Last Update: August 15, 2024
From the outside the stadium looks simply stunning and can be seen for miles around. The view of it driving down the slip road from the M61 motorway is one of the greatest sights to be seen in English football, especially when it is lit up at night. It has a great eye-catching design and is unlike anything else in the country.
The inside is functional and tidy, and lacks the wow factor of the stadium’s external appearance. It is totally enclosed and each stand has a conventional rectangular lower tier, with a semi-circular upper tier above. Situated between the two tiers is a row of executive boxes. Above the stands, there is a gap between the back of the stands and the roof to allow additional light to reach the pitch. The roofs are then topped with some diamond shaped floodlights that sit above a striking supporting tubular steel supporting structure.
One unusual feature of the ground is that the teams emerge from separate tunnels on either side of the halfway line. Outside the stadium is a statue of former player and legend Nat Lofthouse.
In August 2018 the stadium was renamed the University of Bolton Stadium in a sponsorship stadium. Previously it had been called the Macron Stadium and before that the Reebok Stadium when it was first opened in 1997.
In July 2023 the ground was renamed the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Toughsheet are a local company, and this was the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the stadium’s history.
There are two big screens at the stadium, one in between the South & East Stands and one in the opposite corner, in between the North & West Stands. The club have announced plans to install two more screens in the other two corners of the ground and they have started the process of installing safe standing.
Away fans are housed in the two tiered South Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 5,000 supporters can be accommodated, although the normal allocation is nearer 3,000. The stand is now completely given over to away fans.
The leg room and facilities within this stand are good and the atmosphere is boosted in the home end by the presence of a drummer. Alex Smith adds; ‘away fans should note that the bottom rows of the lower tier are not covered by the roof and therefore you may get wet if it rains’.
Whilst Paul Kelly warns; ‘the stewards at the stadium can be a bit overzealous, often throwing out fans for little reason. My advice to away fans is do not even think about celebrating a goal by going further forward than the front row. They’ll have you even if you’re just on the bit of track behind the adverts.’
Food on offer includes pies, burgers and hot dogs while alcohol is also served on the concourse.
The Bee hive on Chorley New Road is the main pub for away supporters. It is about a 10-15 minute walk away from the visitor’s turnstiles. The pub is of a good size and also serves food and you can park your car park there.
Other local spots for a drink before the match include:
The Toughseet Community Stadium is one of the best around when it comes to serving good food before a game and also provides some excellent drinks to wash it down with.
Here are some examples of the type of scran you can expect to be on offer when visiting the ground:
The main entrance for home fans at the Toughseet Community Stadium is located within the ground’s West Stand. Here you’ll find a wide array of turnstiles to ensure that entry into the venue is dealt with as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Away fans, on the other hand, will need to head towards the South Stand, where an array of turnstiles will gain them access to that section of the ground. More often than not, a ticket allocation of 5,000 will be provided for travelling supporters.
From The South
M6 to Junction 21a, take eastbound M62 leaving at Junction 12. Follow signs for M61 (Bolton/Preston) and leave the M61 motorway at Junction 6. The ground is visible from this junction and is clearly signposted.
From The North
M6 to Junction 29 and take the M65 towards Blackburn. Leave the M65 at junction two and join the M61 towards Manchester. Leave the M61 at junction six. The ground is visible from this junction and is clearly signposted.
John Walsh adds; ‘Because of traffic congestion on the M60 (formerly M62), caused by the Trafford Centre, I would recommend that those supporters travelling from the South should take the North directions above. It is about 10 miles further but can save 30 minutes and a lot of frustration!’
Car Parking
The official away car park at the stadium now costs £8. Payment is made by newly installed parking meters before exiting the car park after the game. These meters have been widely criticised by Bolton supporters as they create long queues at full-time. But the stadium is now completely cashless along with the car parks.
There is plenty of free parking on the Middlebrook retail park, if you arrive early enough. This used to be a no-go and security were manning the car parks to stop any match day parking. However, you now get up to 6 hours free parking and there is no security to worry about.
Post Code for SAT NAV: BL6 6JW
Horwich Parkway Railway Station serves the Macron Stadium, with regular trains from Bolton’s main railway station. Horwich Parkway is only a few minutes walk from the stadium.
For those travelling fans who wish to stay in Bolton overnight after the game, here are some examples of good hotels that are reasonably priced and located near the ground:
Bolton use a three-tiered category system for tickets depending on the level of opposition. Their ticket prices for each stand/category are as follows:
North Stand
East/West lower tiers
East/West upper tiers
Family ticket (North Stand only)
Away Fans
In their early days, Bolton bounced around a range of different stadiums with nowhere in particular known as ‘home’. Pike’s Lane became their first real steady ground; that was seven years after their formation. 14 years later the club moved stadiums. Burden Park became their home ground and remained there through to 1997. During that time, numerous adjustments were made to the ground with the capacity peaking at 70k before financial issues and the introduction of new standards saw the capacity wind down considerably.
The most notable story associated to Brunden Park is the 1946 crush disaster that took 33 fans’ lives. Post Brunden Park, Bolton moved into the Reebok Stadium. The club still play their home matches there, however, owing to sponsorship deals the name frequently changes.
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the
Level Playing Field website.
Record Attendance
At The Toughsheet Community Stadium
28,353 v Leicester City
Premier League, 28th December 2003.
At Burnden Park:
69,912 v Manchester City
FA Cup 5th Round, 18th February 1933.
Average Attendance
2022/23 – League One – 18. 814
2021/22 – League One – 15,439
2020/21 – League Two – 0 (Covid)
2021/22 – League One – 15,439
2022/23 – League One – 18,814
2023/24 – League One – 19,493
The latest developments at the Toughseet Community Stadium aim to improve the overall matchday experience of match-going fans.
Most notably, the club have officially submitted plans to renovate the current ‘fanzone’ at the ground, with new facilities being implemented, including:
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
A while since my previous visit. Not a trip that inspires me as I'm not a fan of out of town shopping outlet stadia.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I decided to travel by official club coach again as I wasn't sure if a rail strike might be called. Going by train and drinking in Chorlton would have been preferable. An easy journey. Motorways virtually all the way. It took about 1.5 hours.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Not enough time to do much or find a decent pub. I had a walk around the retail outlet to kill time. No bars open to away fans. The club fanzone was open for home fans only.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
It's a really good ground and probably Premier League standard. I had a seat in the second row of the upper tier , towards the corner flag .A good seat with a good view (see photo). The ground reminds me a bit of Huddersfield's ground .
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
No problems with the stewards. Our tickets were checked before we reached the turnstiles and some fans were patted down. I swallowed my pride and drank a pint of Worthingtons. The queueing system is very good , as mentioned in the main body of the review. Lots of steps and fairly narrow staircases to reach the upper tier. Toilet facilities too crowded, as were the concourses for a modern ground. It's a common problem. Turning to the match. It was an awful 0-0. Bolton had the second best home record in League 1 conceding only three goals so far. Barnsley had won the previous three away games without conceding a goal. Bolton had 65% possession but managed just one shot on target and that was in the second minute. The referee had a poor game and lost control, which led to some players meting out their own ideas of justice. Barnsley missed a decent headed chance near the end of the game, but a draw was probably about right. It was a dull bore draw with the teams nullifying each other. A good away point for Barnsley. A good crowd of 18400 with 1800 away fans. I was well away from the area where the fans are segregated. The home fans in that area were loud with plenty of drumming.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
The coaches were just outside the away exit and we were away quickly heading for the rainy M62 heading east.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Awful game , but happy we picked up a point. Good ground, good view , but in the middle of nowhere , unless you like retail parks.
