Blundell Park – Grimsby Town

At one side of the ground is the Findus Stand, which is the tallest stand and is two-tiered and covered. The lower tier, which was originally terracing, has only seven rows of seating whilst the upper tier is much larger. However, this stand only runs half the length of the pitch, straddling the halfway line. Running in-between the two tiers is a row of executive boxes. Opposite is the old Main Stand, which is small covered all seated stand and has a large number of supporting pillars running across the front of it. Part of this stand dates back to 1901. This possibly makes it one of the oldest surviving stands in the country.

Both ends are small covered affairs. The Pontoon Stand is the traditional home end, whilst the away fans are housed in the Osmond Stand opposite. The corner between this stand and the Main Stand is also filled, as the stands are joined at this point, though this is unused for supporters. For big games, the Club increases the capacity of the ground by 500 by installing blocks of temporary seating in the open corners of the ground. There is a Police Control box located on one side of the Main Stand.

It is interesting to note that the Pontoon Stand gets it name from the fish docks in Grimsby and as at one time many of the crowd would have worked on ‘the pontoon’, then it is an apt name. Grimsby fans still identify with their town’s fishing heritage, with the chant ‘We only sing when we’re fishing!’

The Club have been thwarted once again in their search for a site to build a new stadium. An area called Peaks Parkway,  which is located two miles South of Grimsby, had been identified as a preferred site for a new 14,000 capacity stadium. However, this has been ruled out due to some local and council opposition. The Club are now working with North East Lincolnshire Council to identify a new location.

Away fans are located in one corner of the Osmond Stand, at one end of the ground, where just under 600 supporters can be accommodated. For teams with a larger following then the whole of the stand can be given to away fans increasing the allocation to 2,200. One downside of this stand is that there are a  number of supporting pillars which could impede your view of the game. Blundell Park is a rather small ground and sometimes gets over criticised by visiting fans. But there is normally always a passionate crowd, which contributes to a good atmosphere. Remember though to wrap up warm as there can be a biting wind coming off the North Sea.

Tim Porter a visiting Torquay fan informs me; ‘In the right-hand corner of the away end there is a small bar (Scottie’s Bar) which was really friendly although it has obviously seen better days – a bit like the bars you get at quite small non-league grounds’. Food on offer inside the ground includes a range of Pukka Pies; Steak, Chicken Balti and Cheese and Onion (all £3.30). Pukka Pasties (£3.30), Cheeseburgers (£4.20), Burgers (£4) and Jumbo Hot Dogs (£3.80).

Whilst Craig Waites a visiting Bradford City fan adds; ‘The view from the away end is as you would expect from an old stand in the lower leagues but a good atmosphere can be generated. The snack bar is cheap and the service very quick. Visiting fans are free to enjoy their day, stewards are relaxed & won’t say too much when you get excited and stand up. All in all, a very enjoyable day out, just how football should be’.

Inside Blundell Park, away fans are treated to their own bar called Scotties. Although the bar is on the small side it does have some seating and it shows Sky Sports television. It charges around £4 a pint. This is being run by the Mariners Trust, a supporters organisation with has the aim of raising money for the Club. They are asking for any donations of away club memorabilia (scarves, shirts, pennants etc..) to make it a true football bar. So if you have something spare that you can take along then I’m sure it would be appreciated. Please note that entrance to Scotties Bar can only be gained from inside the ground, once you have entered through the away turnstiles.

The nearest pub to the ground is the Blundell Park Hotel, which is located just across the road from the ground, however it no longer serves away fans. Tucked away behind the main Cleethorpe Road is the Rutland Arms, which normally has a mix of home and away fans on matchdays and is also family-friendly. However, it is around a 15 minute walk away from the ground and for some high profile games, it reverts to being for home fans only. The pub is located about half a mile before Blundell Park; turn left at Ramsdens superstore and left again, and you’ll see the pub at the opposite end of their car park. If arriving by coach, then from where you will be parked, you should walk away from the ground (keeping the railway track on your right). At the end of this road turn left onto Park Street and reaching the traffic lights on the main Grimsby Road, turn right. At the end of the row of shops, there is a gap and you will see the Rutland Arms just set back a little.

There are also a number of pubs along Cleethorpes seafront but this is around a 25-30 minute walk away. Or arriving by train at Cleethorpes Station, then situated at the Station itself is the No.1 Pub, whilst on the Station Approach is the ‘Number 2 Refreshment Room’. Not far from the station on the High Street is a Wetherspoons pub called the Coliseum Picture Theatre. A bit further into the town centre just off the front on Highcliff Road is Willy’s Bar which brews its own beer. Whilst on Seaview Street is the Nottingham Hotel.

Cleethorpes also claims to have the ‘World’s smallest the pub’. Located in a railway signal box at Lakeside Station, the Signal Box Inn normally offers a couple of cask ales. There is plenty of outdoor seating but is normally closed from Christmas to Easter. It is located around a mile and a half to the east of Cleethorpes Station along the coast. There is a large Pay and Display Car Park near to the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway location.

