Ian Cartwright's away guide to Bristol Rovers

Monday night away games - oh, how I had forgotten those, yet now places such as Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City come flooding back to me.

Charlton play Bristol Rovers on Monday night

It is another B that sees us back on live-on-Sky Monday night duty in the form of Bristol Rovers, and although without a doubt there are many people that will have seen us face the Gas away from home, this will have either been at their former homes of Eastville, scene of an epic 5-5 draw, or Twerton Park in Bath, particularly the final-day encounter in 1992 which will also go down in Addicks folklore for years to come.

This time around, we face Rovers at their now seemingly permanent home, The Memorial Stadium, which they have now fully acquired from Bristol Rugby Club (you can guess where this is going!).

Rovers have had more than a few ups and downs over the years where grounds are concerned, so it is good that they have managed to seemingly finally lay down some roots, but this is far from the standard out-of-town stadium next to a motorway/only one road.

We have been allocated 800 terrace and 1,000 seats, and these are on general sale, although the match is all-ticket.

Standing places in the uncovered terrace are priced £15 adults and £8 over 65s, students (with valid NUS card), and £1 U16s, while seats in the covered Beck's South Stand are priced £17.50 adults and £9.50 over 65s, students (with valid NUS card), and £1 U16s.

There are 10 ambulant disabled places, priced £8 (including a free helper), and three wheelchair spaces, also priced £8 (including a free helper).All tickets are available to personal callers or by calling 0871 226 1905.

Any supporters requesting a refund due to the change of date following Sky's decision to select the game for television should visit the Valley commercial centre in person or call the above number, and if you paid by credit card, you will need to have the same card to hand to have the refund credited to your account - no cash refunds available.

OK, let's cut to the chase - this is a converted rugby ground, and with all due respect to fans of the oval ball game, was not built to accommodate a Football League side. Rovers have made strenuous efforts to get things up to speed and are to be applauded in doing so. But...

The stands have a 'bitty' feel about them, but this does give the place a bit of unique character as a consequence. Our accommodation is the reverse of what we experienced at Swindon Town, with the covered area behind the goal, and the area exposed to the elements - and believe me, it is - along the side. The price aside, this therefore again throws up the decision of whether to go for view over potential soaking, or vice versa.

Although we all enter via the same turnstiles, one turns right for the terrace or carries straight on for the seats, although they are, in effect, on opposite sides of the ground. The terrace is in a corner, next to the quite bizarre edifice that is the Uplands Stand, the view being better the nearer to the floodlight you are. The view overall is better than the home Blackthorn End, because although the latter is covered, it boasts an array of pillars.

While the main DAS Stand looks more like it should be at a cricket ground, the Beck's Stand, which we presume is a sponsorship job instead of an homage to England's most-capped outfield player, is of the temporary golf variety and runs half the width of the pitch - Brighton with a roof if you like, or, casting our minds back further, does anyone remember the thing in the last game at Burnden Park, also a night game live on TV, back in 1997? It's a bigger version.

There are pillars at the front that will get in at least a bit of the way wherever you are, and unfortunately temporary stand equals temporary toilets.

I seriously doubt that the rugby crowd habit of being able to take a beer anywhere in the ground comes into practice, and I am not sure whether or not you will be able to purchase alcohol inside the ground, but I do know that the pasties are most agreeable and filling, which is a feat in itself.

Around the ground, there are quite a few eateries, particularly along the A38, Gloucester Road, which is only a stone's throw away. This is also the best place to find a few pubs - indeed, there is the potential for a little crawl - the Victoria is fine, as is The Wellington.

This is quite a student-oriented part of town so there are normally bargains to be had - I am not normally a cider drinker but if you are going to adopt the 'when in Rome' maxim, then this is as good a place as any! The one to give a miss is the John Cabot - every club has them, if you know what I mean.

The nearest train station is Bristol Parkway, about 2/3 miles away, from where you can either take a 78 bus or a taxi to the ground.

If driving, it's not that bad, although beware the rush-hour traffic throughout the journey. Whatever route you choose to get to it, take the M4 westbound and exit at Junction 19 to join the M32. Exit at junction 2 and take the third exit signposted Horfield and Southmead, following the road through a division and roundabout, then you will find yourself on Muller Road. Continue for a mile and a half until a set of traffic lights - turn left into Filton Road and you cannot miss it.

Only street parking is available, but there are lots of places on and off both Muller Road and Gloucester Road (A38), though it is well worth checking the lampposts first.