Linnets' Fans' Forum

Just giving this one a bump as the numbers are moving in the right direction.

There are now 25 tickets sold for the Merthyr Town away coach.

If you're thinking of going but would rather pay cash, Adam and Wayne will be in the Blue & Gold Bar before Saturday's home game against Buxton and can take coach bookings there.

Online booking is still available here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_merthyr_town

25 already booked — hopefully we can keep adding to that and get a really good following down to Merthyr.

Merthyr Town Away Coach – Saturday 17th October

Supporters' coach travel for the trip to Merthyr Town is now available to book.

The coach will leave The Docherty Walks Stadium at 8:00am and tickets are £30.

As with the other away coaches, it will only run if the minimum number of bookings is reached. If that number isn't met, everyone who has booked will receive a full refund.

This is obviously one of the longer trips of the season, so if you are thinking of going it would really help to book as early as possible and hopefully get the coach confirmed nice and early.

Date: Saturday 17th October
Departure: The Docherty Walks Stadium – 8:00am
Price: £30

Book online here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_merthyr_town

Long trip, but a much easier one if we can get enough people on the coach.

AFC Telford United away – Saturday 26th September

The ground

AFC Telford United play at the SEAH Stadium, better known to many as the New Bucks Head.

SEAH Stadium
Watling Street
Wellington
Telford
TF1 2TU

For anyone driving, use TF1 2NW for the main car park entrance on Haybridge Road. ([1])

The following places to eat/drink and travel information have been generated by AI as usual (and where it found the information).

TL;DR plan

* Coach: confirmed, departing The Walks at 10am.
* Tickets: adults £18.50, concessions £15, under-16s £7 and under-12s £1. There is an additional £1 administration charge for tickets bought on matchday. ([1]) ([2])
* Parking: £5 at the stadium, with approximately 290 spaces. ([1])
* Away pub: The Swan Hotel on Watling Street has previously been designated as the away supporters' pub for segregated matches. ([3])
* Pub and food: The Wickets Inn, a short walk from the ground, opens at midday on Saturdays and serves food. ([4])
* At the ground: the away end has its own licensed bar and food kiosk. ([1])
* Train: Wellington is the nearest station, around a 20-minute walk from the ground. ([5])

Tickets

AFC Telford United have a dedicated ticket page for King's Lynn supporters for Saturday's game.

The current 2026/27 admission prices are:

* Adult – £18.50
* Concession (65+) – £15
* Under 16 – £7
* Under 12 – £1, when accompanied by a paying adult or concession. ([1]) ([2])

There is also a £12 student ticket for 17–18-year-olds, available from the club office or ticket office with valid student identification. ([6])

Important: Tickets bought on matchday incur an additional £1 administration charge, so it is worth buying beforehand.

The club has set up a separate ticket page specifically for our away supporters:

https://afctelfordunited.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/afc_telford_utd_v_kings_lynn_town__away

The turnstiles open at 1:30pm, 90 minutes before kick-off. ([2])

Away end

Away supporters are housed in the Frank Nagington Terrace, a covered standing area at one end of the stadium.

The terrace can accommodate up to 1,300 supporters, so there should be plenty of room for us!

Entry is through turnstiles I and J. ([1])

A limited number of seats are also available for away supporters in the West Stand. Those wanting a seat should enter through the same away turnstiles and speak to a steward about transferring to the seating area. ([1])

Parking

The stadium has a main car park with approximately 290 spaces, costing £5 per vehicle. ([1])

For sat nav, use:

TF1 2NW – Haybridge Road entrance

The car park is behind the East Terrace and David Hutchinson Stand.

Payment is available at the parking machines using a bank card. The club's general visiting information also mentions payment at the ticket office, although recent matchday instructions have specified card payment at the machines. ([1]) ([3])

Important: Do not use the hotel car park behind the West Stand. It is not available for matchday parking, and unauthorised parking can result in a fine. ([1])

Telford have also recently advised that additional parking at Telford College is unavailable because of resurfacing work, so do not assume it will be available on Saturday. ([3])

If the stadium car park is full, Wellington town centre has other parking options within approximately 15 minutes' walk.

Local council parking information:
https://www.telford.gov.uk/

Pubs & food

The ground is in Wellington, rather than Telford town centre, and there are a few pubs within walking distance.

For those on the coach, the main consideration will be how much time we have after arriving. Hopefully we will have time for a couple of pints and something to eat before the match.

The Swan Hotel – Watling Street

This is probably the first pub to look at.

The Swan is a short walk from the ground and has previously been designated as the away supporters' pub when Telford have operated segregation. ([3])

For the Hednesford fixture in August, the club specifically directed visiting supporters here while reserving Win's Bar at the stadium for home fans.

That makes it a sensible option for a pre-match pint, although I haven't found a fixture-specific announcement confirming whether the same arrangement will apply to us on Saturday.

The Wickets Inn
240 Holyhead Road
Wellington
TF1 2EB

A family-oriented traditional pub offering home-cooked food, pub classics and lighter meals.

The pub's own website lists its Saturday opening hours as:

* Drinks: 12 noon–10:30pm
* Food: 12 noon–8:30pm. ([4])

So this looks like a decent option if you want a proper lunch and a pint before heading to the ground.

It is also fairly close to the stadium, meaning there should be no need for a taxi if we arrive with enough time.

Website:
https://wicketsinn.com/

The William Withering – Wetherspoons
43–45 New Street
Wellington
TF1 1LU

If anyone fancies heading into Wellington town centre, there is a Wetherspoons.

It opens at 8am on Saturdays and stays open until 1am. ([7])

Usual Wetherspoons food and drink options, so a straightforward choice if you want an inexpensive lunch.

It is a little further from the ground than the pubs on Watling Street, but still within walking distance.

Website:
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-william-withering-wellington

At the ground – food and drink

The away end at the SEAH Stadium has its own facilities, which should make life fairly straightforward for those travelling on the coach.

