Hello and welcome to the Northern Football Guide. This blog will be my attempt to showcase the best football that the north has to offer to help you enjoy the beautiful game in our region.
Preview: Two well-matched sides face off on this Monday night fixture. Liverpool will be looking to back up their win over Yeovil last time out. West Ham have struggled to get results in recent outings against the top sides and will be aiming to reassert themselves in this game.
This blog is unashamedly inspired by the fantastic London Football Guide. Hopefully, it will be as useful to you as that website was to me when I lived in the capital.
Starting on an F.A. Cup weekend feels somewhat appropriate as these are always fantastic opportunities to seek out new grounds for a usually reduced ticket price and there are some fantastic matches on offer throughout the region.
I have started by previewing the top six levels of men's football and the top two levels of the women's game. Over time I hope to expand these previews to cover more of non-league, women's and youth football to become a truly comprehensive repository for anyone who wants to attend football across the north.
There are a number of highlights this weekend, including Derby's visit to Accrington Stanley, a Yorkshire derby at Rotherham in the Championship and Bury's top-of-the-table clash against Lincoln. £10 to watch Doncaster try and extend their cup run against Oldham represents excellent value while FC United of Manchester v Stockport is my pick of the non-league fixtures.
Sunday and Monday see the WSL and WC take over. There are three games on offer across the region, all offering incredible value to spectators.
A final word: please use this as a guide only. Ticket prices may be different to those advertised here and may not be available on the day. The ongoing Northern Rail strike means you should be certain of your route home before setting out as most Northern services finish at 5pm. The recent cold weather means you should check your game is on before you travel, especially in the lower leagues.
Saturday 26th January (All Kick-Offs 15.00 unless stated)
Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
(12.30) Accrington Stanley v Derby County
Where: Wham Stadium (Crown Ground), Livingstone Rd, Accrington, BB5 5BX
Public Transport: (From Manchester) X41 Red Express http://www.lancashirebus.co.uk/RedEXPRESS.htm
Tickets: A probable sell-out so make sure you have a ticket before travelling. Cup ticket prices may differ. (League prices) Adults £20, Concessions £15, 12-17s £10, Under 12 £5 https://accringtonstanley.co.uk/tickets/
Preview: A huge game for Stanley in front of the cameras. They’ve already dispatched Ipswich Town in the last round but Derby will be another prospect entirely. In their replay victory away to Southampton, Lampard’s men showed that they are taking this tournament seriously so expect a strong XI to line up for the visitors, perhaps including the return of Ashley Cole to these shores?
Doncaster Rovers v Oldham Athletic
Where: Keepmoat Stadium, Stadium Way, Doncaster DN4 5JW
Public Transport: Doncaster is easily accessible on the East Coast Mainline. Catch the 56 bus to the ground or enjoy a half hour walk!
Tickets: Oldham look like selling out their end so the game is now all-ticket and you won’t be able to buy on the day. Adults £10, Senior & 18-24s £5, Under 17s £1 https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/tickets/
Preview: Doncaster’s first 4th Round tie in nine years sees them face relatively meek opposition in Oldham for this stage of the competition. Indeed both sides will view this as a good chance of progressing to the last 16 for the first time since 1956 and 2013 respectively. Rovers will no doubt be concerned by the prospect of a new-manager bounce for Oldham inspired by the heavily-linked Paul Scholes. If he is in charge for this game he will be greeted by a sold-out away end. It promises to be an excellent atmosphere and at a tenner it is cracking value too!
Manchester City v Burnley
Where: Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Rd, Manchester M11 3FF
Public Transport: City Link footpath signposted from Manchester Piccadilly Station is a 25-minute walk. Etihad Campus Tram Stop is a short walk from the ground.
Tickets: Adult £15-£35, Over 65, 18-21 & Disabled £10-£25, u18s £1-£20 https://tickets.mancity.com/
Preview: Joe Hart makes a return to the Etihad with Burnley and he will undoubtedly be in for a busy afternoon. Burnley are preoccupied with survival and so a weakened line-up here looks likely. City meanwhile look to continue their battle on all fronts. Yes, the odds of the upset aren’t particularly high, but an all-Premier League clash and some of the world’s best players for less than £20? What’s not to like?
