Crusaders FC — Restaurant in Belfast

Following numerous ground improvements in recent years I'd argue Seaview, home of Crusaders Football Club, is up there with the best football stadiums in Northern Ireland.

The 4G pitch always looks pristine and is even available for private hire.

The seating in the two newer end stands is great - lots of leg room and actually pretty comfortable for plastic pull-down seats. The seating in the main stand is a little more cramped and the stiffer, more rounded seats can be uncomfortable for some with back problems, larger people or taller people.

I won't oversell the ground's facilities but it has decent, (usually) clean toilets; high quality modern changing rooms; a thriving social club bar (entrance at the top of St Vincent Street); another small match-day bar under the main stand (excellent for freezing cold days!); a club shop selling merchandise and basic sweets and snacks; and a hot food and drinks truck selling all the usual football crowd fare (burgers, hotdogs, chips, tea, instant coffee and soft drinks).

It's also incredibly easy to get to by public transport - just hop on any number 2 bus going out or into the city centre and there is a stop right outside on both sides of the road.

To get into the ground, the away fans entrance is via turnstiles on the main Shore Road. For home fans it's at the far end of St Vincent Street - walk past the entrance to the social club towards what looks like a dead end and you'll see the turnstiles and a vehicle gate on your left-hand side.

The vibe in the ground and in the social club is probably best described as sometimes gruff but generally friendly. Match days are high spirited but family-friendly: you'll see the usual mouthy young lads singing their chants after one too many in the bar, but they're by far a minority amongst the lifelong fans just there for the game and a day out, and the increasing number of local families - dad, mum, kids and even babies.

The best thing is the camaraderie between the team, management and the fans. Crusaders FC is a fan-owned club so it's in everyone's interests to maintain an "all in this together" approach to everything from keeping the ground clean to making decisions about the club's future. That's why you'll see the goalkeeper chatting to the fans behind him from time to time, and why the manager will come over at the end of a winning game and celebrate...

The away stand at Seaview is an utter disgrace! Tight rows, missing seats, restricted views because of stanchions - a really miserable place! And then the Shore Road stand with a few dozen home supporters because Crusaders have designated it as a "family stand" for home fans! Plenty of room to house these supporters in the other two stands - there must be plenty of money about Seaview to allow them to turn away income! The only plus? Hot water to wash your hands on the toilets. Otherwise, it is a poor excuse for a football ground - even by Irish...

Great pitch! Great players! Great fans! Great neighborhood! Great security outside the stadium by the police! However, I noticed there is a pub just by the back gate of the stadium, and people could easily bring in alcoholic drinks into the stadium. In fact, one man got so frustrated with his club side that he threw his drink into the pitch. I suggest there should be a stricter policy regarding bringing alcoholic drinks into the stadium. The game of football in itself, comes was lot of emotions. Imagine what can happen when such emotions are mixed...