THE HOME OF GRIMSBY TOWN FC

Grimsby Town began their playing days at Blundell Park in 1899, previously playing their football at Abbey Park. The oldest joke in footballer's almanac is that Grimsby Town never play a "home" game ..... "cos their ground is in Cleethorpes". After more than 100 years at the park the clup are proposing a move to a new stadium.

The new stadium would be on the outskirts of Grimsby, close to the A180 the main road into the town. The club moved to Blundell Park after spells at Clee Park (1879-1889) and Abbey Park (1889-1899). League status was obtained there in 1902 and the ground was built up around what has always been an excellent playing surface. Measuring 111 yards by 75 yards, the pitch has had the benefit of being open to the elements and a stone's throw from the River Humber.

The Main Stand (right) was built in 1901 and is thought to be one of the oldest surviving structures in the football league. Seating capacity 2,230.

The John Smiths Stand ( below ) which was formerly The Findus Stand. Present seating capacity; Lower Smiths 708. Upper 2.044

The first ever game at Blundell Park,

saw Grimsby draw 3-3 with Luton Town, before an estimated crowd of 4,000. The first ever goal was scored by Jim Cockshutt.For the first two years there were no proper changing rooms at Blundell Park and the players had to get changed at the nearby Imperial Hotel.Because of poor crowds for wartime games, Grimsby played their "home" games at The Old Showground Scunthorpe until returning in 1944.

The first ever floodlight game saw Grimsby Reserves loose 2-1 to Gainsborough on March 9, 1953. This was before floodlights were even installed at Anfield and Old Trafford.

Biggest Attendances: League: 26,605 v Stockport County, Division Three (North), April 11, 1952. FA Cup: 31,651 v Wolves, 5th round, February 20, 1937. League Cup: 23,115 v Wolves, 5th round, December 4, 1979

The Osmand Stand (left) Provides seating for some 1,778 away supporters.

Blundell Park

Present capacity: 10,004 (with temporary seating) 8,686 without Stands: Pontoon, Upper & Lower John Smith's, Main Stand, Osmond Stand (away fans).

At present BP has temporary seating in 3 open corners. · John Smiths stand was formerly the Findus family stand. The Pontoon stand (below) used to be the away end · To be knocked down and made into a housing estate when new ground is completed. The "Ponny" was built for home supporters and funded by GTFC supporters club.

Following years of excellent work by Frank Bridge, his replacement as head groundsman Mike Phillips won the Groundsman of the Year award for the First Division at the end of the 96/97 season. Over the years safety measures and improvements have seen the capacity of the ground reduced from a staggering 30,000 before World War II.

A brief summary: Grimsby Town were formed (as Grimsby Pelham) during a meeting held at the Wellington Arms public house in September 1878. After only a year as Grimsby Pelham the club's name was changed to Grimsby Town. Turning professional in 1890 and begining their playing days at Blundell Park in 1899. The Main and Osmand stands still remain but the Barrats Stand and the home supporters stand were replaced with the Findus Stand (now John Smiths) and the Pontoon Stand. As with most Football League clubs the stadium's capacity was badly affected by the Taylor Report. It fell from 17,500 to around 8,500 in a matter of seasons.

An aerial view which highlights the need for a move. The stadium is completely surrounded by houses which would make extending Blundell Park un-viable, also parking can be a nightmare on big match days.

Pitch Dimensions; 111 yards x 75 yards

Tom Bolans BP model (below)

Click to expand small pictures.

The New Stadium

Click to expand smaller pictures

In summary the stadium will be completely built and will initially seat 12,000. With a further investment of £2million the seating will be expanded to 20,100. It will have four sides and will be fully covered, the main West Stand will be three tiered with exec boxes and seating on the top tier. The North, South and East stands will be built and the seating will take the form of a bowl design.

The planning application will be submitted by March 2000. Building work to should start September-Oct 2000 and the building work will take about 1 year to complete.

The new stadium will have four sides and will be fully covered, the main West Stand will be three tiered with exec boxes and seating on the top tier.

A name for the new stadium as not yet been decided upon and is likely to be determined by perspective sponsors. The new playing surface will be the same size as the Blundell Park pitch. There will be parking for some 2000 cars and 120 coaches, also fans will be encouraged to use a pathway to the near by railway station at Great Coates. There will also be a park and ride scheme providing full access. The proposal is to fully build the stadium, but initially ony 12,000 seats available. This will happen by not filling corners and back of stands with seats.