Middlesbrough v Newport County
Where: Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS
Public Transport: Any train to Darlington on the East Coast Mainline connects frequently to Middlesbrough. There are also hourly direct services from Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.
Preview: 70 years ago, Newport County played their only ever 5th Round F.A. Cup match. On Saturday they will be looking to reach another at the expense of Middlesbrough. Unfortunately for Newport, Middlesbrough are another Championship side who seem to be taking the cup relatively seriously this year and Pulis will be hoping to again loosen the goal-scoring shackles that came off during the 3rd round thumping of Peterborough. 56 places separate these sides currently, never say never though!
Newcastle United v Watford
Where: St James’ Park, Barrack Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4ST
Public Transport: Easy walking distance from anywhere in the city centre including Newcastle Central Station.
Tickets: £10 adults, £5 concessions (£20 adults & £10 concessions on matchday) https://www.nufc.co.uk/tickets
Preview: Newcastle must be wondering how they managed to conspire to get past Blackburn in their cup replay. For a club who have turned early round exits into an art form in recent years, the irony of a cup run opening up before them just when they need to focus on league survival will not be lost on them. Watford, on the other hand, are flying high in 7th and might just fancy this.
Sky Bet Championship
Blackburn Rovers v Hull City
Where: Ewood Park, Nuttall St, Blackburn, BB2 4JF
Public Transport: (From Manchester) Train from Manchester Victoria to Bolton. 1 Bus from Bolton interchange to Blackburn (Ewood WMC stop)
Tickets: Variable pricing structure Adults ~£24, Senior ~£17, 18-21 ~£13, Junior & Child ~£8. £3 matchday increase. https://www.rovers.co.uk/tickets/
Preview: 40 points plays 40 points in this battle to reach the playoffs. Blackburn will be looking to finish off a perfect January in the league with a fourth win from four games. The Tigers meanwhile will be licking their wounds after letting a two-goal lead slip against Villa last time out. Should be a cracker.
Rotherham United v Leeds United
Where: AESSEAL New York Stadium, New York Way, Rotherham S60 1FJ
Public Transport: Regular trains and trams to Rotherham Central from Sheffield. Trains also go from Doncaster.
Tickets: Adults £23/25, Concession £13/15, Juvenile £8/9, Junior £6/7 (Matchday price rise of £1-2)
https://www.themillers.co.uk/tickets/
Preview: Leeds have not had a good month with four defeats and just the solitary win against Derby. Rotherham are fighting for their lives just outside of the relegation zone. Add in the passion of a Yorkshire derby and this doesn’t look like an easy assignment before their HUGE clash with Norwich.
Sky Bet League One
Barnsley v Rochdale
Where: Oakwell Stadium, Grove Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S71 1ET
Public Transport: (From Leeds) X10 Bus (From Sheffield) Northern train service
Tickets: Adult: £20-25, Over 65 & 19-21s: £15-18, U19s: £10, U12: £5. (+£2 on matchday) https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/tickets/
Preview: Barnsley thumped Rochdale 4-0 at Deepdale way back in August. This game is unlikely to be dramatically different. Promotion chasing Barnsley are unbeaten in 7 league games. Relegation fighting Rochdale haven’t won since Boxing Day. Still, the respective runs have to end somewhere!
Fleetwood Town v Scunthorpe United
Where: Highbury Stadium, Park Ave, Fleetwood FY7 6SP
Public transport: Two hours of trains, replacement buses and trams from Manchester.
Tickets: Adult £22-26, Senior £17-21, U16 £7-10, U25 £17-21, U5 FREE (Prices vary slightly up or down for the premium and “value” fixtures.) https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/tickets/
Preview: Another away-day rout must make Fleetwood favourites in the return fixture. Scunthorpe are on a bit of a roll however and will be hopeful of getting something from this game having last tasted defeat on Boxing Day. With rail strikes and engineering works happening, good luck getting there though.
Sky Bet League Two
Bury v Lincoln City (5.30pm)
Where: Gigg Lane Stadium, Bury, BL9 9HU.
Public Transport: Number 1 tram from Manchester City Centre.
