How to avoid yet another failed Scottish invasion

[BladesJambo]

...because the few times us Scots have come south, it's ended in disaster (sacked York 1211, turned back at Derby 1745, Euro '96...ahem). So to avoid this, I thought I would check here first.

As I've been posting (over and over, sorry about that!) I'm a Hearts fan from north of the border and I've decided to support Sheffield United (in the spirit of everyone being allowed to have "another" team!). Anyway, I have a friend who moved down to York last year who thinks this is a great idea and thinks the pair of a should take a trip to catch a game next season. Would be good to show him what football is all about considering he's a St Mirren fan

We made a trip to watch Leeds play Peterborough this season and two things shocked me, £26 for a League 1 match! and also, Elland Road is a dump.

So, to avoid the calamity of almost getting lost, I thought I should at least check a few things out first. I'm guessing a round trip from York to Sheffield on match day isn't going to be too difficult (traffic and such like). What's it like getting tickets on match day (should I book in advance?) and most importantly of all........where should I go to get a decent pint!!! You know, the sort of place that doesn't look too unkindly on "strangers"

Anyway, all that said, I hope at some point over the 09/10 campaign I can catch a game.

BladesJambo

 

[S64 Blade]

You should be ok from York to Sheffield traffic-wise. It can get a bit busy on the Parkway going into the city on a match day, but nothing serious. About booking for tickets in advance, then that would depend on what game you were planning on going to. If it's say Man Utd at home (wishful thinking?), you'd need to order them before. Regarding a pint, you'd be ok wherever you went i think. You're going to support United so that's all people will be interested in.

 

[TonyAgana]

Yeah, buy a little blades pin badge from one of the street vendors if you want to be sure!

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Tickets, as said, totally depends who we are playing but I'd buy in advance anyway. Besides, why should you be denied the delights of the Blades ticket office?

As for a pint I'd recommend here, but watch out for the butt-ugly crew stood outside, gurning and wearing the gayest glasses in Christendom!

http://www.sheff-utd.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=5256

 

[happyhippy]

Definitely book in advance. If you do it early enough, they'll post the tickets out anyway. The queues at the Box Office can get very long, and apart from that, why waste drinking time

Speaking of which, see ya in the Lion

 

[Linz]

Right... saw this yesterday and didn't have time to respond.

York to Sheffield *shouldn't* take too long depending on which way you go, but parking is increasingly becoming a problem around the Lane. The train station is within walking distance of the ground though and train tickets from York to Sheffield can cost as little as £3 (http://www.thetrainline.com) If you're a proper Scot, you'll appreciate the opportunity for a drink

With regards to drink, there are a few pubs around the ground. If you do decide to get on the train, The Royal Standard is on your way from the station to the ground. Avoid the pub directly opposite the station, The Howard, as this is where Police gather the away fans together. Other than that, you're talking The Crown, The Albion, The Cremorne and others on London Road. The Sportsman. The Golden Lion (our local) on Alderson Road or The Sheaf on Bramall Lane. The Railway only admits people with membership cards on matchdays. Expect all the pubs to be busy.

As for tickets, the best view in the ground is on the Upper Tier of the Bramall Lane end. They refer to it as the Halliwells stand at the moment but anyone may have taken it over by the time you visit. I'd definitely sort tickets out in advance. If you phone in enough time, the tickets will be posted to you. Otherwise, you'll be able to pay for them over the phone and pick them up from the ticket office on the day.

More information about everything is available in our Bramall Lane guide HERE.

Hope that helps