AFC Telford United say the away concourse has a licensed bar selling bitter, lager and cider.

There is also a snack bar selling hot and cold food and drinks. ([1])

The licensed bar normally opens again at half-time.

For anyone arriving later than expected, staying at the ground and using the away-end facilities is probably the simplest option.

Win's Bar

Win's Bar is located in the West Stand.

However, Telford have restricted it to home supporters only for some recent segregated fixtures. ([3])

I would therefore not rely on being admitted as an away supporter unless the club confirms otherwise for our game.

The away end has its own bar anyway, so we shouldn't be left thirsty!

Coach travellers

With the coach departing The Walks at 10am, this should be a reasonably relaxed away day compared with some of the longer trips.

The journey is roughly 3 to 3½ hours by road before any stops, depending on traffic and route.

If the driver includes a comfort stop, I would expect us to arrive somewhere around 1:30–2pm, although obviously that depends on the journey.

With the turnstiles opening at 1:30pm, anyone not wanting to venture out can simply head into the ground for a drink and something to eat.

If we arrive earlier, The Swan or The Wickets Inn look like the more convenient pub options.

Simple coach plan

1. Leave The Walks at 10am.
2. Arrive at the SEAH Stadium, hopefully with time for a pre-match pint.
3. The Swan or Wickets Inn if there is time, otherwise use the away bar and food kiosk.
4. Enter through turnstiles I/J.
5. Kick-off 3pm.
6. Back on the coach after the game.

For drivers

The SEAH Stadium is just off the M54, so it is a fairly straightforward journey once you reach the Midlands.

The usual approach is via the M6 and M54, leaving the M54 at Junction 6 for Wellington/Telford West. ([8])

For the stadium car park, use TF1 2NW rather than the general ground postcode.

Parking costs £5 and spaces are limited, so arriving with a little time to spare makes sense.

If you want lunch beforehand, The Wickets Inn is conveniently situated for the ground. Alternatively, Wellington town centre has a wider choice of pubs and places to eat.

Travelling by train

The nearest railway station is Wellington (Shropshire), approximately a 20-minute walk from the stadium. ([5])

It is served by trains from Birmingham New Street, so it is possible to reach the ground by rail.

However, travelling from King's Lynn would involve several connections and a fairly lengthy journey, so for most supporters the confirmed coach or driving is likely to be easier.

Anyone considering the train should check the actual Saturday timetable and return connections before buying tickets.

Best options at a glance

* Coach: Confirmed, leaves The Walks at 10am.
* Coach bookings: Online until Friday, with cash on Saturday if spaces remain.
* Adult match ticket: £18.50 in advance.
* Away end: Frank Nagington Terrace, turnstiles I/J.
* Ground parking: £5, approximately 290 spaces.
* Closest away pub option: The Swan Hotel.
* Pub with food: The Wickets Inn.
* Town centre option: The William Withering.
* At the ground: Licensed away bar and hot/cold food.
* Kick-off: 3pm.

Good to see another supporters coach confirmed after getting the required numbers. Hopefully we can fill a few more seats before Friday and have a decent Linnets following at Telford on Saturday.

Sources

[1]: https://telfordunited.com/internal/away-travel "AFC Telford United – Visiting Supporters, Parking and Admission"
[2]: https://afctelfordunited.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/afc_telford_utd_v_kings_lynn_town__away "AFC Telford United v King's Lynn Town – Away Tickets"
[3]: https://www.telfordunited.com/news/2026/08/19/hednesford-town-h-supporter-information "AFC Telford United – Hednesford Matchday Information"
[4]: https://wicketsinn.com/ "The Wickets Inn – Food and Opening Hours"
[5]: https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/womens-first-team/2025-11-19-telford-ground-guide/ "SEAH Stadium – Ground Guide"
[6]: https://telfordunited.com/internal/season-tickets "AFC Telford United – 2026/27 Admission Prices"
[7]: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-william-withering-wellington "The William Withering – Wetherspoons"
[8]: https://fc-utd.co.uk/grounds/new-bucks-head-stadium "New Bucks Head Stadium – Directions"

AFC Telford United Away Coach – CONFIRMED

Good news — the supporters coach to AFC Telford United is now confirmed and will be running.

There are still seats available, and you can book online up until Friday:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_afc_telford_united

The coach leaves The Docherty Walks Stadium at 10:00am on Saturday.

If there are still spaces left after online sales close, it should also be possible to pay cash on the coach on Saturday.

It would still be worth checking the club's social media before travelling if you haven't booked, just in case the coach fills up. If I see that it is full, I'll update this thread as well.

Coach confirmed, seats still available — so if you're thinking of going, get yourself booked on.

Just giving this one a bump as we're getting close to the deadline.

The AFC Telford United coach needs just another 5 bookings to get the numbers required to run.

The deadline for getting those extra five booked is Wednesday, so if you're thinking about going, now is definitely the time to get your place sorted.

Saturday 26th September
Departure: The Walks – 10:00am

Book online here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_afc_telford_united

Only 5 more needed — hopefully we can get this one over the line.

Bedford Town away – Saturday 19th September

This one is FA Cup Second Qualifying Round rather than league, and the good news is the supporters coach is already FULL.

The coach leaves The Walks at 11:00am.

For anyone who missed out on the coach, this is really going to be one for the car. The rail route from King's Lynn to Bedford is pretty horrible at the moment, with no sensible east-west link across Cambridge.

That should eventually change with East West Rail, but unfortunately not any time soon — the current plan is for the new Bedford–Cambridge section and the full Oxford–Cambridge railway to open in the mid-to-late 2030s. ([1]) So maybe this becomes a very easy train away in another decade or so!

Bedford Town play at:

The Eyrie
Meadow Lane
Cardington
Bedford
MK44 3LW

Kick-off is 3pm. ([2])

The following places to eat/drink and travel information have been generated by AI as usual (and where it found the information).

