Issue No.22 December 2015

Stade News

ClubCall Mansfield

Blundell Park Hotel

Etihad Stadium Tour



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STADE NEWS
CITY SOUTH STAND EXTENSION OPENS

The new South Stand extension at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium is now open, increasing the ground capacity to over 55,000. 
The stand now features three tiers of seating, with the new upper tier adding 7,000 seats to the stadium.
City have planning permission to expand the North Stand with a further 6,000 seats which would take the stadium capacity to 61,000, the second biggest ground in the UK after near neighbours Manchester 
                                                      United's Old Trafford.

At present there is no firm starting date for the work to commence.
The stadium originally opened for the 2002 Commonwealth Games with a capacity of 38,000.
The ground level was then lowered to create an additional tier of seating, which increased the capacity for City's use to 48,000.
see : Stadium Tours


BEES AWAIT PUBLIC ENQUIRY DECISION

West London club Brentford are awaiting a decision on their plans for a new stadium at Lionel Road, following the conclusion of the recent public enquiry into the scheme.
An agreement with developers has already been signed for the construction of a 20,000 capacity stadium, together with over 900 new homes, which are necessary to make the new stadium viable.


DONS TRUST AGREES GROUND SALE

AFC Wimbledon owners the Dons Trust have approved plans to sell the the club's Kingsmeadow ground to Chelsea.
The sale is conditional on the Dons receiving planning permission for a new 20,000 capacity ground, on the site of the Wimbledon Greyhound stadium on Plough Lane.
Chelsea plan to use Kingsmeadow for youth and womens team's matches.

CLUB MOVE CLOSER TO NEW STADIUM

Belgian side Club Brugge plans for a new stadium have moved a step closer, following an environmental impact assessment of the site.
Currently ground sharing with city neighbours Cercle, who intend to remain at the Jan Breydel, Club plan a new 40,000 capacity arena on Blankenberge Steenweg to the north of the city, and hope to be in their new home by 2019.

SOUTH SHIELDS RETURN HOME

Northern League club South Shields have returned to the newly renamed Mariners Park in the town, after two years in exile playing 21 miles to the south in Peterlee.
A major renovation of the ground's facilities has been completed, and the club recently attracted a crowd of over 1,400 for a League game, a Northern League Second Division record.
Former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Julio Arca has also recently joined the playing staff.
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CLUBCALL Mansfield Town

Field Mill, Quarry Lane, Mansfield NG18 5DA.
Founded - 1897
League - Football League Two
Capacity - 8,186
Record Attendance - 24,467
Nearest Railway Station - Mansfield
Club Website - www.mansfieldtown.net

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STADIUM TOURS
Etihad Manchester City

Built in 2002 as an athletics stadium for the Commonwealth Games, the Etihad has since been developed and extended over the years, and its progression as a football ground has mirrored the rapid rise of City during this incredible period in the club's history.
The tour begins in the fanzone behind the North Stand, a favourite pre-match meeting point for City fans.
Moving through the corporate areas of the main stand, you can see how the club has retained many links to its East Manchester history with the memorabilia on display.
The tour continues through the media centre and down below street level to the players warm-up, dressing rooms, and tunnel area.
For a stadium this size both dressing rooms are quite small, with the away change in particular being very austere !
Walking out of the players tunnel in any ground is an experience for all football supporters, but in a stadium as impressive as the Etihad it is even more special.

Main reception

The stand's tower over the pitch, particularly the new South Stand extension, and you can envisage the effect the planned North Stand development will have when the stadium redevelopment is completed.
Leaving the arena the tour continues to the trophy

Home changing room

room, which has obviously seen an increase in display's in recent seasons.
This exhibition area also has a fine written and pictorial display of the history of City's grounds, and a fascinating exhibition of the club's new hugely impressive training complex and 7,000 seater stadium, used for reserve and youth team games, situated just across the road from the Etihad.
City are planning to offer tours of the complex in 2016.
The tour, conducted by a knowledgeable and witty guide, is a fascinating look behind the scenes at one of England's biggest football clubs, but you get the impression of a club which does not take itself too seriously.
Manchester City is a club which certainly has not forgotten its roots.
Etihad Tour Info
Times - 10.30 to 15.30 seven days a week.
Prices - Adults from £16.00, Concessions from £10.00.
Contact - mcfc.co.uk/tours or call 0161 444 1894.
Travel - Metrolink Tram to Etihad Campus, 1 day ticket £5.00.

