Saints head to Swansea on Saturday, a city in mourning, not because of Margaret Thatcher but because their big rivals Cardiff City have just been promoted to the Premier League.

The Stadium

The Liberty Stadium has been the home of Swansea City since 2005 when they and the City's rugby team moved in to the purpose built stadium on the site of what had formally been an athletics stadium.

Swansea used to play at The Vetch Field a ground that in parts made the Dell look like Madison Square Garden, although that did have the advantage of being more central with the Liberty Stadium being a good three miles out of town.

Although a new ground, its on the small side, its record attendance of 20,650 was set only a few months ago for the visit of Manchester United.

Getting There

By Road

From Southampton its quite simple, take the A34 and pick up the M4 just north of Newbury and head West towards Wales, stay on this road, crossing the Severn Bridge and passing Cardiff, at Junction 45 come off the M4 and take the A4067 towards Swansea, the ground is along this road.

Parking

There is no parking at the Stadium other than permit holders and street parking in the near vicinity is hard to find and restrictions apply, there is a park and ride however, you need to come off at Junction 46 and follow the signs. This costs £6 per car and there are specific buses before & after the game that pick up and drop off right outside the away end, the only downside after is that the buses will wait along with the coaches and be escorted to the motorway.

By Train

Swansea station is around a two mile walk to the ground from the Station, otherwise there are plenty of buses as well as Taxi's that cost around £6.

The Away Section

The view from the away section is pretty good as long as you are in the upper section, the concourses are big with the usual variety of food and drink etc, be warned though the Police are very strict and dont put up with any backchat from English invaders, they have the word Heddlu on the back of their jackets which is probably Welsh for headcase, be warned.

Outside of the ground caution should be advised, Swansea like cardiff do have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about the English and even in these more sanitised times, you always get the odd idiot.

Drinking Eating Etc.

The ground is near a big retail park which has a KFC and Pizza Hut etc, or there is Rossi's Chippy dead opposite the ground on the main road, there is also a Harvester pub and a Frankie & Benny's just outside the ground that represent the best bet for away fans wanting a drink, most of the other pubs tend to be home fans only and a bit intimidating for visiting supporters,other than that there is little ion the direct vicinity so you may have to go into the ground for food & drink.

For those on the train the options are more varied, turning left out of the station takes you to Wind Street and this seems to be the main entertainment area in the City with a variety of pubs etc.

However turning right out of the station towards the ground also sees some pubs en route to the Stadium, although these vary in standard and friendliness.

Capacity: 20,700 (all seated)

Address: Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA

Main Telephone No: 01792 616 600

Fax No: 01792 616 606

Ticket Office: 0844 815 6665

Team Nickname: The Swans or The Jacks

Year Ground Opened: 2005

Pitch Size: 114 x 74 yards

Home Kit Colours: All White With Gold Trim

Away Kit Colours: Red, White & Green

Kit Manufacturers: Adidas

Shirt Sponsors: 32RED .com

Official Web Site:

www.swanseacity.net

Photo: Action Images

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