Issue No.36 May 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Arsenal

Lost Grounds
Scarborough

Union's Taverne Brussels



________________________________
STADE NEWS
SPURS TO LEAVE THE LANE

Tottenham Hotspur have announced they will be leaving White Hart Lane at the end of the current season.
The club have confirmed they will play at Wembley Stadium in the 2017/18 season, as construction work on their new stadium continues.
Spurs have played at White Hart Lane, with a current capacity of just over 32,000 since 1899. 
The new stadium, adjacent just to the north of the current site, will have a capacity of 61,000.

It is expected to cost in the region of £750m, but the club anticipate it will create around 3,500 jobs in the local area.
The stadium will also host NFL American football games.
Although no official announcement has been made from Tottenham, the stadium is expected to be given a sponsors name under a highly lucrative sponsorship deal for the club.



DEAL AGREED FOR EVERTON NEW STADIUM SITE

Everton have agreed a deal with owners Peel Holdings, to acquire the land for their new stadium site at Bramley Moore dock in the North of the city.
Liverpool City Council will act as guarantors to assist Everton in securing funding for the project.
No timeframe has been set for the construction of the stadium, which will still require full planning permission.


DUNDEE LOOK TO CITY RELOCATION

Tayside club Dundee have revisited plans to move from Dens Park to Camperdown Park in the city.
The clubs owners have recently purchased 29 acres of land at the site near the Dundee Ice Arena.
The Dee have recently spent over £200,000 on the upkeep of the stadium, situated in the same street just 400 yards from rivals Dundee United.


SYNNERS LEAVE CENTRAL AVENUE

Northern League side Billingham Synthonia have revealed plans to move from their Central Avenue ground, home for 63 years.
Opened in 1954 and owned by the chemical giants ICI, the stadium with a large cantilever stand and running track was quite innovative at the time.
Synners will relocate next season to nearby Norton.



CAPACITY CUT AT THE KCOM

Hull City will reduce the capacity of the KCom stadium next season, by closing the upper tier of the West stand.
No season tickets will be sold in this part of the ground, reducing the capacity to around 20,000.
The Tigers have also revealed that there will be no concessionary tickets available anywhere in the stadium for season 2017/18.


IN BRIEF
DUMBARTON - Scottish Championship club Dumbarton have announced the planning application for their new stadium will be submitted within the next three months. The Sons' are looking to relocate from the Rock to a new community stadium on the edge of town at Youngs Farm.
ANTWERP - The Mayor of Antwerp has proposed a new stadium to be used by the city's two main clubs, Royal Antwerp and Beerschot. Talks are expected to begin soon between all parties, for a scheme which was originally proposed for the Belgian-Dutch 2018 World Cup bid.
BOSTON UNITED - Lincolnshire side Boston United have revealed work on their new stadium will commence this year. The 4,300 capacity ground and sports hall will be partly financed by the sale of 500 new homes on the surrounding site.

________________________________
CLUBCALL Arsenal

Emirates Stadium, Hornsey Road, London N7 7AJ.
Founded - 1886
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 60,432
Record Attendance - 60,161
Nearest Railway Station - 
Drayton Park(Rail)/Holloway Road or Arsenal(Tube)
Club Website - www.arsenal.com

________________________________
LOST GROUNDS 
The Athletic Ground Scarborough

Opened in 1898, the Athletic Ground latterly known as the McCain Stadium, was home to Scarborough FC until their demise in 2007.
Located on Seamer Road, the ground had an all-seater main stand along one side, with the popular covered Shed terrace along the other side of the pitch.
Parts of the all-seater East and West stands behind the goals, were dismantled and rebuilt at the stadium of Featherstone Rovers rugby league club.

The stadium had a record attendance of 11,124, but by the time of its closure capacity was reduced to 6,408.
The ground was finally demolished in November 2011, and the site is now mixed-use with housing and a supermarket.
The entrance gates from stadium will be incorporated into the new Leisure Village project.