Tickets: Adult £20, Concessions £14, U18 £10, U16 £7, U12 £5, U5 FREE. https://www.buryfc.co.uk/tickets/
Preview: This top-of-the-table clash in League Two has attracted the TV cameras (note the later kick-off time) in what promises to be a cracking game. The pressure will be on Bury to close the gap at the top while also securing their own place in the automatic promotion places.
National League
FC Halifax Town v Salford City
Where: MBI Shay Stadium, Shaw Hill, Halifax, HX1 2YS.
Public Transport: Northern train direct from Leeds, 503 bus to Huddersfield connects to Transpennine Express services.
Tickets: Adults £20, Over 65’s & Students £17, 12-17 £9, U12 £5, U7 £3
Preview: The Salford City circus rolls in to Halifax with a new face in the boardroom by the name of Mr David Beckham. Huge wins over Leyton Orient and Wrexham were backed up with a point at home to Gateshead last weekend in the increasingly enthralling race for the title. Halifax are only 5 points above the relegation zone so will be looking to convert their recent run of draws into a precious win.
Gateshead v Boreham Wood
Where: Gateshead International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, NE10 0EF
Public Transport: Nearby Tyne-Wear Metro stop “Gateshead Stadium” is a short ride from Newcastle Central station.
Tickets: Adult £15, NUFC/SAFC season ticket holder £10, Over 60’s & Armed Forces £8, U18 & Students £5, U12 FREE
Preview: Ben Clark made a positive start as permanent Heed manager with a creditable 1-1 draw away to Salford. He will now be looking to back that up with a win to keep the pressure on in the hunt for the promotion spots.
Hartlepool United v Braintree Town
Where: Super 6 Stadium (Victoria Park), Clarence Rd, Hartlepool TS24 8BZ.
Public Transport: Direct Grand Central trains from York. Hourly Northern services between Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle.
Tickets: Seating: Adults £20, 60+, U19s, Students & Armed Forces £10, U16s £5. Standing: Adults £18, 60+, U19s, Students & Armed Forces £9, U16s £5.
Preview: Three new signings couldn’t stop Hartlepool being thoroughly outclassed in front of the TV cameras against Harrogate last week. They looked particularly lightweight in midfield that day which may go some way to explaining why they are languishing in 15th place. Bottom-club Braintree at home represents a must-win game for Money’s men.
National League North
Blyth Spartans v Hereford
Where: Croft Park, Plessey Rd, Northumberland, Blyth NE24 3JE
Public Transport: (From Newcastle) Green Metro to Regent Centre, MAX 9 Bus (Blyth) to Rotary Way north end.
Tickets: Adult £12, 65+ £7, 11-16 & Students £5, U11 Free. (+£2 p.p. for a seat)
Preview: Blyth are 15 games unbeaten coming into this one although five draws in the last six leaves them a point outside the playoffs. Hereford have also drawn their last 3 games. The Bulls are just one of several big clubs in danger of dropping out of this level. A penny for your thoughts Peter Beadle?
Curzon Ashton v Darlington
Where: Tameside Stadium, Richmond St, Ashton-under-Lyne OL7 9HG
Public Transport: (From Manchester) 3 Tram to Ashton-Under-Lyne. Ashton West tram station is a 10 minute walk from the ground.
Tickets: Adults: £12.00, Over 65s £6, Students: Pay what you can afford (When producing free student season ticket) / £6.00 Under 16s: Free (When producing U16 free season ticket/ also allows half price adult entry)
Preview: The Nash are on a four-game winning run since the start of 2019 and will be looking to continue that run against a Darlington side who have struggled for any kind of consistency over the past few months. Both sides will be trying to shore up their mid-table places with the relegation battle still too close for comfort.
FC United of Manchester v Stockport County
Where: Broadhurst Park, 310 Lightbowne Rd, Manchester M40 0FJ
Public Transport: 114 and 182 buses both go from Manchester city centre to nearby the ground.
Tickets: Adults £12, Concessions £7, U18s £3.
Preview: A local derby between two well-supported sides is a tantalising prospect on any weekend. Add in visitors fighting for promotion and a home side fighting against relegation and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic afternoon of entertainment.
