Day Return to Walsall

First, apologies for the delay in posting this article, most reading this would have decided by now, but if it helps one true Blue to get in the car or book a late train or coach it will be worth while. Anyway, it's only the pub crawl your after!

Hopefully TLG's new loan arrangement with DoDTS will allow the rest of the seasons away games to be safely filed away in the Travel Agency over the next few days. To see his good work for away games up to Bristol Rovers click onto www.shrimperzone.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=24.

Tickets for the match are only on sale at the Walsall ticket office where you have to call 0871 663 0111 and at this stage pick up your tickets on the day.

Adults £18.00, Seniors £12.00, Under 16's £12.00 .

Or just turn up and pay 2quid extra on all prices which will probably be the cost of phoning an 0871 number anyway, unless your at work but I didn't suggest it!

Still time for late bookings.

For the latest news and prices and pick-up points for the supporters club coaches click on www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/default.asp?page_id=539

While for an alternative trip keep up to date with SoL at www.theshrimpers-online.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=8.

Approx. 156 miles, 3 hours.

Straightforward, (hopefully), M1, M6, leaving at Junction 7 and take the A34 where the third exit of the roundabout is helpfully signposted Walsall. (Warning: Speed cameras on this stretch of dual carriageway.) At the end of the dual carriageway turn left at the Bell Inn public house into Walstead Road (sign posted Bescot Stadium, Bescot Station Park & Ride). Continue straight on this road for two miles, passing another pub called the Tiger on your left. You will come to Bescot Stadium and entrance to the away end on your right.

There is a good sized car park located at the ground (cost £3) and behind the away stand, which lends itself to a quick getaway after the match. Bescot Railway Station also offers car parking for £2. Alternatively there is some street parking to be had off Wallowes Lane. Avoid parking on the nearby Morrisons Supermarket car park (built on the site of the old Fellows Park), as unless you can prove that you are shopping there, you run the risk of being wheel clamped.

Train

There are still £18.00 Super off Peak Day Return fares on offer from London Marylebone all the way to the Bescot Stadium station, 11.20 or 11.50 to Birmingham Snow Hill. Then take the short walk across the City Centre to Birmingham New Street for the journey to Bescot for a £2.70 return, the route from New Street station to Snow Hill station is clearly signed.

The blue blob in between the arrows is New Street but notice how close Moor Street is, read the tip after the map which could lead to another pint before the game!

One tip by DoDTS that would allow more drinking time is to get off at Birmingham Moor Street, the stop before Snow Hill, which gets in nine minutes earlier and is closer to New Street. It's clearly marked on the map above. The 11.20 gets to Moor Street at 13.23 so you should have no trouble getting the 13.57 from New Street to Bescot at 14.17 (you should be in the club house by 14.20!)

Again, even at this late stage, if four travelling together get the "Group Save Four for Two" Basically four travel together only pay for two, fare to Birmingham £14.25, fare Birmingham to Bescot £2.70, total £16.95 each.

The trains from New Street leave at 27 and 57 and take 20 minutes. With the stadium minutes away the last train you could get is the 14.27.

On the way back you should get the 17.03, which should allow you time for the 17.52 back to London. If the ref is generous with his stoppage time there is a 17.33 which would allow you to get the 18.12. Remember to add at least 10 minutes walking time between the stations if you have or are going to book the exact time of trains on the website.

Because of engineering works on the London Euston - Birmingham line, trains will be much busier than usual as Virgin Passengers will also be travelling on the Marylebone services but time tables remain unchanged into Snow Hill.

If you still want to book tickets Thursday or Friday you can do so at www.chilternrailways.co.uk and pick them up from any ticket machine at London Marylebone. By using the train companies own website you avoid any additional costs.

Marylebone underground station is on the Bakerloo Line, from Liverpool Street on the Circle or Metropolitan line the journey should take about 15 minutes to Baker Street, from here Marylebone station is a 10 minute walk or one stop on the Bakerloo Line.

As for recommended pubs, if there's time with the inevitable delays, please click onto www.thelittlegazette.com/news/loadsngl.asp?cid=EDW8&id=404295