By Chris Wright
In a return to the original “Around the Grounds” format, this week we’re having a photographic shufty around the world’s oldest football stadium (technically it’s the “oldest major stadium in the world to still host professional football matches”): Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane stadium, originally opened in 1855 and used primarily as a cricket ground.
The Blades moved in in 1889 and have renovated the place several times since, not least when the old John Street stand and parts of the Kop were completely devastated by bombs during the blitzing of Sheffield in World War II.
Let’s have a nosey shall we…
Here’s a black-and-white photo showing the bomb damage inflicted upon Bramall Lane by German aircraft during a night raid in 1941…
More in Pies’ Around The Grounds series…
City Ground, Nottingham Forest
Princes Park, Dartford FC’s Wooden Eco Stadium
Molineux, Wolves
The New Maracana, Rio De Janeiro
Griffin Park, Brentford
De Kuip, Feyenoord
Upton Park, West Ham
San Mames, Athletic Bilbao
FC Gspon’s Ottmar Hitzfeld Stadium, The Highest Pitch In Europe
Valley Parade, Bradford City
Prenton Park, Tranmere
Wankdorf, Young Boys
Estadio Municipal, SC Braga
Home Park, Plymouth Argyle
Victoria Park, Hartlepool United
Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
Ninian Park, Cardiff City
Wankdorf Stadium, Young Boys
Portman Road, Ipswich Town
Recreation Ground, Aldershot
Saltergate, Former Home Of Chesterfield
(Photos: PA)