Our pier's bigger than your pier!
TICKETS
Tickets are situated in the uncovered West Stand and the game is all ticket.
NO TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM BRIGHTON ON THE DAY OF THE GAME.
Adults £20, Seniors £14, Under 21's £16, Under 16's £13, Under 10's £1, Ambulant Disabled & Carer £16.
For full info and how to get a ticket even at this late stage go here:
www.southendunited.co.uk/page/TicketNewsDetail/0,,10444~1581284,00.html
COACH
For the latest news, prices and pick-up points for the supporters club coaches click here: www.shrimperstrust.co.uk/default.asp?page_id=638
For an alternative journey keep up to date with SoL Travel at: www.theshrimpers-online.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6&Itemid=8
Coaches still available for ONE POUND from London Victoria to Brighton Town Centre at 14.00 and 15.00, the latter in at 17.20, if you want to make the kick-off. The 16.00, in at 18.20, has now gone up to £3. Has to be train back so possible £4 return.
However, you have to get a bus or train to the ground from the town centre, or a hell of a walk, so if you can the afternoon off stick to the train.
If interested go here: www.nationalexpress.com
TRAIN
The nearest railway station is Preston Park which is about a 10-15 minute walk from the ground. The station is served by trains from London Victoria, Kings Cross & London Bridge. On coming out of the station and walking down to the bottom of the hill, turn left along the A23 for the stadium or right for the Preston Brewery Tap pub.
Go directly to www.southernrailway.com for the all the available services and the best prices with no hidden extras.
You can travel out on the 14.21 or before, £3.00 advance single from London Victoria rail station.
The 14.36 and 15.36 have gone up to £4.50.
In fact, you can even get a ticket back to London at £3. You have to use Southern, which means the 22.00 or 23.02.
The latter, great if you live in London or trust the 1am from Liverpool Street!
The former, as it reaches Preston Park at 22.04, you'll have to leave sharpish, but as you can see on the map below reachable at less than a mile away.
All Brighton tickets are valid at Preston Park.
So good luck if you go down this route, but if money's tight, and this will be our 8th match out of 11 in a 36 day period!
The normal day return, OK on most services up to peak time, is £17. For anyone who can't get a half day the last service before prices start to rise is the 17.52, in at Preston Park at 19.00.
(Fares correct as of Monday March 9, 2009.)
(Preston Park; bottom left blue blob: Ground; top left, off Tongdean Lane.)
ROAD
Fill in the details from your home postcode to here for a full route plan www.theaa.com/route-planner/index.jsp but for an edited version:
Approx. 85 miles. 1 hour 40 minutes.
Over the Dartford Tunnel and get off the M25 onto the M23 (Gatwick Airport) before joining the A23. The stadium is located two miles away from the town centre and is just off the London Road (A23).
Parking restrictions have been lifted near to the stadium, so that there is now plenty of street parking to be had. If you arrive early (before 13.00) then you are able to park just off the A23.
There is an park and ride scheme which is available about one mile north of the ground, at Mill Road. Given that 90% of away fans come from the north and travel down the M23/A23, this is the ideal site, as it is right next to the main road. However, there have been reports of cars haven been broken in and there is a lack of security while the match is on.
Your match ticket includes a park and ride ticket for either the train or bus so you may wish to park in the city centre and then get the train (it only takes five minutes) to Preston Park or walk. This way you get the chance to sample the pubs around the station!
FOOD AND DRINK
For full info and maps on the best places to have a pint and a pie go to the Pub Crawl in Brighton here:
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW8&id=432396
www.southendunited-mad.co.uk/news/loadfeat.asp?cid=EDW8&id=432396
SHORT BREAKS
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Football Hotels who are powered by Activehotels, who specialise in locating accommodation near or within a short travelling distance of the football ground. They also have the added advantage over some other hotel booking services that you pay on departure.
To access their Brighton page click here.
(Thanks to the Football Ground Guide, http://www.footballgroundguide.com/brighton_and_hove_albion/, and DoDtS's excellent Shrimperzone Away Travel section, www.shrimperzone.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=24, for their help in preparing this article.)