I've got tickets for Sussex-Surrey T20 on 26th July. I'll be going with my 8 year old. It'll be his first proper cricket match and my first visit to the County Ground for close to 30 years. Can anyone tell me what to expect in terms of parking, getting in/out of the ground, food, entertainment etc?
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[Sussex] Sussex Sharks T20 - matchday experience
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Braggfan
In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
- May 12, 2014
- 1,828
If you're taking your son and it's first game, he might find he's not sure how the game is going at first. I think it's really handy to take a pen and paper and jot 1 to 20 down and write down the score and wickets at the end of each over during the first innings. That way in the 2nd innings you can see exactly what the other team were on, and it'll give him an idea of what they need to do.
Getting in or out of the ground is straight forward; main gates on Eaton Rd or small gate by corner of Palmeria Ave and Cromwell Rd. Never really seen big queues and get through quickly. If you have a bag they'll want to look inside it.
Food wise there is usually a pizza van by the main gate and a burger/chips/hotdog sort of place next to the club shop. Under the Spen Cama stand there is hot food next to the bar and then up by the Palmeria Ave and Cromwell Rd entrance there are a few stalls. Nothing is cheap just to warn you but you're fine taking snacks/food in. If you buy a pint you pay £1 deposit on the glass so take it back to get refunded. Last year, when my son was 8, he made £42 collecting disgarded glasses to return and get the deposit.
Depending on where your tickets are for a lot of kids go and play in the nets during matches. Get there early and the players will likely be warming up so the kids go gawp at them.
Entertainment wise the teams often warm up on pitch and there will be some stuff going on on the screens but there isn't a huge deal to entertain an 8 year old beforehand I reckon though they'll give your son various things like a lanyard as you go in.
Hope that helps.
*edit* parking sorry not got a clue as I live a 10 minute walk away but on street parking round there will be pay & display until 8pm and likely to be cut throat at getting a spot. Probably need to park a few block away and walk for a minute or 2.
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Taybha
Whalewhine
Is the 20 bit the amount of time our batsmen are in for .
- Apr 5, 2014
- 23,514
Hope he has a great time
But no, no it won't be!
Yes, T20 is cricket for people who don't like cricket (to quote [MENTION=616]Guinness Boy[/MENTION] ) but there is a chance they may grow to like cricket one day.
Did Accrington Stanley make the final of the FA Cup 9 months ago?
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- #10
Thanks all. Take the point about proper cricket but this is the first professional game he'll see in the flesh.
He's really got in to playing this year so hopefully he'll get something from watching the pro's. I'm raising him as an Albion fan so he's already getting used to being disappointed with our underperformance. Following Sussex should come quite easily to him.
He's really got in to playing this year so hopefully he'll get something from watching the pro's. I'm raising him as an Albion fan so he's already getting used to being disappointed with our underperformance. Following Sussex should come quite easily to him.
studio150
Well-known member
I fully expect Archer to being playing against Ireland at Lords to give him a run out in the England test side ahead of the Ashes series, so I doubt he will be playing much if any T20 for Sussex this year
*Gullsworth*
My Hair is like his hair
What a great Dad! Well played.
maltaseagull
Well-known member
He’ll love it......
Can’t add much to the advice above except that if the on street parking nearby is full, there are usually spaces in the North St multi storey on T20 match nights and it’s only a few mins walk away.
Can’t add much to the advice above except that if the on street parking nearby is full, there are usually spaces in the North St multi storey on T20 match nights and it’s only a few mins walk away.
METALMICKY
Well-known member
- Jan 30, 2004
- 6,053
Unfortunately as he gets older with difficulty you'll have to explain why there's a bunch of blokes getting royally drunk and have their backs to the game all night.