THE DELL
The Dell was a League ground for 82 seasons
from 1 Jul 1920 to 30 Jun 2001
The 100th ground used for a League game
Current capacity: 15,200
Opened: 1898 • Closed: 2001
TENANTS
Teams that have used this ground as a home
| Team | From | To | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Southampton | 2 Sep 1898 | 31 Jul 2001 |
The club was a founder member of the Football League Division 3 in 1920 and moved to St Maryβs Stadium in 2001. |
|
|
Crystal Palace | 27 Nov 1920 | 27 Nov 1920 | Temp | This match was switched here following crowd trouble at the fixture v. Southend United (2-3) on November 3rd, 1920. |
LEAGUE EVENTS
Promotions, relegations and ground moves associated with this ground
| Date | Team | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jul 1920 | Southampton | Founder member of Division 3 |
| 11 Aug 2001 | Southampton | Moved from The Dell to St Marys Stadium |
GROUND HISTORY
adapted from "The Ultimate Directory of English & Scottish Football League Grounds"
Occupying a near-trapezoidal and confined site, The Dell was first used by Southampton FC when they moved from the County Ground in 1898. The original facilities included a two tier stand and terracing on the east side, a stand on the west and steep terracing at each triangular shaped end.
Following the clubβs entry into the Football League in 1920, the stand on the east side was extended in 1922, the freehold purchased for Β£26,000 in 1926 and a new 4,500 seat two-tier stand constructed in 1927. With minor alterations to the terracing on the east side this now gave a nominal capacity of 33,000 but within two years the stand on the east side had burned down to be replaced in 1929 with a 2,500 seat two-tier structure.
Immediate post WWII improvements included the installation of three concrete platforms above the south end to increase the standing accommodation by 900 but these were demolished in 1981 to be replaced by a second tier of terracing whilst about the same time additional seating was installed on both sides of the pitch.
During the 1990s the north end was rebuilt with 1,299 seats and a cantilevered roof, a new 2,897 seat stand constructed at the south end and seats installed throughout the ground giving it an all seat capacity of 15,250 with an 110 x 72 yards sized pitch. Southampton moved to St Maryβs Stadium in 2001 and the site was utilized for housing.
Following the clubβs entry into the Football League in 1920, the stand on the east side was extended in 1922, the freehold purchased for Β£26,000 in 1926 and a new 4,500 seat two-tier stand constructed in 1927. With minor alterations to the terracing on the east side this now gave a nominal capacity of 33,000 but within two years the stand on the east side had burned down to be replaced in 1929 with a 2,500 seat two-tier structure.
Immediate post WWII improvements included the installation of three concrete platforms above the south end to increase the standing accommodation by 900 but these were demolished in 1981 to be replaced by a second tier of terracing whilst about the same time additional seating was installed on both sides of the pitch.
During the 1990s the north end was rebuilt with 1,299 seats and a cantilevered roof, a new 2,897 seat stand constructed at the south end and seats installed throughout the ground giving it an all seat capacity of 15,250 with an 110 x 72 yards sized pitch. Southampton moved to St Maryβs Stadium in 2001 and the site was utilized for housing.