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The Reckless Guide To…. Morecambe

Morecambe v Barnet

Sky Bet League 2

Saturday April 2nd 2016

Kick-Off 3:00pm

Stadium: The Globe Arena, Christie Way, Westgate, Morecambe LA4 5TB

Telephone: 01524 411 797

Club Colours: Red and Black and White

Nickname: The Shrimps

Official Club Website:www.morecambefc.com

Key Personnel: Jim Bentley has been at the helm since May 2011. Former central defender Bentley was a youth at Manchester City and had been a player at Morecambe for a decade and before that at Telford United.

Supporters’ Coach: The supporters’ coach leaves The Hive at 7:15am and costs £29. Find out more here.

Brief Directions by Road: A bit of a trek this one! 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. These guides offer so much more than dodgy directions or bogus bus routes – consider the culture and the beauty of England and indeed its very history, its heritage.

Go straight over two large roundabouts on the second of which you will find one of those appalling drive through burger joints. At the third roundabout, called the Shrimp Roundabout, take the first exit into Westgate Road (signposted West Promenade). Go past the Fire Station on your right and after about a mile you will see the Globe Stadium also on your right.

Car Parking: Parking is still at a premium at the club especially for visiting fans so your best bet is to continue past the stadium on Westgate and carry on under the railway bridge where you will find unrestricted and plentiful street parking available.

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 approximately a 30 minute walk from the ground. From the promenade turn left and left into Regent Street (superb Indian Restaurant on the corner if you are staying over – serves Chicken Tikka with Goats Cheese, very unusual on my Tandoori Travels). Through into Westgate and you will see the ground on your left just over the railway bridge. The bus 9 or 9a from the bus stop outside Frankie and Benny’s will drop you outside the stadium. A Taxi I believe is always the best option, then you can spend more time by the seaside! On away trips with my “band of brothers” sharing cabs to the ground is the norm because………. a) it’s cheap as chips when sharing b) drops you at the turnstiles c) leaves the maximum time possible in a bar and d) if you get out quick leaving the hapless one to pick up the fare, he more often than not forgets to ask his pals for reimbursement!

Eating and Drinking Locally: I can personally vouch for Upstairs Downstairs, the best pub on the Seafront. The journey by road to the Globe takes you through Lancaster and it is certainly a City well worth considering as a lunch stop and sampling the local ‘Hot Pot’. Morecambe as you might have already realised is a seaside town so Fish and Chips are really well represented. Atkinsons by far the best in the district can be found at 16-18 Albert Road, LA4 4HB just off the sea front. It never disappoints as in two previous visits while I was tucking into my Cod and Chips, in walked a whole bunch of Bees fans – somebody reads these guides anyway!

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 more befitting the weekend away crowd, The Café (formally Jack’s) in Queen Street for a brilliant MASSIVE all on fry up! I have attempted their “special” twice over the years and not completed it. The Globe Arena has recently picked up a top award for its homemade pies. Morecambe FC won the Supreme Champion and the Best Football Pie award at the prestigious British Pie Awards at Melton Mowbray. The Chicken, Ham and Leek Pie reigns supreme.

Ground Description: After 89 years at Christie Park, the Club moved to a new stadium for the start of the 2010-11 season. At a cost of around £12m, the Globe Arena is typical of modern football stadia. The focal point is the Peter McGuigan Stand. Named after the current Chairman, the stand has room for around 2,200 seats. Opposite is the North Terrace, a shallow open terraced area. Both ends have covered terraces. The larger West Terrace for home supporters and the smaller East Terrace, with room for around 1,400 for visitors. Seating is available for visiting supporters too.

Rivals: Southport, Barrow and in years gone by Lancaster City.

Admission Prices: Main Stand Adult £21, Concession £17, Children £6. Terrace Adult £17, Concessions £14, Children £5.

Our Last Meeting & Memories: Our last visit was in November 2012 when a Jon Nurse goal was the only cheer in a 4-1 defeat.  After a Ricky Holmes screamer the previous season, it dawned on me rather quickly I am “past it” after tumbling down the steep steps to try and get to the celebrating Barnet players – I use to manage a Terrace Run with ease but alas no longer! We were Morecambe s first ever Football League opponents in August 2007 – the teams celebrated with a 0-0 draw.

Overnight Stay Factor: A BIG 10/10, as everybody loves the seaside don’t they? The aforementioned York Hotel has been offering inexpensive, basic yet comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation to away supporters for years – no doubt it will be full. Mrs Reckless and I stayed at a very pleasant B&B called the Ashley last time and I have no problems recommending it for the weekend. Morecambe Bay is reputedly one of the best for wildlife in Europe, however the bay tide is one of the most dangerous as the tragic drowning of 19 Chinese refugee cockle pickers in February 2004 illustrates.

Celebrity Watch: Comedienne Victoria Wood was born in Morecambe as was Eric Bartholomew who with his partner Ernie Wiseman became possibly Britain’s best loved comedy duo. Guarantee that someone will drape a Bees scarf around the bronze statue of Eric on the Promenade for a photo opportunity – I know I have!