10) The McCain Stadium
The McCain Stadium, or the “Theatre of Chips” as fans liked to call it was previously home of Scarborough FC based in North Yorkshire. The ground was built in 1898 and was home to Scarborough FC all the way till 2007… Before the club folded… A new club “Scarborough Athletic” was formed but sadly couldn’t agree a deal to play at the ground and in 2011 the ground was demolished. But it wasn’t all too bad as two of the stands were moved to Featherstone Rovers Rugby Club’s Millennium Stadium to form part of that ground which is also now used by Wakefield AFC. If only Jimmy Glass hadn’t scored that famous goal that saved Carlisle instead of Scarborough… Could things have proved different?
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 5/10 – I don’t know this club very well, but I do know it is well supported still to this day and have heard singing when I have watched highlights in the past.
- The Ground: 6/10 – It looked a nice ground! Plenty of personality there and definitely fits in well at Featherstone!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – I love Scarborough! I fairly believe I would have had a really good day out here!
21/30
9) Feethams
Feethams, previously home of Darlington FC, based in County Durham. Feethams was built in 1883 and was home to Darlington up until 2003 when Darlington moved into the new and bigger Darlington Arena. Feethams was unused for three years and in 2006 was demolished. Moving out of Feethams for Darlington has not been a good move. The Darlington Arena was way too big for the club’s fanbase which saw them go into administration and lose their Football League status. The club now plays at Blackwell Meadows and are in the National League North.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6/10 – The Darlington fans have been fantastic when I have come across them in the past and I believe would have made a lot of noise.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It looked lice a great ground! For the level they played at, I think it was brilliant!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – I’m sure it would have been a great day out as I really enjoyed standing with the Darlo fans in the away end at Bootham Crescent back in December 2019!
24/30
8) The Baseball Ground
The Baseball Ground, previously home of Derby County based in Derbyshire. The ground was built in 1890 and was used for other sports before Derby County moved in in 1895. I wonder what other sports were played in the ground with a name like that? Derby County played there until 1997 before moving into their current ground Pride Park and the ground was knocked down in 2003 and is today a housing estate. This has been a good move for the club overall as the club has maintained a steady second tier place but fighting for the top tier most years and Pride Park is a nice ground in my opinion.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 6.5/10 – Derby fans are normally really good but with their rivalry with Nottingham Forest not really taking off until the latter stages of their time at the Baseball Ground, how good could it have been?
- The Ground: 5/10 – My Dad and late Grandad visited this ground back in the 1970s and even then they said it was run down… Good for personality but not much else.
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – If I was old enough and lucky enough to see Brian Clough and Peter Taylor’s team, I know it would have been iconic.
21.5/30
7) Ninian Park
Ninian Park, previously home of Cardiff City based in Wales. Ninian Park was built in 1910 and was home to Cardiff City and at times also the Wales National team. Cardiff played there up until 2009 before they moved into their own Cardiff City Stadium, Ninian Park was knocked down and turned into a housing estate. It has been a successful move for the club which has seen them play in the top tier twice since moving.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – Many people have praised the atmosphere at the ground in the past. I’m sure it would have been loud if I had visited.
- The Ground: 7/10 – It certainly looked nice! A ground with character and personality!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Going to Wales will always excite me and I’m sure I would have enjoyed this day!
23/30
6) Gay Meadow
Gay Meadow, previously home of Shrewsbury Town, based in Shropshire. Gay Meadow was built in 1910 and was home to Shrewsbury all the way up until 2007 when the ground was demolished and Shrewsbury moved into Montgomery Waters Meadow where they play their home games today. This has been a good move overall for the club as they are comfortably in the third tier and away from the Conference trap door that they used to be close to.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – Not the loudest fans on previous experience and not much difference from moving grounds I’d say.
- The Ground: 6/10 – It sure did look very good for that level!
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – I’m sure I would have visited in the away end with Mansfield if I ever would have visited which is always a good day out regardless of result.
17/30
5) Belle Vue
Belle Vue, previously home of Doncaster Rovers based in South Yorkshire. Belle Vue was built in 1922 and was home to Doncaster until 2007 before they moved into their current ground the Keepmoat Stadium and Belle Vue was demolished and made way for housing. Overall I think the move was a bad one but only due to fan attendances. The ground’s attendances have fallen below the ground’s capacity on a regular basis but the club has maintained a stable third tier status whilst being in the second tier for a number of years.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – I’m sure I would have been tempted into visiting this ground with the Merry Miller in the away end with Rotherham which would have been a tasty affair. Grounds like this always generate good atmospheres nonetheless.
- The Ground: 5/10 – Plenty of personality at this ground and it is a dying breed of ground in this country but not much other facilities there with the looks of things.
