The site was in use as a sports ground when
Norwich City moved here from
The Nest in 1935 and within less than three months
Carrow Road had hosted its first Football League match and constructed a 3,500 seat main stand and paddock on the west side and embankments around the pitch. Further improvements carried out before the outbreak of WWII included the installation of a cover over the north end.
In 1959 a roof, which was subsequently linked to the one at the north end, was installed over the terraces on the east side. Confusingly called the South Stand (after Sir Arthur South rather than its disposition around the pitch) it was converted to an all-seater in 1975. The club purchased the freehold in 1971 and demolished the south end and replaced it with a new all seat stand in 1979.
A fire destroyed part of the main stand in 1984, necessitating the construction in 1985 of a replacement 3,100 seat stand, and further improvements in the 1990s included the installation of an all seat stand at the north end and corner extensions to the main stand. The record attendance of 43,984 was set at the FA Cup 6th Round tie v.
Leicester City (0-2) on March 30th, 1963. At the end of the 2002/3 season the east side was demolished and an 8,000 seat structure constructed, whilst a 1,500 seat corner stand linking it to the one at the south end was installed in 2004/5. This gave an all seat capacity of 26,034 at the end of the 2006/7 season and the pitch size was 114 x 74 yards.