The TP "Official" guide to sports stadiums

Anyone ever done Meadow Lane, Nottingham?
 
rmt1982 said:
Anyone ever done Meadow Lane, Nottingham?
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Been a few times.. Always have a swift half around the corner in hooters first haha :)

If you ahve a parking pass you have to go to office at front of ground to pick it up before going car park.. bit awkward... But if your there early enough as presume will then loads and loads of street parking.. can park right outside the ground...

Inside.. dont remember too much to be honest.. not a great one for press rooms myself
 
KIPAX said:
Been a few times.. Always have a swift half around the corner in hooters first haha :)

If you ahve a parking pass you have to go to office at front of ground to pick it up before going car park.. bit awkward... But if your there early enough as presume will then loads and loads of street parking.. can park right outside the ground...

Inside.. dont remember too much to be honest.. not a great one for press rooms myself
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Thanks.

I've parked outside the Lane a fair bit, given my interests on the other side of the Trent. I'm not worried about parking, as I'm getting down there with the rugby clubs media guy.
 
rmt1982 said:
Anyone ever done Meadow Lane, Nottingham?
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There is a press room, albeit on the small side. Shared with written journos if I remember. It's a long way from pitchside too. You can get a programme/dry butties/tea in there though. Plenty of on street parking around the ground.
 
Gary Coyle said:
Hi Phil, i shoot there regularly, these from a post last week were shot last Friday night, take noter i shot at ISO 4000 but i like a shutter speed over 1/1000th sec where possible and with the D3 S its possible http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=213289


Rotherham United

Having said that you will easily use ISO 2500 and get between 1/500th to 1/800th, lights are currently aboiut 70% capacity switched on for Rugby League and you might get more on for the Footy

These were shot mid february when i used a Canon 1d MKIIV at ISO 2500 http://www.rlphotos.fotopic.net/c1816089.html

These were shot last February at ISO 2500 with a D3 http://www.rlphotos.fotopic.net/c1816089.html

Ive never used the press facilities so no idea, footy might be different but you need to book in with the club and pick up your pass from the portakabin on Worksop road by the main enterance, parl outside, pick your ticket up and then go into the car park 20 yards further down.

Like i say, footy might be different to Rugby.

I try to stay at the clock/scoreboard end as light seems to be a little better that end.
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having gone there on Saturday (1/01/11), I can update the info a bit,There's no bibs just a parking/entery pass picked up from the enterance into the "main" stand. There are no "Press" facilities as such but a coffee/tea can be had from a small "box" that also contains the PA guys! (on a lower level from the reporters area). Lighting is still as Gary says but a word of warning! if you think it'll rain take a plastic sheet as all my gear got soaked due to the crappy/none exsistant drainage of the running track :bang:
 
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snapzz said:
Parking
Plenty of parking around the stadium but you will need a pass. If you dont have a pass there are plenty of commercial premises for about £5. I usually park in the same one as he gives me a receipt.

Lighting
Pretty crap for a newish stadium with plenty of orange lights that give an overall cast.
Facilities
Cant remember there being any wifi and if there was I didnt use it. Photographers gather in the wireroom which is two flights up. If your lucky you may get half a sandwich but they go quickly. Better food in the pressroom further down.

Location
Can only sit behind either goals and very close to the fans.
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Update:

Shot the Middlesbrough Vs Norwich City league game yesterday.

Don't bother with the wire room, go though the door next too it walk down past the food stalls and into the press room, you get looked after in there, good food, plenty of hot drinks and squash.

One thing to note, if you get given a Yellow Bib it means you can only go behind the goals, it also means that at no time are you allowed along the touchline with the dugouts, not even BEFORE the game for the manager shots, some of the stewards are quite rude and unhelpful. I was stood next to the barriers by the dugout and one of them got arsey stating i couldn't come past the barriers, my feet were maybe 2 inches across the line. This is the sort of pedantic rubbish you can expect.

Also your not allowed to walk past the dugouts, even to change ends at half time.

Having said that there were some Stewards there that were helpful and friendly:)
 
Re Bournemouth
Parking, Flash your Prem/league card and they should let you park up at the ground.
As you look at the ground from the car park, to the right (when I say open end you'll get what I mean when your there) go in the last door and sign in, collect your programe and bib and let the guys know it's your first time and a steward will show you in/around.
There is a small room (had a boxing ring in there last time I was there) which is up by the tunnel, or you can sit up in the stand/press area
You get a ticket for a drink and pie/pastie from the area under the stand below the press box.
No restrictions, just mind the ad boards!
HTH
When you there?

