Issue No.51 October 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall Goole AFC

Spurs Stadium Tour

Aston Hotel
Birmingham






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STADE NEWS
BEES NEW HOME TAKES SHAPE

The Brentford Community stadium in West London is on course to open as scheduled for the start of the 2020/21 season.
With a capacity of 17,250, the stadium will be the new home for both Brentford FC and London Irish RFC.
Located at Lionel Road adjacent to Kew Bridge railway station, the new stadium is around a mile from Brentford's Griffin Park, home to the Bees since 1904.The site, whilst being restricted in size and situated in a triangle of railway lines, also includes an extensive residential development.

NEW WHEELCHAIR FACILITY IN STRETFORD END

Manchester United have received planning permission for new wheelchair facilities at Old Trafford.
The main changes will be in the Stretford End, where a new tier will be added to accommodate the extra places for wheelchair and assistance fans.
The existing staircases will be extended, and lift towers installed to enable access to the new concourse.


RAIL STANDING AT RUGBY PARK

Ayrshire Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock have installed rail standing sections in the East and Family Stands at Rugby Park, the second club in Scotland to do so after Celtic installed a similar albeit much larger facility.
The standing sections, funded by the supporters group the Killie Trust, are aimed at attracting younger supporters to matches in general, and boosting crowds in the Family stand in particular.

RESEARCH FOR FOXES STADIUM PLANS

Leicester City have appointed a market research company to undertake a supporters study, ahead of the future development of the King Power stadium.
The Foxes want to engage with supporters and the local business community, to deliver the best possible facilities in the stadium which has a current capacity of 32,300.
The club have purchased over six acres of land behind the East stand, giving plenty of room for expansion to around 40,000.

POSH TO PURCHASE LONDON ROAD

Peterborough United have agreed a deal with the City Council to buy the London Road stadium, sixteen years after the club sold the ground to a property developer.
The Council subsequently bought the stadium in 2010, and the contract to return it to the club's ownership should be completed this month.
Posh are still evaluating a possible move away from London Road, and have promised full consultation with supporters on any future stadium plans.




NEWS IN BRIEF
AZ ALKMAAR
Netherlands Eredivisie side Alkmaar have suffered a calamitous roof collapse at the AFAS Stadion.
A large central section of the north-east stand fell onto the seats below, thought to be caused by a combination of storm damage and solar panels fitted on the roof.
AZ are currently playing home games at the ADO Den Haag stadium.
BRIGHTON
South Coast club Brighton and Hove Albion are planning to make the AMEX Stadium a cashless venue.
Catering kiosks and bars will start to switch immediately, with the club planning to make the stadium including hospitality lounges and the club store card payments only by the start of next season.
UEFA FINALS
The next three Champions League Final venues have been announced by UEFA.
2021 will see the Final in Saint Petersburg, followed in 2022 at the Allianz in Munich, with Wembley hosting the 2023 showpiece.
Seville has been confirmed as the host for the 2021 Europa League Final, with Windsor Park in Belfast hosting the 2021 Super Cup game.

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CLUBCALL Goole AFC

Victoria Pleasure Gardens, Marcus Road, 
Goole DN14 6TN.
Founded - 1997
League - Northern Counties East League Premier 
Capacity - 3,000
Record Attendance - 976
Nearest Railway Station - Goole
Club Website - www.gooleafc.com

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STADIUM TOURS Tottenham Hotspur

The newest football stadium in England and arguably by far the best in the country, the tour at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium is a fantastic way to experience this amazing new ground.
The meeting point for the tour is inside the huge club store, and after entering the concourse you take the lift to the top 5th floor of the main West stand.
This gives the first glimpse of the pitch from inside the glass covered corporate area, but equally as impressive from the other rear side of the stand, you get the most incredible views over north and central London.
The tour meanders its way back to ground level to take in the dressing rooms area.

Home dressing room

Strangely the home dressing room, whilst in decor far superior, is actually a good deal smaller than the visitors dressing room.
The tunnel area is huge, and includes the glass screen dividing the Legends corporate area, one of the most expensive in the stadium, from the players.
The business side of the venue is obviously huge for Spurs, with over 60 restaurants in the stadium catering for the corporate clientèle.
Making your way through the tunnel to pitch side, you get a real idea of how impressive the stadium actually is.
The pitch, which is in three parts is retractable to allow the switch to a different surface for the American Football games planned at the venue.
It only takes 25 minutes for the whole playing surface to be removed.
The 17,000 capacity single tier South stand is the real focal point, a stand already equipped with a rail standing area for when legislation will allow it to be used.

