Issue No.46 December 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Cambridge United

Destination Halifax

Hogans pub Darlington





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STADE NEWS

FURTHER DELAY TO SPURS STADIUM

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to make a further announcement early this month regarding the opening date for their new stadium.
The 62,000 capacity venue was due to open in September, but construction and safety system delays have led Spurs to continue playing at Wembley until at least the end of January 2019.
The internal work in the stadium is now almost completed, with the new club shop on the High Road also now in operation.


OFFER TO BUY WEMBLEY WITHDRAWN

The offer from Fulham FC chairman Shahid Khan to purchase Wembley Stadium from the FA has now been withdrawn.
Khan, also owner of the American football team Jacksonville Jaguars, had hoped to use the stadium to boost the NFL in London.
Proceeds from the sale had been planned to give a financial boost to grass roots football in England, with the FA also pledging to keep the Cup Final and England games at Wembley.

DULWICH TO RETURN TO CHAMPION HILL

South London club Dulwich Hamlet will return to their Champion Hill stadium for the Boxing Day visit of Eastbourne Borough.
Following a dispute between the stadium owners and Southwark Council over plans to redevelop land close to the stadium, Hamlet have been playing home games for the last seven months at the Imperial Fields home of Tooting & Mitcham.


CITY LOOK AT ETIHAD EXPANSION

Manchester City are consulting their supporters over the possible introduction of safe standing/rail seating at the Etihad Stadium, as part of the plans for the expansion of the North Stand.
City have planning permission to extend the stand, which would raise capacity from the current 55,000 to 63,000.
The Etihad has been the home of City since 2003.



CONSULTATION FOR BRAMLEY-MOORE DOCK

Everton are undertaking a public consultation on the plans for their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
A formal planning application is expected next year following the consultation, with the Blues revealing the stadium will not be ready until 2023/24.
Everton have a 200-year lease on the dock located in the city's World Heritage site, with the stadium development being part of the wider regeneration of the North Docks area of Liverpool.

NEWS IN BRIEF
REAL MADRID
Plans for the €525m upgrade of the Santiago Bernabeu have been approved.
The stadium will have a new roof and external cladding, with a host of new digital facilities including a 360-degree video scoreboard, and new retail outlets around the vicinity of the ground.
The club museum in Castellana will also be greatly expanded.
The current capacity of 81,000 will not be increased.

OSSETT UNITED
Newly formed Northern Premier League East club Ossett United have chosen the former Ossett Town stadium as their new home.
The 1,950 capacity Ingfield, has been upgraded with new seating, catering facilities and club shop.
The Dimple Wells former home of Ossett Albion, is now the newly merged club's training ground and base for the Women's and Youth development teams.

AFC BOURNEMOUTH
In a lengthy statement regarding the future of the South Coast club, the board of AFC Bournemouth have admitted an over ambitious timescale for the club's new stadium.
The Cherries had previously announced the new stadium at Kings Park, close to the current home Dean Court, would be completed by the summer of 2020.

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STADE RETRO IMAGES

Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield

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CLUBCALL Cambridge United

Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, 
Cambridge CB5 8LN.
Founded - 1913
League - English Football League Two
Capacity - 8,127
Record Attendance - 14,000
Nearest Railway Station - Cambridge
Club Website - www.cambridge-united.co.uk

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DESTINATION Halifax

The Piece Hall

Nestling in the Calderdale Valley of West Yorkshire, the historical mill town of Halifax is an interesting destination for visitors.
With some iconic old buildings, first class museums, and a host of leisure facilities the town makes a fine alternative to the nearby sprawl of Leeds and Bradford.
The first port of call for any visitor to Halifax has to be the incredible Piece Hall.
The UK's last remaining cloth hall, the Grade 1 listed building and courtyard has been extensively refurbished and is now home to an eclectic mix of independent shops, cafes, bars, and galleries.
Younger visitors to the town will be amazed by Eureka - the National museum for children. This educational and interactive museum holds a huge range of exhibits in different learning zones, and also runs a programme of special events throughout the year.
Other attractions include the superb 12th Century Minster, the Bankfield museum, and the quirky Calderdale Industrial museum.
Leisure facilities include the thriving Victoria Theatre which hosts a varied programme of events, a new library incorporating the tourist information centre, whilst shoppers are catered for at the historical Borough Indoor market and the more modern Westgate and Woolshops centres.
Just outside of the town the historical Shibden Hall is certainly worth a visit, and the whole Calderdale valley is a haven for outdoor pursuits with some superb walks and cycle rides available.