- Overall Experience: 8.5/10 – No doubt this would have been me and the Merry Miller celebrating at the end!
22.5/30
4) The Dell
The Dell, previously home of Southampton FC based in Hampshire. The Dell was built in 1897 and a year later, Southampton moved in and played their home games there up until 2001 before moving into their current ground St Marys. This has been a good move for the club which has seen them cement their place in the top flight.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – Always a good atmosphere in those days so they say!
- The Ground: 8.5/10 – A very quirky ground and very close to the pitch which is always good.
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – A day down south is always a good one and I’m sure this ground would have fitted the bill.
24.5/30
3) Highfield Road
Highfield Road, previously home of Coventry City based in Warwickshire. Highfield Road was built in 1899 and Coventry played there all the way up until 2005 when they moved into the new Ricoh Arena. Moving out of Highfield Road has been a very bad one. The club failed repeatedly to fill the capacity of the Ricoh Arena resulting in the club going into administration and dropping into the fourth tier of English football. The club have been forced out of the Ricoh Arena in recent times and are now homeless and ground sharing with Birmingham City.
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – A fantastic fan base and singing the famous “Let’s all sing together” would have only added to it.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It looked a nice ground with good features.
- Overall Experience: 7/10 – I’m sure I would have enjoyed this place very much with the noise and the game.
24/30
2) Filbert Street
Filbert Street, previously home of Leicester City based in Leicestershire. Filbert Street was built in 1891 and Leicester played their home games there up until 2002 before moving into their current ground the King Power Stadium. Filbert Street was demolished and turned into University student accommodation to this day. This has been a good move for the club which has seen them cement their place in the top flight and even win it! And play in the Champions League! Not bad eh?
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8/10 – A very loud fanbase nonetheless.
- The Ground: 7/10 – A decent ground to say the least.
- Overall Experience: 8.5/10 – A trip to Leicester would have always been a good one as I especially enjoyed the new ground.
23.5/30
1) Roker Park
Roker Park, previously home of Sunderland AFC based in Tyne and Wear. Roker Park was built in 1898 and Sunderland had been playing there up until 1997 before moving in to the Stadium of Light. This has been a good move for the club with the ground regularly getting sell out attendances. The club at this time is way off where they should be being in the third tier after regularly being in the top tier but that is not down to the ground and is down to poor management of the club. I very much look forward to visiting the Stadium of Light one day!
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8.5/10 – A great atmosphere in the past so they say!
- The Ground: 8.5/10 – A very nice ground with a good personality!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – I’m certain that this would have been a fantastic day out and a great game!
26/30
The Demolished League Table (Updated)
| Pos. | Team | Atmosphere | The Ground | Overall Experience | Score |
| 1) | West Ham United (Upton Park) | 10 | 9 | 10 | 29 |
| 2) | Atletico Madrid (Vicente Calderon) | 10 | 8.5 | 10 | 28.5 |
| 3) | The Old Wembley Stadium | 8 | 9 | 10 | 27 |
| 4) | Sunderland AFC (Roker Park) | 8.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 26 |
| 5) | Chesterfield FC (Saltergate) | 9 | 6 | 10 | 25 |
| 6) | Rotherham United (Millmoor) | 8 | 7 | 10 | 25 |
| 7) | Southampton FC (The Dell) | 9 | 8.5 | 7 | 24.5 |
| 8) | Darlington FC (Feethams) | 6 | 8 | 8 | 24 |
| 9) | Manchester City (Maine Road) | 8.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 24 |
| 10) | Coventry City (Highfield Road) | 9 | 8 | 7 | 24 |
| 11) | Leicester City (Filbert Street) | 8 | 7 | 8.5 | 23.5 |
| 12) | Cardiff City (Ninian Park) | 8 | 7 | 8 | 23 |
| 13) | Brentford FC (Griffin Park) | 6 | 9 | 8 | 23 |
| 14) | Doncaster Rovers (Belle Vue) | 9 | 5 | 8.5 | 22.5 |
| 15) | Derby County (The Baseball Ground) | 6.5 | 5 | 10 | 21.5 |
| 16) | Arsenal FC (Highbury) | 3.5 | 9 | 9 | 21.5 |
| 17) | Scarborough FC (The McCain Stadium) | 5 | 6 | 10 | 21 |
| 18) | Tottenham Hotspur (White Hart Lane) | 5 | 7.5 | 8 | 20.5 |
| 19) | Rushden & Diamonds (Nene Park) | 4 | 7.5 | 7 | 18.5 |
| 20) | Shrewsbury Town (Gay Meadow) | 4 | 6 | 7 | 17 |
did 11 of those