SeagullSimon
New member
10:07 - 19 May 2004
Swindon Town will visit what has been described as the 'quaintest ground in the Football League' tomorrow and bid to resurrect their promotion dream. The Robins go to Brighton's peculiar Withdean Stadium aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the play-off semi-final first leg and book their place in the Cardiff final.
The comparison between the Millennium Stadium, Britain's finest modern sports arena, and the tiny former athletics stadium in north Brighton could not be greater.
Only Colchester's Layer Road and Rushden's Nene Park have smaller capacities than the Withdean's 7,053 in Division Two.
Set in picturesque surroundings with prominent grassy verges and surrounded by woodland, it is the only ground in the League with a running track around it.
There are no seats behind one goal, a selection of open-air temporary stands and a small 'main stand' that has what looks like a cricket pavillion looming behind it.
Although Seagulls fans complain about the Withdean's lack of atmosphere, the stadium has become something of a fortress since Brighton moved there in 1999.
In five seasons Albion have won 70 matches there, drawn 24 and lost 21, experiencing home defeat just twice this season.
It has been said that opposing teams do not know what to make of the ground's strange atmosphere and fail to raise their game in response.
However, Swindon captain Matt Hewlett is convinced this fate will not befall the Wiltshire Robins.
"It's a funny sort of ground - the fans are a long way from the pitch and it's not a place you'd be scared of going to," he said.
"That could be an advantage for us and there's no worries about us being up for it.
"That will take care of itself, because everyone knows the importance of it."
And Hewlett is keenly aware of what is required when the two teams step out.
"It's not a massive uphill task, but it is going to be difficult," he said. "It's important that we score the first goal."
Swindon Town will visit what has been described as the 'quaintest ground in the Football League' tomorrow and bid to resurrect their promotion dream. The Robins go to Brighton's peculiar Withdean Stadium aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the play-off semi-final first leg and book their place in the Cardiff final.
The comparison between the Millennium Stadium, Britain's finest modern sports arena, and the tiny former athletics stadium in north Brighton could not be greater.
Only Colchester's Layer Road and Rushden's Nene Park have smaller capacities than the Withdean's 7,053 in Division Two.
Set in picturesque surroundings with prominent grassy verges and surrounded by woodland, it is the only ground in the League with a running track around it.
There are no seats behind one goal, a selection of open-air temporary stands and a small 'main stand' that has what looks like a cricket pavillion looming behind it.
Although Seagulls fans complain about the Withdean's lack of atmosphere, the stadium has become something of a fortress since Brighton moved there in 1999.
In five seasons Albion have won 70 matches there, drawn 24 and lost 21, experiencing home defeat just twice this season.
It has been said that opposing teams do not know what to make of the ground's strange atmosphere and fail to raise their game in response.
However, Swindon captain Matt Hewlett is convinced this fate will not befall the Wiltshire Robins.
"It's a funny sort of ground - the fans are a long way from the pitch and it's not a place you'd be scared of going to," he said.
"That could be an advantage for us and there's no worries about us being up for it.
"That will take care of itself, because everyone knows the importance of it."
And Hewlett is keenly aware of what is required when the two teams step out.
"It's not a massive uphill task, but it is going to be difficult," he said. "It's important that we score the first goal."
