Rangers take their new look side to Sheffield on Saturday to face the Blades - a few tips for those making the journey to the land of LFW towers

Ground Name: Bramall Lane
Capacity: 32 609 (all seated)
Address: Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4SU
Main Telephone No: 0870 787 1960 (beware, they play Annie’s tune when they place you on hold)
Fax No: 0870 787 3345
Ticket Office: 0870 787 1799

By Car:
Come off the M1 at Junction 33 and follow the A57 (known locally as the parkway) down into town. You'll go past a big ASDA on your left and then down into the middle of town past Matalan and the famous blocks of flats on your left. Watch out, there’s a speed camera about 100 yards into the 40 limit just as the road splits into three lanes and approaches traffic lights so you can easily get caught out there concentrating on other things. Keep in the left two lanes through the lights down to the huge Park Square roundabout underneath the tram lines. You’re taking the third exit on here, straight on, signposted ring road and Chesterfield. Follow the dual carriageway past the railway station on your left and then as a one way system develops bear right and stay on the ring road up to the first roundabout by which time Bramall Lane should have become visable on the left hand side behind the BP garage. If you’re arriving after 1.30pm Bramall Lane itself is likely to be closed to traffic so straight on at the roundabout, then next left onto London Road at which point start looking for street parking. Alternatively continue on the ring road to the next roundabout past Waitrose and take a left there onto Eccleshall Road where street parking is available off either side (avoid Broomhall, as featured on traffic cops, immediately right off Eccleshall Road as you join it) and a good selection of pubs.

If you don’t fancy that continue up the M1 another junction, park at Meadowhall for free and get the tram into town on a day rider ticket.
Map

Parking:
There is street parking available around the ground, particularly off London Road, however this can become scarce as kick off approaches. There are a number of businesses round the ground who offer up their land for parking for £4 or £5 a time but again these fill up as kick off approaches. If you want to park further afield try the roads and side streets off Eccleshall Road – ideal for the numerous decent pubs that line that street. If you fancy something to eat or drink in town the town centre has hundreds of car parking and on street meter bays which rarely fill up even on a Saturday. The ground is a ten minute walk down the High Street from the very centre of the city. Alterntively again park at Meadowhall for free and get a tram either to the Cathedral, City Hall or West Street for the city centre pubs (Frog and Parrot and Devonshire Cat both excellent for those that like a real ale or three) or to Granville Road/Sheffield College which is a five or ten minute walk to the ground. The purple line runs from Meadowhall straight to Granville Road, failing that get a yellow line to Ponds Forge and a Blue line service towards Halfway from there. A day rider ticket allowing unlimited travel for the whole day on the tram now costs £2.70.

By Train
The old Midland Mainline is now operated by Stagecoach East Midlands Train. Most Rangers fans seem to be heading out on the 0925 service in the morning which arrives at 1146. There are two options heading home – the 1727 which is doable from the ground as long as you leave on the whistle, and the 1827 which would allow for a swift half in one of the pubs round the station after the match. There’s a £40 return ticket available for the 0925 and earlier return ticket. Book now for the Sheff Wed match in March – some £8 returns are available.

When arriving by train come out of the station and head up to the man crossing inbetween all of the fancy fountains and strips of metal they’ve slapped in there recently. Across the road towards the Howard and then left past the old national Centre for Pop Music. Straight across the ring road and Bramall Lane is on the right as you walk down that road – ten to 15 minute walk I would say. The away end is at the opposite end of the ground so walk down the road flanked by the newer side stand to the Bramall Lane end of the ground.

Pubs:
One thing you're not short of in Sheffield is pubs. The Howard opposite the station used to be a favourite haunt of away fans but it can be a bit tasty at times and a few clubs have found aggro in there, particularly after the match. Further up the hill is The Globe where a load of R's fans ended up last year. Further up the hill still, if you cross the road and go between the Novotel and the library there's The Graduate and The Old Monk right next to the Crucible theatre. Both do food and show Sky Sports, the latter on the biggest screen in the free world. These are all within ten minutes walk of the ground and the station. If you keep walking up the hill, or get a tram from the station to City Hall or West Street you’re still a maximum of 15 minutes walk from the ground and opening up all kinds of pubs. There’s the usual Walkabout, RSVP, Wetherspoons and Yates options near the City Hall Stop while the Frog and Parrot and the Devonshire Cat are round Devonshire Green which is off the West Street tram stop – there’s a huge selection of beers in there, including the one Guinness record holding Roger and Out special brew.

Alternatively for those arriving by car Eccleshall Road offers a wide selection of pubs. We’ve received the following correspondence from the land lord of the Devonshire Arms on Eccleshall Road
I am the Landlord of a small pub about 5-10 minutes walk from Bramall Lane, The Devonshire Arms, Eccleshall Rd. We are one of the few pubs around the ground that allow away fans. I am writing to see if you have any groups that may want to use the pub before the match. We generally open at 11.30 but can open earlier if you plan on arriving before. We also have free parking for up to 25 cars. S11 8JB is my postcode should you need it for your sat nav or you can Google map it.

We welcome all well behaved fans, we also have a lot of SUFC supporters that use the pub, mostly older and family groups. It is not a strictly 'away' pub. We also serve food, though it should be noted we currently don't have sky due to a block of flats being built blocking my dish I can only access Freeview Sky Sports News (only Clyde v Dundee this Saturday lunchtime anyway – ed) - http://devonshirearms.thebigmenu.co.uk/

Tickets and Club Travel
Cheap tickets galore for this one and a massive thanks to Sheff Utd for extending their offer to us visiting supporters – it’s not something the other clubs do and it’s very good of them. £10 adults, £5 seniors, juniors and students with a card. I’m not sure if these prices apply on the day but I haven’t read anything anywhere to say they’re not. The club coach is now sold out.

Links:

Official website.

Detailed fans' guide to Bramall Lane

Photo: Action Images

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