Best Championship grounds..

[Bobbin']

Is having history actually relevant to being a good stadium?

Depends.

I personally love the old shitty stands at places like Birmingham and Forest, they have character and a good reminder of how stadiums used to be.

 

[Scrumpy]

I'd say Hillsborough is the best ground in English football, let alone the Championship.

As mentioned, Wolves have a fantastic stadium too, but are out done by Cardiff and Reading?!?

"WTF" springs to mind.

Shit article.

 

[MillerWhale]

Depends on what you want, I don't like going to stadiums that are all the blooming same, you can go to Derby, Leicester, Southampton and barring the colours they're all the same and sterile as hell, give me the older stand at Portman Road than the King Power corner etc.

I think what you're saying is you don't like the more modern-type stadia (Boro onwards) rather than new stadiums. Because, for example, I'm not sure when Boro's was built (about 94/95?), Derby was '96 so nigh on twenty years I'd no longer call 'new'.

I do understand where you're coming from (because no matter how brilliant the New York Stadium is, the Tivoli will always hold the most special memories of my long, football-supporting career), but I'd suggest you're doing grounds such as ours and Brighton's a disservice terming them 'identikit' when both have been designed to be unique and iconic in their own respective right.

 

[MillerWhale]

I'd say Hillsborough is the best ground in English football, let alone the Championship.

As mentioned, Wolves have a fantastic stadium too, but are out done by Cardiff and Reading?!?

"WTF" springs to mind.

Shit article.

The article states it is looking at the quality of the build and the stadium's materials. It is not looking at which ground is the best for supporters or which looks nicest, or which has the most character.

I like Hillsborough (before Walkley starts triggering the 'C' bombs at me) as a football ground, but you cannot possibly say that away end would be anywhere near the top of the pile for quality. I'd suggest most older grounds are the same, hence the new build grounds finishing higher.

 

[blademan89]

The 10 best grounds in england not just the championship in my opinion are.

Old trafford
Anfield
White hart lane
Villa park
Goodison
St james park
Stamford bridge
Hillsborough
Upton park
Bramall lane

Maybe ive missed a couple but i honestly believe the 2 best grounds outside the premier league are the 2 in sheffield.

Sunderland is by far the best of the new ones too

 

[Walkley_Owl]

The article states it is looking at the quality of the build and the stadium's materials. It is not looking at which ground is the best for supporters or which looks nicest, or which has the most character.

I like Hillsborough (before Walkley starts triggering the 'C' bombs at me) as a football ground, but you cannot possibly say that away end would be anywhere near the top of the pile for quality. I'd suggest most older grounds are the same, hence the new build grounds finishing higher.

The away end at ours is shite, remove the pillars and spruce up the facilities and it would be excellent.

 

[Hezookaka]

Like 'em all for different reasons in each case.
off the top...I'd say 1.FULHAM, 2 BRENTFORD, 3 IPSWICH, 4 NORWICH, 5 BOURNEMOUTH.

My favourite so far is FULHAM but I taking more than just aesthetics into account. The whole vibe is good. Good pubs at both ends of Putney Bridge, Walking through that park pre kick off the other night was good, (was well into 70's F). Quirky cottage, traditional main stand, good grub on offer too. Concourse at back of stand good.

Also BRENTOFROD, again for the area, drinking by the river up at Kew, proper old skool football vibe walking through the terraced streets in Brentford itself. Always enjoy the London vibe in general.

IPSWICH & NORWICH are great cos they're close to the town centres, good pub, nice walk up. IPSWICH has the edge for character.


Least favourite is HILLSBOROUGH due to what the fella above said, poor views, craphole of a concourse, and Sheffield is very familiar to me so it holds no surprises around the corner. There's always going to be that stigma hanging over it as well. I always think of the 96 Liverpool fans when I go. Also WOLVES must be one of the worst views for away fans - cracking burger van outside though. I just counted and I'm 120 grounds now if you count those clubs that have dropped into non-league. I would say FRANCHISE MK (I'll never call them 'Dons'), the best for comfort so far but it 'feels' wrong, though I have to concede they have got the stadium pretty much bang right. (Feel a wee bit guilty for going and handing over my hard earned). Worst ever, ever has to be the old SPRINGFIELD PARK, Wigan, wow. 5 concrete steps then a muddy bank, then a corrugated shed at top of the bank ! NYS.....mmm don't think its identikit, but I also wouldn't say it was one of the best either from my point of view. Probably no.1 for disabled accommodation though. Right in the centre of the stands and high up rather than the usual stuck at pitch level or stuck in a corner

Never been to Leeds ! Can you believe that. Only 26 miles up the M1 and never been. Next Saturday...