After all that....................ha ha
 
Anyone ever taken pictures at Cambridge United? Going there next week to see their reserves play my non league team - hoping for some decent floodlights
 
cornishboy said:
Anyone ever taken pictures at Cambridge United? Going there next week to see their reserves play my non league team - hoping for some decent floodlights
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All I remember is its bright.. was the brightest floodlights i had done at the time (all non league) so was impressed.. 2005 i think

Mind the cows in the field next to ground :)
 
agree with kipax lights as good as most league 1 grounds one point worth mentioning is that the parking is street only as they have a very small car park
 
as they have a very small car park

ah yeah but for a step 5 match - crowd wont get past 90 anyway so I should be ok
 
Rovers_Andy said:
Gigg Lane, Bury FC

Parking

Street parking is limited so you need to get there early, or pay £3 and park next to the club shop, again limited spaces. I arrived about 1 1/2 hours before Kickoff.

Facilities

No sign of a media room when i was there :( team sheets are handed out about 30 minutes before Kickoff.

Edit: Media room is up the stairs that you see on your left when you sign in :)

Shooting Locations

You can shoot anywhere :D

Lighting

Looked pretty consistent to me ISO 2500 at 1/640th f/2.8
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The floodlights have recently been upgraded, probably for Sky last night, really makes a difference.
 
torquaygull said:
Turf Moor - Burnley

Parking

There is a car park behind the ground but i've never used it - I tend to park at the office in the town centre and walk in. The stewards in the car park keep the cars back for a while after the game until the crowds have gone. There is plenty of street parking available around the ground if you get there early enough - just watch though as some streets have restrictions.

Lighting

Not bad but not the best. I'm normally at 500th F2.8 at ISO 2000 for a night game and even day games can be gloomy here.

Food & Facilities
You sign-in in a room opposite the James Hargreaves Stand where the car park is (with the stand behind you and it's the left side of the gym (opposite corner from the entrance to the Turf Moor gym) to pick up your bib, pass and programme. The photographers room is attached behind where you sign in. Food is Hollands pies and sometimes peas and there is always tea/coffee/orange juice.

There are plenty of power points and for the clubs free WiFi you'll need the password from the media department but they normally have it posted on the wall in the room. Team sheets come out about 2.20pm (7.15pm)

Entrance to the ground is by a silver door on the right hand corner of the James Hargreaves Stand behind the tv wagons. It has PRESS ENTRANCE on it and there is steward parked outside.

Shooting Locations

As you enter from the silver door you can shoot from behind both sides of this goal but it's just the left hand corner at the other end (not the one with the control tower) This has only changed this year due to advertising and moving the disabled fans. You have to sit on the grass and not on the pitch surround. There's no problem with shots of the managers before the game.
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Car park is behind the Cricket field stand costs £5 or £6. Gets full up pretty quickly.
 
Walkers Stadium, Leicester City

I did search the thread and there didn't seem to be one of Walker Stadium, so here goes.

Getting there - Parking

Easy to drive to from M69/M1 - then up the A4560 towards the city centre, before turning towards the University (and all the people wearing blue). There is a press car-park at Filbert Street about 3 minute walk from the ground. Use the first one if you've been allocated space - second one if you haven't. Public parking costs the normal £5. Parking restrictions quite well in use around the ground - so these are your best bet.

Getting in / Accreditation

Coming from the main-road, walk on the right hand side of the building towards the Team Coaches. Huge letters on the side of the building saying MEDIA ENTRANCE .. so just go through there. Dest right in front of you is where to pick up your accreditation and bibs. Very friendly press representative will even give you a quick tour if this is your first time. Togs' room right behind the dest - you need the code for the door to get back thought.. so don't lie and say you've been there before if you haven't ;-)

Food / Facilities

Good size togs room - with power points all over the place. WIFI is available from the club - with password on the walls. It does reach the pitch-side as well, but is very weak. After the game the WIFI was down for a while - so used a 3G dongle to send pics. From regular togs I heard that you need to be in the right part of the room for it to work - which was true.. so just move your laptop around to get a decent signal.
There is also the main press-room where you can get Pies / Coffee, etc As well as watch any early kick-offs on a screen with other togs/press.

Photographing postions

Pretty much anywhere - of course a small restricted area near the benches - but otherwise you are allowed to be in most places and with the crowd slightly elevated behind you - you won't be in anyones way.

Lighting

Started (3pm kick-off) with 1/640 at ISO1000 on an overcast day - slowly had to up the iso as the game went to the second half. Kept it a 1/640 all through the game and ended with ISO 6400 when it was getting darker at 5pm.

