Championship Clubs ready for a North invasion

May 31 2009 by Ben Kenyon, Sunday Sun

OUR footballing heroes on Teesside and Tyneside are gearing up for a new set of opponents next season. . . and here are the 22 grounds set to be invaded. Ben Kenyon provides a guide to next season’s rivals.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Stadium: Bramhall Lane

Nickname: The Blades

Average attendance: 26,037

Mascot: Captain Blade

Favourite chant: The Greasy Chip Butty Song, to the tune of Singing of the Blues

Fanzine: clubfanzine.com

Biggest honour: FA Cup Winners: 1899, 1902, 1915, 1925

Is it far? 130 miles away, but a comfortable 2hr direct train journey or 2hr 20min drive

Verdict: Narrowly missed out on promotion last season, the stadium’s in decent nick and it’s a pain free journey

3 pies

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Stadium: The Hawthorns

Nickname: The Baggies

Average attendance: 28,428

Mascot: Baggie Bird

Favourite chant: Go West...Bromwich Albion, to the tune of the Pet Shop Boys song of the same name

Fanzine: Albion

Biggest honour: FA Cup Winners: 1888, 1892, 1931, 1954, 1968

Is it far? A hefty 213 miles away but a direct train to Birmingham New Street takes 3hr 10mins

Verdict: The Hawthorns is a familiar stadium to our North lads, as the Baggies were also relegated last season

3 pies

READING

Stadium: Madejski Stadium

Nickname: The Royals/The Biscuitmen

Average attendance: 19,940

Mascot: Kingsley the Lion

Favourite chant: “Come on you Royals!”

Fanzine: Hob Nob Anyone?

Biggest honour: Simod Cup winners: 1988

Is it far? Miles, 306 miles to be exact, but there are direct trains that take around 5 hours

Verdict: A hit & miss team with a decent stadium, but it’s one hell of a journey

3 pies

PRESTON NORTH END

Stadium: Deepdale

Nickname: The Lilywhites

Average attendance: 13,692

Mascot: The Deepdale Duck

Favourite chant: Anything anti-southern

Fanzine: Deepdale Invincible

Biggest honour: FA Cup: Winners: 1889, 1938

Is it far? 132 miles – train, change at Carlisle – 2hr 50mins

Verdict: Deepdale has an impressive interior.

3 pies

CARDIFF CITY

Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium

Nickname: The Bluebirds

Average attendance: 18,043

Mascot: Bartley the Bluebird

Favourite chant: I’ll be there, I’ll be there, with my little pick and shovel, I’ll be there

Fanzine: clubfanzine.com

Biggest honour: FA Cup Winners 1927

Is it far? 316 miles - flight to Cardiff with Flybe – 1hr

Verdict: One hell of a journey but it’s worth it. A stadium worthy of North guests.

3 pies

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SWANSEA CITY

Stadium: Liberty Stadium

Nickname: The Swans

Average attendance: 15,186

Mascot: Cyril the Swan

Favourite chant: To the tune of ‘Cheer up Sleepy Jean’, Cheer Up David Jones, with plenty of anti-Cardiff lyrics

Fanzine: Jacklife.co.uk

Biggest honour: League One Champions 2007-2008

How to get there: 351 miles – flight to Cardiff with Flybe – 1hr

Verdict: Returned to the Championship last year and climbing high, boosted by an impressive stadium.

3 pies

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IPSWICH TOWN

Stadium: Portman Road

Nickname: The Tractor Boys

Average attendance: 20,960

Mascot: Tractor Boy

Favourite chant: Ipswich Town FC, to the tune of the traditional Irish song Wild Rover

Fanzine: Those Were The Days (TWTD)

Biggest honour: UEFA Cup winners 1980-1981 (with Bobby Robson)

Is it far? 282 miles - train, change at Peterborough - 4hr 30mins

Verdict: Sir Bobby’s boys of old should make us feel welcome. In theory.

3 pies