After ten years groundsharing in Bridlington, Scarborough will finally return to the town next season playing at the new Leisure Village.
Situated just over the railway line from the Athletic Ground, the stadium has an initial 2,500 capacity with the option to expand to 4,500 if required.
Designed and constructed by Willmott Dixon, the stadium with a 4G playing surface, is part of a £15m development which includes a new swimming pool, sports and fitness centre.
The ground will be officially opened with a pre-season friendly against Sheffield United on the 15th July.
________________________________
FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Union's Taverne Brussels

Lively one-room corner bar on Chaussee de Bruxelles, directly behind the main stand at the historical Stade Joseph Marien, home of Union Saint-Gilloise.
Jupiler is the house beer, but as is the norm in Belgium there is a large range of bottled beers to choose from.
Not much football memorabilia, but plenty of artefacts for the Belgian beer enthusiast to view.
The locals are always keen to engage in football related chatter.

________________________________

STADE IMAGES

Nat Lofthouse statue - Bolton Wanderers

________________________________

Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.37) published Sunday 4th June 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

_______________________________
_______________________________

Issue No.35 April 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Sheffield Utd

West Ham tour

Winslow pub Everton

________________________________
STADE NEWS
GREEN LIGHT FOR BRIDGE REDEVELOPMENT

Chelsea have received approval from the Mayor of London to redevelop Stamford Bridge.
The £500m plans for the total rebuild of the site, will see a new 60,000 capacity stadium and improved transport infrastructure.
The Blues are expected to play at Wembley for three seasons, before moving into their new home in time for the 2021/22 season.

GROUNDWORKS TO BEGIN AT TYNECASTLE

Excavation and piling works have begun on the new East stand at Edinburgh club Heart of Midlothian.
Cranes hoisted the 85-ton new main stand roof truss into position in February, and demolition work on the buildings behind the current stand is now complete.
Once the new stand is open, due to be in September this year,the capacity at Tynecastle will be over 20,000.



NEW GRIMSBY STADIUM MOVES STEP CLOSER

The developers behind the new stadium for Grimsby Town, have been given approval by the local Council to buy the land required for the project.
This enables a detailed planning application to be submitted for the proposed 14,000 capacity stadium, and associated retail and leisure developments at Peaks Parkway.
A further site, on a disused amusement park in the town, has also recently been suggested as a possible alternative new location for The Mariners.

SKY BLUES CONFIRM RICOH DEPARTURE

Coventry City have confirmed they plan to leave the Ricoh Arena, where they are contracted to stay until 2018, and relocate to Coventry Rugby club's Butts Park Arena.
Coventry RFC have agreed in principle to the groundshare, although the stadium is also currently used by non-league football side Coventry United, and rugby league side Coventry Bears.
It has been confirmed City's owners have abandoned plans for the club's own new stadium.


FURTHER PARKHEAD DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED

Celtic have filed a proposal of application to Glasgow City Council, for further developments around their Parkhead stadium.
A 200-room hotel, as previously announced by the club late last year, a club museum, megastore and ticket office are planned for the site on the west side of the stadium, 
as part of the club's vision for a wider re-generation of the East End of the city.
There are currently no plans to increase the 60,000 capacity of Celtic Park.




IN BRIEF
AFC BOURNEMOUTH - The Cherries have announced they are looking to build a new stadium, after failing to secure a deal over their current Dean Court site.
The club are working with the local council, and are hopeful a new stadium could be open by the start of the 2020/21 season.
ABERDEEN - the local council have voted against the proposed new stadium and training complex at Kingsford, citing traffic problems as the main concern.
The final say on the scheme however, will be made by the full City Council in June this year.
DERBY COUNTY - The Rams have announced a new bar and restaurant at the stadium, now reverted to Pride Park following the end of a naming sponsorship deal.
The bar, in the south-west corner of the ground, will replace a fitness complex which closed last year
________________________________
CLUBCALL Sheffield United

Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4SU.
Founded - 1889
League - English League One
Capacity - 32,702
Record Attendance - 68,287
Nearest Railway Station - Sheffield Midland
Club Website - www.sufc.co.uk