Hope this helps for those going/coming to Walkers - as I've gotten help for other grounds from here. Sometimes press-entry isn't the most obvious one .. so nice to get some help from here when going places!!
 
Parking :
If you get a parking-pass for the game, drive towards the 'VIP - Car Park A, B, C'. When you get to the roundabout - take the second exit and head towards the 'dead end'. Give your name to the attendants at the booth and they'll tell you which car park you have been allocated a space in. Note : if you get on Car Park B - you do have to walk all around the ground to get to the entrance.

Getting-in :
As stated in the earlier thread about the ground - between the Club Shop and Casino, through the main Atrium. Clearly sign-posted pick-up point to pick up your press-pass, and then head through the gates and door to you right, down the stairs to the basement. Bib is handed out by the guy at the desk as you go through the double-doors - he will also tell you any information you might need if this is your first visit to the ground.

Facilities :
Plenty of space in the press working room. Powerpoints - comfortable chairs and work stations. Wi-Fi works well there - no signal for 3G or mobile phones downstairs. There is food available - had Chips, mushy peas and a Cornish Pasty myself there.. of course coffee/tea as well.

Shooting positions/lighting :
You are only allowed to shoot behind the goals, no going to the sidelines. During a 3pm kick-off - the sun will shine so that you are almost forced to shoot from one end of the ground. Also - the shadow/bright spots on the pitch are quite annoying for exposing you images... so manual mode wasn't the way to go this time.
Wi-Fi does reach the pitch-side - signal is weak but it is better than trying to use your 3G dongle at half-time.. :)
 
Changed a bit since I was last there. Used to be pokey room on other side of stadium, no food or drinks. You did use to be able to shoot from the side opposite the tunnel though.
 
snapzz said:
Changed a bit since I was last there. Used to be pokey room on other side of stadium, no food or drinks. You did use to be able to shoot from the side opposite the tunnel though.
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Was impressed with RICOH Arena, all the Premier League grounds I've gone to have been a bit 'pokey' (as you put it). Even when I went to grab my chips.. a nice little waitress came and asked if I wanted a pie with my chips.. Now that's what I call service :)
 
City of Manchester - Man City

Once again - another stadium I didn't find a thread for.

Getting there/Parking

If you have allocated parking, you can park at the New Viaduct Street. Turn to the road by the 'Magic Muffin' and continue on the industrial road for about a minute. It is not the first car park on that road, but the second one - normal : Name, Company/Agency.. and you are in.

Entry / Accreditation

Door W is what you are looking for. The car park is about 5 minute walk from the ground - when you get there, head straight on and then a bit to your left - towards the Door W. Get you pass and bib from the guy at the front desk.

Facilities

You need to take the lift to the bottom floor and then turn left on the long corridor. That takes you to the place where away teams park their bus and then just turn towards the pitch and you see a tiny entrance for Photographers. You have a Wire-Room the size of a very small kitchen.. with space for maybe 8 togs to work on the desks along the walls.
There was no food/drinks served when I was there..
Also - no mention about Wi-Fi etc - so used my own Dongle for it.

Photographing positions

Quite restricted to be honest. There is a 'pit' behind one of the goals - arrive early as togs 'draw the positions' for that one. Can't get behind the advertising boards, so you are otherwise resticted to the corners. You seemed to be able to shoot on one side-line as well.. but you have TV camera and substitutes running past you all the time.. so not ideal place to set yourself up.

Lighting

Day time game - so it was very good. Might do an evening game there soon - so will add info about that when I can.
 
Spook, There is normally food at City. The door next to "Wire Room" is "Roses Room" where there is full hot and cold buffet laid on and waited on. Ive only been twice and stayed in lazy corner to shoot it, The 1 man "official" pit would be ideal I think
 
Hi all, I can't see any info on Chesterfield Utd:shrug:, so has anyone got experience of shooting Here?, I'm there on Sat on commission so any info would be great. Kind regards Graham :)
 
asterix said:
Spook, There is normally food at City. The door next to "Wire Room" is "Roses Room" where there is full hot and cold buffet laid on and waited on. Ive only been twice and stayed in lazy corner to shoot it, The 1 man "official" pit would be ideal I think
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Rose is an institution at Man City.
 
Craven Cottage - Fulham

Getting there

Motorbikes can park down the side streets right in front of the stadium at no cost. There is a 1-hour limit for cars on match-day except for residents so best look further afield if driving in. The road the stadium itself is on is closed to traffic an hour or two before the game. You can figure out the location of tubes/stations yourself I'm sure.

