SUNDERLAND V IPSWICH TOWN SATURDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2020, KICK OFF 15:00

Information in this guide is correct as at 5 February 2020. Any updated information on this fixture will be published on the club website (www.itfc.co.uk), twitter (@IpswichTown and @ITFC_Tickets) and facebook (www.facebook.com/officialitfc).

INFORMATION FOR TOWN FANS

We travel to Sunderland on 8 February 2020 in League One. The following guide has been produced for Town fans making the trip to the Stadium of Light. This is based on information on the Sunderland website plus additional information specific to this game.

For any further information, please contact Elizabeth Edwards, Supporter Liaison Officer on [email protected] or (+44) (0) 7968 876504 or on Twitter at @ITFC_SLO.

Sunderland information for visiting fans

Address: Sunderland Stadium of Light, Sunderland, SR5 1SU

Website: https://www.safc.com/

Phone number: 0371 911 1973

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: @sunderlandafc

Twitter: @SunderlandAFC, @StadiumOfLight

Supporter Liaison Officer and Disability Liaison Officer: Chris Waters, phone 0191 551 5122 or email [email protected]

The Sunderland website includes various bits of information including:

Directions and parking: https://www.safc.com/club/how-to-find-us

Stadium guide: https://www.safc.com/fans/stadium-guide

Accessibility: https://www.safc.com/tickets/accessibility

Frequently asked questions: https://www.safc.com/club/faqs

www.footballgroundguide.com provides some information here: https://www.footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/league-one/stadium-of-light- sunderland.html

We have picked out the key information for Town fans below and added other material based on our own experience of visiting the Stadium of Light and information that is specific to our fans.

Specific information for Town fans:

Ticket news

Tickets for this game are priced at £20 for adults, £17 for seniors over 65, £12 for U22s and £7 for U16s.

Subject to availability, tickets can be purchased from www.itfcdirect.com (under tickets/away matches) or in Planet Blue on a non-matchday or at the Ticket Office on Constantine Road from 9am prior to home games.

Note that supporters who are less able to stand for prolonged periods and who wish to be located in a designated seated area should call the ticket office on 03330 050503.

Disabled fans requiring tickets should contact ITFC’s Disability Liaison Officer Lee Smith on 01473 400556 or by email on [email protected].

Travelling to Sunderland

Supporters Coach

Official coach travel for this game is now sold out.

For those travelling from Ipswich the official coaches are leaving Portman Road promptly at 06:45 (please be at Portman Road at least 15 minutes before this). Coaches are estimated to arrive back at Portman Road at 11:45pm.

There is a planned stop on both the outward and return journey.

Pick-ups at Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket can be arranged for this game. If you want to organise a pick-up please call the Ticket Enquiries Team on 03330 050503 or email [email protected]. The cut-off point to request a pickup is midday on Wednesday 5 February. Your details will then be passed onto the coach company, Suffolk Norse.

Note that all official coaches are non-smoking and the consumption of alcohol on board is strictly forbidden. ITFC recommend that all supporters under 16 are accompanied by an adult.

Coaches will park right outside the visitors turnstiles at the stadium to allow fans to get off the coach. They will then return to outside the turnstiles to pick up after the game.

Car

Note 1: There are long-term roadworks on the A14 (several miles either side of Cambridge) which are resulting in evening and weekend road closures and considerable delays, as it is a very busy road. These are not normally announced until just a day or two in advance. We recommend that you keep an eye on @A14C2H on Twitter – any closures are announced here.

Note 2: A new stretch of the A14 is now open which impacts both the outward and return trip. On the outward trip the junction of the A14 / A428 / M11 on the edge of Cambridge is not well signposted, so take it slowly, and beware of even locals getting confused and doing late lane changes!

On the return trip the new stretch is from the A1 to about 5 miles west of Cambridge, so you must follow road signs and not your Sat Nav. In particular, if you are joining the A14 from the north on the A1, you will now follow the A1 for a few extra miles before reaching the junction for the A14 East.

The Sat Nav postcode for the Stadium of Light is SR5 1SU. The obvious route is the A14 / A1 / A19. As noted above there are major long-term roadworks on the A14 for several miles either side of Cambridge, with a 40mph limit policed by cameras. There is a new stretch open on both the outward and homeward journey. On the outward trip the junction of the A14 / A428 / M11 on the edge of Cambridge is not well signposted, so take it slowly, and follow the road signs. On the return trip the new stretch is from the A1 to about 5 miles west of Cambridge, so you must follow road signs and not your Sat Nav.

