Welcome to the Gresty Dome
Gresty Road
(or The Alexandra Stadium, if you’re posh)
Arrive by car, train or by foot and you’ll be mighty impressed by the new-look Gresty Road these days. No longer does Rail House headquarters dominate the skyline, casting a shadow over goings-on at Crewe Alexandra’s modest ground. We haven’t knocked the skyscraper down (unfortunately), but we have been busy transforming the stadium.
Yep, I said stadium. An impressive new main stand rises above the terraced houses and turns the shoddy venue of old into a credible football arena. The Alex management have even renamed our once humble abode, The Alexandra Stadium, although most still prefer Gresty Road.
Getting there
If you can, I’d recommend coming to Crewe by train. It’s simple, fairly cheap these days if you book tickets in advance… and you can enjoy a few beers. Within three minutes of Crewe station, you’ve got about eight pubs, several restaurants and take-aways, and the ground itself. There’s always services to London, Birmingham and Manchester, so the train really does make sense (no I don’t work for them, nor do I get commission).
If you come by car, leave the M6 at J16 and follow the signs into Crewe. It’s only a few miles off the junction, and you eventually enter the edge of town alongside one of the business parks. This is easily the best place to leave your motor, as it’s safe, near a few pubs and only ten minutes walk to the ground. If you’d like to get closer, then park at the ground itself, where we have a sizeable new car park. The council runs it, so there is a matchday fee of £1.50. At least it’s safe and we promise no scousers asking to “mind yer car, mate.”
Official coaches tend to drop you off on Gresty Road, so you’re only a few minutes away from Nantwich Road (the place Posh, Becks and the glitzy people would drink if they lived in Crewe). If you fancy a trek into Crewe town centre, it’s about a 20-minute walk. You can get a taxi for about £3, or take any bus from the main road – they all end up at the bus station in the centre. To be honest, if it’s beers and food you’re after – stay near to the ground for the best choice.
The boozers
You rarely get trouble at Alex games, but when some of the bigger clubs come to town (for us, that means just about every away team) some of the pubs restrict entry. A golden rule of thumb is to look relatively sober and don’t walk around carrying knives or guns! Wearing club colours isn’t a problem, but don’t troop around in big gangs expecting shops, cafes and pubs to welcome you with open arms.
Arriving by car, there are two pubs along the road (Weston Road, A5020) that brings you into Crewe from the motorway. The Rookery Wood and the Brocklebank aren't bad, but tend to attract families and businessmen - depends what you want.
All the other pubs are situated along Nantwich Road, which runs down from the station. The Royal Hotel, opposite the Gresty Road turning, is a free House offering John Smiths, Websters and Kilkenny Irish Bitter. Crowded on match days, usually has doormen on duty and is an ‘away’ pub in the main – we’ll let you sing in there.
The Barrel is almost opposite the Royal. Recently refurbished, this is an American-style bar with pool, juke box and internet access so you can catch up on From the Terrace news. Football Friendly and open from 12 o’clock.
The Bank (pub, not cash, but probably prime fodder for one of those Nat West adverts!) is opposite the Barrel (pub, not container), that thinks it’s the trendy place-to-be on weekend nights. The doormen on duty on matchdays don't appear to mind letting well-behaved away fans in. Meals served from 12.00 'till 2.30 pm.
Next door is Manni's Wine Bar on the corner by the traffic lights. You can sup some vino if you want, but beware of the street cameras that might be used in evidence against you! It’s quite sparse inside, with wooden floors and wooden stools that give you a sore backside, but they do serve beers.
Carry on over the traffic lights and you’ll discover The Brunswick. Whitbreads (Boddington's (Ordinary and Gold, but no sext cartoon lass included), Trophy and guest beers, plus Stella Artois. Friendly, packed on matchdays, pool table, big-screen TV and live music later on Saturday nights. There are other pubs, but they don’t tend to encourage away fans. Front doors are usually locked, so don’t try to find a way in – they are locked for a reason, and we wouldn’t want to send Big Chris round, would we?
Filling your face
There’s unlimited choice when it comes to pre-match scoff at Crewe. Fish and Chips, Pizza, Kebab, Curry Houses and even a Harvey’s sandwich bar. All can be found within a 200-yard stretch on Nantwich Road, scattered between the pubs described above. Perhaps the best Chippy is opposite the club shop on Gresty Road. Chip connoisseurs (mainly from Burnley, Stoke and Wolverhampton) have described it as the best chippy in Britain (well, England… ok Cheshire… definitely Crewe).
Inside the ground you won’t be disappointed at the catering kiosks. You might queue for a while, but the quality, quantity and choice are there. Unfortunately, there is no provision to allow away fans to drink at the ground at present.
The Ground
So what’s new? The ground is all-seater and all four sides are covered, so and you won’t find too many Macintoshes or flat caps (well, apart from the professional flat cap-wearing moaners who reside at most grounds) on display. Away fans now enjoy the footy from the Popside, which is the first stand you come to as you make your way along Gresty Road itself from the main road (which runs past the station). This means that the visiting hordes watch from the side, rather than behind the goal. It’s a decent view, and only a handful of roof supports obscure the view (possibly a good thing, as the Alex run rampant – now I’m being silly!) Walk past the Gresty Road End (home supporters) and you come to the new main stand facilities. There’s the ticket office and club shop on the corner, and the main offices can be accessed if you go round to the front of the new stand.
Reading matter
The Alex programme has been criticised by home and away supporters over the last few years. Rarely very substantial, few decent photos and not enough to read. Things have changed a bit, with a new editor trying to increase the quality. It’s not the thickest production, so don’t buy one thinking you’ve solved the problem of that wobbly table in the kitchen. For £2 you get all you need to know, but not a lot more.
Both fanzines - SDL (Super Dario Land) a once regular monthly feature, and WAC (We Are Crewe) used to appear regularly. Sadly, both have now called it a day and there is no longer a fanzine on offer at Gresty Road. The official programme (plus a testimonial brochure for Steve Macauley and Shaun Smith) can be picked up anywhere along Gresty Road, at the club shop and in the programme shop that can be found next to the new main stand and opposite one of the chipies.
If you fancy a little more information, the weekly Crewe paper, The Chronicle, or the daily Stoke-biased Sentinel can be picked up at the newsagents.
Radio
For anyone who also likes to tune into commentary and other scores, BBC Radio Stoke (94.6 FM ) is your best bet. The unbiased reporting of Crewe fan Graham McGarry is always refreshing, especially when he attempts to mimic one of those Spanish nutters who shout “Goooooooaaa..” for about ten minutes. Graham’s current record is seven seconds. Also popular is the Radio Stoke Phone-In after the full-time scores. Feel free to embarrass yourself by calling 01782-208008 and tell the listeners all about your 6-0 defeat at Crewe.
The essential Information
Crewe Alexandra Football Club
Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB
Telephone: 01270213014
Ticket Information: 01270 252610
Ground Capacity: 10, 066
Away Supporters’ allocation: 1,700 (plus additional seating behind the goal for truly big clubs - bet you all think your big! Wake up...
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9 May 08 
Liverpool Football Club