As I prepare to attend the match between Harrogate Town and Tranmere Rovers at Wetherby Road stadium, I am filled with a mix of emotions. This will be my 92nd visit to a different English football league ground, a feat I have been striving to achieve for a lifetime. I must admit, I have a deep affection for stadiums, each with its unique character, quirks, and beauty. Over the years, I have developed a ranking system, from my favorite to the least favorite, based on my personal experiences and impressions. Unfortunately, there are a few grounds that I would rather not set foot in again, and I will be discussing some of those in this article.
My least favorite stadium is The Den, home of Millwall Football Club, where I am currently banned due to a controversy involving a match report. While I understand that being banned from The Den may not be the worst thing in the world, I must admit that I find the atmosphere inside the ground to be unpleasant. The stadium itself is modern and neat but lacks character, and the hostility towards visiting supporters can be overwhelming. I recall my last visit 15 years ago, when I had to walk through a wire mesh cage to reach the away turnstiles, feeling like I was entering a dystopian world. The experience was intimidating, to say the least, and I can understand why some fans might find it off-putting.
Another stadium that fails to impress me is Stadium MK, home of MK Dons. I know it’s an easy target, but I genuinely dislike the place. The stadium’s 30,000 capacity is too large for the club, and the surrounding area lacks any charm or character. The black seats give the stadium a sinister air, and the overall atmosphere is gloomy and soulless. The club’s history is also marred by controversy, having been relocated from Wimbledon in 2003, which has led to a lingering sense of stigma. Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the club or trying to complete the 92, I would advise giving Stadium MK a miss.
The Kassam Stadium, home of Oxford United, is another ground that I’m not fond of, and it’s unfortunate because it’s my local club. The best experience I’ve had there was getting my Covid jab during the pandemic, which says a lot about the stadium’s atmosphere. The ground itself is isolated, with a bitter wind blowing in from the car park behind one of the goals. The empty end of the stadium kills the atmosphere, although the Oxford fans do their best to generate noise despite the challenging conditions. The fact that the stadium is owned by Firoz Kassam, but not the club, creates an awkward separation that can lead to trouble. Oxford United is hoping to move to a new stadium soon, and I think it can’t come soon enough.
The London Stadium, home of West Ham United, is another ground that disappoints me. I prefer to call it the Olympic Stadium, as it was originally built for the 2012 London Olympics. While it was an excellent athletics arena, it’s a poor football ground, with an odd configuration that harms the atmosphere. The walk to the stadium feels like traversing a wasteland, and the owners’ decision to move from Upton Park was a surrender of the club’s identity and tradition in pursuit of profit. The old stadium was intimate, raucous, and intimidating, whereas the London Stadium is none of those things. The owners may have congratulated themselves on the deal, but they have lost sight of what makes football special.
Lastly, I must mention Hillsborough, home of Sheffield Wednesday, which is a stadium that I used to admire but now find difficult to visit due to its association with the 1989 disaster that claimed the lives of 97 Liverpool fans. The Leppings Lane End, in particular, has a cursed legacy, and part of me thinks it should have been demolished. I recognize the flaws in my argument, and I understand that this would punish Wednesday fans who do not deserve it. However, visiting Hillsborough now feels like an intrusion, and I can never see it in the same way as I once did. The stadium’s history and the emotions it evokes are complex, and I can only hope that the club and its fans can find a way to move forward while still acknowledging the past. As I prepare to complete my 92, I am reminded that each stadium has its unique story, and while some may be more pleasant than others, they all contribute to the rich tapestry of English football.
