Britannia Stadium

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = The Britannia Stadium


fullname = The Britannia Stadium
nickname = The Brit
built = 1997
opened = 1997
seating_capacity = 28,383
tenants = Stoke City F.C. (1997-present)
dimensions = 116 x 72 yards
owner = Stoke City F.CThe Britannia Stadium is a Football Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home of Stoke City Football Club. The club had played at the Victoria Ground until 1997 and the move was the brainchild of then-Chief Executive Jez Moxey. [ [http://www.merseysidepotters.com/BritanniaStadium.htm mersysidepotters.com: "The Britannia Stadium"] ] The club's manager at this time was Chic Bates. It was originally owned jointly by Stoke City F.C., Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd., however, Stoke City F.C. bought all shares in the stadium in a deal worth £6 million finalised in December 2007. [cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/7156859.stm |title=Football club finish stadium deal |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |work=BBC News |date=2007-12-21 |accessdate=2007-12-22]

The new stadium holds 28,383 supporters, with the highest attendance being recorded for the sell out fixture against Everton in their FA Cup 3rd Round tie in 2002. [ [http://www.stadiumguide.com/britanniastadium.htm stadiumguide.com: stadiumguide.com: "Britannia Stadium"] ] The 'away end' holds a maximum of 4,800 visiting supporters. Due to the capacity being under 30,000, it is not eligible to be a UEFA 4 star stadium. If it was above this capacity it has all the specifications to be a UEFA 4 Star Stadium. [ [http://www.fussballtempel.net/uefa/4and5stars.html fussballtempel.net: "UEFA 4-star and 5-star stadiums - Requirements"] ] The cantilever Stadium has four stands, but only one enclosed corner. The first goal in the stadium was scored by Graham Kavanagh for Stoke in a league cup game against Rochdale. [ [http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/BritanniaStadium/0,,10310~1092366,00.html Stoke City FC: "Brit-10-Years: First Ever Game"] ]

Future Development

If Stoke can develop themselves in the FA Premier League, they could consider filling in the corner between the Boothen End and the West Stand, taking the ground's capacity to over 30,000. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/7410170.stm BBC SPORT: " Stoke opt not to expand stadium"] ]

Due to Stoke's promotion to the Premier League in the 2007/08 season, as of the summer of 2008, the interior of the ground including executive boxes, the Waddington suite and the main reception have undergone refurbishment. In between the Seddon end and the South Stand there will be a large screen and also between the Boothen end and the John Smith Stand there will be a wind break.

ite History

The stadium is built on the former site of [http://www.staffspasttrack.org.uk/exhibit/coal/collieries/hemheath.htm Hem Heath colliery] . Recently in 2006, work has taken place on the A50 to allow direct access from the eastbound direction, involving the building of a bridge across the road. It is close to the Sideway junction with the A500.

Notable Non-Stoke Games

The stadium hosted the 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 playoff finals for the Conference National.

The stadium has also hosted a U21 international between England and Portugal on 16 April 2002. Portugal won the match 1-0. [cite web|url=http://web.ukonline.co.uk/ic.ic/u21portugalfriendlya.html|title=England U21: 0 Portugal U21: 1 (Tonel 39)|publisher=web.ukonline.co.uk]

Ownership

The stadium was part-owned by the council around early 2007 but Stoke City FC have now bought the ground off the council to claim full ownership of the stadium for an estimated fee of £6,000,000.

External links

* [http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10310,00.html Stoke City guide]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/sport/stokecity/360/index.shtml BBC Stoke guide]
* [http://oatcakefanzine.proboards27.com Unofficial Stoke City message board]
* [http://stokecity.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=944&p=2&stid=7970180 Guide from "The Oatcake" - Stoke City fanzine]

References