The Citadel (Farsley)
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 Main Gate | |
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| Full name | The Citadel |
|---|---|
| Location | Newlands Farsley Leeds West Yorkshire |
| Coordinates | 53°48′35″N 1°39′51″W / 53.80972°N 1.66417°W |
| Owner | Leeds City Council |
| Operator | Farsley Celtic |
| Capacity | 3,900 (400 seated) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Opened | 1948 |
| Tenants | |
| Farsley Celtic (1948–present) Leeds United Women (1989–2013) Albion Sports A.F.C. (2012–2023) | |
The Citadel, previously known as Throstle Nest, is a football ground situated in Farsley, in the Metropolitan District of the City of Leeds in England, and is the current home of Farsley Celtic. It has a capacity of 3,900, 400 of which are seated. For the 2007–08 season Farsley Celtic agreed to let Leeds Met Carnegie also play at the ground.
History
[edit]
Farsley played their first game at Throstle Nest against Frickley Colliery in 1948 after purchasing it from the local council soon after the war. The club had plans to upgrade the ground in line with their ambitions of achieving football league status, and attracting larger crowds from the wider Leeds area in the process. However, they were relegated after just one season in the Conference Premier (the highest division outside the Football League) and fell back into the Conference North. During the 2009–10 season, the club's debts mounted to £750,000 and they were finally wound up on 12 March 2010 and expelled from the Conference North.
Subsequently, Leeds City Council agreed to purchase Throstle Nest, preserving it for football use in the community.[1] A reformed Farsley club returned to the ground in the 2010–11 season.
Ahead of the 2024–25 season, the club announced plans to lay a new artificial pitch at the Citadel. Delays in this process led to the club failing to play a home match at the ground for the duration of the season.[2][3] Following confirmation of the club's relegation, the club announced their intentions to lay a new grass pitch, also planning to replace old floodlights.[4]
In March 2025, the ground was protected as a community asset following a successful nomination made by the Farsley Celtic fanbase.[5]
Layout
[edit]The ground consists of two stands. The Main Stand is situated on the south of the ground, and backs onto the club shop, changing rooms and the clubhouse. The West Stand, known by fans as the "Shed End" is the most popular for the loyalist Farsley supporters. Situated behind the goal, the opposition goalkeeper regularly endures banter from the home supporters. Both stands are covered and have very few obstructions. There are no stands at the North and East ends of the ground, however fans can stand in these areas unless restrictions or segregation are in force. The dugouts are located in the North end of Throstle Nest.[6]
Outside the ground there is an indoor sports arena, consisting of a gym and indoor sports pitch. Adjacent to this there is an outdoor pitch that is used regularly by minor local and junior teams.
References
[edit]
- ^ "Farsley Celtic lifeline as council to buy ground". Yorkshire Evening Post. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ "An update on the pitch at The Citadel". farsleyceltic.com. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Club seeks help to survive until end of season". BBC News. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "Board statement: Rebuilding has already begun". farsleyceltic.com. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Mort, Don (11 March 2025). "Farsley Celtic ground The Citadel listed as community asset after being nominated by fans". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ "The Citadel| Farsley Celtic| Football Ground Guide". footballgroundguide.com. July 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.