Now that our new ground has been decided, thought it might be helpful to jot down the best way of getting there...

By Train

Shildon does have a train station but if you thought the walk to Neasham Road was a chew, this might be a bit much for you. I've mapped out a quick map for those of you who might wish to walk from the train station (http://bit.ly/IIFu0K). However DarloFan97 has also given you a handy set of directions:



Train times also aren't the best from Darlington to Shildon and I've detailed some of the times below*

Darlington - Shildon

10:54 - 11:12
12:54 - 13:12

Shildon - Darlington

18:07 - 18:28
19:30 - 19:51

An adult return also comes in at £3.50, however there is also the option of a Northern Rail 'Duo' ticket. Which means if 2 adults travel together the 2nd gets half price which comes in at £5.25 for the pair (Thanks Wylam!).

* All times are based off a Saturday

By Bus

Bus services are certainly better than rail services into Shildon, with most stopping only a couple hundred yards from the ground itself. Buses from Darlington include 1 / 1B, X1 & 5A / 5B. Buses from Bishop Auckland include 1 / 1B, 4A, 5A / 5B. Buses from Aycliffe include 5A / 5B. Some times are detailed below*

Darlington (Prebend Row) - Shildon (King William) - (1 / 1B)

31 & 01 minutes past the hour - 07 & 37 past the hour

Shildon (Shildon Main Street) - Darlington (Tubwell Row) - (1 / 1B)

16:59 - 17:31
17:33 - 18:05
17:59 - 18:31

Darlington (Prebend Row) - Shildon (Hippodrome) - (X1)

15 & 45 minutes past the hour - 38 & 08 past the hour

Shildon (Hippodrome) - Darlington (Prebend Row) - (X1)

17:21 - 17:45

* Again all times are based off a Saturday

By Car

By far the more popular route for most people. Getting to the ground from Darlington is a simple task which although google maps say it should take 19 minutes, for most drivers this should actually take no longer than 10 - 15 minutes:

http://bit.ly/ITETHo

Parking however is an issue, with most having to settle for on street parking. Darlofan97 has again kindly suggested some parking locations and I've put them on a handy map (if I've misunderstood any of the locations just shout up!):

http://bit.ly/LGsUQ1

Anybody with anything to add - just add to this thread and I'll edit this post.

To be honest, there isn't much parking around the ground but there are loads and loads of streets. Your best bet is just to park anywhere in Shildon and walk.

I'll either bus it from Aycliffe or drive, but I know Shildon like the back of my hand so it's no problem for me.

I also think 1883 and the supporters club have a massive role to play here, if they can charter buses for home games, that helps the potential congestion problems, and will no doubt be quicker and cheaper than using Arriva. Maybe they might even put on football specials too?

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http://twitter.com/Quakerz72

This is all irrelevant.

DC said it was a 'fact' that we'd be playing at the Arena next season.

_________________

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Part-Time Drummer, Full time wanker!
Don't hate us just because you aren't us.

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I'm looking forward to the s*** he'll get every time he posts from now on. Although he's probably made another account

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This is pish.

He knows this because he talks to people.

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FACT!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Dar ... ra=ls&z=12

This is the football ground just in case we all turn up at the house of the Supporters Club secretary.

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Quakerz dare not comment on DC's post as he will want him banning.

You could add a parking bit. You can park in Morrison's car park, there is a car park behind the Royal George Pub. There is also a car park behind the Old Workmen's Club and behind that is the Civic car park. There are a few parking bays on the main street and behind the main street, through alleys, there are 2 car parks there too.

Cheers Hilly!

Is there not any way that a extra train could be added in for there and back? Just on "home" games?

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https://twitter.com/#!/AndrewParkk


Darlington Football Club: The Club That Couldn't Die.
Bought By The Fans;
For The Fans!

Check this page as the above links seem to take you to an address that is not the actual ground.

(Apoligise if I have mid-read)

http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/shildonafc01/108112/FindUs

Dean Street Shildon Co, Durham Dl4 1EZ
DL4 1EZ

I turned up at that house looking for the stadium on Friday night lol stupid sat nav lol

Apologies - updated the by car section to reflect things!

Andy, check out the getting to our new ground topic on page four why there won't be an extra train laid on.

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He wants to be chairman of his football club but can't.

Can an admin sticky this please - think it might prove useful in the coming months?

EDIT: Much obliged moderator gods!

When I am off work at the weekend, I think I'll do the walk from Shildon station to the ground just to see how far it is and the lie of the land etc.

