Sports
10 ‘Worst’ British Stadiums to Visit Ranked by Richards and Shearer
The first thing that a supporter sees on a matchday is the stadium. It’s usually impressive, almost always striking – but the real magic happens on the inside. Fans travel up and down the country in their droves on weekends to see their beloved teams in action.
And for footballers, an intimidating atmosphere can make all the difference when vying for victory. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, on their ‘Match of the Day Top 10 podcast’, named and ranked their 10 ‘worst’ British stadiums they visited as professionals.
The pair of pundits were tasked with ranking the following 10 grounds: Stamford Bridge, Elland Road, Anfield, The Dell, Britannia Stadium, Old Trafford, Selhurst Park, Roker Park, The Den and Upton Park and disagreements aside, they both ordered them from one to ten.
Micah Richards’ Top 10 Toughest Stadiums to Visit
Stamford Bridge 4th with Upton Park 7th
Widely recognised as one of the most atmospheric grounds in world football, Liverpool’s Anfield is a special place to visit – and Richards ranked the Merseyside-based ground as the toughest ground he’s ever played at, citing its fortress-like feeling.
Up next was the Reds’ fierce rivals, Manchester United, and the biggest ground in the Premier League – Old Trafford. Having played for Manchester City during the apex of his career, the ex-right-back was subject to plenty of abuse from the home contingent, while he also suggested that their 6-1 win there was the ’best day’ of his life.
Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium and Stamford Bridge, the home of Premier League juggernauts Chelsea, were ranked in third and fourth, respectively, with their high rankings being a nod to both the stadium’s ever-flourishing tradition and innately classical feel.
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“I played at the old Den on a few occasions. It was quite a harrowing experience at times. You’d get on the pitch, and you’d think to yourself ‘it is probably not a good idea to play too well today’.” is what Richards said when describing what playing Millwall on their home turf feels like.
The Den was ranked smack bang in the middle by the ex-Fiorentina man, with Elland Road, which boasts a capacity of 37.792, following closely behind. The Leeds United fans certainly know how to play a racket inside the four walls of their stomping ground.
No longer the home of West Ham United, having since been replaced by the London Stadium back in 2016, Upton Park was as raucous as home grounds came in the Premier League.
Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, but has been ranked eighth by Richards. It’s set to undergo a refurbishment in the near future, but the 25,486-seater – which is situated in south London – is poised to retain its unique character.
Roker Park, the former ground of Sunderland, and The Dell – which played home to Southampton between 1898 and 2001 – respectively, concluded Richards’ top 10 ranking. Talking on the former, Lineker praised the ‘Roker Roar’.
“I played a couple of times in my early days with Leicester and the ‘Roker Roar’ really was a thing. It really was. A well-supported club.”
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Micah Richards’ Top 10 Toughest Stadiums to Visit |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Stadium |
Team |
|
1. |
Anfield |
Liverpool |
|
2. |
Old Trafford |
Manchester United |
|
3. |
Britannia Stadium |
Stoke City |
|
4. |
Stamford Bridge |
Chelsea |
|
5. |
The Den |
Millwall |
|
6. |
Elland Road |
Leeds United |
|
7. |
Upton Park |
West Ham United |
|
8. |
Selhurst Park |
Crystal Palace |
|
9. |
Roker Park |
Sunderland |
|
10. |
The Dell |
Southampton |
Alan Shearer’s Top 10 Toughest Stadiums to Visit
Selhurst Park included, while The Den also makes the cut
While Manchester United’s Old Trafford may have its issues in 2024, there is no understating that the ground is steeped in plenty of history and memorable performances. The former marksman said that he received all manner of jeers after rejecting a move there on two occasions.
“You very rarely went to Old Trafford and got something and obviously I got dog’s abuse from the fans [having twice rejected the chance to join Manchester United], but what a team.”
Albeit, by Shearer’s admission, being a ‘tad more respectful’ than other grounds, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer still placed Anfield in second – just one place ahead of West Ham United’s now-defunct Upton Park.
Talking about the former home of the east Londoners, he said: “You mention The Den about them being close and tight and horrible and them abusing you, Upton Park was similar to that and in terms of going from that to where they are now at London Stadium, it is chalk and cheese.”
