Ochilview Park
Encyclopedia
Ochilview Park is a football stadium
in Stenhousemuir
, Scotland
. It is the home ground of Stenhousemuir
who currently share it with local rivals East Stirlingshire
.
which are visible from the area. A new main stand, which came to be nicknamed the "Doll's House" due to small size, was opened in 1928, with bench seating for 310, following a fire which destroyed its predecessor. Due to a design error, however, no provision for accessing the seats was initially included, with two external staircases having to be added later. [Reference: "The Warriors" - A Centenary History of Stenhousemuir Football Club (Published 1984)]
In 1926–27, greyhound
racing was introduced to raise revenue. Ochilview recorded its record attendance on 11 March 1950, when 12,500 attended a Scottish Cup
quarter-final tie between Stenhousemuir and East Fife
.
In 1994, Stenhousemuir were considering relocation, having provisionally agreed to sell Ochilview to a supermarket chain for £2.5 million. The scheme, however, was frustrated by planning regulations, and instead it was decided to upgrade the existing stadium.
At the end of season 1994–95, the covered terracing on the south side of Ochilview was removed to make way for a new 626 seater main stand. The new stand, which opened in season 1996–97, was subsequently named as the Norway Stand due to a sponsorship deal with Stenhousemuir's Norwegian
supporters' club. It is now the only seated accommodation available at the ground, as the old "Doll's House" opposite had to be demolished in April 1999 after being refused a safety certificate. The north side of the ground is now largely used for car-parking, but could be used as standing accommodation in the event of a larger than usual crowd being expected.
on 7 November 1951.
The original floodlights were little better than street lights and were replaced in season 1972–73, and then again in season 2006–07.
to ground share Ochilview Park after the latter had vacated their previous home at Annfield
, and before the new ground at Forthbank
was completed.
The 2003–04 season saw Stenhousemuir again share Ochilview, this time with local rivals Falkirk
after the latter had vacated their previous home at Brockville
, and before the new Falkirk Stadium
was completed. Marquee-type stands were erected on the north and east sides of the ground to temporarily raise the ground's capacity to 5,267 during Falkirk's period of tenancy.
East Stirlingshire F.C. have ground-shared at Ochilview since the start of the 2008-2009 season, having moved from their ground at Firs Park, Falkirk.
Apart from the new main stand, only one side of the ground is usually in use for spectators, this being the terracing at the Tryst Road end (west). In season 2004–05, a new roof was installed here, constructed by club volunteers. The former grass banking at the east end of Ochilview was removed some years ago, and the area has since been flattened and replaced with artificial pitches
for community use.
approved two star synthetic surface. See link. http://www.greenfields.eu/sports-news/fifa-recommended-2-star/
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley within the Falkirk council area of Scotland. The town is north-northwest of Falkirk and directly adjoins to Larbert in the west. The villages of Carron and Carronshore adjoin Stenhousemuir to the east but...
, 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...
. It is the home ground of Stenhousemuir
Stenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
who currently share it with local rivals East Stirlingshire
East Stirlingshire F.C.
East Stirlingshire Football Club is a Scottish football club originating in Falkirk. Founded in 1880, originally as Bainsford Britannia, the club changed to their current name a year later in 1881...
.
History
Stenhousemuir moved to the ground in 1890, six years after the club was formed. The name derives from the nearby Ochil HillsOchil Hills
The Ochil Hills is a range of hills in Scotland north of the Forth valley bordered by the towns of Stirling, Alloa, Kinross and Perth. The only major roads crossing the hills pass through Glen Devon/Glen Eagles and Glenfarg, the latter now largely replaced except for local traffic by the M90...
which are visible from the area. A new main stand, which came to be nicknamed the "Doll's House" due to small size, was opened in 1928, with bench seating for 310, following a fire which destroyed its predecessor. Due to a design error, however, no provision for accessing the seats was initially included, with two external staircases having to be added later. [Reference: "The Warriors" - A Centenary History of Stenhousemuir Football Club (Published 1984)]
In 1926–27, greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
racing was introduced to raise revenue. Ochilview recorded its record attendance on 11 March 1950, when 12,500 attended a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
quarter-final tie between Stenhousemuir and East Fife
East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
.
In 1994, Stenhousemuir were considering relocation, having provisionally agreed to sell Ochilview to a supermarket chain for £2.5 million. The scheme, however, was frustrated by planning regulations, and instead it was decided to upgrade the existing stadium.
At the end of season 1994–95, the covered terracing on the south side of Ochilview was removed to make way for a new 626 seater main stand. The new stand, which opened in season 1996–97, was subsequently named as the Norway Stand due to a sponsorship deal with Stenhousemuir's Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
supporters' club. It is now the only seated accommodation available at the ground, as the old "Doll's House" opposite had to be demolished in April 1999 after being refused a safety certificate. The north side of the ground is now largely used for car-parking, but could be used as standing accommodation in the event of a larger than usual crowd being expected.
Floodlights
Ochilview wrote itself into Scottish football history when it was the venue for the first modern floodlit match in Scotland, a friendly against HibernianHibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
on 7 November 1951.
The original floodlights were little better than street lights and were replaced in season 1972–73, and then again in season 2006–07.
Ground sharing
In season 1992–93, the Club allowed rivals Stirling AlbionStirling 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...
to ground share Ochilview Park after the latter had vacated their previous home at Annfield
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...
, and before the new ground at Forthbank
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....
was completed.
The 2003–04 season saw Stenhousemuir again share Ochilview, this time with local rivals Falkirk
Falkirk F.C.
Falkirk Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Falkirk. It is one of two professional football teams from the town, the other being East Stirlingshire...
after the latter had vacated their previous home at Brockville
Brockville Park
Brockville Park was a football stadium located on Hope Street in Falkirk, Scotland, north-west of the town centre. It was the home of Falkirk F.C. from 1885 until the end of 2002–03 Scottish football season. The record attendance at Brockville Park was 23,100 on 21 February 1953 in a match...
, and before the new Falkirk Stadium
Falkirk Stadium
The Falkirk Stadium is a football stadium in Falkirk in central Scotland, which plays host to the home matches of Falkirk F.C. although the stadium itself sits partly within the boundaries of the neighbouring town of Grangemouth...
was completed. Marquee-type stands were erected on the north and east sides of the ground to temporarily raise the ground's capacity to 5,267 during Falkirk's period of tenancy.
East Stirlingshire F.C. have ground-shared at Ochilview since the start of the 2008-2009 season, having moved from their ground at Firs Park, Falkirk.
Stands
Artificial turf
Artificial turf is a surface manufactured from synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It is most often used in arenas for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial applications as well...
for community use.
Playing surface
Ochilview boasts a FIFAFIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
approved two star synthetic surface. See link. http://www.greenfields.eu/sports-news/fifa-recommended-2-star/