Lyme Valley Stadium

Newcastle Track CA still uses the facility.

The seating is sparse, with blue plastic chairs set against the backdrop of a wooded hill. The stands are small, and the crowd is pressed close to the action by the proximity of the cycling track. The atmosphere is contained, a feature of the venue's compact size rather than any deliberate architectural choice.

Newcastle Town Football Club calls this place home. The club was formed in 1986, the same year they moved into the ground, though the precise construction date of the stadium is a matter of record. The club has reached the FA Vase semi-finals and won the Staffordshire Senior Cup, achievements that matter more to the local community than the size of the stadium. The pitch is natural grass, and the floodlights are tall, thin poles that stand against the sky.

The velodrome is the defining feature. It separates the spectators from the world beyond the boundary, creating a tunnel effect that is unique to this corner of Staffordshire.