Chelmsford away...a few tips
Posted: 29 Jul 2018, 19:36
Welcome to the National South. I know none of you want to be here but...well, you're stuck with it for the next 9 months at least. You might as well make the best of it while you're here.
Next Saturday some of you will be travelling to Chelmsford. We play at an athletics stadium affectionally referred to as the Gulag after it was described as being like one in the local press by someone writing in to the letters page. It's not great but its better than playing 10 miles down the road in Billericay like we had to for 9 seasons after loosing our original ground. The best views are behind the goals where you are right on top of the action (one end is covered, one isn't). Our main stand is set quite back from the pitch but at least is elevated. The bar is decent enough and although a bit pricey we're often told our food van is the best in the league. One thing about next Saturday...and this is something you'll need to get used too now you're playing in proper, unsegregated non league. Fans like to switch goals at half time. If you don't its probably just gonna cause unnecessary friction. Remember you're the ones who've fallen to our level so if changing ends isn't something you'd ever consider...well you should.
As for Chelmsford itself, don't confuse this place with the TOWIE shit you see on TV. The idiots on there are all auditioned wannabe celebs picked to be controversial. Half of them are from East London rather than Essex. Whilst you still get a bit of Essex flavour in Chelmsford its a lot closer to your bog standard Home Counties commuter town than the stereotypes peddled on that show and others.
Chelmsford is pretty decent for pubs. All the best ones are right by the train station or the cricket ground. The Railway Tavern next to the station has a decent selection of beer and they always look after football crowds (expect free shots to keep you there). If you're an Ale drinker then the Chelmsford Ale house in the viaducts next to the station is class. You also have The Plough. The Steamer, The Ship (decent for food) and the White Horse all within a minute of the station which all have their good and bad points but are generally good. If you're up for wandering about then the Moulsham Street area near the cricket ground is worth checking out (The Cricketers, Queens Head, Orange Tree and O'Connors are the better ones).
The ground is a mile and a half from the station and the local pubs are crap. So if you're not heading straight to the ground do your drinking in town and then buddy up in cabs (taxi rank next to the Ale House or behind the Plough by the station). You could get the 40 or 54/56 bus (ask for Melbourne Parade) but if there's a group cabs are quicker and cheaper.
If you fancy a curry afterwards the Rose of India 2 mins from the ground is your best bet. The Lantern House isn't a bad Chinese either and there's a quality Turkish restaurant next to The Ship as well.
Anyway, enjoy your visit. This isn't the football league so you're probably not going to like it but accept your here, approach it with the right attitude and you may enjoy it more than you think.
Next Saturday some of you will be travelling to Chelmsford. We play at an athletics stadium affectionally referred to as the Gulag after it was described as being like one in the local press by someone writing in to the letters page. It's not great but its better than playing 10 miles down the road in Billericay like we had to for 9 seasons after loosing our original ground. The best views are behind the goals where you are right on top of the action (one end is covered, one isn't). Our main stand is set quite back from the pitch but at least is elevated. The bar is decent enough and although a bit pricey we're often told our food van is the best in the league. One thing about next Saturday...and this is something you'll need to get used too now you're playing in proper, unsegregated non league. Fans like to switch goals at half time. If you don't its probably just gonna cause unnecessary friction. Remember you're the ones who've fallen to our level so if changing ends isn't something you'd ever consider...well you should.
As for Chelmsford itself, don't confuse this place with the TOWIE shit you see on TV. The idiots on there are all auditioned wannabe celebs picked to be controversial. Half of them are from East London rather than Essex. Whilst you still get a bit of Essex flavour in Chelmsford its a lot closer to your bog standard Home Counties commuter town than the stereotypes peddled on that show and others.
Chelmsford is pretty decent for pubs. All the best ones are right by the train station or the cricket ground. The Railway Tavern next to the station has a decent selection of beer and they always look after football crowds (expect free shots to keep you there). If you're an Ale drinker then the Chelmsford Ale house in the viaducts next to the station is class. You also have The Plough. The Steamer, The Ship (decent for food) and the White Horse all within a minute of the station which all have their good and bad points but are generally good. If you're up for wandering about then the Moulsham Street area near the cricket ground is worth checking out (The Cricketers, Queens Head, Orange Tree and O'Connors are the better ones).
The ground is a mile and a half from the station and the local pubs are crap. So if you're not heading straight to the ground do your drinking in town and then buddy up in cabs (taxi rank next to the Ale House or behind the Plough by the station). You could get the 40 or 54/56 bus (ask for Melbourne Parade) but if there's a group cabs are quicker and cheaper.
If you fancy a curry afterwards the Rose of India 2 mins from the ground is your best bet. The Lantern House isn't a bad Chinese either and there's a quality Turkish restaurant next to The Ship as well.
Anyway, enjoy your visit. This isn't the football league so you're probably not going to like it but accept your here, approach it with the right attitude and you may enjoy it more than you think.
