Visit Swansea's new ground, sunday

Except for the hardy 70 fans that visited the Liberty stadia for the LDV game few saddlers will know what to expect. I have put together an insight in what to expect from the new ground.

Swansea City
Ground Name: Liberty Stadium
Capacity: 20,500 (all seated)
Address: Morfa, Swansea, SA1 2FA
Main Telephone No: 01792-616-600
Fax No: 01792-616-606
Ticket Office: 08700-400-004
Team Nickname: The Swans or Jacks
Year Ground Opened: 2005
Pitch Size: 105 X 68 Metres
Home Kit Colours: White & Black
Away Kit Colours: Black With White Trim
Kit Manufacturers: Macron
Shirt Sponsors: TravelHouse.co.uk
After spending 93 years at their former Vetch Field home, Swansea have moved into the 21st Century, with a new stadium near to the former site of the Morfa Athletics Stadium on the West side of the River Tawe. The stadium was christened White Rock by the Swansea residents, but is now called the Liberty Stadium under a five year corporate sponsorship deal.

Built by Interserve for a cost of around £27m, the stadium saw its first game in July 2005. Although fairly conservative in its design, the stadium is still impressive. It is completely enclosed with all four corners filled with seating. Each of the four stands is two tiered and three are of the same height. The West Stand at one side of the pitch is slightly taller, having a row of 28 corporate hospitality boxes, situated above the upper tier. The Club's offices are also located behind this stand. An unusual feature is the great use of transparent roofing towards the South End of the stadium. This allows more natural light into this area, making for an interesting effect. Both ends have an electric scoreboard situated on the front of their roofs, although for some reason the scoreboard at the North End is larger than the one at the South End.

Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium, where (if demand requires it) up to 3,500 fans can be accommodated. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, complete with television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by black netting spread over a block of seats to either side of the away section, with a line of stewards also in attendance. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium. The catering facilities offer the delicious 'Football's Famous Chicken Balti Pie', pasties (£1.80), cheeseburgers (£2.30) and hot dogs, plus beer is also available. Please note though that the stadium is a completely non-smoking one, even on the concourses smoking is not allowed.

The ground is by a retail park which provides some car parking as well as the usual KFC and fast food outlets also I am informed that a local chippy is worth a visit.


North Stand: Adults £13, OAP's £10, Under 16's £7.

Programme Price Official Programme £3.

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