Issue No.35 April 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Sheffield Utd

West Ham tour

Winslow pub Everton

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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
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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

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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.

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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.

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STADE IMAGES

Mariners Park, South Shields FC

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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

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Issue No.34 March 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Man City

Destination Huddersfield

The Sandon Liverpool




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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.
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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

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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

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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.

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STADE IMAGES

Jeff Astle gates - The Hawthorns WBA
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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
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Issue No.33 February 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Notts Forest

Lost Grounds 
Roker Park Sunderland

The Roost Birmingham






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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.
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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

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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.


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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.

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STADE IMAGES

Main entrance at Tynecastle, Heart of Midlothian
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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
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Issue No.32 December 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Middlesbrough

Lost Grounds
Hinckley United

Hull pubs special




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STADE NEWS
NEW STADIUM PLAN FOR BURY

League One club Bury have confirmed they are working with the local Council to identify a site for their new stadium.
The Shakers, who have played at their current 11,800 capacity Gigg Lane ground since 1885, believe a new stadium is necessary to increase non-matchday revenue.
The Lancashire side have been served with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue and Customs, with a Court hearing due this month.

QUAKERS CONFIRM RETURN TO TOWN

Darlington 1883 have confirmed they are on course to return to play in the town this month. 
After four years playing in nearby Bishop Auckland, the Quakers are finalising works on the Blackwell Meadows ground they will share with Darlington Rugby Club.
Part of the famous Tin Shed terrace from the club's former home Feethams, has been erected at the new ground.

HOTEL FOR CELTIC PARK ?

Glasgow Celtic have started a feasibility study on plans for a new four-star hotel at Parkhead.
The hotel would be constructed on the corner of Clyde Gateway, currently the site of the club's ticket office.
The scheme will be funded from the Bhoys £30m Champions League payment.


BOLEYN GROUND DEMOLITION BEGINS

Demolition work is now underway in East London at West Ham's Boleyn Ground.
Fifteen apartment buildings will be constructed, with the site of the former pitch centre circle being preserved in a landscaped courtyard.
Sales of the housing is due to commence in January 2017.


ANDERLECHT EUROSTADION MOVE IN DOUBT

Doubts remain over Anderlecht's move to the new National stadium of Belgium in Brussels.
Planning permission has been lodged for the 62,000 capacity ground, due to open in 2019, near the current King Bedouin stadium.
RSCA are reportedly looking at alternative sites in the city for their own new stadium.

IN BRIEF
AWAY FANS - The English Premier League will introduce a ruling for the 2017/18 season, that visiting supporters must have part of their seating allocation adjacent to the pitch. Some clubs currently site away fans high up in stands well away from the playing surface.
OXFORD UNITED - Supporters group OxVox are in talks with the club's owners to buy the Kassam Stadium. If successful, the stadium would be safeguarded as a community asset for the club and the local area.
ABERDEEN - The Dons held an exhibition at their current home Pittodrie on November 24th, to publicise the plans for their new stadium and training/community facility at Kingsford.
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CLUBCALL Middlesbrough

Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough TS3 6RS.
Founded - 1876
League - English Premier League
Capacity - 33,746
Record Attendance - 34,836
Nearest Railway Station - Middlesbrough
Club Website - www.mfc.co.uk

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LOST GROUNDS 
De Montfort Park Hinckley United

Formed in 1997, the result of a merger between Hinckley Athletic and Hinckley Town, the 4,329 capacity De Montfort Park was home to Hinckley United from 2005 until the club's demise in 2013.
A modern purpose-built football stadium, the ground is the centrepiece of the complex which also includes outdoor and 3G pitches, gymnasium, sports injury clinic, and a social club.

The ground consists of the all-seater Main Stand, which houses the changing rooms, boardroom, hospitality lounges and club offices.
Opposite is a 1,095 capacity covered terrace.
The East Stand behind the goal is also all-seater, whilst the West End consists of hard standing only.
The ground was known as the Marston's Stadium from its opening in 2005 until 2009, when the naming rights were taken over by Greene King from 2009 until 2013.
The venue, also known as the Leicester Road Stadium, has been used by Aston Villa and Leicester City reserve teams, and has hosted England Youth and Women's International matches.
The stadium is currently used by the Leicester Falcons American Football team. 
After United were wound-up in 2013, supporters formed Hinckley AFC as a 
Community Trust Football Club.
The club, members of the Midland League Division One, currently ground share at the 1,500 capacity St John's Park in Heather, Leicestershire.

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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Silver Cod & The Boot Room Hull
Anlaby Road in the East Yorkshire city of Kingston upon Hull, connects The Tigers former home of Boothferry Park and the current KCom Stadium.
The road appears to have a pub on just about every corner although some are now closed down, and here are two of the most famous pubs for City fans.
The Silver Cod

Possibly the most famous, and at one time the most notorious of Hull pubs, The Silver Cod is situated a 5 minute walk from the former Boothferry Park.
Named after the trophy awarded annually to the city's vessel catching the most fish during the year, the pub was also home to the Hull hoolie Silver Cod Squad.
Now much more family orientated, this comfortable multi-room pub has lots of Tigers photos and memorabilia.No food or cask ale served, all live TV football shown.

The Boot Room

Located directly opposite the West Park entrance to the KCom, the Boot Room is a large open plan pub themed for both Hull City football and Hull rugby league fans. 
Originally the Newington Hotel but more recently known as Parkers, the pub has painted club crests on the walls and etched on the windows, and there is plenty of sports memorabilia and photographs to view.
All live TV sport shown, no food or cask ale available.

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STADE IMAGES

Peter Osgood - Stamford Bridge, Chelsea
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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.33) published Sunday 5th February 2017
***Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all***

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