From the A1 take the exit for the A168 towards the (signposted) A19 / Thirsk / Teesside. Continue on to the A19. From the A19 take the slip road to the A1018 towards Sunderland. Follow the A1018 which goes over the River Wear, and follow signs for the Stadium of Light / Sunderland AFC. Once over the river, turn left into Sheepfolds North (you will go past St Peters railway station) and right into Hay Street. At the end of Hay Street turn left into Millennium Way. At the roundabout take the second exit and you will see the Stadium of Light. The journey time is around four and half hours to five hours but we would recommend allowing at least an hour beyond the AA / Google / SatNav suggested journey time.

Note, if there are problems on the A168 / A19, then you can continue on the A1(M) to junction 16 and take the A690 into Sunderland.

Parking

Parking in the immediate areas around the stadium is limited. Note, that there is permit only parking in some areas and that Police parking restrictions are also put in place around the stadium on a matchday with fixed penalty tickets being issued. Experience suggests that there is street parking nearish to the ground if you are very, very early, but otherwise it is probably best to park in the town centre.

The Sunderland website advises fans to park at St. Mary’s (SR1 3AH), Sunniside multi-storey (SR1 1UL) or The Bridges (SR1 3PZ). These are in various positions around the Town Centre and roughly a 10 to 15-minute walk from the stadium. Parking charges apply in these car parks. From experience we have used The Bridges Car Park which links to The Bridges Shopping Centre, which you enter via Debenhams ( http://www.thebridges-shopping.com/shops/). There are usually Town fans in the Debenhams café, wondering how on earth they are having breakfast despite having been up for six hours already. www.footballgroundguide.com also suggests the Stadium of Light Metro Station which charges £4 for car parking.

Park and Ride

A Park and Ride scheme runs from the Sunderland Enterprise Park on Wessington Way (A1231) which is accessible from the A19. It is clearly signposted; the SatNav postcode is SR5 3XG. Pick up and set down points are clearly marked. Note that these are permanent bus stops at the Enterprise Park, while the pick-up points at the stadium are to the north of the ground on Keir Hardie Way. Buses run every five minutes before the game from 2 hours prior to kick-off and regularly after the game until all fans are back with their cars.

Disabled Supporters Parking

There are six accessible parking spaces available at the stadium. Disabled supporters needing to book or enquire about accessible car parking spaces can contact the Sunderland general ticket office on 0191 5515004 or via email at [email protected].

Alternatively, contact ITFC’s Disability Liaison Officer Lee Smith on 01473 400556 or by email on [email protected].

Train

Note 1: If you are planning on travelling cross-country then note that there is a rail replacement bus between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.

The nearest stations to the Stadium of Light are Stadium of Light and St Peters which are on the Tyne and Wear Metro line from Newcastle Central Metro to Sunderland Metro. Sunderland station is the next stop from St Peters and is the best stop if you are going into Sunderland town centre before the game. St Peter’s is nearest to the away end, although note that you will need to use the Stadium of Light station to return to Newcastle after the game (see below).

Depending on the time of travel (and connection times) it takes anything from just over 5 hours to 5 hours 45 minutes from Ipswich to Sunderland if you go cross-country. Via London, the journey time is around 6 hours. www.greateranglia.co.uk shows cross-country options to get you to Sunderland for kick-off. Leaving Ipswich by bus to Bury St Edmunds at 05:25 or 07:25, the first change is at Bury St Edmunds for a train to Peterborough, where you then take a train to Newcastle. From Newcastle there is a short walk to Newcastle Central Metro to pick up the Metro towards Sunderland. Note that the last two stops on the Metro before Sunderland itself are Stadium of Light and St Peters which are closer to the Stadium. The 05:25 arrives at the Stadium of Light at 10:30, St Peters at 10:32 and Sunderland at 10:34. The 07:25 arrives at the Stadium of Light at 12:30, St Peters at 12:32 and Sunderland at 12:34.