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10th April 2022 Adrian Hurst Game Attended Bolton Wanderers vs Sheffield Wednesday Competition EFL League 1 Date 09/04/2022Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
Having been to Burnden Park 'back in the day' it was an opportunity to visit another newer groundHow easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
A 250 mile journey from my South Wales base which was relatively easy except for the stupidly long 50mph speed limit on the M6! The ground was easy to find - just off the M61 and I parked on a road just behind the Beehive.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Went into the Beehive which soon became packed out which was hardly surprising with a 5.5K away following. The upstairs function room was also opened - and quickly became as full as the bar area! Called into Asda on the walk to the ground and bought a 'meal deal' to eat.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
We were in the top deck and had an extremely high but good vantage point. Plenty of leg room is always good and there was a smallish scoreboard that even the away fans could see. One slight moan, that the row numbers were only shown on the vertical part of the steps so could only be seen when walking up them - and we had to walk down to our seats so they weren't immediately visible!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
A typical Wednesday performance, largely controlling the game and scoring a goal only to be once again denied in the last minute with yet another equalizer conceded from a corner. Seems like double figures now for the number of times that this has happened this season! Stewards were largely anonymous. As usual toilets were too small which created long queues and jostling. Bought a tea - 2.20 and a pie for 3.20, which is about the norm for football grounds.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Relatively easy to get away - a 10 minute walk back to the car and within a further 10 minutes we were back on the M61 heading south.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Extremely frustrated to once again concede a last minute equalizer, but we are still in a play off position and hopefully will still be there in 5 more games time.
15th November 2021 Graeme Whitton Game Attended Bolton v Crewe Competition League One Date 12/11/2021Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
I was in the area to attend the Rochdale v Leyton orient game on the following day and this seemed a good opportunity to visit a new stadium
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Very easy. Got the train to Horwich Parkway from where you, literally, can't miss the stadium. Less than a 5 minute walk I've now visited well over 100 different football grounds and this was one of the easiest to find.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Had a drink in Bolton before the game then an easy and short hop back on the train to Horwich Parkway. No real interaction with the home fans but those I encountered at Bolton railway station seemed OK.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
This was an evening game so as soon as you exit the railway station you can see the stadium lit up in front of you. Very impressive. Inside was equally impressive. I had a cracking view of the game from my seat in the top tier and plenty leg room even for my 6'3 frame.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Stewards seemed well organised and helped me find my seat. I did sample the catering and that was a real let down. I had one bite of a lukewarm, dried out cheeseburger and took it back to the food stall. I don't expect much from football ground catering but that was simply inedible. Credit to the staff who happily replaced it with a marginally better pie. As to the game - you might've got something out of it as a Bolton fan since the home team won comfortably but for a neutral it was pretty poor stuff. Easy to see why Crewe were bottom of the table at the time and though Bolton won easily enough they huffed and puffed a lot without much end product
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
As above the ground was very easy to find and equally easy to get away afterwards. Short walk back to the station then straight on the train. I did, however, leave 10 minutes before the end so not sure how congested the station might become if handling large crowds
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Decent enough day out and a really impressive stadium. The setting deserved a better game. 7th November 2021 Game Attended Bolton v Stockport Competition FA Cup 1st round Date 07/11/2021How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Very easy, just off the M61 and plenty of free parking at Middlebrook Retail ParkComment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
My only comment is the Steward at the Stockport end was absolutely superb. He noticed very early that my wife and I were very uncomfortable with the language and attitude of Stockport supporters to the Bolton fans who were located a few rows away. He spoke to us on a couple of occasions during the first half and asked, if possible, would we like to be seated elsewhere. At the end of the first half he managed to find us alternative seating which we gratefully accepted. I didn’t have the chance to catch his name but a massive thanks to sensible stewarding and BWFC
18th September 2020 Jake (Sheffield United)I was looking forward to going to Bolton. It was my first away game of the season and I had never been to their stadium before.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking? It was an hour and a half drive and I found parking opposite the ground easily enough. What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We walked to the nearby retail and got a KFC. We then went into the ground half hour early to get a pint.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
My first impressions were just how much it looked like every other new stadium. However, the away end is spacious as well as the concourse.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..I really enjoyed the game itself. Sheffield United won 3-0 and it could have been more. The stewards didn't seem to bother anyone at all. Before the match, there were long queues to get into the ground as there were only two turnstiles open and they searched every person on entry.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:We jogged across the road straight to my car to try and beat the traffic but got caught outside the ground for around 15 minutes. But once away from the ground it was all straightforward.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:A good away win. And with the nice weather, it was an enjoyable day. There were a few teenage Bolton fans located to the right of the away end, who seemed to think they were MMA fighters, but it is all fun and games!
18th September 2020 Brian May (AFC Wimbledon)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
Having seen the Macron Stadium from a distance a few times in passing, I was really looking forward to taking in a game there for the first time and ticking off another of the 92. Wimbledon's form going into the game wasn't the best and with Bolton riding high in the league, I was travelling more in hope than expectation.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We nearly always travel to away games by train but the line that serves the Horwich Parkway station was closed for engineering works. Rather than trust the rail replacement buses we instead took the train to Wigan and pre-booked a taxi for a price of £30 return (Crusader taxis in Wigan – highly recommended). The drive took approximately 20 minutes and the stadium was visible from miles away helping to build a bit of pre-match anticipation!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As usual, I had my kids with me so took a walk around the stadium and visited the club shop. The Macron Stadium is next door to a retail park so there are loads of places to go for something to eat if you so choose. The home fans seemed pretty friendly and the Police presence was minimal.
Burnden Park Disaster Memorial Plaque
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
From the outside, the Macron Stadium is impressive to say the least with an unusual web of steel supports holding up the roof and the four diamond-shaped floodlight pylons. Outside the West Stand, there is an imposing statue of the great Nat Lofthouse and a memorial to the 33 fans killed in the Burnden Park disaster of 1946. After paying our respects, we made our way to the away end where the stewards were pretty laid back and the gate staff were friendly. As there was quite a small away following occupying only a couple of blocks behind the goal which were open for us but there was still plenty of room. The inside of the stadium somehow feels like a modern bowl and a traditional four-stand ground at the same time. The lower tier sweeps right around the stadium with a semi-circular upper tier on each side. The stadium is already 20 years old, but still looks fresh and is easily one of the most impressive medium-sized stadia that I have ever visited.
View From the Away Stand
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The small number of Dons fans were easily catered for and the facilities were good. The prices whilst not cheap, were in line with what you expect to pay at football these days (£6 for a pie and a pint) and the meat and potato pies were decent. The ground was about half-full meaning the match atmosphere was a bit on the quiet side. Predictably, Bolton started strongly, deservedly took the lead on 15 minutes and then continued to keep Wimbledon penned into their own half – I was fearing a thrashing to be honest. However, Dons slowly clawed their way back into the game and equalised on 38 minutes. This knocked Bolton out of their stride and had Wimbledon's tails up – the half-time whistle was probably more welcome for the home team. There were chances for both sides in the second half, but Dons defended stubbornly and Bolton never really settled back into their early rhythm so the game fizzled out to a draw – a result that the Dons were certainly happier with.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I had booked our return taxi for 5:30pm to give the traffic a chance to disperse and he was spot on time. The traffic around the ground was still a bit busy but was moving and we were back in Wigan inside about 25 minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, another great day out following the Dons. The Macron is an impressive stadium with a friendly welcome from the club and a hard-earned point to send Dons fans home content.
1st February 2020 Ben Castle (Tranmere Rovers)Firstly because it’s another awayday, secondly it’s a new ground I can tick off my list. Plus it’s also a rival game with us bringing nearly 2000 fans.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking? I got on the supporters' coach which left Prenton Park at 11:30 and arrived at Bolton around 12:30. What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Bolton has a decent retail park around the ground so I went to eat at a McDonald’s and had a look around the retail park. There was a good mix of Bolton and Tranmere fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
Despite being rivals I’ve got to admit Bolton’s ground is impressive. Inside and outside the ground you can see how Bolton was a Premier League club only less than a decade ago with the modern looks and design.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game itself could be the worst I’ve seen of Tranmere this season. We went 1-0 down in the first few minutes of a great strike from outside the box. We replied with woeful play. Bolton went 2-0 up in the second half, meanwhile, we didn’t even look like we wanted to try to get back in just pure laziness from the players. At full time we all booed the players when they tried to thank us for coming.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:To my surprise, I saw some trouble outside after the game, but it is a rivals match. I got back on the coach which did take a while to start but eventually did and arrived back at Prenton Park within an hour.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:My day wasn’t bad considering going to a new ground and being with nearly 2000 Tranmere fans. However, the result ruined the day for me. Both clubs are most likely going down to League 2 for next season so I will be going again most likely next season.
