Vetch Field

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Vetch Field
location = Flagicon|Wales Swansea
opened = 1912
closed = 2005
demolished =
renovated = Numerous Times
seating_capacity = 12,000 (30,000+ peak)
surface = Grass
tenants = Swansea City
owner = Swansea City

Vetch Field was a multi-use stadium in Swansea, Wales. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Swansea City until the Liberty Stadium opened in 2005. Opened in 1912, the ground held around 12,000 at the time of its closure, but upwards of 30,000 at its peak. Adrian Forbes scored the last-ever league goal at the Vetch, on 30 April 2005, at Swansea's 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/4503601.stm Forbes hails fine Vetch farewell] - BBC Sport] The player who scored the final goal at the Vetch was Andy Robinson, who scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Wrexham.

Named due to the vetch (a form of cabbage) that was grown on its surface at the time, the site was owned by Swansea Gaslight Company in 1912, when a professional football team was formed in the town. The site was in a good location and deemed surplus to requirements at the Gas Company, so the club moved in. Originally the surface was made of concrete and players had to wear knee pads for the first season of football there. Having seen many changes during its 93 years (detailed below), the Vetch took its final bow with an FAW Premier Cup Final against Wrexham. After the game, the seats, turf, advertising hoardings and anything else fans could get their hands on were removed from the ground, and although it is still standing as the council seek permission to build on the land there, the entrances have been boarded up and long grass now covers the pitch. The 2004-05 season was the first time in 93 years that the Vetch had the highest average attendance in its division.

tands

The Centre (South) Stand

Originally built in 1912 to house 1,500 spectators, the Centre Stand went through numerous changes before ending up as a stand that ran only 3/4 the length of the pitch, with a family stand at one end, and some wooden bench seating at the other. It was suggested that the gable and clock be moved to the Liberty Stadium, however as yet nothing has transpired.

The West Terrace

Also the 'Away' stand, it was a single tier terrace and held about 2,000. It was originally a double-decker stand, with seating above the remaining terrace, however the upper tier was first closed and then built over during the late 1980s and early 1990s amid growing safety concerns. The stairs to the upper tier are still visible from the lower. In 2005, the stand was split to accommodate both home and away fans. The stadium had a fairly unique feature only found at Wembley as well, which was an underpass that allowed pedestrians to walk under the pitch.

The North Bank

Originally just a mound of earth with some concrete and railway sleepers on top of it, the 'big bank' grew to be the largest area of the ground. During the 1960s the supporters' trust paid for a roof to be installed, and during the 1970s and 1980s the Bank became home to the majority of supporters, and the most vocal. Safety concerns reduced its capacity by blocking off a large section at the rear, and following the Hillsborough disaster its safety certificate was again cut, and by the early 21st century it held around 3,500 due to concerns about the front not being covered. The number it could safely hold was increased towards the end of its life, ensuring that the North Bank was filled to capacity for the majority of matches during the final season.

The East Stand

The East Terrace was originally another mound of earth with some railway sleepers, and remained so until the late 1970s, when the club began its rise through the divisions. It became the first area of the ground to be redeveloped, and half the length of the pitch at the 'Town' end of the ground became home to the East Stand. A small layer of steep terracing lay beneath a stand with a capacity of around 2,500. It was also home to one of the most bizarre floodlights in the league, jutting out over the stand, completely out of character with the rest of the ground. Due to the refusal of residents of William Street behind the stand it could not be extended further, and financial problems ensured that it was the only part of the ground to be redeveloped, although originally it was all going to follow.

Now

Plans have been made to build a community centre and housing on the Vetch Field site but have not gone through yet.

References