Issue No.42 April 2018

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall
Tooting & Mitcham

Lost Grounds
Bishop Auckland

Prenton Park pub Tranmere




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STADE NEWS
CAPACITY REDUCED AT STADIUM OF LIGHT

With a second successive relegation on the cards, Sunderland have decided to mothball part of the Stadium of Light next season, irrespective of which division they will be playing in.
The Premier Concourse in the main West stand will be closed, resulting in the relocation of 1,500 season ticket holders to other parts of the stadium.
Visiting supporters will still be housed in the North stand area of the concourse.

REDS IN ANFIELD ROAD STAND EXPANSION PLAN

Liverpool are expected to shortly announce the expansion of the Anfield Road stand at the stadium.
With a current capacity of just under 9,000, the new stand will have around 16,000 seats and will be the same height as the recently completed new main stand.
The projected completion date for the expansion is in 2021, which will see the capacity of the stadium rise to over 61,000, and Anfield Road itself will be closed off as part of the plans.

WEMBLEY SECURES EXTRA EURO 2020 MATCHES

Due to the continued deadlock of the Eurostadium scheme in Brussels, UEFA has stripped the Belgian capital of its hosting rights for Euro 2020.
The decision means Wembley Stadium will now host seven matches in the tournament, including the semi-finals and final.
The future of the Eurostadium project is now seriously in doubt, with the projected anchor tenants Anderlecht having previously withdrawn their support for the new stadium.

ACCESSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS AT TURF MOOR

Burnley have announced plans to improve facilities at Turf Moor under the Accessible Stadium Guide.
The club will install elevated platforms for wheelchair access, which will involve new multi-million pound building projects in two corners of the stadium.
The plans include dedicated, covered wheelchair viewing areas, and new toilet facilities.
The stadium jumbo screen will also be relocated as part of the plans.

K's TO RETURN TO KINGSTON

Isthmian Premier League club Kingstonian will return to play in the Borough of Kingston upon Thames next season, after securing a ground sharing agreement with Corinthian Casuals. 
The K's are currently playing in Leatherhead, 11 miles from their former Kingsmeadow stadium which has been sold by the owners AFC Wimbledon.
Chelsea have bought the lease of the stadium, which will be used for academy and women's matches.

IN BRIEF
SWANSEA CITY - The South Wales club have taken over control of the Liberty Stadium from the City council, which will enable the Swans to sell the naming rights and expand the capacity of the ground.
The club plan to add additional seats in phases, in a stadium which is currently the second smallest in the Premier League.

ASTON VILLA - Championship high-flyers Aston Villa are concerned about the impact of the projected new HS2 railway line.
The current plans for the line will build over the pitches and facilities at the Midlands club Bodymoor Heath training complex.

NAPOLI - Italian Serie A giants Napoli have been offered two potential sites for a new stadium, in the North West suburb of Melito .
If all goes to plan the new stadium could be ready in around three years.
Napoli have played at their current iconic, but outdated 60,000 capacity San Paolo stadium since 1959.

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STADE RETRO IMAGES

The old Lookers stand at Boundary Park Oldham

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CLUBCALL Tooting and Mitcham United

Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Road
Morden SM4 6BF.
Founded - 1932
League - Isthmian Premier League
Capacity - 3,500
Nearest Railway Station - Mitcham (Tramlink)
Club Website - www.tmunited.org

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LOST GROUNDS

Kingsway Bishop Auckland

One of the most famous names in English non-league football, County Durham club Bishop Auckland played at Kingsway from 1886 until 2002.
Bishop's won the old FA Amateur Cup ten times, the last occasion in 1957 beating Wycombe Wanderers.
After winning the Cup in 1939, the club remarkably then played eight matches in ten days.


Kingsway was a three-sided stadium, with the fourth side of the ground shared with the town's cricket club, similar to Bramall Lane in Sheffield.
The record attendance was 16,319 for an FA Cup match against Coventry City in 1952.

The last match at the stadium was on April 20th 2002, for a Unibond Premier League match against Bradford Park Avenue.
Whilst the cricket club is still there, the site of the football ground is now housing.
Between 2002 and 2010, Bishop's ground shared at nearby Northern League grounds West Auckland, Shildon, and Spennymoor.

In October 2010 the club moved into the brand new Heritage Park at Tindale Crescent, less than two miles away from Kingsway.

With some of the best non-league football facilities in the North East, the new stadium also offers excellent corporate, hospitality, and conference facilities unthinkable at the old stadium, which enables the venue to be in use seven days a week.
The record attendance at Heritage Park is 2,004 for a Northern League match against Darlington in 2012.



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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS

Prenton Park Tranmere

Large mock-Tudor style pub on the corner of Borough Road/Prenton Road West,directly opposite the Cowshed stand at Prenton Park.
The Prenton has a very large L-shaped lounge with a smaller bar/pool room, and is very away fans friendly.
Sadly no Rovers memorabilia on show, and no cask beers or food served.
All live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Arsenal Underground station

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

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Next issue (No.43) published Sunday 3rd June 2018

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