1st February 2020 David Sindall (Tranmere Rovers)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the University of Bolton Stadium?
I have never been to this stadium before and I was looking forward to us picking up a vital '6 points'.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I parked in the Salvation Army Car Park on Lostock Lane, which cost £3. It was then about a seven minute walk to the ground. The journey was easy, just taking about an hour from the 'Paradise Peninsula'.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I popped into the Barnstormers Pub, where I enjoyed a very well kept pint. Then I ate a pie inside the ground. Getting served was a bit slow but they do a pie and a pint deal for £6.25.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
It is a big ground. I don’t like being behind the goal but the view of the pitch was impressive.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Lost 2-0. Bolton massive, about 200 12 year olds, were located to the right of away end. They enjoyed the game more than we did, obviously.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Will be back there next season in League 2.
18th January 2020 Tony Davies (Portsmouth)The Macron (or whatever it is now called) is another ground I haven't visited before. In fact, Pompey hadn't been there for over 10 years due to the different fortune s of both clubs, and it looks like Bolton won't be in our league next year either due to their point deduction.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?Bolton's ground is one we have seen from the motorway a few times heading to other away days in places like Rochdale and Bury over the last few years so I knew it would be an easy journey and it was. We drove past the ground, into the nearby industrial estate and found parking manned by the Salvation Army for £3. The guys looking after the parking also directed me to the nearby Greene King pub that caters for away supporters.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We went to the Beehive pub which was a 10 minute walk from the ground. It was very busy as Pompey had bought over 1500 fans but we managed to get served a double round and sat outside on the picnic tables until it was time to walk down. We nipped into the next door Tesco to use the loo and a bottle of coke then visited the large (but pretty empty) club shop to buy a pin badge for my lads collection. We didn't speak to any home fans but there were a good few about which is commendable given the dire situation Bolton are in this season.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
The ground is very impressive and is not what you expect in League 1. It is large, modern and unique. We had a good walk around, including visiting the statue of Nat Lofthouse where we bumped into a group having some type of tour so we could listen in and heard about some of Bolton's history, including an FA cup final win over Pompey back in 1929.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game was pretty awful to watch. Really scrappy and both sides struggled to have decent chances while the referee was typical of the league, angering both sides with shoddy decisions and not letting the game flow. Pompey won by a solitary goal headed in from close range by our centre back. Although Bolton were nowhere near filling their ground there were 2 vocal groups on each side of the away end so there was plenty of singing and chanting throughout. The food was fine, although they ran out of most pies by the time I got served at halftime, so I had to make do with (a very decent) steak pie and bovril as it was a cold day.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:After the game we walked back to our car and would have been on the motorway within 15 minutes but for my daft decision to get petrol from Tesco after the game instead of when we arrived. There was a bit of a sour note as a group of teenage home fans were singing "you dirty southern b******s" at us as we walked out, and trying to goad the Pompey fans but a quick burst of "You're all going on a League 2 tour" as well as older Bolton fans telling them to shut up and grow up soon ended what could have turned into an ugly scene.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Overall it was a most enjoyable day, the ground was a good one to tick off, and who knows when we will be back. It was also good to get 3 valuable points and the stadium itself is a pleasant ground to watch football in.
7th December 2019 David Matthews (AFC Wimbledon)It was an important game with Bolton now in positive points numbers and desperately trying to make ground on the teams just above the Relegation zone, with us being one of them. A real six-pointer, despite it only being early December.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?We stayed in the North West for the weekend, so we only had a less than a one hour drive on Saturday lunchtime to get to the stadium. Following the parking recommendations on this website, we parked at St Joseph’s school on Chorley New Road. We paid £3 to park here and there were only a handful of other cars parked there when we arrived at about 14:10. Around 15 minutes walk maximum to the stadium.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?With this being a typical out of town new stadium, the only real option to eat outside would be at the adjacent retail park, which included a number of restaurants, fast food places and a large Tesco. We ate food inside the stadium on the concourse, and it was not great, to be honest. The serving staff were friendly though and prices ok.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
When approaching the stadium from the M61, it is an impressive sight. As new stadiums go, It is a good one, and deserving of a more successful Bolton Wanderers, who are likely heading for League Two with their crippling points deduction this season. I didn’t like that despite having a whole empty end, our fans were shoved into one corner, rather than being allowed behind the goal. The view of the game was good though, and £20 tickets good value compared to others in League One.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..Despite Bolton’s difficult times and likely relegation, there was still a healthy 11000 crowd and the home fans tried to get behind their team. There were 367 Wombles fans which was slightly disappointing for a relatively important match. 2-2 draw with Bolton equalising right at the end, so it felt like a defeat when leaving the stadium. In truth both teams were poor, Bolton probably heading to League Two, and we have a long relegation battle ahead ourselves.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:No issues at all driving out of St Joseph’s school where we parked, but the traffic backs up a bit on Chorley New Road, leading to the roundabout outside The Beehive pub. Once we got past this the traffic was clear and we were quickly back onto the motorway.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Decent stadium to visit with good facilities, and respect to Bolton fans continuing to turn up in numbers despite their current issues.
16th November 2019 Peter Williams (MK Dons)Whilst I have been to this Stadium before, the game was of vital importance to both sides as we are currently both in the relegation zone.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking? I traveled to this game on the official coach which was uneventful and we arrived at 1-15 pm. What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Visited the Beehive pub which seemed to take ages to walk to but it was uphill! Enjoyable drink in the pub and whilst most of the people in the pub were Dons fans, the home fans in the pub were friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
After a shorter walk back to the ground (downhill now) we walked round to the away end. A home fan called us some names which were uncalled for and he should be ashamed of his conduct. This ground is quite modern with good views all round and plenty of leg room albeit I stood up for the whole game.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..There were lots of stewards around which seemed over the top but no trouble whatsoever. Good atmosphere although our 300 fans seemed to make more noise than the 11,000 home fans. The food and drink were good although I thought northern prices were supposed to be cheaper? As for the game itself then it summed up our season so far. An even first half and we looked more likely to score until our full back put his hand in the face of a Bolton player. I think a fly could have caused more damage but under the laws it is a red card. We conceded a 90th minute penalty which was saved but then conceded a very soft goal in the 93rd minute. Heart breaking but we must remember the game isn't over until the ref blows his whistle.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:No trouble getting away especially as the Police let our coach getaway by stopping other traffic and the motorway is only a few minutes away.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:A good day apart from the 93rd minute of the game. Still that's football and so on to the next match.
9th November 2019 John Hague (Bolton Wanderers)I lived in Bolton for six years from 1983 to 1989 so by default Bolton became my second team. I loved the old school charm of Burnden Park and it is still my second most visited ground. I used to stand on the Burnden Terrace towards the Lever End and absolutely loved it. I moved away in 1989 and returned infrequently to catch up with mates but never bothered with the Reebok. Today I had been in Bury on the Friday night and decided before heading home that I needed to scratch an itch.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?Very easy, I know where the Reebok is of old and I parked on Lostock Lane, as recommended on this website, and I used the first industrial estate on the right. The Salvation Army were charging a very reasonable £3 and it was manned all game.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?I was early and there isn't too much around to entice the drivers amongst us so I went and bought my match ticket (a reasonable £10 for this game) and browsed the shop. buying a pin badge and scarf. Wearing my very welcome new scarf, it was Baltic, I wandered around the ground taking photographs and admiring the fabulous Nat Lofthouse Statue. By 2pm the turnstiles were open so I went into marvel at the blandness of the concrete concourses…
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
I've seen the ground from the outside and it's pleasing on the eye and just a bit more distinctive than more modern, out-of-the-box grounds like the King Power or Pride Park. I love the floodlight design. Inside it's pretty uninspiring but the sightlines are excellent.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game itself was pretty awful but I guess for Bolton fans any football is better than none like at neighbouring Bury. As always in Bolton the pies were excellent but dare I say it, after having the lining stripped from the roof of my mouth too many times in the past, they needed to be a bit warmer. The stewards were a friendly bunch so no problems there. There were some familiar things that Bolton have imported from, certainly my days at Burnden Park. They still play The Wanderer in the build-up and, I never knew why the team still runs out to the theme from 633 Squadron. Oh yeah and, put your best Peter or Vernon Kay (not related) voices on for this, the fans still say 'oh no!' a hell of a lot. Given the standard of football that's not really surprising.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Very easy. Maybe the council could add some more footpaths on De Havilland Way to stop the need to walk along a busy dual carriageway. I was on the M61 and heading south within 15 minutes of getting out of the ground.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Despite a 0-1 defeat I really enjoyed being back with the Bolton fans. The crowd was pitiful at only 6,992 but given it's the FA Cup and the stadium isn't exactly local to the town that's not to be unexpected.