TL;DR plan

* Coach: FULL – leaves The Walks at 11am.
* Drivers: parking is available at the ground for £1, with room for around 250 cars, first come first served. ([3])
* Tickets online: Adult £16, Concession/U21 £12, age 10–17 £6, Under-10 free. ([3])
* Turnstile prices: Adult £18, Concession £14, age 10–17 £8, Under-10 £2. ([3])
* Online tickets go off sale at 1pm on Saturday. ([4])
* Best pub/food option nearby: The King's Arms in Cardington, open from 11am and serving proper pub food. ([5])
* At the ground: several outlets serve hot and cold food and drinks. ([3])
* Train: technically possible, practically pretty pointless from King's Lynn for this one.

Tickets

Bedford operate cheaper advance prices, so there is a decent saving if you buy before getting there.

Online:

* Adult – £16
* Concession/U21 – £12
* Age 10–17 – £6
* Under 10 – FREE. ([3])

At the turnstiles:

* Adult – £18
* Concession – £14
* Age 10–17 – £8
* Under 10 – £2. ([3])

Advance tickets go off sale at 1pm on Saturday. ([4])

Tickets are available here:

[https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets](https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets)

Recent games at The Eyrie have been unsegregated, with supporters free to stand or sit where they like, although obviously Bedford could change arrangements if they expect a particularly large FA Cup crowd. ([3])

Parking

This is one of the easier away grounds for drivers.

Recent away information supplied by Bedford says there is parking at The Eyrie for £1 per vehicle. ([3])

The car park holds around 250 cars and is first come, first served. ([3])

There is also parking in surrounding roads, but supporters are asked to be considerate of residents and not block driveways.

Given this is an FA Cup tie and we have already filled a coach, I would probably aim to get there reasonably early if you want the ground car park.

That timing suggestion is mine rather than a club instruction.

Pubs & food

The Eyrie is actually outside Bedford town centre, near Cardington, so I would not bother driving into Bedford itself unless you specifically want to make a longer day of it.

The King's Arms – Cardington
31 The Green
Cardington
MK44 3SP

This looks like the obvious pub choice.

It opens from 11am on Saturdays and describes itself as a country pub/restaurant with a proper food menu, real ales, lagers and a beer garden. ([5]) ([6])

It is also in Cardington itself, so considerably more convenient for the football than heading into Bedford town centre.

Food includes the usual pub-type options — burgers, steaks, fish, salads etc. ([6])

If driving, I would probably go:

King's Arms → The Eyrie → football.

At the ground

Bedford have several hot and cold food and drink outlets around The Eyrie. ([3])

The ground also has the Eagles Bar and the Pitchside Cafe within the Maxey Suite; for larger fixtures they have previously added extra bars and food facilities as well. ([7])

So for anyone on the coach, staying at the ground once we arrive may be the easiest option rather than trying to get into Bedford and back.

Coach travellers

Leaving The Walks at 11am should make this one considerably less brutal than some of the northern away days.

Depending on traffic and whether the driver makes a stop, we should hopefully arrive with enough time for a drink and something to eat before kick-off.

Given that The Eyrie has its own bar and food outlets, my inclination would be to stay around the ground unless we arrive particularly early.

Drivers

The address for sat nav is:

The Eyrie
Meadow Lane
Cardington
Bedford
MK44 3LW

Parking is £1 at the ground and spaces are first come first served. ([3])

The ground sits just off the A603 Cambridge Road, around 5–10 minutes by car from Bedford town centre. ([3])

If eating first, The King's Arms in Cardington looks by far the easiest plan.

Train – probably don't bother

It is possible to get from King's Lynn to Bedford by rail, but there is currently no direct east-west rail connection.

That leaves you going a very roundabout way, which makes little sense compared with the drive.

The interesting bit for future seasons is East West Rail.

Current plans are for the full route, including the new railway between Bedford and Cambridge, to be completed in the mid-to-late 2030s. ([1])

Once that exists, Bedford should become a completely different proposition from King's Lynn — effectively:

King's Lynn → Cambridge → Bedford

rather than the nonsense required at the moment.

Construction of the wider scheme could begin from around late 2028, subject to approval, but passenger services all the way through to Cambridge are still some way off. ([8])

Simple coach plan

1. Leave The Walks at 11am.
2. Arrive at The Eyrie early afternoon, traffic permitting.
3. Use the Eagles Bar / food outlets.
4. Kick-off 3pm.
5. Hopefully progress to the Third Qualifying Round.

Simple driver plan

1. Head towards Cardington, rather than Bedford town centre.
2. If arriving early, stop at The King's Arms for food/drink.
3. Drive the short distance to The Eyrie.
4. Try the £1 ground car park.
5. Buy your ticket online before 1pm if you want the cheaper price.
6. Kick-off 3pm.

Best options at a glance

* Coach: FULL – departs The Walks at 11am.
* Best pub/food: The King's Arms, Cardington.
* Easiest coach option: Eagles Bar + food at the ground.
* Ground parking: £1, around 250 spaces.
* Adult ticket: £16 online / £18 turnstile.
* Train: one to avoid for now.
* Future train solution: Bedford–Cambridge East West Rail, currently planned for the mid-to-late 2030s.

And after filling the coach for an FA Cup away, hopefully there will be a decent Linnets following there on Saturday.

