BRAINTREE TOWN - Wednesday 1st January 2025 kick-off 5.30pm

DoDTS · Dec 4, 2024

BRAINTREE TOWN - Wednesday 1st January 2025 - 5.300pm Kick-off

Cressing Road Stadium
Capacity: 4,222 (553 seats)
Address: Braintree, Essex CM7 8DE
Pitch Size: 111 x 72 yards
Pitch Type: Grass
Club Nickname: The Iron
Year Ground Opened: 2023
Home Kit: Orange, White and Blue

Average attendances:

2024-25 (so far) 967 (only side in the National League to average less then 1,000)
2023-24 769 (National League South)
2022-23 631 (National League South)
2021-22 519 (National League South)

Record Attendance

4,000 v Barking - Essex Senior Cup 1936
4,000 v Tottenham -Friendly 1952

Details shown are from the Footballgroundguide site:

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR VISITING SUPPORTERS?

If segregation is in force, then away fans are housed in the Quag End (pronounced ‘Kwog’. This is short for Quagmire – a boggy mud heap, which is exactly what this end was in the mid-1980s before it was concreted over. Braintree’s loyal fans would stubbornly stand at this end with their banners and air horns no matter how muddy the conditions). This terrace was redeveloped in 2012 with a new larger terrace, that has a capacity of 1,408. However, whereas the old terrace was covered, the new one was open to the elements. Nowadays there is an eleven-step metal terrace in place at this end, and some additional terracing runs from the away turnstile and around the corner towards the larger terrace. To the left of the away turnstiles is the main stand, with the last block of seats reserved for away supporters. For larger away followings the segregated area can be continued around to the far side and possibly include half of the covered Cressing Road terrace up as far as the dugouts. This section has also been opened in the past to away supporters during inclement weather, although the vast majority of National League fixtures each season are unsegregated. There is a burger wagon in the away end, although it is only open when segregation is in place. There is also a toilet block which is much better than the primitive facilities in the home section. The away turnstiles are tucked out of sight. Take the footpath to the right of the ground that runs alongside the training pitch. The entrance is at the far end.

WHAT IS THE STADIUM LIKE?

The Ironmongery Direct Stadium or Cressing Road Ground as it is more well known, has an imposing Main Stand on one side. This has 553 seats and runs for around half the length of the pitch, straddling the halfway line and has open portions of terracing to either side. It does though have several supporting pillars running along its front. It also has a large television gantry situated on top of its roof. Opposite is the Cressing Road Terrace. In a former life, the framework for this stand was the old Main Stand at Bedworth United. This pitch-roofed covered terrace has the dugouts located in front. A total of 1,130 can be catered for on this side, with 755 of them under the cover.

Both ends are uncovered and the Clubhouse End (capacity 1,131), is split into two blocks of terracing with a gap in the middle that leads to the bar, main exit and an excellent supporters club shop (an Aladdin’s Cave of programmes, badges, books, cards, sundry old shirts for a fiver, scarves and ephemera). The concrete terrace behind the goal is the older one and the newer metal one next to it was added after promotion to the Conference in 2011. The ground has a set of eight old-school lattice floodlight pylons, four of which are situated behind each of the stands at the sides of the pitch. They are the original set, provided by Christy Brothers Limited in 1967, and sadly a rarity in the modern age. The pylons are set back from the pitch as there was originally a county standard running track at the ground. If standing on the top terrace at the away end and turning around you can still make out the sweep of the old running track as the outer perimeter fence still follows the path of the former curved terracing. There is a second souvenir shop in the home area, by the corner flag on the main stand side. That one sells mostly shirts, training tops, tee-shirts etc but also scarves and other souvenirs.

The blue and orange main gates at the club were originally at the Crittall Factory in Coggeshall Road (Braintree Town were originally the works team of Crittall Windows and known as Crittall Athletic until 1968, and Braintree & Crittall Athletic until 1981). Just inside those gates, and a little to the left is an old ornate turnstile bolted to the ground. For a while, this was in use at the ground after being obtained from Stowmarket Town in the 1980s but it has a far grander history and was originally at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road ground in the 1930s and possibly much earlier.

In October 2019 the Club had painted a mural on the large water tank between the away turnstiles and the Main Stand, of the late Keith Flint, the iconic Prodigy frontman. The band were synonymous with Braintree and formed in the town in the 1990s.

WHERE TO DRINK?

The Orange Tree – Cressing Road, CM7 3PH
Picture Palace – Fairfield Road, CM7 3HA
Nags Head – 8 Market Place, CM7 3HG
The Swan – 31 Bank Street, CM7 1UL
The White Hart – Bocking End, CM7 9AB
Horse & Groom – 20 Rayne Road, CM7 2QA
Boars Head – 85-87 High Street, CM7 1JS

DIRECTIONS AND CAR PARKING

Leave the M11 at junction 8 and take the A120 towards Colchester. Follow the A120 for 16 miles until you reach the ‘Galley’s Corner’ roundabout (with McDonalds on your right). It is the first roundabout after the M11 and you will know when you are near it because you will get stuck in a lengthy tailback! Take the first exit into Cressing Road. After three-quarters of a mile turn left into Clockhouse Way (signposted Braintree Town FC, and Braintree Tennis Club) and then first left again for the ground.

Car Parking
There is a small car park at the ground which costs £2 but closes on police advice 30 minutes before the match. No ‘car park full’ signs are placed out on the road, and it can be difficult to turn around as kick-off time approaches if you are turned away. Considerate street parking is a good option, and there is plenty of it available particularly along Stubbs Lane (the last turning on the left along Cressing Road before the ground is reached).

BY TRAIN

Braintree Railway Station is situated just under a mile away from the Cressing Road Ground. It is served by trains from London Liverpool Street. Exit the station and turn right along the Station Approach. Cross Rose Hill at the pedestrian crossing into Railway Street. Turn right at the traffic lights into the wondrously named Trinovantian Way. This becomes Manor Street and then Lakes Road. After the ‘Sportsmans’ Snooker Club turned left into Chapel Hill. At the triangular junction turn right into Clockhouse Way. Turn left at the bend at the end of the road and then the entrance to the ground is on the right. There is a distinct lack of signage in the area. It takes around 20 minutes to walk from most parts of the town centre.

Please note that Braintree has two train stations. Braintree Freeport may technically be a little bit closer and is ideal for the huge shopping centre and cinema complex but is not ideal for the football club unless you know where you are going. The shortest route to the ground is via a hidden footpath that has confused many a visitor. The walk from Braintree station in the town centre is a little longer but has more food and drink options, people to ask if you are unsure where to go, and also taxis!

TRAINS ARE RUNNING ON NEW YEARS DAY

14.23 Southend Vic 14.56 Shenfield, then Shenfield 15.01 Witham 15.19 and finally Witham 15.25 Braintree 15.42
19.57 Braintree 20.14 Witham, then 20.19 Witham 20.39 Shenfield, finally 20.48 Shenfield 21.22 Southend Vic

£26.10 with a Super Off-Peak Day Return

Other trains are available generally same times every hour

BY COACH

We are extremely lucky two have two different independent coach services to away games,

BLUES ON TOUR
details will be posted when available

SHRIMPERS TRUST
Members £15.00 Non Members £20.00