Away Day Guide To Boston – 2022/2023

The ToD Guide To Visiting Boston United

First time visitor to Boston? Whether you’re a Spennymoor fan who’s decided to make the frankly ludicrous journey to south Lincolnshire, or a ground hopper gagging to tick off the Jakemans Community Stadium from your little black book, we’ve got you covered. Here you’ll find all the information you need – from which turnstile to use, where to drink, where to eat, where to stay… and even where to go to make a weekend of it. The contents of the page are below if you want to skip ahead, otherwise…. let’s introduce the stadium.

Contents


Introducing… the Jakemans Community Stadium

Otherwise known as “The Quadrant“, or if you’re being unnecessarily grumpy about it, “that place that looks like ALDI in the middle of nowhere“, the Jakemans Community Stadium – or the JCS, or Pilgrim Way, or Legoland – has as many names as it does seats. For the purposes of brevity, we’re just going to refer to it as the JCS.

After the new owners saved Boston United in 2007, a new ground became a priority, As loved as York Street was, it was old, cost a fortune to maintain, brought in no matchday revenue and – crucially – was not actually owned by the football club. Thus, the path was set for United’s move to Wyberton. Conceived in 2013 and finally opened – albeit without crowds – midway through the 2020/2021 season, the stadium currently has three fully constructed stands. The foundations are in for the fourth, but due to fluctuating steel prices (cheers, Vladimir) the club has not yet started construction.

The bad news? The stadium is a fair way out of town, complicating things for fans who arrive by train. The good news? It’s a huge upgrade on York Street. There’s a proper club shop (that now even takes debit cards), a posh bistro restaurant that serves stuff on slate with artful swipes of sauce, new hospitality suites (with dedicated private bar) and loads of glass that is going to be a right arse for vice-chairman Neil Kempster to keep clean. Accessibility is also massively improved from York Street too, finally bringing Boston United into the 21st century.

Let’s take a closer look at the stands that are currently open:

The West Stand (also called the Acorn Taxis Stand for sponsorship purposes) | 2022/2023 admission price: £16 adults, £12 concessions, £6 u16s | Turnstiles W1 and W2 for blocks A-D, and turnstiles W3 and W4 for blocks E-H

The West Stand is the largest of the new stands at the JCS and is all-seated. The stand is split into two halves: Blocks A-D are accessed via turnstiles W1 and W2 at the south end of the site, blocks E-H are accessed via W3 and W4. There is no transfer available between the two halves of the stand once you’re inside and each half is serviced by its own dedicated concourse and snack bar.

The West Stand contains the club’s hospitality facilities. If you’ve purchased Club 85 tickets, enter the ground via the main reception entrance and give your name to the host. You will then be escorted to your table.

The basic layout of the Jakemans Community Stadium
The basic layout of the Jakemans Community Stadium

The North Stand (also unofficially known as the new Town End) | 2022/2023 admission price: £14 adults, £11 concessions, £5 u16s | Accessed via turnstiles N1-N4

After fan consultation back in 2013, this was redesigned to be the larger of the terraced stands – but only by a handful of rows. This stand has become the home of the club’s more vocal fans – the Townenders – so expect to see lots of flags. A bar/snack area is where you can get your sausage rolls. Access this stand via turnstiles N1-N4.

The East Stand | 2022/2023 admission price: £14 adults, £11 concessions, £5 u16s | Accessed via turnstiles E1 [home fans only] and E2 [away fans only]

Until the completion of the South Stand, the East Stand has been divided into two. Home fans are accommodated in the northern half of the stand, accessed via turnstile E1. Away fans are housed in the southern end of the stand, via E2. Each side has access to its own snack bar and toilets.

The South Stand [NOT OPEN]

This will be the final piece of the jigsaw, bringing with it a sports hall and community gym. And a climbing wall, apparently. The foundations are in but there’s no news on when it might actually get built.

Food and drink

Common to every stand is a concourse with toilets and a snack and drinks bar. Here you’ll find the usual football fare: burgers, chips, pies, sausage rolls – including a vegan option. You can also purchase cans of beer and cider, as well as soft drinks.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although alcohol is sold in the concourse, and technically is not banned from the stands at National League North level, the club has a strict NO ALCOHOL policy beyond the concourses. Anyone attempting to sneak a beer back to their seat is liable to be ejected by stewards.


Admission Prices and Hospitality 2022/2023

Tickets can be purchased online HERE, or from the club’s ticket office on the day, with cash or card. Your ticket will then be scanned on entry to the ground. Alternatively, you can simply play contactless on the gate. No cash is accepted on the turnstile. The ticket office is located inside the West Stand. Queries can be directed to them on 01205 364406.

Give us ya fackin’ money

West Stand Seating
Adult: £16
Concessions: £12
U16: £6

Terracing
Adult: £14
Concessions: £11
U16: £5

The club also offers a variety of family tickets. Full details are available on the club’s website here.

