Ross County
Global Energy Stadium
Capacity:
6,541 (All seated)
Address:
Jubilee Road, Dingwall, IV15 9QZ
Telephone:
01349 860 860
Fax:
01349 866 277
Pitch Size:
100 x 75 yards
Pitch Type:
Grass
Club Nickname:
Staggies & The County
Year Ground Opened:
1929
Undersoil Heating:
Yes
Shirt Sponsors:
McEwan Fraser
Kit
Manufacturer:Macron
Home Kit:
Navy Blue and Blue
Away Kit:
White With Blue Trim
During recent years the Victoria Park ground has been transformed into a modern all seated stadium. Both end terraces have been replaced by covered seated stands and the East Stand at one side of the pitch has been extended towards the Jail End.
The West Stand on one side, is an attractive looking all seated, covered stand, with a row of executive boxes running across the back. This stand was originally opened in 1991, but was extended in 2000, so that the stand now runs for the whole length of the pitch. Opposite is the East Stand, a small, covered, all seated stand, which was built in 1995. An additional 538 seats were added to this stand (on one side) during 2012. Both ends are covered seated stands that were opened in 2012. The larger of these is the North Stand, which is given to away supporters. This smart looking single tiered stand is free of supporting pillars. Opposite is the Jail End, which is the traditional area for the more vocal home fans to congregate. It is a more simple affair and half the size of the larger North Stand. It is partially covered (to the rear) and has some supporting pillars running across its middle. The stadium is completed with a set of four modern floodlight pylons.
The ground was renamed the Global Energy Stadium in 2012 in corporate sponsorship deal, but it is still known to many fans as Victoria Park.
Away fans are primarily housed in the North Stand, at one end of the ground where just under 2,000 supporters can be accommodated. This stand is covered, all seated and the facilities good. For larger away followings then part of the West Stand can also be made available. Please note though that entrance to the ground is by ticket only, no cash is accepted at the turnstiles. You will need to buy your ticket from the ticket office, which is the dark red portacabin which is situated by the car park across the road from the West Stand.
Kevin Mort adds; 'Ross County is the friendliest sports ground I have been to. The fans are friendly, views from the East Stand (as a neutral I sat amongst the home support) are excellent and if the game gets dull, the Easter Ross hills in the background are magnificent. The ground is a just few minutes walk from Dingwall Station, but beware that trains south do not run until a couple of hours after the game. The pies are superb and the facilities good. The home fans generate plenty of noise from the Jail End. A very relaxed experience and thoroughly recommended'.
The ground is five minutes walk away from the town centre, where there are plenty of bars to choose from. Scott Armstrong recommends; 'The Mallard is a good friendly pub with excellent bar food. It is located by the railway station and only 300 yards from Victoria Park'.
Take the A835 towards Dingwall. On entering Dingwall, about 200 yards after the first set of traffic lights, turn right onto Hill Street and then right again onto the High Street. Then take the first left onto Ferry Road (technically a left turn into Achany Road, as Ferry Road actually runs straight ahead just to the left of the War Memorial). Go over the Railway Bridge and then take the first left for Victoria Park. There is a car park, on the left just before the stadium which costs £2. If you get lost, follow signs for the railway station, as the ground is right by it.
Dingwall Railway Station is only a few minutes walk away from the Victoria Ground. Brian Scott informs me; 'If there is not a train available at a convenient time for returning to Inverness after the match there is a good bus service which leaves from either the town centre or on the road outside the railway station. Bus number 25 is the quickest as it takes the main road, whilst the number 28 takes a similar route to the train.'
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.
Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.
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If you require hotel accommodation in Dingwall then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.
All parts of the stadium
Adults £20
Over 65's/Students £10
Under 18's £5
Official Programme £3
Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Ross County FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.
Record Attendance
8,000 v Rangers (1966)
Average Attendance
2019-2020: 4,665 (Premier League)
2018-2019: 3,850 (Championship League)
2017-2018: 4,540 (Premier League)
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll update the guide.
Special thanks to Owen Pavey for the layout diagram and to Hugh Grant and Geoff Jackson for the photos of the Global Energy Stadium, Ross County.
Ross County v St Johnstone
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 30th April 2016, 3pm
Mike Kimberley (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Victoria Park?
Having driven past the ground previously during a holiday trip, I was keen to visit Victoria Park to watch a match. I also have a friend who is a follower but has not been able to make the trip up until now.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Victoria Park is less than five minutes walk from Dingwall Railway Station. It is on the picturesque line from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh, which is well worth taking in a journey, if you have the time.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went straight into the ground after listening to the bagpipers playing on the edge of the car park..I noticed a pub at Dingwall station but I did not use it. .
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Victoria Park?