[1]: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation/frequently-asked-questions "East West Rail – Frequently Asked Questions"
[2]: https://www.kltown.co.uk/live/887C8D0F-E35A-435B-AE3E-BCD57F1A5EEB "King's Lynn Town – Bedford Town v King's Lynn"
[3]: https://radcliffefc.com/away-information-bedford-town-2/ "Radcliffe FC – Bedford Town Away Information, September 2026"
[4]: https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets "Bedford Town – Match Tickets"
[5]: https://www.thekingsarmscardington.co.uk/ "The King's Arms – Cardington"
[6]: https://www.thekingsarmscardington.co.uk/aboutus "The King's Arms – Food & Pub Information"
[7]: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bedfordtownfootballclub/news/playoff-final-information-2849166.html "Bedford Town – The Eyrie Catering & Hospitality"
[8]: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/strategies-and-major-projects/east-west-rail-proposals "Bedford Borough Council – East West Rail Proposals"

AFC Telford United Away Coach – Saturday 26th September

Supporters' coach travel for the trip to AFC Telford United is now on sale.

The coach will leave The Docherty Walks Stadium at 10:00am on Saturday 26th September.

As with the other away coaches, it will only run if the minimum number of bookings is reached. If the required number isn't met, anyone who has already booked will receive a full refund.

So if you're planning on going, it really does help to book as early as possible rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Tickets can be booked online here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_afc_telford_united

If you would rather pay in cash, Wayne will be in the Blue & Gold Bar from 12:30pm this Saturday before the home game against Chorley and will be able to take bookings for the Telford coach.

Hopefully we can get the numbers needed nice and early and get another away coach confirmed.

FA Cup – who would you fancy away?

With the FA Cup First Qualifying Round taking place this weekend, I had a look through the ties to see who might make an interesting away day if they get through and end up in our part of the Second Qualifying Round draw.

There are obviously plenty of clubs we could potentially get, and exactly where the FA draws the regional line for Lynn remains to be seen, but there are definitely a few names that caught my eye.

Lewes would probably be right near the top of my list. The Dripping Pan looks a cracking old ground and Lewes itself has plenty of proper pubs, so that seems made for an FA Cup away day.

Faversham Town would be another good one – an old Kent market town, plenty of pubs and a smaller non-league club that we wouldn't normally get the chance to visit.

St Albans City would also appeal. Good town for a few drinks beforehand and Clarence Park is another proper traditional ground.

Then there are the seaside possibilities such as Ramsgate, Margate or Whitstable Town. Any of those on a Saturday would make for a decent full day out and, for most of us, somewhere completely different to the usual National League North trips.

Dulwich Hamlet would be interesting as well. A very different sort of away day, plenty of places around South London beforehand and likely to be a decent atmosphere.

And then there's the one we were talking about at the weekend...

Jersey Bulls!

They're still in the competition and however unlikely it might be that the regionalisation gods ever give us Jersey away, just imagine it.

Flights or ferry, probably an overnight stay, pubs, football and a weekend in Jersey.

I'd certainly do a great Away Day Guide for that one. 😂

So, purely from an away-day point of view rather than worrying about who would be the easiest tie, who are people hoping to see come out of the hat?

For me at the moment:

Lewes
Faversham Town
St Albans City
Ramsgate
Margate
Whitstable Town

...with Jersey Bulls away as the completely unrealistic dream draw.

Darlington Away – Saturday 5th September

The good news for this one is that the supporters coach is definitely running.

There are still spaces available, with the deadline for booking being Friday 4th September.

The coach leaves The Walks at 8:30am and costs £25.

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_darlington

I would expect the usual stop of around 45 minutes somewhere en route — Wetherby Services seems the most likely given the route.

Darlington play at:

Blackwell Meadows
Grange Road
Darlington
DL1 5NR

Kick-off is 3pm. ([1])

The following places to eat/drink and travel information have been generated by AI as usual (and where it found the information).

TL;DR plan

* Coach: leaves The Walks at 8:30am, £25, and is confirmed as running.
* Likely comfort stop: Wetherby Services.
* Tickets: £17 standing / £19 seated for adults. ([2])
* At the ground: there is a clubhouse serving food and drink before, during and after the match, plus two catering outlets. ([3])
* Parking for drivers: £5 at Blackwell Meadows, available to pre-book or first come, first served if spaces remain. ([4])
* Town centre option: Darlington town centre is around a 20–25 minute walk from Blackwell Meadows. ([4])
* If we arrive later than hoped: probably just stay at the ground — the clubhouse makes this a fairly easy away in that respect.

Tickets

Darlington's admission prices for 2026/27 are:

Standing

* Adult – £17
* Concession – £13
* Under 18 – £7
* Under 12 – FREE. ([2])

Seating

* Adult – £19
* Concession – £15
* Under 18 – £9. ([2])

Tickets for our game are already available online:

https://tickets.darlingtonfc.co.uk/

Darlington say that at most non-segregated matches everyone enters through the normal home turnstiles. If a match is segregated, away fans enter through the turnstiles at the open end of the ground. ([3])

If you have not bought in advance, tickets can also normally be bought at the turnstiles. ([3])

At the ground – probably the easiest coach option

This may actually be one of those away games where there is no great need to head off looking for a pub.

Darlington have a clubhouse at Blackwell Meadows which is open before, during and after the match, serving both drinks and food. They normally have live football showing on the TVs before kick-off as well. ([3])

There are also two separate catering outlets inside the ground. ([3])

Recent improvements to the food offering have included things such as:

* Pies
* Burgers
* Hot dogs
* Chips
* Chicken wraps
* Loaded fries
* Nachos
* Jacket potatoes
* Pizza. ([5])

So if the coach gets there around lunchtime, clubhouse → food → football is probably the easiest plan.

Heading into Darlington for a pub

If we arrive with enough time and anyone fancies going into town, Darlington's own guide says the town centre is around a 20–25 minute walk from Blackwell Meadows. ([4])

They actually advise anyone drinking in town to be finishing their pints by about 2pm to allow enough time to walk back and get through the turnstiles. ([4])

A taxi may therefore make more sense if there are a few of you.

The Quakerhouse

A proper beer option in the centre at 2–3 Mechanics' Yard.

It opens from 11am on Saturdays and has a very good reputation for real ale. ([6])

Probably my pick if the priority is a decent pint rather than lunch.