The Goal Line bar

The concourse underneath this stand is also home to the Goal Line bar, the longest in Europe stretching between each corner flag.
A nice touch is the aggregate in the stadium concourse floors is made from the remains of the demolished old White Hart Lane.
The tour then makes its way to the impressive media suite, with its dedicated area for the press, television, and the interpreters now required for the many Overseas media who attend the pre and post match conferences.
The tour then finishes back in the club store, where the new Spurs museum will also be opening soon.
Another new soon to open attraction will be the Sky Walk, where you can walk to the top of the stadium (40 metres high) then abseil down to the pitch.

The South stand

The new stadium has been a massive financial outlay and commitment for Tottenham, but staying on the same site has kept the club at the heart of the north London community.
After years of progression on the pitch including a Champions League final, the new stadium will certainly allow the club to progress off the pitch too.

Tottenham Stadium Tour Info
Times - Tours available 10am until 6pm Monday to Saturday
            and 10am to 4.30pm Sunday.
Contact - www.experience.tottenhamhotspur.com  Tel:020 3929 1882.
Prices - Adult £30, Student/Senior £27, Child £15.
Travel - by train from Liverpool Street to White Hart Lane(5 mins walk)

The East stand

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FAMOUS LOST FOOTBALL PUBS
Aston Hotel Birmingham

Imposing, gothic style pub on Witton Road just yards from Villa Park, the Aston Hotel was always a favourite football watering hole.
A former Midlands beer favourite Ansells pub, the brewery was nearby at Aston Cross, the Aston was hugely popular with Villa and visiting fans given its proximity to the away end at Villa Park.
The pub, which closed in 2016 is now a sheltered hostel.

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STADE IMAGES

Distinctive floodlights at the London Stadium

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2019

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

Next issue (No.52) published Sunday 1st December 2019

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.50 August 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall
Spennymoor Town

Destination Macclesfield

Coach & Horses pub
Orient



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STADE NEWS
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL BID FOR MURRAYFIELD

Scottish Rugby are considering a bid to host a future Champions League final.
The 67,000 capacity stadium in the capital city Edinburgh, was sold out for the recent Liverpool v Napoli pre-season friendly, and has also hosted European football matches for both Hearts and Glasgow Celtic.

The Scottish FA had looked at the possibility of relocating to Murrayfield before purchasing the national stadium Hampden Park in Glasgow from Queens Park FC.
Scottish Rugby have confirmed any bids for the Champions League Final would only be submitted after full consultation and agreement with the SFA.



NEW STAND FOR RACECOURSE KOP 

Wrexham have unveiled plans for a new 5,000 seater stand, on the site of the current terraced Kop end at the Racecourse Ground.
The new stand is planned as part of a major regeneration of Mold Road, the gateway into the town.
The Kop has not been open for over ten years now, and the new stand will take the stadium capacity to over 15,000.



CRAVEN COTTAGE WORK READY TO START

West London club Fulham have announced building work on the new Riverside stand at Craven Cottage is about to begin.
The existing structure will be demolished, with the new stand containing enhanced floor space and corporate facilities, enabling non-match day use on the River Thames frontage.
Capacity will be restricted to 19,000 during the construction work, once completed capacity at the Cottage will rise to 30,000.


PROPSED NEW STADIUM FOR THE IMPS

Initial plans for a possible new stadium for Lincoln City have been unveiled, part of the Western Corridor project being undertaken by the City Council.
The Imps, newly promoted to League One, have not yet committed to the project, which could see a new stadium built as part of the development, which would initially entail 3,200 new homes being built.
Lincoln have played at current home Sincil Bank since 1895.


ANDERLECHT STADIUM NAMING RIGHTS DEAL

Brussels club Anderlecht have announced a naming deal for the Constant Vanden Stock stadium, itself named after a former chairman.
The stadium is now named Lotto Park, after the club signed a deal with the Belgian State lottery.
The contract which lasts for four years has attracted criticism, due to the State funded lottery sponsoring probably the country's biggest club.



NEWS IN BRIEF
PORTSMOUTH
After 57 years in operation, the floodlight pylons at Fratton Park have been demolished as part of changes to the stadium.
New floodlights have been installed on the roof of the South stand, together with a newly refurbished TV gantry.
TILBURY
Essex club Tilbury have announced plans for a new purpose built stadium, on the site of their current Chadfields home.
The plans include a new clubhouse with a gym and multi-use hall, the scheme being funded by a new housing development on a brownfield site next to the stadium.
SAN SIRO MILAN
Milan clubs AC and Internazionale have finally agreed to the plans for a new stadium, on a site next to the their current iconic San Siro home.
The Stade Guiseppe Miazza will be demolished, and the current plan is to build a new 60,000 seater stadium by 2022.

