The world’s oldest football stadium is set to become abandoned with Maidenhead United reviving plans for a new ground
Maidenhead United’s 154-year stay at York Road is set to come to a stunning end. The National League South side – who were previously visited by Hollywood stars – were established in 1870 and began playing at the Berkshire stadium in 1871 which has since set records as the oldest football ground to be continually used by the same club, an honour recognised by the FA.
The first home game played at the ground was in 1871 of the same year with a blue plaque situated on the wall of the stadium to celebrate the sheer amount of history it’s endured since.
However, the 154-year run looks to be coming to an end after Maidenhead United – who earned millions thanks to West Ham last year – announced they’ve revived plans to move into a new stadium. The club’s chairman Peter Griffin claimed that the historic ground is no longer fit for purpose with the club eyeing Maidenhead’s Braywick Park as their next home.
Plans to leave York Road initially began several years ago but the move was cancelled after the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead blocked the plan in 2023 because of concerns about the loss of space.
Admitting that the move away from their current home will be done with a “heavy heart”, Griffin did insist that it would be a important move to sustain the club’s future.
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He said: “With a heavy heart we have to look elsewhere. It’s been a brilliant, historic ground but it’s just not fit for purpose. For us it represents an absolutely brilliant move but for the town we think it’s a fantastic opportunity to have what’s an amazing sports hub right in the town centre.
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“What we’re trying to do is secure the club for the next 150 years. We have had a great time [at York Road] but this is about the future generations to enjoy and for all the kids’ teams we run and all the community activities we run. If they’re going to continue, we have to move.”
Alongside the regeneration that the move will do for the area, Maidenhead will look to bolster the facilities of thew new ground with plans to include a hybrid natural grass and artificial turf pitch.
Separate changing rooms for the men’s and women’s teams are also being drawn up as further meetings are set to be had with the council in the new year. Griffin stated that public engagement discussing the plans will be had in January with hopes that a formal planning application will then be able to be submitted.
The club are currently eighth in the National League South table with 10 wins, four draws and eight losses accrued after 22 games. It’s Maidenhead United’s first season back in the division after an eight-year stay in the National League.
