Our first game of the season is a nice and easy one of us exiles to get to so hopefully we can start the campaign with a good turnout.

Ticket Prices have just been announced and are priced as follows:

Adults - £21
Senior (60+) - £18
Students - £18
Under 21 - £14
Under 12 - £12

There is no discount for ordering tickets in advance but as stewards are likely to advise supporters to sit in their allocated seat we will be using the TDS.

If you would like to order a match ticket please email tickets@carlislelondonbranch.org

For those who have purchased tickets through the branch, match tickets will be distributed in the meeting pub Our Mutual Friend

The Branch groupsave train for those not playing in the supporters match will be the 10.53 out of London KingsCross which arrives at Stevenage 11.16. Coming back we will aim for the 18.36 returning to London 19.01. Return fares should cost between £7.50-£8.50 depending on numbers. If you wish to join the group travelplease email Al on travel@carlislelondonbranch.org before 12 noon on Friday the 17th of August.

If anyone fancies a spot of pre match breakfast some members will be tucking into the full english at the Parcel Yard Pub inside Kings Cross station from 10am.

Our Mutual Friend Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8EH

Generally considered to be the best pub in Stevenage, (not that it has much competition) the North Herts CAMRA pub of the year 2006, 2007 and 2008 has 7 hand pumps serving an ever changing array of ‘real ales from near and far’. In addition to excellent beer they always have traditional perry or cider available, a dart board and a pool table. Hot food appears to only be served during the week but limited sandwiches and snacks should be available. It’s not much to look at from the outside but once inside this is a hidden gem of a pub that is well worth a visit!

Stevenage isn’t exactly replete with great pubs, indeed the Mutual Friend is its only entry in the Good Beer Guide. There are a couple of places in the old town area in the opposite direction from the ground which get ok reviews. The best of these seems to be the Marquis of Lorne (132 High Street) while a Weatherspoons pub The Standing Order (33 High Street) is also close by.

If you want to take in any pubs en route to the ground then another Weatherspoons boozer the Standard Bearer can be found at Unit 1 The Plaza, Dane Street, just over the road from the train station. Carrying on down London Road towards Broadhall way you will pass the Roaring Meg Harvester family pub/restaurant/crèche. Both ok if you’ve got a raging thirst on but we recommend heading directly to the Mutual Friend.

Given that Stevenage is easily accessible from London it is likely that folk will migrate to a suitable boozer in the Kings Cross/Euston area post match. The most likely venue is our old favourite the Bree Louise but specific info will be communicated nearer the time.

Trains run from London Kings Cross to Stevenage and take between 25 and 55 minutes. Groupsave fares are available and details of the branch group travel trains will be communicated a few weeks before the game.

Being a new town Stevenage is fairly accessible by car and there is decent parking by the ground. Take the A1 (M) to junction 7, head down the A602 (Broadhall Way) over a couple of roundabouts, the ground is on the left and large car park on the right.

After winning the Conference in 1996 Stevenage were refused entry to the Football League due to the insufficient capacity and facilities at Broadhall Way. Consequently the ground was re developed in the early 2000s and currently comprises of 2 smart looking all seated stands and two covered terraces. Away fans are located in the modern South stand which has capacity for 1,400 and a decent view with no obstructions. In 2009 Stevenage announced a new sponsorship deal with the Lamex Food Group which resulted in the ground being renamed the Lamex Stadium. It’s renowned for being one of the friendliest and laid back grounds in the country with an old school feel and good banter between fans.  The catering insdie the away end consists of one portacabin but the service is swfit and the scran is of a decent standard.

This will be our 3rd visit to Stevenage. Having lost 2-1 at Broadhall Way in the conference in March 2005 we went down 1-0 in a close game near the end of last season as both teams chased the final play off spot.

Thankfully the conference play off final back in 2005 at the Britannia Stadium was a much happier affair for Carlisle when a Peter Murphy goal securing our return to League football!

Although the Old Town dates to medieval times modern Stevenage was conceived as England’s first New Town on the 1st of August 1946.