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CLUBCALL Spennymoor Town

The Brewery Field, Durham Road, 
Spennymoor DL16 6JN.
Founded - 2005
League - National League North
Capacity - 3,000
Record Attendance - 2,670
Nearest Railway Station - Durham
Club Website - www.spennymoortownfc.co.uk

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DESTINATION Macclesfield

Town Hall

An attractive market town in Cheshire, Macclesfield is an ideal destination to visit one of England's most affluent counties, and also the wider North-West area.
Probably best known for its production of silk, the town was once the world's biggest producer from its 71 operating mills.
The Silk Museum on Park Lane gives a fascinating insight into the history of the industry in the town.
Other attractions in the town include St Michael's church, the Town Hall, and the Publicity Works(Hovis)Mill.
The Macclesfield Canal is also a popular tourist attraction.
Macclesfield is an ideal base for touring the wider Cheshire and North West area.
UNESCO World Heritage site Jodrell Bank is to the west of the town, a fascinating science and space attraction which features the giant Lovell telescope.

Silk Museum

Lots of interactive exhibits are on show, together with excellent gardens and walks on the site.
National Trust attractions Hare Hill woodland garden and parkland, and the Nether Alderley water mill are also in the area.
Being so close to the Peak District and towns such as Buxton and Bakewell, Macclesfield is also a perfect base for walking and cycling holidays in the National Park.

Macclesfield Info

Travel - by road via M6/A537, by rail via Stoke on Trent or Manchester.
Accommodation - good quality independent hotels, also the budget chains in the town and local area.
Pubs - Jolly Sailor on Sunderland Street, Waters Green Tavern, and Society Rooms(Spoons)all recommended.
Tourism Website - www.visitmacclesfield.co.uk




Macclesfield Town FC

Moss Rose, London Road, 
Macclesfield SK11 7SP.
Founded - 1874
League - Football League Two
Capacity - 6,335
Record Attendance - 9,003
Nearest Railway Station - Macclesfield
Club Website - www.mtfc.co.uk







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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Coach & Horses Leyton Orient

Superb large and very ornate pub/restaurant on Leyton High Road, 2 minutes walk from Brisbane Road.
Recently refurbished to a very high standard, there are some fine Orient photos on display including a superb picture of the first match at Brisbane Road in 1905.
Great selection of cask/craft beers available, and a fine food menu also served.
Lots of live music usually on offer, and all live TV football shown.

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STADE IMAGES

Main entrance at Lesser Hampden Glasgow - Queens Park FC

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2019

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

Next issue (No.51) published Sunday 6th October 2019

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.49 June 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

Stade News

ClubCall 
Edinburgh City

Lost Grounds
Billingham Synthonia

Three Pigeons pub Halifax

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STADE NEWS
ST ANDREWS GROUNDSHARE FOR SKY BLUES

Coventry City, currently in dispute with rugby union club Wasps the owners of their stadium the Ricoh Arena, have agreed a groundshare with Birmingham City for next season to play at St Andrews if they are unable to resolve the issues to remain at the Ricoh.
An EFL extraordinary general meeting to discuss the future of the Sky Blues scheduled for May 29th was cancelled, a meeting which could have seen Coventry voted out of the Football League.
The EFL had advised Coventry they did not want them based over 6 miles from their current home, Birmingham's St.Andrews is 18 miles away.
Coventry Rugby's Butts Park ground still remains a further groundshare option.

QPR RESPOND TO COUNCIL CONSULTATION

Queens Park Rangers have officially requested a new 30,000 seater stadium, as part of a consultation process with Hammersmith and Fulham council.
The club want to be anchor tenants at a possible new stadium to be built on the site of the Linford Christie athletics ground in the Borough.
In other Hoops news, the club are to gift the naming rights to Loftus Road next season to a charity nominated by supporters.


NEW DUNDEE STADIUM PLANS ON TRACK

Despite relegation to the Scottish Championship, Dundee have confirmed their commitment to building a new stadium.
The Dee have confirmed most of the planning work for the new stadium project has been completed, and the funding is in place.
Dundee plan to relocate from Dens Park, home since 1899, to a new 15,000 seater stadium in the Camperdown area of the city by 2021.

RAMS SELL PRIDE PARK

Derby County, still reeling from losing the Championship play-off Final to Midlands rivals Aston Villa, have announced the sale of Pride Park.
The stadium, home to the Rams since 1997, has been sold to a company owned by the Derby chairman for £80m, as revealed in the club's latest financial results.
The stadium sale will see a long term lease back to the club, and the opportunity to use the arena for other large scale entertainment events.


