Stadion Kazimierza Górskiego – historical stadium description

History of this stadium in the north of Płock dates back to 1960s. Construction, launched in 1968, took quite a while, lasting 5 long years. It was financed by Mazowieckie Zakłady Rafineryjno-Petrochemiczne (later transformed into PKN Orlen), who retained possession of the facility until 2007. Only at that point was it transferred to the municipality of Płock.

Upon opening the stadium had both a football field and running track, though its auditorium was only landfill. Expansion came very soon, as the ground was earmarked to host the 1976 national harvest festival (dożynki centralne). The main stand then received its central part with partial cover. When the mass event came to Płock, some 20,000 people were in attendance – a result that was still be overshadowed by a football friendly back in 1974. This is when Poland's national team played an unofficial tie against FC Twente in front of nearly 30,000 people.

Created on an elliptic blueprint, the stadium is quite original as it doesn't have stairways outside of passages between sections of seating. This was achieved by both crescent-shaped stands sloping gently towards the stadium's ends, providing a welcoming ramp for fans to ascend and descend from.

The stadium is of course kept in club colours of Wisła, blue and white, though it should be mentioned that there was an attempt to break with tradition and use white and red to promote PKN Orlen – an effort quashed by opposition from the fanbase.

Nearly 90% of fans have no cover above their heads, with the western central section being the only one protected from elements. For quite some time the stadium had no floodlights, seeing installation only in 2000. Four years later a pavilion with new players' facilities was built behind the south end, while the field received under-soil heating installation.

The stadium at ul. Łukasiewicza played host to numerous major events over the years, including two official matches of the Polish national team (against USA and Serbia Montenegro) and three Super Cup games. Interestingly, its running track is now forgotten and for a few years the stadium has served as an arena of drifting competitions.

Starting 2004, the stadium bears the name of Kazimierz Górski, Poland's most cherished national team manager. The hero himself was present at the naming ceremony and a bronze cast of his hand was built into the stadium. Aside from the main field there are also three training fields and tennis courts around.

In 2009 the first concepts of a reconstructed stadium were drawn, with the dated stadium being supposedly replaced by a 15,000-seater. While the plan never came to fruition, further efforts to deliver a modern stadium of such size have been resurfacing.