Worst Grounds

[philipl]

Tried to post this in the Away Travel Section but I don't have permission!

I think they have got this pretty accurate although I rather liked the pre re-development Priestfield because it was so antiquated- even back in 1990 the last time I was there.

Glad to see Palace, Pompey and Stamford Bridge make the list.

[Glenn]

After I called the away end at Villa "The Worst Away End In The Prem" on Awayguide.net I actually got threats of violence from Villa fans !

Still, I now think it has to be the second worst away end in the Prem (after Pompey, who were not in the Prem at the time).

Also, people should be able to create new topics now, sorry about that.

[Alan75]

Personaly I think this list is a bit unfair, the majority of clubs with the exception of Chelsea and Portsmouth, have one thing in common. Financial insecurity.

Even Portsmouth and Chelsea untill recent times were in financial difficulties.

Brighton have had a long arguement attempting to obtain planning approval whilst MK wasnt even designed as a football stadium.

Can you imagine if it hadnt been for Jack Walker, Ewood Park would have been included in the list.

1. Priestfield, Gillingham

2. Kenilworth Road, Luton

3. Millmoor, Rotherham

4. Withdean Stadium, Brighton

5. Fratton Park, Portsmouth

6. Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace

7. Blundell Park, Grimsby

8. Ninian Park, Cardiff

9. National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes Dons

10. Stamford Bridge, Chelsea

[Glenn]

To me a bad away ground is more than bricks and mortar. I quite like the open terrace at Stockport, but hate the one a Fulham and whilst Blundell Park is undoubtedly a shed it's a great place to watch a football game (and eat your fish and chips, and despite what The Guardian implies Cleethorpes is a pretty good pub crawl ) and the afternoon we spent in the sunshine at Gillingham for our last game in Div 1 was fantastic (although I imagine a wet wednesday night in January may be a different story).

[Laurence]

I wouldn't loose any sleep if Elland Road was flattened

[Tango]

I wouldn't loose any sleep if Elland Road was flattened

Not unless you happened to live next door to it and they began demolition at 1 in the morning.

I can vouch for Luton's ground being in that list (if not the worst stadium in Britain) as it truly is a dump. It's sort of hidden in amongst tonnes of terraced houses, feels like you're sitting in a warehouse with corrugated iron everywhere, the food's awful - think it was £1.50 for a bag of crisps as well - the fan's are, generally, bullies and, until recently, the football there has been dire. A ringing endorsment, as you can see...

[daviemac]

The Away section at Goodison surely qualifies?

[MCMC1875]

OLD Trafford.

Treatment of visitors amongst the worst I have experienced in 60 odd grounds watching Rovers.

[Ben-2000]

I wouldn't loose any sleep if Elland Road was flattened

Not unless you happened to live next door to it and they began demolition at 1 in the morning.

I can vouch for Luton's ground being in that list (if not the worst stadium in Britain) as it truly is a dump. It's sort of hidden in amongst tonnes of terraced houses, feels like you're sitting in a warehouse with corrugated iron everywhere, the food's awful - think it was £1.50 for a bag of crisps as well - the fan's are, generally, bullies and, until recently, the football there has been dire. A ringing endorsment, as you can see...

I think your going a little over the top there Tango... I've been on Kenilworth Rd a few times recently (Friend's team) and yes it's a bit of a dump but no way is it the worst stadium in Britain!! I've seen much worse in the lower divisions.

Edited October 11, 2004 by Ben-2000

[T4E]

The Away section at Goodison surely qualifies?

Wooden seats and massive pillars - the closest my generation will get to nostalgia in the Premiership!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Stamford Bridge!?....where's Bloomfield Park in that list

Edited October 11, 2004 by SIMON GARNERS 194

[MCMC1875]

Can you imagine if it hadnt been for Jack Walker, Ewood Park would have been included in the list.

Nowt wrong with the old Ewood except that the BBE and Riverside gents had no roof on.

Certainly had more atmosphere than most.

Yes, thats right, footie grounds used to have atmosphere!

[CAPT KAYOS]

Palace without doubt and still one of the worst to get to also.

Surprised Leicester's Filbert Street was not in there also Port Vale when it was all terrace before the roof.

[1864roverite]

the old bloomfield road yes. But not the newly born one. That stadium will be a cracker when finished.

My own view is that Gay Meadow is a hole, as is swansea's vetch field, chester's old sealand road, walsalls old stadium and darlingtons old ground, not to mention the racecourse, ninian park,boundary park of old, oh the lsit is endless

been there and done it !

[bob fleming]

Worst ground I've been to was Gay Meadow (beat me to it 1864) - very poor indeed. In fact dangerous. You couldn't stand at the back of the stand without hitting your head on the roof. The front of the away end must have been all of ten yards away as well - so to get a good view you'd stand at the back. Having said that - "it were better back then".

Oh - and the old Hull City away end was bobbins and all.

[BRFCC]

OLD Trafford.

Treatment of visitors amongst the worst I have experienced in 60 odd grounds watching Rovers.

I have to agree with that one.

[Ben-2000]

The worst ground view I have had at an away ground is Grimsby. We were sat on the next to back row and had to crouch down when play was at the other end - Won 4-1 that day though so there was something to smile about at least!!!

[Jan]

I remember that game! There was so little leg-room, that every time we scored I banged my legs on the seat in front. I had very big bruises by the end! AND I was glad we stopped scoring!

I personally hate Chelsea- more for the apes they employ as "stewards" than the actual cess-pit of a ground.

[Ben-2000]

Good old Div.1 grounds eh!! happy days!

[MCMC1875]

Eastville - after the fire.

[cletus]

The 'old' Darwen end was a great end!

It was nice & noisy, due to the roof & always had a good atnosphere in it.

(i am talking about when Rovers fans occupied it in the late 80s/ Steve Archibald?Don mackay era)

I remember those days with great fondness.

[Modi]

I find it difficult to criticise Blundell Park as that evening was one of the best away trips.

Modi talking to a fellow supporter, standing outside a pub getting p!$$ed wet through waiting for Uddersfelt Blue to pick them up: "Eyal won't be playing tonight. He can't cope with these conditions..."

My football punditry died that night.

[McClarky]

I personally think that Middlesbrough's new ground is crap. Its a bland, charactorless shed with no interesting features at all. It is also surrounded by wasteland. Same for the Reebock Stadium, give me Burnden anytime.

Because a ground has lots of shinny seats it doesn't make it a good ground. Sometimes it may look very nice on TV but when you are actually there its a dump. Hampden Park is the classic, its so badly designed you can hardly see from half the seats behind the goals yet they get to stage a European Cup Final.

[Drummer Boy]

Have to agree about the Reebok - totally devoid of soul, crap place to be at and to get to, nowhere for a decent pint. Pride Park is not much better.

As for sheer ruin, what about the Shay?

[Scotty]

Most Soulless - Chester City

Coldest - Barnsley

Biggest Dump - Used to be Blackpool or Oxford, not sure now.

Worst Away End - Portsmouth

All of the above - Crystal Palace