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Blundell Park Hotel Grimsby

Rather basic lounge bar of this bed and breakfast hotel on Grimsby Road.
Now that the main Mariners fans pub The Imperial has closed, this is the nearest pub to Blundell Park and is situated opposite the main stand.
No memorabilia to view, and no food or cask ales on offer.
To be honest, much more attractive pre-match venues available in Grimsby or Cleethorpes town centres.

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STADE IMAGES

Boro's Riverside Stadium lives up to its name !
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2015

Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
Twitter@FootballStade

Next issue (No.23) published Sunday 7th February 2016
***Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all***

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.21 November 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Victoria Park, Hartlepool

Stade News

ClubCall 
Hartlepool United

Destination Livingston

Old Peacock Leeds

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STADE NEWS
SPURS REVEAL NEW STADIUM DESIGN

Tottenham have unveiled designs for their new stadium, located next door to White Hart Lane.
The 61,000 capacity stadium, the biggest club ground in London, will feature four stands wrapped in a sculptured mesh.
The home end holding 17,000 fans will be the largest single tier stand in the country, and will feature a glass facade.
The stadium will also feature a prominent opening on to Tottenham High Road.

PLANS FOR AJAX ARENA UPGRADE

The Amsterdam Arena is about to undertake a major upgrade.
A new upper concourse is planned for the 28,000 fans housed in the stadium's upper tier, and new cladding and illumination will transform the external look of the Arena.
The 50,000 capacity stadium, home of Dutch giants Ajax, opened in 1996.

STADIUM SPONSOR FOR LIVINGSTON

Scottish Championship side Livingston have announced a new stadium sponsorship deal, with the specialist Italian cuisine restaurant chain 
Tony Macaroni.
The near 10,000 capacity former Almondvale Stadium which opened in 1995, will now be known as The Tony Macaroni Arena.
see : Destination


SIXFIELDS CONTRACTOR IN LIQUIDATION

 

The contractor developing the new East Stand at Northampton Town's Sixfields stadium, have gone into liquidation after a High Court hearing.
The Cobblers face a separate winding-up petition by HMRC, and must also repay a £10m loan to the local Council for the partly completed East stand and hotel/leisure development.



DURHAM CITY EVICTED FROM STADIUM

Ebac Northern League side Durham City have been evicted from their New Ferens Park stadium, following a dispute with the landlords.
This weekend's FA Vase game will be played at Consett, as Club chairman former Newcastle United player Oliver Bernard, seeks a new permanent home for the club within the City of Durham.
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CLUBCALL Hartlepool United

Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool TS24 8BZ.
Founded - 1908
League - Football League Two
Capacity - 7,856
Record Attendance - 17,426
Nearest Railway Station - Hartlepool
Club Website - www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk

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DESTINATION Livingston

Situated just 15 miles west of Edinburgh, Livingston, one of the post-war Scottish new towns designated in 1962, is the largest town in West Lothian.
The town features one of the largest indoor shopping complexes in Scotland, with The Centre and Designer Outlet's hosting over 200 shops.
Leisure facilities also abound with a multiplex cinema, a host of restaurants and bars, together with sports and fitness centres.
The town has an excellent network of walking and cycling 'shared-use' pathways, linking all areas of the town and protecting pedestrians and cyclists from traffic.
Livingston is an excellent base for exploring the varied towns and villages of the wider Central Belt of Scotland, and also for discovering the superb walks, cycling, fishing, and history of the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

Livingston Info
Travel - by road via M8, by rail via Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Accommodation - all major budget hotel chains in the area.
Pubs - mostly shopping centre bars in the town centre, Almond Bank (Wetherspoons) and the Lime Kiln near the ground pick of the bunch.
Tourism Website - 
www.visitscotland.com

Livingston FC
Almondvale, Alderstone Road, 
Livingston EH54 7DN.
Founded - 1943
League - Scottish Championship
Capacity - 9,521
Record Attendance - 10,112
Nearest Railway Station - 
Livingston North
Club Website - www.livingston.co.uk

