Sometime in the nineteenth century Friedrich Engels described Huddersfield as… “the handsomest by far of all the factory towns of Yorkshire and Lancashire”, and train travellers arriving at the splendid station can ponder this assertion from the sepia walled comfort of the “Head Of Steam” overlooking St.Georges Square.

Proper pubs at railway stations, I’m sure Freddy would have approved, but he might have been horrified that some of the best bars in town, have since been coerced into becoming commercialised chain pubs.

The worst example of this is “Ricky’s” American diner on Leeds Road, formerly the Waggon and Horses. There’s nothing overly wrong with it, and although it’s still convenient for the ground (despite it moving ½ a mile away) it’s a shame that one of the best pre-match pubs in the country has succumbed to chrome beer pumps and red pool tables.

The centre of ‘Udds is similarly infested between the station and top of Leeds Road en-route to the Stade De Galpharm (or whatever it’s called this week). Spookily there is an Old Court House, Varsity, and Chicago Rock Café.

Weatherspoons is on John William St. 150 yards from the Station going towards the ground, although you could be forgiven for walking straight past as it’s situated in “Pearl Assurance House”.

The Crescent is a refreshingly normal pub on Northumberland St. also en-route from the town to the stadium, expect plenty of banter from the locals in here if you have colours on, although it’s mostly good-natured.

Adjacent to the ground there is the Gas Works social club on Gas Works Way, a little side road about 5 minutes walk from the ground on the town side. This place is geared up for family drinkers with prompt service (draught Grolsch) and plenty of room for the kids to go and annoy someone else. Last year there was an indoor football match between young Saddlers and their hosts. Colours welcome and the usual moderate door charge.

The nearest bar to the ground is The Rope Walk (opposite end to away end). It’s a typical Spirit Group ”two for one bar” where you can stuff your face before going to the multi-screen, Matalan or even the football.

On a match day they can be picky about colours, although in my experience they will let you in so long as you can present an expletive free resume of Engels and the oppression of the mill workers whilst zipping a large coat up to your eyeballs.

Once inside it’s pricey for drinks (making up for the two for one food), but to be fair they have Sky Sports, as well as a broad selection of beer to ogle as the pre-match/shopping/film excitement builds to a frenzy.

Then…. would you believe….you can get a drink in the ground!! Although bizarrely this involves queuing in the open air, which was hours of fun for all the family in last year’s Stockport-esque tropical storm. Unfortunately the game went ahead.