9th November 2019 Graham Andrew (Plymouth Argyle)Doing the 92 or should I say 91 now, with the demise of Bury. I had visited the old Burnden Park ground but never been to the new stadium. Plus the fact that it was the FA Cup which although it seems to have lost its appeal I still enjoy the competition.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?No problem finding the ground lots of parking at the stadium and surrounding retail parks, although we parked at the Beehive pub which was a 10 minute walk away.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Had a quick beer in the Beehive where we parked which was mainly away fans present. I spoke to a couple of home fans who wished us good luck.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
I had a walk around the ground which although over 20 years old now, I was impressed with its surroundings. We took 1200 fans and had the lower tier where the pitch view was great and all undercover.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..It was a good cup tie, the game was end-to-end. Argyle defended very well and won the game 1-0. The atmosphere was good in the away end but the home fans were quiet as match attendance was under 7,000. No problem with the stewards. The facilities under the stand were okay with meal deals on offer at reasonable prices and nice Balti pies. There were also live tv screens on the concourse allowing us to watch the early Sky games.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:There was a lot of traffic around the ground as a retail park and large Tesco superstore are in close proximity to the stadium. But by the time we walked the 10 minutes back to the car, it was quite clear but would be busier with a larger crowd.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out: A Good day out. Now in the 2nd round of the FA Cup so it made the 600-mile round journey worth it. 12th March 2019 Steve Ellis (Neutral)Why were you looking forward to going to the University of Bolton Stadium?
This was not my intended game as I travelled to watch Exeter at Macclesfield which sadly got called off. So it was a toss-up between this and the Blackburn game, but also a chance to tick off another ground.
How easy was your journey and finding the ground?
The journey to the ground was easy with trains every 30 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly to Horwich Parkway then a 5 minute walk.
What did you do before the game, pub, chippy….home fans friendly?
I had to go around to the far side of the ground to the club shop in order to purchase a ticket. Matchday programmes were available at points around the ground. All the fans I encountered seemed friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end and then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
From the outside, the ground looks impressive especially as you walk up from the station. I was behind the goal in the North Stand lower tier with the home supporters. The view was good with no restrictions and some good leg room. The other stands all mirror their opposite sides.
The Stadium Looking Good Lit Up
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, refreshments etc.
The game was good but not entertaining, Wednesday running out as 2-0 winners. The atmosphere was good but most of the noise came from the away section. The stewards were low key and friendly. The refreshments seemed pricey for individual items but the beer and pint offer at £6.50 was acceptable and the pie I had was among the best I’ve had on an away day.
Comments on getting away from the ground after the game.
Getting away afterwards was easy as I had the short walk back to the station.
Attendance: 13,624 (1,918 away fans)
16th February 2019 Timothy Scales (Norwich City)If you hadn't noticed, Norwich City are playing rather well at the minute! This was my third visit to Bolton's ground and it's one of the better "new-style" grounds in my opinion.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?We were staying at a friend's house in Staffordshire so it was an hour drive along the motorway. We parked at the Barnstormers pub for £3 and the ground is easily visible from the road, so no issues finding it!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Having parked there, we thought it was only right to visit the Barnstormers. You'll struggle to find a better pre-match pub in the country with home and away fans mingling without any hassle and Bolton fans all willing to have a chat.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
The University of Bolton Stadium is a rather impressive ground, befitting of Premier League football even if the current playing squad isn't (more on that in a second!). I'm not a massive fan of these new-build stadiums on the whole but Bolton have done a good job here.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game was everything the form-book suggested with Norwich winning at a canter playing some sublime football, most evident in the first half where Norwich raced into a 3-0 lead inside 35 minutes with Teemu Pukki, Marco Stiepermann and Emiliano Buendía finishing off flowing Canaries attacks. Pukki added a fourth ten minutes into the second half, although this wasn't quite as picturesque as one long ball undid the Bolton defence before the Finn lobbed Remi Matthews. Norwich missed a penalty (what's new?) as the game petered out in the second half, with Bolton accepting they had been soundly beaten.
The atmosphere was far from electric, given that Bolton were awful and it was all too comfortable for Norwich although I did appreciate Bolton fans olé'ing the Norwich passing at 4-0 – gallows humour at its finest. The University of Bolton Stadium has the facilities you'd expect of a ground built this side of the Taylor Report.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:After a short ten-minute walk back to the car, it was the same hour-long drive back to Staffordshire. It was fairly busy on the roads, but nothing too difficult.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:As one Bolton fan cheekily quipped on their way out of the ground, we "scraped that"! A fine win, a great pub and a very good day.
9th February 2019 Ian Robinson (Preston North End)It was my second visit to Bolton and I was really looking forward to it. It is a great ground only 20 minutes drive down the motorway for us. We had a huge following going to the game and the away end was sold out.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking? We went on one of the club coaches, so straightforward. What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We went for breakfast and a had a beer in Preston before leaving. We then had a drink inside the ground. I didn't see any home fans before the game but all seemed well.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
It is a nice ground with a great view. The concourse looks a little dated but apart from that, I like the ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..We totally outplayed a sadly poor Bolton side who as a whole the club are in real trouble. The atmosphere was tremendous from us. The stewards a tad overzealous. My youngest daughter said that the pies were okay but a bit pricey.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game: Easy straight onto the coach and home in 30 minutes. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:A grand day out with my daughter and her boyfriend. A good win (2-1), total domination (however we did nearly throw it away at the end but that's the fun of being a North Ender lol) hope Bolton stop up but fear for them. Overall it is a good away day.
29th January 2019 William Biss (Reading)I was looking forward to the game as I went to Bolton last season and I was in a confident mood. It was a "must win" game as it was a six-pointer against another side in the bottom three of the Championship League.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?I went on the supporters coach. The journey there and back was okay. Finding the ground was easy as it was really lit up for this evening fixture. The coach dropped us off right next to the away end turnstiles.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?Nothing much at all as we arrived near kick off, so it was a case of getting a programme (£3) and going into the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the University of Bolton Stadium?
From what I saw of the stadium then I was really impressed with it, especially the roof. I also had a really good view of the playing action.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..Reading converted a penalty midway through the second half to take the lead. It looked like we would be getting all three points but frustratingly conceded an equalising headed goal in injury time.
The stewards were both friendly and helpful. The facilities were excellent and the service was good too. The food and drink were well priced.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Getting away from the ground was really quick as our coach was waiting outside. It was then only a short distance to get back onto the M61 motorway.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:Really good apart from conceding late on and the long flight of stairs upto the upper tier. It was still a good night out and I would recommend it to people who haven't gone before.
3rd April 2018 Specky (Neutral)The ground is well signed from the M61 and, after checking with a few locals as to the restrictions, parking was very easy.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We had been on a tour of Old Trafford in the afternoon and had a late lunch, so went to McDonald's behind the stadium for coffee and a muffin.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium is as impressive looking from the outside as well as the inside. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..The game attracted a crowd of 21,000 probably due to £15 adult tickets and kids for a quid. The atmosphere was enhanced by just under 5000 Brummies belting out 'Keep right on to the end of the road'.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:This was the biggest snag. The moral of the story is do your weekly shop at Asda immediately after the game so the traffic has cleared by the time you're ready to leave.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:The game itself was dreadful – Birmingham deserved to win as they had a better shape and the quality of their set pieces was decisive. The view from our seats and the atmosphere was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would look to return.
