Sixfields Stadium
Encyclopedia
Sixfields Stadium is a 7,653-capacity all-seater sports stadium
in Northampton
, England. It has been the home ground of Northampton Town Football Club
following their move from the County Ground
in October 1994.
The site also hosts athletics
in the adjacent stadium. Aside from being a sports venue, Sixfields also houses conference facilities.
, but was not ready on time and as a result Northampton began the season still at the County Ground.
The first game to be played there was against Barnet
in Division Three
on 15 October 1994. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with striker Martin Aldridge
scoring the first goal at the new stadium.
, who helped take the club from Division Four
to the First Division
during the 1960s, the North Stand is behind the goal nearest to the hill. It seats approximately 900.
who helped the stadium become reality. This stand is well known for its 'award-winning facilities for disabled supporters' according to The Football Ground Guide.
on 29 April 2006 when the stand was split and supporters segregated to allow the maximum number of home supporters to witness the club's promotion to League One
.
was called The Hotel End, so it would be quite apt if the new stadium was to also feature its own "Hotel End".
The proposed expansion would be largely financed by associated development, such as new shops and the hotel. As these associated developments would not comply with national government policy on restricting out-of-town retail development, the plans for stadium expansion have not progressed to the stage where a formal planning application has been made. In 2009, the Northampton Retail Strategy was produced by consultants CACI for Northampton Borough Council. This study concluded that further out-of-town retail development would harm the existing town centre. In addition, the average attendances at the stadium (see below) suggest that there is no need for additional seating at the stadium.
On the 9th April 2007, before their 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe United
, Northampton Town FC fans marched from the Northampton Guildhall
, past Northampton Saints'
Franklin's Gardens to Sixfields to pressure the council to make a quick and informed decision regarding the re-development..
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
, England. It has been the home ground of Northampton Town Football Club
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
following their move from the County Ground
County Cricket Ground, Northampton
The County Ground, is a cricket venue on Wantage Road in the Abington area of Northampton, UK. It is home to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club....
in October 1994.
The site also hosts athletics
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
in the adjacent stadium. Aside from being a sports venue, Sixfields also houses conference facilities.
History
The stadium had been scheduled to be opened at the start of the 1994–951994-95 in English football
-Premiership:Blackburn Rovers ended their 81-year wait for the league title thanks to the strike partnership of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton which scored a total of more than 50 league goals. Manchester United would have made it three league titles in a row if they had been able to turn a 1-1 draw...
, but was not ready on time and as a result Northampton began the season still at the County Ground.
The first game to be played there was against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
in Division Three
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
on 15 October 1994. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, with striker Martin Aldridge
Martin Aldridge
Martin James Aldridge was an English professional footballer.-Playing career:Northampton-born Aldridge joined Coventry City as a schoolboy, but was released in 1990. As a sixteen year old, he then played for Ford Sports Daventry , and joined Braunston Rangers on a Sunday to play with his brother...
scoring the first goal at the new stadium.
West Stand
The largest of the stands, seating just under 4,000 home supporters on a matchday, the West Stand also accommodates the club offices, changing rooms and supporters bar.Dave Bowen (North) Stand
Named after ex-Northampton Town player and manager Dave BowenDave Bowen
David Lloyd "Dave" Bowen was a Welsh football player and manager, who captained his country to their only ever World Cup finals, in 1958.-Playing career:...
, who helped take the club from Division Four
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
to the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
during the 1960s, the North Stand is behind the goal nearest to the hill. It seats approximately 900.
Alwyn Hargrave (East) Stand
This is the Family Enclosure and stands opposite the West Stand. It can accommodate approximately 1,700 fans. It is usually reserved for home supporters, although if the opposition sells their allocation in The Paul Cox Panel & Paint (South) Stand, they are usually sent an extra 450 tickets for the south end of this stand. It is named after an ex-Borough CouncillorCouncillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
who helped the stadium become reality. This stand is well known for its 'award-winning facilities for disabled supporters' according to The Football Ground Guide.
Paul Cox Panel & Paint (South) Stand
Standing opposite and identical to The Dave Bowen Stand, this end is reserved for away fans. The only occasion on which this stand has held Northampton Town supporters was against Chester CityChester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
on 29 April 2006 when the stand was split and supporters segregated to allow the maximum number of home supporters to witness the club's promotion to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Future developments
In December 2003, the football club secured a 150-year lease on the ground from the local council. The owners of Northampton Town, David and Tony Cardoza, propose to redevelop the whole ground into a 15,000-capacity all-seater stadium, starting by adding executive boxes and a further 2,000 seats to the West Stand, whilst expanding the clubs offices and facilities. The other stands would then be expanded and joined to create a 'bowl' stadium. The new complex would also feature a hotel which could potentially be built behind the Paul Cox Panel & Paint (South) Stand. The home end at Northampton Town's old County GroundCounty Cricket Ground, Northampton
The County Ground, is a cricket venue on Wantage Road in the Abington area of Northampton, UK. It is home to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club....
was called The Hotel End, so it would be quite apt if the new stadium was to also feature its own "Hotel End".
The proposed expansion would be largely financed by associated development, such as new shops and the hotel. As these associated developments would not comply with national government policy on restricting out-of-town retail development, the plans for stadium expansion have not progressed to the stage where a formal planning application has been made. In 2009, the Northampton Retail Strategy was produced by consultants CACI for Northampton Borough Council. This study concluded that further out-of-town retail development would harm the existing town centre. In addition, the average attendances at the stadium (see below) suggest that there is no need for additional seating at the stadium.
On the 9th April 2007, before their 2-1 victory over Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, Northampton Town FC fans marched from the Northampton Guildhall
Northampton Guildhall
Northampton Guildhall is a building which stands on St Giles' Square in Northampton, England.-Original building:It was built to the design of Edward William Godwin begun when he was only 28 between 1861 and 1864 in neo-gothic style. As well as housing Northampton Borough Council, it is also used...
, past Northampton Saints'
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
Franklin's Gardens to Sixfields to pressure the council to make a quick and informed decision regarding the re-development..
Attendances
- Record attendance: 7,557 - Northampton Town vs. Manchester CityManchester City F.C.Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, Division TwoFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, 26 September 1998.
Averages
- 2009–2010: 4,375 (Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) - 2008–2009: 5,200 (Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) - 2007–20082007-08 in English footballThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
: 5,409 (Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) - 2006–20072006-07 in English footballThe 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
: 5,573 (Football League OneFootball League OneFootball League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) - 2005–20062005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
: 5,935 (Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) - 2004–20052004-05 in English footballThe 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
: 5,927 (Football League TwoFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
) - 2003–20042003-04 in English footballThe 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
: 5,306 (Division ThreeFootball League TwoFootball League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
)