Scotlands Worst Stadium?

There are many contenders for worst place to watch football but the recently renovated Meadowbank in Edinburgh is a strong contender. In this video I talk about the troubled relationship between the stadium and football.
All images belong to respective copyright holders

[@msgdGhosty]

Central Park can be improved if they have the football and stock car racing on at the same time

[@CallumBlyth]

2 for 1 deal

[@bud1876]

Third Lanarks time ended in 1967 .. not 1974. The following seasons up until Meadowbanks introduction to the league saw the First Division have 18 teams and the Second Division with 19 teams.

[@CallumBlyth]

Yeah I have since realised, thanks for correcting me

[@sligobhoy8152]

Exactly One-week after Celtic won the European Cup...1st June 1967...two contrasting fortunes in one City in one-week

[@les_chegwin]

I used to live a little further along London Road near Leith Walk and watched Edinburgh (fka "Edinburgh Gunners") there in its previous guise. Wasn't very good, but it wasn't awful either. But I had no idea it got rebuilt since I moved away, what a fucking awful job they've done of it!

[@1stallystrachan]

Spartans worked for years to develop Ainslie park, they made a great decision to not merge. Why should Edinburgh City just come along & end their history? Also, why would the council spend millions building a football stadium for a non league side (at the time of planning). Edinburgh city just rent the stadium, they could rent plenty other stadiums if they wanted. And for what it’s worth… the gym looks out onto London road & Arthur seat, it’s on the opposite side of the building. The best view of the pitch is from the hospitality room that EC also hire.

[@richardwebb5317]

That is no longer a stadium. Strong Cathkin Park vibes from the overgrown terraces. I was a regular at the old place when Livingston Ferranti were there - the pitch was a long way away but you were elevated. The support, small however was legendary. Edinburgh City were actually bought at one time by Meadowbank supporters who were not to happy with the move and had been banned by Livingston. They were for a time a bit of an AFC Wimbledon, (I dont consider Livi to be a franchise though, plenty of continuity) I get the impression Edinburgh City is far better supported than Meadowbank, but it's a very different (lack of) atmosphere. I was once in a "crowd" of around 40 for a midweek match between Meadowbank and Stranraer. The stewarding is very different too - Meadowbank Thistle operated almost trouble free during the hooligan era and had limited and almost invisible stewarding. For someone used to lines of police everywhere at a game, my first match there in 1979 was a surreal experience. Now they confiscate 500ml water bottles from children. Not pleasant, and not a good look. Do they think they are going to chuck them on the pitch - it's a long way from the seats but then again it is a track and field venue. (Once I bought a television to watch the 1982 World Cup and took in the Thistle game on the way home. Worth trying again just to discombobulate the search team). Looks as if the Curse of the Edinburgh 3rd Team is about to reemerge. Ironic when there is now 4 and a fifth in exile (not doing great either).

[@RW-nr6bh]

Is the fifth Edinburgh team in exile Livingston or Leith Athletic?

[@paulclements6315]

I wouldn't called Meadowbank the worst football stadium because it nowhere near qualifies for the label "football stadium". How on earth the SFL have deemed that facility to be SFL compliant is beyond me. It's basically a council astro pitch with a tiny shed down one side (across a running track). I'm kinda assuming the SFL are giving City a couple of years to upgrade i.e. finish building the rest of the stadium? To be honest, they were better off at Spartans who have an ideal ground for a team at their level. Meadowbank should be left for athletics.

[@89Wrathchild]

People criticise New Douglas Park but the fact that the stands are raised means you actually get a fantastic view of the pitch. Alloa had the right idea tbh. Yeah, it means that players can't really interact with the fans in the same way, but I'd still rather see the match.

[@HBG2004]

True but NDP is still a shitehole regardless

[@89Wrathchild]

@HBG2004 It is, but I was trying to be nice lol.

[@gordon1545]

I don't mind NDP at all, every seat has a great view. The downside is, apart from the pitch, the view is grim AF.

[@89Wrathchild]

@@gordon1545 It's a good view if you're a Falkirk supporter 🤣

[@peterburry2014]

I've just had a look at some images and it looks cold and uninviting. I believe that fans should always be as close to the action as possible.

