Croft Park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Croft Park is a football stadium in Blyth, Northumberland. It is home to Blyth Spartans A.F.C., who play in the Blue Square Conference North. It was opened by Mrs Clarke of Bellister Castle, Haltwhistle on the 1 September 1909.^[1]

The first match was a friendly against neighbours Newcastle United which ended in a 4-2 defeat.

Contents 1 Redevelopment (Phase One) 2 Redevelopment (Phase Two) 3 The Stands 4 References

[edit] Redevelopment (Phase One)

In 2003 Croft Park under went an extensive redevelopment which saw much of the ash terracing levelled and replaced with concrete terracing. New dugouts and a wheelchair enclosure were also added, earlier work carried out had seen two new stairways added to improve access to the seating tier of the Main Stand. These replaced the old central stair way which would often cause congestion next to the team tunnel after fulltime. Even before this the Main Stand has seen improvements with the old wooden benches replaced with plastic seats obtained from Newcastle United.

[edit] Redevelopment (Phase Two)

Just recently Croft Park has enjoyed further developments to meet full Blue Square North criteria. These developments include extending the Port of Blyth main stand roof to cover the bottom tier which has had seats installed. To ensure the views from these seats are unhindered the dugouts have been repositioned at the side of the stand.

Along with this a roof has gone up over the Plessey Road terrace providing cover for about 1200 and three new turnstiles have been built at the clubhouse end. This new stand is now sponsored by Carlsberg.

Towards the end of last season new seats were placed in the Broadway stand to ensure if Blyth Spartans were in the playoffs Croft Park would meet the necessary criteria to allow participation. These are the seats which have been recently installed in the Port of Blyth main stand.^[2]

[edit] The Stands

Wheelchair Enclosure

Covered and elevated with ramp access, room for three wheelchairs.

Port of Blyth (Main) Stand

Two tier all seater stand and mostly under cover (about 30 seats in the open and just over 530 covered), runs about a quarter the pitch length. Houses the changing rooms, kit room, sponsors lounge, players lounge, directors box, press seating and general office.

Carlsberg Stand

Southern most stand and recently covered, has the formerly imposing Patterson House residential care home just behind it. Can hold about 1200 on eight steps of terracing.

West (Broadway) Stand

The oldest Stand at Croft Park, over 70 years old - the only thing older then it is most of its regular inhabitants. Located opposite the Port of Blyth Stand on the West side of Croft Park. It has been said it has its own rather chilly micro climate because of the lack of direct sunlight it receives.

Provides cover for about 800, the terracing is a lot shallower then the rest of the ground and has views restricted by concrete walls on either side which close off former ash terracing.

Formerly sponsored by Dunston based Federation Brewery which is where its usual name - 'the Fed Shed' comes from.

Princess Louise Road Terrace

Located at the Northern end of Croft Park and just off Kingsway Road(which runs parallel to Princess Louise Road). Identical to the Plessey Road Terrace in that it has eight steps of terracing and can hold about 1200 but is uncovered. There are also another couple of turnstiles behind this terrace but these are closed off and unused.

The areas at the side of the Port of Blyth Stand and the Broadway Stand are flat uncovered standing areas.

[edit] References

Conference North venues 2007-08 v • d • e
Borough Park | Bower Fold | Croft Park | Damson Park | Ewen Fields | Haig Avenue | Hilton Park | Holker Street | The Lamb Ground | Liberty Way | Marston's Stadium | New Bucks Head | North Street | The Northolme | Rivacre Park | Rockingham Road | St George's Lane | The Valley Stadium | Victoria Park | Watnall Road | Wetherby Road | York Street

Coordinates: 55°07′15.07″N, 1°30′40.31″W