As part of plans for the East Stand, which will now be upgraded rather than replaced, houses in Henry Street in Blackpool will be demolished to make room for a new concourse behind the stand. The upgrade also includes structural improvements, 4,797 new tangerine seats, and a new suspended TV gantry.
GROUND IMPROVEMENTS AT SINCIL BANK
League One leaders Lincoln City have announced ground improvements at Sincil Bank. The plans include replacing executive boxes with outdoor seating, new hospitality and event space, and replacing seats in two stands. The work should be completed before the start of next season.
SPORTS HUB TO BE BUILT AT FALKIRK
A new sport and leisure hub is being planned for land next to Scottish Premiership club Falkirk. The hub, which would feature a swimming pool, sports hall, and fitness suite, will replace the existing Mariner Centre and Grangemouth Sports complex in the town.
CAMBRIDGE OPEN TO NEW STADIUM PLAN
Cambridge United are 'open-minded' about the possibility of relocating from the Abbey Stadium, home since 1932. A site, near the proposed new Cambridge East railway station could be a potential location for a new stadium. The U's previous plans to redevelop the Abbey were put on hold in 2025.
NEWS IN BRIEF
NORWICH CITY
A phased redevelopment of Carrow Road has been unveiled by Norwich. The works include a new fanzone behind the Barclay Stand, seat reconfigurations, and external facade alterations. The Canaries plan to increase capacity of the stadium to 35,000.
WORKSOP TOWN
New stands and turnstiles at Worksop Town have been approved by the local Council. The Sandy Lane stadium, home since 1994, will be upgraded to improve spectator facilities and to enable additional community use and events at the ground.
FIORENTINA
A financial agreement between ACF Fiorentina and Florence Council is close, which will enable further modernisation renovations to begin at the historic Stadio Artemio Franchi. The new phase of work will include skyboxes and hospitality zones, to enable increased revenue for the club.
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CLUBCALL Fulham
Craven Cottage, Stevenage Road, London SW6 6HH.
Founded - 1879
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 29,130
Record Attendance - 49,335
Nearest Railway Station - Putney Bridge (Tube)
Club Website - www.fulhamfc.com
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DESTINATION Newcastle upon Tyne
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| Newcastle Castle |
England's northernmost city, full of culture and renowned for its nightlife, Newcastle upon Tyne is the ideal destination.Newcastle originally developed around a Roman settlement named Pons Aelius, a fort and bridge over the River Tyne. Fragments of Hadrian's Wall are still visible along West Road in the city. Newcastle then known as Munucceaster, became part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, and was re-named Newcastle in this era when a wooden castle was built.
The city grew and prospered, particularly with the coal trade from the Quayside, and following the English Civil War when the city walls became obsolete, the area expanded rapidly amid industrial development. The status of City was granted to Newcastle in 1882.
There is some fine architecture in the city, with the Castle itself, Grey Street, St.Mary's Cathedral, and the Theatre Royal particularly good examples. A must for visitors is a walk along the Quayside, which gives fantastic views of the bridges over the Tyne. The Quayside also hosts a vibrant street market every Sunday morning.
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| Grey Street |
The main shopping in Newcastle is centered around Northumberland Street, where you will also find the Eldon Square shopping centre.The indoor Grainger Market is also well worth a visit with a host of independent retailers.
Newcastle is rightly known as a party city, with a host of pubs, bars, and clubs to suit every taste. Bigg Market is the most famous area, but is rather rundown and can be quite lairy late at night. Newgate Street and Collingwood Street, and the Quayside are also very popular. Slightly out of the city Osborne Road in Jesmond, and Ouseburn are fine alternatives to the centre.
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| Theatre Royal |
The arts are very well catered for, with the Theatre Royal, Tyne Theatre and Opera House, and Live Theatre all in the city centre. Music venues include the City Hall, NX, and the Utilita Arena, with the smaller Cluny and Trillions Rock Bar also in the area.The Great North Hancock museum, Discovery museum, and the Life Science Centre are all worth a visit with a variety of displays and exhibits.
Every June Newcastle hosts The Hoppings on the Town Moor, Europe's largest travelling fair.
The city is also a fantastic base to discover the wider Tyneside area, including Tynemouth and Whitley Bay on the coast, North Shields, and south of the river Gateshead and South Shields.
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| Tyne Bridges and Quayside |
Newcastle Info
Travel - by road via A1M, rail via East Coast main line.
Accommodation - Huge range of hotels available, Vermont on Castle Garth and Malmaison on Quayside both excellent.
Pubs - Fantastic selection of pubs/bars, Crown Posada, Fitzgeralds, and Bacchus particularly recommended.
Tourism Website - www.newcastlegateshead.com
Newcastle United
St James' Park, Barrack Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST
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CLUBCALL Grangetown Boys Club
B&W Lifting Stadium, Grange Farm Road, Middlesbrough TS6 7HP Founded - 1941
League - Northern League Division Two
Capacity - unknown
Record Attendance - 364
Nearest Railway Station - South Bank
Club Website - www.pitchero.com/Grangetown BC
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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Valley Bar Scarborough
Friendly local bar situated on Valley Road, five minutes walk from Scarborough FC. Originally a cellar bar, the pub is now multi-roomed with quirky antique furniture. Usually up to five cask beers and ciders on offer, also a great range of bottled beers. Rooms for accommodation also available.
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STADE IMAGES
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| Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille OSC |
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All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2026.
Any comments/queries welcome at footballstadeblog@gmail.com
X@FootballStade
Next issue(No.69)published Sunday 2nd August 2026.
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