Cobblers on the road again... fans' away day guide as Town head to Walsall and The Bescot Stadium
A big following of Town fans are making the trip up the M6 and on the trains, with Keith Curle's men hoping to get back on track after successive 1-0 home defeats at the hands of Port Vale and Swindon Town.
So here is a quick guide to getting to Walsall, and what all of those travelling can expect to find once they get there.
Fixture: Walsall v Northampton Town
Date: Saturday, February 15, 2020
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Weather forecast for Saturday: 12C, rain, strong winds
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Hide AdWalsall nickname: The Saddlers - Walsall is a traditional centre for saddle manufacture
Club formed: 1888 - initially as Walsall Swifts, renamed Walsall FC in 1896
League club since: 1921 (although they also had short spells in the League between 1892-95 and 1897-1901)
Manager: Darrell Clarke
Stadium: The Bescot Stadium. The stadium opened in August 1990, with the club moving from Fellows Park, that had been their home ground since 1896. Fellows Park was demolished in 1991, and the site is now a Morrisons supermarket
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Hide AdAddress: Bescot Crescent, Bescot, Walsall, West Midlands, England, WS1 4SA
Ground capacity: 11,300
Record attendance: 11,049, Walsall v Rotherham, May 9, 2004 - a last day of the season relegation battle, which Walsall lost 3-2
Average attendance this season (not including leasing.com Trophy matches): 3,979
Highest attendance this season: 5,429 v Cambridge United, Sky Bet League Two, Nov 16, 2019
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Hide AdLowest attendance this season: 2,451 v Crawley Town, Carabao Cup, August 13, 2019
Distance from the PTS Academy Stadium (by road): 59 miles
Most recent Cobblers visit: April 28, 2018 - Walsall 1 Cobblers 0 - George Dobson's 90th-minute winner condemned Town to relegation from Sky Bet League One, and ensured the Saddlers stayed up. Although they were relegated 12 months later.
Cobblers' overall record at the Bescot Stadium: P 13 W 4 D 3 L 6 - Town have a mixed record at the Bescot. They haven't won there since an Adebayo Akinfnewa double nailed down a 2-0 win in March, 2008. The Cobblers have lost on their past three visits.
Away fan stand: Visiting supporters are housed behind one goal in the University of Wolverhampton Stand, which is complete with a licensed bar and TVs. There are 10 pitch-level wheelchair bays in the Community Stand for away supporters.
Are stands for away fans covered?: Yes
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Hide AdAdmission prices: Adults £20; Young persons (18-21) £16; Over 60s £15; Under 18s £10; Family ticket (one adult, one under 18) £22
Directions by road: Take the M1 to the M6. Leave the M6 at Junction 9 and take the A461 towards Walsall, turn right onto the A4148 (Wallowes Lane) and right again at the second set of traffic lights. The ground will appear on your left.
Parking: Car parking is available on arrival at the ground at £4 per car, £6 per mini bus and £12 per coach
Nearest train station: Bescot Stadium Railway Station is just a two-minute walk from the stadium, is served by trains from Birmingham New Street Station. There are three trains an hour from New Street, and the journey time 21 minutes. Trains also leave from Northampton Castle Station to New Street three times an hour.
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Hide AdCobblers travel clubs: Sixfields Travel Club - Departing at 12.15pm; fares £15 adults, £10 juniors. Coaches leave from outside the club at the PTS Academy Stadium. For all bookings, please call Jenny on 01604 706401.
Cobblers Trust Travel - Details for the Walsall match at the Bescot Stadium are as follows. Pick-ups: Blackthorn 10.10am; Weston Favell 10.15am; The Trumpet 10.20am; The County Tavern 10.25am; White Elephant 10.30am; Cock Hotel 10.35am; Kings Heath/Bants Lane 10.40am; Sixfields (Opp KFC) 10.45am. The cost is £15 for Adults, £10 for accompanied U16s, and the lunch time stop is in Sutton Coldfield. To book please ring Jim on 07840 355864 between 09.00 - 21.00 (Text accepted 24/7)
Nearest pub for away fans (details from footballgroundguide.com): Close to the ground, just a short walk along Bescot Crescent from the away end is the Park Inn Hotel, which has a bar and shows Sky Sports. Otherwise, the nearest pub to the stadium is the King George V on Wallowes Lane. It is about a 15 minute walk away, opposite the Morrisons Supermarket. Away fans should avoid the Fulbrook pub near to the ground.
Next Cobblers away trip: Cheltenham Town, Tuesday, February 25, 2020