Issue No.31 November 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Altrincham

EuroStade Report 
FC Dordrecht

Witton Arms Villa





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STADE NEWS
ALL WOOD NEW STADIUM FOR FOREST GREEN

National League leaders Forest Green Rovers have unveiled plans for a new 5,000 capacity stadium, constructed entirely of wood.
The stadium will be the centrepiece of a £100m sports and business Eco Park situated next to the M5 motorway, with the scheme also including sustainable offices and light industrial units.
Rovers, based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, have been playing at their current New Lawn stadium since 2006.

HEARTS NEW MAIN STAND APPROVED

Edinburgh City Council have approved plans for a new £12m main stand at Tynecastle.
The stand will have a capacity of 7,290, and will accommodate club offices, new hospitality lounges, and ticket office.
Hearts have confirmed they will not need to play away from Tynecastle during the redevelopment of the stand, due to open early in the 2017/18 season.



COVENTRY ROAD NAMED AFTER JIMMY HILL

The A444 Phoenix Way, which runs past former ground Highfield Road and the current Ricoh Arena, will be renamed Jimmy Hill Way in honour of the Coventry City former manager and legend.
Bridges over the road will also be painted sky blue as a further tribute.
There is also a statue of Hill, who died in December 2015, outside the Ricoh.



SAFE STANDING INSTALLED IN AMSTERDAM

Ajax have finally installed the first phase of safe standing at The Amsterdam Arena, which opened for the league match v Excelsior on October 29.
The Eredivisie club plan to eventually convert 5,000 seats with railings, which will meet both domestic and international safety requirements.
The Arena is one of the host stadiums for Euro 2020.

PLOUGH LANE RETURN FOR DONS

AFC Wimbledon are celebrating after the plans for their return to Plough Lane were once again approved by Merton Council.
The Mayor of London 'handed back' the planning decision to the local Council,who unanimously consented to the construction of a new 20,000 seat stadium.
The initial build will see a ground capacity of 11,000, with a range of residential flats and amenities on the site.

IN BRIEF
COVE RANGERS - Highland League side Cove Rangers are in talks with Aberdeen City Council, over a new stadium at Calder Park in Nigg.
A property developer has submitted plans for housing on the site of the club's current home, Allan Park in Cove.
REAL MADRID - Spanish giants Real Madrid are planning a revamp of the Bernabeu Stadium, but the capacity will not be increased.
An outer wrap, retractable roof, and an additional 3,000 corporate seats are included in the plans.
DUMBARTON - Only 16 years after its opening on the site of a former shipyard, Dumbarton plan to leave their ground, known by fans as The Rock as it is in the shadow of the Castle, for a new 4,000 capacity stadium in the town at Young's Farm.
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CLUBCALL Altrincham

Moss Lane, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8AP.
Founded - 1891
League - National League North
Capacity - 6,085
Record Attendance - 10,275
Nearest Railway Station - Altrincham(Metrolink)
Club Website - www.altrinchamfc.co.uk

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EURO STADE REPORT
Riwal Hoogwerkers Stadion Dordrecht

One of the smallest grounds in Dutch football with a capacity of under 5,000, the Riwal Hoogwerkers stadium situated in a leafy suburb of Dordrecht, nevertheless has a host of charm and quaintness not found in modern football stadia.
Opened in 1948, and more commonly known as The Krommedijk after the street in which it is situated, the ground is a neat all-seater with four covered small stands, and has a current capacity of 4,100.
There is a small club shop, and also a plesant club house open on match days.
The stadium is around 1.8km, and a 30 minute walk from the railway station, and there is a large car park behind the north end of the ground off Provincialeweg.

Grote Kerk

Only 15 minutes by train from the bustling port city of Rotterdam, Dordrecht is a beautiful town with quiet canal side and waterfront walks, and is steeped in history and culture.
Located on the Oude Maas river, the medieval city centre has many places of interest with the bell tower of the Grote Kerk dominating the skyline.
The Stadhuis (City Hall) built in 1383 is a must-see building, and the city is home to a variety of museums and attractions including the Dordrechts arts museum and the 1940-1945 Resistance museum.
The city hosts the annual Dordt in Stoom festival where you can see historical steam trains and boats, and the Wantijfestival of music is also held annually in Wantij park.
Dordrecht has a lively social scene with a host of bars, cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes, with the Centre Ville bar and restaurant on Voorstraat being particularly recommended.

RH Stadion Info
Address - Krommerdijk 210,
Dordrecht 3312 LH, 
The Netherlands.
Nearest Railway Station - Dordrecht 
Bus Line - 7
Club Website - 
www.fcdordrecht.nl



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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Witton Arms Aston Villa

Cavernous, multi-room pub on Witton Road opposite Witton railway station, two minutes walk from Villa Park.
The main front bar is Irish themed (the pub is home to the Birmingham branch of the Celtic supporters club), with a smaller pool room and lounges to the rear.
Surprisingly no Villa memorabilia on show.
No food or cask ales served, all live TV football shown.


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STADE IMAGES

Leitch-style gable at Raith Rovers Stark's Park,Kirkcaldy
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Next issue (No.32) published Sunday 4th December 2016

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