ClubCall Wrexham
Tour at the Aviva Dublin
Edinburgh Football Pubs
Destination Whitby
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STADE NEWS
BARNET'S HIVE IN PLANNING DISPUTE
The worst case scenario could see the stand demolished and floodlights removed, although the Club is confident they will be able to meet any additional planning requirements.
Leaving Underhill their home since 1907, ironically after failing to secure a new lease with Barnet Council, the Club moved to the site of their existing training facility and the new 5,100 capacity ground.
The first league match v Chester attracted a crowd of 2,543.
DON VALLEY TO BE DEMOLISHED
The Stadium, opened in 1990, hosted Rotherham United from 2008-2012 before the Club re-located back to their home town and the New York Stadium.
PLOUGH LANE RETURN FOR WIMBLEDON?
The plans, which include an initial 11,000 capacity stadium which could be expanded to 20,000, and the building of 600 homes, would see the Dons return to the Borough of Merton from their current home at Kingsmeadow in Norbiton.
NEW NORTH STAND FOR BOUNDARY PARK
The Club have received permission for a £5m project featuring a 2,300-seat stand with offices, a gym, shops and conference facilities.
A new prospective owner is believed to be interested in buying Oldham, and possibly building a new stadium in the town for both the football and rugby league clubs.
BORO RE-CONFIGURE THE RIVERSIDE
Away fans are now housed in the East Stand, with the South Stand now populated by home supporters.
The changes at the stadium have resulted in a reduction in capacity to around 34,000
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CLUBCALL Wrexham
Founded - 1873
League - Conference Premier
Capacity - 15,500
Record Attendance - 34,445
Nearest Railway Station - Wrexham General
Club website - www.wrexhamafc.co.uk
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The re-built and somewhat controversially re-named Aviva Stadium on the same site, now provides Ireland's football and rugby union fans with a hugely impressive state of the art arena in which to enjoy their sports.
Leaving the new stadium tours office on Lansdowne Road, the tour begins at the players entrance in the underground roadway.
A modern media centre is the first port of call including a large lecture theatre style interview room,
and an impressive fully equipped UEFA standard suite for the event journalists and photographers.
The stadium boasts four players changing rooms with the finest medical and sports science facilities available.
The first sight of the actual stadium is quite breathtaking !
On exiting the players tunnel, the huge stands tower over the playing surface, with the exception of the North End of the ground which is restricted to 3,000 seats due to the proximity of the houses behind.
This end of the stadium is in itself quite spectacular though, as a huge transparent screen end shelters spectators from the often inclement Dublin weather.
The informative tour ends high on the upper tier of the South Stand -
what an incredible view to watch a match !
The 51,700 capacity stadium is fully completed with no further expansion plans, although there is a possibility a museum could be added in the future in what would be a fitting addition to a fine historical sporting venue.
Aviva Info
Times - tours depart daily 10.00-16.00 from the stadium tours office on Lansdowne Road.
Prices - from 10 euros adult, 7 euros concessions and 5 euros children - party discounts available.
Contact - tours@avivastadium.ie or telephone 01 238 2300.
Travel - take the Dart from Dublin City Centre, return fare from Connolly Station 3.50 euros
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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS Edinburgh
Tynecastle Arms
The decor of dark wood panels and large decorative windows compliment the range of Jambos related photographs and framed shirts adorning the walls.
Full range of McEwans beers and lagers available although no real ale or food.
Four in Hand
Situated on Easter Road 2 minutes walk from the stadium the Four is a rather basic one room bar, but the Hibees memorabilia and photographs makes the pub well worth a visit.
Good range of Belhaven beers and lagers, no real ale or food.
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DESTINATION Whitby
Rising up steeply from both sides of the River Esk, the east side of the town is home to the famous abbey (with its 199 steps), and a host of quaint individual shops lining the narrow cobbled streets.
The west side of the town has a slightly more modern feel, with the main shopping areas and the inevitable amusement arcades along the harbour side.
Attractions in the town include the Dracula Experience (author Bram Stoker is reputed to have visited the town), the RNLI Lifeboat and Captain Cook Memorial museums, and a replica of Cook's ship Endeavour which takes visitors on trips out of the stunning harbour into the bracing air of the North Sea.
Whitby is an ideal base for touring the vast expanse of the National Park, and also for travelling on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering via Grosmont, whose stops include the village of Goathland which was the setting of Aidensfield in the popular TV series Heartbeat.
Travel - by road via A171 from the North/South, by rail from Middlesbrough.
Accomodation - mainly B&B, also lots of self-catering/cottages available.
Pubs - many fine pubs with the Elsinore on Flowergate and the Black Horse on Church Street particularly recommended.
Tourism website - www.visitwhitby.com
Turnbull Ground,
Upgang Lane,Whitby YO21 3HZ.
Founded - 1880
League - Northern Premier
Capacity - 3,200
Record Attendance - 5,267
Nearest Railway Station - Whitby
Club website - www.whitby-town.com
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STADE IMAGES
The New Den Millwall from South Bermondsey railway station
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2013
Any comments/feedback welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
Next issue published Sunday 1st December 2013
footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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