St Andrew’s Stadium

Despite having been built in 1906, St. Andrew’s wasn’t actually the first stadium that Birmingham City called home. They started life playing on waste ground in the Birmingham district of Bordesley Green before moving to a ground known as Muntz Street. This place, for it could hardly be called a stadium, could hold up to 10,000 spectators when it first opened.

The capacity increased to nearly 30,000 but even this wasn’t enough to cope with the demand to watch the team play. A game against Aston Villa, the club’s fiercest rivals registered an official capacity of 28,000 but thousands more scaled walls or broke through the turnstiles in order to attend the match. Things were getting out of hand and a decision was made to find a new home, with St. Andrew’s being built over the course of just ten months.

General information

Arena capacity: 29,409 spectators

Address: Cattell Rd, Birmingham B9 4RL, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 52°28′32.53″N 1°52′05.48″W

Year of construction: 26 December 1906

Field: SISGrass hybrid with dimensions of 100 by 66 metres (109 yd × 72 yd)

Seating plan of the St Andrew’s Stadium

Apart from the Main Stand on one side, the rest of the ground is fairly modern. This Main Stand, which was opened in 1952, is two-tiered and runs along one side of the pitch and has a row of executive boxes running across its middle. This stand is the smallest at the stadium and is looking particularly tired amongst its more modern neighbours.

This stand which is now known as the Garrison Lane Stand also houses the press area, television gantry and has the team dugouts located in front of it. The team dressing rooms are situated within the Gil Merrick Stand, which results in the teams entering the field of play from one corner of the stadium between this stand and the Garrison Lane Stand. Also in this corner is a large video screen.

The rest of the ground is quite smart looking. One large two-tiered tiered stand, incorporating the Tilton Road End and Spion Kop, completely surrounds half the pitch and replaced a former huge terrace. The new Tilton Road End was opened for the start of the 1994-95 season, with the new Spion Kop following in 1995.

At the back of the Spion Kop Stand, which runs along one side of the pitch, are a row of executive boxes, as well as a central seated executive area which also incorporates the Directors ‘box’. The other newish stand, the Gil Merrick Stand (previously known as the Railway End) was opened in February 1999. It is a large two tiered stand and is unusual in having quite a small top tier, which overhangs the larger lower area. Again there is a row of executive boxes in this stand, housed at the back of the lower section.

In June 2018 the ground was renamed the St Andrews Trillion Trophy Stadium, in a three-year corporate sponsorship deal. Trillion Trophy Asia are the Club’s Far East owners.

Visiting fans

Away supporters are housed on one side of the Gil Merrick Stand, which is located at one end of the stadium in the lower tier. The normal allocation is 3,000 tickets, but this can be increased to around 4,500 for cup games (when the whole of the lower tier is allocated). This stand is normally shared with home fans housed on the other side who are separated by plastic netting.

Although for most of the 2016/17 season the upper tier of the Gil Merrick Stand has been closed, when it has been opened then this results in home fans being housed above the away support. The facilities and the view from this stand are pretty good. On the concourse, food includes Aa range of Pies; Chicken Balti, Steak and Kidney, Chicken & Mushroom, Meat and Potato (all £3). Cornish Pasties (£3), Cheese and Onion Pasties (£3), Sausage Rolls (£2), Cheeseburgers (£3.70) and Hot Dogs (£3.70).

If a large away following is expected then an additional burger van is brought into onto the open area just up from the visitors turnstiles. Fans can normally also have a smoke there in this open area, but obviously not inside the stand.

The beer inside the ground is drinkable and the Balti pies are delicious! Away fans are searched by the stewards prior to entering the ground. Any plastic bottles are confiscated. The ground itself is three-quarters of the way to being a top class stadium but desperately needs a new Main Stand.

If this is built, joining with the Tilton Road and Railway Stands then St Andrews will be one of the best if not the best ground in the Midlands. Atmosphere wise it is the best ground for sheer volume before and during the game. As for the concourses, they leave little to be desired and are extremely crowded, the scrum to try and get a pie is not for the faint-hearted.

It is worth bearing mind though, that a certain section of Birmingham fans are particularly passionate about their club and this can make for an intimidating atmosphere for away supporters. It’s advised as a precaution to keep your club colours covered around the ground or in the city centre.

Where to buy tickets?

At first viewing, the Birmingham City ticket price list is a complex thing. It’s split up into age groups, sections of the stadium and then matches are categorised. Here are the cheapest and most expensive prices for adults and concessions at St. Andrew’s for each of the different categories:

Like a number of Clubs, Birmingham City operate a match category policy (A, B C & D) whereby the ticket prices cost more for the most popular games.

