The following additional supporter information is supplied by an FC United of Manchester fan ahead of the Bulls’ visit this coming Saturday, 23 July 2016.
Hi Guys. FCUM fan here looking forward to welcoming you to Broadhurst Park on Saturday. I enjoyed our day out at your place last year and was nice to be thanked for turning up by so many of your fans- it really was so humbling and I think like us, you are enjoying this “”fan ownership” lark.
Anyway, just to let you know that we have 2 bar areas at BP. The first one is in the Main Stand overlooking the pitch and you get to it via the main entrance or if you pay at the turnstiles, just walk around to the main seated stand and up the steps. The bar is at the top of the steps.
In addition we have a “do it yourself bar” under the large standing stand behind the goal known as the St Mary’s Road End. (SMRE). The SMRE has a bit more of a punk feel to it with music, plastic grass on the floor and furniture we have begged, borrowed or stolen. The plan is in the long term to make this area into a more formal area when we have the cash, but at the moment it is what it is. Last season though it got very favourable reports from away fans who were not segregated (I don’t think you will be) for the banter and laughs, they all seemed to have, which we were very proud of. All our bars have draught real ales, lagers, ciders etc at very reasonable prices (Bitter is about £2.60 a pint).
We also have food in the ground which is usually quality above the normal football club menu found at most grounds.
The nearest pub to BP is the Gardners Arms at the top of Lightbowne Road about 6/7 minutes walk, but it would be remiss of me if I did not also plug ‘The Miners Community club’ off St Mary’s Road behind the SMRE stand and 2 minutes walk. Again usually music and cheap food and beer is on offer. In addition if you come via Manchester city centre and use the Metro Link Tram from Piccadilly or Victoria, you need to get a tram on the Oldham-Rochdale Line (this involves a change if you arrive at Piccadilly station) and alight at Newton Heath and Moston station.
I would advise you to buy a tram ticket as Metro link employ teams of Inspectors who issue on the spot fines to the ticketless). As you come out of the station there is a pub named The Railway. We run a free bus shuttle to BP (the last one is about 2.45pm) to BP so time for a pint or two there. It’s a 15 minute walk straight to the ground but the shuttle is very efficient and drops you right at the turnstiles and takes you back to the tram station after the match.
Finally transport wise there are two football special buses from the City Centre which cost £1.50 each way from Stevenson Square off Piccadilly Gardens and again return after the match. For more information take a look at our official website about times.
If you are driving then there is plenty of free parking on Lightbowne Road which is a dual carriageway. All we ask is that you park on the section of Lightbowne Road adjacent to the ground. Please do not park on the section leading to The Gardners or and this is particularly important ANYWHERE on St Mary’s Road as we are doing our best to be good neighbours and are winning people over who objected to our ground, but since their main concern was parking problems we don’t want to give them any cause to complain to the Council. Consequently Traffic Marshalls patrol to discourage fans from parking on this Road. ST Mathews School a 2 minute walk away offer parking at £3 if you prefer a formal space.
Sorry to go on, but hope this information helps you enjoy your day and look forward to seeing you in the bars at the ground, where you will be made most welcome. Any other questions- please feel free to ask or look at our official website.
