Coca-Cola League 2
Saturday 25th August 2007
Kick Off 3.00pm

Stadium Griffin Park Braemar Road, Brentford, TW8 0NT
Telephone 08453-456-442
Club Colours Red White and Black
Nickname The Bees
Official Club Website www.brentfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk
Key Personnel Manager Terry Butcher

Brief Directions By Road
In the past I have rather selfishly given directions to a ground from purely the Barnet area. I do of course realise that many supporters don't actually travel from this direction so where possible and where applicable I am going to expand this section from now on.

So, from Barnet through Finchley or Hendon and onto the North Circular Road A406 then head westbound for the Chiswick roundabout via The Hanger Lane Gyratory system, Ealing Common and Gunnersbury Avenue - great opportunity to see the breathtaking Wembley Stadium Arch. Go right round the Chiswick roundabout and head back up the A4, signposted The West, Heathrow A4, M4, which runs directly below the M4. Keep in the right-hand lane signposted Staines and Hounslow A4, and go straight on. Now, turning left into the Ealing Road (B455) will find the ground (it is pretty difficult not to spot the massive floodlight pylons) and the manned Equinox Car Park for around £5.00 per car. However for better free parking options carry on to the next traffic lights allowing you to turn left onto the A3002 (Boston Manor Road) signposted Brentford. After approx. 1 mile find Somerset Road on the right. The surrounding areas are unrestricted for parking and only a 10 minute walk to the ground.

Travelling from further afield exit the M25 at junction 15 signposted M4, Heathrow Terminals 1,2 & 3, London (W) and onto the M4 eastbound. After approx. 9 miles exit at junction 2 (A4, N and S Circular A406). Drop down onto the A4 which runs underneath the M4. At Chiswick Roundabout after about a mile follow directions as above.

Directions By Train
Both Kew Gardens and Brentford mainline stations are about the same walking distance from Griffin Park. Both stations are served from Waterloo. Underground stations - Gunnersbury (District) and South Ealing (Piccadilly) are ½ hour walk away. The number 65 bus serves the ground from both these stations.

Coach Travel
Coach travel to away fixtures this season is being organised by the Barnet Football Club Supporters Association. For further details about Supporters coach travel and how to book check out the BFCSA website at www.bfcsa.co.uk.

Eating And Drinking Locally
It is famously known throughout the land (is it not?) that Griffin Park has a pub on each of its four corners - The Royal Oak, The Griffin, The Princess Royal and The New Inn. If you can handle four pints before a game then go for it. The New Inn is the more usual "away" pub but my favourite was the Griffin if only for the excellent selection of ales and the bar meals
The Wagon and Horses is a good find if travelling via Kew Gardens station or seek out the Magpie & Crown on Brentford High Street if you are the geography teacher type (complete with corduroy jacket with patches on the elbows) and into real ales on pump.

The Social Club
Stripes Bar is the Brentford social club and to the best of my knowledge no visiting supporters are permitted - as nobody has answered that question in my E mail to the club!

The Ground Description
Since our last visit in 1999 the ground has changed very little. Let's start with the Bill Axbey Stand - originally a superb old style covered terrace dating from the 1930's now converted fully to seating. Opposite on Braemar Road is the main stand now entitled The Refreshing Solutions Stand. Such is the power of corporate sponsorship! It occupies 2/3rds of the touchline replacing most of the original all wooden stand that suffered fire damage in 1983. A small part of this stand still survives and the join is clearly visible. To it's right is the recently roofed home fan stronghold the Ealing Road Terrace. It was previously allocated to away fans but they are now housed in the Brook Road Stand to the left. This stand resembles a quaint little Wendy House and has covered seating for 600 above a covered terrace with room for just over 1,000. It was assembled, after arriving delivery free complete with instructions, in 1986!

Rivals
Queens Park Rangers and Fulham

Admission Prices
(Seating): Adults £19, OAP's & Students £13, Juniors £5 - (Terrace): Adults £18, OAP's & Students £12, Juniors £5. Griffin Park has excellent facilities for the disabled but contact prior to the game is imperative to take advantage of them.

Our Last Meeting & Memories
We have met Brentford numerous times over the years mainly in cup competitions but the last league visit to Griffin Park was in the New Year of 1999 and saw Barnet well beaten 3-1. King Kenny Charlery was the real Bees scorer that day.

For some groin tingling excitement one must go back to August 1991 and a Rumblelows Cup tie at Underhill which finished 5-5. The Barnet goals that night were scored by Gary Bull, Mark Carter and Nicky Evans - now that is a serious trio of goalscoring talent. The game came on the back of the infamous 7-4 home defeat by Crewe Alexandra. Underhill saw 21 goals in the space of four days! Later that season we visited Griffin Park in the Autoglass Trophy and won 6-3. Barnet was indeed the Home of the Goal! May I just add that we have not yet beaten Brentford in a league match after 4 attempts.

Overnight Stay Factor
0/10 - There is nothing to do in Brentford except head back home!

Celebrity Watch
A stroll along Brentford High Street or Boston Manor Road could be quite rewarding for you autograph hunters. Keep a sharp eye out for Stan Bowles when placing a bet at 12/1 for a Barnet 2-0 win, the guitar/percussion duo in front of Woolworth's is likely to be Nick Lowe and Rat Scabies while the three ladies discussing latest events in the news and the British weather could be Kate Adie, Anna Ford and the gorgeous Lisa Burke. Is that quintessential English poet Percy Shelley buying a Bic biro and a notepad from WH Smiths?