Home Fans*

1. Spion Kop Club Class: Adults £40 (B £35) (C £30) (D £25), Concessions £30 (B £25) (C £20) (D £15).
2. Spion Kop: Adults £32 (B £28) (C £25) (D £20), Senior Citizens/Students £20 (B £20) (C £20) (D £14), Under 18’s £15 (B £15) (C £15) (D £7), Under 13’s £10 (B £10) (C £10) (D £5).
3. Main Stand (Upper Centre): Adults £32 (B £28) (C £25) (D £20), Senior Citizens/Students £20 (B £20) (C £20) (D £14), Under 18’s £15 (B £15) (C £15) (D £7), Under 13’s £10 (B £10) (C £10) (D £5).
4. Spion Kop Corner: Adults £30 (B £27) (C £25) (D £18), Senior Citizens/Students £18 (B £16) (C £15) (D £12), Under 18’s £13 (B £11) (C £10) (D £7), Under 13’s £7 (B £7) (C £5) (D £5).
5. Main Stand (Upper Wings): Adults £30 (B £27) (C £25) (D £18), Senior Citizens/Students £18 (B £16) (C £15) (D £12), Under 18’s £13 (B £11) (C £10) (D £7), Under 13’s £7 (B £7) (C £5) (D £5).
6. Tilton Road Stand: Adults £30 (B £27) (C £20) (D £18), Senior Citizens/Students £18 (B £16) (C £15) (D £12), Under 18’s £13 (B £11) (C £10) (D £7), Under 13’s £7 (B £7) (C £5) (D £5).
7. Gil Merrick Stand (Lower): Adults £30 (B £27) (C £23) (D £18), Senior Citizens/Students £18 (B £16) (C £14) (D £12), Under 18’s £13 (B £11) (C £9) (D £7), Under 13’s £7 (B £7) (C £5) (D £5).
8. Family Area (Lower Gil Merrick): Adults £27 (£B 24), (C £20) (D £16), Senior Citizens/Students £16 (B £14) (C £12) (D £10), Under 16’s £13 (B £11) (C £9) (D £7), Under 12’s £11 (£6), Under 8’s £5 (all categories).
9. Family Area (Main Stand Paddocks): Adults £27 (£B 24), (C £15) (D £16), Senior Citizens/Students £16 (B £14) (C £10) (D £10), Under 16’s £13 (B £11) (C £10) (D £7), Under 13’s £5 (all categories).

Away Fans

Gil Merrick Stand Lower Tier: Adults £30 (B £27) (C £20) (D £18) Senior Citizens/Students £18 (B £16) (C £15) (D £12) Under 18’s £13 (B £11) (C £10) (D £7) Under 13’s £7 (B £7) (C £5) (D £5).

* Please note that fans who become Club Members can gain a discount on these ticket prices.

There are several ways to get hold of tickets for Birmingham City matches, starting with the most obvious, and most modern, of heading to the club’s official website. You can also call the club’s ticket office directly or pop into the ticket office at St. Andrew’s on the day of the game. The club recommends that you do this at least two hours before the match, however, as it gets very busy near to the ground in the build-up to kick off.

If you’d like to buy tickets in person but don’t want to wait until the day of the game then there is a ticket office located inside the Blues Superstore near to the ground itself. The club also has an official ticketing partner in Ticketmaster, one of the country’s leading ticket providers. If you want to, therefore, you can pick up ticket from them, too.

How to get there?

Birmingham is in the Midlands and the Midlands is called the Midlands for a reason: It’s in the middle of the country. Access to the Second City is, therefore, pretty easy. Getting to the ground itself is also relatively simple as it’s only about a mile and half from the centre of the city, so here are some of the more obviously routes you might want to take.

Leave the M6 at Junction 6 and take the A38(M) (known locally as the Aston Expressway) for Birmingham City Centre. Continue past the first turn off (Aston, Waterlinks) and then take the next turn off, for the Inner Ring Road.

Turn left at the island at the top of the slip road and take the Ring Road East, sign posted Coventry/Stratford. Continue along the ring road for two miles, crossing straight across three roundabouts. At the fourth roundabout (there is a large McDonalds on the far left hand side) turn left into Coventry Road going towards Small Heath. Birmingham City’s ground is about a 1/4 of a mile up this road on your left. The ground is well sign posted on the Inner Ring Road.

Car Parking

There is a small car park directly outside the entrance to the away end, but the availability of spaces for cars is determined by how many away coaches are expected as they park in the same car park, which may mean for certain games that there is no space available for cars at all.

However just before you reach the ground then on the left there is an open air private car park which charges £5. However the main Coventry Road leading up to the ground and the away entrance is closed one hour before kick off and then for an hour (starting 15 minutes before the end of the game) afterwards, so you may want to park further away to avoid the long wait. There is plenty of street parking off the left hand side of the ring road.