The William Stead

Wetherspoons on Crown Street, opening from 8am on Saturdays. ([7])

Not the most adventurous suggestion, but if a few people want cheap food and a pint before heading to Blackwell Meadows, it does the job.

The Pennyweight

Another central pub, opening from 11:30am on Saturdays. ([8])

Food, drinks and fairly straightforward if you want somewhere in the town centre before the game.

Woollen Mill

At Feethams, opening from 10am on Saturdays.

Does food as well as drinks, so another option if anyone wants lunch in Darlington before heading out to the ground. ([9])

Very close to the ground – Blackwell Grange Hotel

The Blackwell Grange Hotel is directly opposite the general Blackwell Meadows area on Grange Road.

Its bar and lounge serves food from 12:30pm until 9pm, including light meals and more substantial dishes. ([10])

That could actually be handy if we arrive early enough and somebody wants something a little more civilised than football-ground food.

Do not, however, use the hotel grounds for football parking — Darlington specifically ask supporters not to park in the entrance or on the grass verges at Blackwell Grange. ([11])

For drivers

Parking at Blackwell Meadows costs £5 per car.

It can be bought in advance through Darlington's ticketing site, or spaces are available first come, first served on matchday if the car park hasn't sold out. ([4])

Given that it is only £5, pre-booking looks the sensible option if driving.

Darlington have also issued a very recent warning about parking around the ground after complaints from residents.

In particular, they are asking supporters not to:

* Block driveways.
* Park illegally.
* Restrict access for emergency vehicles.
* Park on grass verges.
* Use the Blackwell Grange Hotel grounds as overflow parking. ([12])

There are town centre car parks around a 20–25 minute walk away if the ground is full. ([4])

Directions for drivers

From the south, Darlington's instructions are:

* Leave the A1(M) at Junction 57.
* Follow the A66(M) towards Darlington.
* At the end of the motorway take the first exit onto the A66.
* At the next roundabout take the second exit, A167 towards Darlington.
* Blackwell Meadows is around 400 yards on the right. ([4])

Coach plan

Assuming the journey goes roughly to plan:

1. Leave The Walks at 8:30am.
2. Likely stop around Wetherby Services for approximately 45 minutes.
3. Arrive at Blackwell Meadows around lunchtime/early afternoon.
4. Either use the clubhouse and food outlets at the ground or, if there is plenty of time, head into Darlington.
5. Kick-off 3pm.
6. Back on the coach after the game for the considerably easier journey home than driving it yourself.

Best options at a glance

* Simplest coach plan: clubhouse and food at Blackwell Meadows.
* Best town-centre pint: The Quakerhouse.
* Cheap food + pint: The William Stead.
* Food near the ground: Blackwell Grange Hotel or the ground itself.
* Adult standing ticket: £17.
* Adult seated ticket: £19.
* Driver parking: £5.
* Coach: £25, departing The Walks at 8:30am.

And after getting the numbers over the line, hopefully we can now fill a few more of those remaining coach seats before Friday.

[1]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/fixtures "Darlington FC – Fixtures"
[2]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/26-27-admission-prices "Darlington FC – 2026/27 Admission Prices"
[3]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/about/your-guide-to-matchdays-at-blackwell-meadows "Darlington FC – Matchday Guide"
[4]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/about/how-do-i-get-to-blackwell-meadows "Darlington FC – Directions and Parking"
[5]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/fresh-food-choices-for-the-new-season "Darlington FC – Matchday Food"
[6]: https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Quakerhouse+Darlington "The Quakerhouse – Darlington"
[7]: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/county-durham/the-william-stead-darlington/ "The William Stead – Darlington"
[8]: https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Pennyweight+Darlington "The Pennyweight – Darlington"
[9]: https://www.google.com/search?q=Woollen+Mill+Darlington "Woollen Mill – Darlington"
[10]: https://www.blackwellgrangehotel.com/bar-and-lounge.html "Blackwell Grange Hotel – Bar and Lounge"
[11]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/using-the-blackwell-meadows-car-park "Darlington FC – Using the Blackwell Meadows Car Park"
[12]: https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/matchday-parking-near-blackwell-meadows "Darlington FC – Matchday Parking Advice"

Just giving this a bump after yesterday's win.

I saw yesterday that we were apparently only 5 bookings short of the number needed for the Darlington coach to run, and I know of at least another couple who should be booking today.

So hopefully we're getting very close now.

£25, leaving The Walks at 8:30am — if you're thinking of going, this might be the time to get your ticket booked and help get the coach confirmed.

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_darlington

Darlington Away Coach – Saturday 5th September

Away coach travel for the trip to Darlington is now on sale.

The coach will leave The Walks at 8:30am and tickets are £25.

Tickets can be booked online here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_darlington

Or, if you would rather pay cash, Adam Ware will be in the Blue & Gold Bar from 12:30pm on Monday before the home game against Scarborough selling coach tickets.

It would be good to see this one get the numbers needed nice and early, especially after the Hebburn coach unfortunately didn't get enough bookings to run.

£25 isn't bad at all for a trip of that distance, and it saves the long drive there and back.

So if you're thinking of going to Darlington, please book as soon as you can rather than leaving it until the last minute.

Departure: The Walks – 8:30am
Price: £25
Date: Saturday 5th September

Online booking:
https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_darlington

Hebburn Town away – Saturday 29th August

Unfortunately the supporters coach won't be running for this one after it didn't get the required 25 bookings.

The club had got this trip on sale earlier following feedback from the first couple of away games, but with only a handful booked by the end of last week there simply weren't enough numbers to make the coach viable.

So for most people this is going to be one for the car.

It is possible by train, but with the journey from King's Lynn to Newcastle taking around 4 hours each way, it probably makes more sense for anyone travelling by rail to make a weekend of it in Newcastle.

