Arbroath F.C. - Stadium

Stadium

Arbroath's Gayfield Park is the closest to the sea in Britain, an old-style ground exposed to the elements, with terracing on three sides and enclosed stands on all four sides. On stormy winter days, waves beat on the walls surrounding the ground. Clearances in the teeth of the gale, let alone polished football, become impossible. Goalkeepers can find it hard to spot the ball to kick out and even then goalkicks occasionally fly out for corners. Throw in the ubiquitous seagulls and, in clement weather, the rides on Pleasureland next door, and Gayfield offers a unique, bracing and surreal spectacle with wonderful views when the game pales.

With the exception of occasional frost, games at Gayfield never used to be postponed due to the free draining sandy soil and salt air – it was effectively all-weather. Sadly, excessive health and safety concerns in recent years, have meant more frequent cancellations in recent due to excess wind, frost, snow, fog, rain.