Changing Places

A glimpse of the Falkirk Stadium, taken last Saturday and which comes into view if you take a walk from the magnificent Kelpies through the Helix Park to the ground.

Two promotions in successive seasons means the stadium will be hosting Premiership football in 2025/26, as well as being the home of Lowland League club East Stirlingshire FC.

I was then lucky enough to watch the crucial promotion/relegation play-off second leg between Ross County and Livingston on Monday evening.

The hosts took an early two-goal lead, moving 3-1 ahead on aggregate but a Livi goal before the break saw nerves set in amongst the home players and the away side deservedly ran out winners with three second-half goals to secure a Premiership place alongside Falkirk and leave a Highlands-shaped hole in the top-tier of Scottish football next season.

But I really liked the location of the Global Energy Stadium, next to the railway station, in the town centre and with some good, old-fashioned, alleyways leading down to a couple of the stands.

There was also a nice family atmosphere among the home supporters who, having seen their side come through successive relegation play-offs in the past couple of seasons, took their fate with good grace as Livingston supporters cavorted on the pitch.

The end of one domestic season but it won't be long until the next and Scottish Football Fixtures has a comprehensive friendly guide.

Good-bye but not Farewell

Having written a few pieces on Goodison Park over the course of the season I was delighted to read about Everton's plans for the famous old ground now that their fantastic new stadium is ready to roll.

Some years ago, when one of the previous schemes for a new home for the Toffees seemed to be coming to fruition, I penned an article, for a website called Square Football, hoping that Goodison could somehow be retained, almost as a living museum that would future generations an idea of how football grounds used to be.

It was a distant wish at the time, the reality of Everton's situation back then that the sale of the land was needed to fund the planned move but the idea of making Goodison the permanent home of Everton Women is, I think, one of the most uplifting pieces of football news I have heard in a long time, on so many levels.

First and foremost, with the modifications that are going to be made, it will become a regular, unique and, hopefully, affordable venue to watch top-flight football in, not too small but not too big either and capable of generating a great atmosphere.

Add into that the fact that football supporters can still get a sense of the famous old ground, it's position amongst a warren of streets and with real shops and pubs surrounding it (businesses who will hopefully still benefit) then it seems to be that rarest of things in the game, a commercially sound idea that also has positive community benefits.

A Fiver at The Gate

Margate FC that is, with three pre-season home friendlies scheduled against Tonbridge Angels on Saturday 5 July, Concord Rangers on Saturday 19th and Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday 26th.

£5 for adults, £3 concessions and free for under-18's.

Updated 06 June: The 'Gate have announced a further pre-season fixture for Tuesday 29th July, against Sutton Athletic, with admission 'pay what you want' and all proceeds going to the MFC Community Trust.

Hit the Bar

Potters Bar Town to be precise as the club prepare for their return to the freshly upgraded Lantern Community Stadium after a spell of groundsharing while a new 3G pitch was laid.

The homecoming takes place on Saturday 19 July with a friendly against Enfield Town in the Potters Bar Charity Cup.

Admission is free with donations to charity welcome.

Electric Avenue

Bradford City have featured many times on these pages over the years, their season ticket initiatives having built a strong fanbase at Valley Parade that has been able to withstand some disappointing seasons as they battle to get out of League Two.

That all changed on Saturday with a dramatic late winner against Fleetwood securing promotion and joyous scenes from a 20,000+ crowd.

There's a nice piece on the BBC football website about the promotion and its context, as Bradford celebrates its year as UK City of Culture but also marks the 40th anniversary of the tragic fire at Valley Parade.

A message of congratulations also came from Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC and there are good things going on at the Horsfall Stadium as BPA look to mount a promotion challenge from the Northern Premier League's Division One East in 2025/26.

Season ticket prices, if purchased before 30 June, have been reduced to just £75 for adults with further concessionary discounts also available.

Updated 06 June: BPA have announced a free admission pre-season friendly against Guiseley on Monday 21st July.