Huish Park has been home to the Glovers since 1990. Two of the four stands are terracing, both are behind the goals. At one end is the covered Blackthorn Terrace, whilst at the other end is the Copse Road terrace which is open to the elements. Running along each side of the pitch are two similar stands in terms of size and height. They are both all-seated and under cover. The main difference being that the Augusta Westland Stand has some executive boxes running across the back of it along with the dug outs and players tunnel, whilst the Cowlin Stand has a press box and a small simple looking electric scoreboard.
Normally a visit to Huish Park is enjoyable, and the atmosphere good, although the open terrace makes it hard for away fans to really generate some noise. The atmosphere is boosted by a very vocal crowd in the home terrace as well as the presence of a drummer and trumpeter in that end. If Yeovil score then ‘Glad All Over’ by the Dave Clark Five blasts out around the stadium.
Visiting supporters are situated in the copse road terrace end behind one of the goals where up to 1,750 fans can be accommodated. The view is unobstructed but remember it’s open to the English weather when you choose your attire in the morning! A small number of seats are allocated to away fans in the Cowlin Stand, which is covered. However tickets are only made available in this area to families with young children and senior citizens. The catering outlet offered the usual array of football food with pies, pasties, hot dogs and burgers.
GETTING THERE
Yeovil is probably one of the worst towns to visit for accessability by train.
It has two railway stations; Yeovil Junction and Pen Mill Junction. Both of these stations are located quite a distance from Huish Park, with Pen Mill Junction just under three miles away and Yeovil Junction almost five miles away.
From both stations it is advised to get a taxi to the stadium or alternatively if you arrive at Yeovil Junction, then you can catch the ‘Hopper’ minibus to the bus station in the town centre. I have been informed that for night games taxis can be scarce at Yeovil Junction, so if you intend going by taxi to the ground it may be an idea to look up the number of a local taxi firm and pre-book one.
John Midgley a visiting Huddersfield Town fan adds; ‘Bus No.68 runs from both Yeovil Junction & Yeovil Pen Mill stations to the town centre. You can then take the regular First Traveller No.1 service (every 15 minutes), which drops you near the stadium at the Abbey Manor Park Housing Estate. The No.68 connects with the No.1 at the Lloyds TSB Bank, located on the town centre High Street (make sure you catch the No.1 with ‘Abbey Manor Park’ on the front). For bus timetables see the First Group website.
Parking is available at the stadium if you arrive early enough at a cost of £2. However, for ease of escape after the game and to save a couple of quid, street parking is freely available in the surrounding roads. You’ll be unlucky to have more than a 5-10 minute walk in.
HUISH PARK
Capacity: 9,565 (Seating 5,212) Address: Lufton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8YF Telephone: 01935 423 662 Fax: 01935 473 956 Ticket Office: 01935 847888 Pitch Size: 115 x 72 yards Pitch Type: Grass Club Nickname: Glovers Year Ground Opened: 1990 Undersoil Heating: No Shirt Sponsors: Jones Building Group Kit Manufacturer: TAG
For larger followings both the Screwfix Stand and Copse Road Terrace are open. For smaller followings just the Screwfix Stand Seating will be made available at a reduced price (see below):
Both Stands Open:
Screwfix Stand (Seating): Adults £19, Over 65’s £17, Under 23’s £12, Under 16’s £3
Copse Road (Terrace): Adults £14, Over 65’s £12, Under 23’s £11, Under 16’s £2
Just Screwfix Seated Stand Open To Away Fans:
Adults £16, Over 65’s £14, Under 23’s £12, Under 16’s £3
* The ticket prices quoted above are for tickets purchased prior to matchday. Tickets bought on the day of the game can cost up to £2 more. A £1 discount on these prices can be gained if tickets are bought online (excludes Away, Under 16’s, Under 23’s and Community Stand centre block tickets).
