The Baseball Ground

If Kathy Bates was into balls (and she probably was) then this might be called the Batesballs Ground, but thankfully it's not, so we can move on.

First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I was a travelling Oxford fan back in the days when both Derby and Oxford were a big deal, and intrinsically linked. I had a great time here and always loved coming up to Derby, but I have to be honest... it was a stadium that needed replacing. Or massive renovations. And the new one (Pride Park) is just so fantastic and impressive that I am not surprised they tore this one down.

But I will always remember coming here in the 90s, and all the great teams and games that happened here, including a couple that I saw live in person.

I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia!

*** return to regular review ***

It was demolished just a few years ago, after being the stadium of the great club Derby County (and the home of the champions in Brian "Brain" Clough's days) from 1889 until 2003. Over a hundred years of history, now vanished.

In all honesty, even with its 42k standing capacity, and especially with its 18k final capacity, it was never the best stadium in the league, in fact it was one of my least faves. But for all the great memories and for the fact that it's now consigned only to memories, I'll give it a solid 3. Speaking of solid, check this out. (Pulls down pants).