[@McConnachy]

Last time Montrose played there they thumped them 5-1, even did an own goal for them. The stadium is a shockingly bad design, the dual purpose use prioritised the Athletics. The season before they looked like heading for the Championship. Football clubs need stability, Edinburgh sadly doesnt seem to have it

[@magnusmcgee993]

Well done on some good content. There are a few modern phrases used that didn't exist back in the day including SPFL and Pyramid. Details are a b*gg#r. Keep going, experience will privail

[@markstott6689]

I've no idea how I knew that it was Meadowbank, but I did. I guess that's why I'll read virtually anything football related that I come across. As for my worst ever away trip. It was Swindon in early 1990. It was 5 or 6 hours on a coach to get there. Only to stand in the teeming rain for two hours, and lose 3-2 to a refereeing mistake over a really bad foul with mere minutes to go. It was the type of foul that today would have been a straight red and a three match ban. Followed by another 5-6 hours on the coach back. Even doing 16 hours round trip on a coach for a 1-1 draw at Plymouth on a Tuesday was better. And that involved not getting back to Leeds until 3.20am and sleeping on my sisters boyfriends hard floor. This being because I was not flush enough for the £25 taxi from Leeds to Otley. Mind you I do have a couple of real horror stories for another day. 😊❤😊

[@petersneddon1579]

Third Lanark died in 1967 I know this as they were my grandads team and it broke his heart.

[@CallumBlyth]

Yeah I got my dates bundled up. Shame what happened to the Hi Hi’s.

[@RW-nr6bh]

I saw a really good programme about Third Lanark on BBC Alba. Tragic what happened to them.

[@FunkBallGX]

I used to live in Myrtle Place right next to Cathkin Park. Still Local, just not as local as before.

[@toph8298]

Loved the old Meadowbank, as brutalist as it was. The new ground is just awful.

[@cityzens634]

Theres too many egos and wee yes men to get anything done right in Scotland :(

[@davidkemp4212]

All I would say is that it has lots of competition. There are some pretty grim grounds around.

[@gordon1545]

A lot of it is a matter of preference and opinion. I love the old grounds with character and history, even if they're crumbling away, but others call the same grounds shitholes.

[@peterburry2014]

Scotland seems to have more than it's fair share of grim grounds.

[@gordongall5121]

The old stadium though lacking in atmosphere, offered a good view of the pitch. The new stadium is about as inviting as a trip to Cowdenbeath. This stadium has no purpose being used for football above the 6th tier.

[@skadforlife3817]

If scottish football clubs chairmen had any sense in 1974 they should of voted Inverness Thistle F.C into the league instead of Ferranti / Meadowbank Thistle, but the thought of travelling up the A9 for an away game gave them all nose bleeds , shame on them, central belt bias 🤬

[@CallumBlyth]

Now that would be some change to how history has gone

[@skadforlife3817]

@callumblyth3741 Ferranti , Meadowbank and now Livingston , it doesn't matter how many name changes they have been a woeful addition to scottish football , it was a huge opportunity missed back in 1974

[@thefivepoints]

Still got a better atmosphere than the emirates.

[@Upthereds97]

Edinburgh City only have themselves to blame! They were the ones who seen there history in the east side of Edinburgh and wanted to return to medowbank. They could have shared Murrayfield smaller stadium for Edinburgh Rugby or even stay at Ainslie Park ( Spartans ) but were wanting to return to medowbank. Opposite side of the pitch from the stand was also meant to be another stand built but behind that the land isn’t Edinburgh council was sold of to build houses which then stopped any development of building a new stand. Edinburgh Council / leisure are partly to blame but Edinburgh City need to take a fair chunk of that. They even tried and failed with rebranding themselves to be called FC Edinburgh. The issue with Scottish football is the country is tiny and we have 42 clubs over 4 divisions it’s far too much. 16 league premiership home and away 30 games a season 16 league championship home and away 30 games a season The other 10 teams should then be divided with west of Scotland east of Scotland lowland highland leagues into smaller regional leagues But it will never happen because no tv deal will be stuck as there will only be 2 old firm games and not 5 Scottish football reeks

[@TheResilientRunner]

I interviewed with Tom for a commercial account manager role at edinburgh city a few years back. I told him my plans in a presentation on how to grow the fanbase in a 5 year plan. Getting out to schools with players to give free merch, offer u12 free season tickets. Basically you need to grow a fanbase before you can consider growth in the pyramid. He didn't like this( He really didn't like this) and told me they are going to buy the best possible players and coaching staff....I hate to say I told you so Tom....but.....

[@CallumBlyth]

Complete opposite of how you’re meant to do things haha

[@DavidWeddell]

The point about Meadow Bank it’s not just for football and let’s face it in Edinburgh we need a place for athletics more than another football stadium and of course they need to rebuild the velodrome

[@johnwalters4792]

I love athletics so happy the sport is there.

[@tonysutton6559]

I've always hated having to watch football either from pitch level or from the other side of a running track. This is the worst of both worlds. I've never understood why managers or head coaches sit in a dugout next to the pitch. You can get a far better picture of how the game is unfolding and the tactics being used by the opposition from up in a stand.