20th January 2018 Kieran B (Ipswich Town)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
Another week, another new ground to tick off the list in my road to the 92. This time last year I was on 31, and now I find myself on 42. As far as match anticipation was concerned I wasn’t looking forward to the standard of football these two teams were probably going to produce the duration of the match.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Leaving Ipswich at 8:45am, we got the train from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street. From there we walked to Moorgate and then got the tube to London Euston. It was then a straight train to Manchester Piccadilly, and then to Oxford Road, where a rail replacement bus carried us to our final leg of the journey to Horwich Parkway and the Macron Stadium, arriving at 2pm.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We headed straight to the ground after a brief loop around the rather impressive Macron “Reebok” Stadium. A very tasty peppered steak pie in the ground as well as a pint of Coors Light set me up well for the game ahead. The only home fans I encountered were on the rail replacement bus service, but we had a good chat about the past and the present and the contrast in our two clubs seasons and got on very well. A great bunch of people.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium is very impressive and far from the norm of the usual bowls/modern stadiums we see so often. It reminds me a lot of the ‘John Smiths Stadium’ in Huddersfield with its Arch Like stanchion beams, but despite its simplicity inside, I can’t say its boring. A very unique, and smart ground. When I received my ticket, I was rather confused to see that my seat was in the ‘Upper Tier’ as for years I had seen away fans were in the lower, right behind the goal usually. A Bolton fan told me that this has since been the case from the start of the season, with no understanding as to why. I’m not complaining however, as the view was brilliant.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Watching paint dry is how I could describe the first half, nothing to talk about there. However, the second half only sprung into life because Gary Madine fired Bolton into a deserved lead on 53 minutes. Thankfully the game picked up after that, and with both sides having some good chances, with Bolton probably deserving another goal. However, we managed to grab an equaliser after our best 30 second spell of the game with Garner finishing off a well worked move in the 82nd minute. From there onwards it was all Ipswich, and we almost won it in injury time when Waghorn slammed is 25 yard effort off the post. That would have been harsh on Bolton, who in the end were probably thankful of a point, despite deserving all three over the 90 minutes. Not the greatest game I’ll ever watch but a point is a point. The atmosphere was a solid 5/10 throughout the match. The stewards were fine, and my peppered steak pie I had pre-match was worthy of a 9/10. Facilities were spacious and very good considering we had 650 fans squeezed into one corner.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
This could have been a long one as we had to pick up a rail-replacement bus back to Manchester Piccadilly via numerous stops, meaning we were at risk of missing a few trains, however to our luck there was one heading direct to Manchester Piccadilly Station. Ahead of schedule, we were back at London Liverpool Street by 9pm, and then back in Ipswich at 10pm. Overall an enjoyable and very quick journey back.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite the football, I had a good day. A new ground ticked off the list, and a point away from home is better than none. The Macron is a nice stadium and one that I would happily visit again in the future. I hope they manage to survive the drop this season.
Full Time Result: Bolton Wanderers 1 Ipswich Town 1
6th August 2017 Shaun Tully (Leeds United)It was very easy, as the Macron Stadium is located just off the J6 of the M61, making it one of the biggest pluses of this ground. We were staying in the Premier Inn opposite so we parked there. The only issue was initially they wouldn't let us into the car park as we had Leeds shirts on and the hotels own bar is for home fans only!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We went to the Beehive pub which welcomes away fans. As we had sold all our allocation of just under 5,000 tickets, the pub was heaving and a little understaffed. So it was a battle to get a pint! As the pub is away supporters only we didn't really meet any home fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium is a standard new ground, comprising four sides, each with an upper and lower tier and with corporate boxes in-between. Smart, modern, good leg room, and clear views. Just lacking character. There were some remnants of their former Premier League days which included the electronic advertising boards and a smart hotel built into the ground in the south east corner.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..It was a g reat opening game (especially as we won!) with two goals, a penalty, 2 players stretchered off and a further two limping off and it wasn't even dirty! (Only one yellow card shown) Plenty of atmosphere from the 5,000 Leeds fans but the 14,000 home fans were fairly quiet. I was surprised that the whole ground was open and that they didn't close sections such as the upper tier behind the goal as there were plenty of empty seats to accommodate those in that section. As a previous entry said, if the home supporters need a drum…… Meal deal at £5.50 for a burger and pint, £6.50 for a pie and a pint. No issues with the stewards.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:Pretty easy, although we were only going back over the road to the hotel! So can't comment on the traffic.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:It was a good day out, even if it did rain the whole time. The Macron Stadium is easily accessible, with plenty of parking and places to drink (take note Reading!) everything you want really.
6th August 2017 Josh Townend (Leeds United)I had an axe to grind with Bolton, first and foremost. The first time I saw us play them was that fateful afternoon in 2004 when we were relegated from the Premier League. The second time was at Elland Road ten years later, where they beat us 5-1. Suffice to say, I had to see us beat them. This game was the first of the new season and it had fallen on a day off (had it been on the Saturday, I would have been working), so I was excited to be able to get to the first away game of the season. Tickets had sold out in 15 minutes, first to season ticket holders and then to members (for whom 20% of each allocation is reserved), so I was delighted I was one of the lucky few that got their foot in the door.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?I travelled up from Newport with the Leeds United South Wales supporters branch (having got a train over from Cardiff). There were no real hiccups with it being a Sunday, so there's not a lot I can really say about the journey up.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?We went to the Beehive pub, which is just up the road from the Macron Stadium, in Horwich. Had a couple of pints but by the time I'd got away from the bar the second time, there were bouncers outside regulating the queue to get in. Strolled down to the ground via Tesco, where me and another lad I got talking to on the coach got a 4-pack and sat on the edge of the ground's car park getting stuck into said 4-pack. We met up with my brother who had travelled over with the Bradford Whites and headed into the ground. Home fans didn't give us any trouble, which as a Leeds fan, generally passes for friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
I'd been to the Macron Stadium before and I had grown by a couple of feet since then, so the ground looked smaller than I remember. Nonetheless, it was a tidy ground, concourse was generously sized, so no issues on that front. It did surprise me that the turnstiles were still manually operated with it being a new ground, but it was an easy enough ground to get into. Instead of a vocal 'home end', the louder of the home fans at the Macron Stadium are found in the lower tier opposite the Main Stand, forming more of a 'popular side', a disappearing sight in these leagues, but great to see Bolton still going strong with it.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..I'm short-sighted as it is, so being put in the second row from the front did me few favours. I couldn't really make out much of the action at the other end, so I made my conclusions based on the highlights when I got back. It was an enjoyable game with a brilliant atmosphere created by both sets of fans. Only problem I had was when I went to get a pie and a pint, I realised I must have lost my debit card in the pub, leading to a 'walk of shame' of sorts back to my seat, empty handed. I applaud the musical taste of whoever put the halftime playlist, with This Is The One by the Stone Roses and a live recording of Oasis' Acquiesce providing a bit of ear candy during the interval. The second half was as typical a Northern game as you'll find anywhere- it was hammering it down with rain, and we had to hold out against Bolton's long ball tactics, intended to unsettle our makeshift back four. Their 'popular side' did make a lot of noise and had me worried that they might be enough to roar an equaliser out of Bolton. Luckily, that wasn't the case, and in the circumstances, 3-2 to Leeds was a good result. I felt we were good value for a two-goal cushion, but that's football.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:I wasn't the driver so I really couldn't comment on the journey back. Being a trip back down to South Wales, it was always going to be a long one, but no real issues on this front.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:An enjoyable away day at the Macron Stadium, and a great way to kick off the season. Both sides dished up an entertaining game, however nervy the finish may have been.
