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Farsley Celtic

The Citadel

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Capacity: 4,000 (300 Seats)
Club Nickname: The Villagers
Year Opened: 1948
Pitch Size: 110 x 67 yards
Address: Newlands, Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5BE
Phone: 0113 2557292
Pitch Type: Grass
Undersoil Heating: No
Home Kit: Green & White Hoops
Last Update: July 26, 2024

The ground is largely an open one, which is situated next to a housing development.

On one side is the Main Stand. This small, tidy-looking stand, runs half the length of the pitch. It straddles the half way line but is off-centre from it. The stand is all seated and covered. There are no obstructing pillars and the floodlights pylons on that side are considerately located at the back and to either side of the stand.

Next to the Main Stand on one side, is the teams’ dressing rooms to which there is a staircase that leads up to them. This stairway is enclosed in a metal mesh cage, to form a players tunnel, which doesn’t give a great impression.

Opposite on the North side of the ground is a small open terrace and in front are located the team dugouts. As the dressing rooms are on the other side of the ground, then this results in a procession of club personnel across the pitch.

The West End, also known as the Shed End, is a strange old-fashioned-looking affair, having a small cover with a large number of supporting pillars running along the front of the six-step high terrace. It is also set back from the pitch and halfway along there is a large dividing fence and gate, which allows this end to be split between home and away fans if needed.

The other end is a simple open flat standing area. There are a number of large nets suspended above the perimeter of the ground, in an effort to prevent balls being kicked out of the stadium and into residential areas.

The pitch has quite a noticeable slope that runs from the West to the East End. The ground is completed with a set of eight thin floodlight masts, four of which run down each side of the pitch.

The ground was known for many years as the Throstle Nest, but was renamed recently as the Citadel. I also assume that at some point that the club changed colours as the ground is predominantly blue, whereas the current team plays in green.

In 2023, the club submitted planning permission to renovate the entire stadium. The aim is to provide fans with a modern, state-of-the-art facility with synthetic playing surfaces.

The club also want to build a new bar inside the stadium and new changing facilities. The redevelopment work will take place with disabled fans in mind.

Work is expected to begin by the end of 2024.

Normally fans are not segregated at the Citadel. If segregation is in force then away fans are allocated half the Shed Terrace at the West End of the ground and all or part of the North Terrace on one side.

The North Terrace is open to the elements and whilst the Shed End has some covered terrace, there are a number of supporting pillars running along the front of it that may impede your view.

The Shed End is shared with home supporters, who are in close proximity on the other side of a fence, which makes for a bit of atmosphere and some lively banter.

There is a fair-sized clubhouse at the ground itself, which normally welcomes visiting fans. Alternatively, here are some nearby pubs to check out:

  • Bay Horse Inn – 66 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5LF
  • Old Hall – 1 Back Ln, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5EU
  • The Fleece – 116 Town St, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5LF

From Junction 28 of the M62, take the A653 towards Leeds. After passing the White Rose Shopping Centre on your left, bear left where the road forks onto the ring road (A6110). Continue on the A6110 passing underneath the M621, following signs for Bradford (A647). You will join the Stanningley By-Pass (A647) still continuing towards Bradford.

At the next roundabout take the third exit onto the B6157 Bradford Road towards Farsley. Go down Bradford Road and turn left just past the Carstar outlet onto New Street. Then take the third right onto Newlands Road and the ground entrance is at the end of this road on the left.

There is a fair-sized car park at the ground which is free. This does fill up quickly, though, but there is plenty of street parking around the stadium.

New Pusdey is the nearest railway station. which is located around one mile away from the ground. It is served by trains from Leeds and Manchester Victoria. The station is around a 15-20 minute walk away from the Citadel.

Farsley Celtic ticket prices:

  • Adults: £15
  • Concessions: £10
  • Students: £10
  • 11-16s: £6
  • 4-10s: £3
  • Under 4s: Free

Official Matchday Programme £2.