Guiseley v Boston United
Where: Nethermoor Park, Otley Rd, Guiseley LS20 8BT.
Public Transport: (From Leeds) Regular trains serve Guiseley station, which is a 5-minute walk from the ground.
Tickets: Adults: £13, Concessions £9, 11-18’s: £5, Accompanied U11s £1.
Preview: Boston United would love to be involved in the play-off race. Guiseley would love to move away from the relegation zone with a first win since New Years Day and stem talk of back-to-back relegations.
Southport v AFC Telford United
Where: Merseyrail Community Stadium, Haig Ave, Southport PR8 6JZ
Public Transport: (From Liverpool) Regular Merseyrail services to Southport station, which is a 20 minute walk from the ground.
Tickets: (Seating/Standing) Adults £15/£13.50, Concessions (Over 65) £11/£10, 12-18’s £5 Under 11’s FREE (with paying adult)
Preview: Frustratingly adrift of the playoffs, a defeat last time out to Atrincham dented Southport’s aspirations. They will be hoping to close the gap on at least one of the sides they are chasing when 5th place Telford United visit Haigh Avenue on Saturday.
Spennymoor Town v Chester
Where: The Brewery Field, Wood Vue, Spennymoor DL16 6JN
Public Transport: Catch a train to Durham on the East Coast Main Line and then catch the 6 or X21 bus to Spennymoor (Burn Terrace stop). The ground is a 3-minute walk away.
Tickets: Adults £12, Concessions £9, Juniors £4, U10’s FREE (with adult)
Preview: Spennymoor are looking to build towards a big end to the season with big crowds at The Brewery Field. A £2 reduction on adult prices for the rest of the season announced this week is sure to go down well with locals, visiting fans and groundhoppers alike. On the field, Chester aren’t far behind the Moors in 7th and will be looking to strengthen their own play-off ambitions with a big win here.
York City v Chorley
Public Transport: York station is a 20-minute walk away.
Tickets: Adults £14-17, Over-65s & 18-21s £10-12, U18 £5-6, U5 FREE
Preview: First home games as manager don’t come much tougher than this. Chorley are re-asserting themselves at the top of National League North and won’t be looking to do Steve Watson any favours. York have a habit of showing up for the big games however and home fans will hopeful of a big result to quell relegation fears.
Sunday 27th January
FA Women’s Super League
(14:00) Manchester City Women FC v Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC
Where: Manchester City Academy Stadium, M11 4TQ
Public transport: The stadium is right outside Velopark tram stop on the 3 tram (just after Etihad Campus). A 40-minute walk from city centre.
Tickets: Adult £4.50-8.50, Over 65’s & U16 £2.50-4.50, 18-21 FREE
Preview: Manchester City will be looking to continue their unbeaten WSL campaign here on Sunday. Just over a fortnight since the 7-1 trouncing here in the Continental Cup, Brighton might not be embracing the prospect of getting to do it all over again. This time though, they will be looking to make it a closer affair. The 9 (nine) goals they hit past Everton will give them great confidence that they can put in a better showing.
FA Women’s Championship
(14:00) Sheffield United Women FC v Charlton Athletic Women FC
Sheffield United Women FC
Where: Olympic Legacy Park, Attercliffe Common, Sheffield S9 3TL
Public Transport: Trams to Arena/Olympic Legacy Park leave the city centre regularly.
Tickets: Adult £5, Seniors, U22’s & Students £3
Preview: A tough test for Sheffield United here. Charlton are in a four-team group at the top of the league and will be looking to keep pace with their rivals. United only have four games in the first two months of 2019. Predictably they are all against the top sides, but a spirited showing against Spurs last time out will help them believe they can get something out of this game.
Monday 28th January 2019
FA Women’s Super League
(19:00) Liverpool FC Women v West Ham Women
Where: Prenton Park, Prenton Rd W, Birkenhead CH42 9PY
Public Transport: 423, 464, 471, 472, 487 & 2 Gold buses all go close to the ground from Liverpool City Centre. Rock Ferry train station is a 20-minute walk away.
Tickets: Adults £5, U16/65+/Students/Disabled £2.50, Family (2+2) £12.
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