McCain Stadium

Scarborough FC 

(plus Bridlington Town, Scarborough FC, Whitby Town & Filey Town)

It's a bit of a cheat this one, as I didn't actually watch a match at Bridlington Town, or any of the other three grounds for that matter.  In the Summer of 2001, on a family holiday in Scarborough, I snuck off alone for the day to drop in for a nosey around a selection of the non-league football grounds in the area.

The McCain Stadium in Scarborough itself was first on the list.  Back in 2001 it was still a viable football ground, although hosting non-league football; Scarborough FC's 12-year tenure in the English Football League having been terminated following relegation in 1999.  The club toiled on until drowning in a sea of debt in 2007.  The ground has since been left to decay.

Panorama of The McCain Stadium, Scarborough in 2001.

After falling into disrepair and dereliction, The McCain Stadium was finally demolished in 2011 and, in a Lidl supermarket now occupies on the site.

The former site of The McCain Stadium (taken in 2026)

Rather aptly, a football pitch (of sorts) sits nearby.

A new - Scarborough Athletic - rose (CLICHE ALERT) from the ashes of the defunct former league club in 2007.  After spending a decade playing down the coast at Bridlington, they moved into a newly built stadium at Scarborough Sports Village, less than half a mile from the old ground. 

 

The Turnbull Ground, Whitby was next on my 2001 drive.  A trim little venue with a pleasingly eclectic collection of huts, enclosure and buildings, including natty wee blue-painted stand. 

Panorama of The Turnbull Ground, Whitby Town in 2001.



Then came Queensgate, home of Bridlington Town - very clearly a shift up the pyramid from Whitby.  

Indeed, I fell into conversation with one of the groundsmen working at Queensgate who was bemoaning the amount of cash the club had just had to shell out to lay hardstanding, apparently a requirement of the pyramid level the club were either at, or about to move into.  His view was the introduction of the football pyramid in England had been a windfall for companies who develop football ground, and precious few other folks.

Panorama of Queensgate, Bridlington Town in 2001.

I also, as I was passing, sought out the home of Filey Town who were, according to a banner at the Community Sports Club Complex where they play, celebrating winning the Scarborough & District League Championship, I think it was.  Coincidentally the reserve side of Scarborough Athletic (who rose from the ashes of the defunct club in 2007), play their home matches at this ground in Filey, whilst the first team share Queensgate with Bridlington.  All very friendly.

I did not take pics of The Filey Community Sports Club ground, but I do have camcorder footage online of the ground, plus the others above, if you are really keen. 

Scarbrough FC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x671GZ5CzE

Whitby Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLkiSuXBoCc

Bridlington Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImEkGVNzVw

Filey Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng-kFv67JiM