Victoria Park is a small but comfortable ground and there was a group of about one hundred or so away fans who had travelled up from Perth.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a a warm sunny day with a pleasant end-of-season atmosphere.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away to the station is easy If you have to wait for the next train, then there is the station pub which comes in handy.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A very pleasant day out and visit to Victoria Park.
Ross County v Hibernian
Football League Cup Group Stage
Friday 21st July 2017, 7 45pm
Matthew Wilmot (Neutral fan)
We were on holiday in the area and we decided that we would watch some football while we were away
The road signs into Dingwall itself could be clearer as there were times when I thought we had gone the wrong way as it no longer appeared on the signs. Once in the town, it was easy to follow signs for the station and football ground.
We went into town and had a meal at the Wimpy. Couldn't recommend it highly enough, really good food and quite reasonably priced too. Only about five minutes walk from the Global Energy Stadium.
The game started quite slowly but gathered pace. A few…robust early challenges got the away fans going. I was very impressed by the Hibs number 11, however, I didn't catch his name. Having a penalty shootout to settle the game after a goalless draw, added some excitement for me as a neutral. By the end, I was very taken with the home club and cheered the victory like they were my own team. Although, I was disappointed that there was no programme for the game.
Getting out of the car park took some time, retrospectively thinking, I would've been better off parking up on the main road. Once on the road though, it was very easy to get back to the A9 and head back to where we were staying.
Ross County is a really friendly, well-run club. The Global Energy Stadium is an excellent little ground, great sightlines from all areas. I would highly recommend a visit.
Ross County v Hibernian
Football League Cup Group Stage
Friday 21st July 2017, 7 45pm
Brian Scott (Neutral Ipswich Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Global Energy Stadium?
This was the first of four matches that I had lined up over the next six days. Also, I wanted to re-visit Inverness and have another trip along the railway line to the Kyle of Lochalsh and back to Dingwall.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I arrived in Dingwall from Kyle of Lochalsh with plenty of time to spare and could see the Victoria Park ground from the railway station.
Ross County v Carlisle United
Pre Season Friendly
Saturday 27th July 2019, 3pm
Geoff Jackson (Carlisle United)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Global Energy Stadium?
Having Visited 37 of the 42 Scottish Grounds I was delighted when my club Carlisle Announced a Pre-Season friendly against Ross County away at Dingwall. The 5 Grounds I needed were all in the Highlands. I was disappointed that I was unable to get the Friday night off work as Elgin were playing on the Friday night so it would have been great to do both.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The Journey was easier than I imagined. All week leading up to the game I was being ridiculed at work for making the 268 mile trek up to the Highlands for a friendly and was dreading it, but the M74, M73, M80 and M9 wasn't too bad a journey. Then we took the A9 from Perth which was a mixture of Dual Carriageway and Single 60 MPH backed with Average speed camera's it wasn't as bad as I was expecting to be fair. I never got a speeding ticket so I must have stayed within the limits the cruise control on the car probably aiding my speed. We made a quick stop at Pitlochry for refreshments and then Inverness for a quick look at the stadium there. The Ross County ground was easy to find as Dingwall is a little town and the ground was well signposted. We arrived in good time and were able to park at the stadium, there was no charge. The Train station is right next to the ground but the train times aren't great for getting back to Carlisle hence why we had to drive.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Before the game, we walked into the town and grabbed a bite to eat at Wimpy before we had a drink in the Mallard on the station platforms, just a short distance from the ground. With it being a friendly there wasn't many home fans but they did seem to arrive rather late the pub was mainly full of away fans till nearer kick but they all seemed to be welcoming.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Global Energy Stadium?
The ground itself is small neat and tidy we were placed in the Jail end as the away section was closed as they weren't expecting many Carlisle fans. The ground is all-seater and is close to the pitch so you had good views from all seats I would have thought. You can walk right around the ground to take photos with the Highland Football Academy attached to the ground with the pitches alongside.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
With it being a friendly there wasn't much of an atmosphere but the game in the 1st half was pretty even. In the second half, Ross County made a few changes bringing on some established first team players and were the better side deservedly winning 2-0. There was no segregation for this game and everyone seemed to behave themselves. The stewards were good enough to let us into the ground a few hours before kick off to let us take pictures of the stadium. They were pleasantly surprised to see over 200 Carlisle fans make the journey north on a warm sunny day in July.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After the game, there is one road away from the stadium and I could imagine that at a busier game it would take some time. The road takes you over the railway line beside the station and straight out of Dingwall.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great journey up to Dingwall on a nice summers day can't imagine it would be great during the winter months. The A9 isn't as daunting as I thought and will look forward to going back up at some point for Inverness and Elgin. Carlisle played well in the first half against the Ross second string but were outplayed by the first team in the second half. There's a Tesco's on Dingwall and plenty of shops to get food. I managed to make it up to Dingwall and back (540 miles) on a full tank of fuel with some left to spare.