TOP 10 Stadiums Too Big For Their Non League Club

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[@lordmalvada8212]

Maybe he is speaking while on a rocking chair ?

[@deathrider7]

Get your sound sorted you go from too loud to not loud enough. Are you walking around when you make the video?

[@26TANGOMIKE037]

Just what I was thinking........

[@jamisbillson4872]

deathrider7 where’s the “Thank You” you fucking cheeky idiots? Sort your heads out.

[@alkanchannel5630]

I think he read the script & move his head up and down I guess

[@Isleofskye]

Well said m8...

[@b__c7538]

@@jamisbillson4872 Thank you

[@GreeveHD]

Grounds with running tracks need to be banned

[@blueman3666]

Agreed that include west ham then lol

[@Jie67]

Not banned just have grounds to run in and grounds to play football in. Hampden is a prime example of that, shape of stadium and race track means your further away from the pitch and the atmosphere is garabage, even if its Celtic V Rangers you can barely hear the fans at the opposite side from you.

[@baileypedder9030]

My teams ground have a running track and it’s not bad

[@xChipz]

Political correctness mate

[@aerarium]

Likewise cricket ground shouldn't ever be used for football, vsv stadiums in Australia.

[@daviddavies2742]

Queen park FC in Scotland get a few hundred and play in hampden park capacity 51,866.

[@thegoodgunner]

they own the stadium actually until few weeks ago, they just sold it to the FA

[@daviddavies2742]

@@thegoodgunner aye £5m for a 52 thousands seater bargain.

[@gordon1545]

Apparently the most they could have got for the site was £6 million, given the cost of clearing the site for other use. It's not like there's anybody out there looking to buy a 52,000 stadium in Glasgow. There's only one more stadium with over 50,000 seats in the whole of Italy than there is in Glasgow!

[@obsessedfans]

Could definitely say the sfa bullied us out for a cheap price but that's the modern game and the sfa for you. As long as we're still a football team after 2020 I'll be happy. Looking forward to seeing what we do with our new(ish) home Lesser Hampden. Hopefully two or three 600 seater stands and some terracing. Would hate to have just one main 2000 seater stand.

[@TheGroundHopper]

have you stopped playing at hamden already or at the end of the season? When will be your last game?

[@HemingwayIGI]

Great vid. Thanks for putting it together. As others have pointed out, you need to stay a fixed distance from your mic to stop the undulating sound volume. A more expensive mic will do the job but if you are going to use a low end mic you need to make sure your recording level isn't clipping and stay the same distance from your mic whilst recording. Thanks again

[@Stampistuta]

Sorry but that audio is horrendous.

[@lr3521]

This was a great vlog, found it really interesting, thanks

[@toine8473]

L R apart from the fact it wasn’t a vlog

[@lr3521]

Toine well whatever the fuck it is, I enjoyed it

[@HamzaAhmed-go8cv]

@@toine8473 might as well be a vlog, audio kees going quiet to loud like he's walking around.

[@fatbelly27]

Interesting video; well researched and narrated.

[@Gracievision]

Excellent and informative video.

[@jamisbillson4872]

Brilliant videos mate.

[@asalt7022]

Top content mate 👍

[@Isleofskye]

Other than the audio, which you will learn from, a really good video so well done m8 :)

[@DeniseFactor]

I remember going toThe Shay back in 1968 with my parents, it was a speedway match between Great Britain and Sweden. Tthe track, by the look of it is long gone now.

[@alameano]

You forgot Manchester City...

[@alkanchannel5630]

They play for Arab league

[@vxrdrummer]

Genius! Best comment ever.

[@bestrafung2754]

That joke is very old now. The Etihad Stadium is always almost full if not completly. Man City play in the Premier League anyway.

[@vxrdrummer]

@@bestrafung2754 it's been pretty empty lately. Even for premier league games it's only three quarters full more often than not. Watch back over the last few weeks at their home games. It depends on who they are playing as to who bothers going.

[@hashtagger8694]

its only full when they play united

[@PaniniMattGFC1893]

Darlington well over ambitions with new chairman George Reynolds but that other story in itself as for Withdean I watched Three games with a pair of binoculars same as Don Valley Stadium which was home to the oldest club in the world Sheffield FC.Great Video and Great research

[@Eric_Hunt194]

Quick correction: the team that became Wakefield FC were simply Emley, from a former mining village (famous for the TV mast) roughly equidistant between Huddersfield, Barnsley and Wakefield, and with a population of only around 2,500. They overachieved, reaching the FA Vase final in 1988 and gave West Ham a good match in the FA Cup 3rd round in the late 1990s. Around that time they were one game away from the NL but lost their play-off to Stalybridge. That game was played at Wakefield and the bumper crowd sowed the seeds of the ill-fated move. AFC Emley are the phoenix club that took over the Welfare Ground after the move, starting in the Huddersfield District League like the original club did.