1st April 2017 Ian Bradley (Neutral)I had not visited the Macron Stadium before and the £5 admission price for this match was too good to miss. After a trouble free train journey which took me around two hours from my Rotherham home, I arrived at Horwich Parkway Station which is located just outside the ground at around 1.15pm. I then had a pleasant lunch at one of the eateries at the adjoining shopping mall before walking back to the Macron Stadium and buying a programme, which was an excellent read.
The turnstiles opened around 2pm and on entering I was impressed with the overall look of the inside of the stadium. It is nice and modern with nice seats and plenty of legroom affording unrestricted views of the action. The game started with the visiting Spireites in the ascendancy, going close on several occasions through midfielders Jon Nolan and Dan Gardner and striker Kristian Dennis. Whils the home side looked nervous and tentative in front of a bumper crowd of over 23,000 fans. This was the Trotters biggest crowd of the season.
Bolton came much more into the game in the second period, with good efforts from Jay Spearing and striker Adam Le Fondre. Chesterfield still looked quite dangerous on the break though which made for a much better game. Chesterfield's Nolan was unluckily dismissed in injury time for a second bookable offence, which I thought was a fair challenge. Bolton then poured forward in the five extra minutes with close range efforts from Bolton's Wheater, Le Fondre and Beevers being heroically blocked by the Chesterfield defence. Although ending 0-0 it was a decent(ish) game in which Bolton weren't at their best and League Two bound Chesterfield thoroughly deserved at least a point from.
Overall I enjoyed my visit to the Macron Stadium. It is a good stadium and the large 23,000+ crowd created a great atmosphere.
28th February 2017 Luke Smith (Bristol Rovers)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium has a reputation of being one of the prestige football grounds in the country, and most definitely up there with the best two or three in League One. On the back of two promotions, it's fixtures like this that make us Gasheads so thankful to have Darrell Clarke at the helm, and a lot of us (843) were going to travel regardless of time and date.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey up was fairly easy despite near apocalyptic weather conditions on the M5 and M6. The view of the ground all along the M65 was a particular highlight; a true beacon of footballing over achievement. The way back was a different story, with both the M5 and M6 shut, it took over six hours to get home… at night!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Prior to the game we had a wander round the attached retail park and grabbed a quick pint at the nearby Beehive pub. The whole infrastructure of a multi-laned carriageway and several very large car parks nearby lends itself perfectly to the ultimate away day experience.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium is truly one of the best I've ever been to. Its unusual design, outside lighting and floodlights make it a real spectacle on the drive in. Once inside the ground, the stewards were quite laid back and didn't care too much about persistent standing. We had the whole of the stand behind the goal's lower tier, and the view was fantastic.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Bolton were dire, I couldn't believe they are challenging for automatic promotion and we're mid table. You'd never have guessed it. Atmosphere reflected that too. A meager 13,000 home attendance made the ground seem a bit of a white elephant. It's never a good sign when the home fans are reliant on a drum to try and build some noise, although the travelling Gasheads made plenty of noise throughout. Bolton took the lead early on with Rovers equalising in the second, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Stewards were fine, laid back and helpful. St John's ambulance were really slow in helping a prone woman, however. Didn't eat at the ground, as they'd only opened one bar as they probably didn't expect so many to turn up, so the queues were really long. Same issue with the entrance turnstiles; they had only opened one! Took an age getting into the ground.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy enough, a quick walk up the adjacent dual carriageway to the free car park at the Beehive pub and we were away.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The Macron Stadium is an excellent ground and another one off the 92 (37 for me now). Despite the league position, poor game and poor home fans, it was a great away day (despite the delays driving home) and the stadium has a great infrastructure.
28th February 2017 Yaz Shah (Bristol Rovers)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
To be honest, I was not. Weather did not look too great so I waited until 1pm on the day, before I then made my mind to go journeying up from London along the M1 and M6. I also thought that we might concede a few goals, as Bolton are doing well at the moment.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was a long journey from London via M1, M6 (plus M6 toll) to J29 then M61 south to J6. I am glad I went further than M6 J26 and came back down the M61 as one of the reviewers suggested on this website. Although some Rovers fans I spoke to said there were no problems from J26 as well. M6 both ways – Birmingham to Manchester A556 was horrible and stuck in 50mph zone. M6 after M62 junction and M61 were smooth with very few bumps so I flew along to make up time. Parking easy and free. As it was an evening game I parked in a nearby Retail Park. Getting out after the game took about 40 minutes as I stayed with the rest of the Gasheads to clap and sing the team off the pitch after this performance.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
No real time to do anything as I got there and parked about 19:25. I asked some fans where away end was and they were quite polite.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium is a beautiful ground as other reviewers on this website have said. One of the best I have been to. The MK Dons ground is similar but seating there for away fans was awful and pitch being so far away created no atmosphere. Here at Bolton, they have a lovely ground with great views for the away fans although the 850 Gas fans were seated mostly towards left of the goal. But I enjoyed every minute of it.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Absolutely stunning Rovers performance away to a team in 4th going for automatic promotion. We were 10th having just played Bradford, Sheffield United, Scunthorpe, Rochdale, etc. in the last month. They scored in 7th minute and then we completely dominated them for most of the match. At least four goal line clearances or just past the post, one blatant handball penalty appeal in front of the ref I which he did not give despite the whole team appealing at the same time.
It was a brilliant 90 minute performance by Rovers and all the players including the subs. Our fans were great for the whole game. Their fans were very quiet and as the game went on, even more subdued as we were really having a go at them and a goal looked inevitable. We equalised last 15 minutes and they managed to hold out. Still cannot understand how we did not win this game. They committed a lot of fouls and had player sent off in last few minutes. Referee not very good for us although he seemed to get "fairer" as game went on. The stewards were okay like at most League One grounds; friendly. Long queues for food and drink. Ran out of tea at the break! Prices quite expensive and coffee I got was cold. For big away support, need to open more serving areas and maybe split into different areas like bars, hot drinks, etc. Will be quicker and easier for all.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Long wait to get out of the car park but largely due to me hanging around to cheer the team. About 45 minutes then hit the M61 South. Accident on M6 at J12 did not help.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
One of the best Rovers matches I have been to away in recent times. The Macron Stadium is a great ground and great views for away fans. Seating is not too cramped and although we like to stand, after a while, fans did all seat down but would frequently stand with no bother from stewards. Toilets good. Eating facilities could be better i.e. quicker, cheaper and tastier.
7th January 2017 Alan (Crystal Palace)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
I had veer been to the Macron Stadium before. I had been informed that it was an good ground to visit – I wasn't disappointed.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
There is car parking right next to the ground , access is so easy for one moment I thought I had made a mistake and was parking where the players do as it is literally 100 yards from the turnstiles – Not a bad price of £7 either.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Had a KFC in the retail shopping complex right next to the ground. No issues with the Bolton fans either in the KFC or around the Macron Stadium.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium is a superb ground. It is well built and not one of the normal goldfish bowls like Southampton – Sunderland etc… This ground has a lot of character to it.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Game was rubbish, a 0-0 bore draw. The atmosphere was good in the away end. The rest of the ground was half empty.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
By far the best exit of any ground I have been too and I have been to a few. Was back on the motorway within 15 minutes. Whoever designed this ground and its location should be given an award.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Excellent day out. The Macron Stadium is really nice ground.
5th November 2016 Kevin Dixon (Grimsby Town fan)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
The Macron Stadium was another new ground for me to tick off the list, and another big day out for the Black and White Army.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
As I was staying in Manchester for the weekend, it was a simple half hour journey up the M61. Having read some of the previous reviews, I decided to park down Lostock Lane, and ended up in Hall Lane, just past the Barnstormers pub.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I nipped into the neighbouring Tesco next to the ground, and grabbed a sandwich and a drink, before making my way into the stadium. Home fans on the way were all friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
After six seasons in the Conference League, it was a pleasure to visit a new modern ground. I have driven past on the M61 several times, and thought how good the Macron Stadium looked, and I wasn't disappointed. We were housed in the lower tier of the away end, there was sufficient leg room, and even though I was on the second row, it was still a reasonable view. The two sides of the ground are similar, both having a line of executive boxes between the lower and upper tiers, and the home end is a mirror image of the away end. The biggest disappointment was the lack of home fans. We had over 1,900, but the total crowd was a mere 6,600. The fact that the tickets were only £10/£12 made it even more surprising.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.