Halifax Town

Record Attendance
1,527 v Marine
Northern Premier League, 30th April 2019*

Average Attendance

2023-2024: 662 (National League North)
2022-2023: 450 (National League North)
2021-2022: 623 (National League North)
2020-2021: N/A (Covid)
2019-2020: 221 (National League North)
2018-2019: 369 (Northern Premier League)

* This is the record since the club were reformed in 2010.

Official Website: www.farsleyceltic.com

If there is anything that needs to be updated or if you have something to add to the Guide to the Citadel Farsley Celtic then please email me at: [email protected].

Special thanks to Jeremy Gould and Andrew Chapman for providing photos of the Citadel, Farsley Celtic.

Ground Layout

Ground Layout of Farsley Celtic

Reviews

Avatar of SteH90 SteH90
Game AttendedFarsley v Southport
CompetitionNational League North
Date18/04/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

First time visit and Southport (nominally) were in with a chance of reaching the play offs while Farsley were battling relegation so an full blooded match was expected

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Very easy. Whilst the route from Leeds city centre was quite complicated and (hardly scenic!) the Sat Nav got us to the ground quickly. The car park is free & we arrived early but later on in a matchday i'd expect capacity is limited.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

We had planned to eat in nearby Pudsey but ended up buying food for an in-car picnic (a severely underrated form of pre-match meal by the way!). When the ground opened we went into the bar to the right of the turnstiles. Everyone from stewards, turnstile operators, programme sellers and bar staff were welcoming, friendly and couldn't have been more helpful for first time visitors to The Citadel.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

First thoughts were that its a compact ground with two sides well developed and two sides restricted by the confines of the ground. The home terrace is quite large with a roof while the Main Stand has maybe 8 rows of wooden seats from top to bottom - they're quite uncomfortable over 90 minutes it must be said! I didn't venture into the away end or the far side but both looked limited terraces as they're bounded to the back by fields

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Southport continued a very poor recent run which knocked their play-off hopes while Farsley played the better football and ended up winning 2-0 with two well taken penalties. As mentioned above the facilities were good with a couple of pints but no food taken on board.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Not a problem - we stayed in Leeds so following the same route back was easy and quick

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

A really friendly club which made the disappointment of the result slightly easier to bear. The National North contains a variety of teams with some having flash, well- appointed, pricey but ultimately soulless out of town stadia (Hello AFC Fylde & play off winners York!). By contrast the likes of The Citadel are friendly, characterful and you can tell fans have been coming to the ground for years. Tickets were purchased via eventbrite which was quick, easy and convenient
Avatar of Steven Millington (Neutral) Steven Millington (Neutral)

Farsley Celtic v Southport
FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round 
Saturday 5th October 2019 3pm
Steven Millington (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Citadel?

I have always found it to be a good place to go in the past.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

An easy drive from the coast. But on arrival at the ground, there was some sort of cheerleading contest going on in the adjoining sports hall, so the shared car park was packed and so I was turned away. I had to park a 1/4 of a mile away on the street.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

A rush back from where I got parked and just made kick off.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Citadel?

I always liked the ground but I gather there is some change at the top and they are painting it black for no obvious reason. Similarly, the team are playing in white and green rather than their traditional colours of blue, for no reason other than to ape Glasgow Celtic. I'm told by fans that some are boycotting games now as a result. If this is true then this is not a smart move by the clubs owners.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

This is a game that Southport always win, I gather. The away side were all over them, and 5-0 didn't flatter Southport. Farsley proved little threat and played only one up front, which didn't strike me as the way to try to change that. Southport looked a threat every time they attacked/broke away. Thet had too much pace for the home defence.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:

I walked back to my car & was able to head off easily.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:

It's a ground where you can end up wet if it's wet weather and pretty full. It was neither on this occasion – partly due to the aforementioned fans staying away(?) But I saw lots of goals which is always what you want at the football.

