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Knights Stadium (Melbourne): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 37°45′44″S 144°50′43″E / 37.762208°S 144.845397°E / -37.762208; 144.845397
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{{Short description|Australian soccer stadium}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox stadium
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Knights Stadium
| stadium_name = Knights Stadium
| image =<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Mansion Stadium logo.jpg|320px]] -->
| image = Knights Stadium.jpg
| image_caption = The main stand at Knights Stadium.
| location = [[Sunshine North, Victoria|Sunshine North]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], Australia
| location = [[Sunshine North, Victoria|Sunshine North]], [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], Australia
| coordinates = {{coord|-37.762208|144.845397|display=it|format=dms|type:landmark_scale:3000}}
| coordinates = {{coord|-37.762208|144.845397|display=it|format=dms|type:landmark_scale:3000}}
| broke_ground =
| broke_ground = 1985
| opened = 1989
| opened = 1989
| closed =
| demolished =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
| operator = Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
| owner = Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
| operator = Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
| surface = Grass
| surface = Grass
| construction_cost = $3,800,000 (1995)
| construction_cost = $3,800,000 (1995)
| architect =
| architect =
| former_names = Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre, Croatian Sports Centre
| former_names = Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre, Croatian Sports Centre
| tenants = [[Melbourne Knights FC|Melbourne Knights]]
| tenants = [[Melbourne Knights FC|Melbourne Knights]]
| seating_capacity = 15,000 (venue capacity) <br> 3,000 (seating capacity)<ref>{{cite web|title=Knights Stadium|url=http://www.melbourneknights.com.au/facilities/stadium/|website=melbourneknights.com.au|publisher=Melbourne Knights FC|accessdate=26 February 2016}}</ref>
| seating_capacity = 15,000 (venue capacity) <br> 3,000 (seating capacity)<ref>{{cite web|title=Knights Stadium|url=http://www.melbourneknights.com.au/facilities/stadium/|website=melbourneknights.com.au|publisher=Melbourne Knights FC|access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''Knights Stadium''' is an Australian [[association football|soccer]] stadium in [[Sunshine North, Victoria|Sunshine North]], a suburb of [[Melbourne|Melbourne, Victoria]].
'''Knights Stadium''' is an Australian [[association football]] stadium in [[Sunshine North, Victoria|Sunshine North]], a suburb of [[Melbourne|Melbourne, Victoria]].


Built in 1989, it is used by the [[Melbourne Knights FC|Melbourne Knights]] as a home ground in the [[NPL Victoria]] competition, and previously in the [[National Soccer League]] (NSL). The Knights were one of only a handful of clubs in the NSL to actually own their home ground.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}
Built in 1989, it is used by the [[Melbourne Knights FC|Melbourne Knights]] as a home ground in the [[NPL Victoria]] competition, and previously in the [[National Soccer League]] (NSL). The Knights were one of only a handful of clubs in the NSL to actually own their home ground.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}


The land at Somers Street, which had been a [[Village Cinemas|Village]] drive through cinema, was bought and developed largely through donations and volunteer work from the local Croatian community. The idea was that if 1000 people each donated $300 that would equal $300,000, more than enough to purchase the land.
The land at Somers Street, which had been a [[Village Cinemas|Village]] drive through cinema, was bought and developed largely through donations and volunteer work from the local Croatian community. The idea was that if 1000 people each donated $300 that would equal $300,000, more than enough to purchase the land.
[[File:Knights Stadium east.jpg|left|thumb|View of the Melbourne CBD from the Mark Viduka Stand.]]

The stadium holds approximately 15,000 people. It consists of a seated main stand (the [[Mark Viduka]] Stand) which has a capacity of 4,000 and open standing-room terracing around the rest of the stadium. The largest crowd at the stadium came in 2000 at a [[National Soccer League]] match between the [[Melbourne Knights]] and [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]], it drew a crowd of 11,500.
The stadium holds approximately 15,000 people. It consists of a seated main stand (the [[Mark Viduka]] Stand) which has a capacity of 4,000 and open standing-room terracing around the rest of the stadium. The largest crowd at the stadium came in 2000 at a [[National Soccer League]] match between the [[Melbourne Knights]] and [[South Melbourne FC|South Melbourne]], it drew a crowd of 11,500.


The Stadium complex covers around {{convert|12|acre|m2}}. It has three pitches, including the main pitch. The complex also contains the Melbourne Croatia club room and the Knights Sports Gym (a open to the public member's boxing / fitness gymnasium under the stadium). The facility has two car parks with 700 spaces.
The Stadium complex covers around {{convert|12.5|acre|m2}}. It has three pitches, including the main pitch. The complex also contains the Melbourne Croatia club rooms and the Knights Sports Gym (an open to the public member's boxing / fitness gymnasium under the stadium). The facility has two car parks with 700 spaces.


The stadium is also home to the Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club, which currently owns the stadium with the [[Melbourne Knights]] serving as tenants. This came about in 2006 when the [[Melbourne Knights]] and Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc. separated and become two separate legal entities.
The stadium is also home to the Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club, which currently owns the stadium with the [[Melbourne Knights]] serving as tenants. This came about in 2006 when the [[Melbourne Knights]] and Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc. separated and become two separate legal entities.