The first half was largely controlled by Bolton, although we didn't play badly. Our former loanee, Liam Trotter scored with a powerful header from a corner, and we went in at half time 1-0 down. The second half was a totally different matter, during which we played some of our best football of the season. However due to a fine performance from the Bolton keeper, we were unable to grab an equaliser. The Town fans were in good voice as ever, but there was very little noise from the home fans, even when they scored. The stewards were fine, doing their job with the minimum of fuss. I didn't try the food, but the toilets were very spacious and clean.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After a ten minute walk back to the car, I joined the queue to get back onto the M61, which took a little longer than I anticipated. In view of the low attendance, I would imagine that it would be chaos getting away when there is a big crowd.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite the defeat, it was a good day out, and once again the Town fans were a great credit to the club. A number of Bolton supporters have praised us on the great atmosphere created by our fans. I would like to visit again, hopefully when there is a decent sized crowd.
1st October 2016 Rob Pickett (Oxford United)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
Once again, as a northern exile living in Sheffield, this was a new ground and an easy away stadium to visit. Have heard good things about the Macron, I was well up for the trip.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The Macron Stadium has to be one of the best located grounds in the country. Easy to find, right by the motorway and with a nearby train station to boot. I parked at The Barnstormers Pub, which is a 10/15 minute walk to the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had a couple of pints of great real ale at the Barnstormers with a filled roll. This is a great pub accepting away and home fans in a cordial atmosphere. One of the barmaids called me sweetheart (the first time in many years for me!!), so I was well happy with that part of the day.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
Very impressed. The Macron is well designed ground from outside and inside. Great views from away end and good atmosphere. Probably one of the best stadiums I've been to in sometime.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.
Facilities were standard fayre, but toilets were expansive. The game was a tight affair in the first half. Bolton had some serious height in their team and counter-attacked with pace. The second half was the best 45 minutes from Oxford this season and we ran out deserved 2-0 winners on the day.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Straightforward, not too long to get back to the motorway and on the way. A real bonus.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
For Oxford fans and excellent day out. I would recommend a visit for other away fans to the Macron Stadium and to The Barnstormers pub. I'll go the next time we are away to Bolton.
24th September 2016 Harry (Bradford City)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
I had never been to Bolton before. Plus with our former Manager Phil Parkinson moving over to take charge at Bolton, at the begriming of this season, there was extra interest in this match.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We traveled by train. On arriving at Bolton we got the train/rail replacement service to Horwich Parkway (as engineering works were taking place on the line). Horwich Parkway Station is literally a five minute walk away from the away turnstiles.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We arrived at 1:30pm so we decided to walk over to the Retail Park to find somewhere to eat. The walk over to the Retail Park too longer then expected. We got into the stadium at around 2:15pm.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
Looks a bit like the John Smiths stadium in Huddersfield but decent view from the top tier after walking up about eight flights of stairs.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
0-0 was probably a fair result. Bolton only really had 1 real chance which was blocked but Bradford didn't do anything of any real note for the majority of the game. Stewards were quiet all match and didn't ask anyone to sit down. Bradford made a superb atmosphere which you would expect from 4,300 of them. Bolton fans were quiet most of the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Massive police presence outside the away end but with only a short walk to the train station didn't see any trouble.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Decent day out and would definitely go again, keeps our unbeaten record intact and I can't wait for the home return game against Bolton now.
29th April 2016 Charlie (Bradford City)Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Macron Stadium?
This was the first game I looked for when the fixtures were announced, I couldn't wait for it. With the Macron Stadium having hosted Premier League football only a handful of years ago and being one of the largest grounds in the league, I was looking forward to my first trip to their. It was also our first encounter with Phil Parkinson, our ex-manager who left us in favour of Bolton during the summer, it was going to be interesting to see what kind of reception he would get. With both teams flying high in the league and going for promotion, it looked to be a must-see game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Me and my brother began the short journey over to Lancashire on a supporters coach. We left Valley Parade around 12:45 and arrived in plenty of time for kick off. The Police allowed us to park right outside the away turnstiles making access the stadium very easy.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We arrived at the Macron Stadium with an hour and 15 minutes until kick off. We had a look around the stadium and decided to take a walk up to the retail park for something to eat. There was no bother from the home fans.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Macron Stadium?
Although I prefer traditional football grounds, the Macron Stadium is very impressive with its large size and modern facilities. You could tell it was a Premier League ground not so long ago. You can spot the ground from a distance when approaching. The away end was large and we certainly filled it out with over 4,000 of us attending the game.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself didn't live up to expectations whatsoever. It was a relatively dull 0-0 game, with neither side really doing enough to win the game. City and Wanderers spent the full 90 minutes cancelling each other out. City looked scared to shoot! A draw was the fair result.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Considering how many coaches we took to Bolton getting away from the stadium was much quicker than expected. The journey home was easy arriving back in Bradford at about quarter past six.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out with a game that didn't live up to expectations unfortunately. I left the ground happy with a draw with Bolton being one of the top sides in the league. Also we extended our unbeaten run in the league which we were pleased about. A fantastic atmosphere from the City fans as always, the Bolton fans were relatively quiet. Overall a good day out, I would definitely visit the Macron Stadium again.
12th March 2016 Paul Willott (Preston North End)Derby Day defeats are hard to take. Losing bragging rights both home and away in the same season is simply awful….but to then also cop a 3-0 defeat in a promotion play-off final at Cardiff rubbed an extremely large quantity of salt into the wound. But thus it was in 2000/2001 with regards to our rivals from down the M61. If a week is a long time in politics, then the summer break is an eternity……….and to then see the Wanderers enjoy their start to life in the top flight with a 5-0 away win at Leicester City whilst we slumped to a 5-0 walloping at Gillingham only served to emphasise the fine margins at stake in those dreaded/much loved play-off finals. Little did we know that we would have to wait a massive 16 years for the chance to avenge such heart-ache.
Hence it was made as clear as possible to all concerned that even before the fixture list came out, I would be unavailable for weddings, funerals, christenings etc. et.c on whatever date such a fixture was produced. One of the huge prizes for having secured promotion at Wembley the previous season was the chance to renew rivalries with Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, and Bolton. Perhaps unsurprisingly also, this was a prime candidate to be selected as the designated annual ‘Gentry Day’ for Preston North Enders, where supporters don bowler hats to honour comrades who have passed and to commemorate the legendary Alan Ball Snr, one time manager of the North End who used the term “gentry” in reference to the calibre of support given by the Deepdale faithful as he saw it.
Myself and Kieran Decked Out For Gentry Day
Given the high profile nature of the match, it was a relief once we had secured tickets for ourselves as the 4,500 allocation were going like hot cakes. I guess many supporters also sensed a real chance for payback. Games were fast running out now for a Wanderers side some 10 points adrift at the foot of the table and leaving aside the sad memories of the 2000/2001 season, older fans such as myself also recall the sad day at the end of the 92-93 season where at Burnden Park, our rivals gleefully relegated us; so would this fixture enable us to help push them closer to the brink of the drop?
Thus, the day before, we collected our youngest two children and commenced our journey up to the North-West from Kent for an overnight stop near Preston. Following a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast, we paid a brief visit to the Deepdale club shop before making the short journey down the M61 to hopefully get there fairly early and avoid too much traffic congestion. To say that I was buzzing with anticipation since breakfast would have been a masterpiece of understatement. Our last trip to the then named “Reebok”, and only visit in fact had coincided with a mountaineering trip to Chamonix in the French Alps, so this was going to be my first ever visit to a ground I’d seen so many times previously from the motorway and the train yet never had cause to venture inside.
