It's FA Cup quarter final time and over 4,500 Saints fans are heading up to Wigan for only our second ever visit to the pie capital of the World.
Wigan are relative newcomers to the football league when they replaced Southport back in 1978 as one of the last clubs to have been voted into the league rather than gain entry through the pyramid system introduced in the late 1980's, back then they played at Springfield Park a quaint if dilapidated ground that was the poor relation to the home of the Wigan rugby team, now both play at the now named DW Stadium where Saints will meet Wigan on their home turf for our second visit just over five years after the first.
The Ground
The DW stadium is a purpose built ground opened in 1999, unlike St Mary's it isnt a bowl and consists of four virtually identical stands of similar height, the good news is that the rake of the stands are steep so give excellent views of the pitch, next to the ground is Robins Park where Wigan play reserve games and athletics meetings are held, the stand here would not look out of place in League one.
Getting There
By Car
Travel north on the M6 and leave at junction 25 taking the A49 to Wigan,after two miles pass the big Aldi store on your left before reaching a traffic light controlled large roundabout, bear left into Robin Park and then Scot lane and follow this to the stadium.
By Train
Wigan's central railway stations (Wigan North Western & Wallgate stations) are a good 20 minute walk from the ground. So either take a taxi, or break up the journey with a few pub stops on the way!
On exiting Wigan North Railway Station turn left and go down the road heading under a railway bridge. On leaving Wallgate station turn right and go down the road passing Wigan North station on your left and then proceed under the railway bridge. It is a fairly straight walk along Robin Park Road passing the Jacobs Well Pub (at Wigan Pier) on your left, which is okay for away supporters. When you reach the Seven Stars hotel, you should be able to see the stadium over on your right. Either at the Seven Stars Hotel turn right and follow the locals on a shortcut along a canal to the stadium, or take the next road on the right.
Parking
There is a large car park at the stadium which costs £5 although it might take a little bit of time to exit after the game, alternatively look for street parking, avoid the retail park nearby which has a two hour limit and a £50 penalty strictly enforced for breaching this.
The Away End
Saints fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium, a large stand that houses around 4,500 supporters its away fans only and has great views of the action, the concourses are a little tight for a newer built stadium but serve the usual fare including beer, the stewards do help the situation though by organising queuing rather than letting it degenerate into a free for all.
Eating Drinking tc
Next to the away turnstiles their is a large marquee bar for the use of away fans, its serves food & beer and has tv screens showing Sky etc, for those that want somewhere a little bit different than this, the away fan pub is the Red Robin opposite the cinema complex.
On the road between the station and the ground there are quite a few options for a drink, most of which will welcome away fans, near the station there are a few good pubs including the camra listed Anvil.
Capacity: 25,023 (all seated)
Address: Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UZ
Main Telephone No: 01942 774 000
Fax No: 01942 770 477
Ticket Office: 0871 663 3552
Pitch Size: 110 x 60 metres
Team Nickname: Latics
Year Ground Opened: 1999
Undersoil Heating: Yes
Shirt Sponsors: 12BET.com
Home Kit Colours: Blue & White
Official Web Sites:
www.wiganlatics.co.uk
www.dwstadium.co.uk