City Ground (Cambridge) facts for kids
| Full name | City Ground |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°12′59″N 0°7′21″E / 52.21639°N 0.12250°E |
| Capacity | 2,300 (500 Seated & 220 Covered) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1922 |
| Opened | 1922 |
| Closed | 2013 |
| Tenants | |
| Cambridge City F.C. | |
The City Ground, also known as Milton Road, was a famous sports stadium in Cambridge, England. It was used for both football and greyhound racing. For many years, it was the home stadium for the Cambridge City football team.
Contents
History of the City Ground
The City Ground was the home stadium for Cambridge City F.C. for a long time. It opened on April 29, 1922, and closed on April 27, 2013. The stadium was located in the Chesterton area of Cambridge. This is about 1 kilometer north of the city center.
Early Days and Capacity
The first game at the City Ground was played by Cambridge Town. This was the club's name back then. They played against Merton Town. The stadium was very large for its time. It could hold over 20,000 people. The biggest crowd ever recorded was 12,058 fans. This happened in 1961 during a match against Leytonstone.
Changes to the Stadium
From the late 1960s, the City Ground was also used for greyhound racing. Sometimes, more people came to watch the dog races than the football matches. However, the club faced money problems. In 1985, part of the land was sold for new buildings.
The original stadium was then taken down. A smaller, but still useful, stadium was built nearby. It was just a football pitch's length away. The rest of the old site became offices. The club also had a bar and lounge. This was open on match days and could be rented by the public.
Stadium Features
The newer City Ground could hold 2,300 people. The Main Stand had seats for about 500 fans. This stand also had an extension for the Cambridgeshire FA. Across from the Main Stand was a narrow area with a roof. This covered space could hold about 220 supporters.
This covered section was often called "The Shed." It was popular with the loudest City fans. At each end of the ground, the School End and the Westbrook End, there was no cover or formal seating.
Challenges and Moving Plans
The ground was sold by a previous club board for £2.2 million. However, experts believed it was worth around £12 million. The new owners, a company called Ross River, gave the club a short lease. They wanted Cambridge City to leave by May 2007.
But the club fought this decision. A court ruled that the sale was unfair. This meant Cambridge City could stay at the City Ground until 2013. They would also get a share of future profits from the site.
In April 2008, the City Ground failed an inspection by The FA. Because of this, Cambridge City was moved down a league. They went from the Conference South to the Southern Football League Premier Division. The club tried to appeal, but the decision stood.
The club looked into moving to a new stadium. This "Community Stadium" could be shared with other local sports teams. In late 2012, the club president bought land in Sawston. The plan was to build a new stadium there for 3,000 people. It would also have facilities for the local community.
Final Matches and Departure
Cambridge City had planned to share a ground with Newmarket Town for a few years. But their lease at Milton Road was extended, so they stayed. When it was confirmed they had to leave by the end of the 2012–13 season, they agreed to share a ground with Histon.
In the 2012–13 season, Cambridge City reached the first round of the FA Cup. The City Ground hosted its first televised match. ESPN showed their 0–0 draw against League One team MK Dons.
On April 27, 2013, Cambridge City played their last match at Milton Road. They played against Redditch United. Many former players came to watch this special day. A crowd of 814 fans saw Adrian Cambridge score the only goal. This meant City ended their time at Milton Road with a win.
Greyhound Racing at the City Ground
Greyhound racing began at Milton Road on October 6, 1968. A special track was built around the football pitch. This racing was independent at first. It was known as the Cambridge City Greyhound Stadium. Races took place on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
Becoming Official
In 1974, the stadium's management decided to join the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC). This is a governing body for greyhound racing. But this only lasted five months. The costs became too high, so they went back to being independent.
In 1978, they decided to race under NGRC rules again. This time, it was very successful. Races were held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening. The track was improved, and a restaurant was added for visitors. Many good trainers joined the track.
Success and End of Racing
One famous trainer, Pat Mullins, brought success to Cambridge. His dog, Greenville Boy, won the Scottish Greyhound Derby in 1979. Another dog, Sport Promoter, broke a track record and won other important races. Sport Promoter was even named Greyhound of the Year in 1980. Pat Mullins also became the Trainer of the Year.
After Pat Mullins passed away in 1981, his wife Linda took over. Other trainers also achieved great things. The track became well-known in the industry. However, in 1983, Cambridge lost its NGRC license. It went back to being independent, and many top trainers left.
In 1984, plans were approved to rebuild the ground. The football pitch, greyhound track, and stands were all taken down. New research buildings and an underground car park were built. The football pitch was moved to a new spot nearby. The very last greyhound race meeting was held on April 14, 1984.
