This coming Saturday, Walsall make the trip to Kent to take on Gillingham in the latest Sky Bet League One fixture of the season. Once again we have teamed up tothe92.co.uk to bring you all the latest stadium info, travel news and details on where to get those all-important pre-match refreshments.Stadium Info
Priestfield Stadium underwent extensive redevelopment during the late 1990s, which brought the capacity down from nearly 20,000 to a current figure of 11,582. All stands have been re-constructed since 1997, although one is still only of a temporary uncovered nature. This houses the away fans. The Medway Stand runs alongside the pitch and offers a fantastic view of the action from all areas, as does the Rainham End behind the goal. The Gordon Road stand running parallel to the Medway Stand, was the first to be redeveloped and comes complete with approximately 8 pillars, all arranged to block your view, if you're toward the back, of at least one of the goals.
Ticket Information
Walsall supporters will be located in the Brian Moore Stand, tickets are priced as follows:
ADVANCE
ADULTS: £17
OVER 65'S: £15
UNDER 18'S: £10
UNDER 12'S: £5
MATCHDAY
ADULTS: £21
OVER 65'S: £19
UNDER 18'S: £12
UNDER 12'S: £7
Ambulant and Wheelchair Disabled supporters are charged at the relevant price for their age category and are entitled to a carer to attend free of charge. In order to qualify for this, you must be in receipt of the higher rate of DLA.
Tickets are on advance sale at the above rates from the Banks's Stadium Ticket Office up until midday on Friday.
Away Fans
Visiting supporters are housed in the Brian Moore stand behind one of the goals. The stand is temporary and without a roof although of quite a decent size. It's cold and wet during the winter so don't forget your coats. The view from this stand is quite impressive at this level with 3 relatively new builds to peruse.
Stadium Layout
Where to Drink
In the town centre, the Will Adams pub offers a good place for both home and away fans to mix. It offers a lot of friendly banter and a pint while you're at it. The only pub which is a home fans only pub is The Cricketers in Sturdee Avenue. This should be avoided by away fans.
There are plenty of restaurants and takeaways to choose from in the town centre with a pretty decent selection located on the High Street if you fancy something a little more substantial to eat. The Eel Pie Island cafe which can be found on the right as you walk through the high street away from the ground is a particularly popular place before the game and serves a mean double pie and mash with gravy!
Parking
Parking is very much restricted in the local area, although you don't have to drive far away to find non-resident only street parking. Arrive in plenty of time and you'll get parked within a 5 minute walk of the ground.
By Train
The nearest / closest train station to Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium is Gillingham and is served by High Speed Javelin trains from London St Pancras International (25 and 55 minutes past every hour) and London Victoria (22 and 52 minutes past every hour). There are a number of slow speed trains that also serve the station from both of these and 2 further from Charing Cross at 9 and 39 minutes past every hour on Saturdays. Simon Chaplin tells me: A return will set you back approximately £15 although on the South Eastern line you can use Groupsave where 4 people can travel for the price of two provided they all travel together.
From the station, the walk up to Priestfield will take just under 10 minutes. From the station, turn left into Balmoral Road. When you reach the end of the road and come to a crossroads (ignoring the T-Junction which doesn't count!) you will see a road straight ahead of you - Priestfield Road. The ground is situated at the top of this road with the visitors turnstiles at the far end.