BURY FOOTBALL CLUB - DIRECTIONS:

BY CAR: All Directions: Exit M60 at junction 17 (s/p A56 Whitefield, Salford). At roundabout follow signs to `Whitfield A56, Radcliffe (A665), Bury A56' onto the A56. After 0.3 miles go straight over double traffic lights passing McDonalds on LHS (s/p Bury A56, Radcliffe A665). At lights after 0.8 miles (just after the `Bull's Head' pub) bear right (s/p Bury A56). Straight on at lights after 1.0 miles (s/p Town Centre). After 1.0 miles turn right (s/p Football Ground) into Gigg Lane. Ground is on RHS after 0.1 miles.

FROM METROLINK STATION (Bury): 0.7 miles to ground. Trams run from Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly. By taxi: £1.50. By bus: Nos. 90, 92, 134, 135 and 137 run every ten minutes down Manchester Road past the end of Gigg Lane. By foot: This route takes in a couple of the pubs listed below. Turn left out of station along covered passageway and past various bus-stops. At T-junction with Haymarket Street (by the Chicago Rock Cafe) turn left. Straight over crossroads, down Knowsley Street. This comes out opposite `Sergios' and a white monument. Here, turn left along the Manchester Road, towards the `Staff of Life'. Turn left after about 0.5 miles into Gigg Lane. Last Midweek Trains: The Metrolink has a frequent service to both Manchester mainline stations. Please double-check on Metrolink (0161) 205 2000, and Rail Enquiries on (0345) 484 950.

PARKING: Much of Gigg Lane itself is coned off, but the side streets are not, and there's a good deal of space. The police will advise on parking on you arrival for mini-buses at Gigg Lane.

THE STADIUM: The Cemetery End has been converted into an all-seater stand. Visiting fans are housed in the Cemetery End. It's covered and provides excellent views of the action

TOTAL CAPACITY: 11,601.

FOR AWAY FANS: Seating 2,100 Cemetery End (East Stand). Turnstiles 1,2 & 3 for Cash on the day, 4, 5 & 6 for supporters with tickets. Cost: Click here for ticket details

DISABLED FACILITIES: Bury FC's disabled supporters have a sponsored mini-bus, only missing away games when the host club has no facilities for them. It comes as no surprise therefore, that facilities at Gigg Lane are very good. For away fans, there's room for 6 wheelchairs and helpers in the Manchester Road Stand. Disabled Toilet: In South Stand and Starkies Restaurant. Cost: Free for disabled and helper. Booking: In advance (48 hours) via the away club ticket office. Parking: Available, please book. For the Blind: 12 seats in the Main Stand family section have headphones for hospital radio commentary. No entry fee.

PROGRAMME (The Gigg Issue): £2.50. 68 Pages

FOOD AND DRINK: Pies in the Stadium are expensive, that's what you get when you give somebody a franchise. But having said that, the Chicken Balti Pies are worth the expense, a full range of the usual football fayre is available to all at a more than modest price. If you plan on eating out of the stadium, then Malc's Burger van on Gigg Lane, before you enter the ground, is well worth a visit. Make sure you go for the 'Cheese Burger with everything in' - it's an absolute delight and well worth parting with three English pounds for it.

EAT, DRINK & MISC: Bury Social Club welcomes visiting fans both before and after the match as long as it's not too busy, charging £1 for non-members. There's a bar serving food, a large-screen TV and a separate children's area. The easiest pubs to find are along the A56 Manchester Road or the roads turning off it:

The Staff of Life - 111-113 Manchester Road (0161) 764 6246 Tetleys (with JW Lees bitter). The closest pub to the ground, and most hospitable it is too. Public and lounge bars, and separate pool room. Darts, 2 TVs. Sandwiches and pies if away fans have travelled a long way. Children welcome in the lounge. Open: all day. B&B for £15.

The Pack Horse Hotel - 201 Manchester Road (0161) 761 5635 Whitbread. A newly-refurbished sports-mad pub with a big-screen TV, pool table, and separate room with darts and pub games. Beer garden. The landlord organises football quizzes and provides huge home-made sandwiches. Families welcome. Open: all day.

The Swan & Cemetary: Manchester Road. Caters for all tastes, superb family meals. Very friendly to away supporters and highly recommended. Large car park and spacious interior. This pub is situated past the ground (if you are coming from the town center) approx 300 yards past Gigg Lane. Open all day from 1200

The Blue Bell - Manchester Road. Joseph Holts (Manchester Independent Brewery). Large pub, catering for all tastes with a quiet lounge and a separate room with the jukebox, darts, cards and dominoes. Open: all day from 12.

The only takeaway within easy striking distance of Gigg Lane is `Mings Dynasty Chinese Takeaway (See directions for Jolly Waggoners)in Manchester Old Road. The `Blue Sky Fishbar'/Chinese takeaway on Redvales Road doesn't open until 5 pm. Otherwise, it's a good idea to stop off at one of the many takeaways along the A56. They include a McDonalds, `Antonio's' (which has pizzas, kebabs and chicken), the attractive bistro-style `Peppe's Pizzeria', a `Prime Pizza', and the `Tong Feng' Chinese takeaway. Supporters looking for a sit-down meal before an evening game could try the `EstEstEst' Trattoria (2.2 miles from the M60). It's a large lively modern-style Italian restaurant, where children have fun choosing toppings for their pizzas. Large parties should book on (0161) 766 4869.

It's only a few minutes' walk from Gigg Lane to the town centre. Near the Metrolink is a Pizza Hut, a Burger King and a wonderful traditional fish-and-chip restaurant/takeaway called `The Cornmarket' on Haymarket Street, which also has a children's menu. Just round the corner in Market Street is the `Spice Hut' which opens at 5 pm - the `very hot' vindaloo sounds a challenge (from £2.90). Opposite is the recommended Met Theatre Bar.

What you can expect: Friendly banter and a good afternoon in Bury. All us Bury fans expect to win of course, we expect to win every game and in previous seasons its been no surprise to see the message board full of abuse and upset fans after we've been soundly stuffed. There's a real air of expepectancy at Gigg Lane this season. Alan Knill has assembled a small but packed with quality squad that will entertain. Andy Parrish should receive a good welcome back to Gigg Lane and his 'legendary step over' will be a pleasure to view again. Watch out for his dad as well, top bloke who will chat to anybody. He's a typical footballers dad, immensely proud of Andy and that's plainly obvious, but Dave is as down to earth as they come and a real pleasure to know. The Michael Twiss is he coming or not coming saga (mostly from the Morecambe end by the way) will add a little spice to the day, but we do expect the three points.