Forthbank Park
Encyclopedia
Forthbank Park was a sports venue in Stirling
, Scotland
until 1940. Forthbank park was home to King's Park F.C.
until the beginning of World War II. During the war Forthbank was destroyed by the Luftwaffe
. The ground was victim to the only German bomb strike on the town during the conflict. The majority of the stadium was damaged beyond financial repair by King's Park and was demolished. Shortly after the war King's Park closed down permanently.
since the late 1800's until 1940 when the ground was destroyed. King's Park also hosted other sporting events at the ground, mostly animal racing.
but also cheetahs. The Scottish Football Association
at the time was keen to put an end to this practice as, although the racing provided a financial lifeline to many smaller clubs including King's Park, they feared that it would lead to football becoming too reliant on gambling
just like the races. An SFA inspection team deemed that the greyhound track at Forthbank encroached on to the pitch and as such it was removed, along with the source of income.
dropped a bomb on the town of Stirling. The bomb fell on Forthbank partially destroying the stadium. King's Park made temporary repairs to the stadium and played two more games at the ground before the club was closed down. The club was finally given compensation from the War Office
in 1953.
in 1945 and shortly after purchased the Annfield estate to construct Annfield Stadium
. Annfield remained the main football stadium in Stirling until 1993 when Stirling Council constructed a new stadium for Stirling Albion on the outskirts of the town, the new stadium was called after King's Park's old ground Forthbank Stadium
.
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
until 1940. Forthbank park was home to King's Park F.C.
King's Park F.C.
King's Park FC were a football club who played in the Scottish Football League before the Second World War. Based in Stirling, they joined the League in the 1921–22 season, following the reintroduction of the Second Division and were one of 11 new members for that season.-History:Their finest...
until the beginning of World War II. During the war Forthbank was destroyed by the Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
. The ground was victim to the only German bomb strike on the town during the conflict. The majority of the stadium was damaged beyond financial repair by King's Park and was demolished. Shortly after the war King's Park closed down permanently.
King's Park F.C.
Forthbank was the home ground of King's Park F.C.King's Park F.C.
King's Park FC were a football club who played in the Scottish Football League before the Second World War. Based in Stirling, they joined the League in the 1921–22 season, following the reintroduction of the Second Division and were one of 11 new members for that season.-History:Their finest...
since the late 1800's until 1940 when the ground was destroyed. King's Park also hosted other sporting events at the ground, mostly animal racing.
Not just football
Forthbank was one of a number of stadiums at the time to host animal racing, usually greyhoundsGreyhound racing
Greyhound racing is the sport of racing greyhounds. The dogs chase a lure on a track until they arrive at the finish line. The one that arrives first is the winner....
but also cheetahs. The Scottish Football Association
Scottish Football Association
The Scottish Football Association is the governing body of football in Scotland and has the ultimate responsibility for the control and development of football in Scotland. Members of the SFA include clubs in Scotland, affiliated national associations as well as local associations...
at the time was keen to put an end to this practice as, although the racing provided a financial lifeline to many smaller clubs including King's Park, they feared that it would lead to football becoming too reliant on gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
just like the races. An SFA inspection team deemed that the greyhound track at Forthbank encroached on to the pitch and as such it was removed, along with the source of income.
World War II end of an era
On July 20, 1940 the LuftwaffeLuftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
dropped a bomb on the town of Stirling. The bomb fell on Forthbank partially destroying the stadium. King's Park made temporary repairs to the stadium and played two more games at the ground before the club was closed down. The club was finally given compensation from the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
in 1953.
Stirling's future stadiums
This was not the end to football in Stirling as local business man Thomas Ferguson started up Stirling Albion F.C.Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
in 1945 and shortly after purchased the Annfield estate to construct Annfield Stadium
Annfield Stadium
Annfield Stadium was a football stadium in Stirling, Scotland. The stadium was home to Stirling Albion F.C. until 1993 when the stadium was closed down due to Stirling Albion moving to Forthbank Stadium...
. Annfield remained the main football stadium in Stirling until 1993 when Stirling Council constructed a new stadium for Stirling Albion on the outskirts of the town, the new stadium was called after King's Park's old ground Forthbank Stadium
Forthbank Stadium
Forthbank Stadium is a football stadium in Stirling, Scotland. It is the home ground of Stirling Albion. The stadium has a capacity of 3,808. The pitch size is 110 x 74 yards....
.