The Fish and Chips in the area are legendary. Near to Blundell Park there is the Mariners fish and chip shop on Grimsby Road. Whilst on Cleethorpes Pie is Papas Restaurant. For the younger fans then there is also a McDonalds situated right outside Blundell Park.

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First thing to remember is that the ground is not actually in Grimsby, but the neighbouring town of Cleethorpes. The ground is on the A180 which runs between Grimsby & Cleethorpes. Cleethorpes is well signposted from Grimsby town centre.

At the end of the M180 continue along the A180 towards Grimsby. After around 14 miles you will near Grimsby town centre. Continue along the A180 following signs for Cleethorpes. On reaching a McDonalds sign on your left and the Blundell Park Hotel on your right, turn left into Imperial Avenue for the Club entrance.

There is no car park at the ground, therefore only street parking. As you drive along the A180 towards the ground, the home end appears first, then after the McDonalds is the away end. There are plenty of side roads off the A180 Grimsby Road mostly before and immediately after Blundell Park and you should find a parking spot okay. I have been advised that the side roads before reaching Blundell Park on the left hand side are the best bet, as after the game you can rather than first driving back up to the main road, follow a back road that runs alongside the railway. When you do this you will eventually reach a T-junction where you turn left to take you up to the main Grimsby Road where you turn right to take you back towards the motorway. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near in the local area via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Post Code for SAT-NAV: DN35 7PY

The nearest railway station to Blundell Park is New Clee which is located just under a mile from Blundell Park. This small station is one of those that you have to request the train driver or conductor for it to stop there. Tom Irvin adds; ‘New Clee is a little over a ten minute walk from the ground down Harrington Street. Train times are useless after the match, but for a 3pm kick off there is a 14:33 from Grimsby Town which gets to New Clee in perfect time at 14:38. For long distance journeys, the fare to New Clee is normally the same as Grimsby Town, just remember to ask for New Clee when buying your ticket.’

Cleethorpes Railway Station is just over a mile from the ground and takes around 15-20 minutes to walk. Exit the station and turn right; then turn left onto Station Road. At the end of Station Road turn right onto the High Street. Follow this road down to the roundabout; where you turn right onto the Grimsby road (A180). Continue straight for approximately half a mile and you will see the floodlights of the ground on your right. Turn right into Neville Street and then left onto Harrington Street; entrance to the Osmond Stand for away fans is on the left. Thanks to Andy Cowling for providing the directions.

Nathan Jackson a visiting Lincoln City fan adds; ‘Alternatively you can walk to Blundell Park along the sea front. Cleethorpes train station, is located near the sea front, so on leaving the station, turn so that you are facing the sea, and the proceed left along the front. Just keep straight on until you see the ground on your left. Just before the ground there is a foot bridge that goes over the railway. Proceed over the footbridge, turn right and you will find further down on the left in-between some houses the away fans entrance. The walk should take about 15- 20 minutes and is a bit more interesting for supporters, with a number of arcades, chip shops and pubs located along the way.

Grimsby Town Railway Station is located around two and a half miles away from Blundell Park and is really too far to walk. There is a taxi rank at the station and if you are looking for a drink then there is a Wetherspoons Pub called the Yarborough Hotel on nearby Bethlehem Street. A taxi up to the ground will cost around £7.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.

Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.

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Home Fans*
Upper Findus Stand: Adults £20, Concessions £13, Under 15’s £5
Lower Findus Stand: Adults £18, Concessions £11, Under 15’s £5
Pontoon Stand Adults: £18, Concessions £11, Under 15’s £5
Main Stand: Adults: £18, Concessions £11, Under 15’s £5

Away Fans*
Osmond Stand: Adults: £18, Concessions £11, Under 15’s £5

* Please note that the above prices are for tickets purchased before 1.30pm on the day of the game. Tickets bought thereafter can cost up to £2 more per Adult or Concession Ticket (excluding the Upper Findus Stand where no advance purchase discount is given).

Please note that concessions apply to Over 65’s, Under 19’s, Students and the Unemployed. The cost of Under 15’s tickets who are not accompanied by an adult is £7.

Official Programme £3.

Scunthorpe United, Hull City and Lincoln City.

Grimsby Town FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.

Record Attendance

31,651 v Wolverhampton Wanderers
FA Cup 5th Round, 20th February 1937.

Modern All Seated Attendance Record

9,528 v Sunderland, March 13th 1999

Average Attendance

2019-2020: 4,599 (League Two)
2018-2019: 4,430 (League Two)
2017-2018: 4,658 (League Two)

Official Web Site:

www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk

Unofficial Web Sites:
Mariners Trust
Cod Almighty
Grimsby Telegraph

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.

Special thanks to Owen Pavey for providing some photos of Blundell Park.