Issue No.30 October 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

RRS Discovery, Dundee

Stade News

ClubCall Burton Albion

Destination Dundee

Millmoor pub Rotherham





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STADE NEWS
MARINERS STADIUM PARTNER UNVEILED

Grimsby Town have announced a partnership with property developer Extreme Leisure, for their proposed new stadium complex in the town at Peaks Parkway.
The plans include a 14,000 capacity stadium, ice rink and other sports facilities, together with retail and food outlets.
The partnership hope to apply for pre-planning consent soon.


NEW SECURITY MEASURES AT DE KUIP

Dutch Eredivisie club Feyenoord have announced new security measures for Europa League matches, following repeated UEFA regulation breaches at the De Kuip stadium.
The lower tier of seating will be closed, and netting will surround the remaining seating areas.
The capacity of the stadium for European games will be reduced to around 26,000.


TORQUAY TO LEAVE PLAINMOOR

Torquay United hope to be in a new stadium by 2019.
Although currently up for sale, the National League club is confident of a move to a new ground with a 3G pitch facility.
The Gulls have played at their current Council owned home of Plainmoor for 105 years.

CAPACITY BOOST FOR ANFIELD

Liverpool's new 20,000 plus seater main stand is now officially open, increasing the capacity of Anfield to over 54,000.
The stand's expansion is part of a wider multi-million pound regeneration of the Anfield area.
The attendance of 53,075 for the recent visit of current Champions Leicester City, was the biggest at the stadium since 1977.


FURTHER DELAYS FOR BRUSSELS STADIUM

The new national stadium plans for Belgium have hit a further delay, with local residents objecting to the closure of a road which runs through the site of the proposed 61,000 capacity project.
The stadium site is close to the existing King Bedouin (Heysel) ground, and is planned to host matches in the Euro 2020 tournament.


IN BRIEF
OXFORD UNITED - Planning permission has been granted for a temporary fourth stand at the Kassam Stadium.
The 735 seater stand will increase the stadium's capacity to 13,235.
BRISTOL CITY - The revamped Ashton Gate hosted its biggest crowd for 26 years, 22,512, for the recent visit of Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, The Robins have reported season ticket sales of almost 14,000.
HAYES & YEADING - The club has advised forthcoming matches will be played away from the new Skyex Stadium, as essential works on the ground continue to secure the relevant Safety Certificates. 
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CLUBCALL Burton Albion

Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way,
Burton upon Trent DE13 0BH.
Founded - 1950
League - Football League Championship
Capacity - 6,912
Record Attendance - 6,192
Nearest Railway Station - Burton
Club Website - www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk

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DESTINATION Dundee

With a stunning location on the River Tay estuary and with a host of attractions and amenities, the city of Dundee in the north-east of Scotland is a fine place to visit.
The focal point of the city is the Waterfront, with the sailing ship RSS Discovery a must visit, and the Dundee Victoria & Albert Museum due to open in 2018.
A bracing walk along the Tay riverside, with views of the stunning road and rail bridges is highly recommended.
Other attractions in the city include the 15th century St Mary's Tower, the Mills Observatory, and the historical Claypotts Castle in West Ferry.
The Caird Hall is Dundee's main concert venue, and the DCA in Nethergate is a renowned international arts and cinema centre.
Dundee is home to the newspaper and magazine producer DC Thomson & Son, and a quirky attraction on the High Street are the statue's of The Dandy comic character Desperate Dan, and The Beano comic character Minnie the Minx.
The surrounding area of Tayside includes the lovely town of Broughty Ferry, and golf fans will be drawn to the historical towns of St Andrews and Carnoustie, both close to the city.
A visit to Dundee would of course not be complete without visiting the city's football grounds, located to the north of the city centre in the same street literally a few hundred metres apart.