Halifax Minster

Halifax Info
Travel - by road via M62 and A629, by rail via Leeds and Bradford.
Accommodation - selection of national and independent hotels in the town.
Pubs - good selection of pubs and bars, the Three Pigeons and Royal Oak particulary recommended.
Tourism Website - visitcalderdale.com

                              

FC Halifax Town
Shay Stadium, Halifax, 
West Yorkshire HX1 2YT.
Founded - 1911
League - English National League
Capacity - 10,401
Record Attendance - 36,885
Nearest Railway Station - Halifax
Club Website - fchalifaxtown.com





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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Hogans Darlington

Cavernous one room pub directly outside Darlington Bank Top railway station.
Five minute walk from the Quakers former home of Feethams, the pub is probably best known for fans changing trains at Darlington, particularly supporters of all the North East clubs.
Owned by the Hartlepool brewers Camerons, huge range of draught beers and lagers available but currently no cask ales on offer.
All live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Main entrance at Prenton Park

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2018

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

Next issue (No.47) published Sunday 3rd February 2019

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.45 October 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall
Cowdenbeath

Lost Grounds Arsenal

Butchers Hook pub





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STADE NEWS
HAMPDEN PARK REPRIEVED

After much debate and discussion in Scotland over the future of the National Stadium, the Scottish FA have opted to remain at Hampden Park and will purchase the stadium for £5m from current owners Queens Park FC.
With the lease at Hampden due to expire in 2020, the SFA were contemplating moving the Scottish FA Cup Final and Scotland Internationals to Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, the 67,000 capacity home of Scottish Rugby.
Glasgow clubs Celtic and Rangers had also previously expressed an interest in staging the fixtures.
The decision means plans can now be made for the future design of the spiritual home of Scottish football, which may include reducing the capacity to around 35,000 and moving the stands behind the goals closer to the pitch.

In a bizarre twist to the story, Murrayfield will host the League Cup semi-final between Hearts and Celtic on Sunday 28th October.
Both this game, and the second semi-final between Aberdeen and Rangers, were scheduled to be played at Hampden on the same day.
Following objections from the clubs, supporters, and Police Scotland, Hampden waived their right to host both games enabling the switch to Edinburgh for the Hearts-Celtic game.

FEYENOORD EVALUATE NEW STADIUM PLANS

Rotterdam club Feyenoord continue to evaluate the plans for their new 63,000 capacity stadium in the  Veranda area of the city, close to the club's current home of De Kuip.
Local residents appear to be in favour of the plans, with ground breaking work due to start in 2020.
The new stadium, part of the huge Feyenoord City regeneration scheme, will be the largest in the Netherlands. 

ANNOUNCEMENT DUE FROM THE DARK BLUES

An announcement is expected very soon from Dundee FC regarding their new 15,000 capacity stadium at Camperdown, in the north of the City.
An agreement over access to the site is believed to have been reached with Traffic Scotland.
The stadium and training complex, next to the city's ice arena, is planned to be not just a football ground but an events arena for the Tayside area.
Dundee have played at Dens Park since 1921.

WATER DAMAGE AT CHESTER

National League North side Chester suffered serious water damage at the Swansway Chester Stadium, resulting in the postponement of three matches during August.
The club's offices and shop were badly damaged in the flood, with the electrical supply and safety systems also severely affected.
The stadium reopened on the 8th September with a 5-3 victory for the Blues over Bradford Park Avenue.

LONDON STADIUM LEGAL COSTS REVEALED

The ongoing legal battle between the London Stadium owners (LLDC) and West Ham United has cost taxpayers over £4m.
LLDC have revealed they lose £70,000 every West Ham match played at the stadium mainly due to increased policing costs, and the company are trying to increase the payments from the Hammers for the stadium upkeep.
The stadium, built for the 2012 Olympics has been beset by financial problems since its opening.


IN BRIEF
TRURO CITY
Supporters of National League South Truro City are facing a 200-mile round trip to home games this season, following the club's eviction from their Treyew Road ground.
The Cornish club will play their home games at Torquay United's Plainmoor, as plans for the new £14m Stadium for Cornwall continue to stall.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Newly promoted Wolves, currently enjoying an excellent start to their Premier League campaign, have announced plans to expand the South Bank end of Molineux to a 10,000 all seater stand.
A decision on the club's long term future at the stadium however, home since 1889 is yet to be determined. 

