Tuesday, 3 Dec 2024

Alexandra Stadium: Crewe Alexandra

Crewe Alexandra Football Club, with its rich history, is synonymous with Gresty Road, their home since 1906. However, the official name of the ground is now The Alexandra Stadium. This change occurred when the club had to leave Alexandra Recreation Ground due to a compulsory purchase order resulting from the construction of a new railway line. This relocation is one of the reasons why the club earned the nickname “The Railwaymen.” The new ground, situated west of the Recreation Ground, has been their home ever since.

Stats

Here are some key statistics related to Alexandra Stadium:

  • Year Opened: 1906
  • Capacity: 10,153
  • Average Attendance: 4,289
  • Record Attendance: 20,000 (Crewe vs Tottenham, 1960)
  • Pitch Size: 102 x 67 meters
  • Nickname: Gresty Road
  • Former Name: Gresty Road
  • Owner: Crewe Alexandra FC
  • Sponsor: Mornflake

Alexandra Stadium Photos

Alexandra Stadium Photos

Alexandra Stadium Seating Plan and Where to Sit

The English-style Alexandra Stadium has a stand on each side of the pitch. These stands often change names due to sponsorship. Here is some information about each stand:

  • The Main Stand: Opened in the 1999-2000 season, this stand cost over £5 million and houses the dugouts and the club’s offices.
  • Gresty Road End: Regardless of sponsorship, this stand will always be known as “The Gresty Road End” to supporters. It is a small, single-tier structure that is often filled with enthusiastic Crewe fans.
  • Whitby Morrison Ice Cream Van Stand: Formerly known as “The Popular Side,” this single-tier stand accommodates away supporters.
  • The Family Stand: Located behind the goal opposite “The Gresty Road End,” this single-tier stand caters to the club’s family section.

Crewe Alexandra Ticket Prices

Crewe Alexandra offers some of the most affordable tickets in the league, although their ticketing structure may be a bit complex to understand. The club does not categorize matches, but ticket prices vary depending on the stand and factors such as age, disability status, and membership. Becoming a member can provide significant savings on ticket prices for regular attendees. Here are the cheapest and most expensive ticket prices for adults and concessions (prices for members are slightly lower):

  • Adults: £25.00 – £27
  • Concessions: £19.50 – £21
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How To Get Crewe Alexandra Tickets

Currently, Crewe Alexandra does not sell tickets online. To purchase tickets for their matches, you can either call the club or visit the ticket office in person.

Where to Buy

Getting To Alexandra Stadium

Crewe, often considered a gateway to the North, is easily accessible from various locations in the country. Here are some common transport methods:

  • Train: Crewe Alexandra Railway Station is only a five-minute walk from the ground. Direct trains from London take between an hour and a half to just under three hours, depending on the carrier.
  • Bus: As the stadium is close to the center of Crewe, any bus passing through the center will serve the purpose.
  • Car: Alexandra Stadium is located just off the M6, with easy access from Junction 16. Follow the A500 to the A5020, and then follow the signs from Crewe Town Centre.
  • By Air: Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport are both close to Crewe, with Manchester offering better public transport options due to direct trains from the airport to Crewe.
  • Taxi: Given the proximity to the railway station, taking a taxi is unnecessary but can cost approximately £4 for a journey of a minute or so.

Parking Near Alexandra Stadium

The stadium has a pay and display car park with 564 spaces available for £3.50 per stay. On-street parking is also available nearby, but be sure to adhere to parking restrictions.

Useful Resources

Alexandra Stadium Hotels

While Manchester, Liverpool, and Chester offer more options, there are several decent hotels near Alexandra Stadium in Crewe. Here are some recommendations:

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Pubs and Bars Near Alexandra Stadium

Given its history as a railway town, Crewe has a number of great drinking establishments. Here are some favorites:

Facilities

Gresty Road underwent significant reconstruction in the 1990s and early 2000s. The concourses offer food and drink, and there are ample toilet facilities. While not a place to spend an extended period, the stadium is pleasant and friendly for the duration of your time there.

  • Programme: £3
  • Pie: £3
  • Cup of Tea: £1.8
  • Beer: £3.5

Hospitality

Alexandra Stadium offers various affordable hospitality options suitable for different budgets. Here are a few examples:

  • Club 1877: Hosted in the Wrights Lounge, this package includes a luxury 3-course meal, a welcome drink, half-time refreshments, unlimited tea and coffee, and a seat in the director’s box. Additionally, you gain access to pre-match manager talks and post-match presentations.
  • Club Alexandra: This package offers a lighter version of the Club 1877 experience, with a smaller meal and slightly less prestigious seats.

Private Hire

There are several suites and lounges available for private hire at Alexandra Stadium. For example:

  • Executive Suite: Overlooking the pitch, this suite can accommodate up to 50 people.
  • Alexandra Suite: Recently refurbished, this suite is wheelchair accessible and can welcome up to 100 people.
  • Carlsberg Lounge: The largest suite in the stadium, it can host up to 300 people.
  • Other options include the Board Room (16 people) and The Directors Lounge (10-12 people) for more intimate or private meetings.

Stadium Tours & Museum

Currently, there are no stadium tours available at Alexandra Stadium. While unfortunate, the club hopes to provide access to areas such as the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, and dugouts in the future. Until then, you can enjoy online photos and imagine what it would be like to explore the ground yourself.

About Crewe Alexandra

Founded in 1877 and named after Princess Alexandra, Crewe Alexandra was among the founding members of the Second Division of the Football League in 1892. Despite being relegated after just four years, the club has achieved some notable successes. They won the Football League Trophy in 2013 and reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1888. In recent years, Crewe Alexandra won the Second Division play-offs in 1997 and the League Two play-offs in 2012.

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Crewe Alexandra is best known for having had the longest-serving manager in the game, Dario Gradi, who spent 24 years at the club. During his tenure, he developed young players, including notable figures such as Rob Jones, Neil Lennon, Danny Murphy, and Robbie Savage.

Alexandra Stadium History

Gresty Road initially had no stands, just embankments surrounding the pitch. The first main stand was built on the southern side but was destroyed in a fire in 1932. The stadium achieved its record capacity of 20,000 during an FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur in 1960.

Following the Hillsborough Disaster, the club renovated all stands to comply with the all-seater requirement. The most recent renovation occurred during the 1999 offseason, when The Main Stand (currently known as the Air Products Stand) was entirely rebuilt at a cost of £5.2 million, providing a capacity of just under 7,000.

Future Developments

The Whitby Morrison Ice Cream Van Stand is likely to undergo redevelopment in the near future. The two-tier stand, featuring executive boxes, is expected to replace the current single-tier structure. The development will likely increase the stand’s capacity from just over 1,500 to double that amount.

FAQs

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Conclusion

Crewe Alexandra’s Alexandra Stadium, formerly known as Gresty Road, boasts a rich history and offers an enjoyable experience for football enthusiasts. Whether you’re attending a match, exploring hospitality options, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, this iconic stadium has something for everyone. To learn more about Crewe Alexandra and their upcoming fixtures, visit their official website at Movin993.