Issue No.37 June 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Darlington Market Hall

Stade News

ClubCall Everton

Destination Darlington

No.8 pub Tottenham



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STADE NEWS
LONDON STADIUM SPONSORSHIP DEAL PULLED

Telecoms giant Vodafone have abandoned £20m plans to sponsor the London Stadium, home of West Ham United.
Talks over the deal ended, as Vodafone did not believe there was a sufficient range of events to maximise its marketing at the former Olympic Stadium.
The stadium operators (LLDC), are confident a naming rights partner for the stadium will still be found.

NEW STADIUM FOR THE SHAKERS

Bury FC have announced plans for a new stadium, and hope to relocate in the next three years.
The club have played at their current Gigg Lane home since 1885, but plan to move to a new site in the town, where the stadium could be in use 365 days a year.
The initial plan is for a new 15,000 capacity stadium, with the current ground being redeveloped for housing and commercial purposes.

ANFIELD HONOUR FOR DALGLISH

Liverpool are to rename the Anfield Centenary Stand in honour of club legend Kenny Dalglish.
The Scot joined the Merseyside club in 1977, scoring 172 goals in 515 appearances, before becoming player-manager in 1985.
The Reds have yet to announce the date for the renaming ceremony, due to take place later this year.


NEW MAIN STAND AT EXETER

Exeter City will this month commence the reconstruction of the main stand at St James Park.
Associated groundworks will initially take place, before the current stand opened in 1926 is demolished and replaced with a new cantilever stand.The scheme also includes housing for over 300 students.
Exeter have also purchased a stand from Barnet FC to be constructed at the away end of the stadium.                                   

CRUYFF HONOURED BY AJAX

Ajax will rename their Amsterdam stadium, opened in 1996, the Johan Cruyff Arena in honour of the club and Netherlands legend who passed away in 2016.
The city of Amsterdam will also rename a street, a public square, and bridge after Cruyff, who won eight league titles and three European cups as a player with the Dutch Eredivisie club.


IN BRIEF
SOUTHEND UNITED - A further planning application for the new Fossetts Farm stadium has been lodged by Southend United. The project, for a 21,000 capacity stadium and adjacent housing, has been in the pipeline since 2000.
GIBRALTAR - A new National Stadium is to be built on the site of the current Victoria Stadium, after the proposed Europa Point development fell through.
An 8,000 capacity UEFA Category 4 stadium will be built, enabling Gibraltar to host International matches on home soil for the first time.
READING - The property arm of The Royals have obtained permission for a new convention centre, hotel, and ice rink on land around the Madejski Stadium. The scheme also includes a major residential development and public park.
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CLUBCALL Everton

Goodison Park, Goodison Road, Liverpool L4 4EL.
Founded - 1879
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 39,572
Record Attendance - 78,299
Nearest Railway Station - Kirkdale
Club Website - www.evertonfc.com

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DESTINATION Darlington

On the border of County Durham and North Yorkshire, the attractive market town of Darlington is a fine destination, and an ideal base for exploring the wider area of the North-East of England.
Darlington owes its early development to the Quaker families who invested heavily in the town, including the world's first passenger railway between Stockton and Darlington.The town's railway heritage is never far from view, from the iconic Bank Top station on the East Coast mainline to the marvellous museum at the North Road station on the Bishop Auckland line.
Shopping in Darlington is centred around the historic indoor market, with a host of individual and quirky outlets.The modern Cornmill Centre is home to the more mainstream high street retailers.
Leisure activities in the town include the multi-purpose Dolphin Centre, and the attractive South Park is a popular recreational facility.
Darlington is an ideal base for touring the wider South Durham and North Yorkshire areas, with the attractive towns of Barnard Castle, Middleton in Teesdale, and Richmond all being within easy reach.