Either around the small park at the third roundabout that you cross (by Big John’s) or along the road next to and behind the BP garage before the fourth roundabout. Bear in mind that if you arrive after 1.30pm these areas are likely to be already full. There are some local schools and firms that offer parking facilities for around £5.’There is also the option of renting a private driveway near St Andrews via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Post Code for SAT NAV: B9 4RL

Train

The nearest station is Bordesley, which is about a ten minute walk away from the ground, but is only served by trains from Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street. Normally scheduled trains do not stop at Bordesley, so they don’t show up on national timetables searches. The first train back after the match departs at 17:26 on Saturdays.

If you arrive at Birmingham New Street Station in the city centre, either walk to Moor Street station (ten minutes) take a taxi (about £9) or embark on the 25-30 minute walk to the ground, some of which is uphill.

Birmingham New Street Station has recently undergone some major refurbishment, so if you have not been for a while it will seem quite different, but for the better! As you come up off the platforms onto the main concourse follow the overhead signs towards Moor Street and Bullring.

After passing through some glass doors you will come out onto the street and you will see a large Debenhams Store in front of you. Cross over the street towards Debenhams and then turn right. Go down to the end of the block and on the left you will see a doorway with a sign pointing downwards towards Bull Ring Markets. Enter the doorway and go down the stairs. At the bottom, turn left and proceed along the street with Debenhams now on your left. Pass the markets on your right and then St Martins Church on your left.

As you pass the Church you will reach the end of the pedestrianised area where you turn right into Moat Lane. Go down Moat Lane following it around to the left, passing a Chinese supermarket on your right. At the next traffic lights turn right onto Digbeth High Street (busy dual carriageway). Passing Birmingham Coach Station on your right, use the pedestrian crossing to cross over to the other side of the carriageway.

Continue up the High Street Passing the Old Crown pub on your left (Birminghams oldest building and normally okay for away fans in small numbers). You will then reach a fork in the road where you want to bear left passing underneath a railway bridge. Continue straight down this road, crossing a large roundabout (with a McDonalds over on one corner). The entrance to the away section is further up the road on your left.

Otherwise, you can take the number 60 bus from the city centre to the ground. The bus departs from bus stop MS4, which is located across the road from Moor Street Station (look at Network West Midlands Birmingham City Centre Bus Stop map). It is a regular service running every ten minutes and takes around 15 minutes to reach the ground. Alternatively, the number 60 can also be caught outside Birmingham Coach Station.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the Trainline website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets.

Bus

Birmingham has an excellent public transport system and there are numerous buses that can take you from the city centre to close to the ground. Specific buses to keep your eye out for, though, include the numbers 96, 97, 58 and 60.

Taxi

The walk from the train station to the ground will take you about twenty minutes, but if that isn’t for you then a taxi will cost about £12 and take just under ten minutes. Unsurprisingly, if you’re caught in traffic then it will cost you more as it will take you longer.

Facilities

Given that the ground hasn’t been overly redeveloped in recent times the facilities are actually pretty good. The concourses are clean, there are plenty of places to buy a drink or a bite to eat before the game and the view from most sections of the stadium is not bad.

Hospitality

The club has numerous hospitality packages available for your consideration, with the various parts of the ground offering different experiences. There are some of your options and the sort of thing you’ll enjoy if you choose to take them up on their offer:

• The Boardroom Club. The name tells you everything, here. This is one of the best hospitality options on offer at St. Andrew’s and you’ll get private five-course dining, a complimentary bar, a car parking space and the opportunity to watch the Man of the Match being interviewed. You’ll also enjoy prime seating in the Director’s Box in the Kop.
• The Jasper Carrott Suite. Named after one of Birmingham’s most famous comedy sons, here you’ll receive champagne upon arrival, a behind-the-scenes stadium tour, a four-course meal and half-time refreshments. You’ll also get access to a complimentary bar, a car parking space and the chance to observe the Man of the Match interview and presentation.
• The Captain’s Club. Arguably the most relaxed of the different options, here you’ll enjoy a three-course meal before the match, half-time refreshments and access to a cash bar.

Private hire

The Second City has a wealth of conferencing facilities available to you and St. Andrew’s is no different. They tailor the experience to your needs and have nine suites and eighteen executive boxes at your disposal, so whatever event you’re hoping to host there’s a good chance they’ve got you covered. From The Legend’s Lounge to The Jasper Carrott Suite via The Boardroom, you won’t be disappointed by your experience at the home of Birmingham City Football Club.

St Andrew’s Hotels

Just as the Midlands is known as the Midlands for a reason, so Birmingham is called the Second City for a reason. It is one of England’s largest cities outside of London and as such the hotel options are plentiful. Here are some for you to consider.

