"Molineux - Wolverhampton"

As a Burnley supporter, I have attended Molineux Stadium on two occasions, but have only distant memories of the first occasion (although I do recall the score: a 2-0 defeat in 2008 - the season both sides were promoted from the Championship). This review covers my second visit to the ground in 2013, at the height of the club's unfortunate demise, and subsequent double relegation. To say I enjoyed the visit would be something of an understatement. Our supporters were allocated the highest point in the stadium, as well as sharing the latest and best facilities the ground has to offer at time of writing - within the newly constructed Stan Cullis Stand, and in spite of a slight encountered issue with catering, the facilities were outstanding (though as a Claret, this is no great feat!). The atmosphere overall was...errr...interesting... and Burnley went on to win the game 2-1.

Location

This has been mentioned countless times in previous reviews, so I need not say much. Located within easy walking distance of train and bus terminals, and there's also a parking space no matter what. All one could ask for. End of.

View

I suppose the only real disadvantage was the fact we were housed right in the corner (though I suppose this was inevitable). We were admittedly about as far away from the action as was possible - but other than that, the view was decent - and the whole pitch was clearly visible...as was the whole of Wolverhampton as well.

Facilities

The facilities were arguable the greatest merit of the ground during the visit. We shared the Stan Cullis stand with our opponents - and I have to say, there was little more than could be asked of the facilities there. The stand was the first step in a number of proposed redevelopments to the ground, and on the face of it, it is almost impossible to envisage such a place in League 1 (at time of writing). There were plenty of necessities such as toilets, catering, betting, etc and all were very clean and proper.

Food & Drink

As you'd expect from a team that has just splashed incredible amounts of money on redevelopment, the cost of catering was rather high. I bought very little during my time, and in addition to paying a rather large sum, the chips were stone cold. Evidently a new employee....

Police & Stewards

I guess there is not much that can be done when several thousand disgruntled fans form a mob and invade the pitch. We were unaffected by this, and the stewards in our area were generally helpful for the little time they were ever needed.

Atmosphere

This is probably the most MEMORABLE part of my afternoon at Molineux. I guess my perspective may not be entirely representative, as it's not every day the home crowd invade the pitch following all but confirmed relegation to smash up there own dugouts, destroy the advertisement boards and hurl verbal abuse and threats at their own owner (unless you're at Millwall of course).

Emotions were certainly running high at the ground that day, so it is inevitable Wolves fans were in no mood for a friendly chat (mind you, neither were we). There was a considerable amount of chanting between the two sets of fans, separated only by a canvas sheet less than 5 meters wide - particularly at individuals. And this only worsened following Burnley's second goal that practically condemned the club to life in League 1. Youtube outlines a rather interesting image of what occurred after the final whistle, so I need not comment further. The atmosphere was certainly one of hatred, but more towards their own board of directors than towards us. And I can understand why.

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