Getafe: the city

Getafe is not quite what you would expect. Of course, I don't know exactly what you expect so that big statement might be complete tosh. Still, it wasn't what I expected so that's why I said it.

Off you trot to the suburbs of Madrid expecting to find a real corner of Spain, where the locals hang out and live a spanish life in a traditional spanish neighbourhood doing.. well, doing what the spanish do.

So when you walk into the posh, gentrified, modern, high street of Getafe it's a bit of a shock.

Rush hour Getafe style: The centre

This is one new, fairly high end part of town. Most definitely where the upwardly mobiles of Spanish society like living before hopping on their commuter train to Madrid to work.

The main Getafe town centre is pleasant enough. Fairly modern, all pedestrianised with a clean and friendly character. Just not a lot of character I guess.

Of course, I'm risking it a bit simply by putting Getafe under Madrid. It's a city in its own right. Athough it has ancient roots, Getafe was a small town of 12,000 people as recently as 1950. Then the developers moved in, and by 1977 the population was 125,000 as new neighbourhoods were added.

Water sight: A fountain on every corner in Getafe Norte.

This includes the 1990s creation Getafe Norte where the stadium is based. Expect to find wide tree-lined boulevards, stunning fountains at every roundabout (don't they have a water shortage in Spain?) and two-storey semi detached homes you'd expect to find in Milton Keynes.

Still, unlike MK, the sun shines most days. So it's a pleasant depature from the busy hubbub of central Madrid, if not a place that's going to register on your radar for long.

Yep, honest, it is Spain: The British export terraced homes and roundabouts to Getafe.

Who are yer: Getafe CF

Getafe CF may not be big, it may not have tradition - but it has money. Bucketloads of it.

In 2011 it was bought by the Royal Emirates Group of Dubai, meaning the flow of money into the club will continue.
The initial club was formed in 1946 with highlights being a spell in the Second Division before heading downhill, and into liquidation. in 1982.

But a merger of two other clubs saw the name rise from the ashes. Starting in the regional leagues the club enjoyed a Wimbledon-esqure rise through the divisions, reached La Liga in 2004.

They have established themselves as a La Liga regular, made it to two Copa del Rey finals and enjoyed a chirpy run to the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup.

Where do you come from? Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez

The Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez is smart, new, and, like Chubby Brown, very blue.

Opened to the good people of Getafe in 1998, the 18,000 seater bowler has one main stand and is almost entirely open, save for the back tier of the main stand nearest the street.

Funky floodlights: Always a good sign!

It's a very open feeling ground, with each end curving back to the centres. That leaves ample room to admire the four floodlights, standing proud and bowing in over the corners of the pitch on each corner.

Its two tier all the way round, with a symmetrical and neat feel to it.

A look inside: One  end of Getafe stadium.

The stadium is bordered at the back by a major road so access is only possible from one side, by the main car park.

We're on our way: Getting to the ground

You can reach Getafe from Madrid on the metro, but it's a fair hike - put it this way, it's barely on most of the metro maps in the centre of Madrid. If you do, get the blue Line 10 from Tribunal or Plaza de Espana all the way to Puerta del Sur, the end of the line. Then it's on to the southern Madrid metro, and eight stops round to the stadium at Los Espertales.

However, note the journey from Puerta del Sur is just outside the metrolpolitan area covered by most Madrid public transport tickets, so you'll probably have to buy a new ticket when you change lines.

So I'd recommend hopping on a suburban train from Madrid Atocha or Principe Pio.

Yep, modern stuff: Getafe Centrale station.

The local suburban services are frequent (usually up to half a dozen an hour) and speedy and you'll be in Getafe in 20 minutes. You can either go into Getafe Centrale, then it's three stops on the metro to Los Espartales (note, as above, you have to buy a new metro ticket as it's some sort of supplementary metro system or something like that).  You can walk to the stadium from Getafe Centrale, we did, but it's a good half hour walk and there's not exactly tonnes of places to see or stop off at.

Alternatively, with less faffing for extra tickets, you can get off the train from central Madrid one stop earlier than Getafe Centrale, at Margaritas Universidad, and from there the stadium is a half a mile walk. Exit the station and go straight ahead along Calle Santo Domingo de la Calada. Turn left at the big roundabout at the end, then right at the next roundabout. At Los Espartales metro turn left through the neighbourhood and you're there.

If you arrive at Los Espartales, head through the new apartments, in the opposite direction from the main road, and the stadium is all of 400 yards  through.

Los and found: Los Espartales metro. And no, it's not a matchday. Cheeky.

Bagging a seat: Buying a ticket

Buying through the club online is tricky. And through some ticket agencies they can be pricey - Getafe is known as one of the more expensive places to watch you football in Spain.

But frankly it's a small club, and they rarely sell out. Even the attraction of Barcelona doesn't guarantee a sell out. So for the majority of games you should be able to buy them from  the ticket office located at the front of the stadium.

Welcome to the Coliseum: The main (and only) frontage to the stadium.

Who ate all the pies: Eating and drinking

You can grab a drink in the main centre of Getafe but it is a good half hour stroll to the stadium. Good bets could be the street cafes, a couple of them, immediately next to the metro stop closest to the ground, Los Espartales.

Bag a souvenir: Stores

On a non matchday, bagging a Getafe souvenir isn't easy. Most certainly on a Sunday when there was no sign of a club shop anywhere in the near vicinty. I'm sure you can do better of a matchday, and if you have please do let me know!

However, there is the official club shop in the centre of Getafe, all of ten minutes from Getafe Centrale station. On exiting the main station entrance, go straight ahead down the main pedestrian drag. At the first main pedestrian intersection go right along Casse de Madrid, then a quick first left into Calle de la Cruz, and a first right along Calle San Eugenio - you'll find the shop here.

Or check out the official website shop.