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Well, the big day arrives on Saturday. We all travel north to the land of hats and beer for our long awaited return to the Football League.
Stockport awaits with its ageing treasures in the form of a 19th century Railway viaduct (1840), a Brewery (1838) and, of course, Mark Robinson and Michael Rose. Edgeley Park, the home of The Hatters has a capacity of 11,000 (all seated) and will host our visiting supporters in the 1000 seat Railway end which is uncovered. You are advised to take a waterproof because if it rains you will get wet!
Admission
£16.00 Adults
£11 Students (ID) and Over 65's
£6 Under 16's
Travel by Train
There have been varying reports regarding train travel but this morning, I made specific enquiries at the Railway Station and was given this information. Normally, a direct to Stockport service operates but this weekend it does not due to maintenance work. Therefore, you have a choice of two routes. Firstly, Hereford to Manchester with a short 25 minute trip to Stockport which leaves Hereford at 08.56 and gets you to Stockport at 12.15. A group save (4 persons) is available to Manchester which works out at £16.55 each with to Stockport link costing £2.20 (£1.10 child). A similar service runs at 09.56 which gets you to Stockport at 13.15. Return trains on this route depart at 17.15 and 18.15 arriving back in Hereford at 20.45 and 21.45.
Alternatively, you can go with a change at Crewe leaving Hereford at 08.56 arriving at 11.38 or leaving at 10.56 arriving at 13.38. The return via Crewe train leaves Stockport at 18.13 and arrives in Hereford at 20.45. Standard fair is £33.10 (£16.55 child). There is no group saver on this service but a family Railcard costing £20.00 will enable each adult, to a maximum of four, to travel for £21.85 and children,
to a maximum of four, to travel for £6.30.
Stockport Railway Station is a five minute walk from the ground or a little longer if you go via the Pubs in Castle Street!
Coach
HUMADS (Malvern Branch) - coach fully booked
FUN BUS - Full
HUISA - Still spaces available on coach 2....£10.00 depart 09.30. Book through Club Office. (01432 276666)
Road
M6 to junction 19. Take the A556 towards Manchester/Altrincham. Then join the M56 towards Manchester Airport. After a few miles leave the M56 and join the M60 towards Stockport. Leave the M60 at Junction 1 and head towards Stockport. Turn right at the second set of traffic lights to go onto the A560 towards Cheadle. Then turn left into Edgeley Road (there is a pub on the left hand corner at the lights at this junction). The ground is down this road on the right. From The East:M62 to junction 18. Take the M60 towards Stockport. Leave the M60 at Junction 1 and head towards Stockport. Turn right at the second set of traffic lights to go onto the A560 towards Cheadle. Then turn left into Edgeley Road (there is a pub on the left hand corner at the lights at this junction). The ground is down this road on the right. The ground is well sign posted around the area. Street Parking.
From http://www.footballgroundguide/ .co.uk
Refreshments/Pubs
Castle Street offers a choice of some 10 pubs with almost all welcoming visiting fans. In particular, the Sir Robert Peel provides big screen Sky TV with the Royal Oak also coming highly recommended. Stockport pubs mostly offer the option of real ale with the local Robinsons Brewery being well represented. The usual football food is provided in the ground with plenty of "fast-food" in the surrounding area.
There will be a large police presence so enjoy the day but please behave yourselves.
If you get a chance, buy a copy of the superb 80 page Stockport fanzine "Clear Blue Sky" - good article on HUFC in it.
See you in the Railway End.