[@zargonthemagnificent330]

To be fair, AFC Varndeanians' ground at the Withdean Stadium is really primarily an athletics track (it was Steve Ovett's training track) and it's owned by Brighton Council who are happy to see it get used more frequently than just for occasional athletics meetings. It would probably be sold off for housing otherwise as it's in a nice area.

[@shellsbignumber2]

Hopefully Spurs new stadium will be on the list in a few years, when they get relegated down to non league.

[@BigDave15]

Darlo's stadium was oversized when they were in league 2. They gambled on building a big stadium to help them compete at a higher level, but it didn't pay off and then they couldn't afford it. A bit of a shame as it is a nice stadium.

[@treycharlton7074]

What about Kidderminster Harriers?? 😉 😂😂 Only joking. Love the vids mate, keep them coming! 👊👍

[@jamiewilson6365]

Good stuff.👍

[@Jake-qn4rf]

Stadium of Light, Sunderland AFC.

[@furtherknight5739]

Great video

[@blockscycfc]

Fantastic video, really enjoyed it. Ps saw you at the york game in the media box haha, but honestly you did us all game, not looking good for york:(

[@NonLeagueYT]

Thanks, and I didn't see you unfortunately. And it was the best away performance I've ever seen from us, best of luck for rest of season

[@blockscycfc]

NLYT was going to come and say hi but wouldn’t of made it to you in time as you were off back into main stand after getting some food and good luck for the rest of the season aswel mate

[@derby1884]

Going back quite a bit - and they didn't exist for very long - but Thames FC might qualify (though, yes, they were a League club). And all 4 sides of their stadium were open to the public, unlike most of these grounds where just one small section is open on matchdays (eg Widnes). Back in 1976 or so, when Hampden could still hold 100,000, I saw Queen's Park play Alloa in front of about 350 people. And the whole stadium was open. It was a very unique experience!

[@caydensands4175]

If clubs wanna fill their grounds, they need to do more with the community, and even run free admission days from time to time. I know that would be difficult for lower level clubs,but it'd be worth a try.

[@tomjones9934]

Great research as ever, puts you above anyone else on this topic. But seriously if you have on average of 30 surely you should just play on a bog standard park pitch as the revenue must be less than the ground maintenance costs.

[@NonLeagueYT]

Thanks! And yes, I agree, costs will surely be much lower if the stadiums are a more appropriate size.

[@jakerudwick7853]

Doesn't hold 8,000 anymore due to stands going to Whitehawk. Only has one stand now and it's maintained by the council as it's council owned.

[@joshm3059]

Some of the seating also went to Newhaven FC.

[@C50Gaming]

Thanks to George Reynolds, we are where we are now. He resigned as chairman in the first season in the new stadium... Many Darlington fans would love to be still at Feethams but there has been housing built there - and Blackwell meadows has nothing to it, still feels much like a low level rugby ground and we are very much treat like tenants

[@peterbergman2131]

Reynolds gave them a 25,000 capacity stadium and promised premier league football. All the fans had to do was turn up and support the team. They didn't bother and Reynolds soon saw he was wasting his time.

[@C50Gaming]

Peter Bergman to break even with that stadium he would have needed nearly 5 figure crowds which we weren’t getting at feethams. He should have stayed at feethams, increased playing budget and we would be playing at a higher level that we are now. At the end of the day it was a pipe dream that was bound to not work

[@peterbergman2131]

​@@C50Gaming Yes that probably would have been a better idea but i think he genuinely wanted to help the club. Unfortunately the town is full of people who travel to support Newcastle instead of supporting their local club.

[@C50Gaming]

Peter Bergman He did pay off debts which I respect him for, but he should have stopped there and stayed as an investor if he wanted to help the club, however this is all in hindsight. Fans don’t come out of no where, let’s be honest Darlington didn’t have a huge fan base anyway so those who cared showed up. I agree that those who support near by prem clubs should be supporting their local.

[@peterbergman2131]

@@C50Gaming If they had got to the premier league i'm sure they would have found a few thousand glory hunters. Maybe he should have invested in players but it takes a long time to build a team capable of moving up three divisions and i think he wanted instant success.

[@aldhous]

Nice vid, but as discussed, Withdean doesn't hold that anyone. Also the Leigh v Salford sell-out you reference at the opening of the Sports Village was a rugby fixture (Leigh Centurions v Salford Red Devils) not Leigh RMI/Genesis v Salford City.

