Manchester City F.C.
The Etihad Stadium
Sportcity
Rowsley Street
MANCHESTER
M11 3FF
1st January 2013
THE GROUND:
MANCHESTER City moved to the new stadium in August 2003 following 80 years in residence at Maine Road. The impressive new ground was originally constructed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games after which the Blues became the new tenants.
Considerable work was then required to convert the stadium for pure football usage at a cost of £20 Million which involved removal of the athletics track and the installation of a further 10,000 seats down towards pitch-side.
The fully-enclosed stadium has a capacity of 48,000 seats in a bowl-like design with three- tiered stands along the sides, two tiers at each end. From the outside the stadium has a continental look with circular access stairways built alongside the East and West Stands.
Away fans are seated in one side of the South Stand in both the Upper and Lower Tiers - 3000 seats available for most fixtures. The highest attendance recorded at the new ground is 47,304 against Chelsea for a Premier League fixture in February 2004.
The record "gate" at the former Maine Road ground was, of course, the 84,569 who attended the F.A Cup 6th Round Tie against Stoke City on 3rd March 1934.
BLAST FROM THE PAST:
SEPTEMBER 1980: The Potters visited Maine Road for a League Division 1 fixture and recorded a 2-1 victory over the Blues before a crowd of 29,507.
Dutchman Loek Ursem and Lee Chapman netted the Stoke goals, Denis Tueart replied for the hosts.
Alan Durban's team was :- Fox, Evans, Hampton, Dodd, O'Callaghan, Doyle, Heath, Ursem, Chapman, Thorley, Bracewell.
Stoke went on to complete a superb double against the Blues, and ended the campaign one place above them in the leave table in 11th place.
YOUR ROUTE:
From the Britannia take the M6 Northbound to exit at Junction 19 onto A556 (S/P Manchester).
At Bowden roundabout take the third exit onto A556 (S/P Manchester) and join M56 Eastbound.
After eight miles keep in Left-hand lanes (S/P Stockport, Didsbury, Sheffield, Leeds) and bear left onto M60.
Leave M60 at J23, take A635 towards Manchester.
Branch off onto A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester and the stadium is on your right after three miles.
CAR PARKING:
There is a limited amount of parking at the stadium - East Car Park is nearest to the visitors entrance. Otherwise there are a number of private car parks in industrial premises as you approach the ground.
The streets around Eastlands area are resident parking schemes only.
DISTANCE:
It takes approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to complete the 54 mile journey from the Britannia Stadium.
GOING BY TRAIN:
Manchester Piccadilly is the closest Main Line station serving the Sportcity complex - there is a safe, well lit and signposted route to walk from the station. Stewarded on match-days, the walk takes about 30 minutes.
Ashbury's is the local halt about five minutes extra rail journey from Piccadilly and about 10 minutes walk to the stadium. Remember to check train times and availability for this Tuesday's fixture.
LOCAL MEDIA:
95.1 FM, KEY 103 FM, Smooth Radio N. West 100.4 FMBBC Radio Manchester (GMR)