For some reason this ground has always seemed too good for the lower divisions and one has expected the club to rise to at least Div 1. This has not happened and indeed as I write this early in 2004 they are battling against relegation. Maybe all is not bad though. Along with Brentford they have the lowest wage bill in the football league that is also less then many non-league clubs. Has the club reached sanity before many others?
The ground has an old main stand along one side of the pitch which away fans have one end section for their own. The stand has seats pitchside which look like seats where there was terracing previously. Indeed this stand reminds me of the similar one - though larger - at Selhurst Park.
Behind each goal there are what appears to be identical covered terraces that do not seem to have altered much in 30 years. That should be taken as complimentary rather than a criticism. Away fans get one of the ends. Terracing is a good option at this level and more so when the price for a seat is £16 and the terrace price is £11.

The ground is dominated by a large new family stand labelled the " Thomas Cook" stand. This is an excellent looking stand but has one unusual feature that I only recently noticed. The seats along pitchside have no barrier in front of them nor any advertising hoardings. This means that if you are sitting in the front rows presumably there is a good chance that you might connect with the ball or a player during the game. One also presumes that in this age of ridiculous safety concerns that this has been considered by the powers that be?
I do like this ground particularly as one can reach it without having to go through the town centre and there is a small car park at the ground but also a large pay and display close by. In all regards it is a good football experience to come here.

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