There is an alternative via Norwich, avoiding the rail replacement bus, but a wee bit tight in terms of timings. This leaves Ipswich at 08:08 and connects to a train from Norwich to Peterborough at 08:56. There is a further change at Doncaster to a train to Newcastle where you change to the Newcastle Central Metro. This option is scheduled to arrive at the Stadium of Light at 13:54, St Peters at 13:56 and Sunderland at 13:58.

The first train showing after the game which connects to a train to Ipswich leaves Sunderland for Newcastle at 18:17 (Stadium of Light 18:20) arriving back in Ipswich at 23:22 (Newcastle to Peterborough and Peterborough to Ipswich). You should be able to get an earlier train back from Sunderland / Stadium of Light to Newcastle Central Metro before walking to Newcastle to pick up the train to Peterborough. Note that the Sunderland website states that supporters heading towards Newcastle after the game must board at the Stadium of Light station (supporters heading southbound to South Hylton use St Peters). These restrictions are in place to ease congestion.

There are many options via London which will get you to Sunderland in time for the game. For example, www.greateranglia.co.uk shows the 06:09, 07:09 and 08:09 trains from Ipswich to Liverpool Street connecting to trains from London Kings Cross to Newcastle where you change to the Metro to the Stadium of Light or St Peters or Sunderland. The scheduled arrival time at the Stadium of Light is 12:18, 13:18 and 14:18 respectively (two minutes later at St Peters and 4 minutes later at Sunderland). Leaving Ipswich on a train 06:43, 0743 and 08:43 will get you to the Stadium of Light at 12:30, 13:30 and 14:30. There is engineering work on the Hammersmith & City Line on the day of the game so from Liverpool Street to Kings Cross take the Circle or Metropolitan Lines. There will be a slightly restricted tube service between Liverpool Street and Kings Cross – the Circle and Metropolitan lines are operating, but the Hammersmith & City is not.

For the return journey, www.greateranglia.co.uk shows trains leaving the Stadium of Light at 17:14, 17:51 and 18:20 which connect with the 17:58, 18:29 and 19:02 from Newcastle to Kings Cross and the 22:00, 23:02 and 23:30 from Liverpool Street arriving in Ipswich at 23:08, 00:30 and 00:44 respectively.

Whatever your travel plans, it’s worth checking www.greateranglia.co.uk or your usual train operator website for updated times and any late changes to engineering works.

Getting to the ground from the station(s)

Sunderland train station is about 10 - 15 minutes from the railway station if you are walking, though you are more likely to be walking the shorter distance from the Stadium of Light or St Peters Metro stations. Whichever station you arrive at, it’s an easy walk, with the stadium a major landmark, and the inevitability of fans in home shirts walking that way. www.footballgroundguide.com details walking instructions from Sunderland station: “exit the station opposite Greggs. Turn right out of the station heading towards JJB Sports and walk through a gap between JJB Sports and a nail bar. Keep walking straight ahead and will see the Stadium of Light in front of you. Cross the Wearmouth Bridge and turn left into Millennium Way. The away turnstiles are located on the side of the ground in front of you.”

If you are on the Tyne and Wear Metro from Newcastle Central Metro then, as well as the Sunderland Metro station, you can also get to the stadium from St Peters or the Stadium of Light Metro stations.

St Peters is the stadium side of the Wearmouth Bridge on Sheepfolds North and is around a 5- minute walk from the away end of the stadium. Go along Sheepfolds North and right into Hay Street. At the end of Hay Street turn left into Millennium Way. At the roundabout take the second exit and you will see the Stadium of Light. The Stadium of Light Metro is around a 10-minute walk to the stadium. There are various routes but the most direct is to follow the Newcastle Road (A1018) to the junction with the A1290. Turn on to Millennium Way to the stadium.

As noted above, after the game we understand that you will need to go to the Stadium of Light as the metro from St Peters only goes in the wrong direction. www.footballgroundguide.com suggests walking back to the centre of Sunderland and picking the Metro up there for Newcastle as this avoids the crowds at the Stadium of Light.