[@aldhous]

@Iain Botham Yes, Horwich RMI I think.

[@SaintsAwayOllie]

The Withdean stadium has had most of the stands dismantled now. It only has the permanent stand and the old away end left. The capacity is less than 3,000 now

[@leecollison7527]

Last time I was there for an athletics event (40ish days ago) it wasn't even that. Only the North stand remains so approx 1,100

[@paulwatson746]

That varying volume is doing my head in

[@BostonUnitedFM]

Some of the temporary seating from the Withdean went to Whitehawk.

[@mrgreatbritain]

I was happy to see Leigh Sports Village! I was there on Thursday and although ineligible,my team Manchester United women would be on this list as only 2,003 turned up to watch their win over Sheffield United. Only 1 stand was open and not even full. Nice stadium but I wish we had more people to fill it!

[@burnleyfan11965]

I went there when Widnes played there in a Challenge Cup semi final against Castleford in, which they were well beaten. After the behaviour of some Widnes fans i doubt they would get another semi final there, as dozens invaded the pitch at the end to try and start trouble.Some say it was Everton fans hoping there would be Leeds fans in the other end. whatever it was it was disgraceful. Ashamed to be a Widnes fan that day

[@jf-0815]

I went there to watch united youth 17/18 season v reading they won 2 0, also its mad to think that I've been the Morrisons behind it within the last few months me and my dad had to queue up cuz of social distancing

[@mrgreatbritain]

burnleyfan11965 that’s a real shame, ruins the experience of enjoying the surroundings

[@kathymcbride2425]

good job well done

[@lioneldore9047]

What the heck is that at Wakefield Trinity? Looks like a block of flats a couple of yards behind the goal.

[@xavier3437]

I live near there. It's all hospitality/corporate boxes and also has the supporters bar in there too

[@lioneldore9047]

Looks bizarre, but if it pulls the cash in, fair play.

[@xavier3437]

They wouldn't fill it if it was a normal stand so it makes sense

[@MadeOfStone02]

Im a wakefield trinity fan myself and i was very surprised seeing our stadium on here ahahah, and its all hospitality that stand and it's actually one of the best hospitality in the league surprisingly

[@xavier3437]

Yeah, hospitality is pretty poor in Rugby League compared to football. I quite like it, gives the stadium a unique look. RL stadiums are going the same way as football; identikit and boring. Hate the new St Helens one.

[@sheaz7553]

Part of the roofing at the Shay was actually part of Man Citys old,old ground Hyde road.

[@lewis72]

Audio is dreadful. It cycles between getting louder and quieter.

[@Tom_3566]

Lewis72 turn you’re sound up then

[@feedguygaming]

@@Tom_3566 then it's super loud his audio is all over the place

[@gamestation9437]

LEE GIT A MEANT COMPLAINT

[@Danpuffpuff65]

How about Steeton FC in the NWCL1 they play at Cougar Park which holds around 7-8000 but they get about 60 people

[@BadgerOff32]

I think you might be a bit wide of the mark about the Withdean stadium to be honest. I worked there for a couple of years when Brighton played there and only one stand was permanent, and it only held about 1,000 people. All of the other stands were temporary and built out of scaffolding. They used to dismantle the largest stand (that held about 3,500) and use it for things like golf tournaments when Brighton weren't playing there. We didn't own them, we rented them. It's more than likely those stands are no longer erected at the ground. They were only there because Brighton had a desperate need for extra seats. I doubt Varndean have that problem, so they wouldn't need to rent them. The Withdean probably only has a capacity of 1,000 now, which is still probably too big for them, but it's certainly not 8,500 anymore lol

[@TheGroundHopper]

Nice video dude, some grounds for me to check out (Y)

[@slinkzer2592]

Best non league channel by far 💪🏼

[@jamesmitchell1909]

Fantastic video

[@winneryeahmate]

In Hong Kong - any HKPL local league team that plays out of Hong Kong Stadium. In this case, that's my team Eastern SC which gets ~1,000 on average in a 40,000 capacity stadium. Which is 2.5% of capacity.

[@ManU898100]

What about Sutton Common Rovers who groundshare with Sutton United? And when Truro City played home matches at Torquay United.

[@manning0]

I expected to see a few rugby league clubs and you didn't disappoint, but Leigh sports village is a stadium with load of teams playing there including Leigh Centurions and Man United ladies. Also Butt Lane in Coventry is home to the Coventry Bears rugby league team but I am not sure on their attendances as they've risen from nothing, as I watched them before, in a park, playing a game. A public park, let that sink in.

