"Tired and outdated for visitors - but friendly place"

There have been a few changes since I last visited St James Park - or my memory is failing me! That said I sat in the same part of the ground. I do not remember the stand opposite so that must be new, and the cover on the home terrace behind the goal also looks new. Same poor arrangements for the visitors though as in the 1980s, on a poor tired dated terrace in the end of the old stand.

Friendly club, police, stewards.

Location

The ground is superbly placed for visitors to the city and there is even a station for the ground. However most of the surrounding area for some distance from the ground is residents only permit parking. We were lucky this was an evening game as we found a short stretch of parking outside of a shop which was time limited up to 6pm. It was enough for two cars, and either side of this was residents only again. No signs for parking to be seen anywhere.

A ten minute stroll saw us at the cathedral, or shops if you prefer! This street has all manner of takeaways plus a good Indian restaurant which we visited.

View

Shallow terracing behind the goal for visitors, no cover. To get to the visitors seating you have to walk right through the terracing to the far side and transfer through a gate. I pity people if the ground is full as this stand has an almighty pillar some 5 rows back which blocks the view completely. Some of our fans were very unhappy about this as the ticket did not have restricted view printed on them.

Facilities

Given we had nearly 1000 fans there, the toilet facilties were insufficient, and for women woeful. My friend said there was an almighty queue for the toilets which were unisex. I did not explore as I had no need - I had gone in the Indian restaurant immediately before!

Food & Drink

We did not partake - but again the facility was alongside the stand meaning a difficult walk through a packed terrace to reach it. However there were mobile vendors, selling from the touchline, including one who dispensed hot drinks from a triggered hose - he generously filled the cups to the extent he also squirted his hand with a quick howl of pain! Health and safety? Cold drinks and hot food sellers also noted, but no usherette with ice cream disappointingly.

Police & Stewards

Police in attendance for a "local" derby - not needed but friendly enough. Not sure about the odd silvered nipple on their helmets though!

Stewards again were plentiful and quite pleasant. However never sure how they all behave until something kicks off which it didn't.

We commented on one steward who seemed like God - high up and to the right on the home terrace behind the goal, and floodlit it seemed!

Atmosphere

Good banter - most of the home noise comes from the large terrace behind the goal. However alongside the away seats there were a few chants of "We are Ex-e-ter" from some bold individuals! Our singing lost in the cold night air due to a lack of cover!

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