IN THIS ISSUE
Stade News
ClubCall Edinburgh City
Destination Harrogate
ClubCall Newton Aycliffe
Corner Pin Wimbledon
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STADE NEWS
HEARTS HOTEL OPENS
The newest hotel in Edinburgh has opened in the main stand at Heart of Midlothian's stadium. The 4 star Tynecastle Park hotel offers 25 stylish bedrooms, with breakfast and evening meals being taken in the club's Skyline restaurant. Hearts are now offering match and hotel stay packages, with further private hire, corporate, and conference facilities available in the hotel and club function suites. Tynecastle Park is in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, a ten minute walk from Haymarket railway station and tram stop, and bookings can be made via the club or hotel websites.
POSSIBLE SALE FOR THE SHAY
The council owned Shay, home to Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers rugby league club, could be sold in a cost-cutting measure. Options include transferring a long term lease to one of the clubs, or for the council to dispose of the ground with the two clubs as tenants. The Shay has been home to Town since 1921.
DEBATE ON FUTURE OF OLD TRAFFORD
Manchester United are reported to be making a decision on the future of Old Trafford by the end of 2024. Options for the club are to refurbish and extend the existing stadium, or build an entirely new structure on the neighbouring land which the club owns, next to the current stadium site.
STADIUM OF LIGHT REDEVELOPMENT
Sunderland have announced redevelopment and upgrade plans for the Stadium of Light, including the installation of 3,000 rail seats. A new pitch and under-soil heating system will be installed in the summer, with further improvements to the stadium PA system and floodlights.
DUNDEE UNVEIL CAMPERDOWN PLANS
The SPFL have supported Dundee's application for a new 12,500 capacity stadium. Plans include safe standing and tiered hospitality, including a 250-capacity brew hall. A chevron design will be incorporated in the stadium entrance to reflect the main stand at Dens Park.
NEWS IN BRIEF
CASEMENT PARK
Doubts continue over the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast. Work has yet to begin on the Euro 2028 stadium, now reduced to a 30,000 capacity, with UEFA requiring the ground to be ready by mid-2027 to enable test events at the venue before the tournament.
SHEFFIELD FC
The world's oldest football club have announced plans for a new stadium at Meadowhead in Sheffield. The 5,000 seater stadium, to be shared with Sheffield Eagles rugby league club, will also include a football museum and an indoor community sports hall.
ERNST HAPPEL STADION
The city authorities in Vienna have unveiled plans for the redevelopment of the iconic 50,865 capacity Ernst Happel stadion, with the aim of making the venue Europe's first energy self-sufficient stadium.
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CLUBCALL Edinburgh City
Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE.
Founded - 1928
League - Scottish League One
Capacity - 1,320
Record Attendance - 2,522
Nearest Railway Station - Edinburgh Waverley
Club Website - www.edinburghcityfc.com
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DESTINATION Harrogate
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| Harrogate War Memorial |
One of the most popular destinations in the North of England, the fine town of Harrogate and its surrounding area has many attractions for visitors.Historically in the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town grew rapidly from the 16th century following the discovery of sulphur-rich spring water in High Harrogate, and visitors soon flocked to the town to sample the waters.
The Turkish Baths, operating since 1897 in the original Royal Baths building are still open to this day, and the Royal Pump Room is now a museum showcasing the town's spa history.
Other notable buildings in Harrogate include the Royal Hall, the only surviving Kursaal in the UK, the Grade I listed St Wilfrid's church, and the Harrogate Convention Centre.
The Harrogate Theatre, formerly the Grand Opera House, and the Royal Hall are the main concert and performance venues in the town, which is host to the annual International Arts Festival.
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| Royal Pump Room |
Shopping is centred around the Montpellier Quarter and John Street, with a wide range of independent and national retailers on offer.The famous Betty's tea room is situated on Parliament Street opposite the war memorial.
Harrogate hosts the annual Great Yorkshire Show at the Showground on the eastern outskirts of the town, an agricultural show that attracts around one million visitors a year.
The main park in the town is the Valley Gardens featuring the art deco Sun Pavilion, and the Stray is perfect for a pleasant town centre walk.
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Valley Gardens
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Just outside the town the RHS Gardens at Harlow Carr are a must visit, and the nearby towns of Knaresborough and Ripon are also attractive destinations.Fountains Abbey and Ripley Castle are nearby, and Harrogate is also an ideal base for visiting the nearby Yorkshire Dales National Park.
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| Harrogate Royal Hall |
Harrogate InfoTravel - by road via A1/A59/A61, by rail via York or Leeds.
Hotels - full range of hotels and B&B's in the town, Hotel du Vin on West Park and Harrogate Inn on Ripon Road both very good.
Pubs - Old Bell on Royal Parade, Fat Badger(in White Hart Hotel), and Winter Gardens(Wetherspoons) all particularly recommended.
Tourism Website - www.visitharrogate.co.uk
Harrogate Town
Wetherby Road, Harrogate HG2 7SA.
Harrogate Railway Athletic
Station View, Starbeck, Harrogate HG2 7JA.
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CLUBCALL Newton Aycliffe
Moore Lane Sports Club, Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham DL5 5AG.
Founded - 1965
League - Northern Premier League Division One East
Capacity - 1,000
Record Attendance - 587
Nearest Railway Station - Newton Aycliffe
Club Website - www.newtonaycliffefc.co.uk
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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Corner Pin Wimbledon
Large, very friendly pub at the end of Plough Lane on Summerstown, virtually outside the new home of AFC Wimbledon. A home fans only venue on matchdays, Youngs Special bitter usually on cask but no food served. Surprisingly no Dons memorabilia displayed, but lots of old sporting souvenirs to view.
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STADE IMAGES
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| Floodlight at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich Albion |
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Next issue(No.63)published Sunday 4th August 2024.
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