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The rights and wrongs of The Dons place in the Football League is a matter which has been discussed at length but whatever your beliefs, one thing is certain; if you want to watch HUFC on Saturday, you will be at The National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes and not Wimbledon. Some may recall our early visits to Plough Lane even as far back as the Southern League when a certain Pete Winkelman (Chairman of The Dons) probably didn't know they existed. The days of Vinnie Jones, Lawrie Sanchez and Dave Beasant are long gone but the name of Martin Allen their present manager is one, which is well respected in the football world.
MK Dons versus HUFC (Saturday)
National Hockey Stadium
Silbury Boulevard
Milton Keynes
MK9 1HA.
The visiting supporters are usually accommodated in an uncovered seated stand, which straddles the halfway line. The view of the game is excellent but can be more than a little damp if it rains. You have been warned! Entrance to the ground is by ticket only and you will be required to buy your ticket from the small ticket office at the southwest corner of the stadium. Please note it is a No Smoking Stadium (Pifff). Admission is understood to be £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £8 for juniors.
Yet again, the train services appear to be doing us very few favours with a minimum of two changes in each direction being required so I would seriously advise finding other means of transport.
HUISA - Depart Merton Meadow Car Park 10.00 am Cost £15.00
Contact HUFC club office (01432 276666)
HUMADS - As usual contact Reg on 01684 572945
FUNBUS - Full. Details from Oxo or on the Blog
BY CAR - Most Directions on football websites are from the M1, which is about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike if you're not on the M1. So, this is my suggested route. Worcester, M5, M42, M40. Leave M40 at Junction 11 (sign Banbury) and at the roundabout take the second exit (sign Brackley) A422. Follow the A422 and join the A43 (sign Northampton) towards Towcester. Shortly after passing the Towcester Silverstone Travelodge you come to a roundabout. Take the fourth exit joining the A5 (sign Milton Keynes). Continue on the A5 until you pass the Abbey Hill junction then branch left at the Portway roundabout (1st Exit) onto Portway A509 (sign MK Central and East). At North Grafton roundabout, take the third exit onto Grafton Gate (sign MK South) and then at Silbury roundabout, take the third exit into Silbury Boulevard. There is plenty of pay and display parking around the ground at a cost of £1 for five hours (mainly behind the home end). Park the car, get out and make a noise like a Bulls supporter.
Map.
REFRESHMENTS. There is a designated, away Fans, Pub called Shout, which is a five-minute walk from the ground above the bus station just in front of and to the right of the railway station. Alternatively, there are a couple of Wetherspoons outlets a bit further up Midsummer Boulevard passed the bus station with the one at no 201 having the better reputation for half decent ale. The usual JDW food is available at reasonable prices. The Fountain on London Road is a Harvester Pub and again offers good value whereas The Talbot in the same Street receives varying reports although it does show Skysports on a big screen. For fans of Real Ale, I would suggest The Victoria in Vicarage Road, a good family run pub with an ever-changing range of beers and food. The local plod are reputed to be fairly helpful in guiding those with a thirst to a suitable hostelry.
Enjoy