GIBRALTAR
Outline planning permission has been granted to the Gibraltar FA for the new 
Victoria Stadium.
Construction work on the stadium, situated close to the airport and due to host all future Gibraltar Internationals and domestic league matches, is planned to commence in July 2019.
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STADE RETRO IMAGES

Old Wembley stadium Twin Towers

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CLUBCALL Cowdenbeath

Central Park, High Street, Cowdenbeath KY4 9QQ.
Founded - 1881

League - SPFL 2

Capacity - 4,309

Record Attendance - 25,586

Nearest Railway Station - Cowdenbeath
Club Website - www.cowdenbeathfc.com

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LOST GROUNDS Highbury Arsenal

Opened in 1913 following the controversial move of Woolwich Arsenal from Plumstead to Islington, Highbury developed from the most basic of venues into one of the most iconic stadiums in the history of English football.

Officially known as the Arsenal Stadium and best known for the amazing Art Deco architecture of the East and West stands, the stadium gradually expanded over the years and at one stage the capacity was planned to be 90,000.

The record attendance at the ground was actually 73,295, with the final capacity before closure being 38,419.

The stadium gradually developed into an all-seater venue, with the rebuild of both the iconic North Bank and Clock End stands.

London Transport renamed Gillespie Road underground station to Arsenal following the club's relocation, and the ground was made even more famous in the 1939 British thriller film The Arsenal Stadium Mystery, which featured the manager and several first team players of the time.

The final competitive match at Highbury was a 4-2 victory for Arsenal over Wigan Athletic, rather fittingly the final goal at the venue was scored by the club's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry.

Following its closure the stadium was redeveloped into Highbury Square.

Both ends of the ground were demolished, with the listed building exteriors of the East and West stands preserved and incorporated into the residential development.

The pitch area is now a communal garden.

At a cost of £390m, Arsenal relocated from Highbury to their new home the Emirates Stadium, at nearby Ashburton Grove in 2016.

With a capacity of 60,000, the new stadium offers a revenue stream unthinkable at Highbury, with a vast array of corporate facilities available.

Many features from Highbury have been incorporated into the new stadium though, and the club museum is well worth a visit.

(Issue No.29 - September 2016)

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS

The Butchers Hook Chelsea

Historical public house originally called the Rising Sun, this is the building where it all began for Chelsea Football Club.

Situated on Fulham Road directly opposite the entrance to Stamford Bridge, the Blues were founded here at a meeting in a first floor room in 1905.

Now an upmarket gastro-pub, the food is highly recommended and cask ales are also usually available.

Table booking is advisable on match days as you might expect.

No live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Billy McNeill statue at Celtic Park
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2018

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

Next issue (No.46) published Sunday 2nd December 2018

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

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Issue No.44 August 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Peterborough United

Anfield stadium tour

Imperial Grimsby






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STADE NEWS
BHOYS UPGRADE PARADISE

Glasgow Celtic have invested over £4m in a close season upgrade of Celtic Park.
New LED floodlighting has been installed to replace the old halogen lights, with a new PA/entertainment system also now in place.
Further roof and steel remedial works have been carried out on the main and west stands.
Work is due to start soon on a major new complex outside the stadium, comprising a new Club store, ticket office, and hotel.


PLANS FOR DEN EXPANSION 

Only just over a year after the threat of expulsion from the stadium, Millwall have appointed architects to look at the expansion of the Den.
Home since 1993 and with a current capacity of just over 20,000, the Lions have teamed up with AFL Architects, currently also working on the new Brentford stadium project, to work on the planned upgrade.
The club hope to have a detailed planning application submitted by the end of 2018.

NEW SEATS AT STADIUM OF LIGHT

League One Sunderland have enlisted the help of hundreds of supporters to install over 9,000 new seats at the Stadium of Light.
Many of the original seats, installed when the stadium opened in 1997, have faded badly to an unsightly pinkish colour.
The south-east corner was the first stage of the revamp, when fully completed over 30,000 seats will have been replaced in the 48,000 capacity stadium.

CAPACITY RESTORED AT THE EMIRATES

Arsenal have announced that the capacity at the Emirates Stadium will return to over 60,000, by the start of the 2019-20 season.
Having lost a significant number of seats due to safety improvements and requirements since the stadium opened in 2006, nearly 1,000 extra seats will be installed in the stadium's hospitality Club Level.
The additional seats will restore the ground capacity to around 60,600.

NEALE COOPER STAND AT THE VIC

Hartlepool United have renamed the Mill House stand at Victoria Park in memory of former manager Neale Cooper.
The naming ceremony took place before the recent pre-season friendly against Sunderland.
Cooper, who had two spells in the dug-out at Pools, will be best remembered as a pivotal member of the Aberdeen team which triumphed in the 1983 European Cup Winners cup final against Real Madrid.
Neale Cooper sadly passed away in May this year.

