| Travelling Information |
| MANTAIS CYMRU is one of two traffic management and information centers for the motorways and trunk roads of Wales. The centre, operated on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government monitors CCTV on these roads and has a pivotal role in delivering live traffic reports and journey planning advice for major routes in Wales. The service plays an integral role in the traffic management operations for major events at the Millennium Stadium and wishes to advise the following: Supporters planning to travel to the Final should, where possible, use coach or rail services or consider car sharing. However supporters travel, they should plan the journey and allow sufficient time to spare. For those traveling by road local fixed and electronic signing will be provided on the day. Detailed travel advice, inclusive of alternative routes; park and ride information; and live match-day traffic reports are available from the Mantais Cymru Information service. Tel: 0845 602 602 0 Web: www.traffic-wales.com Further advice associated with routes within the city will be available at the city of Cardiff website: www.cardiff.gov.uk. The adviser service will operate extended hours in the build up to this match to meet demands of callers. |
| How to get to The Millennium Stadium |
| Norwich to Cardiff is about a safe 5-hour journey by car with the M4 being the main route to Cardiff from elsewhere in the UK The main road links with England are via one of the Severn Bridges: the Severn Suspension Bridge (M48) and the Second Severn Crossing (M4). A toll is charged on both bridges (lorries £12.50; vans £8.40; cars £4.20), although only on the westbound route from England into Wales. Plans for the Nationwide Play off finals are well underway with strong advice being given to fans to come by coach, train or mini-bus and arrive in the city in time for breakfast The city has asked all fans to be aware that the ease with which they arrive in Cardiff is in their own hands. Fans are urged to travel by train, coach or mini-bus. Those who come by car should car share and set off as early as possible. Special policing measures and co-ordinated motorway signage will ensure that those who do use coaches and mini-buses will get preferential treatment. Free coach parking facilities will be made available in the city centre, 10 minutes walk from the stadium. Cardiff Central Railway station is 2 minutes from the stadium. Limited car parking with park and ride facilities is located on the outskirts of the city. |
| What's the ground like? |
| Well what can you say, the Stadiwm Y Mileniwm or Millennium Stadium is one of the most impressive stadiums you will ever see. Located in the City centre with easy access by road or rail it offers unrivalled facilities for spectators, the general public and posh people. With a capacity of 72,500 it is almost 50% larger then the old Cardiff Arms Park and it just happens to have a retractable roof to keep that nasty Welsh weather out. When Norwich City hopefully reach this Holy Grail next week the fans will be hoping to avoid being allocated the jinxed South Stand. No team has won a major final in Cardiff when their supporters have been based there. |
| Where to eat or drink? |
| Cardiff is one of the best City's in Europe for post-match beers. All the pubs are concentrated in the main drag of St Mary's Street, which is only a two-minute walk from the Millennium Stadium. So without any more waffling here is my top five guide to watching the footy in Cardiff. |
| 1. Prince of Wales, 82 St Mary Street, Cardiff, Tel: (029) 2064 4449 This pub is just down the road from the Millennium Stadium and despite being a national chain pub it stands out above the rest. Like many pubs in the Wetherspoons chain the Prince of Wales is converted from an otherwise derelict building, in this case an old cinema. It has very reasonably priced real ale and value for money food. |
| 2. The Slug and Lettuce 2-3, Working St, Cardiff, Tel: (029) 2034 1616 Whether you want to wile away a Sunday afternoon, rub shoulders with suits at lunchtime or mix with a crowd of pre-clubbers in the evening, this is a stylish city centre favourite. It serves some tasty food too. |
| 3. Springbok Bar, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff, Tel: (029) 2039 5899 The Springbok Bar is situated opposite the Cardiff International Arena and as the name suggests has a South African Rugby influence. On first entering you cannot help but be amazed at the scale of the place. There are numerous televisions dotted around including private ones next to the tables and a giant screen suspended from the ceiling. This place has all the ingredients for a great venue, particularly on match days... |
| 4. Edwards St Mary Street, Cardiff, Tel: (029) 2037 1315 One of the best bars in Cardiff, Edwards is an over 21's venue and is set on three levels. It is certainly a one stop venue where you can eat, drink and dance. |
| 5. Sams Bar 63, St. Mary St, Cardiff, Tel: (029) 2034 5189 One of Cardiff's long established late night venues, Sams bar is one of the busiest in town and has a late licence which means you can party the night away until 2am from Monday to Friday and until 4am on Saturdays. Sams is renowned for its live music. |
| Where can you find accommodation? |
| Cardiff has an excellent selection of B&B accommodation, sprinkled along Cathedral Rd, to the west of the city centre, and on Newport Rd to the east. If you don't manage to get in anywhere my mate Eddie Davies will put a few hundred up in his gaff in Cathays. |
| Bluffing your way around Cardiff... |
| This might be essential if Cardiff City and Millwall make their respective finals and join us in the Welsh capital on the weekend of the 11 May. The Bluebirds aka Cardiff City are the next big thing, backed by ex Wimbledon owner Sam Hamman's millions. The Year 1927 is synonymous with the Club and on April 23rd of that year the Bluebirds travelled to Wembley to become the first and only side out of England to win what was then called the "English" Cup. Their 1-0 victory over Arsenal was no surprise, as City were one of the biggest clubs in Britain at the time. Welsh is one of the Celtic languages still spoken, perhaps that with the greatest number of speakers but it isn't spoken in Cardiff to a large degree. City striker Iwan Roberts does speak in his native tongue, which can prove handy when abusing match officials. But to really blend in with the locals just say "Bore da, ble mae'r tafarn agosaf yng Nghaerdydd? on arrival? |
| Ticket News |
| Norwich City have guaranteed every Carrow Road season-ticket holder and member a ticket for the play-off final at Cardiff on May 12. Many supporters have already pre-booked their seats – on a one-per-person basis – and the Canaries will be spending the next couple of days processing these applications. The Carrow Road ticket office and phone line will be open for business for those season ticket holders and members who have not pre-booked at 9am on Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday. Tickets then go on open sale from 9am on Tuesday, May 7 at Carrow Road, again on a strict one-per-person basis. A sufficient number of tickets will be reserved until 2pm on Wednesday, May 8 for season-ticket holders or members yet to purchase their tickets. Season-ticket holders and members who have bought tickets before May 7 will be able to queue for another ticket when they go on open sale, but it may not be adjacent to the seat they have already purchased. City's total allocation for the match is expected to be around 30,000. Adult prices for the Cardiff showdown, which will kick off at 3.30pm, are lower tier area 1 £25 (£13 for senior citizens and under-16s); lower 2 £35 (£18); middle £45 (£23); upper 1 £40 (£20) and upper 2 £35 (£18). The Football League are recommending that anyone with walking difficulties should sit in the lower tier. Carrow Road officials have also stressed that anyone buying a ticket for Cardiff must not re-sell without permission. |