Getting in

There's a specific press entrance. It's about halfway along the facade of the building and is labelled as such. Pop in there, show your creds, and then pass through into the photographers' room under the stands. This is about midway in the corridor under the stand. It's hot & sweaty & small in there. Sign in against the list and you'll get your bib. There is power available, and some pies in a warmer.

Connectivity

Happy days - there is free wifi and you'll get the code in the photographers' room. It works in the room and out on the pitch (though strength decreases as you get to the far side of the pitch). I found it worked fine before the game, but whilst I could get a half-strength signal during the match I couldn't actually send anything or get on the internet. Instead I used my "3" dongle which connected to HSDPA with a good signal and ran nice & fast.

Seating positions

You're restricted to the far corners at each end. It's quite tight if there's 10 or more of you. You're also down a slope with the pitch above you and with little runoff, impact with sliding players is a real danger. Little plastic stools are provided by the club to keep you low down so you wont be able to use your lovely Walkstool.
 
hi helen,

any really,

i have been to dartford and bromley,
so any info on any other ground will be great,

i am based in south east england
 
One for a couple of weeks time..

Does anyone have any tips/pointers on Odsal?
 
rmt1982 said:
One for a couple of weeks time..

Does anyone have any tips/pointers on Odsal?
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Hi Rob

First off make sure your media pass is of a level which allows you to shoot at Odsal or more specifically Odsal for a Challenge Cup game, if you only have Level 2 or 3 pass you will need special dispensation from the RFL to shoot at a level 1 ground

Contact Stuart Duffy to book in and ask for car parking as well, parking is free over the road next to the sports centre on production of your pass, prepare for a long wait to leave though as all traffic is held until all pedestrians have left the area.

Enter through top gate and Media room is approx 50 mts on your right, book in on your right as soon as you enter the main room and get a bib, program and team sheet, food to your left.

To get pitch side leave media room, turn right and walk to the end of car park, turn left toward end of ground an go through a small gate where you will desent the 25 million steps to get pitchside, shooting only allowed behind posts and behind advertising boards

When game over take a deep breath, clutch your chest and get ready for a heart attack as you climb your way out.

PM if you need Stuart Duffys contact email

Gary

Heres a pano of the ground

odsal01.jpg
 
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KL755 said:
The Valley - Charlton Athletic

Parking

A lot of the streets are closed around the ground prior to kick off, found a car park ten mins walk from the ground for a fiver. Got away nice and quick at the end, about 2 mins drive from the A12 junction.

Facilities

Excellent, enter through the media entrance, sign in, then you are shown down some steps to the split media room (journo's one side, photogs the other) power points and internet connections available ( didnt use either so cant comment). There was tea and coffee available. Pitchside my connection to 02 was abysmal, 0.5kb upload speed!!!, mustve been something up today :( there is a good club WIFI but you have to ask for the password.

Shooting Locations

You can shoot at either end behind the goals, You sit behind raised ad boards, so can go anywhere along the entire pitch behind the goal.

Lighting

Did a day game in sunlight so was great, no idea what you would get under floodlights.
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Just to add to this, the floodlights are superb at The Valley. I manage to shoot at the most 1600 with no struggling. East stand is higher than West Stand so that makes a slight difference. If you go, try and get on the West Stand side.

The Media room has been refurbished and has plenty of power points. Can't comment on the WiFi as I don't use it as I'm just with the club but can find out if anyone needs
 
It doesn't appear as though anyone has mentioned York City/Bootham Crescent and since they've been promoted to League 2 I thought this might be useful.

Parking

Street parking only and it's a nightmare. Many of the adjacent streets are permit only so unless you get there very very early you could end up carrying your gear miles.

Facilities

You sign in at the club office where you will be given a bib and a team sheet which are available about 30 mins before kick off. If you want a programme you'll have to buy it yourself. Entrance to the pitch is via Gate 13 under the corner of the main stand near the supporters club bar. There isn't a wire room and the press "box" is an area located in the main stand which has sockets if you need them for your laptop. There is no wi-fi that I am aware of but I've always managed to get a decent signal on my O2 dongle. Since I got locked in the ground at 5.40pm (3pm KO) I tend to bale out at the final whistle and wire from the car.

Food/Refreshments

As with the programme - buy your own.

Shooting Locations

You can shoot from anywhere but you are very close to the pitch so it's best to bear this in mind when choosing your spot, behind the goals is okay and there appears to be more room at the home end. The away fans are located to your left as you enter the pitch (York tend to attack that end in the 1st half).