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Stamford Bridge and Roker Park, which closed its doors in 1997, were then ranked by the former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers centre forward in fourth and fifth, respectively. When reminiscing about Chelsea’s home ground, he said:
“I played there with all three of my clubs – Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle. It was a horrible pitch, really bobbly and dry and long grass.”
Speaking on how narrow the Selhurst Park tunnel was, which in turn created a buzzing atmosphere, Sharer said: “It was a horrible old stadium, dressing room small, tunnel small. Still now, you can see the teams coming out of the tunnel together.”
Elland Road and The Dell were then ranked by Shearer, now 54 years of age, to rub shoulders with some of the country’s worst grounds he ever had the displeasure of visiting throughout his 703-outing career in club football.
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The Den, the long-term home of Millwall, has become synonymous throughout football circles for being one of the most intimidating stadiums in British football history – and plenty of fans and players know they are in for a difficult day at the office when they travel there. Topping off her top ten, Stoke City’s now-defunct Britannia Stadium was named.
|
Alan Shearer’s Top 10 Toughest Stadiums to Visit |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Stadium |
Team |
|
1. |
Old Trafford |
Manchester United |
|
2. |
Anfield |
Liverpool |
|
3. |
Upton Park |
West Ham United |
|
4. |
Stamford Bridge |
Chelsea |
|
5. |
Roker Park |
Sunderland |
|
6. |
Selhurst Park |
Crystal Palace |
|
7. |
Elland Road |
Leeds United |
|
8. |
The Dell |
Southampton |
|
9. |
The Den |
Millwall |
|
10. |
Britannia Stadium |
Stoke City |
Sports
Tottenham Submit £120,000-a-Week Offer to Man City Star Savinho
Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a £120,000-a-week contract offer to Manchester City forward Savinho, according to a reliable insider.
Having staved off the threat of relegation, Tottenham now look ready to make a real statement in the summer transfer market.
Not only do Spurs chiefs need to back the manager who saved them from dropping into the Championship, but they need to build a squad that significantly improves on two successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League.
After two disappointing seasons, it is imperative and likely that there will be a number of player exits, but Roberto De Zerbi will also want to add multiple new faces to his team too.
Tottenham have already agreed their first two signings of the summer, both on free transfers, in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi following their exits from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.
There had been some talk that Liverpool could hijack the Senesi deal after Andonio Iraola’s appointment at Anfield, but that has been played down by GIVEMESPORT sources.
Changes to the north London outfit’s frontline are also likely, with Randal Kolo Muani returning to Paris Saint-Germain following his loan spell, while doubts have been raised over the futures of Mathys Tel and Richarlison.
Tottenham Confident of Reaching Savinho Agreement
Tottenham wanted to sign Savinho from Manchester City last summer but a deal ultimately failed to materialise.
Now, Spurs are back in for him, and they want to get a transfer over the line this time around with a move progressing, according to Fabrizio Romano.
According to one reliable City insider account on X, the north London outfit have offered the Brazilian a deal worth around £120,000-a-week to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The ‘extraordinary’ 22-year-old’s salary went up to £92,000-a-week, plus bonuses, last summer following Spurs’ interest, with City informing their Premier League rivals they would need to pay in excess of £60m to land a top target.
Nevertheless, there is ‘confidence’ that an agreement will be reached between all parties.
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Savinho Signing Would Raise More Questions Over Mathys Tel
If Savinho does arrive at Tottenham in a big-money swoop, you would assume he would immediately lock down the left-wing position in De Zerbi’s starting XI.
That would instantly raise question marks over Mathys Tel’s role in the team moving forward, even though De Zerbi has labelled him as a ‘big talent’.
The Frenchman is able to play as a striker as well as on the left-hand side, but it was the latter position that he featured in mostly for Spurs in the final weeks of the season, with Richarlison and Dominic Solanke preferred in the centre-forward position, when the latter was fit.
Spurs could look to bring in a new striker this summer and if Savinho also arrives, then it might be the bench at best for Tel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
One report this week has suggested that the player is looking to leave the club after just 12 months, with Bournemouth and FC Porto already making enquiries about signing the 21-year-old.
He scored four goals in 31 Premier League appearances for Tottenham this season.
Sports
Man Utd Want to Sign Everton Star Iliman Ndiaye
Manchester United’s attacking options are set to receive a boost this summer, and the club have now added a new option to their shortlist of potential arrivals.