 

[Walkley_Owl]

Do you have a stigma when you go to Bradford as well?

 

[HertsWolf]

Like 'em all for different reasons in each case.
Never been to Leeds ! Can you believe that. Only 26 miles up the M1 and never been. Next Saturday...

Funnily enough, yes I can believe it.

 

[HertsWolf]

Hillsborough, Brighton, St Andrews, Forest, Charlton....in that order. Mainly the atmosphere, friendliness (except obvs Bham) and the 'feel' of the place. Decent grounds.

Worst: Rotherham (sorry Millers!) although it IS the only ground in England with a stand named after a pie. Then Bournemouth. Like a park bowling green but not so big. The first IKEA stadium. Reading felt like a less atmospheric version of MK Dons stadium.

Surprised at the negativity towards the away sections at Wolves. These comments have come from teams that have been put i the Steve Bull Lower. We used to get put in there if the away support was shit enough to be put in the South Bank flank. View and atmosphere was always good...sun in your eyes was a pain and you sometimes got wet, but other than that, can think of plenty of places worse for visitors... like Portman Road esp at the back). Each to their own, I suppose.

 

[markwwfc1992]

I remember as a 5 yr old kid I used to have a season ticket for Burnley in the old wooden Bob Lord stand. The placement of my seat was 30 cm behind a huge rusting old mast that held the left side of the stand up ... it's probably a good thing I cared more for playing my gameboy than watching the match at that age

 

[Walkley_Owl]

Hillsborough, Brighton, St Andrews, Forest, Charlton....in that order. Mainly the atmosphere, friendliness (except obvs Bham) and the 'feel' of the place. Decent grounds.

Worst: Rotherham (sorry Millers!) although it IS the only ground in England with a stand named after a pie. Then Bournemouth. Like a park bowling green but not so big. The first IKEA stadium. Reading felt like a less atmospheric version of MK Dons stadium.

Surprised at the negativity towards the away sections at Wolves. These comments have come from teams that have been put i the Steve Bull Lower. We used to get put in there if the away support was shit enough to be put in the South Bank flank. View and atmosphere was always good...sun in your eyes was a pain and you sometimes got wet, but other than that, can think of plenty of places worse for visitors... like Portman Road esp at the back). Each to their own, I suppose.

Always find it difficult to get a decent atmosphere going in the SB lower, fans are often spread out and there's no roof low enough to maintain the noise imho, that said you can't fault the view.

 

[Millerbri]

Hillsborough, Brighton, St Andrews, Forest, Charlton....in that order. Mainly the atmosphere, friendliness (except obvs Bham) and the 'feel' of the place. Decent grounds.

Worst: Rotherham (sorry Millers!) although it IS the only ground in England with a stand named after a pie. Then Bournemouth. Like a park bowling green but not so big. The first IKEA stadium. Reading felt like a less atmospheric version of MK Dons stadium.

Surprised at the negativity towards the away sections at Wolves. These comments have come from teams that have been put i the Steve Bull Lower. We used to get put in there if the away support was shit enough to be put in the South Bank flank. View and atmosphere was always good...sun in your eyes was a pain and you sometimes got wet, but other than that, can think of plenty of places worse for visitors... like Portman Road esp at the back). Each to their own, I suppose.

Not only was NYS voted the second best ground in the league we also have been voted the best pitch in the Championship.
Your opinion counts for nothing Herts.............well not on this occasion anyway.

 

[HertsWolf]

Not only was NYS voted the second best ground in the league we also have been voted the best pitch in the Championship.
Your opinion counts for nothing Herts.............well not on this occasion anyway.

I thought that Bournemouth's pitch was the best I have ever seen. And that was towards the end of the season. Superb.

My opinion never counts for anything.

