The Dell

Since 1896, Southampton had been a tenant of Hampshire County Cricket Club at the County Ground, having vacated the Antelope Ground in 1896. The rent of £200 a year was putting a strain on the club's finances. At an extraordinary general meeting in June 1897, members were informed that the committee had a ground in view. The site was described as 'a dell that is not far from the County Ground' - a narrow valley with a stone culvert running along the bottom, with natural banks on all sides. The land had previously been purchased by the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway for a railway line that was never completed. George Thomas, a fish merchant and club director, purchased the land and by the 1898-99 season had spent between £7,500 and £9,000 acquiring and clearing the site and erecting stands. The Dell opened in September 1898. The famous architect Archibald Leitch designed the West Stand. The ground was expanded several times, in 1927, 1929, the 1980s and 1990s. Southampton played at The Dell for 103 years, during which time the club won the FA Cup in 1976 and reached the First Division for the first time. The Dell was known for its intimate, compact atmosphere with fans close to the pitch. The final game at The Dell was played in May 2001, with Southampton beating Arsenal 3-2 in a memorable farewell. The ground was demolished in June and July 2001, and Southampton moved to the new St Mary's Stadium.

The Dell was built in a natural dell (a small valley) with the Rollsbrook stream running through it, which was channelled into a conduit beneath the ground. The site had previously been acquired by the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway for a railway line that was never completed. The famous stadium architect Archibald Leitch designed the West Stand. The ground was known for its steep banks and intimate atmosphere, with fans incredibly close to the pitch. The Dell had a final capacity of just 15,200, making it one of the smallest grounds in the Premier League era. Southampton won the FA Cup while playing at The Dell in 1976, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final. The final game at The Dell in May 2001 saw Southampton beat Arsenal 3-2, a memorable farewell to the old ground. The site was described in 1850 as 'a lovely dell with a gurgling stream and lofty aspens'. The ground cost between £7,000 and £9,000 to build. After demolition, the site was redeveloped for housing.