Hebburn Town play at:

Trustmark Group Stadium
16 South Drive
Hebburn
Tyne & Wear
NE31 1UN

The following places to eat/drink and travel information have been generated by AI as usual (and where it found the information).

TL;DR plan

* Drivers: don't head for the ground expecting to park there — the club car park is players, officials and staff only. ([1])
* Best parking: Hebburn Central/Hub car park, NE31 1AB. It has around 197 spaces, is free and is about a 10–15 minute walk from the ground. ([1]) ([2])
* Tickets: current league prices are £14 Adult, £10 Concession, £5 ages 14–18, Under-14 free with a paying adult. ([3])
* Best pub/food combination: The Longship — opens at 10am on Saturday, food from 10am, football on TV, beer garden and its own car park. ([4])
* Closer pub option: The Mill Tavern — traditional pub with food, sport and parking, opening from 11am. ([5])
* At the ground: the downstairs Sports Club bar is open to supporters and there are two food outlets. The food kiosks are cash only. ([3]) ([6])
* Weekend option: stay in Newcastle, then the Metro from Newcastle Central to Hebburn takes around 13 minutes. ([7])

Tickets

One thing worth watching here is that an older page on Hebburn's website still shows last season's lower admission prices.

Their two most recent home-match previews for this season give the current prices as:

* Adult – £14
* Concession – £10
* Ages 14–18 – £5
* Under 14 – FREE with a paying adult. ([3])

Tickets can be bought in advance through Fanbase or at the turnstiles.

Recent home games have accepted both cash and card at the turnstiles. ([3])

Unless Hebburn announce differently for our game, their recent National League North matches have also been unsegregated. ([3])

Parking

This is probably the most useful thing for anyone driving.

There is no spectator parking at the ground itself.

Hebburn say their main car park is reserved for players, officials and staff. There is some parking on North Drive, South Drive and Victoria Road West, but spaces are limited and there are parking restrictions in the area. ([1])

The club themselves recommend:

Hebburn Central / Hebburn Hub Car Park
NE31 1AB

It is around a 10–15 minute walk from the ground. ([1])

Better still, South Tyneside Council list Hebburn Central as a free off-street car park with 197 spaces. ([2])

So for me that looks the obvious option rather than driving around residential streets looking for somewhere to squeeze the car.

Best parking plan

1. Sat nav to NE31 1AB.
2. Park for free at Hebburn Central.
3. Pub/food in Hebburn if wanted.
4. Walk the 10–15 minutes to the ground.

Pubs & food

The Longship
Ushaw Road
Hebburn
NE31 2YA

This looks like probably the best all-round option I've found.

It opens at 10am on Saturdays and serves food from 10am until 9pm.

It is a Greene King pub, so we're talking normal pub food rather than anything exotic, but it has:

* Sky Sports and TNT Sports
* Beer garden
* Its own car park
* Dog-friendly
* Food all day
* Live music on Saturday evenings. ([4])

There is even a Saturday Curry Club deal — curry and a drink for £10.50 at the moment. ([8])

So if anyone wants to get there reasonably early, have lunch and watch whatever football is on before heading to the game, this looks a very easy option.

The Mill Tavern
Mill Lane
Hebburn
NE31 2EU

Another decent option and closer to the football ground.

It describes itself as a traditional local pub and restaurant and has:

* Food
* Real ale
* Live sport
* Beer garden
* Free off-street parking. ([5])

It opens at 11am on Saturdays.

This may actually be the better option if the intention is pub → ground rather than parking centrally first.

Wardles Bar

For anyone wanting more of a proper old-fashioned local, Wardles is a Grade II-listed backstreet pub around 10 minutes from Hebburn Metro.

CAMRA currently list it as opening at 11am on Saturdays. ([9])

Probably more of a pint than a food stop.

Food without the pub

If you just want something quick before the match, Hebburn town centre has plenty around the Central car park.

One particularly easy option is:

Dhillons Fish Inn
43–45 Station Road

It is open 11am–9pm Monday to Saturday and does fish and chips, pizzas, kebabs etc. ([10])

There are also Subway, Turkish takeaway and Indian takeaway options around St James Mall/Station Road, all close to the recommended parking area. ([11])

At the ground

Hebburn actually look pretty well set up for food and drink.

The downstairs Sports Club bar is open for public access. ([3])

There are also two food outlets:

* The one beside the main Sports Club building has the larger selection of hot food.
* The Victoria Road kiosk sells hot dogs, tea, coffee and soft drinks. ([1])

Important: Hebburn currently say both food outlets are CASH ONLY. ([1])

So even though the turnstiles accept cards, it is worth having a few quid in your pocket if you want food inside.

The matchday programme is currently £3. ([3])

For drivers

From King's Lynn this is roughly a 4-hour drive before stops, depending on traffic.

The obvious route is generally up the A1/A1(M) towards the North East, so there are plenty of stopping options along the way.

Easy motorway/service stop

Wetherby Services is again probably the obvious mid-journey stop — fuel, toilets, coffee and food without a meaningful detour.

Something a bit more interesting

If you are making a day of it, Angel of the North isn't far off the route once you reach Gateshead.

It isn't somewhere you'll spend hours, but as a 10–20 minute leg stretch/photo stop before heading on to Hebburn it makes rather more sense than another motorway service station.

Simple driver plan

1. Leave Lynn allowing around 4 hours plus a stop.
2. If eating beforehand, head for The Longship or The Mill Tavern.
3. Otherwise park at Hebburn Central, NE31 1AB.
4. Walk the 10–15 minutes to the Trustmark Group Stadium.
5. Sports Club bar/food inside if wanted.
6. Remember cash for the food kiosks.

Train / making a weekend of it

Doing King's Lynn → Hebburn and back by rail in a day is technically possible, but it is a very long day.

