THE RECKLESS GUIDE TO MORECAMBE
Morecambe v Barnet
Coca-Cola Football League 2
Saturday 23 January 2010 Kick-Off 3.00pm
Stadium: Christie Park, Lancaster Road, Morecambe, LA4 5TJ
Telephone: 01524 411797
Club Colours: Red and Black and White
Nickname: The Shrimps
Official Club Website: www.morecambefc.com
Manager: Sammy McIllroy
Brief Directions by Road: A bit of a trek this one everybody. As we take the M1 onto the M6. Exit the M6 at its junction 34(A683) and head towards and into Lancaster. Stay on the one way system in Lancaster and look out for the A589 from Lancaster into Morecambe. Cross over the river and then look out for the splendid sight that is Lancaster Castle on your left on top of a hill. Go straight over two large roundabouts, then take the 2nd exit at the 3rd roundabout signposted (B5321 Lancaster Road). Morecambe FC is clearly signposted from here. Ground approximately 400 yards on the left.
Car Parking: The main car park is ostensibly for officials. Otherwise the nearest designated car parking area is behind a social club just before you reach the ground, so.....if you are travelling via Lancaster it will be on your left. The local streets are also unrestricted.
Directions by Train: An early start is required for this one as the journey time is a good 4 hours with changes at Preston and Lancaster possible depending on which train you take. Morecambe station is near the seafront and is approximately a one-mile walk from the ground. Exit the station and turn right into Central Drive. Walk along Euston Road and continue over the railway bridge where the road becomes Lancaster Road. The Ground is on the right hand side just after a school.
Supporters Coaches: The BFCSA coach costs £35 for adults, £30 concessions, departing from outside the Barnet Odeon at 8.00am. For further details about supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk. You can also phone the Coach Travel hot line on 01707 647365. Please remember that you must be a member of the Association to travel - don't worry you can join on the day. The supporters' coach travel is entirely organised and operated independently by the Barnet FC Supporters Association. Barnet FC cannot be held liable for any losses occurred.
Eating and Drinking Locally: Upstairs Downstairs and The Kings Head are reputedly the best pubs on the Seafront, whilst in Queens Street you will find The Jester and The Bradford Arms. The ever popular York Hotel is a little closer to the ground and has always been "the" pub to use. The journey by road takes you through Lancaster and it is certainly well worth considering as a lunch stop and sampling the local 'Hot Pot'. As a seaside town fish and chips is well represented at Christie Park and the best 'plaice' to indulge is Atkinson's Christie Park Fish & Chips, in Lancaster Road about 100 yards from the ground. Reckless Recommendations: Seek out the Artisan Café if you walk along the seafront, it is near the clock tower and serves up some very tasty healthy type food or Jacks Café in Queen Street for a brilliant MASSIVE all on fry up!
The Social Club: Away fans are made very welcome in JB's bar which is situated under the main stand. Bar prices are very reasonable with a "happy hour" between 1.00pm and 2.30pm (yes Reckless I know that is an hour and a half). There is a £1 entry charge to non-members. Try the pie, peas and gravy for £2.50, it is first-rate.
Ground Description: The main stand was built in 1962 and cost just £20,000. It occupies half of the touchline and I believe it was designed by the same architects responsible for main stand at Underhill two years later, albeit on a slightly larger scale. The similarities are evident if you look closely. For instance two of the original floodlight gantries used to sit on top of a roof which is supported in the centre by one thin central upright just like Underhill. It holds about 1,200 seats and has a small open paddock in front. Opposite is the shallow open East or Car Wash Terrace similar to the away area at Woking but without the barriers. The game will be segregated and the away fans will be allocated the Umbro (South) Stand which is a sturdy covered terrace to the right of the main stand. Clearly the most modern structure at Christie Park is the impressive North Stand terrace. Built in 1997 it commands a brilliant view of proceedings and is very much a Morecambe home fan stronghold.
Rivals: Southport, Barrow and in years gone by Lancaster City.
Admission Prices: Adult £13, concession £10, children £4 (U16), Main Stand Adult £15, concession £12, children £6.
Our Last Meeting & Memories: A John O Flynn goal was not enough in a 1-2 defeat in March 2009 at Christie Park. We were Morecambe's first ever Football League opponents in August 2007 - the teams celebrated with a 0-0 draw. The one sided 5-1 victory in September 2004 at Underhill was also extra special - it featured a brace from Grazioli, an Ian Hendon penalty, plus goals from Simon King and Nicky Bailey.
Overnight Stay Factor: What a perfect away game with a big 9/10, as everybody loves the seaside don't they? The aforementioned York Hotel has been offering inexpensive b'n'b accommodation to away supporters for years - no doubt if the game is on it will be full. If pubs, night-clubs, ice cream 99's, candy floss and Hot Doughnuts is what you seek then Morecambe is for you! Let's just hope they are open.
Celebrity Watch: Ex-Bees legend and ex-Shrimp Kenny Lowe holidayed for a week every year at Morecambe without fail, he once told me so - he's from the seaside and he plays out wide. Comedienne Victoria Wood was born in Morecambe as was Eric Bartholomew, aka Eric Morecambe, not forgetting game show host Jim Bowen - which is smashing and super.
