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Stoke City (Victoria Ground)

Victoria Ground

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Last Update: September 13, 2024

Ground Opened: 1878

Ground Closed: 1997

Number of years at ground: 119

First Competitive Game Played: Stoke 0-2 West Brom, September 1888.

Last Competitive Game Played: Stoke 2-1 West Brom, May 1997.

Record Attendance: 51,380 vs Arsenal, March 1937.

Club moved to: Bet365 Stadium in 1997.

Distance from Victoria Ground to Bet365 Stadium: Two miles

The Victoria Ground had a unique design that was typical of older football stadiums in England.

The stadium was built in a rectangular shape, with stands on all four sides. The largest stand was the Boothen End, which was a covered terrace that could hold up to 18,000 fans.

The other three stands were all seated, with the Main Stand being the most prominent. This stand was located on the south side of the stadium and featured a distinctive clock tower.

The other two stands were the Butler Street Stand and the Railway Stand. The Butler Street Stand was located on the east side of the stadium and was the smallest of the three seated stands.

The Railway Stand was located on the north side of the stadium and was named after the nearby Stoke-on-Trent railway station.

The former home of Stoke City, Victoria Ground, was located in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It opened in 1878 and had a capacity of around 50,000.

Over the years, the stadium underwent several renovations and upgrades, including the addition of floodlights in the 1960s.

However, by the 1990s, the stadium required significant repairs, and it could no longer meet modern football’s demands. In 1997, Stoke City played their final match at the Victoria Ground before moving to their current home, the bet365 Stadium.

The Victoria Ground was then demolished, and the site was redeveloped into a residential area.

Stoke City 3-2 Chelsea (1975):

Known as one of the greatest comebacks in Stoke City’s history. Chelsea went 2-0 up early in the game, but Stoke City fought back and scored three goals to win the match 3-2. The match is still remembered as one of the most thrilling games ever played at the Victoria Ground.

Stoke City 2-1 Arsenal (1984):

A classic FA Cup tie between two of England’s top teams. Stoke City took the lead through a Mark Chamberlain goal, but Arsenal equalised soon after. However, Stoke City scored a late winner through Steve Bould to secure a famous victory.

Stoke City 5-0 Bolton Wanderers (1993):

One of the most memorable games of the 1992-93 season. Stoke City dominated from start to finish and scored five goals without reply. The result was a testament to the quality of Stoke City’s team at the time.

Stoke City 2-1 Manchester United (1971):

Seen as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Victoria Ground. Manchester United were the reigning champions of England, but Stoke City managed to beat them 2-1 in a thrilling encounter. The result is still remembered as one of the greatest moments in Stoke City’s history.

One month after Stoke played their final match at the Victoria Ground, the stadium was demolished. However, for more than 20 years, the site remained unused.

In 2019, the site was used for a housing development with the names of former Stoke players used as street names in a nod to what came before.

Then

Now

The Victoria Ground’s capacity fluctuated over the years with the official capacity set at 56,000 at one point. However, it was a mere 25,000 when it was demolished thanks to the rules in place to prevent standing.

Stoke City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion (1997)

The final game ever played at the Victoria Ground. Stoke City needed to win to avoid relegation, and they managed to secure a 2-1 victory thanks to a winner from Graham Kavanagh. The result was a fitting end to the history of the Victoria Ground and is still remembered by Stoke City fans today.

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