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
The Old Peacock Leeds

Superb renovation by the Ossett Brewery of this former Whitbread pub, situated on Elland Road opposite the south stand of the stadium.
The pub features a bar, with plenty of Leeds photos and memorabilia, and a large external decking area to the front, with a smaller restaurant area at the rear.
A huge marquee is open on matchdays, although entrance is restricted to LUFC members and season ticket holders.
Excellent quality full food menu served daily, with a restricted menu on matchdays.
Usually four Ossett beers on handpull, including the highly recommended 1919 ale (the year of Leeds United formation) brewed especially for the pub.
All live TV football shown.
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STADE IMAGES

1966 World Cup statue near The Boleyn Ground
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2015

Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
Twitter@FootballStade

Next issue (No.22) published Sunday 6th December 2015

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.20 October 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Hibernian

EuroReport Aachen

Local Hero Leicester



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STADE NEWS
OLYMPIC STADIUM FINANCES TO BE DISCLOSED

West Ham have declared they are 'unhappy' with the news the Information Commissioner has ordered the publishing of their Olympic Stadium contract.
Concerns have been raised over the amount the club are paying towards the conversion costs for the stadium, and its annual rental and contribution to matchday costs.
The Hammers are due to move into the stadium for the start of the 2016/17 season.

THREAT TO SAINTS TRAINING GROUND

St Johnstone are set to lose part of their training ground adjacent to McDiarmid Park, if a planned relief road scheme goes ahead.
A public enquiry is scheduled for November, although the club have indicated it may be about to reach agreement with Perth and Kinross Council.
Original plans for the road which would have seen the North Stand demolished have now been shelved.



NEW RAILWAY STATION FOR THE RICOH

A new railway station has been built at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, but trains will not be allowed to stop for an hour after matches or stadium events due to safety concerns.
The £3.4M station on the Nuneaton to Coventry line is operated by the London Midland train company, who could lose the contract to run the line if another operator can provide a better service to the stadium.

EURO 2016 FANS CONCERN

Fresh concerns have been raised about crowd behaviour in France ahead of next summer's European Championships, following violence at the recent Marseille v Lyon match.
The Ligue 1 game at the Stade Velodrome, one of the tournament venues, was delayed for 20 minutes after missiles were thrown and the teams returned to the dressing rooms.
The match eventually resumed with riot police surrounding the pitch.
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CLUBCALL Hibernian

Easter Road,Albion Place, Edinburgh EH7 5QG.
Founded - 1875
League - Scottish Championship
Capacity - 20,421
Record Attendance - 65,860
Nearest Railway Station - Edinburgh Waverley
Club Website - www.hibernianfc.co.uk

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EUROSTADE REPORT
Tivoli Stadium Alemannia Aachen

The New Tivoli Stadium in Aachen has experienced incredible highs and lows since its opening in 2009.
Replacing the nearby Old Tivoli, the 33,000 capacity ground has witnessed the club's demise down to its current position in the 4th tier Regionalliga West of German football - Aachen were a Bundesliga club as recently as the 2006/07 season.
Tivoli is a fully enclosed all-seater stadium, and features the home fans Bitburger (a local beer) wall in the South Stand.
Alemannia enjoy huge crowds for their current level of football, and the club's aim is an eventual return to the top-flight.
Aachen certainly have the stadium to once again grace the Bundesliga, and host the very best of German football.

Aachen Cathedral

Situated at the very heart of Europe, Aachen is a fine city with plenty of attractions for visitors.
Famous for its links with Charlemagne, the city is rich in history with the beautiful Cathedral a must-see.
The 14th century Town Hall and the International Newspaper Museum are well worth seeing, and you can bathe in the thermal waters of this famous spa city.
Aachen has a strong link with horses, and the annual World Equestrian Festival is held at the 40,000 capacity Hauptstadion next to Tivoli.
The city is easily accessible via the superb Thalys train service,with direct links to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Dusseldorf.
Tourism Website - www.aachen-tourist.de

Tivoli Info
Krefelder Str.205, 52070 Aachen.
Capacity - 32,960
Nearest Railway Station - 
Aachen Hauptbahnhof
Club Website - 
www.alemannia-aachen.de


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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Local Hero Leicester

Large one room pub in the Freemans Leisure Park on Aylestone Road, five minutes walk from the Walkers Stadium.
Part of the Flaming Grill chain, there is lots of Foxes memorabilia to view together with old photographs of the City.
Full food menu served all day, and usually 2 or 3 cask ales on offer.
Separate bottle-bar operates on match days.
All live TV football shown.
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STADE IMAGES