St Cuthberts church

Darlington Info
Travel - by road via the A1 and A66, by rail via the East Coast mainline.
Accommodation - plenty of major chain and independent hotels available.
Pubs - Britannia on Archer Street, No.22 on Coniscliffe Road, and the Quakerhouse in Mechanics Yard are particularly recommended.
Tourism Website - 
www.thisisdarlington.com

Darlington FC
Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road,
Darlington DL1 5NR.
Founded - 1883
League - National League North
Capacity - 3,000
Record Attendance - 3,000
Nearest Railway Station - 
Darlington Bank Top
Club Website - 
darlingtonfootballclub.co.uk

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
No.8(The Bell)Tottenham

Situated on the High Road in Tottenham, No.8 is now the nearest pub to White Hart Lane.
Formerly and best known as The Bell, No.8 is a large two-room pub with a huge beer garden to the rear, where food is always served on match days.
Plenty of Spurs photographs and memorabilia on show in the bars.
All live TV football shown but no cask beers on offer.
Will be even more popular when the new stadium opens.

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STADE IMAGES

Memorial garden at the Walkers Stadium Leicester

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.38) published Sunday 6th August 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

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Issue No.36 May 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Arsenal

Lost Grounds
Scarborough

Union's Taverne Brussels



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STADE NEWS
SPURS TO LEAVE THE LANE

Tottenham Hotspur have announced they will be leaving White Hart Lane at the end of the current season.
The club have confirmed they will play at Wembley Stadium in the 2017/18 season, as construction work on their new stadium continues.
Spurs have played at White Hart Lane, with a current capacity of just over 32,000 since 1899. 
The new stadium, adjacent just to the north of the current site, will have a capacity of 61,000.

It is expected to cost in the region of £750m, but the club anticipate it will create around 3,500 jobs in the local area.
The stadium will also host NFL American football games.
Although no official announcement has been made from Tottenham, the stadium is expected to be given a sponsors name under a highly lucrative sponsorship deal for the club.



DEAL AGREED FOR EVERTON NEW STADIUM SITE

Everton have agreed a deal with owners Peel Holdings, to acquire the land for their new stadium site at Bramley Moore dock in the North of the city.
Liverpool City Council will act as guarantors to assist Everton in securing funding for the project.
No timeframe has been set for the construction of the stadium, which will still require full planning permission.


DUNDEE LOOK TO CITY RELOCATION

Tayside club Dundee have revisited plans to move from Dens Park to Camperdown Park in the city.
The clubs owners have recently purchased 29 acres of land at the site near the Dundee Ice Arena.
The Dee have recently spent over £200,000 on the upkeep of the stadium, situated in the same street just 400 yards from rivals Dundee United.


SYNNERS LEAVE CENTRAL AVENUE

Northern League side Billingham Synthonia have revealed plans to move from their Central Avenue ground, home for 63 years.
Opened in 1954 and owned by the chemical giants ICI, the stadium with a large cantilever stand and running track was quite innovative at the time.
Synners will relocate next season to nearby Norton.



CAPACITY CUT AT THE KCOM

Hull City will reduce the capacity of the KCom stadium next season, by closing the upper tier of the West stand.
No season tickets will be sold in this part of the ground, reducing the capacity to around 20,000.
The Tigers have also revealed that there will be no concessionary tickets available anywhere in the stadium for season 2017/18.


IN BRIEF
DUMBARTON - Scottish Championship club Dumbarton have announced the planning application for their new stadium will be submitted within the next three months. The Sons' are looking to relocate from the Rock to a new community stadium on the edge of town at Youngs Farm.
ANTWERP - The Mayor of Antwerp has proposed a new stadium to be used by the city's two main clubs, Royal Antwerp and Beerschot. Talks are expected to begin soon between all parties, for a scheme which was originally proposed for the Belgian-Dutch 2018 World Cup bid.
BOSTON UNITED - Lincolnshire side Boston United have revealed work on their new stadium will commence this year. The 4,300 capacity ground and sports hall will be partly financed by the sale of 500 new homes on the surrounding site.

