“THE world’s oldest football stadium is set to be left abandoned after 154 years. York Road has been the home of Maidenhead United since all the way back in 1871. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Maidenhead United have played at York Road for 154 years Credit: Shutterstock They played their first match”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
York Road has been the home of Maidenhead United since all the way back in 1871.
Thank you!
Maidenhead United have played at York Road for 154 yearsCredit: Shutterstock
They played their first match there in 1871Credit: Getty
There is a blue plaque on the wall to mark the significant locationCredit: Getty They played their first home game at the ground in the February of that year.
And the FA recognise the venue in Berkshire as the oldest senior football ground continuously used by the same club.
There is even a blue plaque on the wall of the stadium to commemorate the piece of history.
However, more than a century and a half of history looks set to come to an end.
That is because Maidenhead are planning to move.
The National League South side have found a spot for a new purpose-built stadium at nearby Braywick Park.
Their initial plans in 2023 were thwarted by the Windsor and Maidenhead Council.
But now recent developments could see the Magpies get the green light.
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Chairman Peter Griffin said at a fans’ forum in December the council will consider the relocation to Braywick Park.
The new ground would have a capacity of 5,000 – 2,000 of which being seating.
Maidenhead also want a hybrid natural grass and artificial turf pitch with separate changing rooms for the men’s and women’s teams.
Further meetings are expected with the council early in the new year, after which the club will hope to submit a formal planning application.
Chief executive Jon Adams told the Maidenhead Advertiser: “There was a lot of concern about the original location at the front of the park, close to the road and the impact that would have on the openness of the park.
“So, we’ve now proposed a location that is at the back of Braywick.
“We’re not looking to create a facility that is a seven-day-a-week astroturf that’s being used for lots of community sessions.
“What it’s going to be is a football stadium which enables us to play more competitive football at the ground.
“The big thing is that York Road maybe gets used once a week during winter, maybe twice a week.
“The benefit of a hybrid pitch is that we can play two, three, four or five games a week on the pitch as a minimum.
“It will provide access for our junior teams, who never get to play here.”
Maidenhead want to move down the road to Braywick ParkCredit: Shutterstock
The current pitch only gets limited use during the weekCredit: Getty
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney visited with Wrexham in 2021Credit: PA