retail park and in nearby streets, so to find some street parking you will need to drive further away.
Check for any parking restrictions before you park.
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Hide AdParking on the grass verges near the stadium could lead to a fine.
Parking enforcement officers do patrol the area on match days.
Wyevale Garden Centre (SY2 6RH), about 10 minutes walk from the ground, will have a few spaces on a first come first served basis at £5 per car.
Meole Brace Bowling Club (SY3 9JF) has a car park, for which there will be a charge.
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Hide AdAt the top of Oteley Road, near Meole Brace roundabout, there are a number of private car parks providing match-day parking for a charge of £5.
One is situated behind the petrol station on the corner of Roman Road.
Alternately, if you are thinking of heading into Shrewsbury to eat and drink before the game, around 15 minutes walk from the ground and signposted from the A5 is the Meole Brace Park & Ride, where you can park and then catch a bus into town and back.
Depending on traffic, the journey should take about 15 minutes.
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Hide AdPlease note this car park is for those using the Park & Ride only, and not for general match-day parking.
By train
Trains run regularly from Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury and the journey will take about an hour.
Trains run half hourly from Winchester direct to Birmingham New Street and that journey will take about two-and-a-half hours.
Alternately, trains run half-hourly from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street. From there it is a short, signed, walk to Birmingham New Street for onward travel to Shrewsbury.
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Hide AdAt the time of writing there are no scheduled engineering works on March 23.
Train times and details can be checked at nationalrail.co.uk.
It is just over two miles from Shrewsbury railway station to the ground, so best to take a taxi, or there is a football special bus service that will run three journeys from the town centre bus station to the ground.
The service will also pick up at The Shirehall Car Park.
The return service departs just after the final whistle from behind the South Stand.
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Hide AdIn addition, bus service numbers 8,16,23,25 and 544/546 all stop near the ground.
For up to date, on the day, travel information link to @PompeyfcCop on twitter.
Where to eat and drink
Within 15 minutes walking distance of the ground, formally known as the Brooklands Hotel, is the Wild Pig (Mill Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 9JT).
The Wild Pig will be welcoming Blues fans and has a small car park, for which there is a £5 per car charge.
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Hide AdThe Wild Pig has real ale, serves food and has a big screen.
Near the pub and the BP garage is the Flippin Fish and Chip Shop (123 Hereford Road, SY3 7QZ).
The retail park near the stadium has some food outlets.
In town there are plenty of places to eat and drink, including two Wetherspoons – The Shrewsbury (Bridge Place, SY1 1PU), which also offers accommodation, and the Montgomery Tower (Lower Claremont Bank, SY1 1RT).
In the ground you will find a selection of Wright’s pies, sausage rolls and hot dogs, plus hot drinks.
Alcohol is usually on sale in the ground.
There are large screens on the concourses showing Sky Sports.
- PAM WILKINS