The beginning of 2008 saw Knights Stadium facilities receive its most significant face-lift since the grandstand was first built with the main pitch being re-laid, as well as renovations on both the grandstand and terraces.
The beginning of 2008 saw Knights Stadium facilities receive its most significant face-lift since the grandstand was first built with the main pitch being re-laid, as well as renovations on both the grandstand and terraces.
[[File:Viduka Knights Stadium.jpg|left|thumb|Club legend Mark Viduka is recognised at the stadium.]]

In the 2009 season the stadium's name was changed from Knights Stadium to Mansion Stadium, after online betting giant Mansion88, became the club's major sponsor and bought the naming rights to the stadium. This was a temporary naming deal for the 2009 season. Their sponsorship deal has since ended and the name then returned to that of Knights Stadium.
In the 2009 season the stadium's name was changed from Knights Stadium to Mansion Stadium, after online betting giant Mansion88, became the club's major sponsor and bought the naming rights to the stadium. This was a temporary naming deal for the 2009 season. Their sponsorship deal has since ended and the name then returned to that of Knights Stadium.


In 2011, the club replaced 900 old and broken seats in order to host the first round of the 2011 Australasian Supercross Championships.
In 2011, the club replaced 900 old and broken seats in order to host the first round of the 2011 Australasian Supercross Championships.


In 2016, Knights spent around $100,000 on Stadium upgrades, including further asphalting of the car-park and a replacement of the old, tall fence, with a smaller, more viewer-friendly, fence, bringing it in line with most other premium stadiums around the State. That same year, NPL Victoria rivals and Western Suburbs neighbours [[Avondale FC]] agreed a deal with the stadium owners to play out of the Knights Stadium for that season, with their own Avondale Heights Reserve being deemed an unsuitable venue for top flight football.
In 2016, Knights spent around $100,000 on Stadium upgrades, including further asphalting of the car-park and a replacement of the old, tall fence, with a smaller, more viewer-friendly, fence, bringing it in line with most other premium stadiums around the State.


==References==
==References==
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{{National Premier Leagues Victoria stadiums}}
{{National Premier Leagues Victoria stadiums}}


[[Category:Soccer venues in Australia]]
[[Category:Soccer venues in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Rugby union stadiums in Australia]]
[[Category:Rugby union stadiums in Australia]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Melbourne]]
[[Category:Melbourne Knights FC]]
[[Category:Melbourne Knights FC]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1989]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1989]]
[[Category:Sport in the City of Brimbank]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Brimbank]]
[[Category:Sunshine, Victoria]]

Latest revision as of 12:49, 12 April 2024

Knights Stadium
The main stand at Knights Stadium.
Map
Former namesMelbourne Croatia Sports Centre, Croatian Sports Centre
LocationSunshine North, Victoria, Australia
Coordinates37°45′44″S 144°50′43″E / 37.762208°S 144.845397°E / -37.762208; 144.845397
OwnerMelbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
OperatorMelbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc.
Capacity15,000 (venue capacity)
3,000 (seating capacity)[1]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1985
Opened1989
Construction cost$3,800,000 (1995)
Tenants
Melbourne Knights

Knights Stadium is an Australian association football stadium in Sunshine North, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.

Built in 1989, it is used by the Melbourne Knights as a home ground in the NPL Victoria competition, and previously in the National Soccer League (NSL). The Knights were one of only a handful of clubs in the NSL to actually own their home ground.[citation needed]

The land at Somers Street, which had been a Village drive through cinema, was bought and developed largely through donations and volunteer work from the local Croatian community. The idea was that if 1000 people each donated $300 that would equal $300,000, more than enough to purchase the land.

View of the Melbourne CBD from the Mark Viduka Stand.

The stadium holds approximately 15,000 people. It consists of a seated main stand (the Mark Viduka Stand) which has a capacity of 4,000 and open standing-room terracing around the rest of the stadium. The largest crowd at the stadium came in 2000 at a National Soccer League match between the Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne, it drew a crowd of 11,500.

The Stadium complex covers around 12.5 acres (51,000 m2). It has three pitches, including the main pitch. The complex also contains the Melbourne Croatia club rooms and the Knights Sports Gym (an open to the public member's boxing / fitness gymnasium under the stadium). The facility has two car parks with 700 spaces.

The stadium is also home to the Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club, which currently owns the stadium with the Melbourne Knights serving as tenants. This came about in 2006 when the Melbourne Knights and Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club Inc. separated and become two separate legal entities.

The beginning of 2008 saw Knights Stadium facilities receive its most significant face-lift since the grandstand was first built with the main pitch being re-laid, as well as renovations on both the grandstand and terraces.

Club legend Mark Viduka is recognised at the stadium.

In the 2009 season the stadium's name was changed from Knights Stadium to Mansion Stadium, after online betting giant Mansion88, became the club's major sponsor and bought the naming rights to the stadium. This was a temporary naming deal for the 2009 season. Their sponsorship deal has since ended and the name then returned to that of Knights Stadium.

In 2011, the club replaced 900 old and broken seats in order to host the first round of the 2011 Australasian Supercross Championships.

In 2016, Knights spent around $100,000 on Stadium upgrades, including further asphalting of the car-park and a replacement of the old, tall fence, with a smaller, more viewer-friendly, fence, bringing it in line with most other premium stadiums around the State.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Knights Stadium". melbourneknights.com.au. Melbourne Knights FC. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
[edit]