IN BRIEF
TORQUAY UNITED - National League South club Torquay have announced plans for a new 10,000 capacity stadium, and the scheme already has the backing of the local Mayor.
The Gulls, who will remain a full-time club in the sixth tier of English football next season, have played at their current 6,200 capacity Plainmoor stadium since 1910.

BALLYMENA UNITED - Following a major investment in a new pitch at the Ballymena Showgrounds, Irish League club Ballymena have expressed their anger over stock cars damaging the new playing surface following a recent race meeting.
The club shares the council owned venue with the Ballymena Raceway.

FREIBURG - Bundesliga club SC Freiburg have moved a step closer towards a new 35,000 stadium, following a vote of approval by the local council.
Freiburg hope to start work early in 2019 on the Wolfswinkel site close to the city's airport, which will see the club move from their current 24,000 capacity Schwardwald-Stadion home since 1954.

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STADE RETRO IMAGES

Old main stand at Feethams, Darlington

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CLUBCALL
Peterborough United

London Road, Peterborough PE2 8AL.
Founded - 1934
League - English Football League One
Capacity - 14,319
Record Attendance - 30,096
Nearest Railway Station - Peterborough
Club Website - www.theposh.com

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STADIUM TOURS
Anfield Liverpool

One of the last of the original top flight stadiums in England, Anfield - the home of Liverpool FC - still retains its aura, and with its recent redevelopment and more to come in the future with the expansion of the Anfield Road end,its position as one of the iconic stadiums in English and indeed European football is almost unrivalled.
The excellent stadium tour starts at the dedicated reception in the corner of the ground, between the new main stand and the Kop.
Up six escalators later, with lots of memorabilia to view on the way, and you are in the concourse of the newly redeveloped main stand in the stadium.
Unfortunately due to a Champions League match the day before, the tour was restricted due to UEFA regulations.
This meant the media facilities, dressing rooms, and the players tunnel including the famous 'This is Anfield' sign were all out of bounds.

The club transform the main concourse for the tours though, with a fascinating timeline and history of the Reds. Reproduced photographs and memorabilia from every era are displayed on large banners, and here you appreciate how much the club has developed from its very humble beginnings, through the Bill Shankly era, to the European dominance of the '80s - a history proudly recounted by the very friendly and informative tour guides.
The view from the upper section of the new main stand is incredible, with panoramic views of the city and the River Mersey.
The stadium tour concludes pitch side in the dug-outs, followed by a chance to sit in the famous Anfield Kop end.

The stadium tour ticket includes entry to the excellent club museum.
Not many clubs can display five European Cups in their museum, but this is the highlight of the displays and memorabilia on show, including the Steven Gerrard collection, that are a fascinating reminder of the highs and lows of the Reds history.
After your museum visit you can also enjoy some food and refreshments, in the adjacent Boot Room cafe.
The Anfield stadium tour and museum is certainly one of the more informal, but very informative and interesting club tours, and is highly recommended for all genuine football fans.


Anfield Tour Info
Times - Tours usually available 10am until 4pm 7 days a week.
Contact - www.liverpoolfc/stadiumtours.com  Tel: 0151 260 6677.
Prices - Adult £20, Student/Senior £15.00, Child(under 16) £12.00.
           includes entry to the Liverpool FC story.
Travel - Bus no.17 from the City Centre - Day Ticket costs £4.00.

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FAMOUS LOST FOOTBALL PUBS
The Imperial Grimsby

Situated on Grimsby Road and in the shadow of Blundell Park, The Imp was a large pub/hotel and the favourite pre-match venue for Mariners fans.
The former Bass pub, of which legend has it is haunted by the ghost of a former maid, closed in July 2015.
Work is now underway to convert the building and adjoining coach house into flats and apartments.

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STADE IMAGES

New main stand at the renamed Tynecastle Park, Heart of Midlothian

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2018

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

Next issue (No.45) published Sunday 7th October 2018

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.43 June 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall
Sheffield Wednesday

Destination Kirkcaldy

Red Lion Watford




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STADE NEWS
CHELSEA STADIUM PLANS ON HOLD

Chelsea have put the plans for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge indefinitely on hold.
The Blues have issued a statement saying the work on the stadium has been delayed because of 'the current unfavourable investment climate'.
The statement added 'No further pre-construction design and planning work will occur'.
The estimated cost for the new 60,000 Stamford Bridge stadium has reportedly risen to over £1bn.


OFFER MADE FOR WEMBLEY

The Football Association are in the process of evaluating the offer from Fulham and American Football club Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, for the purchase of Wembley Stadium.
Under the terms of the offer the FA headquarters would still be at Wembley, and the lucrative Club Wembley hospitality business would remain in the ownership of the FA.

