RTG’s totally and utterly (we hope) indispensable guide to this season’s away grounds.
THE OPPO – Wolves
DATE – Friday 4th February 2005
KO TIME – 7.45 pm (moved for Sky Sports transmission)
Friday evening’s game takes Sunderland supporters back to Molineux for the first time in more than six years!
THE GROUND – Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton – click here and here for maps of the area – the circle shows where the ground is.
Molineux Stadium is very close to the city centre, just north of the ring road and close to West Park Hospital. The capacity in Molineux is a shade under 30,000.
Visiting supporters are accommodated in the Jack Harris stand. A maximum of 3,200 away supporters can be accommodated here, depending upon demand.
Tickets are now on general sale from the SAFC Ticket Office (tel 0191 551-5151).
GOING BY CAR?
A1 south then M1 south (or M18 > M1 if you prefer). Stay on the M1 till jcn 23A then pick up the M42. Just past Sutton Coldfield, take the M6 northbound (or M6 toll – might be worth the £3 fee for the extra speed you’ll be able to pick up) and stay on the M6 until jcn 10. Take the A454 towards Wolverhampton and Molineux will be signposted as you get close to the city centre.
Dedicated football car parks are signposted but your best bet may be to head into the city centre, park in one of the many car parks there, and walk the short distance to Molineux.
GOING BY TRAIN?
The 12.40pm Virgin service from Newcastle gets to Birmingham New St just before 4pm then change for the 4.13pm Virgin service to Wolverhampton which arrives at 4.35pm.
Or the 2.21pm Virgin service from Newcastle gets to Birmingham just after 5.30pm, then the 5.48pm Virgin service gets you to Wolverhampton just after 6pm.
As you come out of the station go straight ahead along Railway Drive, under the A41 Ring Road and turn right – follow the ring road along, and before long you’ll see Molineux – and probably its floodlights. It shouldn’t take more than 15-20 minutes at most.
Unfortunately because the match has been moved to an evening kickoff, there are no trains back to the north east on the same night.
A.L.S. COACH SERVICE
A Love Supreme are providing their usual coach service down to Molineux. The cost is £16pp and coaches leave the ALS shop (opposite the Stadium of Light) at 1pm on the day. To book, either phone or fax 0191 565 4422 (Mon-Fri 9-5 and matchdays) – credit and debit cards accepted. Or go to the ALS shop and pay in person. Or reserve your place online – either email [email protected] to tell them you want to book a place, or click here to book and pay online.
STOPPING OVER?
Travel Inn, Stafford Road, Wolverhampton, tel 08701 977 277
Travelodge, Pipers Row, Wolverhampton, tel 0870 0850950
Novotel, Union St, Wolverhamton, tel 01902 871100
SCRAN AND BOOZE
Some pubs near the ground are home supporters only, and door staff will ask for proof of your support – eg match ticket/season ticket. The Prince Albert pub, close to Wolverhampton station, is definitely home supporters only. But the ground is so close to Wolverhampton city centre and its relatively large selection of pubs that you may be better off drinking there then making the short walk to Molineux. But again, entry to some pubs is discretionary depending upon if you’re a home or away supporter.
LEND US A FIVER I’M OUT OF CASH
Plenty of cash machines in Wolverhampton city centre.
LAST SEASON
Finished 20th out of 20 in the Premiership – relegated.
THIS SEASON
15th out of 24 (@30.1.05)
P30 W9 D11 L10 F42 A41 Pts 38 GD 1
LAST MEETINGS
02.11.04 SAFC 3 Wolves 1 (Lawrence 57,80; Elliott 68)
20.02.99 SAFC 2 Wolves 1 (Johnston 10, Quinn 90)
12.09.98 Wolves 1 SAFC 1 (Phillips 90)
07.02.98 Wolves 0 SAFC 1 (Ball 88)
20.09.97 SAFC 1 Wolves 1 (Smith 17)
03.02.96 Wolves 3 SAFC 0
Credits: Wolves FC official website, wolvescentral.com, the RAC, Soccerbase, www.multimap.com, National Rail.