As this guide says, the ground is very visible from the nearby M61, but also from the Preston-Manchester railway line too. The transformation of the area over the past few decades has been quite remarkable from being just a huge swathe of flat green-belt. First the ground itself started to rise, and then some years later some of the adjoining hotels, and then the retail outlet, and finally “Horwich Parkway” railway station sprung up alongside the railway line. The name of the railway station denotes that Bolton now play a proverbial country mile away from their home town…….and indeed Horwich itself may look back wistfully on football heritage of its own. The Lancashire & Yorkshire railway works based in the town spawned the Horwich RMI FC that played there for many a long year until they uprooted and moved to the nearby town of Leigh. Unfortunately for them, the move across the invisible border into Rugby League territory badly damaged the fanbase and the club hasn’t fared so well at all. The other Lancashire & Yorkshire railway’s other works based team, formerly known as Newton Heath has fared slightly better down the years…….. Some folks have suggested perhaps tongue-in-cheek down recent years that Bolton Wanderers should change their name to reflect their new geographical location , but as the footballing world has never really objected to Grimsby playing in Cleethorpes all through the years, so I think it passes.
And thus we decelerated the car to leave the M61 at junction 6 and it did feel both odd and exciting. The Macron Stadium is sign-posted which I do find kind of amusing…..short of the thickest fog imaginable descending, it would be hard to miss the ground even before you reach junction 6 from either direction. We drove initially past the ground along De Havilland Way before turning right into Lostock Lane where we sourced parking easily for a mere £5. After a short and leisurely stroll to the ground, we joined the growing crowd of expectant Northenders waiting patiently for the away turnstiles to open. There was, perhaps unsurprisingly, a high profile police presence but supporters and the law were all in a relaxed and cheery mood. Security was also tight, with firm no-nonsense searches being conducted once the turnstiles were open. Inside the ground, the impression is perhaps not as great as the stunning exterior might suggest, but it is still a ground with an individual and characteristic feel to it as you can still see the distinctive floodlight clusters and sections of the steel upperworks that are trademarks of Bolton Wanderer’s home for the modern age. The stewards were very friendly and wanted to chat…..and some were curious as to why so many of us were bedecked in suits and bowler hats. We were more than happy to explain!
And so we settled down to enjoy the build-up to the match, and it really did seem like an atmosphere of two halves. The away end was positively fizzing with noise and excitement, and yet there was barely a whisper from the home supporters which did puzzle me as I’d have expected them to try and rouse something up for a derby game. It seemed as though there was an air of resignation around the ground; that relegation was a foregone conclusion. There was little evidence of any pride, defiance, or any such spirit that I did expect to sense prior to kick-off, I had suspected that the recent take-over of the club may provide an uplift but saw and heard little to suggest even a flicker of optimism – even the pre kick-off flag waving exercise around the centre-circle seemed half-hearted.
Preston Fans Finding Their Voice
Meanwhile we sensed an away day victory was there for the taking, and ramped up the volume accordingly, and the players sensed it too as they got out of the traps early and put the home side under early pressure, and were unlucky not to take the lead on several occasions. However, goals change games, or so they say, and when the appropriately named Trotter put the Trotters ahead with a well taken shot from some distance through a crowd of players, one finally sensed some atmosphere from the home fans.Although the goal wasn’t received with the biggest eruption of noise, you still noticed the gloom lift considerably, and the home side had a reasonable run of possession. The home support perhaps now sensed that there was indeed still pride to play for, and with the longer term future of the club in safer hands, the sun-light trying to break through the clouds, with three points potentially in the bag, Fulham losing, the gap to safety down to 7 points…………….was there hope?
There was a brief lull in the usual terrace banter come the 33rd minute of the match, as the away support stood up to chant “hats off – for the 33” as had been suggested we should beforehand via social media, to remember the Bolton fans who tragically died in the Burnden Park disaster approximately 70 years previously. Soon you could see all the home fans in the stand at the opposite end standing up to applaud………a sombre yet passionate moment, or should I say minute of togetherness…………until the clock ticked over to 34 minutes and hostilities resumed in the normal fashion.
Nat Lofthouse Stand
In the second half, we were just starting to perhaps sense that it once again wouldn’t be our day……….we hadn’t scored a single goal against the Wanderers since 1992, we hadn’t won a “gentry day” fixture for nearly a decade…….when upon the hour mark something especially traditional to the passion of a north-west derby happened. There was a goal mouth scramble, the ball pinging about like a yo-yo……until Jordan Hugill , a Preston striker clearly keen to grasp a chance to prove his worth as he hadn’t been picked all that regularly reached bravely with his outstretched head low down to try and get contact with the ball…..many others would have feared to do so with so many desperate boots flying about……but enough contact was made for the ball to just teasingly evade the keepers grasp and then teasingly slowly bounce over the line right in front of us.
Rarely have I ever sensed and experienced an eruption quite like it……….les face it, a goal is a goal, no matter how scrappy and unglamorous it may be, and in a derby that you’ve waited 16 years for………you just don’t care. 4,500 Preston fans roared their appreciation. Several flares and smoke grenades were detonated too and at least one found its way onto the pitch. Let me be quite clear that I don’t condone such antics, and much as I share the passion of such moments, we really don’t benefit from those things being hurled about. To be fair, I think the goal was deserved, we had played the better football at that point….but of course, you want more don’t you. You want the win! The players clearly sensed as much too, for they took the game to Bolton and attacked which did leave gaps at the back that Bolton tried to exploit on the counter-attack. But one heart-in-mouth moment apart when what looked like a good claim for a penalty was waved away to our relief, the Bolton strikers showed one of the reasons why their side was bottom of the table as they rarely seriously troubled Lindergaard in the Preston goal. And so once again……we were just beginning to sense that we’d have to be happy with a draw as the clock was beginning to tick down………when a teasing cross once again came speculatively in from the left, Vermijl had a shot that looked like it was covered by the keeper except that Doyle managed to get half a heel to it and deflect it in………….and that was it.
West Stand
Sometimes in football, you just know. Despite all the stats and figures about injury-time drama, that 86th minute goal was the winner. You just knew it. As we roared with unrestrained delight and shared the ecstasy with the players, several of whom had donned some of the Bowler hats which fortunately were the only things to rain down on the pitch this time, you could simultaneously feel the very life-blood of Bolton’s season draining away like a punctured balloon, as many of their fans left in their droves unable to take the repeated bellow of “Bolton –going down!!” from their neighbours that they’ve been accustomed to lording it over in recent decades. Ironically enough too, the brief spells of sunlight dissipated too, and greyness resumed!
The only further drama was that Preston actually found the time and space to bag a third only for the linesman to adjudge that there had been an offside offence and so the score-line stayed at 1-2. But there was no nervousness. No finger-nails chewed. The fight was gone out of our opponents. The final whistle was greeted with much rapture, and none of the travelling support seemed in any hurry to depart; instead more keen to revel in the heady atmosphere of a win over Bolton Wanderers. There was no trouble in the vicinity of the actual ground after the match, although I did hear subsequent reports that there had been trouble both before and after the match but further away from the stadium. We fortunately though witnessed none of that, getting quickly into our car and onto the motorway with minimum of fuss and heading over to Sale to take in a curry with an Uncle of mine and a family catch-up. It did look horribly over-congested for those hoping to take a train though, and it was reported back that it was indeed as bad as it looked.
As the lights started to go out on Bolton's Championship status….
We reflected in the days afterwards on what a great afternoon we’d been privileged to enjoy……as the echoes down the corridor reverberated around with the news that the Bolton manager Neil Lennon had stood down in the aftermath of the derby day defeat to Preston, and they’d allowed Feeney, one of their better players to go on loan for the rest of the season. Bolton were clearly now planning for life in the third tier, whereas we were very much pushing for a comfortable top half of table finish. One other reflection stood out. When Bolton scored, the players celebrated amongst themselves. When Preston scored, the players immediately raced to celebrate with the fans. How lovely it was to be in the middle of such a purple patch with a great rapport between the manager, the players, and the supporters. We’ll savour every second of this era for as long as it lasts.
Good things are well worth waiting for!
Plus points for the Macron Stadium
1.Great location for those travelling by road.
2. Fantastic looking stadium that has character
3. Laid back, yet professional stewarding even for a high-profile match
Minus points for the Macron
1. The railway station cannot adequately cope with a large away following.