The Red Devils secured their place in next season’s Champions League by finishing third in the Premier League, with manager Michael Carrick securing more points in the division than anyone else since he was appointed in January.
But with a busier schedule now set for next season as a result, the team needs reinforcements to ensure their level doesn’t drop, and Carrick has identified one Premier League star as an option.
Man Utd Eyeing Iliman Ndiaye Deal
According to the Manchester Evening News, Man Utd are eyeing up a deal for Everton star Iliman Ndiaye this summer.
Ndiaye, who has been described as ‘one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League’, enjoyed a fine season with the Toffees in the most recent campaign, registering six goals and three assists as they finished in mid-table.
It has since emerged that the Senegal international is refusing to commit to a new contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, as the potential for a move to a Champions League club emerges.
No official move has been made for Ndiaye at this point, but it’s previously been reported that the 26-year-old views a move to Old Trafford as his ‘dream move’, which could make their interest materialise later in the window.
Everton do not want to sell their star forward, but United view his versatility as a key attribute as he can play on both wings or as a number ten, which could see him fit in perfectly alongside the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
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Ndiaye Would Be Classic Man Utd Signing
When Man Utd have been at their best over the years, it’s usually when they take the best players from other Premier League clubs and add them to their squad to become stronger.
Ndiaye would be one of those classic signings, but it won’t come cheap. Everton are adamant they won’t lose him cheaply, and while he still has three years remaining on his contract, they have plenty of leverage to make a deal difficult to do.
But Ndiaye could potentially push for a deal, and Man Utd have shown that they are ready to stump up the cash whenever they deem it to be necessary. This is certainly one to watch going forward.
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Sports
Tottenham Working to Sign Cody Gakpo From Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur are working on a move for unhappy Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo, according to SoccerNews.
Tottenham chiefs are working hard on strengthening Roberto De Zerbi’s squad after a second successive disastrous Premier League season, which saw them finish 17th again and escape relegation to the Championship on the final day.
The Lewis Family have already confirmed that they can’t let these two seasons be repeated, with the north London outfit expected to back their manager and make a big splash in the summer transfer window when it opens on June 15.
Spurs appear to be looking at bolstering their squad in multiple positions, with two deals already agreed to strengthen a backline that conceded 57 goals in 38 top flight games this term.
Marcos Senesi will join Andy Robertson at the club after completing free transfer moves from Bournemouth and Liverpool respectively, unless there is a last-minute hitch, and the duo look to be two smart deals right at the beginning of the summer.
Tottenham need reinforcements in attack too, with the club not expected to sign Randal Kolo Muani on a permanent basis following a loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain, while doubts have been raised over the future of two more forwards in Richarlison and Mathys Tel.
Tottenham Have ‘Serious’ Interest in Cody Gakpo
According to Dutch-based outlet SoccerNews, Gakpo is keen to leave Liverpool following the exit of Arne Slot as manager, with doubts over whether he will be a preferred option for new boss Andoni Iraola on the left wing.
SoccerNews claim that Tottenham are ‘seriously’ interested in prising the Netherlands international away from Anfield this summer, just 12 months after he signed a new £250,000-a-week deal to remain on Merseyside.
Spurs and De Zerbi are hoping to convince the attacker to make the move to London, as they work on a plan that would see him leave Anfield for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham see Gakpo as the perfect player for their big summer rebuild, although they could face competition from other Premier League clubs, as well as teams in Spain and Germany.
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Tottenham Progressing With Savinho Deal
Tottenham making a serious push for Gakpo would be a surprise unless they end up failing to secure a deal for top target Savinho from Manchester City.
Fabrizio Romano has already reported that a Spurs move for the Brazilian is progressing, 12 months on from another attempt to bring him to London from Manchester.
One insider has suggested that Tottenham have already lodged a contract offer worth £120,000-a-week to the 22-year-old, as they look to add him to their frontline ahead of next season.
Like Gakpo, Savinho favours playing from the left-hand side and it’s hard to see how Tottenham could sign both, unless he see one of them playing a different role.
One thing in Spurs’ favour is the fact that Micky van de Ven and Xavi Simons are already at the club, and they could help convince their Dutch compatriot to join them despite a horrendous 2025-26 season.
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