A football fan who visited all 92 English Football League grounds in a single season has published his personal ranking, with Colchester United's JobServe Community Stadium taking the unwanted bottom spot. The stadium, built on a roundabout next to a Hollywood Bowl and Wendy's, was criticised for lacking filled-in corners, allowing noise to escape, and for replacing the characterful Layer Road.
London Stadium, home of West Ham United, was also heavily criticised. The fan argued it was not designed as a football stadium and fails to generate atmosphere like the old Upton Park. Reading's Select Car Leasing Stadium was described as the most egregious example of out-of-town, homogenised grounds built during a period when improved facilities trumped atmosphere.
Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium was praised for being enclosed by terraced streets but deemed tired and in need of work, with away fans left exposed to the elements. Shrewsbury Town's New Meadow was criticised for being a 40-minute walk from the town centre behind a retail park, with noise escaping from open corners.
MK Dons' Stadium MK was described as a fantastic facility that feels too big for a League Two club with average attendances of 7,000, resulting in a lack of atmosphere. Northampton Town's Sixfields was noted for the saga over its East Stand and the view of Bella Italia and Pizza Hut from one stand.
Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park was called a funny old ground flanked by woods, with one decent stand and three non-league-level structures, but loses marks for being on an industrial estate causing traffic issues. The fan acknowledged that even the lowest-ranked grounds are still great because they host live football.
