Cans & Megabus Away Guide: Everything Sunderland fans need to know about their trip to Bristol

Who Are These Jobbers?

The only major noteworthy thing about Bristol Rovers, aside from their hilariously mismatched ground, is the pre-match amp up. Manage to get in on time and you’ll be treated to a rousing battle cry of “IT’S 7.45 ON A TUESDAY NIGHT AND I SMELL GAS”. And when you’re standing in the pouring rain, a good five hours from your house, that’s really going to get the juices flowing, amirite?!

Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images

What’s The Ground Like?

If there was ever such as thing as a football stand car boot sale, Bristol Rovers have clearly been. The Memorial Stadium is a bizarre hotchpotch of rugby stands, cricket pavilions, football terraces and wedding marquees. Of course, amongst all this is an uncovered away stand, naturally, which is where the beautiful Mackems will be housed.

Photo by Bradley Collyer/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images

How Do I Get There?

Nothing quite beats a leisurely five-hour drive on a Tuesday afternoon. For those of you legends embarking this extreme voyage, then take the A1(M) and M1 down to junction 23A before following the M6 and M5 through Cheltenham and Gloucester, heading towards Bristol. Exit at junction 15 for the A38 and follow the signs for the Memorial Ground, street parking is available around the ground.

If you get lost, plop BS7 0BF into your sat nav.

Travelling by train, are yer? Well, the nearest station is Filton Abbey Wood, which is around a 30-minute walk away and is served by Bristol Temple Meads. You can catch the number 73 bus from Bristol’s main station, or if you happen to be in the city centre enjoying a few light ales, the ground is about a 45-minute walk through the Montpellier area.

Where Can I Get The Sesh Started?

It is somewhat of a mixed bag when it comes to alehouses around the Memorial Ground. Gloucester Road is lined with pubs but you may fall foul of the always popular, “home fans only” policy.

A short walk from the ground is The Anchor, a former Scream bar (or whatever they are now), while the Drapers Arms is also a reasonable shout for all you real ale fans. If you’re making the walk from Bristol city centre, we can give The Prince of Wales at the bottom of Gloucester Road the Cans & Megabus seal of approval. The accolade also extends to The Gloucester Road Ale House & Kitchen.

What’s To Do Around Here?

Should you want to round off your night with a welcoming slice of hardcore punk, then swing by The Trinity Centre to catch Turnstile. However, if you’re the kind of person that enjoys song with titles such as ‘Cocaine Rodeo’ and former members of Queens of the Stone Age, then you will love Mondo Generator who are on at The Exchange.

Photo by Mariano Regidor/Redferns