IRONS TO REMAIN AT GLANFORD

Following the decision to abandon plans to relocate to a new stadium, Scunthorpe United have revealed further information regarding the upgrading of Glanford Park.
All four stands will be refurbished, with the corporate areas, public concourses, and catering facilities all being upgraded.
The capacity of the stadium is expected to rise to around 12,000.

EXPANSION PLANS FOR VILLA PARK

Aston Villa have revealed long-term plans to increase the capacity of Villa Park to around 60,000, with the redevelopment of the North stand a priority.
The plans include redeveloping the whole area around the stadium, and specifically the modernisation of the North Stand.
Villa's defeat to Fulham in the recent Championship play-off Final though, could significantly delay the plans.

DELAY FOR NEW WIMBLEDON STADIUM

With the demolition of the existing greyhound stadium not due to be completed until October this year, the opening on the same site of the new AFC Wimbledon stadium has been further delayed.
The new 9,000 capacity stadium is only a few hundred metres away from the club's former home at Plough Lane.



IN BRIEF
SHREWSBURY TOWN - After a supporters fund-raising scheme and many years of planning, a new safe standing area has been installed at the Oteley Road end of the New Meadow.
The 555 rail seats will be in use for the start of next season.

UEFA FINALS - The venues for the 2020 UEFA Club Finals have been announced.
The Champions League final will be held at Istanbul's 76,000 capacity Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
The Europa League final will be hosted by the Arena Gdansk in Poland, with the Super Cup awarded to the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

ROMULUS - After years of groundsharing at Sutton Coldfield FC, north Birmingham club Romulus will move into the Castle Vale Stadium for the 2018/19 season.
The club's academy is already based at the ground which has a 3G pitch.
Following relegation the club will be playing in the Midland League.


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STADE RETRO IMAGES

Old East stand at Hibernian's Easter Road

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CLUBCALL Sheffield Wednesday

Hillsborough, Sheffield S6 1SW.
Founded - 1867
League - English Championship
Capacity - 39,812
Record Attendance - 72,841
Nearest Railway Station - Leppings Lane(Tram)
Club Website - www.swfc.co.uk

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DESTINATION Kirkcaldy

Town House

Situated on the beautiful east Fife coastline of Scotland, the former Royal Burgh of Kirkcaldy is a large, impressive town steeped in history. 
With a nickname of 'Lang Toun' (Long Town),
the town has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and is now the eleventh largest population centre in Scotland.
The harbour area developed in the 16th century, and Kirkcaldy rapidly developed around the salt, coal mining, and linen industries.
The town is now the major centre for the wider Fife area.
Attractions in the town include The Galleries, home to the town's museum, art gallery and library.
The Old Kirk, a fine old parish church on Kirk Wynd consecrated in 1244 is well worth a visit, and the Adam Smith Theatre is the town's main entertainment venue playing host to theatre and musical productions, and a regular specialist film programme.
Kirkcaldy also has an impressive leisure centre on the Esplanade, and an ice rink which is home to the oldest ice hockey club in the UK the Fife Flyers, established in 1938.
East of the town the remains of Ravenscraig Castle built to defend the upper reaches of the Forth is an interesting attraction.
Kirkcaldy is an ideal base for visiting the wider Fife area, including the delightful county town of Cupar, and the seaside towns of Anstruther and Crail.
Golf fans will obviously also want to visit the historical town of St.Andrews, the spiritual home of British golf.
And, stunning views of the Forth road and rail bridges can be had from the quaint village of North Queensferry.

Kirkcaldy Galleries

Kirkcaldy Info
Travel - by rail via Edinburgh, by road via M90, A92.
Accommodation - mainly private hotels and guesthouses in the town, major chain hotels in Edinburgh. 
Pubs - Betty Nichols and Penny Farthing on the High Street, and the Harbour Bar are recommended. 
Tourism Website - 
www.welcometofife.com

Raith Rovers FC
Stark's Park, Pratt Street, Kirkcaldy KY1 1SA.
Founded - 1883
League - Scottish Championship
Capacity - 8,867
Record Attendance - 31,306
Nearest Railway Station - Kirkcaldy
Club Website - www.raithroversfc.com

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Red Lion Watford

Imposing corner-site pub on Vicarage Road, directly opposite the visiting supporters turnstiles.
Re-opened in August 2016 after a two-year closure, the open plan pub is part of the No8 Hostels chain, which also includes The Bell on White Hart Lane in Tottenham.
Food served all day and usually one cask beer on offer.
Some Watford FC posters and scarves to view.
No live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Memorial garden at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2018

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

Next issue (No.44) published Sunday 5th August 2018

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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