Six new grounds to visit during 2016/17
Following the news that Exeter City will kick-off the 2016/17 campaign at Blackpool, we take a look at six new grounds for City fans to visit over the course of next season.
Blackpool - Bloomfield Road
Home to Blackpool since 1901, Bloomfield Road features the Sir Stanley Matthews West Stand – named after the England legend who played over 350 games for the Seasiders between 1947 and 1961. Outside the stadium there are statues of former Blackpool greats Stan Mortensen and Jimmy Armfield.
Away fans are housed on one side of the Stan Mortensen Stand.
Capacity: 17,338
Distance from St James Park: 279 miles
City’s last visit:
Blackpool 3-0 Exeter City, December 16th 2000.
The Grecians last took to the field at Bloomfield Road for a Football League Division 3 fixture in December 2000. Brett Ormerod extended the Seasiders’ lead to three shortly after the interval to consign City to defeat up north.
Cheltenham Town – World of Smile Stadium
Home to former City favourite Jamie Cureton for the 2013/14 season, the World of Smile Stadium was opened in December 2005. Away supporters are
housed in the Hazlewoods Stand at one end of the ground, where just over 1,100 supporters can be accommodated.
Capacity: 7,066
Distance from St James Park: 116 miles
City’s last visit:
Cheltenham Town 1-2 Exeter City, 21st March 2015
Tom Nichols and Graham Cummins grabbed the goals as the Grecians took all three points at Whaddon Road.
Colchester United – Weston Homes Community Stadium
Colchester United moved to the Weston Homes Community Stadium in 2008 after leaving Layer Road, their previous home for seventy-one years.
Away fans are allocated seating in the northern part of the JobServe Stand.
Capacity: 10,105
Distance from St James Park: 270 miles
City’s last visit:
Colchester United 2-0 Exeter City, 31st December 2011
Andy Wordsworth got the hosts off to a flyer before Andy Bond doubled the U’s advantage just after the hour mark. Daniel Coles’ sending off mid-way through the second half scuppered any chances of a Grecians’ comeback.
Crewe Alexandra – The Alexandra Stadium
Built and opened in 1906, Gresty Road has an all-seated capacity of 10,153, with up to 7,000 spectators housed in the Main Stand that was opened in 1999.
Away fans can look forward to taking a seat in the Whitby Morrison Ice Cream Van Stand at one end of the pitch.
Capacity: 10,153
Distance from St James Park: 210 miles
City’s last visit:
Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Exeter City, 13th April 1991
It’s been over twenty-five years since City’s last visit to Gresty Road: a 1-1 draw in Division 3.
Doncaster Rovers – Keepmoat Stadium
After eighty-four years of playing at the Belle Vue ground, Doncaster moved to the Keepmoat Stadium in 2007.Away fans are located in the Case Construction North Stand.
Capacity: 15,231
Distance from St James Park: 254 miles
City’s last visit:
Built in 2006, Exeter City have never been involved in a competitive fixture at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Grecians’ last away fixture at Doncaster ended in a 1-0 victory for City with Darren Rowbotham netting the only goal of the afternoon.
Grimsby Town – Blundell Park
Featuring the Pontoon Stand which gets its name from the fish docks in Grimsby, Blundell Park was opened in 1899. Away fans are located in one corner of the Osmond Stand where just under 600 supporters can be accommodated.
Capacity: 9,052
Distance from St James Park: 303 miles
City’s last visit:
A Nathan Jarman brace looked to have handed Grimsby all three points until Ryan Harley levelled the scoring eleven minutes from time.
Click here to see our full fixture list for 2016/17. All dates are subject to change.