BARNET v PORT VALE

DATE: Sat 2^nd May 2009

KICK OFF: 3.00pm

GROUND NAME: Underhill Stadium
Capacity: 5,500
Address: Barnet Lane, Barnet, EN5 2DN
Tel No: 020-8441-6932
Ticket Office: 020-8449-6325
Team Nickname: Bees

Pitch size:110 x 70yrds
Official Web Site: www.barnetfc.com

COACH TRAVEL INFORMATION:

Coach leaves ValePark: 8.30am

Adults: £15.50

Concessions: £14

DIRECTIONS:

Take M6 (S) to junction with M1. Join M1(S) to J6A with M25. Take M25 clockwise (s/post Potters Bar) and leave at J23. Take the A1081 towards Barnet. Follow this road for about three miles. Continue towards Barnet as the road becomes the A1000. The ground is at the foot of Barnet Hill near to the junction with Station Road (A110).

Where to park:

There is plenty of street parking around the ground, but beware the dreaded clampers. The best car park is at the tube station, costing just £2. It is well signposted and just a short walk from the ground.

OVERVIEW OF STADIUM:

The South Stand behind one goal of the ground is now open. This provides seating for 1,000 spectators.

The Main Stand situated on one side of the ground is quite small and straddles the half way line, running barely half of the pitch. This stand which was built in 1964, houses 800 seated fans. The northern end of the Main Stand is a small terrace, whilst on the other side is a small all seated Family Stand. This stand at one time was a small covered terrace that has now had seats installed.

Behind the other goal is the North Terrace. This end is so small that it has a large mesh fence at the back of it, to prevent footballs hitting the houses that sit on the other side of Westcombe Drive.

Sadly the most striking feature of the ground is the relatively new club office building which sits at one corner of the ground, beside the South Stand.

Although the slope of the pitch is not as bad as it once was, it is still fairly noticeable, running down the length of the pitch from north to south.

Although the club have recently had to invest in Underhill to bring it up to Football League requirements, the Club are still hoping to find a suitable location for a new stadium.

WHERE THE VALIANTS WILL BE HOUSED:

Away fans are housed on one side of the covered East Terrace, towards the North End of the ground. This area accommodates around 1,000 supporters. If demand is sufficient the open North Terrace can also be allocated, increasing the allocation to 1,500. The famous sloping pitch and rather dated appearance give the ground charm.

WHERE TO GET A DRINK:

There are a number of good pubs around Underhill. A favourite with away fans is The Old Red Lion which is just behind the north entrance. Situated up in the town at the top of Barnet Hill are the Moon Under Water and the King John, and down the bottom of the hill (under the Underground bridge) are the Queen's Arms and The Weaver. Away fans are welcome in all of these pubs on the whole. If you travel by train and come into New Barnet railway station, then opposite is a Wetherspoons' pub called the Railway Bell, which has a good selection of beer. The supporters' club at the ground is for home fans only.

WHERE TO EAT:

The snack bars at the ground provide the usual match day food, with the pubs near the ground serving food.

If you don't fancy a pub lunch the nearest chippy is about half a mile away. Go down Underhill, turn right onto the Great North Road. The Fresh Fry Bar is on the other side of the road, in total about half a mile from the ground.