Swansea City FC V West Ham United FC
Saturday 25th August 2012
12.45 Kick Off
Ground Guide Liberty Stadium - Opened 2005
The Liberty Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm Liberty) is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,532 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the third largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the Cardiff City Stadium. It is also the home of Swansea City and the Ospreys. As a result of Swansea City's promotion the stadium is the first Premier League ground in Wales. It is the second smallest stadium in the Premier League after Loftus Road.
History
One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, they have won 10 Welsh Cups and led the Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in a club record 6th position. Swansea are one of only two Welsh clubs to have competed in the top flight of English football, and the first and only one to have played in the Premier League being the 45th different club to participate in the competition since its inception in 1992.
Swansea City A.F.C. was founded in 1912 as Swansea Town and joined the Football League in 1921. The club changed their name in 1969, when it adopted the name Swansea City to reflect Swansea's new status as a city. Since 2005 Swansea City have played their home games at the Liberty Stadium, a ground they share with the Ospreys Rugby Union Club. Before 2005 the club's home ground was Vetch Field.
Swansea City and its supporters are unofficially known as 'Jacks'. One explanation for this name is that during the 17th century, sailors from Swansea were respected and any 'Swansea Jack' was allowed to join the crew based simply on the town's reputation for good sailors. Many, however, believe that the name originates from the renowned life-saving dog Swansea Jack.
The Swansea City Supporters Society Ltd owns 20% of the club, with their involvement hailed by Supporters Direct as "the most high profile example of the involvement of a Supporters Trust in the direct running of a club.
Colours
Home: All White with Gold trim.
Away: Red Shirts with Green trim, White Shorts.
Official Site
Tickets
West Ham received an allocation of 2,100 tickets priced at £35 for adults, £17.50 concessions.
The last few remaining tickets are now on General Sale.
Travel Details
Official Site Info:
http://www.swanseacity.net/news/article/ground-guide-247854.aspx
Swansea City Football Club
Liberty Stadium
Landore
Swansea
SA1 2FA
Telephone: (01792) 616600
Fax: (01792) 616606
Commercial Dept: (01792) 616613
Club Shop: 0871 222 3434
Ticket Office: 0844 815 6665
Website: http://www.swanseacity.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Email: info@swanseacityfc.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
How to get there:
By Road
Leave the M4 at Junction 45 and take the exit off the roundabout onto the A4067 Neath Road towards the City Centre (first exit if heading westbound and fourth exit eastbound). Stay on the A4067 for approx. 2.5 miles. You will see the stadium on your left-hand side as you head down the dual carriageway. Entrance to the Stadium car park is at the entrance to the Morfa Retail Park. Follow road around past Frankie & Benny's Restaurant and take first left. There is no parking for supporters at the stadium unless pre-booked.
By Rail
Swansea High Street Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is approx 1.5 miles from the stadium. Local bus services (routes 4 and 4a) and taxis are available from the train station to the stadium.
By Bus
The Quadrant Bus and Coach Station is approx. 2.5 miles from the stadium. Local bus services (routes 4 and 4a) and taxis are available from The Quadrant to the stadium (via the train station).
By Air
Cardiff International Airport is the nearest hub to Swansea and the easiest way of travelling west is by train. A shuttle bus operates from outside the main terminal to Rhoose Train Station and Arriva Trains Wales has services for Bridgend (westbound) and Cardiff (eastbound) - direct trains to Swansea run from both stations.
Parking
There is no matchday car parking available at the stadium or surrounding area for supporters in cars apart from the designated sites (see website for details). Visiting supporters in cars are advised to park in the signposted Park and Ride car parks at £6 per vehicle. Shuttle coaches will take you to and from the stadium.
Visiting supporters in coaches and mini buses are able to park at the stadium (under police instructions) at a cost of £10 per vehicle. Please ask your own club for details.
Around the ground:
It is advised that visiting supporters enter the North Stand on their arrival at the stadium where food and beverage kiosk are available for their sole use. There are no public houses near to the stadium for their sole use.
Independent Info:
Away supporters are being encouraged to use the Park & Ride facility located at the Felindre old steel works site, which is signposted off Junction 46, shortly after leaving the M4. The cost of parking there including transport by bus to and from the stadium is £6 per car. Away supporters have their own separate buses to and from the stadium, with the buses waiting outside the away stand at the end of the game to take supporters back to the car park. Simon Wright a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan adds; 'The park and ride is located in the middle of nowhere, but curiously has a high fence. Apparently the facility is also used as a park and ride for the DVLA so the fencing may be for the benefit of their staff. There are toilets on the site although they do look rather ancient. All the staff were friendly and the buses frequent. After the game has ended, the park and ride buses leave the compound with the away coaches for fairly obvious reasons. In my case, this meant a wait of around 20 minutes'.