Dundee Info
Travel - by road via the M90/A90, 
by rail via the East Coast mainline.
Accommodation - all major hotel chains in the city and local area.
Pubs - the Phoenix, Speedwell, and Trades House in the city centre, some great pubs in nearby Broughty Ferry
Tourism Website - 
www.dundeecity.gov.uk

Dundee FC
Dens Park,Sandeman Street,
Dundee DD3 7JY.
Founded - 1893
League - Scottish Premiership
Capacity - 11,506
Record Attendance - 43,024
Nearest Railway Station - Dundee
Club Website - 
www.dundeefc.co.uk

Dundee United FC
Tannadice Park,Tannadice Street,
Dundee DD3 7JW.
Founded - 1909
League - Scottish Championship
Capacity - 14,223
Record Attendance - 28,000
Nearest Railway Station - Dundee
Club Website - www.dufc.co/

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FAMOUS LOST FOOTBALL PUBS
The Millmoor Rotherham

The Millmoor pub was situated on Masborough Street in Rotherham, next to the alleyway which led to the turnstiles for visiting supporters.
The player on the pub sign is Ronnie Moore, a prolific striker for the Millers now manager at National League Eastleigh.
The pub closed in 2008 when the club left Millmoor, and although the upper part of the building has now been demolished some parts of the lower walls still remain.
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STADE IMAGES

Dixie Deans - Goodison Park, Everton
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2016

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

Next issue (No.31) published Sunday 6th November 2016

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.29 September 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Northampton Town

Emirates Stadium Tour

The Mount Barnsley




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STADE NEWS
DONS PLOUGH LANE RETURN MOVES CLOSER

AFC Wimbledon's return to their spiritual home on Plough Lane in Merton has moved a step closer, following the decision of London Mayor Sadiq Khan to overturn the decision to 'call-in' the plans.
The Dons plan to redevelop and expand the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium into a 20,000 capacity arena, with a substantial new housing development on the site as part of the plans.
The final planning approval decision will now be returned to Merton Council.

MULTIPLE DEFECTS AT TIVOLI

Built in 2009 with a capacity of nearly 33,000, the Tivoli Stadium in Aachen, Germany has been found to have multiple defects.
Now run by the local Council following the club's bankruptcy in 2012, it will cost around 200,000 euros to repair the ground now hosting games in the fourth tier of German football, the Regionalliga West.
Aachen spent one season, 2006/07 in the top-flight Bundesliga before the club's insolvency.

CITY GROUND CAPACITY REDUCED

Nottingham Forest's City Ground will have a reduced capacity for the new 2016/17 season.
The new capacity will be 24,357, reduced from the usual 30,445.
In July the capacity was temporarily reduced to zero by Nottinghamshire County Council, due to the club not having the required safety certificate holder.



HOTEL OPENS AT STADIUM OF LIGHT

A new Hilton Garden Inn hotel has opened next to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
The 141 room hotel, located adjacent to the North-East corner of the ground and the Sunderland Aquatic centre, offers reduced room rates and hospitality packages for fans on match-days.





FANS APPROVE KING POWER EXTENSION

Leicester City fans are hoping the club will move to increase the capacity at the King Power stadium.
Opened in 2002 with a capacity of just over 32,000, The Foxes are seeing an unprecedented demand for tickets following last season's Premier League title, and the forthcoming Champions League campaign.
A recent poll in the Leicester Mercury showed 78% of fans supported expansion, whilst a further 17% voted for a brand new stadium.

IN BRIEF
STOKE CITY - The Potters have agreed a six-year stadium naming rights deal with their parent company for the bet365 stadium, a deal which also sees the company's shirt sponsorship continue for another three years.
GENOA - Genoa and Sampdoria have signed an agreement to take over the running of the Stadio Luigi Ferraris from the local Municipality, and now plan an upgrade of the stadium's facilities.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR - the North-East corner of White Hart Lane has now been demolished reducing the capacity to around 32,000, as work on the club's adjacent new stadium continues.
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CLUBCALL Northampton Town

Sixfields Stadium, Upton Way, 
Northampton NN5 5QA.
Founded - 1897
League - English League One
Capacity - 7,724
Record Attendance - 7,664
Nearest Railway Station - Northampton
Club Website - www.ntfc.co.uk

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STADIUM TOUR
The Emirates Arsenal

It really is hard to believe that The Emirates Stadium, home of North London club Arsenal, is now ten years old !
Replacing the historical but ageing Highbury was never going to be easy, but in The Emirates the club have succeeded in building a fitting replacement to their iconic former home.
The tour starting point is located within the huge club store The Armoury.
Unlike most stadium tours The Emirates offers a self-guided audio tour available in 9 languages, where you make your own way around the stadium with a commentary from a host of Arsenal legends.
Moving through the underground road the players entrance awaits, where you can view the home and away changing rooms and fitness area, including Arsene Wenger's office, before walking down the tunnel to the sound of 60,000 fans to the pitch side, where you can sit in the dugouts.

