The first thing that a supporter sees on a matchday is the stadium. It’s usually impressive, almost always striking – but the real magic happens on the inside. Fans travel up and down the country in their droves on weekends to see their beloved teams in action.
And for footballers, an intimidating atmosphere can make all the difference when vying for victory. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, on their ‘Match of the Day Top 10 podcast’, named the and ranked their 10 ‘worst’ British stadiums they visited as professionals.
The pair of pundits were tasked with ranking the following 10 grounds: Stamford Bridge, Elland Road, Anfield, The Dell, Britannia Stadium, Old Trafford, Selhurst Park, Roker Park, The Den and Upton Park and disagreements aside, they both ordered them from one to ten.
Micah Richards’ Top 10 Toughest Stadiums to Visit
Stamford Bridge 4th with Upton Park 7th
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Widely recognised as one of the most atmospheric grounds in world football, Liverpool’s Anfield is a special place to visit – and Richards ranked the Merseyside-based ground as the toughest ground he’s ever played at, citing its fortress-like feeling.
Up next was the Reds’ fierce rivals Manchester United and the biggest ground in the Premier League – Old Trafford. Having played for Manchester City during the apex of his career, the ex-right-back was subject to plenty of abuse from the home contingent, while he also suggested that their 6-1 win there was the ’best day’ of his life.
Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium and Stamford Bridge, the home of Premier League juggernauts Chelsea, were ranked in third and fourth, respectively, with their high rankings being a nod to both the stadium’s ever-flourishing tradition and innately classical feel.
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