Solitude (football ground)
Solitude is a stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and serves the Cliftonville FC as homestead. During the implementation and construction of the new grandstand on the east side of Solitude Cliftonville wore its home games between June and end of October 2008 temporarily on the grounds of Donegal Celtic FC in West Belfast. The reopening of Solitude on 27 October 2008, the league encounter of Cliftonville FC vs Linfield FC and was the live TV ( Sky Sports ) transmitted.
History
In 1890 decided the leaders of Cliftonville FC, due to the establishment of the Irish Football League to build his own stadium. Previously, the club had played at a place of Cliftonville Cricket Club. As the site a meadow beyond the Cliftonville Road was chosen. In the 1890s and 1900s, the stadium of the all-Ireland national team in addition served as the venue for their home games.
The stadium
The White House
In the southeast corner of Solitude, the so-called White House, which includes part of the club facilities and a balcony with views of the playing field is.
The south side
The current grandstand is located on the south side, and was built in the 1950s. Initially there was the whistle of several pews before the mid- 1990s folding seats were installed. After the opening of the new grandstand access to the grandstand is locked for security reasons and since then waits for further remediation. However, excluded from the lock remains in the popular as a meeting place for the fans " Cliftonville Social Club " inside as well as the standing directly beneath the grandstand.
The east side
The east grandstand located was built between Juni and October 2008, completely renewed and passed on 27 October 2008 with the league game against Linfield FC its determination. The official opening by the Northern Ireland Sports Minister Nelson McCausland was, however, only a year later on 13 October 2009 on the occasion of a friendly match against Glasgow Celtic. The new grandstand, which also houses the crew cabins, among other things, the club has not only a modern training equipment now also more spacious club premises than before.
There was previously called the Cage ( cage), a fully covered and separated from the field by a high fence grandstand, which consisted exclusively of standing room on the site of today's Tribune. From here, fired the Red Army, as the fans of Cliftonville FC are also called, since 1970 their team. The last game before the conversion Cliftonville won 2-1 against Dungannon Swifts.
The north side
On the northern side of the longitudinal Solitude were up to a fire in the 1970s, also standing.
The west side
The west side is sometimes also called The Bowling Green due to a formerly behind existing bowling alley and serves as a platform for the away fans. Originally equipped with only standing room, located since the renovation in 2001, around 850 seats. This block has since been regarded as one of the most modern guest grandstands around the league.
Others
- In the Solitude of the first penalty in international football was charged and fired.
- On March 3, 1894 here won the Irish national team for the first time in thirteen games against the selection of England.