Leeds United

by **NIGHTMARE** Sat 26 Jun - 5:32:24

How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Elland Road is well signposted around the Leeds area and is situated right by the M621.

From The North:
Follow the A58 or A61 into Leeds city centre, then follow signs for the M621. Join the M621 and after one and a half miles leave the motorway at the junction with the A643. Follow the A643 into Elland Road for the ground. Go down Elland Road past the ground on your right and the Old Peacock pub on your left, you will come to a couple of entrances to a couple of very large car parks (£5).

From The South:
Follow the Motorway M1 and then onto the M621. You will pass the ground on your left and then you need to take the next exit from the motorway and turn left onto the A6110 ring road. Take the next left onto Elland Road for the ground. Just as you go under a railway bridge there are entrances on either side to a couple of very large car parks (£5).

By Train
Leeds train station is around a 35 minute walk from the station. Probably best to either take a taxi or one of the shuttle buses, that run from just outside the station to the ground. Tom Whatling adds; 'The shuttle buses cost £2.50 return. As you come out of the station main entrance, cross the road and take the stairs down to the street below. Turn right and cross the road and you will see the double-decker buses lined up. The first bus in the queue also sells the tickets for all the other buses. The buses drop off and pick up at the corner of the North and East stands. It's best to get a return ticket as then you don't have to queue up after the match to get a ticket back to the station, you just walk straight onto the bus'.

Where To Eat & Drink?
There is the Drysalters pub which is about a ten minute walk away from the ground. a good mix of home and away supporters, real ale and large screen SKY TV. To find this pub; with the Old Peacock pub behind you, turn left and follow the road down to the very end. Pass the entrances to a number of car parks and go under a railway bridge. At the end of the road, turn left along the dual carriageway and the pub is a short way down 'tucked in' on the left. Otherwise alcohol is served within the ground.

Just a few doors down from the Old Peacock pub (which is behind the South Stand and is not recommended for away supporters) is the United Fisheries chippy, which does brisk business on matchdays. There is also a McDonalds outlet situated across the road from the East Stand.

What's The Ground Like?
The ground is dominated by the East Stand on one side of the stadium. This huge stand which holds 17,000 supporters was opened in the 1992-93 season, and is at least twice the size of the other three stands at Elland Road. The East Stand is a two tier stand which has a large lower tier of seating with a smaller tier above. In-between the two tiers is a row of executive boxes. The stand is completed by a large imposing roof. The good thing about the rest of the stadium is that it is totally enclosed, with the corners of the ground being filled with seating. The downside is that compared to the East Stand the other stands are looking rather tired and old in comparison. All the remaining stands have a number of supporting pillars and at the back of the West Stand (which was renamed in March 2004, the 'John Charles Stand' in honour of their former great player), there are a number of old wooden seats, which look as if they have been there since the stand was first opened in 1957. This stand also houses the team dugouts and television gantry. There is an electric scoreboard in one corner of the ground between the South & John Charles Stands.

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Apart from the visit of Manchester United and the odd cup tie or local derby, Leeds is a fairly enjoyable place to watch your football. However, if you are attending one of the former games, then exercise caution around the ground and the adjacent car parks. Away fans are located in the South East corner of the South Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 1.800 fans can be accommodated. This allocation can be raised to 5,000 if necessary by giving away fans the whole of the South Stand. Facilities within are fairly basic, the leg room sparse, plus I saw a number of fans being ejected (without warning) for swearing. So be on your best behaviour.