Anyone got the number of a good carpenter in Manchester as Saints travel to Manchester to try and stem the City machine, in the meantime for those going here is all the info you need to know.
The Ground
The Etihad was constructed for the Commonwealth Games in 2002 and originally had an athletics track, City took it over for the start of the 2003/04 season after it had been extensively modified.
During 2014/15 season a third tier was added to the South Stand and opened for the 15/16 season, this added added around 7,000 to the original capacity of 48,000, taking it to the current 55,000.
The ground itself is completely enclosed with the stands on either side having a slight curve to them, a throwback to its initial use, despite now having been tenants for well over a decade, its only recently that the Club in line with the council have started to concentrate on improving facilities around the stadium,
Getting There
By car
Take the usual routes North and head on to the M6 towards the North West, at Junction 19 exit and follow directions on the A556 to Stockport and then join the M56 in that direction, follow the road as it joins the M60, stay on till junction 19 ane then follow signs to Manchester A635. At the A662 (Ashton New Road) head for Droylsden/Manchester and in approximately 3 miles the ground is on you right.
Post Code for SAT NAV: M11 3FF
By Train
From Manchester Piccadilly train station you have several choices, either a 20 minute walk to the ground on a route which is well signposted "Sportcity" or you can get a local train from Piccadilly to Ashbury's station which itself is still a 15 minute walk. Alternatively you can take one of the special match day buses that depart from Piccadilly Gardens a short walk outside the station, these drop you off outside the stadium and then return you after the game for a fare of £1 each way. Going to the stadium a taxi for around £6 is a viable option if there are a few of you, although getting one back after the game wont be so easy.
There is now a new metrolink tram stop on the East Manchester line called Etihad Campus, Trams can be caught from either Victoria or Piccadilly railway stations (or Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre), taking a tram towards Droylsden, calling at Etihad Campus (which is on the north side of the stadium, next to the outside catering and toilets at City Square) and then Velopark (south east side of the stadium, near Asda, which is slightly nearer the away fans stadium entrance, but please note this station is closed after the game has ended). Trams are frequent on matchdays (every 6 minutes). The journey time from Piccadilly Station to the Etihad Campus stop is 8 minutes. A return ticket for this journey costs £3.00 for adults and £1.40 for children.
Parking
There are official car parks available at the stadium itself in the North Car Park at a charge of £10 per car, the advantage being they are well patrolled during the game , the disadvantage is they are notoriously slow to clear after the game, 45 - 60 mins, like many big grounds there are plenty of unnofficial car parks nearby, many at cheaper rates.
The Away Section
Like our past visits we are situated in the South Stand with our allocation split between an upper and lower tier, both have unobstructed views, although sight lines are obviously better from the upper deck, the concourses are pretty decent with plenty of space and flat screen TV's etc and the usual fare etc including alcohol, after the game you are seperated from home fans by a large fence which can lead to some "banter" with the home fans, as always the advice is to be safety conscious, although the Premier now has a somewhat sanitised reputation, Manchester is still a big city and like many club's City do have a excitable element.
Drinking/Eating Etc.
Most of the pubs in the surrounding area are home fans only so unless you want to have a drink in the ground, then the advice is to stay in the City Centre till nearer kick off, City do however have an area outside the ground called City Square, this comprises a number of food outlets and bars alongside a stage and large TV Screen, although City Square is outdoors I believe some areas are covered and its a lively well policed area to have a drink by the stadium rather than in the concourses, however sometimes it can be limited to City supporters only.
However, 'The Stanley' (aka Sports Bar) pub does let in away fans in small numbers. It is about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, just set back from the main A6010 (Pottery Lane), going towards Ashburys train station. The easiest way to find it is to locate the large Asda store behind one side of the stadium (there is also a McDonalds outlet next door to the store, plus there is a cafe located inside it) and on facing the superstore turn right and proceed down the main road, you will come to the pub on the left. It does cost £1 for adults to enter the pub, (they even stamp your hand as if you were entering a night club) but children are at least admitted free. Inside there is a large screen showing SKY Sports, good service and a good mix of home and away support.
Otherwise its advisable to have a beer in Manchester City centre, an area called the Printworks has many bars and restaurants and is handy for the tram from Victoria.
Churches
There are many churches of all denominations in the area of the stadium and indeed in Manchester itself, perhaps for this game it would be better to give the pub a serve and spend a few hours praying to whichever God you worship as this could be our best chance of keeping a clean shet and getting something out of this game.
Capacity: 55,097 (all seated)
Address: Sportcity, Rowsley St, Manchester M11 3FF
Telephone: 0161 444 1894
Fax: 0161 438 7999
Ticket Office: 0161 444 1894
Stadium Tours: 0161 444 1894 (Option 4)
Pitch Size: 116 x 77 yards
Club Nickname: The Blues or Citizens
Year Ground Opened: 2002*
Undersoil Heating: Yes