Manor Ground (Oxford) facts for kids
London Road terrace
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 Manor Ground
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| Location | London Road, Headington, Oxford, England |
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| Coordinates | 51°45′38″N 1°12′55″W / 51.76056°N 1.21528°W |
| Owner | Oxford United F.C. |
| Capacity | 9,500 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1925 |
| Opened | 1925 |
| Expanded | 1946 |
| Closed | 2001 |
| Demolished | 2001 |
| Tenants | |
| Oxford United F.C. 1925–2001 | |
The Manor Ground was a famous football stadium in Oxford, England. It was the home of Oxford United football club for many years. The club, first known as Headington United, played there from 1925 until 2001.
This stadium saw some exciting matches! The biggest crowd ever at the Manor Ground was 22,750 people. This happened on 29 February 1964, when Oxford United played against Preston North End in an FA Cup match.
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Inside the Manor Ground
The Manor Ground had different sections for fans. The main seating area was called the Beech Road stand. This was on the west side of the stadium.
The 'home' fans usually stood on the London Road stand, which was on the south side. Visiting fans stood on the Cuckoo Lane terracing, located on the north side. The fourth side of the stadium was the Osler Road stand. In 1966, a new entrance was made onto London Road, making it easier for people to get in.
Why Oxford United Moved
By the 1990s, football stadiums in England were changing. New rules, like those from the Taylor Report, meant that stadiums needed to have seats for everyone. The Manor Ground had many standing areas, called terracing, which were becoming old-fashioned.
It was hard to change the Manor Ground into a modern, all-seater stadium because of where it was located. So, Oxford United decided to build a brand new stadium. This new stadium, later named the Kassam Stadium, was built on the edge of the city.
Building work for the new stadium started in 1997. However, it stopped later that year because the club had money problems. Construction began again in 1999 after a new owner took over the club. Oxford United finally moved to their new home in 2001.
The Final Match
The very last league match played at the Manor Ground was on 1 May 2001. Oxford United played against Port Vale. The game ended in a 1–1 draw. Andy Scott scored for Oxford United, making fans hope for a final win. But then Tony Naylor scored for Port Vale just before the end of the game.
Oxford United's last season at the Manor Ground was a tough one. The team finished at the bottom of Division Two. They were then moved down to Division Three. This was their lowest position in 35 years.
What Happened Next
After Oxford United moved out, the Manor Ground stadium was taken down. Today, a private hospital called The Manor Hospital stands on the site. It is run by Nuffield Health.
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