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| 'Sport' statue at the Keepmoat Stadium |
Stade News
ClubCall Crewe
Destination Doncaster
Brentford pubs
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STADE NEWS
VILLA PARK DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Villa have received planning permission to demolish existing buildings on the site, which include the club's current store, ticket office, and the offices of the training academy,which in the interim until the new buildings are erected would be used for excess match day car parking.
The club have also intimated, given the current 7,000 season ticket waiting list, that infill plans for the stadium may be implemented to increase the current 42,000 capacity at Villa Park.
CAPACITY INCREASE FOR AJAX
With an average attendance of over 53,000 and a season ticket waiting list of over 30,000, expansion is essential to satisfy supporter demand and increase revenue.
The new seating will see the capacity of the Arena increase to around 56,000.
LEEDS ACADEMY AND STADIUM PLANS
Elland Road, with a current capacity of 37,890, celebrates its centenary this year the ground having opened in 1919.
The last time Leeds played in the Premier League was the 2003/04 season.
FOREST TO SUBMIT PLANNING APPLICATION
The centrepiece feature will see a brand new main stand built, together with further additional new seating around the ground.
Work is expected to start next year on the scheme, which will see the capacity of the stadium rise to around 36,000.
REVAMP FOR VICTORIA PARK
Previous development plans, particularly for the Mill House side of the ground failed to materialise, but the club are currently looking at the infrastructure of the whole stadium to improve facilities and generate new income streams.
The 7,833 capacity stadium has been home to Hartlepool since 1908.
IN BRIEF
TORQUAY UNITED
National League South club Torquay United have announced they will be staying at their current home Plainmoor.
Plans for a new 10,000 capacity stadium, club Academy HQ, hotel, retail and residential development at Nightingale Park in nearby Barton, have now been abandoned.
STEETON
Rugby League club Keighley Cougars have terminated their groundshare agreement with Steeton, giving the North West Counties League club six months notice to leave Cougar Park.
Steeton have started the search for a new home, with the club's former ground Summerhill Lane ruled out as it does not meet Step 6 requirements.
STANDARD LIEGE
The reconstruction of Stade de Sclessin is planned to start in March 2020, and Belgian club Standard Liege hope to complete the works by 2023.
The capacity of the stadium will be 32,000, with the project including building one brand new stand, incorporating a new business centre, supermarket, and parking for 1,500 cars.
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CLUBCALL Crewe Alexandra
Founded - 1877
League - English Football League Two
Capacity - 10,153
Record Attendance - 20,000
Nearest Railway Station - Crewe
Club Website - www.crewealex.net
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DESTINATION Doncaster
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| Mansion House |
Founded by the Romans in 71AD, the town has a rich history and some amazing buildings, with the stunning St.George's Minster dominating the town centre.
The Grade 1 listed Mansion House on High Street, one of only three remaining in the country with York and the City of London being the others, has regular open days, events, afternoon teas, and is a favourite celebration venue in the town.
Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery is also a must see, including an extensive military medal collection in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry exhibit, located within the museum.
The 19th century Corn exchange is at the heart of the thriving Doncaster Market.
Originally built as a concert hall, Elgar conducted there with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1909, the Victorian building is now host to range of retailers and craft outlets, complementing the adjacent outdoor market which has over 200 stalls.
Located on the Lakeside close to the Keepmoat Stadium is the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, housing over 35 aircraft and artefacts from the former WW2 Doncaster Airfield.
The National Rail College is also on the Lakeside, fitting for a town which built the iconic railway locomotives Mallard, Flying Scotsman, and the Sir Nigel Gresley.
In the wider area of the town, you can visit the historic houses of Brodsworth Hall and Cusworth Hall, both with excellent exhibitions and gardens.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Bessacarr is a fine family day out, with a stunning collection of animals including the only Polar bears in England.
Doncaster Info
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| The Corn Exchange |
Travel - by road via A1 and A630, by rail via East Coast mainline.
Accommodation - good selection of the major chains and individual hotels in the town.
Pubs - Plough on West Laith Gate and White Swan on Frenchgate recommended.
Tourism Website - www.visitdoncaster.com
Doncaster Rovers FC
Keepmoat Stadium,Stadium Way, Doncaster DN4 5JW.
Founded - 1879
League -
English Football League One
Capacity - 15,231
Record Attendance - 15,001
Nearest Railway Station - Doncaster
Club Website - www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk
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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Brentford Special Report
Griffin Park holds a unique distinction for a British football stadium, the only ground to have a pub on all four corners.
With the club's impending move to Lionel Road, we take a look at the four pubs and also the nearest hostelry to the new stadium at Kew Bridge, which Bees fans will be frequenting on match day soon.
Princess Royal
Basic but friendly one room Fullers pub on the corner of Ealing and
Braemar Road.
Nearest pub to the main entrance at Griffin Park.
A few framed shirts and general sports memorabilia on show.
Usually two cask ales on offer(London Pride/ESB), all live TV football shown.
New Inn
Lively and quirky multi-room pub with a big Irish theme, and a huge beer garden.
Lots of scarves and memorabilia to view.
Two cask ales available and good food menu served.
All TV football and Gaelic sports shown.
The Griffin
Rustic and homely one room Fullers pub, nearest to the away turnstiles on Oak Road.
Strangely lots of cigarette and tobacco memorabilia on show, another pub with a pleasant beer garden.
Food served in a separate restaurant area, no TV football shown.
The Brook
Formerly the Royal Oak, the Brook is as far removed from your archetypal football pub as you could imagine.
Stripped bare walls and floor, with no hint of any link to Brentford FC or the adjacent stadium.
Very pleasant environment though with two cask beers on offer, food served but no TV football shown.
Express Tavern
Originally a Bass pub (it's still served) next to Kew Bridge railway station, two minutes walk from Brentford's new stadium.
Superb ale house with an attractive exterior and a stunning quirky interior, there is a vast array of cask and craft ales to choose from.
Excellent and extensive food menu served, all TV football shown.
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STADE IMAGES
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| Heart of Midlothian War Memorial - Haymarket, Edinburgh |
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2019
Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
Twitter@FootballStade
Twitter@FootballStade
Next issue (No.53) published Sunday 2nd February 2020
footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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