Ian Cartwright's away guide to Birmingham

Following on from the beauty of travelling to Plymouth Argyle, I'm sure that even the residents of the second city would concur that we find ourselves visiting the slightly less aesthetically pleasing venue of Birmingham to complete the duo of away fixtures that the fixture schedule has thrown up.

Charlton travel to St Andrews on Saturday

Tickets are on general sale and were actually reduced in price by the Blues not long after they went on sale - they are now priced £15 adults, £7 over 65s and U16s, and £5 U12s, and the Addicks have received an initial allocation of around 1,500 places.

There are six wheelchair spaces, which are priced £15 (including a free helper). In addition, Birmingham have informed the club that any supporter who is in possession of a concession ticket may be required to prove their age at the turnstiles.

If this cannot be provided, and Birmingham feel that someone should have paid for an adult ticket, they reserve the right to refuse admission, so if you are in possession of an U16s ticket, it is probably best not to grow a beard or anything prior to the match.

St Andrews, like Home Park, has been radically redeveloped on three sides over the last few years, the new stand along the side and behind the goal is effectively just that - one large two-sided stand.

We are situated in the Railway Stand's lower tier behind the goal, with Birmingham fans above us, although that has not been a problem in recent years.

The view is very good, although you do have to strain your neck a little in some parts when there is a corner on the opposite side. The leg-room is fine and the climb not too bad.

The concourses are spacious, if a little exposed to the elements in places, and as you enter the ground you walk along a fenced area with the Birmingham fans entering on the other side.

Our last couple of visits to St Andrews have not been too bad, but Birmingham fans do have a reputation for being a little passionate at times and can be quite intimidating if you don't expect it. It's wise not to display colours in the city centre - stickers etc should also be removed from cars.

You can get a beer inside the ground, which was OK last time as I recall. As I have said, some Blues fans' reputations go before them, so pubs within close proximity of the ground should be kept well off the radar.

The best one within walking distance is probably The Cricketers Arms - walk away from the away end and the ground towards Morrisons then cut through the car park there towards the store before joining the road adjacent, and the pub is on your left.

There are plenty in the city centre, from unique establishments to all of the usual chains, but it is best to err on the side of caution and again keep your colours in the bag until you are firmly ensconced in the ground.

If you are driving, leave the M6 at Junction 6 and take the A38 (M) (known locally as the Aston Expressway) for Birmingham city centre. Continue past the first turn off (Aston, Waterlinks) and then take the next turn off, for the Inner Ring Road.

Turn left at the island at the top of the slip road and take the Ring Road East, signposted Coventry/Stratford. Continue along the ring road for two miles, crossing straight across three islands. At the fourth island (there is a large McDonald's on the far left-hand corner) turn left towards Small Heath.

Birmingham City's ground is about a quarter of a mile up this road on your left. The ground is well signposted on the Inner Ring Road.

There is a small car park directly outside the entrance to the away end, but availability of space for cars is determined by how many away coaches are expected because they park in the same car park, which may mean for certain games that there is no space available for cars at all.

There is plenty of street parking off the left-hand side of the ring road, however. Either around the small park at the third island you cross or along the road next to and behind the BP garage before the fourth island.

Bear in mind that if you arrive after 1.30pm these areas are likely to be already full. There are some local schools and businesses that offer parking facilities for around £4-5.

As I have said, in recent times there have been no problems at St Andrews and the club has made a concerted effort to ensure that this remains the case. Having said that, giving it the large - so to speak - is probably not advisable!