Not many near the ground. Out of city and in residential area. Plus some of the ones nearby have bulletholes in the walls (not joking).
Forget going near the ground Foleshill where the ground is a complete sh*thole. You're best of drinking in the city centre and gtting a bus up to the ground. Whitefriars near the universtiy is fantastic if you like old pubs selling real ale.
Former Foleshill gas works so it's that way on. Not too sure where Longford is as hwen I lived there I was over in Coundon for 2 years and Earlsdon for 1.
Football ground guide says What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Away fans are located at one end of the stadium in the Jewson South Stand, where around 3,000 supporters can be accommodated. The angle of the stand is quite steep, meaning a fair bit of effort to climb to the top. Normally a steep stand means that fans are close to the playing action, but not here. Not only is there a sizeable cinder track surrounding the playing area, but this in turn is a considerable distance from the pitch itself. This does lead to some viewing problems, especially when the action is taking place at the other end. The leg room is adequate for most and the stadium does have good acoustics, which should help boost the atmosphere. Behind the stands there are spacious concourses and a number of food and drink outlets serving amongst other things the delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (£2.20), as well as steak & kidney pies, pasties, hot dogs and burgers (£2.50). Alcohol is also available in the form of Carling Lager & Worthington Bitter (both £2.60 a pint). The Club also offer a 'pie and a pint' for £4.60. The concourses also have a number of televisions which show the game being played inside. Matt Walters a visiting Reading fan adds; 'The Ricoh, as the tannoy announcer puts it, is one of the more interesting looking new grounds when compared to others such as the Walkers Stadium. The acoustics are superb which creates a great atmosphere. However I found the seats to quite uncomfortable, which is disappointing bearing in mind that this is a brand new stadium'. I have also received reports of supporters being regularly ejected from the stadium for persistent standing, so be on your best behaviour. Contents What's The Ground Like? The Ricoh Arena (photo) What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Where To Drink? The Jewson South & Marconi West Stands (photo) How To Get There And Where To Park By Train Looking Towards The Evening Telegraph North Stand (photo) What Do The Coventry Fans Sing? Local Rivals Looking Towards The Jewson South Stand (photo) Admission Prices Fixtures 2006-2007 Programme Price Ground Layout Disabled Facilities Record & Average Attendance Fans Ground Reviews Hotel Accommodation Car Hire Feedback Return To The Main Menu What's The Ground Like? Like many grounds built in this country in the last ten years, the new Coventry stadium is functional and fairly conservative in its design. Three sides of the stadium, which are large single tiered stands are fairly bland affairs. Happily, the complex has an exhibition centre attached to its West side, resulting in a unique looking stand that gives more of a continental feel. Known as the Marconi West Stand, it has a small tier of seats overhanging the larger lower tier, with a row of corporate hospitality boxes, running along the back of the lower section. Along the top of the stand is a large area of white panelling (adorned with the logo of the stadium sponsors) that runs along the length of the stand and around the corners of either side of it. In one of these corners is located a Police Control box. Below the white panelling is a large windowed corporate hospitality area. The stadium is fully enclosed with all corners of the stadium being filled with spectator seating and all the stands are of the same height, giving it a symmetrical look. There a number of clear perspex panels located in the roof at the South end of the stadium, plus a large strip of perspex that runs around the stadium just below the roof at the back of three sides. These measures allow more natural light to enter the stadium, which helps the growth of the grass pitch. There is also a large video screen type scoreboard located in one corner of the stadium between the Jewson South and NTL East Stands. Outside the stadium on the back of the East Stand, fans can admire the 'Sky Blues Wall Of Fame'. This consists of six large panels, each dedicated to former a Coventry City great such as John Sillett, Jimmy Hill etc... The panels contain bricks that have been purchased by fans, which have their choice of inscriptions on. These type of schemes are popular around the country at a number of other grounds. I did send my cheque off to the Club with my choice of inscription which was; 'Coventry Are Rubbish' but for some reason I'm still waiting for my brick to appear! The stadium was built by Laing O'Rourke, the same company who built the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. It is owned by Coventry City Council, with the Football Club having a lease agreement to use the stadium. The stadium was opened in August 2005. Coventry City previously played at Highfield Road, their home since 1899. Top Of Page The Ricoh Arena Top Of Page What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? Away fans are located at one end of the stadium in the Jewson