TURKEY (HOME) SUNDERLAND - APRIL 2nd 2003
Where To Drink? There are bars inside the ground. However they get really crowded. I would recommend the William Jameson (Wetherspoons pub) in the centre of town for a drink before or after the game, as it has a great atmosphere. Graham Dutton recommends the new Yates's bar opposite Wetherspoons. Whilst Maurice Perry informs me; 'Try Idols on High Street West, in the city centre, which has good beer and scantily clad barmaids and dancers. The beer is not bad too! Away fans are welcome'. On my last visit I also noticed that the infamous 'Chicken Balti Pie' had made it this far North and was being sold within the ground at �1.90! How To Get There By Car And Where To Park: Exit the A1 at the Durham/Sunderland exit and take the A690 towards Sunderland. After about eight miles, turn left onto the A19, signposted for the Tyne Tunnel. Stay in the left hand lane and take the Sunderland slip road onto the bridge over the River Wear. Turn right onto the A1231 following the signs for Washington/Sunderland. Go straight over four roundabouts into Sunderland. Then go through two sets of traffic lights and you will see the Stadium car park on your right, about a mile after the traffic lights. However there is only limited parking at the ground, so alternatively, you can park in the city centre and walk to the ground (about 10-15 minutes). The traffic for a couple of miles around the ground was solid when I went so allow plenty of time for your journey. There is also a 'Park & Ride' scheme in operation on matchdays, which free for both home and away supporters. This is situated at Sunderland Enterprise Park, which is well signposted just off the A1231. Buses run every five minutes, for 90 minutes before kick off and continue after the game until everyone has gone. By Train/Metro: Chris Rutter informs me; "Sunderland train station in the city centre is walkable from the stadium (around 15 minutes). From the train station, exit between W.H.Smith and the bakery. Turn left and walk down "High St West" and then turn left again and walk up Fawcett St to the Wear Bridge. From here you can see stadium as it is on raised ground. Simply cross the bridge, and turn left into Millennium Way, opposite the Wheatsheaf pub (home fans only). The away turnstiles are located on the side of the ground which is straight ahead". The stadium is also walkable from Seaburn local station (around 10 minutes). On leaving the station turn right at the top of the ramp, and walk up the bank, at which point the stadium will be in view. Ashley Smith adds; "A new 'Metro' train service has started running to Sunderland, with two new stations 'Stadium of Light' and 'St. Peters' both serving the stadium. The metro provides regular and rapid transport from both Newcastle and the South of Sunderland. Both new stations are within three minutes walk of the stadium. This provides an alternative to the regular rail services which still stop at Sunderland and Seaburn".
