IN THIS ISSUE
Stade News
ClubCall Chester
Lost Grounds West Ham
ClubCall Thornaby
The Park Middlesbrough
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STADE NEWS
ELLAND ROAD EXPANSION PLANS
Leeds United have announced plans to expand and improve Elland Road. Home to the Whites since 1916, and with ownership of the ground recently transferred back to the club, Leeds plan to increase capacity at the stadium from the current 37,645 to around 53,000. The expansion will focus on increasing capacity to the North and West stands, with construction completed in phases to maintain as much seating as possible. An increase in capacity and general admission seating is required, as the club currently have over 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets. The plans also include greatly improved hospitality facilities at the stadium, which when completed will bring Elland Road into UEFA Category 4 status, the elite in European stadia.
DONS RETURN TO GROUND AFTER FLOODINGAFC Wimbledon have returned to Plough Lane, after matches were postponed due to severe flooding and pitch subsidence. Built on the site of the old Wimbledon greyhound stadium, over 100,000 litres of water were pumped from the site before the Dons could return.
NEW STADIUM FOR MAN UTD
It appears the new owners at Manchester United favour a new stadium for the club, rather than rebuilding Old Trafford. A new 100,000 capacity stadium could be built next to the current ground, on the site of an existing rail freight terminal. The stadium plan is part of a wider Community scheme for the area.
POSH IN COUNCIL DISPUTE
Peterborough City Council claims it is still owed £220,000 from the club, as part of the 2021 deal agreed to purchase the London road stadium. Meetings have taken place between Posh and the Council, but the dispute over the oustanding payment, part of which was paid in March this year, is still to be resolved.
TERRIERS INCREASE SHARE IN STADIUM
Huddersfield Town have increased their share of the ownership of the John Smith's stadium to 80%, following an agreement with the local Kirklees Council. The remaining 20% share will be held by Huddersfield Giants rugby league club, who share the stadium with the Terriers.
NEWS IN BRIEF
SEVILLA
Planning authorities in Sevilla have approved the expansion of the site for the clubs' proposed new stadium. The Nuevo Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, with a capacity of 55,000, will replace the current stadium of the same name home to the Los Nervionenses since 1958.
LUTON TOWN
The Hatters have released images of the planned new 25,000 capacity stadium at Power Court, plans which include a music venue and hotel. The club are unable to extend their current Kenilworth Road home, which has a capacity of only 12,000.
SAN SIRO
A sports pub has been opened inside the San Siro in Milan, home to Inter and AC. The pub will open during both clubs home matches, and also during away games to broadcast live TV games. Meanwhile the future of the iconic stadium is still unclear, with both clubs exploring alternative venues.
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CLUBCALL Chester
Deva Stadium, Bumper's Lane, Chester CH1 4LT.
Founded - 2010
League - National League North
Capacity - 6,500
Record Attendance - 5,987
Nearest Railway Station - Chester
Club Website - www.chesterfc.com
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LOST GROUNDS
Boleyn Ground, West Ham
Almost universally known as Upton Park, the Boleyn Ground situated in East London was the home of West Ham United from 1904 until 2016.The first match at the ground was a Southern League derby v Millwall which attracted around 11,000 spectators, and the stadium soon became hugely popular with Hammers fans. Following the clubs election to the Football League in 1919 and subsequent further increase in crowds, the Hammers were able to gradually increase capacity and facilities at ground, including a double decker main West stand which remained in place until being rebuilt in 2000. After WWII bomb damage at the ground was repaired, floodlights were installed in 1953 making the Boleyn only the second floodlit ground in England after Arsenal's Highbury. 
The final match played at the ground was in the Premier League v Manchester United on 10th May 2016, a 3-2 victory for the Hammers.Following the hugely succesful London Olympic Games in 2012, West Ham won the bidding race to secure tenancy of the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, on a 99-year lease. The stadium has gradually been renovated and modified over the years, and has a capacity for football of 62,500. The record West Ham attendance at the now re-named London Stadium is 62,478, set for a match v Leeds United on 21st May 2023.
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CLUBCALL Thornaby
Teesdale Park, Acklam Road, Thornaby TS17 7JU.
Founded - 2000
League - Northern League Division Two
Capacity - 5,000
Record Attendance - 3,000
Nearest Railway Station - Thornaby
Club Website - Currently Facebook only
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FAMOUS LOST FOOTBALL PUBS
The Park, Middlesbrough
Large, former Bass pub on Linthorpe Road, five minutes walk from Boro's former Ayresome Park home. Originally called the Albert Park Hotel, after the nearby park, the pub was hugely popular before and after matches at Ayresome. Following Boro's move to the Riverside in 1995, the pub finally closed in 2015.
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STADE IMAGES
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| Main stand at Palmerston Park, Queen of the South |
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Next issue(No.65)published Sunday 6th April 2025.
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