Watling Street was as good a Southern League ground as ever existed. I saw three F.A. Trophy semi-finals there, and at the first in 1980 saw just once the large earth banks behind each goal. It is a matter of regret that when visiting Aerofilms no photos ever seem to have been taken of the ground in this condition. When I visited during demolition I was stood at the gate when an old man was pushed along in his wheelchair. His carer parked him by the gate and left him there, going over the road to buy a paper. Neither he nor I said anything, he just looked sadly into the half-demolished ground. How I wish those involved in the destruction of this ground had seen his sadness.

During the time of Maidstone United's ground-sharing at Watling Street the lack of seating at what was still a non-League venue caused difficulty. The club's first Kent derby with Gillingham was fast approaching when the photos below were taken a month apart in March and April 1990. The seating seen left was built without planning permission, and taken down just as quickly following complaints from residents. In between it was used just once - objective achieved, regulations ignored. Is anyone surprised?

please note that all photographs on this site are copyright and permission from the photographer must be obtained for their use elsewhere

© Mike Floate 1999

Three postcards featuring Watling Street are now available. Follow the Stadium Postcard link above for details.

Click here to return to Lost Grounds Index

Click here to return to (or find) the Dartford FC site

Click here to return to Grounds Frenzy Contents