Issue No.60 August 2023

 IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Ajax 

Lost Grounds York City

ClubCall Crook Town 

Tollington Arms Arsenal 

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STADE NEWS

FOOTBALL RETURNS TO GIGG LANE

Following the merger of Bury FC and pheonix club Bury AFC and the formation of a new club, football has returned to Gigg Lane for the first time since The Shakers were expelled from the EFL in 2019, following serious financial problems. The new club, Bury FC, now play in the North West Counties League Premier Division, and returned to Gigg Lane on the 29th July with a 5-1 win over Glossop North End. Due to safety requirements and the costs involved the club will not currently be re-opening the whole stadium, but will prioritise the opening of the main North stand and the South Stand on matchdays. Gigg Lane has been home to Bury since 1885, with the record attendance of 35,000 set in 1960 for an FA Cup match against Bolton Wanderers. The current capacity of the now all-seater stadium is 11,841.

DOUBTS OVER HAMPDEN REDEVELOPMENT

Due to the current economic climate, the Scottish FA chief executive has said the redevelopment of Hampden Park in Glasgow is 'not going to happen'. Previous plans had been revealed for a rebuild which would have increased the capacity from 52,000 to 65,000. Hampden is one of the venues included in the UK and Ireland bid to host the 2028 Euro tournament.

REFURB FOR SPORTING STADIUM

The Estadio Jose Alvalade, home of Sporting Lisbon, is currently undergoing a modernisation upgrade on the 20th anniversary of its opening. Built for the 2004 Euros, the previous mosaic colour seats in the stadium have been changed to green, and the external tiling and towers have also been changed to the club's green colour.

ANFIELD RAIL SEATING INCREASE

A further 3,000 rail seats have been installed in the Kop at Liverpool's Anfield, taking the total number of safe seating in the stadium to 13,000. The club plan to install more in the Kop next year, to add to the 7,425 currently in the famous stand. Meanwhile the main contractors on the delayed Anfield Road stand redevelopment have filed for administration. It is unsure if the October date for the completion of the project can now be met.

NEW STADIUM NAME FOR BOLTON

After agreeing a deal with a local building company, the home of Bolton Wanderers will now be known as the Toughsheet Community Stadium. The 28,723 capacity stadium which opened in 1997, was previously known as the Reebok, the Macron, and the University of Bolton stadium.

NEWS IN BRIEF

LUTON TOWN

As the works to upgrade Kenilworth Road continue at a frantic pace, Luton Town have announced the postponment of their first home Premier League game on August 19th against Burnley. The £10m upgrade includes the construction of a new stand to meet broadcast and media requirements. The Hatters plans to move to a new stadium by 2026 are still on schedule.

UNION BERLIN

After a 4th place finish in the Bundesliga and achieving Champions League qualification for the first time, Union Berlin have decided to play their European matches at the 74,000 capacity Olympiastadion. Union's Stadion An der Alten has a capacity of just over 22,000.

BRISTOL ROVERS

English League One club Bristol Rovers have partnered with companies Ticketmaster and Axess to provide ticketing and access control services for the Memorial Stadium. New ticket scanners will be installed at all turnstiles, and stewards will be provided with handheld scanners to ensure smoother entry into the stadium for supporters.

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CLUBCALL Ajax

Johan Cruijff Arena, Johan Cruijff Boulevard 1,

1101 AX Amsterdam.

Founded - 1900

League - Netherlands Eredivisie

Capacity - 55,865

Record Attendance - 54,990

Nearest Railway Station - Bijlmer/Arena (Metro)

Club Website - www.ajax.nl

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LOST GROUNDS York City

One of English football's more quirky venues, an irregular shape and hemmed in by housing, Bootham Crescent was the home of York City from 1932 until 2021. Built as a replacement for the club's previous ground at Fulfordgate on the outskirts of the city, Bootham was constructed in only four months, and opened on 31 August 1932 with a Third Division North match versus Stockport County. The ground was developed over the years and the record attandance of 28,123 was set in 1938 for an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town. When the ground closed in 2021 the capacity had been reduced to 8,256.

The ground was comprised of two all-seater stands - the Main stand and the Popular stand, and two terraced stands the covered David Longhurst stand and the open Grosvenor Road end.

Bootham Crescent hosted many representative and England Youth matches over the years, and also hosted three matches in the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship. The ground was also home to the York City Knights rugby league team from 2016.

The final game at Bootham Crescent saw York City defeat Guiseley AFC 1-0 in a National League game on 28 December 2020. The site has now been handed to builders Persimmon for a housing development.

After a protracted planning and legal process, the Minstermen finally moved into their new home the LNER Community Stadium, with a 3-1 defeat by AFC Fylde on 16 February 2021. Situated in Huntington on the outskirts of the city, the 8,500 capacity all-seater stadium is once again shared with the York City Knights rugby league club.

The stadium and adjoining leisure complex and community hub, is owned by the City of York Council, with a park and ride facility adjacent to the stadium. The current record attendance at the ground is 7,488, 

set for a match against Boston United on 21 May 2022. 

The Minstermen are currently members of the National League.

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CLUBCALL Crook Town 

Address - Millfield, West Road, Crook DL15 9PW.

Founded - 1889

League - Northern League Division One

Capacity - 1,500

Record Attendance - 17,500

Nearest Railway Station - Bishop Auckland 

Club Website - www.crooktownfc.co.uk

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS

Tollington Arms, Arsenal

Large, corner, open plan pub on Hornsey Road, five minutes walk from the Emirates Stadium.

Plenty of Arsenal memorabilia on show, also classic black and white photos of the local area.

Usually two cask ales on offer, English and Thai food served daily.

All live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Main entrance at AFC Wimbledon

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2023.

Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com

Twitter @FootballStade

Next issue(No.61)published Sunday 3rd December 2023.

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

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