Goldstone Ground

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Goldstone Ground
nickname = The Goldstone, The Hive


location = Hove, England
coordinates =
broke_ground =
opened = 1901
renovated =
expanded =
closed = 1997
demolished =
owner =
operator =
surface =
construction_cost =
architect =
project_manager =
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former_names =
tenants = 1901–1904 Hove F.C.
1902–1997 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Largest attendance = (inc. standing) 36,747 v Fulham in 1950's
dimensions =

The Goldstone Ground (or The Goldstone) was a football stadium and home ground of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. between 1902 and 1997. The club currently plays at Withdean Stadium, a temporary stadium in the Brighton suburb of Withdean while a new stadium is built at Falmer on the outskirts of the city.

After the sale of the ground to private developers, the area was changed to a row of warehouse style retail shops, along with a "drive-thru" Burger King outlet.

History

The Goldstone Ground stood on Old Shoreham Road, Hove opposite Hove Park in a partly residential area. The area was previously part of Goldstone Farm and was first used for a football match by Hove F.C. on September 7 1901. The Albion played there for the first time on February 22 1902, and it became the club's permanent home the next season. [Carder, Timothy. "The Encyclopedia of Brighton". (1990) s.20 ISBN 0-86147-315-9]

The main West Stand was largely built in 1958 and consisted of seating and terraces. The South Stand was originally built in 1949 and served family spectators. The North Stand was built in 1984 and consisted solely of terraces. The East Stand was formed of uncovered terraces. Floodlights were first installed in 1961. [Carder (1990), s.20] The ground also hosted football games for the 1948 Olympic Games, one of only two grounds outside London (the other being Fratton Park).

Closure and sale

The last game at The Goldstone was held on April 26 1997, in which Brighton beat Doncaster Rovers 1-0. Between 1902 and 1997 the ground had admitted 22.9 million supporters to 2,174 games. [ cite web|url= http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/goldstone_ground_history.htm| title = History of the Goldstone Ground| work = My Brighton and Hove] The largest attendance at the Goldstone was 36,747 when the Albion played Fulham F.C. on December 27 1958. [Carder (1990). s.20]

The ground was sold by the board (who were trying to clear the club's mounting debts in an attempt to avoid bankruptcy) without consulting the fans, although no alternative football ground had been lined up. The then chairman, Bill Archer, aimed to profit from the sale of the lucrative development land on which the Goldstone stood. A ground share with Portsmouth never materialised and the club eventually arranged a ground-share with Gillingham at their Priestfield Stadium over 70 miles from Brighton.

The Goldstone Ground was sold to property developers and it has since been redeveloped as a retail park which features several outlets including a new Toys 'R' Us store and a Burger King drive-thru.

References

* Ground improvements at English football Stadia

External links

[http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/harty/Still-missing-the-Goldstone-Ground.2700907.jp Still Missing the Goldstone Ground, 12 April 2007]