Over the past 30 years, many English and Welsh football clubs have left their historic homes for modern venues, often flattening the old grounds. While the move has helped clubs generate income and modernise, the character of the old stadia is irreplaceable. Here is what became of 17 former grounds.
From Supermarkets to Housing Estates
Burnden Park, home to Bolton Wanderers from 1895 to 1997, was demolished and is now the site of an Asda superstore. Manchester City's Maine Road, where the club played until 2003, has been replaced by housing.
Sunderland's Roker Park, a 1966 World Cup venue, is now a housing estate with road names like Promotion Close and Clock Stand Close. Hull City's Boothferry Park, vacated in 2002 but not demolished until 2008, now features a modern housing estate with names such as Tigers Way.
Community Spaces and Schools
Swansea's Vetch Field, unlike many former grounds, has become a community space with a park, multi-use games area, and an allotment. Cardiff's Ninian Park, home for 99 years, was flattened in 2009 and is now housing.
Stoke City's Victoria Ground, vacant for nearly two decades, is now a housing estate called Victoria Park with roads honouring former players and managers. Brighton's Goldstone Ground, sold in the mid-90s due to debts, is now a retail park. Barnet's Underhill, known for its sloping pitch, was demolished in 2018 and now hosts a secondary school.
Further Transformations
Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park, another 1966 World Cup venue, is now housing. Doncaster Rovers' Belle Vue, damaged by fire and a gas explosion, was replaced by a housing estate. Chesterfield's Saltergate, home for almost 140 years, is now a housing estate called Spire Heights.
York City's Bootham Crescent, used until 2021, now has 93 houses on the site. West Ham's Upton Park is now Upton Gardens, with hundreds of flats across 15 buildings. Tottenham's White Hart Lane was demolished to make way for their current stadium. Arsenal's Highbury pitch is now a communal garden for residents of the surrounding flats, which still resemble stands. Old Wembley was eventually replaced by the current stadium in 2008.
