The Iron will travel to South Wales in hope of getting back to winning ways after a late goal from Bristol Rovers denied Russ Wilcox’s a valuable three points on Tuesday evening.
It will be our first visit to Rodney Parade and the first to Newport since the 1987/88 season, in which we drew 1-1. The return fixture that year was better, as we ran out 3-1 winners at home.Rodney Parade…
Opened in 1877, Rodney Parade is now shared by rugby union sides Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport RFC, as well as Justin Edinburgh’s County. The Exiles are in their first season at the ground, after relocating from the Newport Stadium, where they spent eighteen years.
Its capacity is around 11,000, but it gets reduced by quite a lot for home matches, lowering to around 7,850.
The stadium isn’t as old as its first opening- it has undergone developments in recent years.
The Town End and Bisley stand are the newest ones, rebuilt in 2010 and 2011 respectively. The Hazell Stand is one of the older ones and this and the Bisley stand run along the length of the pitch and they are the only stands which provide fans shelter.
The Bisley Stand plays host to television cameras and hospitality, with the press situated in the Hazel Stand. The South Stand is where the main media centre is, as well as the players’ changing facilities.
The away fans are also featured towards this south end of the Bisley Stand, nearby the newly installed video screen and under cover, with seating, as the Stand is shared with home supporters who are separated by green netting which is draped over the seats.
The ground’s location is said to be better than the previous one, as it is now within close proximity to the city centre, where you can have access to bars, pubs, restaurants and public transport.
Matchday programmes will be available, priced at £3.
Getting there…
The 210-mile journey is likely to take around three and a half hours each way, but give yourself four to four and a half to be sure and to have a stop on the way. It should cost around £80 in total in petrol.
Departing from Glanford Park, take the first exit at the roundabout by Tesco’s onto Doncaster Road, then continue to the next roundabout, taking the first exit again onto the M181, heading towards Humber Bridge/Doncaster/M180.
Keep right at the fork, following signs for Doncaster/M180 before merging onto the M180.
After around 12.2 miles, take the exit onto the M18, heading towards the M1/Doncaster and continue for approximately 20 miles until you merge onto the M1.
Continue on the M1 for just over 40 miles until you reach Junction 23A, entering the A42, towards M42/Tamworth/Birmingham.
After 14.6 miles, continue on the M42, towards signs for Tamworth/Birmingham. Continue for nearly 15 miles, keeping right at the fork and following signs for M42/London/M40/Coventry and merge onto the M42, where you will continue for 25 miles, before merging onto the M5.
After 22.6 miles, exit at Junction 8 towards M50/South Wales/Ross. After half a mile, take the second exit at the roundabout, still heading towards South Wales/Ross. Continue for 21.5 miles, until you reach the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A40.
Go straight ahead for the next three roundabouts over the course of 17.9 miles. Continue on the A449 for 12.9 miles, keeping slight left, staying on the A449 for around 223 feet until you reach the roundabout, where you will take the fourth exit onto The Coldra/B4237, which you will continue to follow.
Continue onto Clarence PI/B4596 for 0.1 miles and turn left onto Rodney Rd, where the ground will be on your left.
Parking…
There is no parking available for supporters at the ground, with the surrounding areas mostly a ‘residents only’ parking scheme. There may be streets to park on further away from the stadium or car parks in the city centre, such as Kingsway Shopping Centre, which is just £2 for five hours.