New stand, Old stand at Highbury, Fleetwood

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2015

Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
Twitter@FootballStade

Next issue (No.21) published Sunday 1st November 2015

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Issue No.19 September 2015

IN THIS ISSUE

Main Entrance at King Boudewijn Brussels

Stade News

ClubCall Alfreton

Lost Grounds 
East Stirlingshire

Trent Bridge Inn Nottingham


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STADE NEWS
START DATE FOR BRUSSELS EUROSTADION

Work is due to start in March 2016 on the site of the new Brussels Eurostadion, opposite the current King Boudewijn stadium in the north of the city.
The 60,000 capacity stadium, built on 6 levels, will be the home of the Belgian National team and club side RSC Anderlecht.
Construction is expected to take around two years.


DESIGN PLANS FOR STAMFORD BRIDGE

Chelsea are set to unveil plans for the redevelopment of its Stamford Bridge site.
Designed by renowned architects Herzog and de Mouron, the plans are thought to include a 3-tier pentagon shape stadium with around 59,000 seats.
Plans also include raised platforms covering the surrounding railway lines, with a direct walkway access to Fulham Broadway tube station.



NEW HOME FOR LINCOLN ?

A new stadium for Lincoln City has moved a step closer, following talks between the club and city council over a new sports village on the west side of the city, which could house The Imps.
No firm proposals have yet been made, in a process which could see the club move from Sincil Bank,
its current home since 1895.




STOCKPORT COUNCIL PURCHASE EDGELEY PARK

The future of Edgeley Park has been secured after the stadium was purchased by the local Council.
The £2m deal with former owners Cheshire Sports which will not cost local Council Tax payers a penny, will see a landlord-tenant relationship between the Council and County, and ensures the future of football in the town.



FANZONE OPENS AT STADIUM OF LIGHT

Sunderland have opened an outside fanzone at the Stadium of Light for the start of the new season.
Situated in the South-East corner of the stadium complex, the zone features bar and catering facilities, together with live music and interviews with former players.
The zone is open before and after matches, and away supporters are welcome.
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CLUBCALL Alfreton Town

The Impact Arena, North Street, Alfreton DE55 7FZ.
Founded - 1959
League - National League North
Capacity - 3,600
Record Attendance - 5,023
Nearest Railway Station - Alfreton
Club Website - www.alfretontownfc.com

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LOST GROUNDS East Stirlingshire

There can be few grounds in football, certainly the size of Firs Park, that have generated so much interest over the years.
At best described as basic, difficult to access, and surrounded by a retail park in Falkirk town centre, the ground generally and East Stirlingshire FC in particular, is a story which has captured the imagination of the whole football community.

Opened in 1921 with a game v Heart of Midlothian, and with a record attendance of 12,000 for a Scottish Cup match v Partick Thistle the same year, the ground was home to The Shire until 2008.
The club gained notoriety in the 90's/00's with a seemingly endless battle not to finish bottom of the lowest tier of Scottish football, with the excellent book 'Pointless' by Jeff Connor chronicling the club's struggles.The final game at the ground was a 3-1 victory over Montrose in 2008, and the site was demolished in 2012.

East Stirling currently groundshare with neighbours Stenhousemuir at the 3,700 capacity Ochilview Park,an agreement which lasts until 2033.
The club though are still actively pursuing plans for a new stadium, with a site at Little Kerse in Grangemouth under serious consideration.


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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Trent Bridge Inn Nottingham

Large, imposing red-brick pub at the junction of Radcliffe Road and Bridgford Road, next to Nottinghamshire County Cricket ground.
Possibly one of the most famous and iconic sporting pubs in England, the Trent is now part of the Wetherspoons chain, re-opening in May 2011 following a major refurbishment.
Predominantly cricket photographs and memorabilia on show, also small sections dedicated to Notts County and Nottingham Forest whose City Ground is just around the corner. The pub has five bars, the beer garden actually backs on to the rear of the cricket ground, and the usual extensive Spoons food menu is served. Live TV sports also shown.
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STADE IMAGES

1985 memorial at Valley Parade Bradford

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2015

Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
Twitter@FootballStade

Next issue (No.20) published Sunday 4th October 2015

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

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