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Sunderland AFC
Stadium of Light
The Ground
The stadium
was opened in 1997, after the Club left their
former home of Roker
Park where they had played for 99 years. The
stadium is totally enclosed and is truly magnificent.
I would say that it is one of the best stadiums in England. It is composed of two three tiered stands (at one end
and one side of the pitch), whilst the others are two tiered.
Unfortunately, sitting at the back of the highest tiers means a limited
view of the majority of the stadium, hence the feeling of being a bit cut
off. The West
Stand also has a row of executive boxes (which
you can sit outside if you wish). There is a large electronic scoreboard at either
end. You really have to experience not only the stadium but also the
occasion that is Sunderland to believe it. Away fans are housed at one end of the stadium,
in the two tiered Metro FM (South) Stand.
Currently, with half the stadium being larger than the other, it looks a
little imbalanced from the away end. However, looking at the larger
stands, one feels that if the Club added a tier to the remaining sides an
even more remarkable stadium would emerge.
Outside the stadium there are some reminders of the
former Monkwearmouth Colliery, on the site of
which the stadium was built. Behind the West Stand there is a large red
wheel, an emblem of the lifts that used to take the miners down to the
mines. Also outside one corner of the stadium is a large miners lamp. If you
feel a little mischievous, then ask the nearest Sunderland fan whether it is
a Geordie Lamp. Don't worry you won't get any physical abuse, just a long
lecture that the lamp is in fact a Davy lamp!
The stadium was voted as the 'Best Away Ground' in the Football League
Awards in 2007.
Future
Ground Developments
Kevin
Davis informs me; 'The club have
secured planning permission to add another 7,200 to the Metro FM (South) Stand,
which would take the capacity to 55,000. The club have not yet confirmed when
(if ever) they will go ahead with this. If the club then proceed
after this to add another tier to
the McEwans Stand the the final capacity would be around
64,000'.
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