________________________________
STADIUM TOUR 
London Stadium West Ham United

The conversion of the 2012 Olympic Stadium in Stratford into the new home for West Ham United has been much debated, but a visit on the excellent stadium tour brings home just how impressive the venue actually is.
The tours are self-guided, fully accessible, and begin at Entrance B where you are handed your interactive handset with commentary available in 5 languages.
There are also very informative and friendly guides on hand to assist with any queries during your tour.
After walking through one of many corporate lounges, where there are many reminders of the Iron's former Boleyn Ground, you get your first inside view of the stadium - and its then you realise just how far away the pitch actually is from the upper seating areas.
To be fair though the view is quite stunning !

Home dressing room

The tour moves down the escalators to the dressing-room area, as usual in modern stadia they appear rather small and quite austere, but its nice to see the No.6 shirt of England's 1966 World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore on permanent display.
The next feature is quite unique, the warm-up athletics track used for the Olympics.
Here the interactive handset comes into its own, with photographs and information on the medal winning athletes at the Games.

Entrance to players tunnel

You then make your way through the players tunnel onto the pitch-side, with the bowl of the stadium and its uniquely designed floodlights towering over you.
The tour is now finished, and you make your way back up the escalators to the main reception.
The Hammers have experienced many difficulties, on and off the pitch, since moving to Stratford, but in time you feel the stadium will become as much of a home as the club's former Boleyn Ground.



London Stadium Tour Info
Times -   daily from 10.00 - last entrance 15.00.
Contact - www.london-stadium.com
Prices -   adult from £17, child from £10, family of four from £48.00.
Travel -   via rail or tube to Stratford, buses to Stratford. 
              No car parking available.

________________________________
FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Winslow Hotel Everton

Large hotel on the corner of Goodison Road and Winslow Street, directly opposite the main stand at Goodison Park.
Formerly a Whitbread pub, The Winslow now only opens on matchdays and for private functions in its numerous suites.
As you would expect its packed to the rafters on matchdays, some superb Toffees photographs and memorabilia on show.
All live TV football shown, good selection of beers and lagers but no cask ale served.

________________________________

STADE IMAGES

Mariners Park, South Shields FC

_______________________________

Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.36) published Sunday 7th May 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com

_______________________________

_______________________________

Issue No.34 March 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Man City

Destination Huddersfield

The Sandon Liverpool




_______________________________
STADE NEWS
HOOPS TARGET NEW STADIUM LOCATION

Queens Park Rangers have identified a site for a new stadium, just 1km north of their current Loftus Road home.
The site is currently occupied by the Linford Christie athletics stadium, and initial plans indicate a new 30,000 football ground and an adjacent athletics track could be built.
Previous plans by QPR to relocate to Old Oak foundered due to land purchase problems.

IMPS RELOCATION PLANS PROGRESS

Lincoln City are progessing with plans to relocate to a new stadium in the Beevor Street area, around a mile from the City centre.
The site, planned to be open 365 days a year, would include a 10,000 seater stadium and retail outlets, and would be accessed by a new road bridge over the adjacent railway line.
The Imps have played at current home Sincil Bank since 1895.

SPORTING LISBON SET TO GO GREEN

The Estadio Jose Alvalade, home of Sporting Lisbon, has some of the most distinctive seating in Europe with a mosaic of yellow, green and white.
The floodlight pylons at the stadium have already been re-painted green, and now one of the club's Presidential candidates has vowed to change the seating and staircases to all green, matching Sporting's primary colour.

OLD TRAFFORD CAPACITY TO BE REDUCED

Manchester United have announced an increase of 300 positions for disabled supporters at Old Trafford, but this will mean an overall reduction of around 2,000 in the capacity at the stadium.
New wheelchair platforms and accessible seating will be installed, with work in the North and East stands due to be completed before the start of the 2017/18 season.

NEW WORKS AT THE PHILIPS STADION

Following the recent installation of a safe standing section in the East stand at the ground, PSV Eindhoven have announced further improvement works at the Philips Stadion.
The South Stand will have an enhanced concourse and catering facilities, as the club continue to look at options to expand capacity at the stadium, which currently has around 29,000 season ticket holders in the 35,000 capacity.