Huish Park
Huish Park is located in a pleasant setting, with lots of trees visible behind the stands. Both sides of the ground are similar looking stands and are of the same height. They are both cantilevered, covered single tiered stands that are all seated. Each stand has windshields to either side. The only differences between these stands is that the Tamburino Stand has some executive boxes running across the back of it, plus the dugouts and players tunnel, whilst the Screwfix Community Stand has a press box suspended from beneath its roof and a small simple looking electric scoreboard. At one end is the medium-sized Thatchers Gold Stand Terrace, which is covered and for home supporters and again has windshields to either side. Opposite is the Radio Cabs (Copse Road) Terrace, which is given to away fans. This is smaller and uncovered. Oddly the steelwork is in place at the back of this stand to incorporate more terrace space, but the concrete rows have so far not been added. Perched above the rear of this stand is a large electric scoreboard. The ground is completed with a set of four modern floodlight pylons, one in each corner of the ground
Away fans are mostly situated in the Radio Cabs Stand at one end of the ground. This is an uncovered terrace, so hope for a dry day. Up to 1,500 supporters can be housed in this area. Additionally, around 600 seats are allocated to visiting fans in the Screwfix Community Stand, along one side of the pitch, which is covered.
PRE-MATCH ENTERTAINMENT
Probably the most looked-forward to part of these away game posts is where to drink so, here’s a menu of available and recommended hostelries.
Visiting fans advise that most of Yeovil is ‘away fan friendly’, but The Arrow and The Bell, both within 10-15 minutes of the ground, have received the best reports. The Arrow is a spacious pub that is frequented predominantly by home supporters, though away supporters are welcome. From the Huish Park car park, walk back past the ground and turn right at the end of Lufton Way. At the end of this road, turn left and take the first right. Go straight down through the residential area. After about 5-8 minutes, there is a opening on your right with shops and the Arrow pub in the middle. The Bell, on Preston Road, near the town centre, is a very large pub which serves excellent food. There is plenty of seating outside, which is very pleasant in good weather.
The Arrow
A warm, friendly welcome is sure to greet you. Expect the heart and soul of a local pub with the menu of a favoured city restaurant. We care about good value pub food done well. Join us for lunch or dinner, or just pop in for a drink any time of day, any day of the week. Not sure what you’re looking for? Our friendly staff are on hand to help. They’ll get you sorted with your drinks whilst you pick something to eat. Our drinks menu is hefty, with draught lagers, craft beers, ciders, wine, cocktails and soft drinks. You’ll notice our food menu is full of all your favourites. Whether you’re looking for a grazing starter, light bite or full-blown main meal, with a great range of classic pub grub, curries, street food, steaks and sandwiches, we’ve got something for everyone.
The Bell (a Hungry Horse inn)
The Bell is an attractive large Hungry Horse pub fully refurbished Winter 2013. On the fringe of town, one mile outside Yeovil town centre, the pub is in a quiet suburban area near the Business Park. Like all Hungry Horses we are renowned for serving value for money, delicious food from a main menu with a massive range of dishes to choose from. We have fantastic booth seating in the restaurant for more intimate or family dining. There is something here to suit all ages which, along with the pub’s children’s facilities, makes the Bell Inn ideal for families. We have a good locals following with customers turning up to have a quiet pint with friends or watch an exciting match on the big screen.
The next article is from Somerset Live! and credited to reporter Tomas Molloy.
08:24, 26 JAN 2018
UPDATED16:53, 1 FEB 2018
A meal fit for a football fan? We review one of Huish Park’s closest restaurants in Yeovil – the Airfield Tavern
Yeovil regularly welcomes football fans from across the country. So, Somerset Live has been to check out one of the nearest restaurants to Huish Park. The Airfield Tavern, a Table Table chain restaurant, is regularly popular with football fans.
Our first impressions of the Bluebell Road establishment? Well, a bit dingy actually.
The restaurant seemed to be very dimly lit, with little natural light, meaning it was quite dark inside, which wasn’t the best start.
However, the staff were warm and welcoming, and I was shown to my table with a smile.
The menu was a standard pub grub affair, plenty of burgers, pies, curries and steaks.
There were, however, some interesting fish dishes including sea bass and salmon wellington, and the prices for a main course ranged from £8.49 to £15.99.
The positives: Brilliant staff, a good starter.
The negatives: Dingy lighting, terrible main course, slightly overpriced.
And finally…
The William Dampier (Wetherspoons)
A Wetherspoons Pub named after William Dampier who was born in nearby East Coker and who was the first Englishman to explore parts of what is today Australia, and the first person to circumnavigate the world three times.
There is a large bar as you enter on the left and seating on the right hand side.
Regular cask ales
This pub serves 3 regular beers.
Greene King Abbot
Ruddles Best Bitter
Sharp’s Doom Bar
* From my location this is almost impossible to get to and back from on the same day due to it being an evening kick off and out in the sticks (same reason I missed Boreham Wood) so as much as I would love to be there, I think I will be listening to the match commentary.
calling-the-shots.com 