Lighting

I've never shot a night match there but have done some mid winter stuff where the lights were on. The floodlights are what you would expect for a ground of this age. I used auto ISO and at 1/500 it was up at 5000 most of the time and 6400 at times.

Although they've got promotion I can't see them investing much in the ground or much of the above changing as they've got permission to build a new stadium out of the town.
 
As with the above it doesn't appear as though anyone has mentioned Hartlepool United.


Parking

I've had mixed success here. To be honest I think it depends who's on the gate. If you are lucky they'll let you park in the club car park for nothing if you're not they'll charge you £8 for the privilege. There are several car parks around but Morrisons and ASDA claim to clamp people who are not there shopping. Street parking is limited near the ground and for bigger games the Police tend to close Clarence Road which runs alongside the ground. There are also some other local businesses that charge varying amounts for parking.

Facilities

You sign in at the club office where you will be given a pass but not a bib. Team sheets are available from here or the Press Box about 30 mins before kick off. If you want a programme you'll have to buy it yourself. The entrance is next to the ticket office and you'll need to show your pass. To get on the pitch you go through the "Ambulance" access gate at the Rink End (Away Supporters). They created a Photographers Room under the Niramax Stand sometime ago but I've only been in it once and to be honest I am not sure that it is still there. The Press Box is at the back of the Niramax Stand and has sockets if you need to charge batteries/laptop etc.. I wire from the pitchside and the car after the game.

Food/Refreshments

On the one occasion I used the photographers' room there was a plate of sandwiches and a kettle etc.. in there but as I said I'm not sure that it is still there.

Shooting Locations

You can shoot from anywhere except near the dugouts. You are very close to the pitch especially behind the goals, indeed I've been knocked off my stool there twice. The home fans are located at the Town end (furthest away from you when you enter the ground) and as with most clubs Hartlepool tend to kick towards them in the 2nd half. The stewards are probably the friendliest you'll come across.


Lighting

The lights were upgraded last close season and are good especially for League 1. In fact in my opinion they are better than Boro's. f/2.8 1/640 ISO 4000.
 
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Cambridge United, The R. Costings Abbey Stadium.
As a visitor, you get your pass from a portacabin outside.
You get a set of 'rules'
1. Whist the match is in progress, photographers are only allowed at the ends of the ground (i.e. you can't shoot from the sidelines)
2. Prior to match, photographers may take pictures of the players entering onto the pitch but must leave as soon as they are on the pitch
3. A photographer who wishes to leave during play must leave by the nearest gate and not walk along the perimeter track.
4. If a photographer wishes to change ends at any time during play you must leave by the nearest gate and walk behind the main stand. The perimeter track must not be used.
5. Photographers must produce their ticket when requested
This is the killer
6. Photographers must not dispose of any photographic materials on or around the pitch and perimeter track as this can cause serious damage to the players and machinery.

What decade are they still in? And the rules are updated for Season 12/13 ..

You get a voucher for a free tea or coffee in a specific bar either before the match or at half time.

Local photographer quite friendly and approachable.
Don't know about lighting, looks powerful but I was there during daylight.
 
Photodiva said:
Cambridge United, The R. Costings Abbey Stadium.
As a visitor, you get your pass from a portacabin outside.
You get a set of 'rules'
1. Whist the match is in progress, photographers are only allowed at the ends of the ground (i.e. you can't shoot from the sidelines)
2. Prior to match, photographers may take pictures of the players entering onto the pitch but must leave as soon as they are on the pitch
3. A photographer who wishes to leave during play must leave by the nearest gate and not walk along the perimeter track.
4. If a photographer wishes to change ends at any time during play you must leave by the nearest gate and walk behind the main stand. The perimeter track must not be used.
5. Photographers must produce their ticket when requested
This is the killer
6. Photographers must not dispose of any photographic materials on or around the pitch and perimeter track as this can cause serious damage to the players and machinery.

What decade are they still in? And the rules are updated for Season 12/13 ..

You get a voucher for a free tea or coffee in a specific bar either before the match or at half time.

Local photographer quite friendly and approachable.
Don't know about lighting, looks powerful but I was there during daylight.
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Rules seem fine to me
 
inkiboo said:
Rules seem fine to me
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Read a little harder. Carol's referring to this:

Photodiva said:
6. Photographers must not dispose of any photographic materials on or around the pitch and perimeter track as this can cause serious damage to the players and machinery.
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Which agency/licencee do you know that still processes pitchside and dumps the chem onto the grass/track? Any? At all?
 
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