Wigan Athletic/Rochdale (9/16 Mar)

Two very lovely northern towns personified by (a) The Verve and (b) Lisa Stansfield

By the time you read this we will know who our Northern final opponents are in this highly important, ‘last chance of salvaging something from the season’s competition.  We are fortunate in that both venues can be reached in 1.5 hours even allowing for rush hour traffic so there should be no excuse for a low turnout at this match. As we didn’t know our opponents at the time of going to press we have printed two sets of information. If we end up going to Rochdale the simplest way by far is by road, be it private transport or coach. Take the M56, M6 (North), M62 signs Leeds to Junction 20 and take the A627M to Rochdale. After  roundabout after one mile, take 1st exit (Bury A664) and at next roundabout take 2nd exit (Blackburn B6452(A677). At lights after just under one mile, go straight across and Spotland is on  the right after half a mile. Plenty of street parking is available in the vicinity of Spotland which is generally safe. Rail travel is more complicated. as you can only get back as far as Chester and  as the Rochdale train is served by Manchester Victoria station, you will have to get across town to catch a Chester train from Piccadilly. Beer: In the vicinity of the ground both The Church behind the ground, and The Cemetery on Bury Road  are recommended. The Dog and Partridge also on Bury Road has a selection of Real Ales along with the Tap and Spile which is nearer the town centre and railway station. Springfield Park, Wigan is more accessible by rail although you still won’t be able to make it back to Wrexham, however if you are thinking of going this way then take a Chester to Crewe service and then any Inter-City train north which stops at Wigan North Western. From there its a mile walk to the ground. From the station entrance, turn right and cross the street, taking the first turn left. Bend to the left and at the junction by the Pear Tree pub turn left. When you reach the crossroads, Springfield Road is the one facing, which you need to take to get to the ground. If you are going by car, take M56, M6 North and exit at Junction 25 (Wigan A49). Keep following A49 signs Wigan, Town Centre and then when you reach a complex junction, follow Preston A49 and turn right at the 4th set of lights after 1.5 miles into Woodhouse Lane and after just over 0.5 miles turn sharp left at lights into Springfield Road. Parking is again on street and reasonably plentiful. Beer: Recommended pubs in the vicinity of Springfield Park are The Springfield (Tetley) next to the ground and the Prince of Wales on Woodhouse Lane which serves Burtonwood. Both Rochdale and Wigan are famous for their pies, those at Spotland are  legendary whilst Wigan folk are affectionately known as ‘pie-eaters’ and those at Springfield Park are previous award winners.

Blackpool (13 Mar)

Coastal cold spot famous for dodgy Oyston family, millions and millions of B&Bs and Jimmy Armfield

Hoping to capitalise on Blackpool’s unrest and internal problems problems with the Oyston family, Wrexham go to Bloomfield Road in search of a second successive  win at the Lancashire resort. Travel to Blackpool is very straightforward and should take you  no more than two hours at the very most. By car follow the A483, A55, M53 then M56 to its junction with the M6 and  north leaving to join the M55 at junction 32. Follow this to its end and then follow signs to Main Blackpool parking areas and then Lonsdale Parking which is the parking area nearest the ground. If you’re going by Public Transport, take any Wrexham to Chester train then change for a Crewe service, and at Crewe take any train North which calls at Preston where you will have to change for the Blackpool.  The nearest station is Blackpool South which is five minutes walk from the ground and is served by a local stopping service from Preston, the other station being Blackpool North nearer the the town centre but which is a couple of miles away from Bloomfield Road. Alternatively the Away Travel Club will be running its usual coaches, departing 11.30am with the price being £6.00. Beer: No pubs are  recommended by official guides on Police advice, however as Blackpool is reputed to contain half of all licenced premises in Lancashire you shouldn’t have too many problems finding one to suit your particular tastes.

Lincoln (23 Mar)

Extremely nice city – note particularly the superb cathedral – but extremely ordinary and ugly football team.

