ROKER PARK
Roker Park was a League ground for 100 seasons
from 1 Jul 1898 to 30 Jun 1997
The 60th ground used for a League game
Current capacity: 22,500
Opened: 1898 • Closed: 1997
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Sunderland | 9 Sep 1898 | 29 Jul 1997 | Following an attack on The Wednesday players in 1903 the match v. Middlesbrough in 1903/4 was played at St Jamesβ Park. The club was also involved in a Football League Play Off Match at the neutral venue of Wembley Stadium. |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
| Date | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Sep 1898 | Sunderland | Moved from Newcastle Road to Roker Park |
| 29 Jul 1997 | Sunderland | Moved from Roker Park to Stadium of Light |
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
The site had been in use as farmland when Sunderland FC moved here from Newcastle Road in 1898 and the original facilities included a 3,000 seat main stand on the east side, a cover over wooden terracing on the west side and banking at each end. After the south end was rebuilt with concrete terracing in 1911 it had a nominal capacity of 50,000.
The ground saw substantial improvements during the 1920s with the enlargement of the north end banking and construction of a new 5,875 main stand on the east side taking place before the setting of the record attendance of 75,118 at the FA Cup 6th Round Replay v. Derby County (0-1) on March 8th, 1933. The final alteration prior to WWII was the installation of a new stand for 15,500 standing spectators on the west side. Apart from the addition of seating in the main stand paddock, the stadium remained unaltered until it was refurbished for the World Cup in 1966 with the installation of seats at the rear of the west stand, temporary seats in the paddocks and a roof and seats at the north end. The club moved to the Stadium of Light in 1997 and the ground was demolished and the site used for housing.
The ground saw substantial improvements during the 1920s with the enlargement of the north end banking and construction of a new 5,875 main stand on the east side taking place before the setting of the record attendance of 75,118 at the FA Cup 6th Round Replay v. Derby County (0-1) on March 8th, 1933. The final alteration prior to WWII was the installation of a new stand for 15,500 standing spectators on the west side. Apart from the addition of seating in the main stand paddock, the stadium remained unaltered until it was refurbished for the World Cup in 1966 with the installation of seats at the rear of the west stand, temporary seats in the paddocks and a roof and seats at the north end. The club moved to the Stadium of Light in 1997 and the ground was demolished and the site used for housing.
MAP
Roker Park