"Homely Little Stadium"

I lived for 2 years in Aberystwyth. Anybody who knows the complex geography of West Wales will inform you that nowhere is ever easy to get to. So I decided to start supporting my new local team so as to avoid long journeys to watch football.

The stadium's not picturesque, but is situated by the banks of the river Rheidol.

It's not big and it's not glamorous, but it's nice.

Location

Aberystwyth isn't easy to get to. It's in the middle of nowhere.

But if you're coming from the South it's very easy to get to. As you enter the town on the main road the stadium is hidden behind a bus garage on your left. Traffic is common, but moves quickly.

Coming from the North you'll have to drive through the town itself, which can be very frustrating, especially when there are the common traffic jams on Penglais hill. Don't get lost on the complex one way system or you're doomed.

By train it's easy. Once off the train turn left, head towards the Matalan on Park Avenue, once on Park Avenue walk through the gap by the bus depot and the stadium's right there.

View

Like all League of Wales stadiums the stands are a miss-match. If you sit in the grandstand above the John Charles Bar you're likely to have a pretty good view. Likewise the views from the Dias stand are decent, though don't sit too close to the edge or your view will be impeded by the stand's walls.

The only other seating area is a temporary stand that runs along half the touchline on the far side of the ground. I'd recommend this stand if you want to see the whole pitch clearly. Leg-room is a problem here if you're over 4 foot tall.

Elsewhere it's standing, with grassy banks offering you a slightly elevated view of the playing surface.

Facilities

Better than most Football League stadiums I've visited.

The toilets can be found in the John Charles bar, and are very clean.

Food & Drink

Cheap and nice. Possibly the best burger I've tasted at a football stadium.

Very reasonable as well. Not the rip-off prices you get at Football League grounds.

For alcoholic beverages head for the John Charles bar and drink it in a warmth that's very much welcomed on cold Tuesday nights.

Police & Stewards

No police there due to the generally friendly nature of Welsh Premier League matches.

Stewards are helpful and passionate about their club.

Atmosphere

Atmosphere is provided by a bunch of moronic teenagers in the Dias stand. Can't really call it intimidating, more irritating than anything.

Atmosphere improves when the bigger clubs are there like Rhyl or Bangor.

All in all nothing worth hearing for connoisseurs of fine atmospheres.

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