RECKLESS GUIDE TO BRAINTREE TOWN

BRAINTREE TOWN v BARNET

Vanarama Premier League

Tuesday 30th September 2014

Kick Off 7.45pm

Stadium: Amlin Stadium, Cressing Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2ED.

Telephone: 01376 345617

Club Colours: Orange and Blue

Nickname: The Iron

Official Club Website: www.braintreetownfc.org.uk

Key Personnel

Alan Devonshire featured in nearly 450 games in midfield, most of them alongside Sir Trevor Brooking, for West Ham United between 1976-1990 and also won 8 full England caps. He has managed at Maidenhead United, Hampton & Richmond Borough and was installed as Manager at Cressing Road in May 2011.

Alan Devonshire

Brief Directions by Road

M25 to junction 27 and up the M11 north to its junction 8 (Stansted Airport). Take the A120 east (Colchester) for approx 16 miles until you reach the Galley Corner roundabout – it has one of those unmentionable Scottish sounding hamburger thingys to your right! Turn left into Cressing Road where you will find the ground on the left after ¾ of a mile, entry via Clockhouse Way.

Car Parking

There is a small car park at the ground which fills up very early and sometimes is open only to officials and VIPs. Local street parking is unrestricted.

Directions by Train

Braintree station is situated just under a mile away from the ground. It is served by trains from London Liverpool Street. It is a fairly complicated 20 minute walk to the ground from the station (around the houses) so a cab is made for sharing don't you think?

Eating and Drinking Locally

Very little on offer close to the ground I am afraid. The nearest pub is the Orange Tree in Cressing Road a three minute walk away. The Mulberry Tree (which also a Premier Inn alongside if you fancy an overnighter) can be found at the aforementioned Galley Roundabout although it is a twenty minute walk to the ground from here.

The Orange Tree

If arriving by train then you may care to visit a Wetherspoons outlet called the Picture Palace on Fairfield Road, which is only a five minute walk away from the station. This converted former cinema, is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.

The Angel Inn 33 Notley Rd, Braintree CM7 1HA is suggested by my spies as a decent pub and is also fairly close to the station.

My Reckless Recommendation, although really only for those travelling by road as it is in a local village, is The Essex Cricketers Notley Green, Great Notley, Braintree CM77 7US. I've eaten a Sunday Lunch there and my cousin David is a regular diner/drinker – it is very very nice and has a first class range of local ales plus excellent wholesome grub on offer. Sausages and Cheesy Mash with caramelised onion gravy and seasonal vegetables sounds fantastic with a Shepherd Neame beer for company doesn't it?

Social Club

The social club does allow away fans unless ground segregation is in force.

Ground Description

The ground was first opened way back in 1923 but major upgrading began in the early 1980's. The current main stand, recently extended, straddles the half way line and has room for 550 with open terracing either side, opposite is the centrally covered Cressing Road Terrace holding around 1,300. The open Quag End to the right is a new terrace – uncovered now but the original terracing did have cover – and this area is usually allocated to visiting fans. However the Cressing Road side terrace is offered as an alternative should a large visiting contingent attend. The Clubhouse Terrace at the far end completes the lay out and has also been recently overhauled and is also uncovered. The ground capacity is just over 4,200 in total.

Quag End

Admission Prices

Adults £17 OAP's £11 Under 16's £6 Under 11's £4

Previous Meetings and Memories

Our last visit was August Bank Holiday 2013 and a 3-0 win, courtesy of Mark Byrne, Jake Hyde and Keanu Marsh Brown put us top of the table – 4 weeks later however we were 12^th! 

Mark Byrne Grabbed By Stalker

Jake Hyde

A Previous visit to Braintree was in September 1990, FA 2^nd Qualifying Round – Braintree 0-2 Barnet was the final score the great Harry Willis scoring twice.

Roger Harry Willis

Overnight Stay Factor

Err...............................nope.

Celebrity Watch

Keep your eyes open for Steve Harley (he of Cockney Rebel fame), actors Rupert Everett and Malcolm McFee (Peter Craven in Please Sir! and once Landlord of the Wagon and Horses pub) and keep your ears out for the sounds of Prodigy the hardcore techo and rave band from the 1990's. Liam Howlett and Keith Flint started a few fires in the area as kids!

Steve Harley

Malcolm McFee

A Fire Starter - A Reckless Silly Arson Joke