Victoria Park

Victoria Park stands in Hartlepool, County Durham, on land once worked as a limestone quarry. The football ground hosts Hartlepool United, a club in the National League. Four stands surround the pitch: the Town End Terrace behind the south goal, the Cyril Knowles Stand to the east, the Neale Cooper Stand on the west side, and the Rink End at the north end for away supporters. The Town End is the loudest section, while the Rink End’s view is partly blocked by pillars. The Cyril Knowles Stand replaced a temporary wooden stand after the First World War. The ground has been renamed many times for sponsors, most recently as the Prestige Group Stadium. The ground’s history includes a 1916 Zeppelin raid that destroyed the main stand. In 1957 a crowd of 17,264 watched Hartlepool lose 4–3 to Manchester United in the FA Cup. The club once shared the ground with West Hartlepool R.F.C., who brought executive boxes to the Cyril Knowles Stand. In 1986 Middlesbrough played an emergency fixture here when their own ground was locked out. Hartlepool’s pitch, maintained by groundsman Dave Brown, has earned annual award nominations since 2003. Visitors find the ground close to Hartlepool town centre and railway station. Nearby pubs include the Corner Flag for away fans and a range of restaurants at Hartlepool Marina. Large car parks at Jackson’s Landing and retail parks make parking straightforward. The Morrisons supermarket sits next door, and the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre is a short walk away.