Pubs

Sunderland isn’t renowned as a great drinking town for away fans, and we are aware that many Town fans are using this trip as a (quite understandable) excuse for a night or two in Newcastle. But there are a number of pub options for matchday itself, making Sunderland a pretty good place for pre-match drinking. Suggestions of away-friendly pubs, courtesy of www.footballgroundguide.com, include:

• A FanZone in the Beacon of Light, which welcomes home and away fans • The Sunderland Companions Club and the New Democratic Club, both on North Bridge Street (the road approaching the Wearmouth Bridge) • The Albion pub on Victor Street • The Harbour View, on the seafront (down Roker Avenue and turn left), which is the best option for beer bores (real ale types). The nearby Wolsey is also liked by many. • In the city centre, the William Jameson on Fawcett Street is a well-regarded Wetherspoons.

The Sunderland SLO has advised that near to the ground, both the Colliery Tavern and the Hilton Garden Inn will welcome away fans. In the City Centre they recommend The Peacock, The Engine Room, Revolution, Greens and Victors.

As ever, the extent of away-friendliness of pubs can vary, and may depend on your own attitude. Individuals or couples wanting a quiet pint and a chat with locals are likely to find a wider choice of pubs than larger groups wanting a loud sing-song.

At the ground

Fanzone

As mentioned above there will be a FanZone in the Beacon of Light (this is a building near to the North Stand of the Stadium of Light) for this game for home and away fans. There is music, entertainment, food and drink.

Tickets on the day

It is not yet known if tickets will be available on the day. Information will be published on the club website (www.itfc.co.uk), twitter (@IpswichTown and @ITFC_Tickets) and facebook (www.facebook.com/officialitfc).

Away end

We will be located in the Upper Tier of the Carling North Stand. The away turnstiles, which open 90 minutes before kick-off, are 69 – 72 – check your ticket to see which turnstile you need to use. If you require lift access to the upper tier, there is a lift in the Black Cats Bar. This is for fans who struggle with stairs - otherwise the fastest way to get up is using the stairs.

Please note that our fans will include older fans, families, those unable to stand for long periods of time and ambulant disabled fans. The front few rows have been sold to those advising that they need to sit for periods of time. Please respect this if you are in this area as we want everyone to enjoy the day safely.

Disabled Supporters

There are six wheelchair bays in the Carling Stand (Upper). Ambulant fans are able to sit anywhere in the away allocation with their personal assistant. Speak to ITFC when booking your tickets if you have any special requirements as to where your seats should be.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are available in the away end; these are fitted with radar locks and keys are available from nearby stewards if you don’t have one.

Commentary for blind/partially sighted supporters

Radios are available on request for supporters with visual impairment.

Security

As at all grounds, expect to be searched before entering the ground.

Pyrotechnics

As with all grounds and to comply with legislation, the use of pyrotechnics or even trying to get them into the stadium is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated.

Drums & Flags

Sunderland do not allow drums but if you want to take flags the stewards will help you to put them on display on arrival.

Programmes

The official Matchday Programme is available from the Club Store and mobile sellers around the ground.

Food and Drink facilities

A range of food and drink options are available inside the stadium to cater for all dietary requirements. Note that the Sunderland website states that it is not possible to take food and drink into the stadium.

Smoking

The Stadium of Light is a no smoking facility.

Anti Social Behaviour – Matchday Text Line

Racism or discrimination of any form is not OK, ‘Not Today or Any Day’ and supporters are reminded that instances of discriminatory or prejudiced behaviour will not be tolerated at any EFL game.

If you encounter any form of discrimination please approach your nearest steward to report any incident you are involved in or witness. If you don’t feel confident to do this at the time and wish to report an incident after the game, please contact [email protected] and the club will carry out investigations.

You can also report any discrimination or anti-social behaviour to Kick it Out using the Kick It Out app which is available to download from the App Store or Google Play, or via: Facebook /kickitoutofficial; Twitter @kickitout; email [email protected]; phone 0800 169 9414.

Staying over?

If you are planning to stay in the Sunderland area the Hilton Garden Inn Sunderland is opposite the Stadium of Light; https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/nclgigi-hilton-garden-inn-sunderland/

The Sunderland website details other hotels in the areas as:

- Marriott Hotel, SR6 8DB; 0191 529 2041

- Roker Hotel, SR6 9ND; 0845 776 7676

- Premier Inn, SR5 3XG; 0871 527 9056

- Premier Inn, SR5 3HR; 0871 527 9058

- Travelodge, SR1 3PT; 0871 984 6050

- Travelodge, SR1 1UD; 0871 984 6336

Many Town fans will probably take advantage of a few nights out in Newcastle where there is a wide selection of hotels.