Another new ground with not a great deal of character. We went along to the Walkers Stadium on Jan 28th 2008 for a Monday night game live on Sky between Leicester and Palace. The pitch was really cut up, possibly on purpose, to stop us form playing football and resulted in a rather pysical yet very drab performance from both sides.
The ground is a right pain in the backside to get in and out of due to traffic. Do not under any circumstances go near the city centre, it's a nightmare at rush hour and i got the impression that it is busy 99% of the time.
The outside of the stadium is quite spacious and not too hostile, you will however get a few City fans walk past and shout something, we however found that these "fans" were usually kids of about 15 years old. Inside the ground is ridiculous especially at half time, the concourse gets absolutely rammed as they only opened one of the bars so resulted in a few hundred people queuing at one rather than being spread out over two. If you want to stand a chance of getting a drink at half time then you may want to miss a couple of minutes at the end of the first half. Before the game you shouldn't have to wait to long. Beers were £3, Soft drinks were £2 and they have to be emptied into a "McDonalds style" cup before you take them out on to the terrace. Didn't treat myself to a pie unfortunately but they looked good!
Stewards were excellent, didn't hear a word from them all game, think they were more interested in keeping the peace and watching the game which was brilliant, a few of them even had a laugh with us! Very rare in these modern stadiums!
The Leicester Drummer was ever present although was really having trouble stirring the home fans into action and ended up getting songs going for us away fans. You can't miss the guy he never has a shirt on and is simply huge! Takes the usual abuse but when he finishes up he gives the away fans a clap and appreciates the banter. Top bloke!
The game was terrible, the linesman had a shocker, and im pretty sure the Sky cameras won't be back for Leicester v Palace anytime soon! Leicester nicked it in the last minute through Barry Hayles and a very scrappy goal, really a 0-0 would have been fair. Another unsuccessful trip to The Walkers Stadium for us, tidy stadium but nothing special.
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Travel Information to Walkers Stadium
Directions by Car
Getting lost is quite easy! If you get lost don't try asking the locals, of all 6 or 7 we asked none of them knew where the stadium was. If you find yourself lost in the City Centre follow the Central Ring Road and signs for the Royal Infirmary (Hospital), continue forward past the Royal Infirmary, you'll go past the Leicester Tigers Rugby Ground (Filbert Street), continue straight and you'll some to some traffic lights, the ground is then sign posted from there, anywhere else in the City the ground is very poorly sign posted and you'll be driving around for ages.
Fan:FSG
Date:2008-01-29 12:22:38
From North & South - The M1 & M69 motorways interchange at junction 21 where you should exit and follow signs for the "City Centre" via the A5460. After approximately 3 miles turn right onto Upperton Road, go over the bridge and take the first right into Western Boulevard and you will see the Walkers Stadium on your right hand side.
British Gas parking As you go down the hill past the Odeon Cinema turn left at the traffic lights and follow the road till you get to a turning on your right into the British Gas facilities, take the turning and then take the first left. Good sized car park there for £3. About a 5 minute walk from the stadium.
Fan: FSG
Date:2008-01-29 12:24:41
The Leicester Rugby Club is your best bet for parking when attending The Walkers Stadium, there is street parking available but local traffic wardens are very strict, if you go past the stadium to a small roundabout and turn left you enter an industrial area which has quite a few independent car parks all in large garages, these cost no more than £5 and are secure.
Fan: Swanny32
Date:2008-01-10 16:39:19
Free Coffee when Parking Limited parking is available at the Holiday Inn next to the ground for £5 and that includes a 2-for-1 coffee offer after the game which is handy because the barriers don't open until 20 minutes after the game and then you'll be sitting in a queue for ages. Other car parks at the ground need reservations but there are a few lock-up style car parks in the area and the town car parks are a 20 minute walk away although we didn't check them out on this trip.
There are many services running from the town centre, the most frequent are the Leicester City Bus Service number 36 which you can catch at the Haymarket Bus Station on Charles Street, or you can catch the Midland Fox services 52, 52a, 52b, 52c or 53 from the Clock Tower in the City.
