An iconic ground left abandoned for more than 20 years has left behind some very recognisable features for the local community
General views of the Vetch Field, the former ground of Swansea City which is now a park and allotments before the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Liverpool at Liberty Stadium
Swansea City's former home at Vetch Field has been turned into a local park and allotments(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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The United Kingdom is littered with abandoned football grounds that sit derelict and often become burdens to their surrounding areas. However, Swansea City's former home at Vetch Field is one of the rare success stories in that area.
The Welsh outfit called Vetch Field their home from the club's 1912 debut up until 2005 when they moved to the Liberty Stadium (now the Swansea.com Stadium). Much of that era was spent in the second, third and fourth tiers of the English Football League system, comprising numerous promotion and relegation campaigns.
At the time of its closure almost 21 years ago, the Vetch could hold a maximum capacity of a little less than 12,000 people. And while considerably smaller than the much newer Liberty, some fans still long for the more intimate feel of its predecessor.
Swansea's council has endeavoured to keep segments of the ground intact, however, and parts still remain at what is now known as Vetch Park. The local community area even still has the pitch's old centre circle maintained today, used as a grassy area that looks out over Wales' second-largest city.
A significant reason for this is the fact numerous fans' ashes have been spread over the site in the past. And as a mark of respect, both the club and council wished to preserve it for that reason.
The park also comprises one portion of the stadium wall that has also been kept in remarkably good condition. The partition in question is emblazoned with a Swansea City crest and runs alongside a big stretch of grass like the one it once shielded.
But perhaps most notable among all the features that still remain is the players' tunnel positioned between two nearby terrace houses. Just on the other side of a wall to Vetch Park is the official entrance (Gate 2), which reads that it's reserved for "players, directors, officials" and "press only."
Old Swansea City player tunnel at Vetch Field, which closed down in 2005
One of the old players' tunnels still stands today between two terraced houses(Image: PA)
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The style of said entrance reminds of the Oak Stand entry point at Kenilworth Road, the home of Luton Town. Even today fans will pass within feet of surrounding abodes, which have been built into the infrastructure of the ground itself.
Also position nearby is a rusting gate to the old East Stand, one of the few features still yet to be knocked down. However, it now leads only to a dead end, having once been an important starting point on any matchday.
General views of the Vetch Field, the former ground of Swansea City which is now a park and allotments before the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Liverpool at Liberty Stadium
An old segment of wall at the ground is also intact(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Household names like The Who (1976) and Stevie Wonder (1984) each performed at Vetch Field in its heyday. The highest record on attendance at Vetch Field was 32,796 and took place when Swansea played Arsenal in February 1968, an FA Cup clash that ended 1-0 for the Gunners.