CHANGES TO LONDON STADIUM 

West Ham United have announced two changes to the layout of the London Stadium in Stratford, designed to make the venue feel more like home for the East End club and its supporters.
New, straight end seating zones will replace the current curved seating areas meaning fans are closer to the pitch and increasing the capacity by around 700, whilst a Hammers branded claret pitch surround has been installed at the stadium.


NEWS IN BRIEF
ATALANTA
Demolition work on the famous Curva Nord at the Stadio Atleti Azzuri d'Italia has begun, the first stage of the reconstruction of the stadium.
With the stands on the side of the stadium in Bergamo being listed buildings, 
the ends are being rebuilt to enable a new all seater capacity of around 24,000.
BOSTON UNITED
The Pilgrims are set to leave their York Street stadium after next season.
Work is now scheduled to begin on the new Community Stadium, due to be ready for the start of the 2020/21 season.
LUTON TOWN
Plans for the Newlands Park commercial development just off junction 10 of the M1 motorway, have not been called in by the Secretary of State for Housing and Communities.
The project is vital to fund Luton's new stadium plans at Power Court in the city centre.

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CLUBCALL Edinburgh City

Founded - 1928
League - Scottish League Two
Capacity - 3,000
Record Attendance - 2,522 
(at Meadowbank Stadium)
Nearest Railway Station - Edinburgh Haymarket
Club Website - www.edinburghcityfc.com

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LOST GROUNDS 
Central Park Billingham Synthonia

Founded in 1923 and members of the Northern League, Billingham Synthonia are named after an agricultural fertiliser (synthetic ammonia) manufactured by the industrial giants ICI in the town, and to which the club was formerly affiliated.
Initially playing in the local South Bank & District and Teesside League's, the club joined the Northern League in 1945.

The club's first home was on Belasis Avenue, part of the ICI sports complex.
The club then moved to Central Avenue in 1958, the ground being opened with a match against Bishop Auckland, a 2-2 draw witnessed by a crowd 
of 4,200 - still the club's record attendance.
The main focal point of the ground was the hugely impressive 2,000 capacity cantilever main stand, the longest in the country at the time.
A huge bowl of a stadium with an athletics track and grass banks at either end, the ground had enormous potential but it's highlights were being used for an England 'B' athletics international, and Middlesbrough FC reserve matches.
Central Avenue sadly now lies derelict, vandalised, and overgrown.

After leaving Central Avenue in 2017, due to the cost of renovation and upgrading works at the stadium,
Synners moved to the sports complex situated on Station Road in nearby Norton.
Formerly home to the now defunct Northern League club Norton and Stockton Ancients, the 1,970 capacity ground has a very rural feel quite different to the club's former home in the industrial heartland of Billingham.


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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
Three Pigeons Halifax

Superb Ossett Brewery pub on Sun Fold, the road from Halifax railway station to the Shay stadium.
A grade II listed art-deco building, the pub has five distinctive rooms leading from a central bar area.
Ossett beers predominate on handpull, with five other nationally sourced beers also usually available.
Restricted opening hours during the week, open all day Saturday.
All live TV football shown.


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STADE IMAGES

Goodison Park Everton - from the main stand concourse at Anfield

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2019

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

Next issue (No.50) published Sunday 4th August 2019

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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Issue No.48 April 2019

IN THIS ISSUE

Hartlepool Royal Navy Museum

Stade News

ClubCall Wigan

Destination Hartlepool

Peacock pub Peterborough




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STADE NEWS
MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT AT THE CITY GROUND

Nottingham Forest are planning a major redevelopment of the City Ground, with the main Peter Taylor stand being totally rebuilt.
In the first major development at the stadium for 25 years, the plans also include a new club museum and shop, hospitality lounges, enhanced concourse facilities around the ground,and improved disabled supporter facilities.
A formal planning application will be made following consultations with fans and local residents.
The improvements will take the capacity of the City Ground, where Forest have played since 1898 to 38,000, and make the stadium the largest in the East Midlands.


GROUNDSHARE TALKS FOR SKY BLUES

Coventry City are in talks with a number of clubs over a groundshare, after failing to finalise a deal to stay at the Ricoh Arena next season.
City's owners remain in dispute with the stadium owners Rugby Union club Wasps, and the City council.
The Sky Blues previously played their home games at Northampton Town in the 2003/04 season.




REVAMP FOR DORDRECHT STADIUM

Eerste Divisie club FC Dordrecht have announced plans for the redevelopment of the GN Bouw stadion, in conjunction with the local municipality.
With one of the smallest playing budgets in the Netherlands, and a stadium capacity of just 4,100, Dordrecht are planning a redevelopment including additional sports, leisure, and educational facilities which will bring the stadium into daily use rather than on match days only.



