The Athletic Ground, Seamer Road

Week 27 Scarborough Football Club

My home town team. The Athletic Ground (since 1988 the McCain Stadium) has stood derelict since 2007, the stands and infrastructure all removed, but the main entrance still stands! I always wanted to take a photograph of this but a local garage parks lots of cars there. Early Sunday morning the opportunity arose with no cars and a leaden sky to add atmosphere. I was taken back to the early sixties going to the football with my Dad, standing in the queue (yes, queue) waiting to go through the children's entrance (far right) with my season ticket to watch teams in the Midland League such as Heanor, Alfreton or Grantham. They did get to Wembley (three times) in the F.A. Trophy in the 70's and beat Wigan Athletic 1-0 (I was there), they managed to get into the fourth division, but then financial troubles took over. Wigan went onto bigger things, Scarborough F.C. was wound up and under a new name (Scarborough Athletic) they play their home matches at Bridlington! This coming season in the Northern Premier League Division One North - Happy Days.