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CLUBCALL Arsenal

Emirates Stadium, Hornsey Road, London N7 7AJ.
Founded - 1886
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 60,432
Record Attendance - 60,161
Nearest Railway Station - 
Drayton Park(Rail)/Holloway Road or Arsenal(Tube)
Club Website - www.arsenal.com

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LOST GROUNDS 
The Athletic Ground Scarborough

Opened in 1898, the Athletic Ground latterly known as the McCain Stadium, was home to Scarborough FC until their demise in 2007.
Located on Seamer Road, the ground had an all-seater main stand along one side, with the popular covered Shed terrace along the other side of the pitch.
Parts of the all-seater East and West stands behind the goals, were dismantled and rebuilt at the stadium of Featherstone Rovers rugby league club.

The stadium had a record attendance of 11,124, but by the time of its closure capacity was reduced to 6,408.
The ground was finally demolished in November 2011, and the site is now mixed-use with housing and a supermarket.
The entrance gates from stadium will be incorporated into the new Leisure Village project.

After ten years groundsharing in Bridlington, Scarborough will finally return to the town next season playing at the new Leisure Village.
Situated just over the railway line from the Athletic Ground, the stadium has an initial 2,500 capacity with the option to expand to 4,500 if required.
Designed and constructed by Willmott Dixon, the stadium with a 4G playing surface, is part of a £15m development which includes a new swimming pool, sports and fitness centre.
The ground will be officially opened with a pre-season friendly against Sheffield United on the 15th July.
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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Union's Taverne Brussels

Lively one-room corner bar on Chaussee de Bruxelles, directly behind the main stand at the historical Stade Joseph Marien, home of Union Saint-Gilloise.
Jupiler is the house beer, but as is the norm in Belgium there is a large range of bottled beers to choose from.
Not much football memorabilia, but plenty of artefacts for the Belgian beer enthusiast to view.
The locals are always keen to engage in football related chatter.

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STADE IMAGES

Nat Lofthouse statue - Bolton Wanderers

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.37) published Sunday 4th June 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

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Issue No.35 April 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Sheffield Utd

West Ham tour

Winslow pub Everton

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STADE NEWS
GREEN LIGHT FOR BRIDGE REDEVELOPMENT

Chelsea have received approval from the Mayor of London to redevelop Stamford Bridge.
The £500m plans for the total rebuild of the site, will see a new 60,000 capacity stadium and improved transport infrastructure.
The Blues are expected to play at Wembley for three seasons, before moving into their new home in time for the 2021/22 season.

GROUNDWORKS TO BEGIN AT TYNECASTLE

Excavation and piling works have begun on the new East stand at Edinburgh club Heart of Midlothian.
Cranes hoisted the 85-ton new main stand roof truss into position in February, and demolition work on the buildings behind the current stand is now complete.
Once the new stand is open, due to be in September this year,the capacity at Tynecastle will be over 20,000.



NEW GRIMSBY STADIUM MOVES STEP CLOSER

The developers behind the new stadium for Grimsby Town, have been given approval by the local Council to buy the land required for the project.
This enables a detailed planning application to be submitted for the proposed 14,000 capacity stadium, and associated retail and leisure developments at Peaks Parkway.
A further site, on a disused amusement park in the town, has also recently been suggested as a possible alternative new location for The Mariners.

SKY BLUES CONFIRM RICOH DEPARTURE

Coventry City have confirmed they plan to leave the Ricoh Arena, where they are contracted to stay until 2018, and relocate to Coventry Rugby club's Butts Park Arena.
Coventry RFC have agreed in principle to the groundshare, although the stadium is also currently used by non-league football side Coventry United, and rugby league side Coventry Bears.
It has been confirmed City's owners have abandoned plans for the club's own new stadium.


FURTHER PARKHEAD DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED

Celtic have filed a proposal of application to Glasgow City Council, for further developments around their Parkhead stadium.
A 200-room hotel, as previously announced by the club late last year, a club museum, megastore and ticket office are planned for the site on the west side of the stadium, 
as part of the club's vision for a wider re-generation of the East End of the city.
There are currently no plans to increase the 60,000 capacity of Celtic Park.