IN BRIEF

STOKE CITY - work has begun on the expansion of the Bet 365 stadium. The south east corner of the ground will be filled in with an additional 1800 seats, taking the capacity of the stadium to over 30,000.
Two additional LED screens will also be installed at the stadium.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND - a partial closure of the Westfalenstadion, and a heavy fine is the possibility for Borussia Dortmund following a series of crowd disturbances at the stadium this season.
The most recent incident saw abusive banners displayed, and several visiting supporters attacked at the recent game v Leipzig.
SWANSEA CITY - the lease of the Liberty Stadium, currently held by the local council, could be taken over by the new owners of Swansea City. The club plan to take total control of the stadium, shared with rugby union side Ospreys, in a deal which could see a naming rights deal and the stadium expanded.
_______________________________
CLUBCALL Manchester City

Etihad Stadium, Ashton New Road, 
Manchester M11 3FF.
Founded - 1894
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 55,097
Record Attendance - 54,693
Nearest Railway Station - Etihad Campus (Tram)
Club Website - www.mancity.com

_______________________________
DESTINATION Huddersfield

Huddersfield Railway Station

Situated on the M62 corridor between the major conurbations of Leeds and Manchester, the West Yorkshire market town of Huddersfield is an interesting destination.
The town has some fine Victorian architecture, with the jewel being the Grade I listed railway station in St George's Square, a public space which also houses the now sadly closed George Hotel, where the sport of Rugby League was born at a meeting of Yorkshire and Lancashire clubs in 1895 .
Other impressive buildings include the Town Hall and the 1930's built public library, and overlooking the town is the imposing Victoria Tower on Castle Hill.
St Peter's Church, constructed in 1838 on Byram Street is also worth a visit. 
You can take a leisurely stroll in the town's Beaumont and Greenhead parks, whilst the more energetic can follow the route of the Pennine Way which passes nearby.
Huddersfield is also a good base for exploring the wider Kirklees and West Yorkshire area, with the towns of Wakefield, Bradford and Halifax all close by.
The village of Holmfirth, location for the BBC TV series Last of the Summer Wine is only six miles from the town.

                               

The George Hotel

Huddersfield Info
Travel - by road via M62, by rail via Leeds or Manchester.
Accommodation - budget hotel chains in the town centre, good selection of independent hotels in the wider area.
Pubs - Sportsman on St Johns Road, and the Star on Albert Street recommended. 
Also the excellent Head of Steam and King's Head pubs in the railway station.
Tourism Website - www.kirklees.gov.uk/visitors

Huddersfield Town John Smiths Stadium, Stadium Way, Huddersfield HD1 6PX.

Founded - 1908

League - English Championship

Capacity - 24,500

Record Attendance - 24,129

Nearest Railway Station - Huddersfield

Club Website - www.htafc.com

_______________________________
FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
The Sandon Liverpool

The birthplace of Liverpool FC, this is the pub where some members of Everton voted to leave and form a new football club.
Situated on Oakfield Road in the shadow of Anfield's Centenary Stand, the Sandon is a huge pub with a large public bar and lounge, and a host of hospitality suites.
As you would expect some superb Reds photographs and memorabilia to view.
No cask beer on offer, all live TV football shown.

________________________________

STADE IMAGES

Jeff Astle gates - The Hawthorns WBA
________________________________

Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.35) published Sunday 2nd April 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
_______________________________
_______________________________

Issue No.33 February 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Notts Forest

Lost Grounds 
Roker Park Sunderland

The Roost Birmingham






________________________________
STADE NEWS
QUAKERS RETURN HOME

Darlington 1883 returned to play in their home town for the first time in six years, with a Boxing Day win over Halifax Town.
A capacity crowd of just over 3,000 witnessed the 3-2 victory at Blackwell Meadows, a ground the Quakers are sharing with Darlington Rugby Club.
The stadium includes the steelwork of the famous Tin Shed end terrace,from the club's former home Feethams.