Hospitality Lounge

The stands at the stadium tower over the pitch, and a nice touch is the Clock from Highbury positioned high on the roof of the South (Clock) End.
The tour continues in the hospitality and corporate areas, and here again the style and architecture of Highbury has been faithfully replicated.
Restaurant names like The Foundry and The Woolwich, also recognise the club's industrial heritage and South London roots.


The stadium part of the tour also        

Arsene Wenger's office

includes the FA Cup Experience,

paying homage to The Gunners record 12 FA cup wins, and finishes in the impressive media suite before you make your way back to The Armoury via the underground road.
The price of the Tour also includes admission to the Arsenal Museum.
Located on the Ken Friar Bridge, heading away from the stadium towards Arsenal tube station, the museum is a fascinating timeline of the club's history with a wealth of exhibits and artefacts to view.
Of particular interest is the Highbury feature, with lots of memorabilia and photographs from the old stadium.

EMIRATES TOUR INFO
Times -    09.30 to 17.00 Mon to Sat, 10.00 to 15.00 Sunday.
Contact - www.arsenal.com/tours or call 020 7619 5000.
Prices -    Adults £20, Child under 16 £10, Concession(Student/OAP)£15.00.
              Family(2 Adults & 2 Child) £50.00.
Travel -    by Tube via the Piccadilly Line to Arsenal or Holloway Road.

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
The Mount Barnsley

Large and friendly corner pub on Pontefract Road, just up the bank from Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium.
The pub has a spacious bar area to the front, with a pool room at the rear.
John Smith's beers are served with the usual keg lagers, no cask ale on offer.
Food served on Sunday's only, no live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Stade Edmond Machtens, RWDM Brussels

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2016

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

Next issue (No.30) published Sunday 2nd October 2016

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.28 August 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Grimsby Town

Lost Grounds 
Chesterfield

Park View Burnley



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STADE NEWS
STAND RECONSTRUCTION CONTINUES AT ANFIELD

Work continues apace on the reconstruction of the main stand at Liverpool's Anfield stadium, with the new season just days away.
The Reds first scheduled home game against Burnley on Saturday 20th August has been reversed to Turf Moor, with the match against current Champions Leicester City on Saturday 10th September, with a 17.30 kick-off, now the opener at home for Jurgen Klopp's team.

Although Liverpool are hoping the stand will be operable by this date, the whole project will not be fully completed until January 2017, when the capacity of Anfield will rise to almost 54,000.
The club's new megastore, situated behind the new stand and the construction of which is yet to begin, is not due to open until later next year.



REFURB FOR GOODISON AS LEGENDS HONOURED

Everton have submitted plans to the City Council for the external refurbishment of Goodison Park.
The plans include new cladding and lighting on the exterior of the stadium, including a 'wrap-around' banner on three sides of the ground.
The Toffees have also announced the renaming of two stands in honour of club legends - the Howard Kendall Gwladys Street End and the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand.

NEW STADIUM PLANS FOR HATTERS

League Two club Luton Town are set to submit plans for a new 17,500 capacity stadium at Power Court, a site just off the town centre.
The plans also include retail outlets, and a concert and sports arena.
The Hatters also plan to develop land owned near to Junction 10 of the M1 motorway, to fund the new stadium project. 

RIVERSIDE UPGRADE FOR PREMIER LEAGUE RETURN

Middlesbrough are upgrading the Riverside Stadium ahead of their return to the Premier League.
New LED floodlighting and dug-outs are being installed, together with a new players entrance and revamped main West Stand reception.
Boro have also moved the TV gantry to the East Stand, and installed two new TV studios in the South East corner of the stadium. 
The changes will reduce the capacity of the         Riverside to around 33,000.

