Linnets' Fans' Forum

Not heard anything about a coach for this game as yet. Once I know I shall post details of either coach, driving or train - had a quick look at the train around 4 3/4 hours with 2 changes and costs £99.30.

Grace has also departed

Quote from: Nigel nigle on January 01, 2026, 11:31:08 AMI see their top scorer, Ricardo Rees has just joined Forest Green Rovers - a massive task for the Linnets still on an artificial surface

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce3k1dy2gv1o

Gives us a chance I'd say

Merthyr Town FC - Saturday 3rd January 2026 - kick off 3.00pm

No coach for this one - I don't know why, but my guess would be not enough fans wanting to make the longest away day of the season - I would have been on the coach had it been going.

The following list of pubs / eats made by AI as normal, but with the car drivers in mind looking to make the long trip.

You'll be heading to Penydarren Park (CF47 8RF); the ground's a short stroll from the town centre, so the easiest plan is: park in town → pubs/food → walk up to the ground.

Pubs (town centre, 10–15 min walk to the ground)

The New Crown (High St) – lively central pub; does a Portuguese-leaning food menu as well. Good for mixed groups.
Tripadvisor

The Winchester (CAMRA-listed) – traditional pub pouring Rhymney beers; proper "pints and chat" spot.
CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

Belle Vue Hotel (Glebeland St) – big sports pub with plenty of TVs; handy if you want space and quick service.
Craft Union Pubs

(Very close to the ground but more "local") Penydarren Social Club – popular nearby option; check door policy on the day.
Facebook

Quick eats (before you head up)

New Crown – does meals all day (easy if you're already there).
Tripadvisor

Ocean Fish Bar (Penydarren) – chippy/kebab/pizza up near the ground; perfect if you're cutting it fine.
oceanfishbarpenydarren.com

McDonald's (Cyfarthfa or Rhydycar retail parks) – the guaranteed fast option on the edge of town.
McDonald's

Parking for drivers (recommended)

No general parking at the ground. The club says matchday spaces at Penydarren Park are very limited/reserved and they strongly discourage parking in surrounding streets.
Merthyr Town Football

Use town car parks and walk up (about 5–10 mins):

Castle Multi-Storey / Castle Street – large, central; council tariffs show Sat £1 all day; Sun free; weekdays up to £3.50/day. Also has EV chargers.
merthyr.gov.uk

College Car Park (by Merthyr College, CF48 1AR) – big, easy access from the gyratory; same council tariffs.
maps.merthyr.gov.uk

Blue Badge: council guidance says charges still apply in council car parks—display a ticket with your badge.
merthyr.gov.uk

The club's recent matchday guides repeatedly point away fans to Castle Street Multi-Storey or College Car Park and note that on-site spaces are reserved (with only limited disabled bays). Plan for town parking and a short walk.
Merthyr Town Football

Club bars?

Merthyr have Romans (downstairs) and Webleys (upstairs) at the ground. For some fixtures these are home-only, so safest bet is to do your pre-match in town then head in.
Merthyr Town Footbal

Rough timing

Driving is about 4h 15m (not counting stops). Aim to be parked in town ~90 mins before KO, do New Crown/Winchester, then 10–15 min walk up Park Terrace to the turnstiles.

Quote from: abovepars on December 28, 2025, 01:20:04 PMSpiv, many thanks for you efforts in providing useful information for fans supporting the linnets on their travels. I'm sure it is much appreciated by many. Great work.

It's always nice to be thanked for my efforts and I do appreciate it.

Looks like there are 37 booked for the coach - so still some places available for those who would like a nice easy away day - well evening really.

And here's the normal AI generated places to drink / eat before the match (and websites it found the info) - with the coach leaving the walks at 4.45 we'll likely arrive at the ground with over an hour before kick off.

Bedford Town away means The Eyrie, Meadow Lane, Cardington (MK44 3LW). With a Tuesday 7:45pm KO and your coach due about 6:15–6:30pm, the simplest plan is: club bar or one of the two nearby pubs, then in. Here's the no-faff version.

Pubs (closest & reliable)

Eagles Bar (clubhouse, at The Eyrie) – open on matchdays; quickest option for a pint right before the turnstiles.
CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

The King's Arms, Cardington (10–12 min walk) – proper village pub with full food menu; easy stroll back to the ground.
The Kings Arms

The Anchor, Cardington Road (5–6 min drive / short taxi) – big screens, mainstream pub grub; good if you arrive a touch earlier or want guaranteed seating.
Greene King

Quick eats

Club kiosks & bar food – pies/burgers/chips inside the ground and via the clubhouse.
Pitchero

Beefeater – Priory Marina (Bedford) – chain steak/burger menu; takes groups (bookable). ~5–10 min drive from the ground if anyone detours by car.
Beefeater

McDonald's (Goldington Rd) – nearest guaranteed fast option if you pass it; handy for a quick bite.
McDonald's

Coach timing (leaves The Walks 4:45pm)

Trip ~1½ hrs ⇒ expect ~6:15–6:30pm by the ground. That gives you: Eagles Bar for one and a bite → turnstiles. If traffic is kind and you're earlier, King's Arms is the best "proper pub then walk back" option.
Pitchero

(Bonus) Drivers in your group

On-site parking at The Eyrie – available to supporters (recent info shows a small charge; signage/stewards on arrival). Important: don't park in the neighbouring Bedford FC car park further along Meadow Lane; it gets locked.
Pitchero

The coach will leave The Walks Kings Lynn at 4.45pm for the 7.45pm KO.