South Stand, where around 3,000 supporters can be accommodated. The angle of the stand is quite steep, meaning a fair bit of effort to climb to the top. Normally a steep stand means that fans are close to the playing action, but not here. Not only is there a sizeable cinder track surrounding the playing area, but this in turn is a considerable distance from the pitch itself. This does lead to some viewing problems, especially when the action is taking place at the other end. The leg room is adequate for most and the stadium does have good acoustics, which should help boost the atmosphere. Behind the stands there are spacious concourses and a number of food and drink outlets serving amongst other things the delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie' (£2.20), as well as steak & kidney pies, pasties, hot dogs and burgers (£2.50). Alcohol is also available in the form of Carling Lager & Worthington Bitter (both £2.60 a pint). The Club also offer a 'pie and a pint' for £4.60. The concourses also have a number of televisions which show the game being played inside. Matt Walters a visiting Reading fan adds; 'The Ricoh, as the tannoy announcer puts it, is one of the more interesting looking new grounds when compared to others such as the Walkers Stadium. The acoustics are superb which creates a great atmosphere. However I found the seats to quite uncomfortable, which is disappointing bearing in mind that this is a brand new stadium'. I have also received reports of supporters being regularly ejected from the stadium for persistent standing, so be on your best behaviour. Top Of Page Where To Drink? Robert Nunn a visiting Reading fan informs me; 'Myself and a friend parked in Longford, about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, and found a host of pubs situated along Longford Road. Whilst most looked quite partisan and only had Sky Blue shirts in, the "JK English Pub" was most welcoming. This Indian/Pub had a pub feel (pool table, jukebox, etc) but was also an Indian restaurant. On Saturday's it also does a £5 all you can eat lunchtime buffet'. To find this pub, coming away from the North Stand at the Ricoh, follow the towpath over the canal for about 400 yards passing the Tesco Extra on your right (which also has a cafe). When you come on to Longford Road, head right, towards Coventry City Centre and the pub is around 200 yards on your right hand side. Jamie Greenway adds; 'The Black Horse Pub, in-between Longford and Exhall has been attracting a fair amount of away supporters for most games. If you go to the top of Longford Road and around the roundabout towards Exhall, its on the right and normally has a burger van outside'. Whilst Paul Hunt a visiting Norwich City supporter recommends; 'the Coach and Horses on the Longford Road. Not the greatest looking pub from the outside, but a very friendly welcome, with SKY sports television and tasty rolls on offer. The only drawback was the lone real ale pump, that alas was not on. We also parked there while we went to the match'. If you are looking for food then the Simply Scrumptious sandwich bar is worth a mention as it does a wide range of freshly filled sandwiches and baguettes and also hot Shire Pies & Pasties (including Chicken Balti Pie) at very reasonable prices. To find it again go up to the roundabout and turn left into Winding House Lane and then left again into Hen Lane. The sandwich bar is down by the junction with Holbrook Lane'.
I just spoke to my mate who is a Cov fan and goes to most of the games. He said there isn't many pubs near by that will be that welcoming to away fans, so he thinks the best bet is just to drink in the ground but I don't fancy having to mortgage my house to buy a pint!! Tis expensive!
Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days Its £2.60 a pint at Cov which i think is fair, was same at Hull & Sunderland i think You think nowt of paying £2.90 a bottle on neets out, its £3.20 a pint of Peroni in Ha Ha in Sheffield!! Mind you that ain't bad 3.20 when i think last year we were paying owt from £3.50 a pint in NYC to £5 a pint in Copenhagen and Milano on our city trips LOL Can't wait for Saturday Cooooooooooome on
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days You think nothing of paying nearly £6 a pint in some places in Glasgow! So I'll take £2.60 anyday!
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days If I had to pay that I would be drunk before I went out!
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days 6 quid I dont believe that!!! You never pay 6 quid and if you have you must want yer head looking at!
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days Depends where you go, some places are £1 a pint(student prices).
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days Feel free to come and see for yourself! There's a few places that rip you right off. I thought the airport was reasonable at £4.90 for a bottle of bud!
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days dint even think they paid that in London! People must have money to burn! I feel done is if pay 3 quid!
RE: Personally i think grounds have become competitive these days dint even think they paid that in London! People must have money to burn! I feel done is if pay 3 quid!
pubs n parking....... info on both here........... http://www.walktrot.com/new_page_4.htm#map http://www.ricoharenacarpark.co.uk/index.php
