Farsley Celtic
The Citadel
Capacity:
4,000 (300 Seats)
Address:
Newlands, Farsley, Pudsey, LS28 5BE
Telephone:
0113 2557292
Pitch Size:
110 x 67 yards
Pitch Type:
Grass
Club Nickname:
The Villagers
Year Ground Opened:
1948
Undersoil Heating:
No
Home Kit:
Green & White Hoops
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.
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! If fans are not segregated then you can enjoy a range of Pies and Pasties baked at the local Growlers Bakery in Pudsey.
There is a fair-sized clubhouse at the ground itself, which normally welcomes visiting fans. It also shows Sky Sports. The nearest pub which is around a five-minute walk is the Jug & Barrel on Town Street. If you have a bit more time on your hands then take the 10-15 minute walk into Farsley, where there are a few more pubs to be found along Town Street. Worth mentioning is the Old Hall Hotel on Back Lane just off Town Street, but also on Town Street itself, there are; the Village Wine bar, New Inn, Bay Horse and at the bottom of Town Street the Fleece.
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 the 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.
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. As you leave the station, immediately turn right and then right again take the pathway along the side of the railway. Follow this pathway until you reach an underpass on the left going under the railway, where you turn left. After emerging on the other side cross the road and turn left along the pathway with railings on either side. At the top of the road turn right and then 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.
Adults £10
Concessions £6
Under 13's Free*
Concessions apply to Over 60's, Under 18's and Students.
In addition, the Club offers free entry to serving members of the armed forces or emergency services.
* League Matches Only
Official Matchday Programme £2.
Halifax Town
Record Attendance
1,527 v Marine
Northern Premier League, 30th April 2019*
Average Attendance
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: contact@footballgroundguide.com.
Special thanks to Jeremy Gould and Andrew Chapman for providing photos of the Citadel, Farsley Celtic.
Farsley Celtic v FC Halifax Town
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 13th July 2019, 3pm
Jeremy Gold (Neutral)
Farsley Celtic v Spennymoor Town
National League North
Saturday 17th August 2019, 3pm
Brian Scott (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.
Game Attended
Farsley v SouthportCompetition
National League NorthDate
18/04/2022Kick Off Time
3.00Team Supported
SouthportWhy 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 expectedHow 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 fieldsComment 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 quickSummary 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 convenientImages