Avatar of Brian Scott (Neutral) Brian Scott (Neutral)

Farsley Celtic v Spennymoor Town
National League North
Saturday 17th August 2019, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Citadel Ground?
 
Farsley Celtic have just been promoted to this league and therefore I needed to visit to keep up with my grounds at this level.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
My journey by train was easy from Suffolk.
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
As I arrived at New Pudsey Railway Station at 12.20, so I had some time to spare. Normally I look for a large park or a river to have a walk, but there didn’t seem to be any. I had identified a public footpath just to the south of the station. As it crossed the A647 bypass I was expecting a footbridge or underpass, so to be confronted by fast-moving traffic in either direction was a surprise. Double-checking my map and signs nearby, I confirmed that there was actually a bridleway across the road! Having risked life and limb crossing the two sections of the dual carriageway, I walked uphill through a wood and eventually found a high spot where I could sit and eat my packed lunch admiring the views over the distant hills. I then made my way back downhill, under the railway line, and along New Street and to the ground.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Citadel Ground?
 
I very often rate non-league grounds by the state of the toilets! On arrival, I was directed to some toilets in what looked like an old container situated almost behind the Main Stand. There was a muddy hole to contend with first and then a large step up to gain access. The smell inside was horrendous! There was no water in the taps and someone had left a pair of rubber gloves in one basin. Perhaps the lack of water contributed to people being unable to flush the toilets. So unless desperate don't use these toilets! I did find other toilets in the bar area, but these were small and very busy – I wonder why?
 
The only seats available were in the Main Stand. They were of a very old design, perhaps something from a ground elsewhere built in the 1930’s? I can reasonably say that this was the most uncomfortable tip-up seat that I’ve ever sat on. The discomfort was compounded by the seat being far too low with my knees sitting higher than my hips. At half time I was grateful for a walk around the ground. Duncan comments in his notes on this website about the ground being painted blue, but the team plays in the green and white Glasgow Celtic colours. I noticed that the corner flags are blue and some brand new segregation fences are also blue. The new goal nets are part blue. Everything's blue apart from their shirts – odd.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
I was getting ready to comment that this was a very boring 0-0 draw with little goalmouth action, but two minutes from the end of normal time, Farsley Celtic scored, so it ended 1-0. The attendance was 424.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
The walk to the railway station was straightforward, but closer to home I did have some problems when changing at Peterborough.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
Not one of my better groundhopping days out, but the weather was good.
Avatar of Jeremy Gold (Neutral) Jeremy Gold (Neutral)

Farsley Celtic v FC Halifax Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 13th July 2019, 3pm
Jeremy Gold (Neutral)

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Citadel Ground?
 
An opportunity to add a new ground to my list in the National League North was too good an opportunity to be missed.
 
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
 
I travelled by train over from Lancashire to New Pudsey and walked up which took about ten minutes or so. It is a fairly easy walk although the ground doesn't feel like it should be where it is!
 
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
 
There isn't a lot to do near the ground so I just went in and had a wander around. I also managed to have a nice chat with Nathan Clarke the Halifax captain who is a very well respected former Leyton Orient player who are my team.
 
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Citadel Ground?
 
The Citadel seems a little bit tired in places and the pitch for the start of the season was in a pretty bad way. So much so that a few days later Rotherham turned up and refused to play on it. The main stand is decent enough with plenty of seats and most people seemed to base themselves in or around it. The clubhouse was a nice size and they do have lots of land on that side to add things if they ever wanted to.
 
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
 
A very warm day saw an early goal win it for the visitors and the game was a typical friendly not aided by the pitch issues. There was a crowd of about 500 which felt like it was mainly made up of visiting Halifax fans.
 
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
 
Easy to get away and back to the station in time for my train back home. There is a car park at the ground and people were parking on the training pitch as well. It looked to be a bit of a nightmare getting out as the entrance/exit is quite limited.
 
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
 
It was good to do the ground but I wouldn't hurry back. On a cold winters day, it probably won't be the most inviting place to be.