[@alasdairmacaulay2270]

Really interesting.

[@bowiesinspace7152]

Have you ever watched Sheffield shield cricket in Australia? Victoria play at the 100,000 seat MCG and get about 100-200 to most days

[@JW-db4xk]

Halifax Town can't really help it as your not aloud to open stands without seats anymore e.g. (the one with the flags on)

[@harryredshaw2114]

Sort the audio out

[@orinbeard7577]

What happened to gloucester city when they played at Cheltenham town? Good vid tho

[@lennylaa1686]

When are they moving back to their old stadium at Sudmeadow? The pitch level has been considerably raised to avoid heavy flooding.

[@portcullis5622]

York City are having a new stadium built at the moment, as they are playing their final season at Bootham Crescent. It is only a few years since they were in Division 2 of the Football League. They are currently in the bottom half of the National League North. It will be interesting to see what the capacity of the new stadium will be. Their crowds are around 1500 to 2000 at the moment. Hopefully, it will be shared with York (City Knights) Rugby League Club. The latter left their Clarence Street ground in 1989 to move to the brand new Ryedale Stadium, where they were tenants (not owners). That stadium has already been demolished to make way for the new one, potentially leaving York Rugby League Club without a home ground, despite winning promotion recently. All a bit bizarre really.

[@kivoowl]

Parramore Sports used to play at Don Valley stadium (capacity 25,000) and averaged around 50.

[@lennylaa1686]

That is 0.2% or one fifth of one percent.

[@itsPrintNameHere]

Leigh RMI (Genesis) are no longer in existence also the stadium was built for Leigh Centurions (Rugby League)

[@TheNewsHoundLtd]

This is very interesting.

[@zakjaggs9761]

Oufc getting a mention. Decent

[@sirwoollyjumper4893]

I don't want to make it seem I know a lot about this but, how about you put your script up on a screen directly in front of you? It sounds like you turn away from your microphone to read the script. Also, invest in a pop shield, they don't cost too much from Amazon or eBay. Good video though!

[@keithm737]

East Stirlingshire ( former SFL now Lowland League Scotland ) play at Falkirk Stadium... practically empty and would be included if percentage was taken into consideration..Good video but subtitles needed

[@moynanplayz5379]

I’m sorry to correct you but the withdeans current capacity is now around 2350 as the 4500 south has been removed along with 3 separate stands on the east side of the ground with one holding around 950 the second holding around 875 and a third tiny stand holding around 175 and this mish mash of temporary seating comes to 8850. Sorry to go into such detail but we had to play there for 12 long years and as you like your stats and so do I and I’m happy to admit you know far more than me but as a Brighton fan I know the ground pretty well and I thought you would like to know only the North stand and the west side still remain.

[@harrybroughton4999]

Thanks for the video but I do disagree at some parts. Halifax and Wrexham both examples of historic Football League clubs with traditional large fanbases and both stadiums were once regularly filled to capacity

[@stacey37m]

even lower league teams have fickle fans

[@danielchurch4715]

Very true, I'm a Halifax fan myself

[@ryandenoven3447]

We (Wrexham) have been averaging 5K a game this season. So we may only fill just under half of our ground but if we are getting this kinda support in non league then obviously in the football league it would be even more full..

[@lenoradharvey6876]

@@ryandenoven3447 th

[@IrwinM.Fletcher]

The Darlington story is sad. Would be nice to see them play League One or Two with a high attendance. Nice stadium.

[@followthetrawler2800]

Great subject matter but the audio is a huge issue. Will check out future videos though.

[@robertbowler9094]

Leicester road . Capacity 2500 AVG Attendance 80

[@liamrennocks5723]

Yes. The stadium was built by hinckley united though. Thatis why they went bust

[@benbuckley2540]

+Liam Rennocks darlington 20'000 seater avg att 2700 wtf

[@lennylaa1686]

That's 3.3%.

[@lukedyer3328]

I’m from Widnes and despite their not being a big crowd the noise isn’t too bad actually.

[@reecespicer2028]

They shared Leigh Sports Village with Leigh Centurions RL

[@neilb229]

Interesting. You should take in a Queens Park home game. 500 odd people knocking about Hampden Park. Capacity 52000.

[@peterhewett7401]

To be fair to Varndeanians, most of the seating at the Withdean has been taken out so it’s definitely not 8k anymore.

[@julianmann215]

Peter Hewett most if it went to Whitehawk

[@peterhewett7401]

Julian Mann Yep and Newhaven

[@zargonthemagnificent330]

The Withdean Stadium now only has the single main stand that holds around 1200 at most The rest is just grass banking around the running track and no-one can stand on it.

