Rochdale

by **NIGHTMARE** Sat 3 Apr - 1:27:09

How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
Exit the M62 at Junction 20 and take the A627(M) towards Rochdale. At the end of the A627(M) you should be in the left hand lane to turn left at the traffic lights. Go straight on over the roundabout (approach in the middle lane) into Roch Valley Way. At the next crossroads (where the Cemetery pub is on the corner) go straight onto Sandy Lane, where the ground can be found on the right after approx 3/4 mile.

By Train
Rochdale is served by trains from Manchester & Leeds, and is around two miles away from the ground So I would recommend taking a taxi, but if you do decide to walk it will take you around 30-35 minutes to do so.
Immediately as you leave the station there is a roundabout in front of you. Cross it, keeping to the left and take the second left into Lower Tweedale Street. Follow this street until its end where it meets Manchester Road. Turn right along Manchester Road (which is a dual carriageway). Pass Drake Street and then cross the Manchester Road via the pedestrian crossing. Now the left hand side of the dual carriageway, carry on in the same direction as before. Turn left into Dane Street (where you will see a large ASDA store) and this leads into Mellor Street (A6060). At the end of Mellor Street turn left along Spotland Road (A680) and then left again into Willbutts Lane for the ground.

Where To Eat & Drink?
At the ground there are two bars to choose from, Studds & the Ratcliffe Arms. Studds is located underneath the Pearl Street Stand and is worth a visit, if only to sample the large range of tasty pies & pasties on offer at £1.50 (which are also available inside the ground). You can even have a pie and peas for £1.80. No real ales here, but the bar has with lots of memorabilia/pictures on the walls and some lovely looking barmaids which softens the blow. The Ratcliffe Arms is located at the car park entrance to the ground, on Sandy Lane. This pub has SKY TV

What's The Ground Like?
The ground has benefited greatly with the construction of three new stands over the last ten years and is quite picturesque, with a number of trees being visible behind the stands. The latest addition is the smart looking Westrose Leisure Stand at one side of the pitch, which was opened during the 2000/01 season. This single tiered stand replaced a former terrace and has a capacity of 4,000. On the other side is another single tier, the all seated Horners Main Stand. This has a number of supporting pillars and some executive boxes at the back. At one end the Total Digital Solutions (Pearl Street) Stand is the third of the new stands. This is also all seated and serves as a Family Stand. It has a couple of supporting pillars that are right at the front of the stand. The Thwaites Beer (Sandy Lane) end is the only terraced area remaining. This small terrace has in recent seasons had a roof erected. There is a Police Control Box located in one corner, between the Main & Pearl Street Stands. Spotland is shared with the Rochdale Hornets rugby league team.

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away supporters are housed in the Willbutts Lane Stand (recently renamed the Westrose Leisure Stand), where the view of the action and the facilities are pretty good. Up to 3,650 supporters can be accommodated in it and normally away fans are confined to the centre of the stand. If required, then this stand can be split between home and away fans