[@garyhawthorne7453]

Dundee United away section is designed under the assumption that human legs dont grow after 6 months old, the most uncomfortable place to watch football in scotland.

[@CallumBlyth]

Glad I was standing when I went, sat down at half time and my legs couldn’t fit

[@paulb1912]

Parkhead should be in there

[@danbreen6946]

Typical Bigot

[@davidhutchinson5712]

Meadowbank is embarrassing. That could've been a decent 5,000 seater stadium. Unfortunately Edinburgh council seemed fit to not grant such a plan.

[@Norrie754]

Edinburgh City scrapped their women's team as well.

[@joshmore7175]

Cowdenbeath and Gretna are the worst grounds in Scotland by a mile. Cowdenbeath has that stupid fence and its impossible to see. Gretna's stand is an absolute health hazard 😂

[@RW-nr6bh]

I went to Gretna before they joined the SFL and played in the Unibond League. I don't think the stand you describe existed back then. They were a nice little club and just getting going in the League before Mr Mileson destroyed them on his 100,000mph ego trip

[@AlloaAthleticFCTV]

Not for me to say but yes.

[@CallumBlyth]

Thank you Alloa, I will no longer accuse you of cheating

[@GRFC1872]

Parkhead?

[@danbreen6946]

Typical Bigot

[@GreenSmoke.67]

Naw the govan asbestdome

[@garyparkinson6198]

Where's Easter road? Fucking eyesore

[@gordon1545]

Hearts fan aye? Both the big Edinburgh grounds are great, four tall stands tight to the pitch.

[@Spain2England1]

Yet bigger than tiny Tiny, fully paid for and able to host International football, meanwhile over in Gorgay they have three tin sheds and a 1980’s greenhouse that is unfit to host International football and still has around £10m to be paid on it. Levels eh.

[@garyparkinson6198]

@@Spain2England1 what? a better atmosphere, steeper stands, and we can actually fill the stadium. No point having half a thousand more seats if they aren't being warmed. Will forever be the wee team of Edinburgh. One of the worst derby records in world football.

[@Spain2England1]

@@garyparkinson6198 tiny Tiny only sells out for matches v Hibs pal. Yer club is £10m+ in debt. You lease from the Council for your training ground as you have none of your own. You have no academy of your own and your fans pledge each month to keep the tiny Tiny lights on. Hearts three tin sheds and that awful greenhouse is embarrassing. It’s a relic, a throwback and unfit for International use. Says it all. We have no debt, a bigger ground, our own training centre and academy and our ground is fully paid for. Nuff said really.

[@garyparkinson6198]

@@Spain2England1 talking absolute pish there. Hibs are a tin pot club, that has to hand out freebies to school kids to fill seats, and even then can't fill the ground. Hearts finances are fine and dandy what about the wee teams finances.

[@thesmithersy]

I cannot believe that they'd redevelop it like that. What were they thinking? Been focussing too much on athletics rather than football thats going to use it much more

[@poundlandrasputin4801]

Mentions terrible stadiums shows killie… lmao

[@JamesDickson-vs5of]

How could the work on it start in 1970, if it was built in the 60s , you said it! , your not even listening to the shite your talking, your goni have to try harder 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✌️

[@EmmaMonroe000]

It's only fit for dull athletics 💤

[@alanblyth9730]

Hampden is the absolute worst

[@o.t2001]

Cowdenbeath stadium is so bad. At least its not spfl anymore, same with albion rovers.

[@lewissmith350]

Beggars can't be choosers, if you get a stadium helped by government money, you can be happy with whatever you get. Though good luck to Edinburgh city,

[@M1K3YC]

Chelmsford City would be the equivalent down the road. Dreadful place to watch football

[@ic7117]

Your entire video is invalid as its factually incorrect, and the title is misleading. That's because its not a Stadium, its a Sports Centre. It ceased to be a Stadium when the Stadium was demolished prior to it becoming a Sports Centre.

[@suomiscot3236]

Wow! Did you just make this shit up as you went along? Appalling

[@ic7117]

Exactly, utterly misguided with no proper research whatsoever.

[@jayohhyeahfuker]

Why didn’t they just leave the stadium the way that it was at Meadowbank? With the old main stand, it dosent even look like a football stadium.

[@gordon1545]

Because the purpose of the renovation was to create much improved sports facilities, which they've done. It's a great place for all sorts of sports and exercise. Accommodation for football fans was less than an afterthought and Edinburgh Leisure basically had to be forced to create something capable of licensing at all. Edinburgh City (or whatever they're calling themselves these days) should have stayed at Spartans or found something else.

[@listey]

Because it's primarily an athletics stadium. You should watch the video mate.