Belle Vue (football)

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For other meanings of the term, see Belle Vue.

Belle Vue has been the home of English professional football club Doncaster Rovers since 1922. The gound is affectionately called by fans as 'The Bell' or 'The View', which may include several puns such as 'Room with a View' or 'Beautiful View', though there is no dominant nickname. The ground was opened by Charles E. Sutcliffe from the Football League on Saturday, August 26 of that year. The opposition was Gainsborough Trinity. The initial capacity was for 7,000 spectators, which was extended year-on-year as finances allowed. In 1927 the main stand at Doncaster's former ground in the suburb of Bennetthorpe was jacked up and moved on rollers to Belle Vue to form the family stand, where it remained until 1985 when the tragic events at Bradford City meant that the old wooden structure was deemed unsafe and was demolished.

In 1938 the capacity of Belle Vue was increased to 40,000 and it was in 1948 that the stadium recorded its highest attendance of 37,099 against Hull City, although apocryphal accounts refute this and claim that many more gained entry to the ground by climbing over walls and thus avoided having to pay.

In the later years of the 20th century, as the club's fortunes began to decline and finances became tighter, the capacity of Belle Vue was cut dramatically, falling as low as 4,859 in May 1987 when mining subsidence was found underground beneath the Popular Stand terrace.

A fire in the Main Stand one night in June 1995 caused extensive damage and nine months later Chairman Ken Richardson was arrested after the full time whistle blew on an evening match against Fulham. He was charged with conspiracy to commit arson and was subsequently found guilty. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

In the summer of 2003 work began to repair the Town End terrace, to replace the old seating in the Main Stand and to extend the Rossington terrace. In the summer of 2004 the Popular Stand terrace was also extended and executive boxes were built at the Town End of the stadium. New club offices, a new supporters bar and the application of tarmac to the car park completed a much needed facelift. In a move that angered some fans Belle Vue was renamed Earth Stadium as part of a sponsorship deal with Rotherham based finance company Earth Finance. The capacity is now in the region of 11,500.

A new stadium has long been mooted for Doncaster Rovers. The stadium finally started to become a reality when planning permission was granted. Construction started on 17 October 2005 of a 15,000 all-seater community stadium complex and it is expected to be complete by December 2006. The new ground will be known as the Keepmoat Stadium.

The last ever game at Belle Vue will take place on December 23rd, 2006 with Nottingham Forest as the visitors.

Football League One Venues 2006-2007

Alexandra Stadium | Ashton Gate | Belle Vue | Bloomfield Road Boundary Park | Brunton Park | City Ground | Fitness First Stadium Galpharm Stadium | Glanford Park | Griffin Park | Huish Park Liberty Stadium | Matchroom Stadium | Millmoor | New Den Stadium Prenton Park | Priestfield Stadium | Recreation Ground | Sixfields Stadium Vale Park | Valley Parade | Whaddon Road | Withdean Stadium