Bristol Rovers moved into the Memorial Stadium back in 1996 after leaving their previous ground in Eastville. The Current stadium has a cricket pavilion stand which makes it quite different to any other stadium. Opposite the Pavilion, or West Stand, is the East Stand. There is a row of terracing running along the lower level with seating in the upper tier. The Blackthorn Terrace behind the goal is also standing whilst the South Stand opposite is a temporary seating affair much like the builds either side of the West Stand. There has been a proposal for a £35 million refurbishment of the Memorial Stadium for the last 10 years. This would bring the stadium up to an 18,500 all-seater capacity. Definately worth a look before re-development.
Visiting supporters are situated across two areas. A limited number of seating is made available in the South stand but you'll need to arrive early to snap these up. Space for a further 1,100 is available at the south end of the Uplands stand. This is open to the elements and really makes it very difficult for visiting fans to generate any kind of atmosphere. Views are ok but there are a couple of pillars in with the seating in the south stand.
Memorial Stadium seating plan:
Recommended pubs and eateries include The Sportsman and Annexe Inn on the corner of Nevil Road and Seymour Road, and the Bristol Fryer on Gloucester Road.
All roads surrounding the ground are free to park in and you should have little trouble finding a space within 5-10 minutes walk. The say you'll need to arrive "a couple of days in advance" if you wish to get a space on Filton Avenue so it's probably best not to waste your time going straight to the ground.
Need cheap and convenient parking near the stadium? Rent a local resident's driveway and book Memorial Stadium parking with YourParkingSpace.Co.Uk
Get directions to the Memorial Stadium from your house by entering your post code or location below:
The main railway station and the one you're most likely to arrive in the city at, is Bristol Parkway. The Station is approximately 2 miles from the stadium and therefore you'll probably want to jump in one of the cabs at the rank outside.
The nearest / closest train station to Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium however, is Filton Abbey Wood. This is around 30 minutes walk from the ground but isn't a mainline station.
Rivals - Bristol City, Cardiff
Travel: Having been to Bristol City a few times the route was routine till we got to Bristol. But we followed the satnav and found off street parking easily enough.
Refreshments: We found a local pub on Gloucester Road and kept ourselves to ourselves as the pub was a bit lively with Rovers supporters.
Impressions: I have to be honest and say the ground is barely Football League standard and light years away from Ashton Gate. The away facilities are terrible. What's with all the tents?
Atmosphere: We went one up then went down to ten men and they got a late winner but it didn't really matter as we were back in the Championship anyway.
Exit: We hung around in the same pub and kept quiet! Then an easy drive home.
Enjoy: Bristol is a great city especially around the centre and we wish we could have stayed the weekend as we have done before. But the Rovers ground is abysmal and the area around it doesn't have too much to offer. Luckily we won't be back next season (or any time soon hopefully).
Ground Name: Memorial Stadium
Capacity: 12,011
Address: Filton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol BS7 0BF
Main Tel No.: 0117 909 6648
Team Nickname: The Pirates
Year Ground Opened: 1921
Site: www.bristolrovers.co.uk
Online Shop: BRFC Photos
