Sunday, 6 April 2025

Issue No.65 April 2025

IN THIS ISSUE

Leeds Town Hall

Stade News

ClubCall Sunderland

Destination Leeds

ClubCall Chelsea

Five Bells Millwall






_______________________________

STADE NEWS

TRAVEL CONCERNS AT BRAMLEY MOORE

Following the second test event at Bramley Moore, Everton fans have expressed concerns about the travel arrangements to and from the new stadium. A crowd of 25,000 attended the event, with analysis by the local council suggesting over half the spectators used public transport. Major delays and overcrowding on Merseyrail trains were reported, as well as crowd control problems at Sandhills station, the nearest to the stadium around a fifteen minute walk away. Supporters walking away from the stadium towards the city centre, also encountered delays crossing Bascule Bridge on Regents Road due to weight restrictions. As part of the event, an U21 match v Bolton Wanderers, Everton successfully conducted a full stadium evacuation procedure after 65 minutes. The Toffees will move from Goodison Park in to the new 52,888 capacity stadium in August, at the start of next season.


ARSENAL EXPLORE EMIRATES EXPANSION

Arsenal are exploring expansion of the Emirates Stadium, which could increase capacity to around 80,000. With the stadium being built in a crowded area of North London, any work to increase the number of seats will be complicted and costly. The Gunners have held talks with an architectural design firm, who have presented the club with a variety of expansion plans.


NEW TRAINING COMPLEX AT AYR

Scottish Championship club Ayr United have unveiled plans for a new training complex next to Somerset Park, after the purchase of derelict land behind the Railway End. A new traing pitch and gym facility will be the first phase of the development. The Honest Men currently sit second in the Championship table in the race for promotion to the Premiership.


SPORTS VILLAGE FOR BOUNDARY PARK

Oldham Council has announced plans for a £70m Sports Town, which includes new sports and health facilities at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park. The plans include a sports campus, training facilities, and a cricket pitch. The Latics share the stadium with Oldham Rugby League club.



RED DRAGONS REVEAL KOP STAND DESIGN

Wrexham have revealed details of the new Kop Stand at the Racecourse Ground. The new 5,500 capacity stand will have a red brick facade, and will incorporate player and officials facilities, safe standing and hospitality areas. The design will also give the club the option to increase capacity of the stand at a later date.


NEWS IN BRIEF

MIDLANDS RAIL LINK

Coventry City and Nottingham Forest have backed plans for a new rail link planned to boost economic growth in the Midlands,which would connect Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham. The potential link would reinstate direct rail services between the three cities for the first time in over twenty years.

WEXFORD

League of Ireland First Division club Wexford have announced plans for a new 6,000 capacity stadium and sports facility in the town. The club have applied for Government funding for the project, which would see the replacement of the club's current Ferrycarrig Park ground.

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

The Cherries have revealed plans to redevelop Dean Court and increase the capacity to between 19,000 and 23,000. A full refurbishment of the stands and hospitality areas is also planned, as the club reveal a long waiting list for match tickets at the current 11,500 capacity stadium.

___________________________

CLUBCALL Sunderland

Stadium of Light, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland SR5 1SU.

Founded - 1879

League - English Football League Championship

Capacity - 49,000

Record Attendance - 48,353

Nearest Railway Station - St.Peters(Metro)

Club Website - www.safc.com




_________________

DESTINATION Leeds

Art Gallery
The cosmopolitan City of Leeds, renowned for its cultural attractions, shopping, and nightlife, is both a fine destination in its own right, and the ideal place to explore the wider area of West Yorkshire.
The Borough of Leeds, covering a small area around the River Aire, was created in 1207, with a Royal Charter granted in 1626. Gradual expansion of the surrounding area saw city status gained in 1893. The current city boundaries were established on 1st April 1974, and with a population of over 822,000 Leeds is now one of the largest cities in England.
Notable buildings in the city include the Town Hall on The Headrow, a fine 19th century municipal building, St.John's church on new Briggate which was consecrated in 1634, the Grade 1 listed Corn Exchange on Briggate, and the Civic Hall in Millenium Square.
Corn Exchange
Leeds is a fine shopping destination, particularly the Victoria Quarter with its beautifully ornate indoor arcades, which now link with the nearby modern Victoria Gate centre. Traditional street shopping is centred  around Briggate, Albion Street, and Boar Lane.
The arts are very well catered for in Leeds, with the famous City Varieties Music Hall, Grand Theatre and Opera House, First Direct Arena, and Brudenell Social Club providing a wide variety of musical entertainment.
The Art Gallery on The Headrow, and City Museum on Millenium Square are both well worth a visit with excellent displays and exhibitions.
The Royal Armouries Museum just south of the city centre is also a must see.
The city is also a brilliant base to discover the attractions of the wider Leeds area, including Kirkstall Abbey, Harewood House, the Industrial Museum at Armley, and Roundhay Park.

Victoria Arcade

Leeds Info

Travel - by road via A1/M1, rail via East Coast and Transpennine routes.

Accomodation - all major hotel chains in the city, The Queens on City Square particularly recommended.

Pubs - Templar on Templar Street, Head of Steam on Mill Hill, Duck and Drake on Kirkgate, Whitelock's off Briggate all fine hostelries.

Tourism Website - www.visitleeds.co.uk

Leeds United

Elland Road, Beeston, Leeds LS11 0ES.







____________________

CLUBCALL Chelsea

Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London SW6 1HS.

Founded - 1905

League - English Premier League

Capacity - 40,173

Record Attendance - 82,905

Nearest Railway Station - Fulham Broadway(Tube)

Club Website - www.chelseafc.com





__________________

FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS

Five Bells Millwall

Large, friendly community pub on New Cross Road, popular with Millwall fans going to the original and the new Den grounds. Now part of the Craft Union chain, all live TV football shown on the many screens. Not much memorabilia on show inside, but Millwall flag flying outside shows the pub's allegiance to the Lions. No food served.

_____________________

STADE IMAGES

The Warwick - Brunton Park, Carlisle

_______________________________

Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2025.
Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
X@FootballStade

Next issue(No.66)published Sunday 3rd August 2025.

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
___________________________
__________________________