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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