[@bobbyshaftoe409]

Very interesting.

[@jonathanthorpe3037]

Non league microphone makes this video more authentic.

[@GenialHarryGrout]

Halifax Town would get higher crowds in their early days, especially during the 1970/71 season when they came so close to promotion to Division 2 (Championship)

[@derby1884]

Full house that season when they beat Manchester City in the Watney Cup!

[@kennylees2939]

If everyone was not watching sky may be few more in ground

[@carljohnson4473]

Loock at the Stadium of Alemannia Aachen their stadium have 31.000 Seats but they only play in the 5th. german League

[@HXfoyboy]

Shay looked fine when it had 8,000 + in for Bradford City and Chorley tbh...

[@DanFMDatabases]

Withdean Stadium only has the main covered stand now, all temporary stands have gone

[@garybamford1066]

Halifax Town FC were formed in 1911 not as you state 1921, that's when they played there first league match.

[@Tom-nb6lj]

There’s now only one stand at withdean at around 2.5k seats

[@smileyjohnhowell1083]

Big history with alot of them stadiums

[@richardkail7976]

The Withdean had the supplementary stands removed though so now it's just that main stand on the side. Surely that's not 8000?

[@Franchez]

It has around 2000 seats now I believe

[@jacks1542]

Queen’s Park in Scotland only get like 150 fans and there in 51 thousand seater

[@raymondbonington9355]

Went to Halifax in 1971 with Fulham ,looks a little better now .

[@LJW1912]

Surely Queen's Park playing in the Scottish National Stadium, Hampden Park, seating 50,000?

[@calsmalley3278]

What about qpr and Hampden in Scotland

[@LotsofJourneys]

Just watched highlights of Farnborough v Chesham. Their ground is massive but the crowd was only 200 odd.

[@ACBlackJ0ck]

Butts Park Arena? Best name for a stadium ever.

[@sionwilliams1314]

Interesting that a few of these stadiums are home to Rugby Super League teams.

[@jf-0815]

I watch super league, do u?

[@olliecharman3611]

I walked past number 6 on a duke of Edinburgh trip😂

[@jonnicolajsen959]

Next time you make a top 10 be sure to write on screen the club and their logo, it was hard to hear which clubs you were saying because of the audio, and also write the list in the description

[@cally400]

Spending much of my free time going to watch Dover Athletic the ground looks nice and has plenty of money put into it but the complete lack of atmosphere and dwindling attendance I can see the club going to same way Darlington went. Too much money spent on the ground and hopes of getting promoted and not enough going into the playing side of the club, although the playing budget has been increased we're a sinking ship this season.

[@wiley4222]

Yoh send one of them cov's way please we need a new stadium

[@chrisdouse1502]

You should really look at Grantham Towns stadium, The Mears. Capacity of 5000, average attendance of 160.

[@captainawsomebenson]

can you do a reveiew on hashtag unitrd

[@chiakum]

Interesting facts and bring awareness of the state of non-league clubs. But seriously audio is unbearable.

[@sisuout9359]

The reason the butts park is one sided is because they are legally not aloud to build opposite the massive stand and the 2 ends have no space to build a new stand

[@tommcglone2867]

Coventry United having a 1 sided ground is odd. But Portugese Premiera Liga team SC Braga who are on average the 4th strongest team in Portugal have a stadium which is 2 sided. Two very large stands either side of the pitch with no stands behind the goals but the jumbotron on the rockface behind the one goal as the ground is cut into the side of a mountain.

[@AlexCraigGH]

Coventry united moved there in 2017

[@MattyTowcester]

Alex Craig and were formed in 2013

[@tombardsley3081]

It's a bit harsh on Halifax cos the original club were in the football league for the majority of their history and they would probably start increasing their attendance if they got back to the football league with the new team

[@oicram6454]

Why doesn't Halifax Town bring big crowds to The Shay anymore?

[@tombardsley3081]

@@oicram6454 probably because they've not made any progress since getting back into the national league. They did bring a decent turnout for the fa trophy which they won

[@oicram6454]

@@tombardsley3081 It must be difficult for the players to play in an empty stadium, if they had more support they would have a better chance of reaching the Football League.

[@dompne33]

Why would you add Darlo when they haven’t played there for years 😂

[@RobSimpson42]

so I watched this video during the 2020 pandemic lockdown, and thought about all the even emptier premier league grounds...

[@haydenbaker4268]

Withdean has only had one stand and held around 1/2 thousand since Brighton moved out

[@imaenglishman5471]

Big respect to the fans that actually do turn out for these small non league teams.

[@kinnorakinell]

New microphone needed me thinks, my ears got seasick.