For those who didn’t get to Sincil Bank for the AWS game in February, a word of warning. Lincoln will charge you an extortionate £13 admission for this match for the privilege of standing on the ‘Stacey West Terrace’. When we went a couple of weeks ago they had generously reduced it to £10 and expected us to be grateful!!!  As this is an evening game return travel to Wrexham is not possible by public transport. The Away Travel Club will however be running transport to the game, leaving the Racecourse at 3.30pm, the cost being £12. If you’re thinking of going by car you should give yourselves at least three hours and make allowances for rush hour traffic. The most direct way to get to Lincoln is across country to Crewe , then A500 to Stoke, A50 to Derby, then A52 through Nottingham, picking up the A46 which takes you on to Lincoln. From the A46 take the A1434 Lincoln South and follow signs for the ground.  An alternative route is available via the M56, M6 , M62 the A1 South and A57.  Beer: If you want a decent pint in the vicinity of Sincil Bank, then you could do a lot worse than try The Portland on Portland Street. a venue with a choice of ten real ales. To get there from the ground follow the river along Sincil Bank (the road) at the back of the away end for  couple of blocks and turn left.  From the City Centre or Station come down High Street, across the level crossing and  turn left opposite the large Wetherspoons pub, The Ritz. which is probably worth a visit in itself. If you want food before the match there are a number of   decent chippies (almost all of which seem to sell Pukka pies for some reason) on High Street close to the ground and a couple of restaurants too.

Millwall (27 Mar)

Unpleasant south London location - and even more unpleasant ‘most famous MFC fan’ (D.Baker)

Don’t forget that this match is now a midday kick off due to England v Poland at Wembley that afternoon. The Away Travel club will be running transport to this fixture, however details were not available as we went to press. Phone the club shop on 01978 352536 for details nearer the time. By road take the A483 , A5, M54, M6 and M1 South to the M25, then follow it clockwise to Junction 27, signs M11 London North East. After 7 miles take the A12 North Circular Road (London East, The City) to its end at a roundabout after almost 5 miles, then take the third exit onto the A13 and follow  signs for Blackwall Tunnel . After the tunnel stay on the A102(M) for two miles then take signs for A2 Central London . Follow the A2 for just over two miles then filter right at lights (signs Rotherhithe Tunnel, Tower Bridge). Continue for 0.4 miles and turn left at lights (signs Bermondsey). Continue for around half a mile then turn left into Grinstead Road (signs Millwall Stadium). If you’re thinking of going by train then take any suitable service to London Euston and then take the Victoria Line Tube to Victoria and then catch an overground service to South Bermondsey which is a relatively short walk from the New Den. It’s worth remembering to buy a one day travel card at Euston which will cover all subequent train/tube/bus journeys for a little over £4. Beer: No pubs are mentioned in official football  supporters guides; however, we have picked out  a couple which are away from The New Den but are at least vaguely in the right part of London, and that we thought sounded interesting, taken from  Nicholsons London Pub Guide.  Firstly is The Angel, 101 Bermondsey Wall East, SE16. (Courage)  This is a 15th Century Thames side pub built on piles, with a pillared balcony overlooking the river with views of Tower Bridge and the City. Apparently Samuel Pepys and Captain Cook drank here and the ghost of Wrexham’s own Hanging Judge Jeffries from Acton Hall is reported to walk the balcony where during his life he would drink while watching public executions on the North bank of the Thames. Alternatively you could try the Hole in the Wall which is a serious Real Ale venue with at least a dozen cask beers and is built under the railway arches at the front of Waterloo Station. For something a little more convenient there is a Wetherspoons pub above WH Smiths at Victoria station.

Walsall (6 Apr)

Unlovely Black Country place – notorious only for M6 proximity

The Football League’s computer has been relatively kind in its Easter Bank holiday away match allocation and a trip to Walsall shouldn’t be too difficult, at least until the match kicks off!! By car take A483, A5  onto the M54 then M6 South for a short distance exiting at Junction 9 signs A461 Wednesbury,  Take the A461 signs Walsall and where the road divides turn right (signs Bescot Stadium) . Go through the traffic lights, over the bridge and turn right into Bescot Crescent for the ground.  If you want to go by train, take any Birmingham New Street service from Wrexham General and change for a local service to Bescot Stadium station which is adjacent to the ground. As this is a bank holiday fixture however, services may be very limited and it would be advised to check services beforehand  (National Rail Enquiries 0345 484950). Beer: The only officially recommended pub in the vicinity of the Bescot Stadium is the King George V on Wallows Lane opposite Morrisons supermarket which is a Courage pub and described as very friendly.