SPURS STADIUM OFFICIALLY OPENS

Tottenham Hotspur have officially opened their new stadium, with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
A crowd of 59,215 witnessed the match, with the South Korean Son Heung-Min having the honour of the first goalscorer at the stadium, built on the site of the old White Hart Lane.
A spectacular opening ceremony and firework display took place before the match.



NEW STAND FOR FLAMINGO LAND

Northern Premier League club Scarborough Athletic have received a funding boost from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, to further develop the Flamingo Land stadium.
Opened in 2017, the plans will see a new stand with combined seating/terracing,improved disabled supporter facilities, and alterations to the floodlights.
The plans will increase the stadium capacity to 3,010.


NEWS IN BRIEF
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Construction work on the new main Mayflower Stand at Home Park continues to progress.
The 5,000 capacity stand, replacing the previous 1949 structure and the final part of the stadium redevelopment, is due to open later this year and will give the ground a new capacity of just under 18,000. 

STADE DE FRANCE
A major revamp is planned for the Stade de France in Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics, when the stadium will be the main venue for the Games.
Increased capacity and additional commercial space is in the pipeline, together with the possibility of a retractable roof for the venue.

CANTERBURY CITY
Southern Counties East Premier club Canterbury City have been refused planning permission for a new home in the City.
The Kent club lost their previous Kingsmead Stadium in 1999 to a housing development, and have more recently played their home fixtures in the nearby towns of Deal and Faversham.

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CLUBCALL Wigan Athletic

DW Stadium, Loire Drive, Wigan WN5 0UZ.
Founded - 1932
League - English Championship
Capacity - 25,138
Record Attendance - 25,133
Nearest Railway Station - 
Wigan North Western or Wallgate
Club Website - wiganlatics.co.uk

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DESTINATION Hartlepool

The Headland

Lying on the North East coast of England Hartlepool has a rich and varied history, and with a host of attractions both within the town itself and the wider Teesside and Durham areas, is a fine destination for any football supporter.
Formerly two towns, the Headland of Old Hartlepool and West Hartlepool were unified in 1967.
A heavily industrialised town in its heyday with steelworks, shipyards and docks, the town suffered a decline in the economic downturn of the 80's and 90's with the majority of the steelworks and the shipyards now long gone.
The main attraction in the town is the National Royal Navy Museum, a superb interactive museum on the town's marina with a host of fascinating exhibits.
The marina itself has an excellent array of bars and restaurants catering for all tastes.
Over on the Headland the Heugh Battery is a superb museum with a host of military exhibits, detailing the history of the 1914 bombardment of the town.
Hartlepool is also the home of Camerons brewery, founded in 1852 and with a rich heritage in the town and the wider North East area.
Its flagship beer Strongarm is legendary, and unashamedly the blog favourite.
Hartlepool is also a fine base for touring the Durham coast, superb walks are available to Castle Eden, Seaham and beyond.
The wider Teesside area is also close by, with attractions such as Hardwick Park in Sedgefield, Preston Park in Stockton, and shopping at Teesside Park all within easy reach.
Like the rest of the North East Hartlepool sometimes receives a bad press, but take time to discover the town and its environs and you will find a really warm, inviting area with a surprising amount of attractions and natural beauty.


Hartlepool Info

Travel - by road via A19/A689, by rail via Darlington or Middlesbrough.
Grand Central service direct from London Kings Cross.
Accommodation - Best Western Grand in centre, Premier Inn and Travelodge on the Marina.
Pubs - Camerons Brewery Tap on Stockton Street, also the nearby Causeway pub.
On the Headland, the Globe and the Fishermans Arms.
Tourism Website - 
www.thisishartlepool.co.uk

Hartlepool United FC

Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool TS24 8BZ.
Founded - 1908
League - English National Leage
Capacity - 7,833
Record Attendance - 17,426
Nearest Railway Station - Hartlepool
Club Website - www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk


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FAMOUS FOOTBALL PUBS
The Peacock Peterborough

Large and friendly open plan pub on London Road, directly opposite the home end of Peterborough's ground.
Good selection of beers and lagers available, and food served all day on a Saturday.
Huge beer garden gives the pub added capacity on matchdays, weather permitting of course!
All live TV football shown.




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STADE IMAGES

Site of centre spot at Leeds Road,former Huddersfield ground

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Many thanks for your interest in the blog.

All photographs and text copyright footballstadeblog2019

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

Next issue (No.49) published Sunday 2nd June 2019

footballstadeblog.blogspot.com
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