“The WRU are not going to write us a cheque and say to go and develop that area.
“At this stage of the project we are open-minded but we have a broad idea of what it could start to look like. Facilities wise, the loos were just about acceptable. On a more serious note I was looking forward to seeing a new ground, my first FA cup tie and hoping for a win.Pretty good actually. It might have been the time I arrived (2.15pm) but I ended up instead in a multistorey car park near the railway station, 5-10 minutes walk away.
A HOTEL, offices, conference facilities, restaurant and a new stand could be built at Rodney Parade as part of ambitious regeneration plans from the Dragons. We were in the front row of the Bisley Stand, which is the newest stand and although covered I'm sure we'd have got wet if it had rained as the roof is very high up.
5 or 6 bookings also during the game but nothing particularly nasty.
I had never seen Town play in Newport before and given that both teams were well placed in the league I was hoping for a decent game.The journey took a little over 2 and a half hours due to a road closure on the A49. The signposts are all in English and Welsh and we learnt that whilst Welsh for city centre is Canol y ddinas the Welsh for Rodney Parade is.... Rodney Parade! I would have preferred if this had been terracing as at the North end of the stadium, at least I could have moved around a bit to try and stay warm!I was pleasantly surprised by the look of the pitch when we walked into the ground. I followed the directions on this website which led me over the footpath of the bridge. Tea or coffee £2. The stewards outside the away turnstiles informed us that we would not be allowed to use the bar facilities at the ground, despite us having used them last year with no trouble.
In the event of crowds any significantly bigger than the 2,200 that turned up that night, parking would become a real headache. The redevelopment was backed by Newport City Council, Newport Unlimited, Newport RFC and Newport Gwent Dragons. 27 years later same opposition - the Grecians - , different ground and a lot warmer!
I ended up purchasing a sauage & chips for £5 (tasted nice but I do think the price was a bit steep) and then going to find a seat.I had mixed feelings about seeing Rodney Parade. On entering Rodney Parade, I liked the unusual nature of the layout, with a large gap behind one goal. We flew into Cardiff Airport the night before and stayed at a local hotel. The catering facilities behind the Bisley Stand were closed so we had to share the facilities that are next to the uncovered seating end.We got away quite quickly as there didn’t appear to be much-queuing traffic that day.We were happy to come away with a draw on a lovely sunny day. It was also warming from a football purists point of view to see Newport doing well. Glad I have ticked this one off.First chance to go to Newport and another ground ticked off.
Another penalty awarded to Argyle in the 113th minute was taken by Graham Carey and drilled home to send the 944 away fans wild. We ended up at The John Wallace Linton on the Cambrian Road. So be warned when visiting Rodney Parade in wet weather!Having previously completed the 92, I've ended up needing to do two of the current grounds to finish it once again; Newport and the new West Ham United London Stadium Given that my team (Leeds) were playing at QPR the following day, it was an easy decision to combine both visits to Newport and QPR during the same weekend.Due to meeting friends at Peterborough early on Sunday morning for the train down to London, I ended up driving to Burton from Leeds, getting a direct train to Newport from there....and then driving to Peterborough afterwards for an overnight stay. Both sets of fans seemed to mix well outside the ground and the visitors were in good humour despite the result.Another step closer to completing the 92, as I had already made plans to be in Cardiff over this weekend, I knew I would never get a better opportunity to tick it off.
These came ready packed and mine was lukewarm, and you couldn't get onions with it. In one corner between the North Terrace and Bisley Stand, there is a separate structure, that incorporates corporate facilities, offices and club shop. Behind the other goal is a block of uncovered seating, which I guess is bought into use if there's a large travelling support. Inside the away section there is also a Fan Zone facility which contains a bar serving draught beers.Generally, the area around the ground is not particularly great, with the nearest pub, the Victoria Hotel on Corporation Road looking particularly uninviting. The few home fans we came across were very friendly.Rodney Parade certainly has lots of character.
Other Argyle fans were behind the goal on what I believe to be temporary seating.
This would be stadium No.90 of my personal count of grounds over the border(s).I got the overnight Megabus Dundee to London then a National Express coach to Newport to arrive in Wales at 10:50 am Saturday morning. All were friendly enough.Rodney parade is definitely one of the oddest grounds I have been to.