The club also offers its Club 85 hospitality package. This costs £45 and can be purchased online via the club’s ticketing portal. A £35 concessionary rate is available for season ticket holders. Club 85 guests get access to padded seats in the West Stand, a two-course pre-match meal, a complimentary programme and teamsheet, half-time refreshments and access to a cash bar throughout the game. Alcoholic drinks are, as in the concourses, prohibited from leaving the suite, although as the law that prohibits beer at football only kicks in at National league level or higher, you CAN happily sup your pint from behind the glass while watching the game.


Getting To The Ground

Whereas York Street was easily walkable from Boston’s train station, with a route that took you through the town centre and its assorted pubs, away fans intending to come to matchdays via the cranky old Nottingham-Skegness service now face a hefty 40 minute walk at this end along frankly hostile and pedestrian unfriendly roads.

There are, however, three options available: a shuttle bus, a taxi, or a local bus.

Shuttle bus

During the 2021 season, the club introduced a shuttle bus service operating out of the town centre. The bus starts at the Len Medlock Centre (St George’s Road PE21 8YB) at the below times, then picking up at Boots two minutes later, and the Quayside Hotel on London Road about four minutes after that. The cost is £1.50 each way.

Saturday, 3pm kickoffs:

Pre-match: 12.00pm, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm

Post-match: 5.00pm, 5.45pm

The following times apply for midweek fixtures:

Pre-match: 5.00pm, 5.45pm, 6.30pm, 7.15pm

Post-match: 9.45pm, 10.30pm

Taxis

Boston doesn’t have Uber, so you’ll need to ring one of our local firms if you want a ride to the new ground.

Acorn Taxis – 01205 358358

Abby Taxis – 01205 353333

Bryan’s Taxis – 01205 360476

Swift Taxis – 01205 311123

Star Taxis – 01205 355055

Knight’s Taxis – 01205 629917 / 07368 229027

Travel by car

The stadium is located off the A17 south of the town. Bear in mind there is NO parking available at the stadium. The carparks that exist are solely for permit holders only and you WILL be turned away. Street parking is available in the Quadrant housing development, but please be considerate and don’t block anyone in. If you’re willing to stump up £5, parking is available on site at Costa Coffee on a first come, first served basis. Tytton Lane East is also available, but again – please park considerately.

Bus

No bus service currently directly services the stadium but there are two routes which are handily placed. Both are operated by Brylaine, and both services are contactless and smartcard enabled.

K58 Boston-Kirton This is the better of the two routes as the bus will stop inside the Quadrant housing development opposite the stadium on Wallace Way. The stadium is just a couple of minutes from there – you’ll be able to see the floodlights. TIMETABLE

B13 Boston-Spalding This will drop you at the top of Tytton Lane East. The ground is approximately a ten minute walk from here. TIMETABLE

The most convenient stops in the town centre are either Bay 4 of Boston Bus Station, or outside Boots in the town centre. Next bus from Bay 4Next bus from Boots

Walking

If you REALLY want to walk to the ground, be aware it  isn’t a pleasant stroll. But, if you insist, you can at least stop at a handful of pubs along the way. The Eagle is about a thirty second walk from the station, but your next available pint will be at The Railway on London Road, probably a 25 minute walk. That’s if it’s actually open – it seems a bit hit and miss. After that, there’s the Spirit of Endeavour, followed by the ground itself. More details on pubs and eating options below.


Where to eat/drink

Let’s be honest, pre-match pints are going to be a bit harder from this season, but there are still a few options around the ground and on the way from the station.

Ellenders | Boston United’s replacement for the Pilgrim Lounge and is located at the ground in the West Stand. The modern bar has been outfitted with all kinds of vintage stuff from the old stadium and pays homage to notable moments from the club’s history.
11.30-10pm Saturdays | The Jakemans Community Stadium, Pilgrim Way, Wyberton, PE21 7NE | 01205 364406 | ellenders@bufc.co.uk

The Eagle | Castle Rock brewery pub, located close to the railway station. Popular with Boston fans travelling by train so it can get a tad cosy after games. As with all Castle Rock pubs, the beer selection is superb. The Eagle doesn’t serve food, but they don’t mind if you want to bring in your own.
11am-10pm | 144 West Street, PE21 8RE | 01205 361116 

Spirit of Endeavour | Generic Sizzling-branded family-style pub. Plenty of parking (although don’t try leaving your car there for the game).
10am-11pm on Saturdays | Marsh Lane, PE21 7QS | 01205 356678

Wyberton Social Club | Small social club located at Wyberton Park, approximately a ten minute walk from the ground at Wyberton Park.
11am-11pm | Causeway, Wyberton, PE21 7BS | Phone: 01205 353525

If you fancy a pre or post-match bite in town, here are a few suggestions….