IN BRIEF
AFC BOURNEMOUTH - The Cherries have announced they are looking to build a new stadium, after failing to secure a deal over their current Dean Court site.
The club are working with the local council, and are hopeful a new stadium could be open by the start of the 2020/21 season.
ABERDEEN - the local council have voted against the proposed new stadium and training complex at Kingsford, citing traffic problems as the main concern.
The final say on the scheme however, will be made by the full City Council in June this year.
DERBY COUNTY - The Rams have announced a new bar and restaurant at the stadium, now reverted to Pride Park following the end of a naming sponsorship deal.
The bar, in the south-west corner of the ground, will replace a fitness complex which closed last year
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CLUBCALL Sheffield United

Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SU.
Founded - 1889
League - English League One
Capacity - 32,702
Record Attendance - 68,287
Nearest Railway Station - Sheffield Midland
Club Website - www.sufc.co.uk

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STADIUM TOUR 
London Stadium West Ham United

The conversion of the 2012 Olympic Stadium in Stratford into the new home for West Ham United has been much debated, but a visit on the excellent stadium tour brings home just how impressive the venue actually is.
The tours are self-guided, fully accessible, and begin at Entrance B where you are handed your interactive handset with commentary available in 5 languages.
There are also very informative and friendly guides on hand to assist with any queries during your tour.
After walking through one of many corporate lounges, where there are many reminders of the Iron's former Boleyn Ground, you get your first inside view of the stadium - and its then you realise just how far away the pitch actually is from the upper seating areas.
To be fair though the view is quite stunning !

Home dressing room

The tour moves down the escalators to the dressing-room area, as usual in modern stadia they appear rather small and quite austere, but its nice to see the No.6 shirt of England's 1966 World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore on permanent display.
The next feature is quite unique, the warm-up athletics track used for the Olympics.
Here the interactive handset comes into its own, with photographs and information on the medal winning athletes at the Games.

Entrance to players tunnel

You then make your way through the players tunnel onto the pitch-side, with the bowl of the stadium and its uniquely designed floodlights towering over you.
The tour is now finished, and you make your way back up the escalators to the main reception.
The Hammers have experienced many difficulties, on and off the pitch, since moving to Stratford, but in time you feel the stadium will become as much of a home as the club's former Boleyn Ground.



London Stadium Tour Info
Times -   daily from 10.00 - last entrance 15.00.
Contact - www.london-stadium.com
Prices -   adult from £17, child from £10, family of four from £48.00.
Travel -   via rail or tube to Stratford, buses to Stratford. 
              No car parking available.

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Winslow Hotel Everton

Large hotel on the corner of Goodison Road and Winslow Street, directly opposite the main stand at Goodison Park.
Formerly a Whitbread pub, The Winslow now only opens on matchdays and for private functions in its numerous suites.
As you would expect its packed to the rafters on matchdays, some superb Toffees photographs and memorabilia on show.
All live TV football shown, good selection of beers and lagers but no cask ale served.

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STADE IMAGES

Mariners Park, South Shields FC

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.36) published Sunday 7th May 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

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Issue No.34 March 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Man City

Destination Huddersfield

The Sandon Liverpool




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STADE NEWS
HOOPS TARGET NEW STADIUM LOCATION

Queens Park Rangers have identified a site for a new stadium, just 1km north of their current Loftus Road home.
The site is currently occupied by the Linford Christie athletics stadium, and initial plans indicate a new 30,000 football ground and an adjacent athletics track could be built.
Previous plans by QPR to relocate to Old Oak foundered due to land purchase problems.

IMPS RELOCATION PLANS PROGRESS

Lincoln City are progessing with plans to relocate to a new stadium in the Beevor Street area, around a mile from the City centre.
The site, planned to be open 365 days a year, would include a 10,000 seater stadium and retail outlets, and would be accessed by a new road bridge over the adjacent railway line.
The Imps have played at current home Sincil Bank since 1895.

SPORTING LISBON SET TO GO GREEN

The Estadio Jose Alvalade, home of Sporting Lisbon, has some of the most distinctive seating in Europe with a mosaic of yellow, green and white.
The floodlight pylons at the stadium have already been re-painted green, and now one of the club's Presidential candidates has vowed to change the seating and staircases to all green, matching Sporting's primary colour.