EVERTON UNVEIL PREFERRED NEW STADIUM SITE

Bramley Moore Dock, around two miles from the city centre, has been confirmed as the preferred site for Everton's new stadium.
Liverpool City Council has pledged to support the infrastructure required to develop the site for the stadium, with a new road and railway station.
The new stadium, capacity to be confirmed, will replace the iconic but ageing Goodison Park, home of the Toffees since 1892.

LIONS NEW DEN FUTURE SECURED

Millwall have secured their future at the New Den, after the local council abandoned its compulsory purchase of land around the stadium.
The club had previously revealed they may have to relocate from the ground in Bermondsey to a site in Kent, if the Compulsory Purchase Order was agreed by Lewisham Council.



PLANNING PERMISSION FOR THE BRIDGE

Chelsea have secured local Council planning permission for the £500m redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
A new 60,000-seat stadium will be constructed on the current site, home of the Blues since 1905, although a start date for the work is still some way off.
Wembley and Twickenham are in the frame as the club's temporary home whilst building work is in progress.

NEW SEATING FOR AMSTERDAM ARENA

Ajax have started the first phase of replacing the seating in the Amsterdam Arena, with all of the current multi-colour seats being changed to red by the end of 2017.
Work is also due to start soon on the new larger concourses and outer cladding, due to be completed before the stadium hosts matches in the Euro 2020 tournament.

IN BRIEF
RUSHDEN AND DIAMONDS - The owners of Nene Park, former home of Rushden and Diamonds have applied to demolish the stadium.
Kettering Town also temporarily played at the stadium, which has been vacant since 2012.
HEREFORD FC - The Bulls, currently Southern League Division One South & West leaders and on-course for back to back promotions, are celebrating a new ten-year extended lease on their historic Edgar Street ground.
VILLAREAL - La Liga side Villareal CF have unveiled the new bright yellow outer cladding on the south stand exterior of the newly renamed Estadio de la Ceramica, formerly known as El Madrigal.
________________________________
CLUBCALL Nottingham Forest

City Ground, Nottingham NG2 5FJ.
Founded - 1865
League - English Ghampionship
Capacity - 30,445
Record Attendance - 49,495
Nearest Railway Station - Nottingham
Club Website - www.nottinghamforest.co.uk

________________________________
LOST GROUNDS
Roker Park Sunderland

With a record attendance of 75,118, Roker Park home of Sunderland AFC was one of England's largest football stadiums.
Opened in 1897, the ground was home to the club until the move to the Stadium of Light in 1997.
A feature of the ground was the two huge terraces at each end, the covered Fulwell End and the open Roker End.
The main stand, opened in 1929, was designed by renowned stadium architect Archibald Leitch, and featured his signature criss-cross lattice work below the upper tier, a section of which is on display in the car park at the Stadium of Light.
As the fortunes of the club declined so did the condition of the stadium, and the decision was made to relocate away from Roker.
The final competitive match was a 3-0 victory against Everton in 1997, by which time the capacity was reduced to barely over 22,000.

Sunderland moved to the 42,000 
capacity Stadium of Light in 1997.
Built on the site of the former Monkwearmouth Colliery, the stadium was expanded in 2002 and now has a capacity of 48,707.
The ground has hosted three full England international matches, and has also been used for a variety of concerts with the likes of U2, Oasis, and Bruce Springsteen gracing the arena.


________________________________
FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
The Roost Birmingham

Lively two-roomed Blues pub on Cattell Road, just yards from the Tilton Road and Kop stand turnstiles at St Andrews.
The Roost has some great memorabilia to view, with the Blues club crest also etched into the windows, but is strictly for home fans on matchdays.
No food or cask ale served, all live TV football shown.

________________________________

STADE IMAGES

Main entrance at Tynecastle, Heart of Midlothian
________________________________

Many thanks for your interest in the blog.
All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2017

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

Next issue (No.34) published Sunday 5th March 2017

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
________________________________
________________________________