The normal King's Lynn to Newcastle journey is around 4 hours, generally changing at Ely and Peterborough. ([12])

Once in Newcastle it becomes very easy.

The Metro runs directly from Newcastle Central to Hebburn, taking around 13–14 minutes, with services roughly every 10–15 minutes. ([7])

Hebburn Metro is then around a 15-minute walk from the football ground. ([1])

So if anyone fancies making this into a weekend, the obvious plan is:

Friday/Saturday – Newcastle
Saturday afternoon – Metro to Hebburn
Football
Metro back into Newcastle
Sunday – home

One warning if returning on Sunday: there is major East Coast Main Line engineering work over the Bank Holiday weekend, with a severely reduced service to/from King's Cross and alterations to LNER services, so definitely check the exact return journey before booking anything. ([13])

Newcastle hotel ideas

For anyone doing the weekend, a couple with sensible parking arrangements:

Travelodge Newcastle Central

Very central and guest parking is currently £9.50 for 24 hours, although spaces are first come, first served. ([14])

Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre (Quayside)

Close to the Quayside and about half a mile from Central Station.

Limited hotel parking is currently around £13.20 per night, with a public multi-storey about five minutes away as backup. ([15])

Copthorne Hotel Newcastle

A nicer Quayside option if you're making more of a weekend of it.

It has secure on-site parking at £15 per 24 hours for hotel guests, and all the rooms overlook the Tyne. ([16])

One slightly different overnight option

Interestingly, The Longship in Hebburn itself also has hotel rooms.

So if someone mainly wants an overnight stay for the football rather than a Newcastle night out, you could potentially stay there, eat/drink in the pub and already be in Hebburn on Saturday. ([17])

Best options at a glance

* Best parking: Hebburn Central – free.
* Best pub + food: The Longship.
* Closer pub + food: The Mill Tavern.
* Traditional pint: Wardles Bar.
* Quick food: Dhillons Fish Inn.
* At the ground: Sports Club bar + two food kiosks.
* Adult ticket: £14.
* Programme: £3.
* Remember: food kiosks are cash only.
* Weekend option: Newcastle → Hebburn Metro in around 13 minutes.

Quite a trek without the coach, but it actually looks like it could be a decent little non-league away ground once you're there — and for anyone making a weekend of it, having Newcastle just across the Tyne makes this one a bit more interesting.

[1]: https://hebburntownfc.com/ground "Hebburn Town – Ground & Visitor Information"
[2]: https://publications.southtyneside.gov.uk/reports/parking-annual-report-2024-2025/ "South Tyneside Council – Parking Report"
[3]: https://hebburntownfc.com/articles/preview-hebburn-town-vs-worksop-town "Hebburn Town – Worksop Match Preview"
[4]: https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/tyne-and-wear/longship/find-us "The Longship – Opening Times"
[5]: https://www.themilltavern-hebburn.foodanddrinksites.co.uk/ "The Mill Tavern – Hebburn"
[6]: https://www.worksoptownfc.com/news/matchday-information-hebburn-town-a "Worksop Town – Hebburn Away Information"
[7]: https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Newcastle-Station-England/Hebburn "Newcastle Central to Hebburn"
[8]: https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/tyne-and-wear/longship/deals "The Longship – Current Deals"
[9]: https://camra.org.uk/pubs/wardles-bar-hebburn-194143 "Wardles Bar – CAMRA"
[10]: https://www.dhillonsfishinn.co.uk/dhillons-hebburn "Dhillons Fish Inn – Hebburn"
[11]: https://streetscan.co.uk/postcode/ne31-1uy "Food & Drink around Hebburn Centre"
[12]: https://www.rome2rio.com/Train/King-s-Lynn/Newcastle-upon-Tyne "King's Lynn to Newcastle by Train"
[13]: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/kgx-30-august-20260829/ "National Rail – Bank Holiday Engineering Work"
[14]: https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/214/Newcastle-Central-hotel "Travelodge Newcastle Central"
[15]: https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/tyne-and-wear/newcastle/newcastle-city-centre-quayside.html "Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre Quayside"
[16]: https://www.millenniumhotels.com/en/copthorne-hotel-newcastle/faq/general-questions/ "Copthorne Hotel Newcastle"
[17]: https://www.greenekinginns.co.uk/hotels/tyne-and-wear/longship/find-us "The Longship Hotel"

Hebburn Away Coach – More Bookings Needed

A bit of an update on the official supporters coach to Hebburn.

As of last night, only 3 people had booked and the club need 25 bookings for the coach to run.

The decision will be made by Monday, so if you're thinking of travelling on the coach, please don't leave it too late.

Tickets are £32 and can be booked here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_hebburn__buy_now

You pay when booking and, if the minimum number isn't reached and the coach is cancelled, you will receive a full refund.

The club have listened to feedback and got this trip on sale earlier, but ultimately the coach can only run if enough people actually book.

If you're planning on going and would use the coach, now is the time to get your seat booked.

For anyone heading to Hebburn Town away, the club are now taking bookings for the official supporters coach.

Coach tickets are £32 and can be booked here:

https://kingslynnfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/supporters_coach_travel_vs_hebburn__buy_now

The booking process has changed from the first couple of away trips. You now pay for your seat when booking rather than registering your interest first.

A minimum of 25 bookings are required for the coach to run. If that number isn't reached, everyone who has booked will receive a full refund.

Hopefully we can get the numbers needed and have another good Linnets following on the road.

Brackley Town away – Tuesday 18th August

No supporters coach for this one after not enough people registered an interest, so for most it is going to be a drive down to Brackley for the 7:45pm kick-off.

Brackley Town play at:

St James Park
Churchill Way
Brackley
Northamptonshire
NN13 7EJ

Being a Tuesday night, this is probably less of a traditional away-day pub crawl and more finish work, get down there, something to eat and then football.

I'm going down a bit earlier myself and having a curry before the game, so I've included a few options for anybody thinking of doing similar.

