Keepmoat Stadium
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| Black Bank, The Moat | |
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| Full name | Keepmoat Stadium |
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| Location | Doncaster, England |
| Built | 2006 |
| Opened | 2006; Official Opening 3 August 2007 |
| Owner | Doncaster Council |
| Capacity | 15,231 |
| Tenants | |
| Doncaster Rovers Doncaster R.L.F.C. Doncaster Belles L.F.C. |
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Keepmoat Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Doncaster, England. It cost approximately £32m to construct and is used by Doncaster Rovers F.C., Doncaster R.L.F.C. and Doncaster Belles L.F.C..[1]
It held its first sporting fixture on 27 December 2006, Doncaster R.L.F.C. v Sheffield Eagles R.L.F.C.
The official opening of the Keepmoat Stadium was on 3 August 2007, with Doncaster Rovers playing a Manchester United XI in front of a crowd of 13,080. United won the game 2–0.[2]
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[edit] Facilities
The stadium itself is sponsored under a long-term contract by Keepmoat, a company specialising in social housing. They have the rights to the naming of the stadium.[3]
A mini-stadium is situated beside the main stadium, featuring a six-lane running track and a 500 seat stand. The mini stadium is used by Doncaster Rovers Belles, Doncaster Rovers reserves, Doncaster RLFC's academy team, and the South Yorkshire Mustangs American football team.
With these facilities in place, the Keepmoat has been picked as a potential training venue for athletes training in Athletics for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[4]
The all-seater stadium holds 15,231 spectators,[5] 5,000 more than Belle Vue, with improved legroom and disabled access.[6] Amongst the facilities in the new stadium is a new fans' bar, created to ensure fans have a place where they can enjoy pre-match drinks.
The pitch itself incorporates a system of synthetic fibres interwoven with natural grass.[7] This helps to maintain the pitch's integrity and prevents the playing surface from deteriorating throughout the course of the season. The pitch however does not have an under-soil heating system in-place despite being a modern construction.[8] This has resulted in the postponment of a match within the first year of full operation.[8]
[edit] Football
The first game played by Doncaster Rovers in the new stadium was on 1 January 2007 against Huddersfield Town, whom they beat 3–0.[9] The game also saw the first three red cards in the new stadium.[10] Doncaster Rovers' centre forward Mark McCammon was the first player ever to score on the new pitch.
The first defeat came at the hands of Carlisle when they narrowly beat Doncaster 2-1. The heaviest defeat seen at the stadium was inflicted by Swansea in which they won 4–0
[edit] Rugby League
The opening game played by Doncaster in the new stadium was against Sheffield Eagles, to whom they lost 16–10 in front of 5,400 spectators. Sheffield Eagles (and former Dons') Richard Newlove was the first player to score try at the new stadium.[11]
On Sunday 27th July 2008 the stadium hosted a semi-final of the Carnegie Challenge Cup between Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Hull won 32-24.
[edit] Other events
There has also been a variety of other events held in the Keepmoat Stadium, including two concerts in July 2007 featuring Ronan Keating, Bryan Adams and McFly. In July 2008 there was also a show by Elton John and his band. The big bang was recently at the stadium. In September 2008, the stadium was used to host the BAFL (British American Football League) finals known as "Britbowl".[12]
[edit] See also
- Doncaster Rovers
- Doncaster R.L.F.C.
- Doncaster Belles L.F.C.
- Belle Vue, Doncaster Rovers' former home.
[edit] References
- ^ "“Keepmoat Stadium” new name for centre-piece of £32million Lakeside Sports Complex". Stadium Management Company, Doncaster (2006-11-20). Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ "A taste of things to come". Doncaster Today (2007-08-09). Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Doncaster announce stadium name". BBC South Yorkshire (2006-11-21). Retrieved on 2007-04-17.
- ^ "Olympic training venues - Yorkshire". BBC Sport (2008-08-24). Retrieved on 2008-08-24.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers - Keepmoat Stadium". Yorkshire Evening Post (2007-06-27). Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers". National Association of Disabled Supporters. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Feature: Media Information Architecture Week Yorkshire". Architecture Week. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ a b "United 'left in the dark' by Rovers". Yorkshire Evening Post (2008-02-16). Retrieved on 2008-02-17.
- ^ "First day at Keepmoat". BBC South Yorkshire. Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Doncaster vs Huddersfield". Huddersfield Town Official Website (2007-01-01). Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Eagles spoil Dons' opener at Keepmoat". Doncaster Today (2006-12-28). Retrieved on 2007-08-28.
- ^ http://www.bafl.org.uk/artman2/publish/BritBowl_46/index.asp
[edit] External links
- Keepmoat Stadium is at coordinates Coordinates:
- Stadium events
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Football League Championship venues, 2008-09
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