York Street
Encyclopedia
York Street, currently styled as The Jakemans Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Boston
, England
, and is the home ground of Boston United
. Originally called Shodfriars Lane, football has been played on the site since the late 19th century by a variety of Boston teams, but it has been used by Boston United since 1933. In the late 1970s the ground was rebuilt.
Although the ground currently has a maximum capacity of 6,643, the record crowd is 11,000 against Derby County
. 10 further attendances of more than 8,000 are on record.
In the mid-fifties the York Street Stand was built, and the ground's first floodlights were installed. These were first played under in 1955, when more than 9,000 fans watched Bostons first floodlit game against Corby Town. The new floodlights, erected in each of the four corners of the ground, allowed the Pilgrims to play in various floodlit competitions at the time.
In 1977, York Street failed an inspection for league grading, leading to local fundraising in 1978 which resulted in new terracing, stands, floodlights, toilets, turnstiles and snack bars.
On Friday 13 March 2009, Boston United F.C. announced that the ground had been renamed to 'The Jakemans Stadium' with immediate effect, after the Sutterton-based confectioners.
By road you can travel to the ground by taking the A1 to A17 Sleaford to Boston, drive straight-on along John Adams Way, turn right at the traffic lights into Main Ridge and then right again into York Street. The ground's car park is for permit holders only, but parking is available on the surrounding roads. If not, the NCP car park off John Adams Way is within walking distance of the ground.
Boston, Lincolnshire
Boston is a town and small port in Lincolnshire, on the east coast of England. It is the largest town of the wider Borough of Boston local government district and had a total population of 55,750 at the 2001 census...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and is the home ground of Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
. Originally called Shodfriars Lane, football has been played on the site since the late 19th century by a variety of Boston teams, but it has been used by Boston United since 1933. In the late 1970s the ground was rebuilt.
Although the ground currently has a maximum capacity of 6,643, the record crowd is 11,000 against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. 10 further attendances of more than 8,000 are on record.
History
The ground has stood in the centre of the town of Boston since the 19th century, and has been given a variety of names since its construction. For 40 years before York Street's current tenants, Boston United were founded it was known as 'Main Ridge'.In the mid-fifties the York Street Stand was built, and the ground's first floodlights were installed. These were first played under in 1955, when more than 9,000 fans watched Bostons first floodlit game against Corby Town. The new floodlights, erected in each of the four corners of the ground, allowed the Pilgrims to play in various floodlit competitions at the time.
In 1977, York Street failed an inspection for league grading, leading to local fundraising in 1978 which resulted in new terracing, stands, floodlights, toilets, turnstiles and snack bars.
On Friday 13 March 2009, Boston United F.C. announced that the ground had been renamed to 'The Jakemans Stadium' with immediate effect, after the Sutterton-based confectioners.
Fantasy Island Stand
The Fantasy Island Stand is situated to the north of the pitch. It is entered through turnstiles 1 & 2 and has an all seated capacity of 1,323. The Directors' seating and dug outs can be found here.Benton Brothers York Street Stand
The Benton Brothers York Street Stand is situated to the east of the pitch. The right-hand side of this stand is reserved for away supporters, who are accommodated flat terracing as well as the benches above. Entry for this section is through turnstiles 3 & 4. Home supporters should access the stand via turnstiles 5 & 6. It is an unusual stand with both terracing near the pitch and seating above and behind. Its capacity is 1,435 with 503 seated. The players' changing rooms, tunnel, boardroom, medical centre and pressbox are housed here.Spayne Road Terrace
The Spayne Road Terrace is situated to the south of the pitch. Turnstiles 5 & 6 are used for entry. It is a low terrace running the full length of the pitch with a capacity of 2,064.The Jakemans Stand
The Town End Terrace is situated to the west of the pitch. Formerly reserved for away fans, it is now allocated as a home stand. Supporters should enter through turnstiles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10. It has a maximum capacity of 1,821.Ground Grading
The ground has a Grade A certificate. This means that it fulfills the Football League ground requirements. The club had to install temporary seats in the centre of the Benton Brothers York Street End during their spell in the Football League for this, according to former Chairman Jon Sotnick. The ground's Grade A status means that all matches held there must be segregated.Lease
Boston United F.C. has 9 years left on the land lease. The ground is rented from the Malkinson family. The land cannot be developed before the lease ends, unless Boston United no longer exist or have found an alternative home. The land is owned by the Malkinson family, however the stands are owned by Boston United.Other uses
The ground has been used for a variety of other purposes besides the hosting of Boston United's football matches. It is also currently used as the club's offices. 'The Boston United Sports Bar' is located on the ground's car park and is open every evening. Its running was taken over by the club in early March 2009 and the bar provides drinks, pool facilities and televisions. Public meetings have been held inside the ground, and the Supporters' Trust hold meetings in the Boardroom. 'Community Days' and fireworks displays have also been held there. Notably, York Street held its most recent international match on March 5, 2009. England Under-18 Schoolboys beat Wales Under-18 Schoolboys 3-0, with a pre-match japanese drum display and half-time cheerleading routine taking place on the pitch that evening. Rock band Metallica will also be playing a concert here in late 2012 where they will be supported by Avenged Sevenfold.Transport
Boston is the nearest railway station to the ground; it is less than 1 mile away. From the station the ground is a short walk away, and it is sign posted throughout the town.By road you can travel to the ground by taking the A1 to A17 Sleaford to Boston, drive straight-on along John Adams Way, turn right at the traffic lights into Main Ridge and then right again into York Street. The ground's car park is for permit holders only, but parking is available on the surrounding roads. If not, the NCP car park off John Adams Way is within walking distance of the ground.