The following places to eat/drink and travel information have been generated by AI as usual (and where it found the information).

TL;DR plan

* Kick-off: 7:45pm.
* Best plan: get to Brackley early enough for something to eat, then head to St James Park.
* Adult ticket: £18 online / £20 from the ticket office. ([1])
* Parking: £3.50 at the ground, but spaces are limited and first come, first served. ([1]) ([2])
* Ground bar: Bar 1890 opens at 5pm for a 7:45pm kick-off. ([1])
* Food at the ground: burgers, pies and other refreshments are available. ([2])
* Curry option: Saffron on Banbury Road opens at 5:30pm on Tuesdays. ([3])
* Pub option: The Plough on the High Street is open Tuesday evening and is a straightforward town-centre pub. ([4])

Tickets

Brackley have a two-stage pricing system for 2026/27.

Bought online:

* Adult – £18
* Concession – £13
* Under 18 – £8
* Under 16 – FREE
* Under 14 – FREE with a full-paying adult. ([1])

Bought from the ticket office:

* Adult – £20
* Concession – £15
* Under 18 – £10
* Under 16 – FREE
* Under 14 – FREE with a full-paying adult. ([1])

Concessions are 65+, students, NHS, Police, Fire and Armed Forces.

So it is worth buying online beforehand — £2 cheaper and saves queuing when you arrive. ([1])

The ticket office opens at 6pm for a 7:45pm game and closes 15 minutes after kick-off. ([1])

Tickets:
https://btfc.ticketco.shop/

Parking

There is parking at St James Park, but Brackley describe it as limited.

Spaces cost £3.50 per car and are first come, first served. They cannot normally be reserved. ([1]) ([2])

If you want a space at the ground, getting there reasonably early makes sense — especially if you are planning to eat in Brackley beforehand anyway.

Blue Badge parking can be reserved by contacting the club, but they ask for at least 24 hours' notice. ([1])

Curry before the game

There are actually several Indian restaurants in Brackley that open early enough to make a curry before a 7:45 kick-off quite workable.

Saffron Fine Indian Dining
10 Banbury Road
Brackley
NN13 6AU

This is probably my pick.

Current opening hours show 5:30pm–10:30pm on Tuesdays, so a table around 5:30–5:45pm should leave plenty of time to eat without having to rush too badly. ([3])

Spice Lounge
65 Banbury Road
Brackley
NN13 6BA

Another option on Banbury Road. Current listings show it opening at 5:30pm on Tuesdays. ([5])

Chilli & Pepper
8 Banbury Road
Brackley
NN13 6AU

Also currently listed as opening from 5:30pm on Tuesday. ([6])

So if several Linnets fancy the curry-before-football plan, Banbury Road looks the obvious area.

Probably worth booking rather than turning up with a group at 5:45 and discovering everybody else had the same idea.

Pubs

If curry isn't your thing, there are a few straightforward options in Brackley itself.

The Plough
9 High Street
Brackley
NN13 7DW

Traditional town-centre pub, currently listed as open 12 noon–10pm on Tuesdays. ([4])

The Red Lion
11 Market Place
Brackley
NN13 7AB

Another central option, currently listed as open from 2pm until 11pm on Tuesday. ([7])

The Bell Inn
103 High Street
Brackley
NN13 7BN

Opens from 4pm on Tuesdays, so another possibility for a pint before heading to the ground. ([8])

At the ground – Bar 1890

Probably the simplest option if you do not want to bother with the town.

Brackley say Bar 1890 opens at 5pm for a 7:45pm kick-off. ([1])

The club's visitor information says the clubhouse is normally open to both home and away supporters unless the game is segregated, with drinks and snacks available. ([2])

Food at the ground

There is no real need to eat beforehand if you are pushed for time.

Brackley say their refreshment kiosk sells a range including burgers and pies, while the clubhouse has soft and alcoholic drinks. ([2])

For drivers

The address for sat nav is:

St James Park
Churchill Way
Brackley
NN13 7EJ. ([2])

The main thing to remember is that the £3.50 ground car park is limited.

For anyone eating in town first, I'd probably allow enough time to finish up and get to St James Park by around 7pm rather than leave it until the last minute and then find the ground car park full.

That timing is my suggestion rather than a club rule.

Simple Tuesday-night plan

1. Leave King's Lynn early enough to be in Brackley around 5:30–6pm.
2. Curry at Saffron, Spice Lounge or Chilli & Pepper — or a pub in town.
3. Head to St James Park around 7pm.
4. Try the £3.50 ground car park.
5. If there is time, have a drink in Bar 1890.
6. Kick-off 7:45pm.

Best options at a glance

* My food pick: Saffron.
* Simple pub: The Plough.
* Least-faff option: Bar 1890 and food at the ground.
* Adult ticket: £18 online / £20 on the night.
* Ground parking: £3.50, limited and first come, first served.
* Kick-off: 7:45pm.

Not quite the full Saturday away-day experience, but curry followed by an evening game under the lights doesn't sound too bad.

[1]: https://www.brackleytownfc.com/a/admission-prices--20262027-63775.html "Brackley Town – 2026/27 Admission Prices"
[2]: https://www.brackleytownfc.com/a/visitor-information-63785.html?page=1 "Brackley Town – Visitor Information"
[3]: https://www.saffronbrackley.co.uk/ "Saffron Fine Indian Dining"
[4]: https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Plough+Brackley "The Plough – Brackley"
[5]: https://spiceloungebrackley.co.uk/ "Spice Lounge – Brackley"
[6]: https://www.google.com/search?q=Chilli+and+Pepper+Brackley "Chilli & Pepper – Brackley"
[7]: https://www.google.com/search?q=Red+Lion+Brackley "The Red Lion – Brackley"
[8]: https://www.google.com/search?q=Bell+Inn+Brackley "The Bell Inn – Brackley"