The CNG Stadium has seen quite a sizeable investment in its facilities and this has continued into 2019 with two new terraces and a small seated stand being erected. These works have expanded the capacity of the stadium to 4,000 with 500 seats, which meets Football League standards. On one side is the modern looking Main Stand, which is called the Greene King IPA Family Stand. This covered seated stand comprises six rows of seating and runs for around half the length of the pitch. Opposite is the Envirovent Stand, which is a covered terrace that is mostly free of supporting pillars.
Away fans are housed on the Wetherby Road side of the ground, in the Envirovent Stand. This stand is a covered terrace, that runs for around two-thirds of the length of the pitch. It is comprised of six steps and its low roof means that away can really make themselves heard. It has a capacity of 700. On one side of this stand is a small covered seated stand that comprises 150 seats, which is also given to away fans.
CNG Stadium seating plan:
There is a Clubhouse bar inside the ground called the ‘Nineteen Nineteen Bar’ (1919 was the year that the Club was founded). However where matches are segregated, which seems to be most matches nowadays, then it does not allow in visiting fans. Otherwise, the nearest pub is the Woodlands, which is a short distance back down the A661 Wetherby Road, heading away from town. About a ten minute walk in the opposite direction along the Wetherby Road (heading towards the town centre and just set back from the roundabout is the Empress which also offers food.
There is no parking available for supporters at the ground and to make matters worse there is a residents only parking scheme in operation on roads close to the stadium. However, there is the nearby Kingswood Surgery on Wetherby Road (HG2 7SA) which offers parking at £5. Otherwise, you will need to street parking further away or in a town centre car park, around one mile away. I have been informed that the Sainsburys Store has free parking for up to three hours, but if using this please double check any signage in the car park to ensure that this is still the case.
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Harrogate Railway Station is located just over a mile away from the ground. It is served by trains from Leeds and York.
It's a pleasant 15-20 minute walk from Harrogate Railway Station to the ground. Exit the station on the East side (trains towards Leeds), go up a slight incline and turn right onto the main road. Cross this road at the pelican crossing and continue due South. Turn left at the roundabout into Station Avenue. Continue straight up this road crossing over at some point, until you come to a grassed area. Cross the A6040 at the pelican crossing and then turn left, passing public toilets on your right. Take the diagonal footpath across the park which is called "The Stray or Two Hundred Acre." Turn right along Wetherby Road and the ground is on the left after about 400 yards passing the hospital on the left. It's a busy road so best to use the pelican crossing.
Rivals - Leeds
Travel: Drove up via the M1 and A1, following the sat nav, which took me through Wetherby. I decided to park away from the ground and then walk.
Refreshments: I parked the car at the Travellers Rest at Follifoot and walked to the ground, which took 25 minutes, as I was under the impression street parking was limited near the stadium. I had a great meat pie at the Travellers Rest and they have their own home ale there called the Travellers Rest. I also informed the staff that I would be parking and walking to the ground, with no problems.
Impressions: This was my first visit to a non-league ground. I was impressed with the South Stand which the Notts County fans were housed in, although the toilets were portaloos. It looks like some new stands have been built recently. The ground has a 4g pitch, so not grass and I was surprised that a sprinkler system to wet the pitch, was in use.
Atmosphere: A win for Notts County (phew). It is strange that the team “dug outs” is on the side of the visiting fans. The Harrogate dug out kept me and the other Notts fans entertained throughout the game. As I had eaten at the Travellers Rest I didn’t eat in the ground but what I saw people eating inside the ground looked good. The stewards were very helpful. There was a good following from Notts.
Exit: The street was well lit for my walk back to the car. By the time I got back to the car, the traffic had died down.
Enjoy: I would recommend visiting the CNG Stadium. I have since found out that you can park nearer the ground, off-street. I still enjoyed the walk to and from the ground. Plus I had a big meal to walk off.
Ground Name: CNG Stadium
Capacity: 4,108 (600 Seated)
Address: Wetherby Road, Harrogate, HG2 7SA
Main Tel No.: 01423 210600
Team Nickname: Town
Year Ground Opened: 1920
Site: www.harrogatetownafc.com/