FUNDING FOR TYNECASTLE STAND MOVES CLOSER

The funding for Heart of Midlothian's new main stand has moved a step closer, following fans group Foundation of Hearts vote to help fund the scheme.
The £11m project, which will see the capacity of Tynecastle increase to around 21,000 still requires full planning permission from Edinburgh City Council, but the club are hopeful work will be completed during the 2017 close season.

IN BRIEF

SWANSEA CITY - with new owners in charge of the club, Swansea may look again at increasing the capacity of the Liberty Stadium to around 33,000.
HARTLEPOOL UNITED - as part of a new three-year sponsorship agreement, Victoria Park has been renamed the Northern Gas and Power Stadium.
READING - the North Stand at the Madjeski Stadium will be renamed the Eamonn Dolan Stand, in honour of the former Academy Manager who recently passed away.
GLENTORAN - plans have been unveiled for a new 8,000 capacity stadium on the site of the Belfast club's current ground The Oval, home for 124 years.
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CLUBCALL Grimsby Town

Blundell Park, Cleethorpes DN35 7PY.
Founded - 1878
League - English League Two
Capacity - 9,052
Record Attendance - 31,651
Nearest Railway Station - Cleethorpes
Club Website - www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk

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LOST GROUNDS
Saltergate Chesterfield

The Recreation Ground, almost universally known as Saltergate, was the home of Chesterfield FC from 1871 until 2010, and was one of the oldest football grounds in use in England at the time of its closure.
Very much an 'old school' stadium, under developed and hemmed in by the surrounding roads and housing, the ground still had a charm and atmosphere now rapidly disappearing from English League football.

The focal point of the ground was the 2,500 capacity Archibald Leitch designed main stand, built in 1936.
Opposite the main stand was the all-seater Compton Road(Pop Side), whilst both ends of the ground were terracing.
The record attendance at Saltergate was 30,561, the capacity at the ground's closure stood at 8,504.
Cricket was briefly played at the ground in the late 1800's, and the stadium was used as a location for the 2009 film The Damned United, due to its similarity to Derby County's Baseball Ground.
The stadium was finally demolished in 2012 and is now a housing estate.

Home for The Spirerites is now the £13m 10,600 capacity Proact Stadium, opened in 2010.
Located at Whittington Moor, just North of the town centre on the site of a former glassworks, the stadium is a fine all-seater and could be increased to a capacity of 13,000 if the corner sections are developed.
The record attendance at the Proact is 10,081.

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Park View Burnley

Large corner pub on Brunshaw Road, much extended over the years from its original building, directly opposite the main Bob Lord stand at Turf Moor. 
Obviously packed to the rafters on match days, not particularly recommended for away fans.
Usual array of keg beers and lagers on offer, no real ale or food served, all live TV football shown.



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STADE IMAGES

Trophy Room at Ibrox, Glasgow Rangers
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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2016

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

Next issue (No.29) published Sunday 4th September 2016

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.27 June 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Oldham Athletic

Wembley
Non-League 
Finals Day

Drayton Park Arsenal
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STADE NEWS
HAMMERS OLYMPIC DEAL REVEALED

West Ham United will pay £2.5m rent per year at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, after the deal with the London Legacy Development Corporation was made public.
The rent, payable over the 99-year lease, will be halved if the Hammers are relegated.
The club will also not have to pay for policing, stewarding, cleaning, heating and lighting at the stadium, under the terms of the tenancy agreement.

DONS TO LEAVE PITTODRIE

Aberdeen have announced plans to relocate to a new stadium in Kingsford, around 3 miles west of the City centre.
The Dons have secured the land at the site, and will move to obtain planning permission for the stadium and adjacent training centre.
The club hope to have the new stadium open for the start of the 2019/20 season.

MULTI-MILLION REDEVELOPMENT FOR STANLEY

Accrington Stanley have revealed plans for a major redevelopment of the Crown Ground.
Currently known as the Wham Stadium, the plans include a new 1,500 capacity stand on the Whinney Hill side of the ground which will include enhanced spectator and corporate facilities.
The club have also agreed a new 50-year lease on the stadium with Hyndburn Council.


