Sunday, June 21, 2009

St James' Park


  • Location : St james' Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4ST
  • Opened : 1892.
  • Owner : Newcastle United.
  • Operator : Newcastle United.
  • Tenants : Newcastle United.
  • Architect : Thomas Oliver.
  • Capacity : 52.387



St James' Park is an all-seater stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom. It is the home of Newcastle United Football Club, and the oldest and largest football stadium in the North East of England.[1] It is the seventh largest football stadium in the United Kingdom with a football spectator capacity of 52,387. A major expansion begun in 1998 elevated the stadium to the then second largest Premier League stadium, behind Old Trafford. Located in the centre of Newcastle, its white cantilever roof is visible across the city, and is the largest cantilever in Europe.

Occupied by the Toon Army fan-base in the Milburn Stand, the East Stand, the Leazes End and the Gallowgate End, the ground has been the home ground of Newcastle United since 1892, and been used for football since 1880. Throughout its history, the desire for expansion has caused conflict with local residents and the local council. This has led to proposals to move at least twice in the late 1960s, and a controversial 1995 proposed move to nearby Leazes Park. Reluctance to move has led to the distinctive lop-sided appearance of the present day stadium, due to asymmetrical stands.

Besides club football, St James' Park has also been used for international football, and will be used as a football venue for the 2012 Olympics. In addition to professional football, the stadium has hosted charity football events, rock concerts, and been used as a film set and for reality television shows.

History

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Newcastle United


  • Full Name : Newcastle United Football Club.
  • Nick Name : The Magpies, The Toon.
  • Founded : 1892.
  • Ground : St James' Park.
  • Chairman : Mike Ashley.
  • Manager : Vacant.
  • League : Premier League.



Newcastle United Football Club (also known as The Magpies, The Toon) is an English football club, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, which plays in the Coca-Cola Championship, The club was founded in 1892 after the merger of two local clubs, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End. Since their founding year, the club have played at their home ground of St. James' Park. They have won the First Division Championship four times and the FA Cup six times, though their last league success was in 1927. In European competition the most notable honour the club has won is the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, in 1969.

The club's traditional kit colours are black and white striped shirts, with black shorts and socks. Supporters of Newcastle United refer to themselves as the Toon Army.[1]

Newcastle have a long-standing rivalry with neighbouring Sunderland with whom they have contested the Tyne-Wear derby since 1898

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Stadio Artemio Franchi


  • Location : florence, Italy
  • Opened : 1931.
  • Owner : ACF Fiorentina.
  • Operator : ACF Fiorentina.
  • Tenants : ACF Fiorentina.
  • Architect : Pier Luigi Nervi.
  • Capacity : 47.282



This article is about the football stadium in Florence. For the stadium in Siena, see Stadio Artemio Franchi (Siena).

Stadio Artemio Franchi is a football stadium in Florence, Italy. It is currently the home of ACF Fiorentina.

The stadium was built in 1931[1] and holds 47,282. The architect is Pier Luigi Nervi[1] (known for the Nervi Hall in the Vatican) and it is one of the most relevant examples of 20th century architecture in the city.

The stadium is built entirely of reinforced concrete with a 70 meter (230 ft) tower that bears the stadium's flagstaff. The tower is called the "Tower of Marathon". Around the base of the tower, spiral ramps lead from the ground floor to the upper edge of the grandstand.

The stadium was originally called the "Comunale" but was renamed after the former FIGC president, Artemio Franchi in 1991.

The stadium itself underwent renovations for the 1990 FIFA World Cup which included removing the running track and increasing the seating capacity.

The official record attendance is 58,271 from 1984-11-25, at a Serie A match between Fiorentina and Internazionale.

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Fiorentina


  • Full Name : ACF Fiorentina SpA.
  • Nick Name : Viola, Gigliati.
  • Founded : 26 August 1926.
  • Ground : Stadio Artemio Franchi.
  • Chairman : Andrea Della Valle.
  • Manager : Cesare Prandelli.
  • League : SeriA.



ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A seasons. After climbing back up the Italian football system in the early 2000s, Fiorentina are currently competing in the 2008-09 Serie A season.

Fiorentina have won Serie A twice, in 1955-56 and again in 1968-69, as well as winning six Coppa Italia trophies. On the European stage Fiorentina won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1960-61, they finished runners-up in the UEFA Cup 1989/90 and also came close to winning the biggest European prize, finishing as runners-up in the European Cup during 1956-57.

Since 1931 the club have played at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, which currently has a capacity of 47,282. The stadium has used several names over the years and has undergone several renovations. Fiorentina are known widely by the nickname Viola, a reference to their distinctive purple colours.

History

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