1. ibis Birmingham Bordesley Circus – £55+. Address: 1 Bordesley Park Road, Birmingham, B10 0PD. ibis hotels are neither the most luxurious in the hotel industry nor the most disappointing. This one is located merely half a mile from St. Andrew’s and offers a restaurant, a bar, breakfast for its guests and free parking.
2. Paragon Hotel – £70+. Address: 145 Alcester street, Birmingham, B12 0PJ. This Victorian hotel is just under a mile from the ground and offers a restaurant, a lounge, a business centre and a garden. There’s also free parking, should you want to drive, and free Wi-Fi, should you want to surf.
3. Hotel La Tour – £100+. Address: Albert Street, Birmingham, B5 5JE. The hotel La Tour is a four-star offering near to the centre of Birmingham. It’s about a mile from St. Andrew’s and has a health club, meeting rooms, a conference centre and a restaurant and bar. Like pretty much every half-decent hotel nowadays it also offers Wi-Fi.

Pubs next to the stadium

There are not many pubs located near to St Andrews and what ones there are quite intimidating for away supporters and are not recommended. However, there is the Cricketers Arms which does tolerate away fans in small numbers. The pub Cricketers Arms is about 10 minutes walk, maybe less.

To find the pub (with your back to the away section) walk along the road ahead of you going away from the ground (not the road going right up by the stadium, but the road going towards Morrisons). Walk through Morrisons car park heading towards the store then join the road next to it, which is called Green Lane. The pub is 30 seconds from there on the left. The pub itself is shared between home and away fans but all the Birmingham fans are very friendly. The pub is small but you can drink outside where there are beer tables.

It is best to drink in the city centre and get a taxi to the ground (about £9). If you are walking to the ground from the city centre, then  you may care to stop at the Anchor Pub on Bradford Street, renowned for its range of real ales on offer.

Although there are a number of Blues fans that frequent the pub they tend to be of the CAMRA bearded variety and therefore as long as you don’t turn up mobbed handed, you should be okay. The pub is situated just behind Birmingham Coach Station. Going on further towards the ground then you are likely to pass the Old Crown, on Digbeth High Street, which apart from being Birmingham’s oldest building, is also a pub which normally allows in away fans.

Also in the same area is the DigBrew Company who are based on River Street (B5 5SA) and are open on Saturdays from 12noon. This brewery which is located in an old industrial unit has a bar inside and is welcoming to visiting supporters. Although basic inside, the beer (both real ale and craft) is good and the brewery is around a 15 minute walk away from the visitor’s turnstiles (going in the general direction of the city centre)

If you coming by train, or decide to drink in the city centre beforehand, then if you like your real ale, then you can’t do much better tha visiting the Wellington Pub on Bennetts Hill. With 16 real ales on tap, including 12 guest ales, this is somewhat of a mecca for real ale drinkers. To find this pub, then assuming that you are coming into New Street Station by train, then as you come onto the passenger concourse at the station, so straight up the escalators in front of you.

At the top of the escalators turn left and then proceed towards the ‘Foot Locker’ outlet. Turn left at this store and then right and proceed down the ramp past McDonalds. At the bottom of the ramp turn left into New Street and walk along the pedestrian area. Bennetts Hill is the fourth turning on the right (there is a Barclays Bank is on the corner). The Wellington pub is about two thirds of the way up Bennetts Hill on the right hand side.

Also on Bennetts Hill there is the ‘Sun On The Hill’ pub, which also shows televised sports and there is a Wetherspoons Pub called the Briar Rose, which normally admits visiting fans as long as no colours are shown. The Wellington does not provide food, but has no objections to you bringing in your own. There are a couple of taxi ranks nearby that you can use if you wish to get you to the St Andrews ground.

You can get more info on the Wellington pub website, including a live ‘beer board’ showing which ales they are currently serving. Just outside the main entrance to Birmingham New Street Station, is the Shakespeare pub, which is also popular with visiting supporters (normally under the watchful eye of the local Constabulary). Frequented not only those on their way to St Andrews, but those on their way to the Hawthorns, as West Brom normally play their Saturday home games on the same day as Birmingham City.

Alcohol is normally made available to away fans inside the ground in the form of John Smith’s Bitter or Fosters Lager (£3.80 per pint), as well as Bottles of Bulmers Cider (£3.60) and Wine (£3.90). However for certain high profile fixtures the Club opts not to sell any.

History

St. Andrew’s could originally hold around 75,000 spectators, though the attendance record of all-time is actually just under 70,000. Nowadays the stadium can hold over 30,000 people, though it rarely sells out for home games any more. The ground was turned into an all-seater stadium in the 1990s in the aftermath of the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster.

Though Birmingham City are the only club team to have called St. Andrew’s home, it has been used for numerous different reasons over the years. It has hosted England international matches at all levels with the exception of the senior team and it was also one of the locations chosen to host FA Cup semi-finals before they were all moved to Wembley. It has also hosted rugby union games, boxing matches and even music concerts.