Pride Park Stadium – stadium description

As with many stadia built in Britain in the 90’s, this one was the result of Hillsborough Disaster and restrictions that followed. Capacity of the Baseball Ground was decreased from over 40,000 to just 17,500 seats for safety reasons and that wasn’t close to satisfying Derby County’s aspirations. That’s why on February 21^st 1996 fans were informed that from the 1997/98 season on they will be watching “The Rams” at a new ground, located on the outskirts of Derby, in the newly created Pride Park business park.

Design was ready almost from the start as it’s basically the one of Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium that opened its doors in 1995. Architects of Miller Partnership have implemented over 30 alterations, but still similarities are visible just too well. It’s easier to name the differences, most distinctive of which are the roof line, north-western corner filled with corporate space rather than regular seating and main stand’s façade.

Construction was started with piling in September 1996, then followed by massive concrete- and steel –prefab mounting. Fans were able to see it thanks to a purpose-built visitors’ centre that took on some 75,000 guests while in operation. After a rough winter there were delays in construction, but the fast pace allowed for workers to catch up and follow the deadlines. They had a unique motivation as this ground was the first ever to be opened by Queen Elizabeth II herself.

How Pride Park Stadium compares to other Championship venues?