Latest news with #EastStand
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Former Premier League stadium undergoes major works with all the seats ripped out as EFL club share update
BLACKPOOL have torn apart their Bloomfield Road stadium as a major revamp gets underway. All the seats have been torn out of the East Stand as part of work ahead of the 2025/26 League One campaign. 3 3 3 The upgraded stand will replace a temporary structure originally built during the club's Premier League days, aiming to enhance the match day atmosphere for fans. The project will include the replacement and refurbishment of all boards and seating, along with new media facilities and a camera platform. The club also plans to repaint the South Stand roof in tangerine and white over the summer. Fans can also expect the introduction of safe standing, with railings set to be installed over the coming months. Subject to planning approval, the club aims to make further improvements to the East Stand and its facade. New LED floodlighting will be introduced throughout the stadium, along with a new tannoy system - both part of the second stage of stadium upgrades. Following confirmation of these developments, owner Simon Sadler highlighted progress both on and off the pitch. He said: 'I am delighted that we are about to embark on this major build and refurbishment project in and around Bloomfield Road. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS "I am very excited about what lies ahead for our club. I am particularly pleased that we have found a cost-effective solution to rebuild and address the deficiencies of the East Stand by utilising its existing frame, which I'm assured has at least another 20 years of life. 'While I understand there may be some disappointment among fans that we aren't building a new cantilevered stand from scratch, the savings-likely in excess of £10 million-are substantial. Steve Bruce dealt huge blow just days after being named Blackpool boss as striker banned for appearing to SLAP opponent 'These savings free up funds to invest elsewhere in and around the stadium and also mean we won't have to sacrifice stadium capacity during the construction. 'The installation of railings in the North Stand and the addition of tangerine to the underside of the South Stand roof are key improvements, but more can still be done to stamp our identity on Bloomfield Road. 'As such, we will formally reach out to fans and fan groups to explore ways to add more colour and vibrancy throughout our home. 'When completed, the Sports Village will be a fantastic asset for our Community Trust and Academy, both of which will be based at the Bloomfield Road complex. 'This means that in the heart of Blackpool, we will have a busy, vibrant facility used seven days a week by local boys and girls, men and women, for a range of football and sport-related activities. 'With Squires Gate training ground receiving further off-season investment and the Sports Village set for completion next summer, the club—from the Academy to the first team—will soon be the most integrated and professional it has ever been. 'For the first time, we will have Championship-level facilities throughout, giving us a strong foundation for future success. 'I truly believe that after several years of disappointment, we have turned the proverbial corner. We now have, by far, the best all-round footballing setup during my time as owner—and make no mistake, promotion back to the Championship is our goal. Better times lie ahead for us all.' Blackpool finished ninth in League One, falling just short of the play-offs. They were last in the Premier League back in 2010/11 and last in the Championship for the 2022/23 campaign.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie rename stand in honour of club legend, as player of the year awards are handed out
The East Stand has been renamed the Ian McMillan Stand Airdrie have renamed their east stand the Ian McMillan Stand in tribute to the 'greatest Airdrieonian', following a memorial dinner held in his honour on Sunday. The evening was a poignant one, with Ian's family in attendance, and tributes paid by director Gordon Watson, guest speaker Archie MacPherson and two former stars who played under McMillan in John Lapsley and Willie McGuire. Those in attendance were treated to a three-course meal and speech from after-dinner speaker, ex-SFA chief executive Gordon Smith. During the evening, the club also held their Player of the Year awards. Captain Adam Frizzell won Ian McMillan Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year, Gavin Gallagher won Young Player of the Year and Players' Young Player of the Year, Chris Mochrie scooped the Goal of the Season. A club spokesperson said: "We can't wait to see the Ian McMillan Stand decorated with the great man's name and two portraits representing his time as a Diamonds player and manager. "It is a fitting tribute to the man who was indeed the greatest Airdrieonian."
