It's a cold trip which awaits Exeter City as they make the trip to Rochdale for the first time in seven years.
Ahead of the travel, here's an away day guide to the Crown Oil Arena.
Stadium
- Name: Crown Oil Arena
- Capacity: 10,000
- Year opened: 1878
- Record Attendance: 24,231 (v Notts County, FA Cup 2nd Round 1949)
- Address: St Clements Playing Fields, Sandy Lane, Rochda07le, Lancashire, OL11 5DR.
Opened in 1878 to accommodate the St Clement’s Rugby Club, the playing fields have been home to the Football Club since it’s existence. The ground hosted the first amalgamation of Rochdale AFC (1896-1901), Rochdale Town (1900-07) and now the present club.
By the time the club joined the Football League the old Grandstand had been erected on the old Cricket pavilion. In 2013, Spotland played host to the Rugby League Word Cup fixture between Fiji and Ireland with an attendance of 9,000.
In 2016, Crown Oil paint took the naming rights to the ground, with a rename to the Crown Oil Arena.
Visiting supporters are housed in the Reside Estate Agency Stand (Willbutts Lane).
Tickets
Tickets for City's trip to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday 27th November to face Rochdale are now on sale from the ticket office and from your online account.
We have been allocated 405 seated tickets for the Reside Estate Agency Stand and prices are as follows:
- Adults £22
- Seniors (65+) £17
- Young Person (12-21) £14
- Junior (under 11) £7
We have also been allocated six pairs of wheelchair and carer tickets. Wheelchair users and ambulant disabled are charged their relevant age with an accompanied free carer, if needed.
The Crown Oil Arena is now operating a barcoded entrance. There are no cash turnstiles.
Any supporter in possession of a concession ticket is recommended to bring proof of their qualification. Any ticket holder who is believed not to qualify will be directed to the ticket office to upgrade to the full adult price.
Tickets will go off sale at 3pm on Friday 26 November.
Travel
By Car (approx 4hr 45m):
The postcode for the Crown Oil Arena is: OL11 5DR
Take the M5 and M6 to Manchester before merging onto the M60/62 Westbound. The stadium is two miles off Junction 20 into Rochdale.
Parking:
The Crown Oil Arena has a small car park which can accommodate guests and staff only. Street parking is available around the stadium. However, please be aware that parking restrictions are in place in the yellow coned areas – these are monitored by traffic control. Please park courteously in public areas.
By Rail (approx 5hr 43m):
07:27 Crosscountry to Edinburgh, depart at Birmingham New Street
10:15 Avanti West Coast to Edingburgh, change at Crewe
11:30 Transport for Wales to Manchester Picadilly
Transfer to Manchester Victoria
12:58 Northern to Leeds, depart at Rochdale at 13:10.
Rochdale train station is around 2.5 miles and a 45-minute walk from the Crown Oil Arena. Taxis are available outside the station at a cost of around £7/£8.
Grecian Travel
Grecian Travel, run by the Supporters' Club is available for City's trip to Rochdale.
- The coach will depart from Arena nightclub, Summerland Street at 7.30am for a fare of £43 for adults and £38 for under-16s
Other pick-up points include: Honiton Road park and ride (by Miller and Carter Steakhouse), junction 28 (Cullompton services), junction 27 (Tiverton) and junction 25 (Taunton) All other pick-ups by prior arrangement.
PLEASE NOTE: Face coverings are required to travel on Grecian Travel. This does not apply if you are exempt.
How to buy
Currently Grecian Travel can only be booked directly.
For more information or to book please contact John Bishop on 07904 036334 or by email at: john.bishop760@btinternet.com (after 6pm) or Christopher Woolcott on 07803246593 or email: christopherwoolcott14@gmail.com.
Drums and Flags
Drums are allowed into the ground, although this is reviewed on a match-by-match basis. If this policy changes, spectators will be notified via social media.
Banners are allowed in the away end. A fire safety certificate is required for all banners over 7ft x 3ft. All fire rating documents should be supplied before banners can enter the stadium. Approach a steward who will show the best place the banners can be placed.
No flags on poles are allowed.
Pubs and Matchday Refreshment
Visiting supporters are welcome in the club’s Ratcliffe Bars which are open from 12noon on a Saturday matchday.
On Sandy Lane there is the Cemetary Hotel which offers a wide range of choice.
There are kiosks within the concourse of the away end, which sell a range of hot and cold food and drinks, including alcohol.
Food
- Pies: £3.50
- Kebabs: £4.00
- Crisps: £1.00
- Chocolate: £1.50
- Easy Peeler Satsuma: Free
- Pie & Pint deal: £6.50
Drinks
- Tea/Coffee/Bovril: £2.00
- Hot Chocolate: £2.50
- Soft Drinks: £2.00
- Water: £1.00
- Alcohol: £3.50
We can't wait to see you at the Crown Oil Arena, backing the boys to return to winning ways. As always we wish the safest of travels to and from Rochdale.