OLD TRAFFORD CAPACITY TO BE REDUCED

Manchester United have announced an increase of 300 positions for disabled supporters at Old Trafford, but this will mean an overall reduction of around 2,000 in the capacity at the stadium.
New wheelchair platforms and accessible seating will be installed, with work in the North and East stands due to be completed before the start of the 2017/18 season.

NEW WORKS AT THE PHILIPS STADION

Following the recent installation of a safe standing section in the East stand at the ground, PSV Eindhoven have announced further improvement works at the Philips Stadion.
The South Stand will have an enhanced concourse and catering facilities, as the club continue to look at options to expand capacity at the stadium, which currently has around 29,000 season ticket holders in the 35,000 capacity.

IN BRIEF

STOKE CITY - work has begun on the expansion of the Bet 365 stadium. The south east corner of the ground will be filled in with an additional 1800 seats, taking the capacity of the stadium to over 30,000.
Two additional LED screens will also be installed at the stadium.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND - a partial closure of the Westfalenstadion, and a heavy fine is the possibility for Borussia Dortmund following a series of crowd disturbances at the stadium this season.
The most recent incident saw abusive banners displayed, and several visiting supporters attacked at the recent game v Leipzig.
SWANSEA CITY - the lease of the Liberty Stadium, currently held by the local council, could be taken over by the new owners of Swansea City. The club plan to take total control of the stadium, shared with rugby union side Ospreys, in a deal which could see a naming rights deal and the stadium expanded.
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CLUBCALL Manchester City

Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, 
Manchester M11 3FF.
Founded - 1894
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 55,097
Record Attendance - 54,693
Nearest Railway Station - Etihad Campus (Tram)
Club Website - www.mancity.com

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DESTINATION Huddersfield

Huddersfield Railway Station

Situated on the M62 corridor between the major conurbations of Leeds and Manchester, the West Yorkshire market town of Huddersfield is an interesting destination.
The town has some fine Victorian architecture, with the jewel being the Grade I listed railway station in St George's Square, a public space which also houses the now sadly closed George Hotel, where the sport of Rugby League was born at a meeting of Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs in 1895 .
Other impressive buildings include the Town Hall and the 1930's built public library, and overlooking the town is the imposing Victoria Tower on Castle Hill.
St Peter's Church, constructed in 1838 on Byram Street is also worth a visit. 
You can take a leisurely stroll in the town's Beaumont and Greenhead parks, whilst the more energetic can follow the route of the Pennine Way which passes nearby.
Huddersfield is also a good base for exploring the wider Kirklees and West Yorkshire area, with the towns of Wakefield, Bradford and Halifax all close by.
The village of Holmfirth, location for the BBC TV series Last of the Summer Wine is only six miles from the town.

                               

The George Hotel

Huddersfield Info
Travel - by road via M62, by rail via Leeds or Manchester.
Accommodation - budget hotel chains in the town centre, good selection of independent hotels in the wider area.
Pubs - Sportsman on St Johns Road, and the Star on Albert Street recommended. 
Also the excellent Head of Steam and King's Head pubs in the railway station.
Tourism Website - www.kirklees.gov.uk/visitors

Huddersfield Town John Smiths Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield HD1 6PX.

Founded - 1908

League - English Championship

Capacity - 24,500

Record Attendance - 24,129

Nearest Railway Station - Huddersfield

Club Website - www.htafc.com

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
The Sandon Liverpool

The birthplace of Liverpool FC, this is the pub where some members of Everton voted to leave and form a new football club.
Situated on Oakfield Road in the shadow of Anfield's Centenary Stand, the Sandon is a huge pub with a large public bar and lounge, and a host of hospitality suites.
As you would expect some superb Reds photographs and memorabilia to view.
No cask beer on offer, all live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Jeff Astle gates - The Hawthorns WBA
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.35) published Sunday 2nd April 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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