The Guardian
13-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Sancho rescues point against Ipswich but Chelsea lose ground in top-five race
If Chelsea fall short in their push for Champions League qualification it will be difficult to look past their curious inability to deal with Ipswich. They remain the only side to have lost at Portman Road in the league this season and their fallibility under pressure was again the theme when they failed to find a way past Kieran McKenna's defiant but doomed team in the return fixture. Enzo Maresca later talked ruefully of Chelsea's struggle to cope with 'the environment' at Stamford Bridge being a key factor in this pulsating 2-2 draw. The disconnect with the crowd lingers. Supporters who question Maresca's patient style of play are quick to turn in trying times. 'You're boring, Enzo,' came the cry from one dissenting voice at the back of the East Stand's lower tier when Ipswich, surgical in the way they punished Chelsea's early disarray, swept into a 2-0 lead after 31 minutes. Both sides finished with regrets. Ipswich were courageous but could not see out a famous win and are 14 points off 17th place with six games left. Chelsea, meanwhile, left it too late to complete a turnaround that would have lifted them one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest. A thrilling equaliser from Jadon Sancho, who stepped off the bench to bend in his first goal since December, was lost once the dust settled and the focus switched to Maresca's side stumbling towards a draw that leaves their hopes of finishing in the top five in increasing peril. Victory felt imperative given that Chelsea have not won on their travels since December and still have to visit Fulham, Newcastle and Forest. It made the initial inertia baffling. It was startling to watch Chelsea lose composure after Julio Enciso put Ipswich ahead. The panic was underlined by how readily they lost faith with Maresca's philosophy and acceded to the home crowd's demands to be more direct, a development that ultimately proved key to the visitors' second goal. 'We conceded and they decided to play long ball,' Maresca said. 'The second goal, we decide to play long because the environment is there – and we concede. You have to continue with the things that you are doing. We are stronger with our fans. It's up to them to decide the way.' Chelsea were almost back to full strength after using their second string to beat Legia Warsaw in the Conference League. Maresca did not repeat his rotation from last weekend's 0-0 draw at Brentford and there were encouraging signs at first. Nicolas Jackson hit the woodwork, Noni Madueke volleyed wide and Levi Colwill drew the first of several superb saves from Alex Palmer. Yet the atmosphere deteriorated after Ipswich dispensed with their unconvincing attempts to pass out from the back. George Hirst, a 6ft 3in target man who was starting only because Liam Delap was nursing a rib injury on the bench, was ready when he was found by one simple long ball in the 19th minute. The striker's hold-up play was of the variety rarely seen in the modern game, the roll away from Tosin Adarabioyo impeccable, and the rest was no less accomplished: a clever pass to the right for Ben Johnson, a cross to the near post from the former West Ham man and a subtle finish from Enciso, who peeled away from Colwill to poke in his first goal since joining on loan from Brighton. Chelsea's response was abysmal. Feeling the heat, Robert Sánchez infuriated Maresca by hitting a goal-kick long moments after Jens Cajuste had gone close from 20 yards. Ipswich came straight back. Hirst, who bullied Adarabioyo, flicked the ball on, Jack Clarke released Enciso and the Paraguayan turned provider, crossing for Johnson to nod in his first goal for the club. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Ipswich were not supposed to prove this much of a nuisance without Delap, who counts Chelsea among his many suitors. Could they hold firm? Chelsea adjusted at half-time, Malo Gusto replacing Adarabioyo, and had hope when Madueke beat Cameron Burgess and forced Axel Tuanzebe to score an own goal 18 seconds into the second half. A siege beckoned, although Ipswich retained a threat, Hirst spurning two chances. Chelsea were frantic but aimless. They pined for some magic from Cole Palmer but he has gone 14 games without a goal and is not himself. Others had to step up. Pedro Neto volleyed over and Sancho impressed after replacing Madueke. Ipswich, who lost Jaden Philogene to a knee injury five minutes after bringing the winger on, looked exhausted. Chelsea had time to find a winner when a short corner led to Sancho whipping a beautiful shot high into the net. The game swung from end to end. Alex Palmer somehow denied Trevoh Chalobah, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández. Ipswich had openings but McKenna urged his players to calm down. Maresca's ran out of inspiration.
New York Times
07-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal fans to ‘play the game with us' before Real Madrid Champions League clash
Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal's supporters to 'play the game with us' ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. Arsenal host the holders in the first leg of this stage, and Arteta says the team will need the backing of the entire Emirates Stadium. The club are taking steps to help augment the atmosphere, with plans for a light show, pyrotechnics, a red and white display that will encompass the entire stadium, and two new fan-led tifo banners in the stands. Advertisement Arsenal will place a recyclable commemorative plastic bag on every home seat in the Emirates Stadium, which supporters will be asked to raise overhead as the players emerge from the tunnel. This will transform the stadium into a huge red and white display. Supporters are encouraged to keep the bags as keepsakes or place them in a specially organised recycling point at the stadium. There will also be two large tifos unveiled in the Clock End and East Stand, which have been designed after consultation with fan groups. Supporters are encouraged to arrive at the stadium early to help build the atmosphere. To encourage them, Arsenal are granting a 'buy one and get one on us' offer on drinks for the first hour after the stadium opens. 'I encourage them to come very early to the warm-up and create those nights that we haven't lived many of those at the Emirates,' says Arteta. 'We're going to put all the ingredients, everything that is in our hands, to play the game that we want and to take the game in the direction that we want,' the Arsenal manager told his pre-match press conference on Monday. 'In order to achieve that, we're going to need our people playing every single ball with us. 'That's going to make a huge difference because that's something that is really needed. At these stages, you need your home stadium to create a very special atmosphere to generate momentum. 'I encourage everybody to go there tomorrow to play the game with us. Not to be there watching it, but to play the game with us.' Arsenal host the competition's holders at the Emirates Stadium, hoping to replicate the feat of knocking them out of the competition — something they achieved in 2006. 'That's why I came into football,' said Arteta. 'That's why I came into management and especially to this football club. It's been 20 years since we had this type of game, and for us, it's a great opportunity to build our own story, and this is what we're here for.' Advertisement There was no notable team news for the tie, with Arteta saying that all players who faced Everton came through relatively unscathed — including Ben White, who got some valuable game time. Bukayo Saka also faced the media and, when asked whether he now considered himself fit to start, answered, 'Yeah — there's only one way to find out.' (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