 

[Walkley_Owl]

Not only was NYS voted the second best ground in the league we also have been voted the best pitch in the Championship.
Your opinion counts for nothing Herts.............well not on this occasion anyway.

Aye our new head groundsman has to get the credit, your ground is tosh mind.

 

[Millerbri]

I thought that Bournemouth's pitch was the best I have ever seen. And that was towards the end of the season. Superb.

My opinion never counts for anything.

Bournemouth's looked good on Sky last week I agree.
But to be fair the only wear at NYS is where the linesmen run up and down.

 

[JJH]

The 10 best grounds in england not just the championship in my opinion are.

Old trafford
Anfield
White hart lane
Villa park
Goodison
St james park
Stamford bridge
Hillsborough
Upton park
Bramall lane

Maybe ive missed a couple but i honestly believe the 2 best grounds outside the premier league are the 2 in sheffield.

Sunderland is by far the best of the new ones too

It was all going well until you added Brammall Lane..

 

[Another Walkley Owl]

The 10 best grounds in england not just the championship in my opinion are.

Old trafford
Anfield
White hart lane
Villa park
Goodison
St james park
Stamford bridge
Hillsborough
Upton park
Bramall lane

Maybe ive missed a couple but i honestly believe the 2 best grounds outside the premier league are the 2 in sheffield.

Sunderland is by far the best of the new ones too

Realise this is an old thread but another 2 gone since this was written

Hope we go down the Man Utd and Newcastle route and redevelop what we have rather than moving.
Although I have nothing against the likes of the Etihad or the Emirates (still not been) I just don't think you get the atmosphere of Maine Road or even Highbury.

 

[Rammy]

Bramall Lane

 

[Luke_1884]

Realise this is an old thread but another 2 gone since this was written

Hope we go down the Man Utd and Newcastle route and redevelop what we have rather than moving.
Although I have nothing against the likes of the Etihad or the Emirates (still not been) I just don't think you get the atmosphere of Maine Road or even Highbury.

Not even sure it's the stadiums that are the problem nowadays, more the fans.

Some class old grounds at this level but they're absolutely dead.

 

[SF_]

Bramall Lane is a quality ground.

Deepdale = Average as fuck, if it got flattened and they started again I couldnt care less.

 

[blademan89]

Bramall Lane

About as funny as fucking derby. Worst ground going I'd rather have a shit in my hands and clap than have to go and watch my team at whatever that pathetic thing you call it now.

 

[JoshBCFC]

About as funny as fucking derby. Worst ground going I'd rather have a shit in my hands and clap than have to go and watch my team at whatever that pathetic thing you call it now.

I think you may have taken the bait

 

[Luke_1884]

Heads gone.

That pathetic thing it's been called since it's opening in 1997, come on. It's not hard.

 

[JoshBCFC]

Heads gone.

That pathetic thing it's been called since it's opening in 1997, come on. It's not hard.

It was called the iPro for a couple of seasons, wasn't it?

 

[The Southbank]

Bramall Lane is a smashing ground. Our 2-1 win up there in 2006 was cracking - great city.

 

[blademan89]

Heads gone.

That pathetic thing it's been called since it's opening in 1997, come on. It's not hard.

It was called pride park. Now you all call it the fucking ipro, truly embarrassing

 

[blademan89]

Bramall Lane is a smashing ground. Our 2-1 win up there in 2006 was cracking - great city.

Scored after about 17 seconds if I remember rightly. You used to beat us every match for a while then it completely changed for the last few.

 

[blademan89]

I think you may have taken the bait

Well come on mate the ipro or bramall lane. Ashton gate absolutely blinds derby too

 

[Kilburn Ram]

Well come on mate the ipro or bramall lane. Ashton gate absolutely blinds derby too

What you will find next season is that most grounds in the Championship are unrecognisable from what they were even ten years ago. There are lots of new builds, a lot where 2/3 stands have been replaced.

The old style stadiums have pretty much gone in the top two divisions.

I don't blame you for condemning the new builds, but when you haven't been anywhere near them for, what? nigh on ten years, you ought to perhaps keep your powder dry until you've seen how things are on your travels, and how your stadium (which again is not the Bramall Lane of 15 years ago) performs.