Forthbank Park

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Forthbank Park
nickname = |

location = flagicon|SCO
Stirling,
Scotland
broke_ground =
opened =
demolished=1940
owner = King's Park F.C.
operator = King's Park F.C.
surface = Natural Grass
dimensions =
construction_cost =
architect =
tenants =
King's Park F.C.
seating_capacity =
highest attendance =

Forthbank Park was a sports venue in Stirling, Scotland until 1940. Forthbank park was home to King's Park F.C. until the beginning of World War II. During the war Forthbank was destroyed by the Luftwaffe. The ground was victim to the only German bomb strike on the town during the conflict. The majority of the stadium was damaged beyond financial repair by King's Park and was demolished. Shortly after the war King's Park closed down permanently.

History

King's Park F.C.

Forthbank was the home ground of King's Park F.C. since the late 1800's until 1940 when the ground was destroyed. King's Park also hosted other sporting events at the ground, mostly animal racing.

Not just football

Forthbank was one of a number of stadiums at the time to host animal racing, usually greyhounds but also cheetahs. The Scottish Football Association at the time was keen to put an end to this practice as, although the racing provided a financial lifeline to many smaller clubs including King's Park, they feared that it would lead to football becoming too reliant on gambling just like the races. An SFA inspection team deemed that the greyhound track at Forthbank encroached on to the pitch and as such it was removed, along with the source of income. [cite book | author=Crampsey, Bob | title=The First Hundred Years | publisher=Scottish Football League | year=1990|pages=94-6]

World War II end of an era

On July 20, 1940 the Luftwaffe dropped a bomb on the town of Stirling. The bomb fell on Forthbank partially destroying the stadium. King's Park made temporary repairs to the stadium and played two more games at the ground before the club was closed down. The club was finally given compensation from the War Office in 1953.

Stirling's future stadiums

This was not the end to football in Stirling as local business man Thomas Ferguson started up Stirling Albion F.C. in 1945 and shortly after purchased the Annfield estate to construct Annfield Stadium. Annfield remained the main football stadium in Stirling until 1993 when Stirling Council constructed a new stadium for Stirling Albion on the outskirts of the town, the new stadium was called after King's Park's old ground Forthbank Stadium.

References