Church Keys Wine Bar & Restaurant | Popular spot for light bites.
28-30 Church Street, Boston, PE21 6NW | 01205 837030

Los Burritos | Mexican located in the old (and much-missed) Axe and Cleaver pub.
12.30-11pm on Saturdays | 16 West St, Boston PE21 8QH | 01205 837100

White Hart | Upmarket hotel restaurant/bar if you fancy something a bit posher. Booking recommended.
1-5 High Street, Boston, PE21 8SH (PE21 8QD if arriving by sat-nav) | 01205 311900

Around the ground

If you’ve left it too late, there are a number of eating options around the ground: Burger King, Papa Johns, Greggs, Costa and Starbucks all have outlets immediately adjacent to the stadium.


Programme and Fanzines

Boston United’s official programme is called The Pilgrim and is available from various sellers in and around the stadium. Price £3.

Boston’s only active print fanzine is called Don’t Look Back In Amber and is available via mail order. Follow them on Twitter HERE for more information.

Information about Boston’s history of now defunct ‘zines is available in the Fanzines tab at the top of the site.


Where to stay

Boston is not blessed with many hotels, but frankly, once you’ve noticed there’s a Travelodge directly opposite the ground offering reasonable rates, it doesn’t really matter. In the frankly ludicrous situation that the Travelodge has sold out, or has suffered a burst water main, the White Hart in town offers more upmarket digs. A Premier Inn on the other side of town also provides an alternative, but it’s a bit of a trek to the ground.

Travelodge Boston | Generic hotel directly opposite the stadium. No restaurant or bar, but there are a selection of fast food outlets nearby (Burger King, Starbucks, Greggs, Papa Johns – you get the idea)

The White Hart | Slightly posher hotel located in the centre of Boston, and handily placed if you’re a Wetherspoons fan. Operates an upmarket bistro style restaurant and a bar.

Premier Inn | Bog standard Premier Inn attached to The Burton House – a Brewers Fayre type restaurant that specialises in microwave meals. Really not convenient for the ground. Or anything, for that matter, except for the hospital.


What to do

Course, it might be that you want to pop to Boston and make a weekend of it, in which case there’s plenty to do. Boston is an underrated gem and while, yes, while certain parts need a bit of TLC and a good scrub in places (just pretend the Assembly Rooms aren’t there) there is history about the place. The tidal river that snakes through the town centre is also a clue that Boston is actually very close to the coast, which means you’re only minutes away from some fresh sea air. Kind of. Let’s see what’s about…

Tall, innit?

Climb a tall building! The Stump. You can’t miss it. Looming over the town like some kind of medieval Empire State Building, St Botolphs church is a simply astonishing sight from anywhere around Boston and frankly from anywhere within a ten mile radius. It’s as impressive inside as out, so be sure to catch one of the guided tours or, if you’re not averse to climbing lots of stairs in a narrow stone funnel, you can climb halfway up for some spectacular views of the town. Don’t chuck anything off. I lobbed a ten pence piece into the river from it when I was 11 and got the biggest bollocking ever. (Tues-Fri only, 9am-2pm) | Website

Visit a windmill! If the Stump looks like too much of a climb for you, you could give the Maud Foster Mill a go instead. This grade 1 listed building, built in 1819, is one of the largest working mills in the country and a rare example of a five sail windmill. There’s even an adjacent holiday let if you fancied staying the night and aren’t intolerant to gluten. 16 Willoughby Rd, PE21 9EG | Website

Stroll to the sea! Believe it or not, if you stick on your walking boots and know where to go, you actually can walk along the Haven river bank to where the river meets the sea (well, The Wash). A faster and less muddy option might be to instead drive out to have a look at the Pilgrim Memorial – a modest stone statue commemorating the sailing of the Pilgrims to the USA located just next to Havenside Countryside Park on the sea bank. Marvel at the sights of massive ships sailing into Boston as you think, “I forgot Boston was a port town”. Or, if the tide’s out, be amazed anyone would attempt sailing a ship up there in the first place.

Admire some remarkable civil engineering! And that’s the thing with the bloody sea. The tide isn’t always out, is it? When when it comes swooshing up the Haven with the wind behind it, well – that’s a bit of an issue. That’s why one of the largest flood barriers outside of London was constructed further down the river towards the docks to stop Boston experiencing ever-more-frequent catastrophic tidal flooding, what with all that climate change and that. The £100m Boston Barrier is probably the largest and most impressive piece of civil engineering constructed in the town since someone got jealous at Louth having a slightly bigger church than us in 1309.


Spotted an error? Restaurant closed? Or perhaps you have a killer recommendation you’d like to see added here? Contact ToD via Twitter or email at contact@trailofdebt.com and let us know!

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