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In keeping with the new town of Wolsfburg, the club is also a newcomer - both in origins and succcess.

The club as known today only came into being in 1945 and spent most of the first 30 odd years in existence kicking around in the regional leagues. However, they finally made progress into the Bundesliga 2 in the 70s and made the historic leap to the top flight in 1997.

Noone expected their stay to last but more than a decade on, they're still there. Most seasons have ended in midtable, and there were some squeaky bums in 2006 and 2007 when they cleared relegation by a single place, but that was followed by an epic fifth position last time around.

Under the management of former Bayern Munich supremo Felix Magath they entered the UEFA Cup and so far so good - they made it past the group stages with victory over Portsmouth and a draw at AC Milan.

Where do you come from? Volkswagen Arena

When I tell you that the Volkswagen Arena is a new 30,000 stadium your heart may  sink. Oh no, not another Middlesborough or Derby.

Of course, it is now a two tiered stadium as many new of these new venues are but it's a really imposing structure, opened in 2002, and one of the most impressive I've had the pleasure of visiting.

Easy to spot: The Volkswagen Arena

Frankly it looks far bigger than a 30,000 ground and if someone had said it was 40,000 capacity I wouldn't have bet my bratwurst on it.

The feeling of size is actually helped by being on its own just outside the main city in park area. Somehow they build these places without the need to put them slap bang by a retail park, packed on Saturdays, right next door.

You can see the main stand from a mile away with the giant Volkswagen Arena lettering at the top, and a ring of green lights encircling the top of the stadium.

If you've walked from the station (see below) you'll arrive  at one corner with several bars plus stalls including some sort of beat the goalie contest, The main stand (Haupttribune) is to your right and the the home north bank on the left.

Inside the home end is on the left with the main bouncing terrace on the lower tier. If you rock up as a neutral you have your pick of seats on either side, whilst visiting fans are furthest round from where you arrive, in the far right hand corner.

Come on you Wolves: The home end.

Giant screens hang from each end and just before kick off the stadium really comes alive as everything stops for wolves spookily howling as the teams take to the field.

The green eyed creatures bear down on you all game - Wolverhampton take note - with the inevitable breaks for goal flashes elsewhere, plus how many corners there have been just in case you keep a record. They also show goal replays but little other action.

Views from the side are steep and impressive and you really do get a feeling of being right on the pitch.

The police presence, from nearby stations, to the main station and along the route, was pretty extensive although there seemed little evidence of any trouble.

We're on our way: Getting to the ground

There's a good chance you visit to Wolfsburg will begin at the main train station. The ICE inter city trains run through the city so you can link to any number of other places.

There were rumours of shuttle buses from the main train station to the ground but we couldn't see hide nor hair of those. Frankly you really don't need one, as it's all of a 20 minute walk away. You can just see the stadium from the railway platforms, across the river ton the same side as the VW works but to the far right hand side.

There are small signs directing you to the arena but here's the route just in case. So head out of the front of the station and go left past the bizarre (museum).

Keep right on past a parade of shops on your left and Volkswagen Logistics on your right. Head down there for ten minutes until you reach the major road junction - follow the footpaths and cycle paths down, then at the bottom turn left, then right and go under the main road heading over the river.

Rejoin the main road which goes over the river and you'll see the ground ahead across the river on your right hand side.

It's a little further than you think from here as you keep going 200 yards before going right.

Who ate all the pies? Eating and drinking

Your options for a pre-match drink are fairly limited. There are no outlets in the station itself. On the route to the ground there's a couple of small bars, one showing sports action, which could be an option.

Past there there's nothing until you reach the stadium itself but there's no shortage of places to eat or drink in the park, with bars and food places scattered around the quarter as you arrive.

Inside the ground bars, kiosks, and small club shops line the upper and lower circle giving you the choice of beer (three euros), soft drinks, pretzels and burgers. There are also counters with sandwiches and rolls, and queues are rarely long, even at half time.

Bag a seat: Buying a ticket

With the exception of the big guns, few games at Wolfsburg sell out. I tried to book online - feel free to give it a go - but I had all sorts of problems when they asked for a German ID number so I gave up and pitched up to the ground instead.

Ignore the ticketshop itself, which mainly deal with forthcoming games - instead look for the windows to the right marked Kasse. I found an english speaking cashier who was able to take booking by cash or credit card - there's a map of seats and prices. Be aware prices rise by two euros on the day of the game. There are further Kasse windows around to the left.

If you are collecting tickets booked online, these are available from a door to the right of the ticket shop.

Green army: The stadium looking a bit blurred by night

Bag a souvenir: Club store

They built a wonderful new ground - then stuck a bizarrely small shop in it. You'll find it doubling up as the ticketcentre which really doesn't help on matchdays as you get stuck in queues outside for Bob and Peter snapping up tickets for the Hoffenheim clash in ten weeks time.

Inside there's a smattering of goodies but you get the feeling they haven't made the most of the wolf brand, no cataologue, precious little leisureware. That, coupled with the fact that most games aren't sold out gives you the feeling that Wolfsburg are quite a small club batting above their weight. Fair play to them though.

Shirts are on sale on a counter outside the shop before the game in true village hall bazaar style. There are also small kiosks dotted around inside if you're just after a scarf or cap. Not a pin badge in sight though.