Buy tickets here https://kingslynntownfc.ktckts.com/event/kltcoach11/coach-to-bedford-town-fc

Adults £20
16 & Under £10

Match tickets available here

https://bedfordtownfc.ktckts.com/event/bdt2526h11/eagles-vs-kings-lynn-town

Prices

Adult £16.00
Concessions £12.00
18-20 years £12.00
10-17 years £6.00
Under 10 £0.00

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/darlington-v-kings-lynn-advice-to-supporters

https://premium.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/former-linnets-boss-rebailed-as-sexual-assault-enquiries-con-9446394/

And here's the normal AI generated places to drink / eat before the match (and websites it found the info) - the ground's not really near anything so might just be straight in if we're not there early.

Darlington away is straightforward. You'll be dropped at Blackwell Meadows (DL1 5NR), and the simplest plan is either the clubhouse at the ground or a quick hop into town (about a mile) for better pub choice.

Walkable from the ground

Clubhouse (inside Blackwell Meadows) – open pre-match with TVs; serves beer plus hot food (two catering outlets inside the ground too). Ideal for a last pint right before the turnstiles.
darlingtonfc.co.uk

(There aren't many independent pubs right by the stadium—most are in town about 15–20 mins' walk.)
Football Ground Guide

Town-centre pub picks (20 min walk / 5–7 min taxi)

Number Twenty2 (Coniscliffe Rd) – award-winning cask-ale house; up to 16 handpumps and their own beers/spirits. Does light bites at lunchtime.
CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

ORB Micropub (Coniscliffe Rd) – small, friendly ale & whisky house; good rotation of cask/keg.
CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

The Quakerhouse (Mechanics' Yard) – Darlington staple for real ale and live-music vibes.
quakerhouse.co.uk

The William Stead (Wetherspoon, Crown St) – big, cheap, food all day; handy if you want quick meals for a group.
CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale

Quick eats

In-ground kiosks & clubhouse – pies/burgers/chips; the club has refreshed matchday food & drink this season.
darlingtonfc.co.uk

Town centre – for a faster sit-down or takeaway before heading back: Hash Bar & Kitchen (burgers/brunch-style plates) and loads of takeaways on/around Coniscliffe Rd / Tubwell Row.
Tripadvisor

Coach timing (leaves The Walks 09:30)

It's roughly 3½ hours plus a ~45-min stop, so expect to be by the ground around 13:45–14:15. Easy rhythm: town (Number Twenty2 / ORB / Quakerhouse) → taxi/walk back → clubhouse → turnstiles.
Football Ground Guide

Updated first post with prices and departing time.

Coach is on for this one and the Bedford game, but I'm out today and tomorrow so only have my mobile with me. So will do some more updates late tomorrow.

https://www.kltown.co.uk/2025/12/12/news-2-supporters-coaches-on-sale-now/

https://premium.lynnnews.co.uk/sport/injuries-ravage-linnets-squad-9445526/

From that article - Defender Reece Hall-Johnson is about a fortnight away from joining full training, while Rhys Doherty is close to being reintegrated with the squad.

No mention on how long Gold might out.

Tickets on sale for the coach - leaving the Walks at 9:30

https://kingslynntownfc.ktckts.com/brand/travel

Adults £30
Under 16's £15

And the club website says coach will be 49-seater with on-board toilet.

Match tickets available here

https://yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/match-tickets

And prices for match tickets

Standing

Adult (25–64) – £16.00

Senior (65+) – £12.00

Student – £12.00 (valid ID to be shown on entry)

Disabled – £12.00 (valid ID to be shown on entry; carer admitted free)

Young Adult (18–24) – £12.00

Junior (12–17) – £6.00

Child (under 12) – FREE (must be accompanied by a paying responsible adult)

Carer – FREE (with a paying registered disabled ticket on the same order)

Seating

Adult (25–64) – £18.00

Senior (65+) – £14.00

Student – £14.00 (valid ID to be shown on entry)

Disabled – £14.00 (valid ID to be shown on entry; carer admitted free)

Young Adult (18–24) – £14.00

Junior (12–17) – £8.00

Child (under 12) – FREE (must be accompanied by a paying responsible adult)

Carer – FREE (with a paying registered disabled ticket on the same order)

Car Parking

Standard Parking – £5.00

Blue Badge Parking (Large Bay) – FREE (larger bays for vehicles with lifts, in lower car park)

Blue Badge Parking (Standard Bay) – FREE (standard sized bays, in lower car park)

Quote from: TonyM on December 05, 2025, 12:07:59 PMA few notes of last nights meeting

You took a lot more than me Tony - good job.