SPURS TO PLAY AT WEMBLEY

Tottenham Hotspur will play their Champions League matches at Wembley Stadium next season.
Spurs will also have the option to play all league, cup, and European games at Wembley during the 2017/18 season, as construction work continues on their new 60,000 capacity stadium due to open for the start of the 2018/19 season.



LEAGUE FOOTBALL RETURNS TO MEADOWBANK

The Scottish capital will have a third club in the SPFL next season, following the promotion of Edinburgh City to the 3rd division after a play-off victory over East Stirlingshire.
The 16,000 capacity stadium, built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games, will host League football for the first time since 1995, when Meadowbank Thistle uprooted twenty miles West to Livingston.

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CLUBCALL Oldham Athletic

Boundary Park, Oldham OL1 2PA.
Founded - 1895
League - English Football League One
Capacity - 13,309
Record Attendance - 47,671
Nearest Railway Station - Oldham Werneth
Club Website - www.oldhamathletic.co.uk

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WEMBLEY
NON-LEAGUE FINALS DAY

A combined crowd of 46,781 supported the inaugural FA Non-League Finals Day, at a sunny Wembley Stadium.
The Vase Final between Hereford FC and Morpeth Town kicked off proceedings, followed by the Trophy Final between FC Halifax Town and Grimsby Town.
Fans of the four participating clubs, together with many other 'neutral' supporters, enjoyed a carnival atmosphere inside and outside of the stadium, 

as the Non-League family came together for a feast of football.
Prior to kick-off, fans enjoyed the FA exhibitions covering the Respect campaign and Women's football, there was live music outside and in the stadium concourses, face painting for the young ( and not so young !), and displays by some of the FA commercial partners.
Throughout the day there was a raucous but very friendly atmosphere, and with doubts having previously been raised about the Finals, particularly the Vase, being staged at the National Stadium due to relatively low attendances, the success of the occasion will surely make Non-League Finals Day an annual event in the Wembley calendar.

HEREFORD FC 1 v MORPETH TOWN 4

Northern League side Morpeth Town produced an upset at the FA Vase final, running out comfortable winners over much fancied Hereford.
Backed by over 20,000 fans, the Bulls were in front through a Rob Purdie strike after only 75 seconds, and less than 10 minutes in to the game should really have been at least three-up!
An inspired display by keeper Karl Dryden kept the Northumbrians in the game though, and they equalised in the 34th minute through centre-half Chris Swailes, who at the age of 45, became the oldest player to score at Wembley Stadium.
Morpeth made a dream start to the second-half, with a fine finish by Luke Carr on 46 minutes, and further goals from Sean Taylor on 59 and substitute Shaun Bell 1 minute into stoppage time, sealed an historic win for The Highwaymen.


Morpeth's win continued the remarkable dominance of the competition by Northern League clubs, with seven out of the last eight winners being from the North-East.

Action from the FA Vase Final

FC HALIFAX TOWN 1 v GRIMSBY TOWN 0

Having recently been relegated from the National League, FC Halifax Town regained some pride with a deserved Trophy Final win over newly-promoted Grimsby Town.
There were few chances in a rather dour first half, in quite stark contrast to the preceding very open Vase Final.
The game came to life in the 48th minute though with a wonderful curling effort from 25-yards from defender Scott McManus, who would finish the day on crutches with a suspected cruciate knee injury.
Grimsby, making their second appearance in a week at the National Stadium, finally came to life in the last quarter of the game but could not muster any real clear-cut chances, and the day belonged to The Shaymen and their 10,000 fans from West Yorkshire.

The win marked the end of manager Jim Harvey's short tenure as Halifax manager, who will be replaced by Billy Heath formerly of North Ferriby.

Action from the FA Trophy Final

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Drayton Park Arsenal

Rather basic but very friendly pub located near Drayton Park railway station, just over the pedestrian walkway bridge from the Emirates.
Designated for away fans, the pub has a small pool bar at the front with a larger lounge at the rear.
Some interesting photos on the walls of the local area but no football memorabilia.
Usual selection of keg beers and lagers available, no real ale or food served.

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STADE IMAGES

Billy Bremner statue - Elland Road Leeds

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2016

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

Next issue (No.28) published Sunday 7th August 2016

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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