There is also some street parking to be had. If coming from the M4, you pass the stadium on your left and continue straight on towards Swansea, then after going under a bridge, then there are a number of roads on the right, where on street parking is available. It is then around a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. However, please note that after the game has ended the Police close the A4067 road running past the stadium, meaning that you can't go back up to the M4 that way. You need to instead go back up to the stadium and where the road is closed turn right at the roundabout onto the A4217. At the next roundabout turn left continuing away from Swansea City Centre. At the junction with the A48 turn right and this takes you up to Junction 44 of the M4.
Andrew Bartlett a visiting Southampton fan adds; 'I intended to use the park and ride and followed the signs but found the site to be desolate wasteland with flooded potholes, not very inviting at all. Instead I drove on to the stadium and despite the dire warnings found free on street parking only a few minute's walk away and almost traffic free after the match. The level of security and large Police presence was completely unnecessary for such a low key game'.
Train:
Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £6) are available from the train station to the stadium. Otherwise if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right. Thanks to Tom Evans for providing the directions.
Where To Drink
Phil Weston a visiting Stoke City fan informs me; 'The Liberty Stadium is a lot more friendly than the old Vetch Field. Stoke fans were drinking in The Harvester and Frankie & Benny's just outside the ground and a couple of the pubs just up from the stadium'.
Otherwise it a choice of a drink on the way to Swansea, go into the city centre or drink inside the stadium.
Merv Williams informs me; 'There are a number of pubs on Wind (pronounced as winding a watch) Street in the centre of town, such as Yates, the Bank Statement and the No Sign Bar (the latter being listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Ask for Castle Gardens, and you'll see Wind Street'. Mick Clarkson a visiting Preston North End fan adds; 'After leaving the train station we proceeded up the High Street and went into the Full Moon public house. The locals both young and old were very friendly and we had a good laugh with all in there both before and after the game. Basic pub with pool table and Sky Sports and a Leeds fan for a landlord and excellent cheap beer'.
Alcohol in the form of Carling (£3.20 a pint) and Worthington (£3.20 a pint) are served within the stadium. The Club open the turnstiles 90 minutes before kick off, so that fans have the option to eat & drink within the stadium itself.
Matchday Experience:
Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 2,000 fans can be accommodated in this area, although this allocation can be reduced to 1,000 for teams with a smaller following. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably one of the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, with food and beverage outlets, plus a number of television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by two metal barriers, with a line of stewards and Police in-between. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium.
David McNeil informs me; 'As a West Brom fan on holiday in Swansea, I visited the new stadium for the first League game against Tranmere. The stadium is very impressive and the facilities inside the stadium are excellent. Large concourse and great views from the stands. The atmosphere generated by the Swansea fans was excellent throughout the 90 minutes and it will become an intimidating place just as the Vetch used to be. Pre match entertainment was enjoyed by my kids especially the antics of Cyril the Swan. Great day out, would love to visit the ground again when West Brom play there'.
Tickets will not be sold to away supporters by Swansea City on the day of the match, so do not travel unless you already have a ticket from your own Club. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Swansea fans are passionate about their club and this can make for an intimidating atmosphere. Exercise caution around the ground.
Steve Griffiths adds; 'On the nearby retail park, there is a KFC & Pizza Hut – within 5 minutes walk. Opposite the stadium is a very nice chippy called ‘Rossi’s’. As well as the usual chips with fish, pies, sausages, etc.. they also do salads and jacket potatos'.
Last Time Out:
13 Jan 1999
Swansea City v West Ham United
1-0 FA Cup
This Time Out:
Previous Results:
West Ham Utd 1 - 0 Aston Villa
QPR 0 - 5 Swansea City
Matchday Programme:
To Follow
Official Previews:
WHUFC.com Match Preview:
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20120824/ ... 84_2898905" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
KUMB.com Match Preview (by Preview Percy):
http://www.kumb.com/article.php?id=3082" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- and this has got 'respect the point' written all over it, if Sam plays it true to form. I'm comforted by what appear to be uniform reports of defensive stability yesterday, but this might be a more strenuous test.