"foss m8 i am a resident right next to the ground and like i said public car park 1 min walk away from the ground ,i no people are lazy but the car park is nearer to the ground than most residents if only they use it." .

This comment from the Echo. Any idea what this public car park is?

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This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

There is a decent sized car park at the netto just around the corner, it's possibly that one?

_________________
This empty sanitised shell of a stadium, a cathedral to the vanity and narcissism of one man. It’s very difficult to fall in love with football amongst the rows of empty seats. The notion that a stadium has worth beyond its potential commerical value or it’s proximity to transport links – as a spiritual repository of the hopes,fears and agonies of generations of supporters, or as a physical manifestation of the football club in the community, is a dying one in football (Sam Volkman)

Hi Hilly

Might be worth mentioning Northern Rail's Duo ticket.

When 2 adults travel together the 2nd gets half price so that would come in at £5.25 for a pair of tickets. My only worry is the size of those trains - full up in no time and getting back would be a nightmare free for all.

Wylam

You are correct about the trains.

A 142 unit has between 100-120 seats, depending on the design of the seating.

Plus standing room for as many that can squeeze on.

Thanks for this - added to the original post.

Also worth saying that if you are getting the train you can get on on at Darlington North Road station - which would be better for me (within walking distance).
The only disadvantage is that the seats will have probablyu gone by then. Price is the same 3.50

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R.I.P Sid Waddell

Behind the Royal George Pub:
-No cost.
-Very close to the ground.
-Located on Dean Street.

Behind CostCutter opposite the Royal George Pub:
-No cost.
-Very close to the ground.
-Not the first right down Park View as you will head into the police station but the second turn off.

Civic:
-No cost.
-Behind the car park which is behind CostCutter.
-Very close to the ground.

Morrison's:
-No cost.
-No time limit as far as I'm aware.
-Very close to the ground.

Main Street:
-Cost's.
-Time Limit.
-Located along the main street.
-Very close to the ground.

Round the back of the Main Street:
-No cost.
-No time limit as far as I'm aware.
-Turn right down one of the backstreet's. As if you are driving towards the King William Pub. You will find two small car parks there.
-Very close the the ground.

As for directions from Shildon train station to Dean Street, the quicker and alternative route:

Step off the train, head up the steps and turn right. Continue forward past the bridge that goes over the lines. There will be two turn-offs, choose the one on the right and continue forward up an alley. You will head past the Cricket Club and step onto the Black Path. You will know it is the Black Path because it has two lanes, a bike one and a walking one. Head all the way up that path and you will come towards the King William bus station. Turn left up the Main Street. Continue until you reach the top of the Main Street and turn right. When crossing the road you will be able to see Morrison's. Continue heading forward and then turn right. You will then see the football ground and Eric's fish bar.

No steep incline in this one lads!

Just one thing you will know better than me?

These venues, they don't care about football fans using their parking?

Sainsbury's (well Safeway) used to be a bit funny about it from memory when we were at Feethams?

Post updated to reflect the above. If anyone notices any mistakes just let me know.

A bit of a steep walk to the ground from the Rail Station if memory serves. Well at my age it is! Plus you can take in the sights of the Jubilee Estate.

My only concern is that the car parks that have been mentioned might not charge now but can see a cash cow looming on the horizon.

With regards to chartering bus transport, can any pubs muster enough people too put on their own.

When the Riverside was opened, I know a few pubs around the Billingham/Stockton area put on a bus for about 50p per head (it was few years back) as long as you had at least a couple of pints before it set off. Whatever they lost on putting on the bus they made up on beer sales. Some of them still do it but it's down to a taxi now.

I know that it would be a waste of time in my local but maybe some other pubs could think about it.

Just checked the trains (Saturday service) and the services you have listed run to/from Saltburn and stop at M'bro, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Allens West and Dinsdale (for Middleton St George) as well as Darlo and North Road - which is very handy and quick (15mins) for people in that part of town - and Heighington and Newton Aycliffe.
Midweek there is a train which gets you into Shildon for 19:12 but no train after the match, so you would be having to cadge a lift back.

Does anyone know the cost of hiring minibuses from local taxi firms?
The benefit of this would be having a pre-match drink/meet up at whatever your local is in Darlo - get picked up, maybe time for a drink at the ground (and half time?) and home (or pub) very quickly after the match.

I have also "walked" around Shildon's ground using Google Maps' streetview - the camera view is at a perfect height for having a skeg over the fence.